Fun With Buttons and Something New

So I started thinking about buttons sometime ago, that’s blog buttons.  I thought it would be cool to make a few of my own.  The problem is that I came up with an idea of how I wanted them to look, but I realized they would not match my blog.  The easy thing to do would be to think of another idea.  The hard thing would be to change the look of my blog.  Guess which one I decided to do? 
So, here’s the before…



And after…  I got the background from background fairy, it’s the sister blog for Graphics Fairy the blog from which I get all those cute vintage clip art.  It was the polka dots that got me.  The idea I had for the buttons was inspired by polka dots.

<div align="center"> <a href="http://freakykeen.blogspot.com" title="FreakyKeen"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmdzyO0ASRDwfzU_Ty7FW72V04WRSr_xs5OSYJLDUc3WCQILOCGWJaa4NN338JH7dc6NM9gI9ChrVXmcaAwl_mZCk_-FTUEFtf4JAfWRHplwx9wY4obJeNwWwX6RGJMkHGiGrsn7K7e9U/s800/blog%2520button%25202.jpg" alt="FreakyKeen" style="border:none;" /></a></div>
Speaking of the buttons, here’s the first one. I found this great site that generates the code for these things. All you need is a hosted image and the ability to cut and paste.

<div align="center"> <a href="http://freakykeen.blogspot.com" title="FreakyKeen"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDFWNaVV9wA1Bt7bphoZ6qFZlb4gkCBFIYBfggVh-HmOf_BL2weHcYMjR2lucN-l43FjDbPDiDzc21Mqe8yH2GSCUtAEGUu4ZrgdR2WFuCDc7ltXTlWx5wLfAz8pagU2vhEhZ2vD8UbE4/s800/blog%2520button%25201.jpggWAuBsynyoo57lJz19kcdmx1A2IcW4?feat=directlink" alt="FreakyKeen" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

For variety I made this second one.

Here’s the updated list:

• Pens
• Binder
• Lunch bag
• Backpack
• Button
• Scarf
• Doll house

Five down, just two more to go.  The next one should be up Monday.  Now for the little bonus.

<div align="center"> <a href="http://freakykeen.blogspot.com/search?q=free+for+all+fridays" title="FreakyKeen"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj4TuvHt-nHtk_5l-5DCo4qcDyC3QkT7LV-H0txzqWDELuEtzYB7spZLQb1JTecMToSsK3CND__if06Oau9oBB0_MWThcy9aDAubkfEws5Dx37Zo8UUW5QuZk-aqoCCaUeKDB8QCJqcKE/s800/blog%2520link%2520up%2520button%25201.jpg" alt="FreakyKeen" style="border:none;" /></a></div>
That’s right, starting now I will be hosting a weekly linkup every Friday.  Yay!  Only since this is the first one, it’s a little early and it will go on a little longer.
The rules:

• No more then 5 links.
• You must link to individual posts on your blog instead of the just your blog.
• Same with shops (zibbet, etsy, etc.), link to a specific item in your shop. 
• Links must be family friendly.
• Don’t forget to grab one of my buttons.
• Following me is not required, but it is helpful (for me).
• Beyond that anything goes.

Now get to it and have fun.

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Back to Pack

Another makeover project, and finished just in time for classes. 

I needed a backpack for school, a tote or messenger bag wasn’t cutting it.  I had this old one that was perfect in terms of pockets and other features, but it had seen better days.  After a bit of sprucing up…

…It looked like this.  I first washed it really well and cut of the mesh pockets on the front and sides.  I never used them anyway.  I also made a few repairs like re-stitching some seams and the like.  Then came the fun part.  I hand-stitched thin lace along all the zippers and pockets.  Afterward I threaded some thin pink ribbon through the lace.  I replaced the zipper pulls with more ribbon to finish.  Now it’s pretty and functional again, ready for my first class.  I wish I was too.
Here’s the updated list:

• Pens
• Binder
• Lunch bag
• Backpack
• Button
• Scarf
• Doll house

Four down, just three more to go.  The next one will be up by Friday with another surprise.

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Lunch Bag, In More Ways than One

I am kind of in to making bentos, though I am not very good at it which should explain why I have never posted any photos.  While browsing for supplies I have seen tons of these super cute drawstring lunch bags to use for them.  I thought, “I could make that!”  So I did. 
I used a remnant of fabric my mom gave me.  It has pink and purple flowers and butterflies splattered over it.  The most interesting thing about it is the inside.  I wanted to line it with something that could be easily wiped clean in case of an “accident”.  I was also in the mood for repurposing.

