No %&*$#@

This is something that I has been on my mind for a while, swearing.  I don’t swear at all.  You will never hear me drop the f-bomb around or any other of those four letter words.  Am I just too uptight or old-fashion?  Because I simply can’t stand that sort of language, and I do get offended when people use it in my presence.  That happens quite a bit, especially while riding the bus.  I heard a man the other day with such a foul mouth, practically every other word out of his mouth was a curse word.  What made it worse was that there were several children within ear shot.  I’ve seen this so much too.  I’ve seen parents swearing in front of their own children, and then have the nerve to yell at them when they repeat it.  I overheard a guy not too long ago talking to a friend on his cellphone, worst language usage ever.  I kept thinking, if that’s how he speaks to his friends I’d hate to hear how he speaks to his enemies.  It’s not right to treat a friend so badly, or anyone for that matter.  It’s so disrespectful.  And I think such foul language is so unflattering to the user.  I over heard a woman once ranting on and on to someone, using the f-word several times per sentence and I’m not exaggerating.  I thought, is that the only word in her vocabulary?  Let’s just say she didn’t come off as being an intelligent person, but maybe I’m being too judgmental.  The bottom line is, I don’t swear because I have too much respect for others as well as myself.  I wish more people I meet felt that way.

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More Goodwill Hunting

Goodwill had another 1/2 off sale yesterday, so I loaded up on more supplies.  As if I really needed any more supplies.  Anyway, here they all are.

At the top is some white cotton fabric that was $1 and a remnant that was 50 cents.  It appears to be the makings of two small sized sailor collars and a matching doll sized one.

As for the rest, starting from the right:

• A large spool of a pinkish sort of thread that was 50 cents.
• A baggie with some lace, a zipper, and a tassel that was also 50 cents.
• A baggie with 8 zippers, a belt kit, and gold trim that was $1.
• A spool of thin satin ribbon in a red-violet shade that was 35 cents.
• A baggie with several spools of thread, (some wooden) for $1.
• A baggie with a spool of white satin ribbon, a length of brown satin ribbon, and some cameos for $1.

Not a bad haul, wouldn’t you say so?

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Pretty in Pink

I said I would finish the list Saturday.  It may be a little later than I wanted, but it is definitely finished on this day.

Remember this Bratz doll.  I got her at a rummage sale ages ago.  She was a bit dusty, hair badly tangled, and had no clothes at all as to be expected.  You almost never see old fashion dolls with clothes.  I took care of all that though.

Here’s the new and improved look.  Sorry about the photo quality, having camera issues again.  I cleaned her up and combed out her hair.  I put it in a pony tail and divided it up into smaller buns, it’s the only way I know how to make a pretty updo.  The curls by her ears were done by wrapping them around fabric strips then pouring boiling water on them.  The dress is made from cotton scraps from a dress I made along with scraps of lace.  I used the same lace for the necklace and cut little bits for earrings with straight pins to stick them in the ears.  That’s a trick I learned from my mom, she used to do that with her Barbie dolls when she was little.  Overall, the doll looks pretty good.  My niece says she looks like Cinderella.  In pink?  Maybe.

I forgot to take a before photo of this shirt.  It was found in the freebie bin of a small thrift store near us.  It was too long and a little boring except for the color.  I cut the bottom off a couple of inches and hemmed it, and cut the collar too.  It seemed too pointy and I have always wanted to try making cute curvy collars.  I then added some elastic to the sleeves and some lace on the collar and down the front.  I’m not sure if there’s much of an improvement to the shirt, but at least I was able to get some good practice out of it.  Not bad for a freebie.

I have a bunch of scraps of fleece that I’ve been trying to get used up and while thinking of uses I thought, “hearts? why not?”  So here’s a bunch of them.

Then I thought, “why not do something so I can share them?”  So I added pin backs and made these simple heart pins.  Perfect for Valentine’s Day.

Here’s the updated list:

• Pretty up gloves
• Ribbon headband
• Doll makeover
• Pearl headband
• Hair bows
• Pouches
• Alter shirt
• Yellow dress
• Hearts

Nine down and out, and before the end of the month too.  Now I just have to finish packing.

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Swapping Fun

I just heard about this new site called whoopdwhoop, it’s a craft marketplace that doesn’t involve currency.  Apparently when you list your crafts you get these points, I believe they call them “whoops”, and of course you get more if someone “buys” your stuff.  Then you can use your whoops for other stuff.  Sounds pretty cool, however since it’s really new there aren’t a lot of stuff up yet.  That won’t last long.  To learn more about it, check it out or check this post on Obsessively Stitching, that’s how I found out about it.

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Late on the Hearts and Sunshine

It’s been a long while since I’ve last posted.  Stuff just seems to get in the way, I am so far behind on my craft list and my blog following.  I also have just barely begun to pack for the move.  Anyway, I‘ve manage to get a couple projects done.

Aren’t these cute?  They are little heart shaped pouches made from fleece.  I made them for my mom’s birthday.  It was Saturday, just don’t ask how old she is, I haven’t the foggiest idea.  You don’t ask a lady her age.

