My Favorite Things: eBooks

It’s has been awhile since I’ve done one of these posts, I guess I kind of forgot

Something I have almost always enjoyed doing is reading.  I say almost because I’m sure I probably didn’t feel too enthusiastic about it when I was just a little kid learning how to read, though I don’t actually remember.  Anyway, I also enjoy using my netbook and downloading all the new goodies I find.  So naturally one of my favorite things are…

…eBooks!

Most the eBooks I have I downloaded from Gutenberg (for free!), but I have found them in so many different places.  Some include:

• Internet Archive—It’s basically like an online library, you can find tons of free eBooks, videos, etc.
• Open Library—It’s similar to Internet Archive, except not all the books are free, though many of them can be “checked out” just like a regular library.  And there’s plenty of classic books to download for free.
• Scribd—this one blends eBooks and social media together.  You can read and download tons of books and share ones you’ve written.
• CNET—this is actually a place to find software of all kinds including eBooks and eBook readers.  Most of the software is free or free to try. 
• Greater Phoenix Digital Library—this is a local resource for me.  Anyone with a library card for one of 10 different public libraries in the Phoenix Metropolitan area can log in and check out eBooks and videos there.  For those outside the area, check with your local library for similar programs.

Now please excuse me, I’m in the middle of re-reading Little Women.  Happy reading!

Read More »

Moms Need Sleep Too

Mother’s day is within a week, this Sunday to be exact, and like most people I was trying to find the perfect gift for my mom.  I found it here in this Mother’s day eBook from FaveCrafts. 

This wonderful yet simple sleep mask is perfect for my mother.  She tends to get people bugging her with stuff while she is trying to sleep, what mother doesn’t? 

I used scraps of purple fuzzy felt and a soft white t-shirt to make it both fun and comfortable.  I decorated it with sparkly fabric paints.  I guess I could have written something else on it instead of “Do Not Disturb”, but it does fit her to a tee.  It’s the closest thing to putting a “don’t bug me” sign around her neck, and I know she will love it.  Oh and don’t worry, she doesn’t read my blog so the secret isn’t out yet.

Here’s the updated list:

• Pillow
• card bracelet
• charm necklace
• netbook sleeve
• doll swimsuit
• bum bag
• sleep mask
• picture frames
• dress

Seven down, two to go.  I’m actually a little behind the next project, at least farther than I planned.

Read More »

Reading if for Everybody

I recently finished a great book, Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen. It is amazing how older works of fiction can appeal to audiences today.  I got an eBook of it from Project Gutenberg.  It’s a site full of free electronic copies of public domain works.  All the classics are there, not to mention a few books you’ve never heard of.  I found war-era cook books there.

Anyway, Northanger Abbey is about a young heroine who doesn’t embody to usual qualities of an heroine and her coming out into society.  She makes and loses friends, falls in love, gets her heart broken and saves face, and of course at the end she marries her true loves despite a few “problems”.  I found it sweet at many points and amusing.  Hopefully you will think so too.

Read More »

Almost Done

Despite several distractions (i.e. school, work stuff, life), I managed to take on a good chunk of my list.

First is this simple belt for one of my nieces.  It is made from cut-up cargos and stamped with little blue flowers.  I added glitter because she is really girly, but she still has to wear uniforms to school.  Hopefully this will past inspection.

I used the fuzzy sweatpants again (see Checking Off One by One)to make this “horsie” toy for one of my nephews.  He loves ponies.  It is similar to some moose toys I made last year.  I may post a picture of them if I can find any of them.

I made another t-shirt scarf (see A is For…) for someone whom really liked the first one.  I had a accident with some red paint.  Long story short, it’s now tie-dyed pink.  Pretty cute, but I wonder if the recipient will think so as well.

This is a key chain I made from a tutorial from Creative Little Daisy.  I think the ones from the tutorial are cuter, but this one works.  I didn’t have any d-rings so I used another split ring instead.  It works either way.

