colorfool creates

Moving Day

2006-04-01T16:32:00.000-05:00

Please join me at my new blogging home. If you are one of the folks who have been kind enough to link to my little blog during the past few months, here's the new address for updating links:

http://www.colorfool.net

(Subtle, eh?)
Thanks! See ya' on the flip side, G.

the end and the beginning

2006-04-01T16:22:00.000-05:00

Dear John (Blogger),

I'm leaving you.
It not you, it's me. No wait, actually it is you.
I know you tried to offer me all that you could and it just wasn't enough for me. I need more room and more options. I feel like you are limiting me. I've found someone else. His name is Wordpress. I think we might be a better match. I'm moving in with him today. I've already moved out all of my things. Thanks for the good times blogger. I wish you the best. Now, I'm outta here.

P.S. You can keep the old posts, I've made copies. Oh yes and I'm taking all of our joint bloggie friends ( i hope). You all are coming with me right?
xoxo
colorfool

*nice blogger. real nice, last post and you're still turning my pictures vertical.

keely's world

2006-04-01T15:00:00.000-05:00

I look at Keely's dollhouse while drinking coffee this morning and thought, "Geez, that looks like a crime scene." Then it made me laugh. Dollhouse as mini crime scene. Not that crime scenes are funny, but that my weird head thought of a dollhouse like that...well, now I just sound strange. House was a mess, chairs all over, people..well. ....Anywho.
You'll be happy to know that the babies were safely asleep in their bedroom. It was all of the adults and animals that were in some painful positions. Ya think she's trying to send us a message?
Yesterday while Keely was playing with her animals I overheard this.
"I'm a chicken. Bawk! Hey, wait. She stared at the chicken a few times and then said," I'm a chicken wearing a red bra! That's weird."
Now everytime I look at the bird I can't think of anything else except her red bra.

Inter-facing my fears

2006-03-31T14:39:00.000-05:00

So, after I finished up my two drawstring bags I was inspired to figure out how to do a messenger style bag. I liked the one above from one of the Kitty-Craft books and especially this one from Molly Chicken. I was trying to figure out how you box-out the bottom, put them inside out, sew the lining up and still get the flap. So, last night I got two small pieces of fabric and a stapler and practiced until I got this. Grrr.....see next post. I curse you Blogger.

cont...

2006-03-31T14:27:00.000-05:00

Isn't it great? That's right, I stapled my prototype. Anyway, this morning I decided to try out the life size version. It took about 2 hours and I got this....

It works but it's got a few problems. It is toooooo wide. The flap is too big and it's all together too floppy. It needs a few tweeks and I hate to admit it but ....interfacing. I don't know how to do interfacing. Here's one more photo for you to laugh at.
Could it BE any wider?
I based the width on Keely's big paperback books. It was going to be for her. But without interfacing, the sides just sort flop out and it is too long. Oh dear.
Alright, so what is the deal with interfacing? Do you cut it the same size as your outer fabric and iron it on and then continue on as normal? or Do you cut it a bit smaller, leaving room for seam allowance and so you don't actually sew on the interfacing? I don't get it.
Anyone willing to give me the scoop here? I hope to try a smaller, non floppy bag this weekend. Hey! Are you still laughing at the freakish photo above? stop. Seriously.
I WAS so proud of myself for figuring it out. Ah well.

Thrifty Finds Friday

2006-03-31T14:12:00.000-05:00

Oh you blogger! I'll get you! Stop turning my pictures vertical! I can't make it stop. Well, I had to limit myself this week after last Friday's thrifting pile of mayhem. This week, I got this pretty flower fabric and this groovy big floor pillow turtle. He is like 3 feet wide. I like this guy.

Fabric in the mail

2006-03-31T14:08:00.000-05:00

Dear Beki sent me some fabric to play with. Isn't she so sweet? I love getting good mail.
Thank you so much. I will enjoy using it ! Pretty flowers, huh? ;-)

pretty hair

2006-03-30T14:20:00.000-05:00

organization

2006-03-30T14:12:00.000-05:00

I've been ready for spring cleaning for a few weeks now, but it has been too cold. In order for good cleaning, the weather must be warm enough to have doors and windows open. So, I've settled on doing organization until the warm stuff comes. I love organizing things. They often don't stay organized, but that is ok because that means I get to organize it again!
Cheap thrills. Anyway, you know those baby fruit plastic containers (shown above)? I love these things. They're small, we have LOTS of them and they have lids. Oh the joy. I use them everywhere to organize everything-scrapbooking stuff, office supplies, hardware. I love them so much I've considering stacking them up, tying them with ribbon and giving them as gifts -thinking someone else would give a hoot about something as cheap and silly as me. I stopped myself from doing this, just so you know.

see?

2006-03-30T14:08:00.000-05:00

They are everywhere. Here is the kitchen junk drawer. I'm reorganizing this baby tomorrow. It's looking a bit untidy. I think Keely may have inherited my organizing gene.

Maisy-palooza

2006-03-29T14:24:00.000-05:00

We had a Maisy afternoon today. Busted out all the books and read them with the Maisy doll. These are cute books. I just found out yesterday that there are movies too. Anyone seen them? I've heard they are cute, sweet, and nice. We like Maisy. There is a neat Maisy website. You can read/look at some of the books online. Keely likes to do that with us. There are also printable coloring pages. A few weeks ago I was going to try and use the coloring pages to draw up some patterns for softies to go along with her book-a Charlie and a Tallulah would be nice.
That's about as far as I got with that.
I don't think I have the knack for softies. It was a nice thought though.

doodle critters

2006-03-29T14:17:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, Keely and I were having drawing time together. I got out the big 'ole box of crayons and two clean sheets of white paper and we drew. I turned on some nice music and the sun was shining in our french doors. She was doodling and then told me that I needed to draw a birdie. So I did. She continued to boss me around and told me to draw all of the above animals. She even named two of them. I'm quite fond of my dog and cat here. They are drawn with chunky stubs of crayons and on a bumpy wood table so obviously they aren't the greatest in quality but hey! Now, what to do with my new critters. More cards I suppose.

The Drawstring Bag

2006-03-29T08:49:00.000-05:00

Finally- I figured out how to make a drawstring bag all by my lonesome. It occured to me in the middle of the night a few days ago how to sew up the top. It is almost right. The second one is for Keely, so I didn't put any button embellishments on it.

fabric fun

2006-03-28T12:51:00.000-05:00

This is one of the other "new" fabrics I said I had bought, the Alexander Henry one. I was going to make bean bags out of it, but I couldn't cut it up. Sooooo, I just stretched it over a canvas and put it over Keely's little kitchen table. It's provided much entertainment for us. Sometimes we pick out who we think certain ones look like....this one is grandma, this one is mommy...etc. And the latest fun started by Keely, is picking one of the characters and then posing like they are. It's quite funny. Then we pick another person and we have to make their funny pose. Four hours later...we are still posing. kidding.
Some of their positions are impossible to duplicate since we have bones in our limbs and are not made of rubber. What entertainment we have. This is what you do with no cable, people.

more buttons

2006-03-28T12:34:00.000-05:00

Look at all the buttons! This is the second week I've found button/sewing things while thrifting. Weird. Anyway this is A LOT of buttons. This basket is like 4 inches deep and it's full! Those beaded aqua buttons in the front are funky and then the La Mode white card on the right side, those are Holly Hobbie. I used to LOVE my Holly Hobbie doll so I almost cried when I saw those. There are a lot of odd looking buttons and some really old ones. There are some really nifty shiny, stainless steel ones too. Neat. They had about 6 more bags like this but they weren't as cheap as I'd like so I didn't clear them out. I'm pleased with this find.

I couldn't resist....

2006-03-28T11:17:00.000-05:00

We had to get out of the house for a short bit, so we ran up to our close thrift store. They had 3 doll cradles. ACK! Three! I thought of all of you ladies and your girls. They were all very nice. 2 of them were way cuter than the one I got last week. Soooo cute and then they had 2 of these high chairs. This one was $3. I could not resist it. The old one Keely already has doesn't have the little lift-up tray. This one does and she is quite amused with it.

Keely as Goldilocks

2006-03-27T14:11:00.000-05:00

Awhile ago I found this magnetic fairy tale book that is just too cool. It has about 5 fairy tales in in it. On one page is the story on the other is a magnetic picture. Then it has all these magnets of the characters for each story, so your little one can act out the story while you read it. So cute. Keely has been found of Little Red Riding Hood and Goldilocks since we got it. Then, Capello sent her a little Goldilocks book this weekend and today Keely says, "Let's play 3 bears mommy." Huh? What does that mean? She said, "We have to find 3 bears and a Goldilocks so we can play." Ah-ha. The two year old who wants to act out storylines. right.
So, I found 3 bears, and 3 chairs and 3 beds and she got 3 bowls for porridge and then she ran back for their spoons. She decided she would be Goldilocks. I loosely read the story and she "acted" it out. Watch as the exciting story unfolds before you very eyes.

First the bears are trying to eat their porridge. Having no moveable limbs made this quite a feat, so dear Keely was kind enough to help them out. It was too hot, so they all went out for a walk in the woods (dining room, kitchen... whatever). Then, no longer Keely, "Goldilocks" seeing the bears have left runs in their house and tries out all the chairs.

