MIA

Sorry about being gone for what is it now...TWO MONTHS...wow I didn't realize it was that long. But what can I do when life is throwing me curve balls when I'm up to bat. In other words, there was a lot of stuff going on that caused me to give up the non-essentials in life. However, we won't dawn on the negatives and move on to some good things that have been happening.

I am back at college for the third year living in an on-campus apartment with three friends. Here is a peak at what my room looks like this year.

As you can see it is pretty plain but I hope to add some Camco 42655 RV Retro Travel Trailer Party Lights around the room and crochet some star bunting as well to spice it up a little bit.

Since I've been away I have turned the big 2-0 and as a surprise to make me feel better my mom got me some of the yarn I need for the ripple blanket which I have since started. I am really proud of it and can't wait for it to be done.

If time allows I would love to snuggle up with that this winter, but something tells me I won't be able to get it done. This year I have a ton of course work plus I have taken on two teaching assistant jobs which also has a lot of work to do as well. Don't get me wrong I am enjoying every minute of it, ok maybe not every minute but at the end of the day I usually feel like I've accomplished something.

So anyway, that is what has been going on and why I've been missing for awhile. Now on to some things that are changing, especially around here. At the top of the page you may have noticed the new title. I'm super proud of it and made it myself. It has a bit of a pin-up/vintage flair to it and she is wearing an apron so this blog is going to be in for a little bit of a make-over. Since I don't always have time to work on crafty things, I'm going to be adding in some family recipes or other recipes that I love. Along with cooking, I will also be talking about some classic movies that I enjoy and probably be talking about my favorite time period: the 30's and 40's. Besides those I will probably be talking more about what is going on in my life.

Another thing that has also tickled my fancy is photography. Sadly there won't be too much on that subject since I am quite the novis and my personal camera is, well in nice terms, sub-subpar. Santa has been hinting that I may find a new camera in my stocking this year. Until then I will be borrowing a camera from the college every now and then to take some pictures (mostly of my dogs, you have been warned). Above is a picture I took over Labor Day weekend when I went to visit the family.

Well I think I am done with this post before I make your eyes go mad from all the reading. Plus I have some notes that I need to type and other homework to get done (time to be a good little student). Until next time, stay crafty!

Jumping for Joy!

Whoooo-hoooo! IT'S HERE!! What you may ask, well go on take a look...

For those of you who don't know of Lucy (Attic24) you should head over there after you read this because she is an amazing lady. For those of you who do know about Lucy then you might know about the "We Love Lucy" group on ravelry.com. It was through that group that I discovered a new love of swapping!

Last month or so, there was a thread to sign up for a swap, and having wanted to get my feet wet for other crochet swaps, I signed up. It was such a great experience and my partner definitely sent great stuff!

At approximately 12:43 pm, my mailman knocked on the door and in his hand I see the package I have been waiting for. I nearly ripped it out of his hands and hugged it as I signed the paper saying it was delivered. My mailman was getting a kick out of my expressions, I hope I brightened his day as much as the package did mine.

Before the mailman made it down the ramp out front, I had bolted into the house to grab my camera and scissors. My dogs were watching me bob from room to room and then back out the door. Anyway, I carefully cut the top of the envelope just enough to not cut anything inside. And then bam, my hand was in pulling out the oh so soft yarn (Sirdar Luxury Soft that is), the vibrant and beautiful crocheted flower pin, the yummy in my tummy chocolates, the now drool stained Cath Kidston catalog, and a lovely greeting from Sarah (Shelbycat) on Sheep Poo Paper.

Sarah did such a great job and I can not wait to use that lovely yarn to make some...pillow covers I think for some shams. The colors look great with my new pillowcases that I made a while back and a girl can always use a few more pillows in the bed. And Tempest also wants to say you did a great job as well. When I brought everything in, the crochet flower had fallen to the floor and she kindly pointed it out to me. As a reward I decided to put it on her collar for a little bit while we went out on the deck to enjoy the weather. When I put that pin on her she was strutting around the house and showing it off to Midnight. She was being quite the "Pretty Girl" (but very camera shy when I tried to take her picture).

Sarah I just hope you will enjoy everything I sent you as much as I have enjoyed what you sent :s And to my other readers, if there are any of you out there, I hope to get to know you all and would love to hear from you. But as always stay crafty!

Come on down to the Mighty County Fair!

It’s that time of year again, you know with all the livestock, races, rides, vendors, contests and more. Normally the fair is nothing to toot your horn at, but this year there was actually some pretty neat stuff. The first day was Wednesday, June 23 where I was up at the fairgrounds around 8:30 am to watch my cousin show her first calf.

 She did such a great job and I was so proud of her, getting second place but still a blue ribbon. The judge even gave her praise saying she did everything right, but just wished she had worked with the calf a little longer. Did I mention I was so proud of her, and she is so adorable in her cow girl hat!

Later that night, I went to the rodeo. Four words: Chap wearin’ cowboys, HELL-O!

It was a lot of excitement watching these guys get bucked around. Plus the crowd was great! Can I get a YEEE-HAAA?!?! Stay crafty everyone!

There is a new additon to the family!

In a previous post I had mentioned that we were thinking about getting another dog, well guess what? We did!

Here she is! Our new dog is a ten month old Pit Bull/Black Lab mix named Tempest and she is such a sweetheart. Here are some interesting facts about Temp:

• For being such a little dog, she has quite the low pitched bark. 
• She loves to snuggle and when it's her nap time she can be found laying on my lap.
• When ever Lady Gaga music is playing she seems to relax and calm down.
• Her and Midnight love to play tug-o-war. It's hilarious to watch.

• She was rescued from an animal shelter that is in desperate need of money as all of them are. I'm thinking I could put my crafty skills to good use in raising some money some time. If you would be interested in helping or know any information on how to start a fundraiser like that please contact me.
• Best of all she a big fan of playing in the sand box.

Hopefully I didn't bore too many of you. I tend to think of my pets as kids and Tempest is definitely my little baby girl.
And most importantly, HAPPY FATHER'S DAY to all the Dad's out there! Love you Daddy!

I'm "On the Edge"

for these pillowcases by You Go Girl! that is (sorry bad joke). I absolutely fell in love with these babies, so much so that I used the same fabric. That's right, that mystery fabric I ordered a while back...

If you are wondering, both fabrics are from the collection Love by Amy Butler (It's like sleeping on a field of flowers). That ball of yarn there is from the Shine Sport selection by KnitPicks in Green Apple. Doesn't it look great with the fabric? It's nice and soft too, great for a pillowcase. And since I'm handing out compliments, I have to say that the tutorial to make these pillowcases is easy to follow and includes great photos for us visualizers! So "You Go Girl!" (another bad joke, sorry)

Considering I haven't sewn in a year or so and never done a hem they came out really nice. Don't they look great in the sunshine? I'm ready to go crawl into bed right now! ZZZZzzzzz.... huh...what OH SORRY!

Basically, if you have seen these pillowcases around other blogs or the tutorial itself and have thought about making them...DO IT!! Such an easy project that will brighten up any bed, plus when you rest your head on them you can go to sleep knowing you made them with your own two hands. Stay crafty!