It’s a Wrap

I won this book, Wrapagami in a drawing on CraftyPod.  It just arrived yesterday.  It’s about ways to wrap gifts and stuff using fabric or a “furoshiki”.  It is so cool, the instructions are easy to follow, the wrapping is fun, plus the book is really pretty.  Not that that’s what makes a good book.  It also has tips on other uses and some of the history of the furoshiki and wrapping.

 

Anyway, here’s my first attempt at it.  It’s the most basic thing in the book and it still looks good.  And I finally found a use for this fabric, I’ve had it for almost a year now.  Guess what’s inside, I’m not telling, but I’m sure it is obvious.  Next, I think I’ll make a set of furoshiki for my twin sister and wrap them in one.  Our birthday is coming up after all.    Good thing she doesn’t read this.

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R.I.P. Birdie

My last post was about an injured pigeon I was taking care of, I started to call him Birdie.  And I confirmed it was a “he”.  Well, Bad news.  On Sunday morning Birdie passed on.  Apparently his injuries were too much for him.  At least his last days were pleasant ones.  And I also learned a bit about pigeons, mostly from Wikipedia.  I still don’t know where the crop is.  FYI, it’s the name of a part of the pigeon’s anatomy, I’m not talking about corn.  Apparently they produce milk from them.  Strange.  In the meantime, I think I’ll continue to read up about these fascinating birds, in memory of Birdie.

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To Care and To Carry

 The other day I woke up to a odd sound just outside my window.  It was this little pigeon.  Two cats were “playing” with him.  They ruffled him up a little, but I think most of his injuries were pre-existing which made him an easy target for the cats.  I been taking care of him, and he seems to be okay.  He can walk and hop up stairs and all, but he can’t fly and doesn’t seem to want to leave our porch.  I guess it’s survival instinct, it’s safer up here.  Well, I’m not complaining, I love pigeons.

Also, I made myself this purple tote bag.  I thought I could use a cute new one that hopefully is more “professional” looking than my beat up bag.  Actually anything is more professional looking than my old bag.  This one is lined with a polka dot print, has a extra pocket on the inside for organization, and it’s huge.  Perfect for the junk I tend to tote around.

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Happy Cat day

Today is Midnight’s birthday!  My dear kitty is 5 years old now, not a little baby anymore.  In fact, I think she’s getting close to kitty middle-age.  Scary. 

I usually don’t bother with making birthday presents for her anymore, save that for Christmas.  But she’s getting a very special dinner tonight,  thanks to a free sample from Wal-Mart.  Did you know you can get samples from the website?  They frequently have pet food samples so I check regularly.  Anyway, Midnight is having a happy and healthy birthday and hopefully she’ll have plenty more.

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What a Dollar Buys These Days

This weekend, my church had their rummage sale with the dollar a bag sale.  That’s where you get a plastic grocery bag and jam in as much stuff as you can without busting it, the whole thing will only cost one dollar.  Needless to say, I am pretty good at cramming things into bags and came back with plenty of goodies.

 

I got some more t-shirts and a tank top because you can never have too many.  I live in t-shirts mostly. 

 

 

 

I found this pretty floral top, but I think it’s a little too sheer.  Maybe the tank will come to the rescue.  I grabbed a pair of shorts because most of mine are worn out (see post Shorts No-more).  And in preparing for winter, I found this pretty poncho and a pair of holiday socks.  I have a thing for socks with snowflakes and stuff. 

 

I found these two skirts, the black one is okay and would be good for work (if I ever find a job), but the other one is really cool.  It’s handmade, possibly a first-time project.  Ah, doesn’t that bring back memories. 

 

 

 

I found these two jackets that would also be good for work, although they are technically a little big on me.  If they won’t work I’ll make them work.  Heh, Heh.  The pink one reminds me so much of Legally Blonde 2, or possibly Barbie.  I use to have a doll that was suppose to be a flight attendant with pink jacket similar to this.  Coffee?

 

For fun, I got two Sailor Moon videos, a book and a pink pillow case.  The pillow case and book are perfect together because I do a lot of my reading before bed.   Of course the book it fitting anyway, it’s called Life Lessons Learned While Shopping.

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Shorts No-more

 

I had this pair of shorts that I liked that ripped in the back in a couple of places.  Some people would have just tossed them, but that’s such a waste.  I wouldn’t be a crafty and creative person if I just threw them out without exploring their potential.

 

I also had a dress I’d gotten in Hawaii, great memories there.  A moment to reminisce.  Just need something to do with it, since it’s actually too big for me now.  Can you believe I weigh less than I did in high school, I can’t.