This girl has no fear. The bears are still RIGHT there and she is already slurping up all the porridge. Fearless and shameless. Then she goes to try out all of their beds. She was liking Poppa Bear's.

Momma Bear's was nice too, no interest in Baby Bear's at all. Instead, she insisted that all the Bears come back and go to sleep in their own beds and she would cuddle with Poppa Bear. She needed to "make him feel better because she ate all his porridge."
There you have it ladies the greatest re-inactment of Goldilocks ever. So dramatic. Were you on the edge of your seat? She'll be performing in the Blue Room all this week.

Weekend Update, definately NOT with Tina Fey

2006-03-27T08:45:00.000-05:00

This photo about says how I'm feeling about toddlerhood after the past 3 days. AH! See the slightly crazed look in the eyes? The crazy unwashed hair-do? The ratty pajama tee still on. Yep, that's right. Nutty, whack-a-doo, punk monkey, toddler days.
I think the hubby is feeling the same. He also worked on my new wordpress blog. He is trying to customize it and move my archives. It is taking awhile.
Let's see.
I was trying to zone out for a bit and I started clicking NEXT BLOG and came across this weird little test. What kind of American English Do You Speak? I took it. It has like 15? questions and then tells you the breakdown of your language. I'm 50% normal Am. English and 25% Dixie etc. Dixie? really. My hubby was 40% normal and 35% Yankee. If you want a no brainer stupid thing to do...go take it. If you are not American it could be amusing to see what it tells you.

Commercialism:
On the music front, everytime we hear that Diet Coke commercial-you know the one with the chipper looking blonde girl on roller skates? She's drinking a coke and magic bubbles are floating all over and the song, "Starry Eyed Surprise"by Oakenfold plays? Well, we got that song downloaded and the husband plays it over and over and now the Keely wants to hear it over and over. Then, a week or so ago that Old Navy, stripes-all-around, commercial came on and then Friday Keely's says, "Want to hear Go Daddy-o". We knew what she was talking about so we downloaded that for her cd too. You can find it via here if you have any interest. So, all weekend we heard those two songs over and over and over. Oh help me. They are both happy, dancy songs...but shessh.

Bag #3

2006-03-27T08:37:00.000-05:00

Here's my big weekend project: a two-toned bag. That's 3 bags in one week!!!! Whoa.
I told you I do not have any coordinating fabrics so this is the best I could do. It kinda matches. I mean, no one is going to be staring at my bag especially since I don't go anywhere. Well..except you...don't stare, k? 8-) I had some issues with the two-toned thing. Measuring is not a skill of mine. Trying to make them all line up and be even. Oi! The lining is significantly smaller than the inside, but oh well. Looks like a bag to me. Next attempt at a bag will involve interfacing I guess. I have fear.

An arrival

2006-03-26T14:07:00.000-05:00

My slacker swap package arrived Saturday and what a good thing it was. The terrible two's are back in full swing. Grrr. So, this goodie box from Capello came at a perfect time. The pink packages tied in lovely girly ribbon made me smile. Inside was: lovely fabric for me to play with, a little vase and pretty tea cup, a button jar 8-), chocolates (yum), and for Keely: a cute book, Hello Kitty erasers, and glitter bracelets which are mysteriously missing from this photo. Thank you Capello! I don't think either of us truly stuck to the "SLACKER" title. Ah well.

Weekend plans

2006-03-24T12:38:00.000-05:00

1-Do something with this fabric:
This is one of the "new" fabrics that I bought awhile back. I think it's so flippin' cute, but I really don't know what to do with it. I thought it would be a cute kid something? Pillowcase? more bean bags? A kiddie bag? I was going to try and make a little blanket. It's only 1 yard, so it would be a baby blanket. Fish on the front and soft blue tee material on the back. I haven't made a blanket before so what's the scoop? Right sides together and just sew it up, leave a gap, turn it inside out and add a decorative stitch for kicks? Is it really that easy?
2-I may try out making one of those "yo-yo's" and see how that goes.
3-I was also thinking of attempting a two tone bag. You know, make the bottom 1/3 one material and the top 2/3 a different one. I don't know if I have anything that will coordinate. I'm a bit scared to try this. Too many cuts give me too many chances to mess it up.
The way things are looking from here I'll be lucky if I get one of these projects done.
Also, the hubby is going to look further into the wordpress thing.
I hope you all have a great weekend.

Thrifty Finds Friday

2006-03-24T09:24:00.000-05:00

OH My! A pile of thrifty junk! What have I done? (Again, blogger has made a non-vertical photo) vertical. This is my living room floor after we got home from thrifting. Yikes! What an ordeal sorting, cleaning etc. But I got some good stuff for little money.

So, I haven't bought much in the way of toys things for awhile. That changed this week. Since there are no children around us, I am Keely's number one playmate. Mommy gets bored fast and needs new toys (cheap ones). Here's the breakdown.

Photo 1: Bag of animals. These are going to be designated for outside use. She has plenty inside. price-->$2.

Photo 2: The cool fabric veggies I mentioned yesterday. She played with these all last night.
price-->.99

the fabric finds

2006-03-24T09:21:00.000-05:00

Box-o-sewing goodies

2006-03-24T09:03:00.000-05:00

Buttons, ribbons, binding, zippers, lace. I NEVER find this kind of stuff.

the rest of the kiddie stuff

2006-03-24T08:59:00.000-05:00

Photo 1: (left one) A little board and lots of magnets. They came together. One side of the board is magnetic/dry erase and the other side is a chalkboard. I thought this would be good for the car. It's pretty small. price--->$3.

Photo 2: Play dough accessories. What a mess that will be, huh? price-->$2.

Photo 3: One of our favorite books has been Mary Murphy's, I Like It When, so I was thrilled to find this big bag of wooden picture blocks. It's a matching game that has all the book characters on them. price--->$2.

Photo 4: I got this bag of dolls because of their clothes. They are pretty nice. I didn't realize they were all Disney characters until I opened the bag. I don't really do Disney. Keely doesn't know who they are so they are just dolls to her. She is having them dance all over my arms as I type this. price --->.99

Girly delights

2006-03-23T15:04:00.000-05:00

$4.oo for this bitty doll cradle.
I love it.
It needs to be painted because its current coat is flaking off everywhere. I am going to figure out how to make some bedding for it. A thick mattress covered in something cute. A pillow and matching blanket too. I wish I was my daughter. She's got everything dude.
When I got this yesterday, the store also had another little solid wood doll cradle and a old wooden doll highchair. It kills me to pass these little pretties up, but how many doll beds can one small house hold? If one of you lived near and had a little girl, I'd buy these kinds of things for you. Then I could have the satisfaction of the rescue, getting the cheap deal, not having to leave it at the store, and of giving it to someone who would love it. So, who's moving close?
Or maybe I just need an addition built onto my house.

Also, in bag related news, I took my fancy homemade bag out in public yesterday for its formal coming out. The springy flower one. It is perfect.
I must say though that I was scared to put my stuff in it and take it out. I thought that my seams would start popping out as I walked around and all my stuff would fall everywhere. My bag glory would be abruptly ended and I would start sobbing.
Thankfully, that did not happen. My sewing has held up. hallelujah.

pants are optional

2006-03-23T14:33:00.000-05:00

The pantless wonder. I like this weird picture I took a few days ago. It's symbolic (in my eyes anyway). She is the center of my world. She gets almost all of my attention. My hand, showing my wedding ring, symbolizing my marriage to her daddy which- bullseye- produced sweet little her in the circle. She's sitting in a room of my grandparent's old house where I once sat as a child, where my biological father once sat. Life. Cyclical. Coming full circle in a way.

Hubby said I was just trying to show off my bling in this pic. Bling honey? Really now.

random updates

2006-03-23T14:12:00.000-05:00

We finally got the missing sink parts and put the thing together. Cute huh? She even gets a window over her sink. How lucky is this kid? See the fruit on the window sill? Okay so it's kinda whited out, but that fruit is cool. I just got 'em at the thrift store. They're fabric. Homemade and cool. The corn has a peelable husk. The carrot leaves have wire in them and they bend. I like 'em.

In other news, I'm cancelling my typepad move and the hubby thinks Wordpress is the way to go. He says he'll do all the work for me. Uh-Okay! You do that. Perhaps this weekend?

It's Thursday and again I have not posted a "corners of my home" photo. I guess that has gone the way of the dinosaurs for me. I'm looking for a replacement weekly themed post now.

That "tutorial" yesterday wore me out. I was blogged out. Didn't even wanna look at the computer. Yet, here I am now. The kinderbot is asleep and this is one quiet activity I can do at this time of the day.

The Greatest Bag Tutorial EVER?

2006-03-22T14:18:00.000-05:00

Alrighty, I'm gonna try this. I apoligize if this screws any other fellow newbie bag seamstresses up more than they already were. I don't think I should be telling anyone how to make a bag, but you asked for it, so here goes.

Photo 1:(the left one, blogger moved them weirdly) I cut my material. I based the size on my ugly corduroy bag seen in a previous post. I cut it so each side is 13 1/2 wide by 12" long. I folded the material so I wouldn't have to sew the bottom and just cut the two layers at once. You can do it this way or cut out 4 pieces to the size you want them to be. You'll either end up with 2 folded pieces or 4 individual pieces. Yes?

Then I cut two pieces of material for the straps. Each one 19 inches long by 4 inches wide. The first photo shows one raw strap and one that is already folded up ready for sewing.

