My Favorite Things: Pigeons

You read that title correctly.  One of my favorite animals are…

…Pigeons.

Yep, I actually like “rats with wings”.  What is it about them?  First off is their walk, I guess I have a thing for birds that walk or strut instead of hop.  It’s one of the reasons I also like chickens.  I also think they are pretty birds.  Just take a look at those iridescent feathers on that male in the photo.  And I love the ones with white/brown feathers, though people usually call those one “doves”.  Technically the terms dove and pigeon refer to the same animal.  True they aren’t necessarily the smartest birds I know.  I once saw a pair of pigeons attempt to outrun a bus.  Luckily for them the driver had a heart.  Still, I think they are great birds and such fun to watch.

Read More »

My Favorite Things: Knee Socks

If you happen to run into me on the street, be it winter or even in summer, you will look down and see these…

Knee socks.

That blue pair in the photo? I have at least two pairs.  I also have several others that are white, cream, black, dark blue, etc.  Most of my socks I got at Wal-Mart and 99 Cents Only Store. Wal-Mart usually sells them for about $2 and then clearances them about this time of year.  99 Cents Only Store socks are always $1 and I frequently see them for sale throughout the whole year. The problem is their socks are prone to pilling, wash very gently.  I wear my knee socks almost everyday of the week, and in all weather.  I just think they are so cute, and very useful.  On cold days they obviously keep my legs warm.  And sunny days they actually help protect my legs from the effects of the sun, something many people don’t seem to think about much.  I remember reading somewhere that the back of the leg at the calf is a common place for skin cancer to appear in women.  If I remember the source I’ll post it.  The reasoning is that that area does get a lot of exposure to the suns rays, just like your nose, cheeks, and shoulders.  However, most people aren’t as careful about applying sunscreen there, same goes for the neck and chest area which definitely show the effects of sun, but that’s going way off topic.  The point is that wearing knee socks year-round make sense, plus it’s still fun. 

Read More »

My Favorite Things: Frozen Burritos

As stated in my last post, one of my goals is to appreciate the little things that make me happy.  In doing so, here is the first of a series of weekly posts about my favorite things.  First up…

Frozen Burritos!

Be it baked in the oven for about 30 minutes or nuked in the microwave (when I’m impatient) for 2 minutes, there’s nothing like biting into a nice warm burrito.  The flakey sometimes crispy tortilla, the gooey bean and cheese filing, and each bite blending the two into pure deliciousness.  I could live on them, and some days it seems like I do since they are perfect for those busy days.  They make a quick lunch or dinner, and there are great on the go for breakfast.  But most days I just pop a couple in the oven and eat them slowly, enjoying each bite.  Anyone else hungry?

Read More »

When Life Happens, or Why I’ve Been So Quiet

So I haven’t exactly blogged much in the last few months.  I do have a reason for this, something that I’ve been rather quiet about offline and completely silent online.  How should I explain?

Once upon a time, toward the end of last October, I got home from an appointment only to have my sister inform me that we received an eviction noticed.  The notice didn’t actually give a reason as to why they wanted us out, which of course was strange.  What was even stranger was when they refused to accept our rent payment for November, but then we got a court summons for eviction due to “non-payment of rent”.  We moved out in December and my family sort of split in different directions, that includes Midnight.  Yes, I had to give up my beloved kitty.  She’s alright though, she’s living with a friend of a friend of a friend.  Some people call him “the cat whisper”, Midnight totally loves him.  I stayed with friends for a while and have been staying in motels with my mother and brother for the last couple of months.  Some people might use the word “homeless” to describe the current situation.  I’m not sure about that, but I don’t like to focus on that for too long. 

The main reasons I have been so silent here?  First off, I just wasn’t really ready to talk about all of this much let alone blog about it.  Second, it was pretty much the only thing I had to blog about.  We had to put most of our belongings in storage, that includes all my craft supplies.  So I have not been able to make anything since December, oh the horror!  Plus the whole losing the last place I called home really does put me in the mood to blog about other happy things, not!  So here’s the equation:

No crafty fun to blog about + big event that I couldn’t speak of + sadness

=

dead, silent blog

They say when things don’t go quite right, it’s good to stay positive right?  So, in the name of optimism I have come up with two new goals.  One is to try to appreciate the little things in my life.  So every week I will blog about something that brings a smile to my face on a regular basis.  Watch for this later this week.  The second is pay back.  I mean giving back, to those online who support me.  Explanation?  Whenever someone leaves a comment here or on my other blog, re-tweets me on twitter, follows me on pinterest, etc. I receive an email.  I have never deleted any of these emails because each one has made me so happy.  I thought why not return the favor.  So from now on whenever I receive one of these emails I will try my best to do something in return, be it leaving a comment, re-pinning pins, or following blogs and such.  I am starting retroactively, meaning I am going through all my old emails and spending a few moments each day showing some love to these individuals who gave me some love over the past few years.  Better get to it, I’ve got a lot to do now.

Read More »

Christmas on Pinterest

I do believe Christmas is the most popular holiday on Pinterest.  So many pins, not to mention pin boards, for this wonderful time of the year.  So without further ado, here’s…

My 2012 Christmas Pin Board

Some of my favorite pins:

• Ornament Cupcakes
• Poinsettia Wreath
• Felt Ornaments
• Snowflake Ballerinas

Update: You can check the latest version of my Christmas Pinterest Board Here.

Read More »

Finally Finished on the Fleece

As the title says, I finally finished my November project list.  In December.  A week late. 
Well, a few things kind of popped up.  Very important life altering things, but I can’t talk about it. 

Anyway, the idea of making little fleece bows popped in my head while doing some cutting.  What better thing to do with small scraps of fleece?  All you really need are three rectangle pieces and something to stick the finished bow to like a clip or something.  I wanted to stick these bows to hair elastics, but for some reason I couldn’t find any.  I’m sure I had a ton somewhere.  I just used strips of elastic, they are actually more secure this way.

The next one is an idea I have been toying with for like a year.  Little cat-shaped purses.  I made them in two colors/patterns and two of each.  In the picture it shows the front and back view of each.  On the front of each one is a little bitty heart made from a scrap of the back pattern.  Think of it as the kitty’s nose.  I would have put eyes too, but I thought it might look to cluttered.  How is it, are they fine the way they are or do they look weird without eyes?

Next is sunglasses cases.  I found a piece of fleece with this interesting red pattern and thought it would be perfect for a case of some kind.  Just a simple pouch shape, slanted at the opening with a fabric cord loop attached, not too hard to make.  I decided to make a second matching one with white fleece.  It would have been black, but I seem to be lacking in that color.  Oh well, it still looks good.

And the last project is these cuffs.  They are pretty easy to make.  I just cut the fleece in the strips and braided them.  Then I sewed the ends together, of course that was the hard part.  Sewing the ends without making them look messy or ugly.  I think I did a good job on that part, but just in case I added little bows to hide any goofs.
Here’s the updated list:

• Hair accessories
• Tiny teddies
• Tiny birds
• Bags
• Tiny sweaters
• Tiny hats
• Yoyo’s
• Cases
• Key chains
• Cuffs

Ten down and out.  It’s funny.  Usually in December I start working on my big old Christmas list of gifts and decorations and stuff.  This year, thanks to all the stuff I made for this list and the Christmas stuff I made last summer, I have no need to make anything for December.  My crafting is done for the year.  Nothing left but to enjoy the month and maybe get a leg up for next year. 

Read More »