 

So with some time on my hands and nothing better to do, I combined the two into a most unusual skirt.  I do believe I’ve seen something similar before in a book, but I can’t remember where.  Maybe wearing it will help job my memory.

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A Home of Their Own

Here’s episode two of Kailey and Boris, I’d meant to have it up about a week ago, but things happen sometimes.

In this one, Kailey and Boris get a house, so naturally this lead to them needing furniture.  I had a little trouble at first, but with some old ribbon and thread spools and cardboard scraps along with the usual supplies, it came along nicely.

I love the fabric covered frames on the walls, I’m thinking of making some for myself.  The little bowls on the tables are made from curled strips of paper and glue, I’d like to make some of them too.

When you do watch (please do), some of you may notice the sunny face above the table.  It’s part of a broken pencil sharpener I saved.  You may also notice it moves a little, it kept falling down during filming, oops. 

Now here’s episode 2!

The photos in the film were provided by FreeDigitalPhotos.net.  Yay!

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Jobbing 101

It’s been awhile since I posted, I’ve been job hunting (groan).  Not an area I’m skilled at by the way.  I’ve been thinking, why don’t public high schools offer education in job hunting skill.  The idea of school mainly is to gave kids the knowledge they will need to succeed in life.  That would include skills like resume writing, right.  I never learned that in class.  And I know my high school did have a career center for things like that, but as far as I could tell it was never open when I could go.  Seriously, it only seem to be open during class time, when I was suppose to be in class “learning”.  The only time I ever saw the inside of the career center was when one of my teachers took the class over because representatives from the military were there.  I wanted to “be all that I can be”, but not in that sense.  It’s probably my silly belief that it should be of a high priority for our nation’s youth to be prepared to support themselves when they finish their education.   After all, no matter where you come from and where you’re going, you likely will have fill out an employment application at least once in your life. 

Photo courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net.  Check them out.

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Mission Complete

Yay, I finished the list!  I got to work over the weekend and now it’s all done. 

For the butterflies, I used perler beads and made them into magnets.  I goofed up on the first one I made and it got a little too melted.  I also accidently got some beads stuck to my iron, but I got them off alright.

 

I messed up on the first oven mitt as well, but try, try again.   I think this one came out well, or at least okay.  As long as it will protect you from scorching yourself, it’s fine right?  I love the shape of it and I want to make tons more in other colors.

 

The cell phone sleeping bag isn’t perfect, but I love it.  I decided to keep it for myself, doesn’t my phone look all warm and snuggly.  It’s roomy enough to stash other necessities inside too.

 

 

The headbands weren’t as easy as I thought they’d be because I had trouble with the closure. 

And the pink and black one took extra time to assemble, but they were worth the effort.

 

 

Now these bottle cap pins were a lot of fun to make.  Lots of gluing, painting, beads and glitter went into them.  It did take forever for them to dry, but again it was still so much fun.

 

 

Now the finished list:

• Ribbon headbands
• Jean waistband cuffs
• Jewelry with crescent moons and stars
• Tote bag with umbrella appliqués
• Something square
• Watermelon shaped oven mitts, maybe with matching accessories
• Cell phone sleeping bag
• Change purse key chains
• Monster plush key chains
• Strawberry pins and magnets
• Painted binder clips
• bottle cap pins
• zipper charms
• butterflies

Ah, isn’t it great to see a completed list.  But, now what am I going to do next.  Hmmm.

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Singing in the …..

It’s been awhile, I’ve just been busy on a few projects including some personal ones that left me too sore to type (hint: it involves moving furniture).  I have a few small surprises planned for the future.  The good news is we’ve actually gotten some rain.  Excuse the photo, I took it from the window at the library, but aren’t those rain clouds beautiful.  Clearly I love rain, just not the lightening, got some of that too.  Here’s some more beautiful weather up ahead.

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Christmas in September?

I guess I’m getting a little ahead of myself, you see I keep finding myself thinking about Christmas lately.  I’ll be doing laundry or something and start humming a few carols and I unpacked all the sweaters.  I’ve been watching holiday specials like every night.  Last year I recorded a bunch on TV, so there’s plenty to choose from.  My favorites are A Shrek Christmas, Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer, and both the original How the Grinch Stole Christmas and the live action one with Jim Carey.  It could be worse, I haven’t really thought about my Christmas crafts and presents yet or started on them.  I think it’s a tad too early for that, besides I’m stilling thinking about what to make for Halloween.  I still can’t decide on a costume, I was considering Sailor Moon or one of the other scouts, but that might be a bit odd.  Plus my niece would probably want one too and her costume is already decided on.  Maybe it’d make a nice Christmas present for her.  Uh-oh, I’m thinking about presents now.

Photo courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net.  Check them out, it’s so cool.

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