Photo 2: I went ahead and made my straps after cutting up all the pieces. Take each piece of 19x4 material and fold it in half. Iron it. Then open it and fold in each side to meet in the middle. Iron it. Now fold that in half so no raw edges are showing. Iron it again just for kicks.
Now, sew a seam up each side of the strap to make it look oh- so- professional. You can just sew up the "open" side if you want. slacker.

O.k you have two beautiful straps. Now, grab your bags outer material.Mine is the flowery patterned one. My lining is solid blue. Put the right sides facing each other before you sew up the seams. If you just cut one piece and folded it up in half then sew a seam up the right and left sides. If you cut two pieces for the bags outer then you need to also sew a bottom seam. So, go and sew some seams (1/4 inch seam allowance) on your outer bag and then on the lining. You should now have two bags and two straps. Yes? Just like photo 3.

<---photo 3 Now here I will attempt to explain the whole boxing out the bottom garbage. It took me weeks to figure this out from all the tutorials I read. I just didn't get it. Now, I know that it is because it is impossible to describe in words. I will try to and give you a few photos too. Take one of your bags and hold it up. Stick your hand in it along one of the side seams and push out the bottom corner with your fingers.

Now you are looking at the bag from the side.
You want to fold up the pointy corner at the bottom.

If that picture doesn't make sense- try this one:

Lay your bag flat. Pick up the bottom corner. Pull a little bit from the front piece out and then pull a little bit from the back out.
Now turn the bag so that the side seam is in the middle and facing you.
Are you getting this? Try using a piece of material just for practicing this step before you even begin to make the bag if you are still not following this.

Now. After you have magically "gotten" this tricky step. You need to measure up from each corner. I measured up 1 1/2 inches from each corner. Draw a straight line across and pin it in place. Repeat on the other corner and on the two corners of you other "bag".

After all four corners are pinned , your bag should look like this; I think this is the photo I needed to see when I was trying to figure this out.

Get it?

Now, you need to sew those corner seams. All four of them. Go do it.
O.k now you have two little baggies wrong sides facing out and all four corners are stitched/boxed. yes?
Now you need to take your lining and turn it inside out and stuff it into your outer bag. So the rights sides should be facing each other inside the "complete" bag. Line up the side seams. Pin the sides and the centers of the front and back.
Insert your handles on each side between the lining and the outside. Make sure all your handles are equal distance from the sides and they match up on both sides. Now pin them into place too. In the photo below, my straps are not pinned, but yours better be.;-)

Everything is pinned, so now you need to sew 1/4" from the edge. Make sure you leave a few inches opened (for pulling the bag right side out). I left the space between one of the handles opened.
After you are done stitching the top, you can pull the bag right side out. You will see that it will look like a bag. At this point you may fall out of your chair from the shock of it all, as I did.
Admire your almost finished creation. You are almost done.

Make sure your lining is not sticking out over your outer bag. That's just ugly. If it is, stuff it back in and iron that sucker where you want it to stay. My lining on this bag was a bit longer than the outer and it was sticking out all ugly like. I think not. Fixed him.
Make sure you fold in the part that you left open between the straps so that the raw edge isn't sneaking out. Iron it all in place.

Pin that little open part in place just to be safe. Now go and do a beautiful final top stitch and you are all done. Now do a happy dance. You made a bag. At least I hope you did. If you did not and you are just sitting there with a raised eyebrow, scratching your head in wonder. I apologize. I tried. I really did.
I am finished. This took 1 1/2 to type and post all these photos in. Are you kidding me? That was way too much work. Blogger is killing me. Let me know how this went. No, scratch that...you might say that I am an idiot and did a horrible job explaining this and that this was the worst tutorial ever!
Only tell me if it went well. k? And that you love me. A lot.
Thanks and good luck.

Well now I'm just showing off

2006-03-22T11:05:00.000-05:00

The second bag is complete. I took pictures while I made it so hopefully I can put together a tutorial soon. It is, obviously, made from an old grandma looking sheet. I thought it was kinda fugly at first, but now I've decided that I rather like it. It took me ALL day to make it yesterday- working in 15 minute spurts. Unfortunately, I can't sew while Keely is napping. Our house is too small, the machine too noisy and the wood floors make everything too loud. Still, I finished my second bag. Yahoo!

Bracelet thingies

2006-03-22T10:52:00.000-05:00

Hmm.
Blogger decided this picture needs to be vertical. The file is horizontal but ohhhhkay. I made a few of the Molly Chicken bracelets. I didn't attach any beads or dangling things. Choking hazards and all that fun stuff ya know. Their production went alright. Although, it has come to my attention that I am NOT good at sewing around a 1/2 inch rectangle which is the way I made these. If I do it again I'll use the disappearing ink to draw the bracelet.
Hubby said they look like bookmarks.
They do.
So, it is a dual purpose quick craft. All the better in my book. I might try a bigger, better variation for a bookmark at a later time.

oh fudge.

2006-03-21T14:24:00.000-05:00

Son of a monkey's uncle. I signed up for the cheapest typepad account last night. Then, I went about trying to figure it all out. I'm sick of blogger's issues. I want typepad so I can have categories. I also want an easy way to have a changeable photo on the top banner. I just like having a picture.ok? So, hubby and I are looking through all the details and then come to find out you can't have a photo in your banner unless your have a more expensive plan. It's just a photo ya'll. Free blogger will let you (very complicatedly) add a stinkin' photo. So, now it appears that there is some blogger dude that has figured out a way to do categories in free blogger. We are investigating this.

Quick Crafts

2006-03-21T08:47:00.000-05:00

Happy Spring!
First off, thank you for posting your quick projects to the Quick Crafts pool. I really hope we can get a lot of people to post. It'd be nice to have ideas with their links/descriptions all in one place. As it is, I bookmark pages I like and then forget what they were called or I see something on a blog and then can't remember whose blog it was. I drive myself nuts doing this. Anyway.
Spring is in the air, so here are flower related crafty things...
A Yo-Yo:
I've seen people making yo-yo's lately and I couldn't really think of anything to do with one if I did make it, until I saw one used on a bag by Turkey Feathers. I thought that looked kinda neat like a flower. She has a link to a how-to page found here if you wanna try one. Anyone else have good ideas for a few yo-yo's?
A Fabric Flower:
Whip-Up had a link to Blair Peter's tutorial on how to make her fabric flowers. They could be neat on a gift tag. Make it removeable and useable of course.
A Paper Flower:
And one more flower related craft, although not a tutorial, it is a kit. At the Paper Source they have several paper flower making kits that are just groovy. I don't know what you would do with the paper flower, but it is pretty. I'd like to figure out how to make it without spending the loot though. hmmm.

fabric

2006-03-20T15:04:00.000-05:00

When I decided I might be interested in sewing I went online and ordered 2 yards of Heather Ross fabric and 1 of Alexander Henry. Then I went thrifting for mad practice scraps. I certainly didn't want to mess-up on the good stuff. Now that I am a master pro-professional bag maker, I may have to buy me some more good stuff. I mean what kind of seamstress? would I be if I never got new fancy material to use, right? I don't have any fabric stores near by me so I 'm gonna have to go online and see what's what. I know Amy Butler has some goodies I like. I've had her stuff bookmarked for awhile. It is gonna hurt this cheapskate to spend a chunk of change on some nice stuff. Then I'll be more worried about making mistakes on it. I have a hard time cutting up my cheap thrifted sheets (above photo) as it is. I want to start my second bag but I don't have much in the way of coordinating fabrics. The problem with only buying what is available at a thrifty store I guess.

Mama's got a brand new bag!

2006-03-20T08:57:00.000-05:00

LOOK! I MADE A BAG! It has two straps and the seams are pretty straight and the handles are awesome and it has a boxey bottom. I am so in love. I can't believe I pulled this off. It's a bag. It's a bag. I made it. I made it! Recognize the material. It was a thrifty find. The outside is/was an old drape and the inside is a soft cotton sheet. I started with the uncut drape and sheet at about 9 AM yesterday and finished it at 10:45 AM. Daddy was home to help coral the wittle one and she was actually very cooperative during this time. I worked very slowly because I didn't want to mess up. The straps took me awhile, but they turned out pretty good. I just can't believe I made a bag. I wonder how long it would take after I got good and confident about making them.
Just realized the bag looks crooked in the picture. It isn't really. It's just how it's hanging. The left side is sticking out a bit. I must defend my bag. It is kinda floppy that's all, but that's how I like my bags.

And...

2006-03-20T08:52:00.000-05:00

Because I am such a dork, I made a matching tissue holder and ribbon keychain! HA!
I am such a corn muffin.
My sewing machine is not a heavy duty one so it had a hard time sewing the top seam on the keychain, through 4 layers of material and a ribbon. It was clunkin' and thumpin', thought for sure it was gonna die on me. I made the keychain bigger than the tutorial says because I wanted it to fit on my wrist. So, when I take a walk or just run into a store quickly without my (marvelous new homemade) bag I can loop it on. Groovy. 8-)

Bag lady

2006-03-19T14:25:00.000-05:00

Here are the bags I've been using for 3 years now. The red corduroy one I got for .75 and I love that ugly thing. My husband hates it. I carried diapers, toys, sippy cups and all my stuff in it. It was my winter bag. Then I got the blue striped one for my summer bag from Target. My husband ordered the big, quilt-square one for me from The Small Object for my birthday this year. It's much bigger than I normally carry, but I like it and I was impressed that my hubby ordered it. It was my new winter bag. So naturally I now need a new spring/summer bag, right? I'm working on it.