The pouches open up with a flap and snap on the backside.  I thought it would be more discreet that way.  I guess they’d be good for Valentine’s day, that is coming up quickly.  However I think I have something else in mind for that.

This is what I wore to church Sunday, and believe it or not I didn’t start on the actual sewing until the night before.  It was the only time I could find to make it and luckily I had already cut the pieces previously.  I find it saves time when making my dresses to cut the fabric ahead of time, at least for the skirt since it’s the easiest part to cut but takes the longest amount of time sew.

Here’s the updated list:

• Pretty up gloves
• Ribbon headband
• Doll makeover
• Pearl headband
• Hair bows
• Pouches
• Alter shirt
• Yellow dress
• Hearts

Six down, three to go.  I shall hopefully get the rest done by this Saturday,  keep your fingers crossed.

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More Pretty Stuff

I had a bit of trouble getting started with my list, partially due to problems mentioned previously.  But I managed to get a few of the smaller cuter bits done.

These were those cheap stretchy gloves you can get for $1 practically everywhere.  I had a hard time finding white ones which I prefer over other colors.  I wanted them to look a little less plain and cheap.

With a touch of lace and some ribbon, they aren’t quite so plain now.  They were pretty easy too.  I stitched on the lace with the glove stretched out, it instantly gave it a ruffled effect.  I was lazy with the bows and glued them on with a washable fabric glue. 

I got a 4-pack of cheap plastic headbands at Dollar Tree figuring I could use them to make cuter ones, at least cuter than the ones at Dollar Tree.  Grant it that there are a ton of cute ones at that store and the largest selection ever, but it’s cheaper to decorate the plastic ones myself.  This one was made by wrapping the headband with satin ribbon while gluing it down with a glue gun.  I made little flowers and glued them on too.  It’s simple to do once you get the hang of it

This second headband was made easily by gluing faux pearls to one of the plastic ones.  I’ve seen similar ones before, including at Dollar Tree, but again this is cheaper and more fun.  It did take some time to glue all the little pearls on, and I found that glue gun glue just doesn’t cut it for this.  It isn’t flexible enough, they just popped right off.  I used Aleene’s Jewel It,  it is meant for beads and stuff after all.  I haven’t had any problems with it.

I have a tendency to “collect” hair elastics, you can get them in 36-packs for a buck and I can always find uses for them.  Although they are handy and useful for my hair, I find them to be quite dull looking on their own.  That’s simple to fix, stick pretty fabric or ribbon bows on them.  Really perks them up and uses up scraps of fabric and small leftover bits of ribbon.  Plus it isn’t too difficult to hand sew these so they make for a very portable sewing project.

Here’s the updated list:

• Pretty up gloves
• Ribbon headband
• Doll makeover
• Pearl headband
• Hair bows
• Pouches
• Alter shirt
• Yellow dress
• Hearts

Four down, five to go.  I’m a little behind schedule so far, I’ll blame it on the seasons.  This time of year makes me sleepy. 

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Crash

A funny thing happened more than a week ago which should explain my rather long absence.  I had my netbook in my backpack with a rather heavy textbook.  I put the backpack on a low table where it almost immediately fell off.  When I turned on my netbook, the screen was black.  The computer was on and working perfectly, but I couldn’t see a thing, apparently something to do with back lighting.  The really funny thing happened after I replaced it when my new one finally arrived.  I put the old one on my night stand and it fell off that, then my sister turned it on and it worked.  You could actually see everything.  So now I have a newer netbook to work with, my mom has my old one to play around with, my sister has a smug look on her face.  But anyway, I’m back and every has returned to “normal”.

Tip:  An associate at Wal-Mart mentioned that prices on electronics are almost always better online rather than “instore”, and there are frequently special deals on the site and a better selection.

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Fourteen

Here’s the first list of 2011.  A little on the short side, but I’ve got a lot going on.  Tax season is starting, so I will once again be preparing tax returns for people who make way more than me who then complain about not making that much.  Also my family is moving this month and I am so behind on the packing.  Plus I have a job interview for a animal hospital this week, and if all goes well (cross your fingers), I will be working there too.  Anyway, here’s the list.

Craft Project List #14

• Pretty up gloves
• Ribbon headband
• Doll makeover
• Pearl headband
• Hair bows
• Pouches
• Alter shirt
• Yellow dress
• Hearts

If all goes well, I should be finished with it by February 1st.

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2011

A new year means new beginnings.  It also means you need a new calendar.  So I complied a list of free printable calendars that I love so much.  I can’t decide between though.  Anyway, enjoy them.

• Hello Kitty – Cute Sanrio calendars for free, but they only have one month at a time.  You’d have to go back at the end of each month.
• Kawaii Mini Calendar – Name says it all.
• Owl Lover Calendar – Custom made printable calendar with tons of cute owl illustrations.  They also have a premade one to download if you’re in a hurry.
• Bookmarks with Calendar – Every book lover needs a bookmark with a calendar printed on it.
• Reindeer Boy? – Seems a little odd, but they sure are cute.
• Pocket Calendar – A super cute cat calendar that goes everywhere.

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