I made these hair clips and pins for two of my nieces.  I wrapped them with wired ornament hooks and pretty beads.   I know they will love them, and I’m thinking of making some for myself.

I’ve been trying to find something to do with these old floppy disks for so long.  Then I thought “why not boxes?”  They are perfect for little odds and ends, and they would make great gift boxes.

I made these ornaments from a project in an eBook from Fave Crafts.  There are suppose to look like bells, I don’t really see the resemblance.  I went the quick and easy route using pinking shears and sparkly squeeze tube fabric paints.  I outlined the flowers in the fabric print with the paint.  I think it adds a nice touch, maybe I should do it to more things.  Maybe touch up my wardrobe.

I made these pincushions with fabric scraps and bottle caps based on a tutorial from How about Orange.  Mine look a little more like mushrooms than they should.  They’re still cute, I thought it would be cool maybe to attach them to old rings or something like that.  I do recall seeing pincushions rings somewhere.

I couldn’t resist making these adorable crayon roll thingies.  I used a tutorial from Skip to my Lou.  I actually made them out of three different shirts. They were pretty quick to make, except for the stitching for the little pockets.  That was time consuming.  I found it was quicker if I didn’t clip the threads and just went on to the next row.  Then I just clipped them all afterward.

I made this CD holder from a tutorial from Mushroom Villagers.  I’m not sure if you can tell it is meant for CDs.  Maybe it can be used for other things.  Anyway, I’m glad I still had some of this wanted poster fabric.  I think it is so adorable, plus it is male friendly which is great since this is for a guy.  Sort of.

For my felt tree ornaments, I used scraps of fuzzy purple felt.  It reminds me of those pink and purple plastic Christmas trees.  I actually saw a pink Disney Princess one today at Bookman’s.  I decorated them with plenty of glitter paint to make them sparkle and shine.

Here’s my updated list:

• tiny scarves
• tiny boxes
• sock monkey
• pom-poms
• wire ornaments
• kitty
• belt
• mitten ornaments
• scarf
• CD holder
• horsie
• pin cushions
• wrapped accessories
• apron
• felt ornaments
• disk boxes
• tote
• house
• pet house
• bell ornaments
• Key chains
• roll

Seventeen down, only five more to go!

Read More »

A is For…

A lot of good things have happened this week.  I got 100 percent on my latest exam, again. Totally aced the class.  A poem I wrote was excepted at Associated Content.  Associated Content is one of those sites for freelance writers and media artists or whatever to promote their work and hopefully make a living.  Check out my poem here.  I also finally sold something from my etsy shop.  Yay!
To celebrate, I tackled both the apron and scarf from my list.  The apron is made from an ugly dress that was handed down to me.  I thought the embroidery was cute, so I used it for the front.  I added the lacey part on a whim, sometimes you just have to trust your gut on these things.




For the scarf, I used a promotional t-shirt.  I got the idea from this eBook from favecrafts.  I didn’t exactly follow the instructions to the letter, but I think it looks okay.  It’s kind of ironic to wear a scarf with the logo of a car insurance company when I can’t drive.  It’s part of the fun.


So here’s the updated list:

• bottle cozy
• half apron
• hankies
• snowflake angels
• bias tape accessories
• mini baskets
• pouches
• bead headbands
• Wings
• scarf
• id tag holder

Five down, six to go.  Next is the angels or maybe the hankies.

Read More »

A Little Halloween Help

While spending my time “studying” for class, I stumbled upon this site, Favecrafts.com.  They have a new eBook on Halloween and I just had to let everyone know about it.  Halloween is only a week away, there’s still time for crafting for it.  If not, maybe plan ahead for next year.  Yeah right.  They also have some stuff on Christmas, and it’s definitely not too late for that.

Also before I forget, my birthday is this week, so happy birthday to me.  But I haven’t started on my gift to my sister.  She asked me what I wanted the other day, I didn’t know.  I’ll have to give it a little more thought.  Ah well, happy Halloween.

Read More »