The progression of a bag

2006-03-19T14:13:00.000-05:00

I decided, after reading every god forsaken tutorial I could find on making a tote bag, that I would dig out some ugly scraps and try. I was really confused about how to "box out" the bottom of the bag. The first one I did all wrong. Photo 1.
It's not even funny how wrong it was. There was a giant hole in the bottom between the outside and lining. I think that might be a problem for a purse. I sewed up the whole top- only leaving a two inch gap for pulling the thing rightside out. That too, would be a problem. Then, I only sewed on one strap. I did the boxing out thing wrong too.
What a sad little bag it was.
I can't describe my expression while staring at my loser bag. Blank and disgusted, I guess.
Photo 2: I got out even uglier scraps and tried again. Besides its odd shape, it is fully functioning- two straps, boxed out bottom, no holes. Now we're talking. Keely likes this ugly uncoordinating bag.
She can have it.
A real bag is on the way.

nothing really

2006-03-18T15:37:00.000-05:00

Have you seen the ad that's been on my page lately? Toilet paper! Thanks for that. Real nice.
coffee, candy, sewing, ribbons, pens , fabric, pizza, ice cream :-}

I am seriously trying to sew a stinkin' tote bag this weekend. So far it 's not going well. And I'm flirting with Typepad. And I wanna make those ribbon keychains. And I'm trying to organize my fabric, and I still want that piano... I think.
Hoping everyone has a nice weekend.

a piano

2006-03-17T12:50:00.000-05:00

So we have this piano (above). Nice isn't it?
O.k so it's not really a piano, but that's what we all call it. Anyway, at one of the thrift stores I frequent, they have 3 upright pianos. They have been there for about a month, so the price keeps dropping. They are now at $150. There is one really nice old one. It is walnut colored and has some neat carving in the front of it. It looks really old and it sounds terrible. I mean awful. It also has a few wood missing injuries.
I sure want a piano in our home. I don't know if it is repairable. Maybe it just needs a tune-up or it could need $2000. worth of work and still not be fixed. Hmmm. But $150. ! That's about what Keely's little play sink cost. That just doesn't seem right. We don't really have room for a piano. I took lessons for a brief period back in the day, but don't remember a thing. So, no one in our house knows how to even play. Unless you count "Twinkle, Twinkle". I don't have $150. burning a hole in my pocket either, but there is always those handy tax returns, right?
No room, might not work, no one plays. This seems like a no brainer but still I want the thing. Pardon this me thinking out loud post. And how would we get a piano home? I'm guessing it wouldn't fit in our car. And how.....oh, I can go on and on....I'll spare you all.

Thrifty Finds Friday

2006-03-17T12:42:00.000-05:00

photo 1: This week's fabric field. I'm liking the pink paisley and the little ladybugs.

photo 2: A nifty lined basket, a kitty cat dress that I really bought because it has ceramic cat buttons on it, and a stack of kiddie books.

photo 3: An odd dish. I like it for some reason, but I don't know what to do with it.

QuickCrafts cont.

2006-03-16T09:49:00.000-05:00

I was thinking moving to Typepad might make having a Quick Crafts section MUCH easier, but then I would lose all the stuff I have on blogger. You can't bring your archives with you when you move right? Anyone know? Blogger is getting on my nerves. No categories, pictures won't go where I want them, won't let me type or post sometimes etc. I can't really complain since it is free, but I just did didn't I? My hubby said how 'bout making a new blogger site just for pix, links, ideas for crafts. This might work. I don't know if anyone will do the Flickr thing. There aren't categories or ways to search for projects. I guess will just wait and see. Please spread the word about the FlickR QuickCrafts if a lot of people posted it would be neat. It always makes me a little sad to see a group with no members or posts. So sad. Sniffle, sniffle. Even sadder if it's the group I started. Oh, the rejection.

Family Music Cycle

2006-03-16T09:26:00.000-05:00

The hubby and I have a lot of music. Some on CD's and a lot on our iPod. We have all kinds of music: world, electronica, r&b, new age, top 40's, alternative, oldies, classical, jazz. We have our own mix radio station. However, after we get something new, we listen to that puppy over and over until we all are walking around singing it all day. Then, we stop listening to music for awhile. We then we realize we haven't listened to anything and go "Ah ha! It must be time for new music." Then we go searching for something new. We get it-download it, buy it, whatever. Then the cycle starts ALL over again. We are always dancing around the house. Keely usually puts on some crazy get-up, which is necessary for good dancing you know.

Our latest additions are:
I am robot and proud. This is happy, beepy, mellow, easy electronica music. Good be-bop around the house background tunes. You can't listen to samples on Amazon, but the musician has a funky site that you get a feel for what kind of music it is. Check it out here.
Madeleine Peyroux-Careless Love : This is Jazzy, Frenchy, early summer nights sounding music ( itunes carries this one).

Meet STAR-ving

2006-03-16T09:18:00.000-05:00

Toddler Keely hasn't been eating much and yesterday I said, "Keely aren't you starving?" She said, "What's starving?" I said, "Starving means hungry. Aren't you hungry?" Keely said," Yeah, I'm hungry a little bit." Then she goes and and gets the star out of one of her puzzles. She runs up to me and sticks him out. She uses her funny inanimate object is talking voice and says, "Hi, My name is Starving. How are you today mommy?" STAR -ving , STAR...get it?
Starving. Ha!
This kid.

A FlickR group

2006-03-15T15:52:00.000-05:00

Quick Crafts
OK. I just made a group called Quick Crafts for Sanity. I posted my two projects on it with references to their sources. I think this is o.k. If you have a better idea please share it. Feel free to add any easy projects that you want. Just click the blue Quick Crafts link above to go to it. Post just a picture if it's self-explanatory. Add any description, directions, or necessary links that would help someone make it. Give credit to whoever you got the idea from if it is not your original idea. 8-)
Let's see how this goes.

That's actually true

2006-03-15T14:34:00.000-05:00

My dearest has a new expression. It's "that's actually true". I don't think we say this very often. I don't know if I've ever said it. Yesterday, I said "Boy Keely, I sure am tired." She nodded and said, "Yeah, mommy. That's actually true."
And- "I like bread. That's actually true."
Then, and this is the philosophical two year old, "Just because you don't know it, it doesn't mean it's not actually true." Wow. Move over Buddha, there's a toddler in town.

More quick projects.

2006-03-15T14:30:00.000-05:00

Molly Chicken has a little tutorial on making some funky cloth/bead/button bracelts. I"ll try one maybe this weekend. Keely might be a little young for this still. They look a bit funky and Bohemian to me. I guess you could make one with just pretty fabric or maybe add a button or two. If anyone else makes one. I'd like to see your version.
Babybug made some sweet little hair clips. She also makes glorious bags, but that is not a simple project (for me anyway). Go check 'em out though, for sure.
CreativeLittleDaisy made cute ribbon keychains. Go see. Do you think you have to use a D-ring? I don't have any.

I'm going to Flickr now and see if there is a good way to organize quickie projects for us.

A crayon roll

2006-03-15T10:52:00.000-05:00

I remember seeing a roll for picnic silverware in Martha awhile ago and then a couple of weeks ago happythings posted a picture of a crayon & pencil roll she made. So, yesterday during naptime I sketched and measured out my creation. I'm taking advantage of this full moon thing, gotta work fast. Anyway, before dinner I set Keely up with a bunny tea party and went to town sewing away. I messed up three times and the end product is smaller than it was intended to be because I had to keep cutting off my mistakes! So, it took me about an hour total to make this little thing. But I know how to do it now and I think I could make another in about 1/2 hour. Do crayons need a little roll? I don't know. But they got one. The colors are a bit wild but that ribbon totally matches the pink elephant material, no? I am quite pleased with this. Thankyou happythings for the inspiration. Oh yes, and she is working on making a tutorial for a drawstring bag too. 8-)
I'm looking for more projects, keep 'em coming. They'll be another full moon next month.

You asked for it

2006-03-15T10:49:00.000-05:00

Sorry, the photo is a wee blurry. Kind of hard to photograph glass globs. The little lion is my favorite in this batch.
Okay.
There are instructions for making these magnets all over the place and they all are a little different. I basically went by Not Martha's instructions. I could not find the glue she used though. Just use something stronger than Elmer's and make sure it dries clear. And for the love of chickens, make sure you get CLEAR friggin' marbles. I need to find where you can buy cheap, bulk magnets from now. They aren't so cheap. Have fun.
I'm thinking of getting magnetic paint to cover the entire house with. Then I can stick these goodies all over the place.

Supplies

2006-03-15T10:46:00.000-05:00

A serious disproportionate amount of marbles to magnets here. Here are the supplies I used for the marble magnet madness.

The Adventures of Were-crafter

2006-03-14T08:54:00.000-05:00

A-oooooooooo! It appears that I am a were-crafter, as in werewolf.
Need clarification? You know how the teenage boy in the 80's movies turns into a werewolf when there is a full moon? Well, it has been a full moon the last two nights and I have been able to successfully craft. Coincidence? I think not.
My hubby said yesterday, "My god, you are a were crafter." So, there it is. I am what I am.