Ta Dah!  Plastic bag fabric.  It’s a technique I learned years ago, but I forgot where, maybe Craftster?  Anyway, you grab a bunch of plastic grocery bags and cut them open and lay them flat.  You then stack them in layers of 3 or 4 and cover before ironing at a medium setting.  They will melt together and you can cut and sew it or whatever.  Of course you have to be careful about ironing since if you use too much heat or take too long, you will burn little holes in your “fabric”.  Plus if you don’t cover it with something, you will probably ruin your iron.  Enough said.
Here’s the updated list:

• Pens
• Binder
• Lunch bag
• Backpack
• Button
• Scarf
• Doll house

Three down, four to go.  The next one will be up by Monday.

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Pretty Supplies

Not wanting to put things off too much (since when?), I got started right away and completed two projects.

First, I got these pens at Wal-Mart for 74 cents for a 15 pack.  Cheap price and they write quite well.  The problem is how plain they look.  How to fix that?

Modpodge anyone?  I cut strips of tissue paper and brushed on Modpodge before wrapping around each pen.  When they dried, I gave each pen a coat to protect.  Simple to do and the results are pleasing.  For the four pens on the left, I experimented with using scrapbook paper.  They look pretty cool, but it isn’t something I would recommend.  The scrapbook paper is a little too thick and it makes it hard to stick the caps back on.  Tissue paper is a-ok. 

Next is the binder.  I still have my old binder from last year, but I needed a second one.  This one I already had lying around the house.  It just needed the special touch.

Enter the binder cover.  Just like the last one I made (see Clean and Covered) except this one is pink and lacy.  I added a couple of tiny bows because not only do they add such a nice touch, but without them I can’t tell which side is the front side.  See I can be practical sometimes.
Here’s the updated list:

• Pens
• Binder
• Lunch bag
• Backpack
• Button
• Scarf
• Doll house

Two down, five to go.  The next one will be up either tomorrow or Friday.

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Up to Thirty

First off, I know I said I’d post the results of my little joke contest on Saturday, but I didn’t really see the point.  There wasn’t a winner at all, I guess no one knew any good jokes.  I’ll work on this problem later, but I have something more important first.  My list.  I put off making the new project list long enough and before I knew it the new semester popped out of no where.  My classes start Monday and there is some important crafting I need to do before then.  Luckily I am covered for most of my school supplies thanks to the stocking up I did last year.  I can’t remember if I mentioned anything about that.  Anyway, here’s the latest list:
Project List #30

• Pens
• Binder
• Lunch bag
• Backpack
• Button
• Scarf
• Doll house

Just a few things on this list to finish by the end of the month.  Notice the last item on the list?  Yep, as if I didn’t already have enough on my plate with school starting, I just had to pick now as the time I finally start working on the doll house I got from that yard sale (see Good Day for a (Yard) Sale).  Love the way my mind works.

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A Little Sharing and a Reminder

A couple of things to share today.  First, the weather.  Like a week ago or so there was a sort of small thunder storm around here.  I didn’t mention it before because it didn’t seem to be a big deal until I saw this…

It’s a palm tree nearby my house.  Yep, it was hit by a bolt of lightening.  Now it’s charcoal.

It’s completely black the whole way down.  It makes me wonder, can trees continue to live and grow after being hit?  I hope so, so does my little friend there to right.  You seem him right?

Here he is, this is one of my neighbors.  His name is Domino and in case it isn’t obvious, he is a donkey.  He lives with a couple of horses too, but I can’t remember their names.  It’s strange, I see him a lot but I don’t actually know his “people”.  That’s how it always seem to be.  I know almost nothing about my neighbors, but I know all their pets.

The second thing is something cute.  This is my nephew on his way to school.  Today was his very first day of Kindergarten.  Oh, but don’t worry, he wasn’t scared at all to go to school.  He couldn’t wait to go and now he can’t wait to go back tomorrow.  I know this because his “mommy” dragged me out of bed this morning and insisted I go with them.  I got a cute photo and free donuts out of it.  The school provided breakfast to the parents of kindergarteners.  Score.

One more thing, don’t forget to enter my little contest.  The deadline is tomorrow evening after all and the winner will be decided this Saturday.  Can’t wait.

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