Or maybe-
a meltdown+nice bloggy comments+priority focus=craftability?
Or
Keely read my blog and decided to lighten up on her mommy for a few days?
nah.
Were-crafter. I'll go with that, this way I can count on a few days of good crafting every month. Something to look forward to.

Ah, the goodness

2006-03-14T08:53:00.000-05:00

I sewed something that turned out well! Lookie, lookie. I saw the tutorial on making the tissue cover from JoJo (link below). I thought I was going to cry when it actually turned out right. Nevermind that the red/white one is significantly bigger than the grey one.
I don't carry tissues in my purse/bag. Therefore, I'm pretty sure I don't need a cover for tissues either. But do I care? NOOoooo, because hot diggity dog I sewed something right! I think I'll toss 'em in the car. Pull them out at stop lights and very dramatically hold them up and pull a single tissue out, making sure the car next to me sees my marvelous creation. Or maybe I will carry it in my bag and whip it out in public. Flaunt it a bit. Shove it at strangers.
"HEY! Look what I made!" Or go around pulling tissues out of my handy dandy tissue thingy to wipe things or people off.
"Oh dear, your child has a smidge of something on his cheek. Heavens, what can be done? Ah, I have the perfect thing! Fear not! I will save you and your child from the crumby face embarrassment."
Second thought, maybe that wouldn't be such a good idea. There I go again. Showing my weirdness.

*I have a sewing question. When a pattern gives you the measurements for the material you are going to use and then says, "have a 1/4 seam allowance". Is that included in the measurements they give or are you supposed to add it yourself?

Until I figure out a better way to link/reference/list good ideas here are a few I saw yesterday:
Bessilu made a nifty little pouch for baby wipes and referred us to this site for that, and other patterns.
JoJo has the super clear tutorial on how to make the above cover for those little pocket packs of tissues.

The Motherload

2006-03-14T08:43:00.000-05:00

I had all the suppies to make marble magnets for awhile. I didn't have very much though. We went to the craft store this weekend and I thought I hit the motherload. I found these two jumbo bags of clear marbles on sale. I bought two giant bags. I was thinking 1,000 magnets on the way. I got home and started punching out little circle pictures. The next day I got out the clear marbles and they were irredescent/pearly and you couldn't see the little picture underneath them. The bag says CLEAR! I doubled checked when I bought them. Not funny. My dear husband, to either save my sanity or to get out of the house, kindly offered to drive 2 cities away to a different store and find the truly clear ones. Isn't he sweet? He found them and bought all the store had. ALL of them. That's my guy.
Now, what to do with a gerbillion irredescent marbles.

Marble Magnets

2006-03-14T08:42:00.000-05:00

Yahoo! Finally, I made these things. They are so fun and addictive. More will be made for sure.

Tree hugger

2006-03-13T09:31:00.000-05:00

{and kisser}

Yesterday was a beautiful
warm, sunny day.
Keely loves her little tree.

Priorities

2006-03-13T09:29:00.000-05:00

Thank you ALL for sharing your thoughts about being crafty with the little ones. I really appreciate each and every one of you taking the time out of your day to visit with me and write your comments and encouragements. It is always helpful to know others feel similarly to you and battle the same things and what you all do to make crafty time. Thank you. Some days you all are the only adults I communicate with ALL day until the hubby comes home. A bit of my problem is comparing myself and my situation to other people I see that seem to have no problem creating grand masterpieces while having 5 children at home that they are homeschooling and then making gourmet dinners to boot! Comparing yourself to others is ALWAYS a bad idea.
That being said.
I adore my daughter. I am not trying to change the way I parent her. I have made many hard decisions in regards to the way we are raising her. I won't get into all that right now though. I think almost all of our decisions have been the right ones. This child is truly amazing.
She is only 2 so I don't really expect her to go play by herself alone for an hour. An somedays when I'm feeling crafty, she is just in a whiney, toddler mood. Who can listen to that and feel creative? Not me. I know that she will be grown up too fast and I will miss her always wanting to be with me and on me. I know that being crafty and learning to sew are not my top priority. In the big picture, it really isn't important at all. Keely is important and always will be. I know in a few years I will have lots of time to pursue crafting. That is why I really am going to just focus on simple, quick crafts for awhile. Just so I can have a creative outlet but keep my focus on being Keely's mommy. Which is my most important and rewarding job. 8-)

Seriously ya'll (<--southern baby) if you see some nifty crafts around the web-share it! Is there someway to make a seperate little section we could add to this blog named :Our quick crafting to remain sane ideas? Maybe a flickr kind of pool? We would have to reference the source I guess. Anyone have any ideas here? So, whenever you wanna be crafty but the kiddos are not cooperating you could look at the quick ideas and pick one. That'd be groovy. I'm still thinking...

Yes!

2006-03-13T09:05:00.000-05:00

Now, that's what I'm talkin' about! CARDS- quick, relatively easy cards, glorious cards! I am so in love with the top (pink) ones. I just can't stand it. The fabric is from an old, thrifted crib sheet. The bottom cards are just cut up thrifted skirts. I was trying to figure out how to sew a circle (Told ya I need simple tasks. Didn't you believe me? 8-)). And the best part was Keely sat next to me and played farm animals while I sewed all of these. She had taken a really good nap and was in a good mood. I jumped all over that! It really made me feel better, especially after my crafty meltdown. uh-hum. I guess you just have to seize whatever moments you get, right?
So, what do ya think?

A new list

2006-03-12T10:46:00.000-05:00

I was trying to sew an incredibly simple drawstring bag yesterday and a few days before that too. My brain does not get sewing instructions apparently. I really am not a stupid person. I graduated 12th in my highschool class of 400. I graduated with honors and a 3.8 from a top-rated university- brag, brag, brag, I know, but seriously sometimes I think I am really dumb. I mean, a drawstring bag. It doesn't get much simpler than that. I had a few things I wanted to be able to sew when I decided to buy the sewing machine and one of those was to be able to sew bags.

I stopped carrying cute little purses when Keely came along. I now only carry tote bag style ones. I thought it would be easy to do. Yesterday I had a sobbing crafty meltdown. Boo-hoo crying because I can't learn to sew in 15 minute spurts. I really want to be productive and crafty, but also to be super mommy. Unfortunately, I get snappy with the little one when she won't leave me alone for a little bit when I'm trying to do something. Obviously, this is not fair to her. I don't like being that way either. My frustration is not her fault. I do not know how to balance my crafty pursuits with being the kind of mommy I want to be all the time. I've been working on this issue for awhile now. I guess I better work a little harder.
I only get about 15 minutes here and there to work on any project and that just doesn't work for me. I need long stretches of time to learn how to do something new. I need quiet, uninterrupted time. HELLO! Not going to happen anytime soon. What to do.

I think I am going to go with finding simple, quick satisfaction projects for awhile. Projects that from start to finish take no more than one hour. Cards, bean bags, marble magnet thingies (currently in the works). I am looking for suggestions. That way, I can be crafty quickly and have a decent no-fail project completed and be the nice, happy mommy I want to be. If you have any semi-useful projects that someone with little skill and little time can make inexpensively, I am all ears. I'm making another list. Things-I-can-probably-actually-make-sometime-in-the-near-future.

The rest of the thrifty finds

2006-03-12T10:40:00.000-05:00

Is this not a pretty bowl? Too bad when it has something in it the print won't be visible. It was $1.50. The other picture is a mini tea set for Keely. They are so small 1/2 to 1 inch in height. She loves them ($1.).

and a woodkins.

2006-03-11T14:47:00.000-05:00

We got this woodkin doll. I gotta tell you it took me a few minutes to figure out what you're supposed to do with it. After I did though, Keely caught right on and for two days it has been her favorite toy. You lift up the top, arrange whatever fabric you want on her body and then close the top on her and she is magically dressed. It is kind of so-what and kind of neato in the same breathe. I don't care as long as it is entertaining her for a bit.

Thrifty Finds Friday

2006-03-10T12:39:00.000-05:00

Here is the fabric field for this week. I love those goofy blue monkeys on the upper left side. The pink dumbo one is kinda cute too. I do not really care for Disney things. I never have. And naming a poor pink elephant Dumbo? That's just mean. But I like it just for the pink elephant graphic. Anyway, I also got an old embroidery transfer pattern thing and those groovalicious old blue towels on the upper right. Yum. The big pink stuff in the middle, in case you can't tell, is a big strip of super-girly pink lace! I'm thinking some kind of dress up gear could be made. Probably not by me mind you, but.......

(I didn't hand pick out all of these, some were in bags of fabric scraps so if you see one in the bag you like you gotta buy the whole thing. Sneeky little thrift store managers....)

and

2006-03-10T12:30:00.000-05:00

This seashell blanket was at the store last week for $5. but I really don't like the golden sand color of the back material. This week it was still there ( I guess no one else liked it either.). It was $2. and I thought I might (BIG MIGHT) be able to sew a blue backing on it. There is a weird little pouch sewn in the back of it, for a pillow I guess. The second picture is of a funky little watermelon bowl and plate. Visions of summertime danced in my head. I got a few more things, but they're soaking in Clorox currently. 8-)

Japan has invaded my brain

2006-03-09T14:36:00.000-05:00

Alright, nearly every crafter I come across has a mild obsession for Japanese crafting books. I wasn't catching on. I kept having images of Japanese anime type cartoony things and Pokemon-esque visions. That was until yesterday.

Can one die from cuteness? I think it might be possible. I went looking around at an online Japanese bookstore and Oh My freakin' cuteness! I just can't stand it. Adorable little bags with appliqued felt animals and softies made from vintage towels!
Wait. That sounds really corny now that I wrote it, but seriously that is some cute stuff. I'm ready to order some books. I was laying awake last night thinking about this stuff. Nothing abnormal about that. Uh-hum. I can't even pay domestic shipping, but I am seriously considering forking it over for some overseas shipping now.
Do I really wanna get more crafting ideas to stare me in the face? How long can my "I wanna make this" list get? More projects I won't have the skill or time to complete? Most of the cutesy-tootsy stuff I liked would definately be for children. I'm not gonna applique a felt cat coming out of my pants pocket, you can be sure. However, my daughter would be in high-school before I ever completed one of these projects . "Ohmigod mom! I am SO not carrying that bag to school! Get that little hippo in a pond tote away from me." Picture it: She's trying to get out the door to go to school. I'm on my knees crawling after her slipping the bag handles over her arms. " She's doing a little arms in the air hissy dance to get it off. "MOM STOP! You are such a freak!" "But, bah-beeee I've been working on that bag for 12 years! Please do this for mommy. " She finally escapes out the door, unknowing that there is little ocean themed patchwork bookcovers (with matching felt fishy bookmarks, of course) on ALL of her notebooks. Imagine the embarrassment.
Insert mommy's maniacal laugh. Ra ha. Raha ha ha ha ha!

Felt bags

2006-03-09T14:29:00.000-05:00

I was cruising around PlumParty and saw these cute little favor bags. They have several other cute ones, but these are my top two favorites. That site has some groovy little doo-dads. I've never ordered anything from them, but I've looked several times. These bags are $6. each. I was looking at them for ideas to use myself, not for purchasing you understand. Haven't I made it clear that I am cheap?

Corners: Another bathroom

2006-03-09T12:57:00.000-05:00

Unlike the other bathroom, which was all pinked-out, this one was turquoise! We almost gutted this bathroom until we reached the eight feet of mortar under the tiles. We could not get it all out even with a sledge hammer. So, we covered the then cement looking wall with wainscotting! First we painted the top 1/3 of the walls a sage green, but last summer we changed it to this light blue/green.
The medicine cabinet is original to the old house. I love it. It looks like a funky picture frame. It was originally cream colored with olive details. My husband and his father were putting in some new wiring when we were renovating and they had to take out the medicine cabinet. When they removed it all these old razor blades were behind it in the wall. Apparently, back in the day, there was little slit in the back of medicine cabinets for you to clip off your old razor blades without slicing your fingers off. Nifty and news to me! Since this was originally my grandparent's house, all of my grandfather's blades were there in the wall. I saved a little baggie of them.

Paco the dog

2006-03-09T12:47:00.000-05:00

Sorry about the weird spacing here, but I can't fix it. Something odd about the cropping. Anywho. This is Paco. My hubby drew him and then pasted him in a photo of our bed. Cute isn't it? The hubby has been practicing drawing and painting with hopes of someday writing and illustrating a children's book. Last night he did this. It is in the style of Knuffle Bunny, one of Keely's current favorite book.

Well someone's pants are on fire!

2006-03-09T12:43:00.000-05:00

Hardware enclosed my foot.
To keep you updated on this dramatic saga...a phone call was made and we should have the replacement parts within 2 weeks.

ah, and so the slacker swap begins

2006-03-08T13:15:00.000-05:00

Katurah, you really, really crack me up. So. I just love all the magnets you "sent" me. I hung the first batch on our chalkboard. Don't they look lovely? The second set, Keely claimed and they are on our fridge. I just can't stop looking at them. Really lovely. Thankyou. 8-)

For those of you who have no idea what you are looking at, this is in reference to the ultimate Slacker Swap, the imaginary edition.

It has arrived, or has it?

2006-03-08T10:48:00.000-05:00

So, I finally ordered the play sink last week. You thought I'd never do it didn't you? Ha! Well, I did. It arrived yesterday. This thing was heavy. I shoved it across the floor, did a little happy dance. Keely didn't have a clue what it was. But she's no dummy, she knows boxes at the door are a good thing. We decided to wait until after dinner to bust into it.

My poor girl has a nasty cold so we set up a sick bed in the shipping box. She snuggled right in, until she realized daddy was putting together something. She loves when we have to put things together. She perked right up and started dancing around all the pieces. Doing a little jig on the stove top, washing her hands under the faucet, and singing into the cardboard tubes. She knew what it was right away. And then the happiness and excitement ended.

We pulled out the sink tub and it was broken. Big 'ole honkin' hole in it. super. Hubby said, "No problem, we'll send them an email and they'll send us another one." Then, he goes to put the thing together and there is NO hardware! No little screw, bolt, etc. package in the box. We searched through everything. Not there. Are you kidding me? It took me forever to order this stinkin' thing and I finally do and get it and this? Come on now. So, back in the box it went and some emails were sent off because conveniently there are no phone numbers on any of the papers that came with the sink. Mommy is NOT pleased.

Not quite how I imagined it.

2006-03-08T10:41:00.000-05:00

Cute little sink sitting in a box. I could duct tape it together. That'd be classy. We could use some other screws and hardware we have, but it might mess it up and this thing wasn't cheap. It should have the flippin' pieces. So, here she'll stay until who knows how long. Any guesses on how long it will take to make contact with a human who will ship us the damaged/missing pieces? Wanna place your bet? Any takers? I'm thinking at least a month.

All around the kitchen

2006-03-07T11:58:00.000-05:00

At dinner time we have started playing music while we cook to entertain the little one who is so impatient for the food (that she won't eat) to be ready. Sometimes we listen to adult music, but more often than not we turn on the kiddie tunes. Her music collection is very small. She liked Raffi for awhile, and I don't mind they guy-but after 3000's Mr. Suns...OI!

I went surfing around iTunes to find some decent kid/family songs and came across Dan Zanes. Apparently, he has been around for awhile, but that's news to me. Anyway, I downloaded: Skip to my Lou, Polly Wolly, and the cooking time favorite-All around the Kitchen. It is kinda happy/folky music, but we rather like it now. Keely really likes it and it entertains her for a bit. If you're interested in listening to some samples of it, click this. I've only listened to a few of the other songs and they didn't particularly tickle my fancy.

The above photo shows what happens when the kitchen iPod's battery has died and there is no music. Food is all around the kitchen, instead of dancing and singing.

Dog Bath

2006-03-07T11:50:00.000-05:00

Could he look any sadder? I just don't think so. The poor boy had to get a bath today. Keely loves when he gets a bath. We washed him, blow-dried him, and brushed him. She said, "There puppy, now you aren't a stinky boy anymore. You smell just like flowers!" Then she put his blanket in the sun for him to lay on. Aw.

Also along the lines of cuteness: This morning she made up a song that went like this: " I just loooooooove you mommy. You are the best everest moooomy in the whole wide woooorld." Imagine her arms spread out and her chin going up and down as she carried out the last word in a trill/run (Thankyou for the singing lingo American Idol.) Then, she sang one for daddy too. Gotta love that kind of goodness huh? That sweetness just makes me all teary-eyed.

For Bessilu

2006-03-07T11:48:00.000-05:00

I looked through my photos and found these older ones of Keely with our Buddha....sitting on his lap and kissing his head.

Fun on the Farm

2006-03-07T11:42:00.000-05:00

The toxic barnyard animals have been quarantined. The military is moving in (well, one army guy anyway) and farmer Joe stares on in disbelief.

blocks and trains

2006-03-06T12:48:00.000-05:00

We are having a super mommy & keely play marathon. Mommy is hoping to win some cooperation from the toddler who is having a dip in her usually good/tolerable behavior. We busted out the blocks and train that never get played with.
Photos: The knight is galloping around crazily and then it was time for them to take a nap. Mommy had to find blankets for the people. She always likes putting her toys to sleep, interestingly she NEVER sleeps.

and then

2006-03-06T12:34:00.000-05:00

All was going nicely. A quiet, calm, little village and then she jumped up and King Konged it all. Such a gentle girl.

softies or lumpies?

2006-03-06T12:30:00.000-05:00

Here is my first attempt at stuffed animals. I didn't have any stuffing so I used sheet batting. Needless to say, they are lumpy. I was going to applique a wing on the birdie, but...oh come on, I'm not gonna do that. What's that you say? That bunny looks suspiciously similar to a previously posted bunny finger puppet? No, it can't be true. In my defense, he is bigger and stuffed! Does that count for something?

More birds and button cards

2006-03-06T12:26:00.000-05:00

These are really dark, but what can you do. It is a rainy day. If you click them to see them larger, they're a little clearer. I'm gonna add something to the cat/mouse card...just don't know what yet.

silly willy

2006-03-05T15:13:00.000-05:00

My angel is being a handful and when I am just about to lose my mind with her I find it helpful to go look at cute pictures of her to re-center my brain and adjust my attitude. Here is one of my favorite photos of her making goofy faces. Take a deep breath mommy and remember she is only two and all this behavior is normal and will pass. Just look at her yummy, silly little face.

maybe just one more

2006-03-05T15:11:00.000-05:00

She's really been...well, you know. Maybe just one more of her sweetness and love will do the trick.

Slacker Swap

2006-03-05T14:41:00.000-05:00

Yep, that's what I need-a slacker's swap, or maybe a thrifty swap. Hmmmm. I see all the pictures people post of the awesome swap gifts received and sent out and wow! I don't know how they have the time, resources, and energy, to make all the stuff they make. I don't know how you know if you are giving the swap partner stuff they'll like. I don't know how I would stop obsessing over "Is this enough stuff to send? Is it too much stuff? Will they raise an eyebrow and make a grimace when pulling out their goodies?" Will the giftee be like, "Why in the world did she send this? What IS this? Boy, she really is cheap." Will there be rounds of laughter and then phone calls to their friends saying, "Can you believe what I got? A set of plastic forks and a Hanes t-shirt with my name written on it with a Sharpie? and what's THAT? Two pieces of cut up brown felt and a half-eaten Snicker's Bar? What the?"

Ya see, I am a stress over everything, worry wort, panic attack having nutcase. Have you picked up on that yet? Me at Christmas time, not a pretty picture. However, getting presents in the mail seems like fun. Who doesn't like getting presents? I'm ready to go put tacks on the road in front of my house so the UPS man HAS to stop at more door. "OH geez. All of your tires are flat? Right at my front door. Pity. Well, let me take some of these packages off your hands."

Presents are good. I like buying presents for people too, especially if it's something I know they'll like.

I need a worry free, slackers, thrifty swap. Where can I find one of those? Oh, yes..and then you have to go to the Post Office. No, please no...not that. OK, so I need a post office free, worry free, slackers, thrifty swap. OH, I've got: Basically, YOU imaaaagine all the perfect, great, & glorious gifts I handcrafted & bought for you. Isn't it great? You'll get everything you wanted. I'll do the same. This really is perfect. Enjoy.

Birds and cows

2006-03-03T14:18:00.000-05:00

Yesterday afternoon the little one was driving me bonkers. What? No, way! I did not want to play animals or doll house anymore because I am not 2. I decided we'd paint. O.K well, I decided I would paint with some water colors and she would paint with water, colored pencils, and colored paper. She's happy, excited, etc. Then I start drawing my goofy birdies and she leans over on my right arm and flops her paint brush on my paper.
"Mommy, I'm going to draw you a cow and then paint it."
"Keely, I gave you a paper to paint on. Paint on yours please."
She finishes doodling on my paper.
"There you go mommy. There's your cow."
"That's lovely. Now, do one on YOUR paper."
"Oh mommy. I forgot the grass for your cow."
Back to my paper. Laying on my arm and flinging water all over.
using her voice that she uses for all male toys/pictures: "I'm a cow! I don't have any friends. Keely can I have a friend?"
And she's back at the paper giving him a friend.
This went on for about 20 minutes. The above 3 birds are the only ones that survived the ordeal.
Yes, Yes. She is very cute and smart and this is funny. But I really have the need to create something and it just can't happen around here. She is only 1 child! I don't know how all these crafty women with 2 or more children make all that they do. I can barely paint a bitty bird!

I don't let her watch t.v. Is that the problem? She only watches Sesame Street. Our T.V stays off all day and evening. I don't really know why I am so hung up on her not watching t.v, but I am. Getting cable and letting her zone out to cartoons all day sure sounds good sometimes. sigh. But I won't do it.

Thrifty Finds Friday

2006-03-03T11:59:00.000-05:00

We found this really soft butterfly quilt. It isn't a handmade one, but it is really soft and cute and it at least looks handmade. We like (4.). Then, I found this crazy looking sheet, a orange roll of wallpaper (.45) and a few books. The Fun Faces book is full of neato masks that you pop out (.99). Is it annoying to put the prices on here? Maybe so. If you'd like me to shut-up about the cheapness, I will kindly zip my trap.

and

2006-03-03T11:27:00.000-05:00

I am forever looking for Playmobile stuff, but apparently people don't get rid of that good stuff! Don't they know I want it? So, finding this box of goodies was a rarity. Second picture is of the little Playmobile baby room. The little puppies and kitties are sooooo freakin' cute! The first picture of the rest of the pieces that are still drying from the sanitation process. uh hum. oh, yeah and because I don't know how the fit together yet! Cute though, right? They are too small for Keely to play with though. Aww, too bad. Mommy will have to put them to use.

This adorable, loveable, child of mine was such a royal pain at the store today. UGH! Whiney, moany, "what to hold it", "don't like it", "mommy hold you" saying little monkey!
"Love, would you kindly.....hush! before your mommy goes balistic? Thanks that'd be swell."

This weeks' corners

2006-03-02T12:44:00.000-05:00

I was looking for a corner to post today and I am running low! Or maybe just not looking at my surroundings the right way. Our house just isn't that big. Stand in the middle of it and spin around and you can pretty much see the entire house. It's...uh...cozy. Anyway, I looked at Soulemama's post and decided I'd go the photo mosaic route. How unoriginal. What a uncreative slacker I am today.
The first photo is of our old dining room table. Someday we are going to refinish it. Under the paint there is a lovely mahogany table. Is that some kind of sin, painting over old mahogany? Oops. The second photo is of on top of our big bookcase. A jar of beach glass collected from close to where we live (the beach glass, not the jar) and the shells are from Costa Rica. The third shot is a photo wall in our bedroom.
Captivating isn't it? Hey! WAKE UP! geez.

some bunny.

2006-03-02T11:41:00.000-05:00

Here is the extent of this week's crafting-a finger puppet bunny. Wow, huh? Aren't you so very impressed. Oh-ing and Ah-ing over the detail and craftswomanship. Stop drooling everyone. Hold your applause.
I drew a little pattern for the wittle bunny and everything. "Did you really need a pattern? It is basically a rectangle with some ears." Yes. yes, I did. Everytime I try to wing-it the result is not pretty.

My dear, sweet toddler is not being cooperative in my creative endeavors. I sit at my sewing machine and instantly, nothing but me and the machine are of interest. Little fingers are pulling out my threads, spinning my spool, and climbing on me. Ugh.

I may have to change the name of this blog to:
Colorfool WISHES she could Create
or
Colorfool Creates WHAT?
I did originally want the blog title to be just plain and simple, Colorfool, but it was already taken, now I have that stinkin', lurking word creates always taunting me. Such pressure. I may seriously have to change it. I keep trying to be crafty and Keely keeps changing my plans.

This whole attachment parenting thing is working me over and it hasn't even been 3 years yet. It gets easier right? Someone? Anyone?

Going Postal

2006-03-01T12:56:00.000-05:00

O.k. so I hate going to the post office and ever since I found out about ordering stamps online, that is exactly what I have done. It is wonderful. And you get to pick the cool stamps that you want, not just the ones your post office happens to have. Anyway, for the past six months everytime I go to sign in to the USPS website it tells me my user I.D is wrong and then my password is wrong even though it isn't. I have it all saved on my computer. I don't even have to type it in. So everytime I order I have to make a new account (I now have about 6 accounts) and enter in all my payment info and all that other garbage. I finally emailed their help dept. and they just told me I must be entering my password in wrong. There were about 5 emails back and forth and then they cut me off. Either they were sick of me and annoyed or didn't know what the problem was. Anyway, about a week later I get this USPS postcard in the mail telling me how great and easy it is to order stamps online-and that I should try it that it's "easier than I think". funny. really funny.

Keely's corner

2006-03-01T12:32:00.000-05:00

Keely's corner:
Theme: Wild Animals (all items from thrift stores)
Toys/Activities: Stuffed animals, play animals, baby animal matching game, wild animals puzzles (mommy piece matches with the baby).
Books: Miss Mary Mack, One Yellow Lion, A to Z, and Giraffes Can't Dance.

cards and photos

2006-03-01T12:30:00.000-05:00

O.k family your handsewn cards and photo packs are in the mail! That being said. What a pain! I wait like 2 or 3 months before ordering my pictures from snapfish and then I have this massive stack of photos come! I have this obsession with keeping one copy of every picture ever taken of the child. We will need an additon built on to our house just to keep them all in if this keeps up. Then, I have to label them all with at least a name and age/date. This takes forever! I have this letter and date stamp that I thought would be great for this. Just stamp, stamp, stamp, and BAM I'm done. But nooooooo. I stamp a small stack only to realize the ink would NEVER dry on the photo paper and it would just smear all over. I had to wipe them all off and go back to hand writing them all. It must be done. I can't stand looking at old photos that have no names or dates on them, so I will write them out until I can figure out another solution. Maybe a different ink for the stamp? hmmmm.

a happy patron

2006-02-28T13:13:00.000-05:00

While daddy was making dinner last night Keely was making dinner too...for Caribou. Doggie food in her microwave. I like the look of concentration on her face while carrying his dishes.

The Sacrificial Turtle

2006-02-28T10:48:00.000-05:00

So, it has come to this. The cute little turtle had to be sacrificed to the thrifting gods to pay for the several weeks of good thrifting finds. Poor turtle. Some times you should just leave things alone. He was cute before, but I just have this need to paint kid things white and not leave them dark wood. I tried painting him with his red furry back on, but the paint wasn't sticking to the wood and it got all in his fur. I tried to get the fur off so I could spray paint him, but couldn't. So, the husband got some tools out and then he had to take him apart to get all the fur off. It was not pretty. Keely: "OH no! Poor turtle doesn't have a head!!!!"
Then he got a terrible spray paint job and while hubby was screwing him back together the wood split into two. Oh, the poor thing. When it came time to re-cover him, I did an awful job. Before and after photo below.

before and after

2006-02-28T10:45:00.000-05:00

Lesson: sometimes you should just leave things alone.

The Art of Thrifting?

2006-02-27T08:43:00.000-05:00

A few people have asked about thrifting so I thought I'd do a post on it. I had no idea I had so many thrifting "rules" in my head until I started thinking to write this. I'll try to give a condensed edition and not the full contents of my messy head.

My grandmother and mother were/are thrifters for as long as I can remember. My mom and I used to go to a few flea markets and her favorite thrift store every weekend. I hated it. I dragged my feet and hung my head. And whined. I was so bored and I wanted NEW things, not thrift store things. I was also scared someone I knew would see me at a thrift store!!!Oh, the horror! I would hide in the clothing racks if I did see someone. It did not matter that they were there too! Ah well, I was a silly kid. When I reached my teenage years and got a job and bought most of my own clothing well, then thrifting started looking good to me. On my weekends off from work and school I would go to a couple stores looking for neat bedroom things and clothes. I grew up, went to college got married, got a job, had my daughter and during all that time I rarely had the time or energy to go at all.

Fast forward. When I was pregnant and quit my job, I started going again looking for baby goodies and nesting things. Keely was born and up until the last six months she has NOT been very cooperative in my thrifting endeavors. I had about a half hour to go to one store and get out of there before she started crying and being miserable. The good thing is that it trained me to look fast! So , here are my speed thrifting tips. Someone else recently posted their thrifting tips, but I can't remember who.

Present day. We usually go once a week to one or two thrift stores. Here's what I've found-

1. Go to all the thrift stores in your area that you think you could frequent. Check out their selection. Different stores do tend to have a different supply of stuff. Some stores are great for furniture and others are great for kid toys. Decide what you are interested in and looking for and then find the store that has the most of it. I used to think high-income neighborhood close to a thrift store would be mean good stuff at that thrift store. This is not always true. Most stores have trucks that go to all neighborhoods and do pick-ups and all stores take donations from anyone/anywhere. My favorite store is not in a nice part of town, but I get the best stuff there.

2. All the stores around here have markdown days. If an item stays past a week they mark it down. Usually items stay for 3 weeks(=3 markdowns) before they throw them out. So if you see something you like but it costs too much, you could get lucky next week...or it could be gone. Risky! 8-) Live dangerously. Some stores have special days also. EX. All yellow tags are 50% off on Tuesday.

3. Some stores are dumpy, scary, sad, and down right depressing. I do not go to those. It should be fun to thrift. Not make you want to jump off a cliff.

4. Some weeks you will not find anything at all. That is why you have to go at least once a week.

5. Try not to buy something you don't really love, need, or have a great use for just because it is cheap. You will have a house filled with junk and that is never good. Be selective.

6. Know the layout of the store.

7. Weekends are very crowded. The beginning of the week is usually not good because they have been wiped out over the weekend. The end of the week is where I have the most luck-Thurs/Fri.

8. Go looking for specific things each week (unless you have endless hours to wander), that way you don't try to look at every section of the store and end up with a cart full of stuff and spend way too much money. EX. This week focus on dishes and fabric, and try to overlook all the other stuff that says, "Take me home. You know you want to."

9. Be open minded. Think of the possibilities. If something is perfect, but looks dirty or is an ugly color don't let that stop you. Meet my friends spraypaint and bleach! Want fabric? Don't just look at the fabric section go to the sheets, curtains, baby blankets, even clothes that have nice patterns.

10. Personal Pet Peeve: Please do not let your child put anything in their mouth at a thrift stores. This makes me gag! I see this all the time. Seriously, ew. When you bring everything home. Bleach and/or boil everything that can stand-up to this and wash everything else in the laundry. Most stores have to "sanitize" their goods by law, but you never know. And then go wash your hands. I have sanitizing wipes in the car to use as soon as were out of the store, but that may be taking it a bit to far. Can we say, "FREAK!" ?

O.k that's it for today. I hope this is useful to those of you who asked. I have more to say, but no more time to write it now. 8-) Is this the longest post ever?! Ah!

4 Things...

2006-02-25T14:53:00.000-05:00

Alright, I'll give this meme a go. Hasn't everyone in blogging world done this one by now?

(Ready for a sing-along?..."Getting to knooooow you, Getting to know all about you..."

4 jobs you've had:
1. waitress
2. travel agent (VERY briefly)
3. secretarial assistant
4. first grade teacher

4 places you've lived: 8-)
1. with my parents-ha ha
2. In a scary underground apt. next door to a lunatic. THAT was fun. Thanks for that, husband.
3. In one quarter of a giant 1910 house
4. In my, oh sorry OUR, house (which used to be MY grandparents')

4 albums you can't hear enough: (I have about 50 more to add to the list)
1. Sade (all albums)
2. Dead Can Dance (almost all of the albums)
3. Norah Jones (aka snorah jones...boring but good)
4. Any combo of Louis Armstrong/Ella Fitzgerald

4 Favorite Books: recent ones
1. Everything's Illuminated
2. Wicked
3. Life of Pi
4. Happy Birthday Maisy -What? That mouse is cute!

4 movies you could watch over and over:
1. The Wizard of Oz- from the beginning to meeting the Cowardly Lion only.
2. Elizabeth
3. Amelie
4. Chocolat

4 TV shows you like to watch:
1. Lost- it would be nice if they'd play more than 2 new episodes in a row without 5 weeks of waiting for the next one. grrr
2. Gilmore Girls
3. House
4. ummm? That's it. OH! If we had cable-The Daily Show.

4 places you've been on vacation:
1. Italy
2. Czech Republic
3. France
4. Costa Rica

4 websites you visit daily: This changes all the time.
1. Bloglines (so all of my daily blogs)
2. Amazon, lately
3. Whip Up
4. FlickR

4 favorite foods:
1. dark chocolate
2. pizza (my husband's homemade ones)
3. BIG salads
4. ice cream

4 places you'd rather be right now.
1. Right where I am is just fine, but to play along....
2. Playa Conchal, Costa Rica
3. Paris, France- in the evening
4. In several feet of standing snow with more falling down on me, at night.

A note to YOU!

2006-02-25T11:27:00.000-05:00

I just loving reading all of your comments! Thank you! Some people say they don't blog for feedback. I'm not gonna lie. Feedback is fun! In case, you don't go back and look at the comments you write: I'm writing to say I am answering/responding to you in the comments section if you want to read them.

Thrifty Finds Friday

2006-02-24T13:25:00.000-05:00

It is Friday and I did not order the little sink and stove yet. I was giving the Thrift stores one last shot today. We did not find any. BUT we did get this groovy Plan play house. It is in pretty good shape. It has some wallpaper ugliness happening but we can fix that up. It was $14. which is way more than I usually spend on one thing, but this house was too nifty. It has nice big opening for clumsy, chubby hands. So far all of Keelys' stuffed animals have explored it and approved.

and books & fabric

2006-02-24T13:23:00.000-05:00

{Photo 1} A stack of newer and some vintage children's books.
{Photo 2} A few pieces of fabric: clothes, a sheet, and a tablecloth.

and...

2006-02-24T13:15:00.000-05:00

{photo 3} I found this cross stitch quilt? blanket. Mother Goose I guess. It is really nicely made and the back has soft blue flowered flannel. It's not really my style, but I know how much work must have went into making this blanket and I just can't pass those things up. I feel bad for the person who made it, knowing their work is dumped at a thrift store. It was $2.
{photo 4} Then, my favorite is these 2 baby pillow cases. They are so flippin' cute (in that goofy, vintage way) I can't stand it and for .99- Gotta love that. Click on the picture and look at it bigger.

Blogger won't let me put photos and text where I want them in one post so that's why it's in the annoying 3.

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Quick is good

2006-02-23T14:27:00.000-05:00

Today we were playing in Keely's room with her babies and a bunny when she says, "Oh, poor bunny is so cold. He doesn't have a blanket. Boo hoo hoo." Oh? He doesn't? Well, we can fix that! We played a few more minutes and then off to bunny's rescue. Grab some fabric, cut it, sew it, and sha-blam: a wee blanket and a bitty pillow! Bunny is so happy now. Oh sure, we have plenty of baby blankets around the house, but this was a perfect excuse to sew something simple that I would not mess-up terribly and it was quick. I like quick. Quick is good. Ending Keely comment: "Look bunny! Mommy made you a nice cozy blanket with little flowers on it and a soft pillow. Now you won't be cold anymore." aww.

This weeks' corner

2006-02-23T10:27:00.000-05:00

Here's this weeks' photo for the Flickr Corners' Pool .When we moved in (to my grandparents' old house) this bathroom was ultra-pink. Tiled walls, sink, toilet-it was all PINK! No thank you. I'm sure it was very stylish in 1960, but today....ah, not so much. We put up the wainscotting, painted the walls blue, put in all new fixtures, and tiled the floor in royal blue ceramic squares. Much better. This is one room that has not been repainted since we moved in. Shocking!