I heart INCHIES

So one of the amazing girlies from www.cutoutandkeep.net started a swap for making INCHIES. Oh I am in love now!!! So, for the purpose of this swap, inchies are 1 inch squares of fabric decorated however the creater sees fit. They are basically tiny ATCs. I did a little research and they can be made out of paper as well as fabric. They also can be PLUS SIZE(1 1/2 inch squares) or TWINCHIES(2 inch squares) Right away I signed up for a partner to swap with and got to work!!!

These are my templates. I would use number 1 if i wanted the back and front both to be decent looking. (fold so that the flaps are all inside the squares) Number 2 is for when the inchies will be put onto another fabric so the back really don't matter, but you want nice edges. Number 3 is just a square inch. This way I don't have to bust out the ruler for each new inchie!!!

I made this nifty little home for my inchies using a section of the leg of my jeans that needed some new life. I used puffy paints to separate the areas I need for the twelve inchies. (as you see the theme for this swap is blue & recycleable)

This is one of my faves. I made the square out of extra silk from my daughter's halloween costume. Then I used some Goodwill finds to decorate it. Recycled snaps for the eyes, a bra closure for the mouth, and a bow shaped loop thingy for the bow: )

This is another one of my faves. The base is plain white fabric. Then I took some blue see thru ribbon and sewed that ontop of the white, leaving a space to tuck some blue beads inside. After the beads settled in their new home, I finished sewing, attached it to the jeans and outlind it in black puffy paint so the beads couldn't wiggle their way out!!! I'll post more pics as soon as they're all done. See you soon: )

Yay! Im not a bum anymore...

So, I had an interview today for my first nursing assistant job, AND I GOT IT!!! I'm super duper excited! Idk when I start yet but he said he will call me tomorrow to set up orientation: )
When I first went to the clinicals, I thought I kight not be able to do the job. The thought of taking care of an old person was honestly kinda scary. But, by the end of my clinicals I was sad because I was going to miss my old lady, Leona. So I applied. And now, I'll be at the facility that Leona lives at.

Bead Mag Stationary

1. Take an envelope u already have, unfold it so u have a nice template to work with.

2. Get an old magazine and find the pages you want for your envelopes. I went with a bead catalog for mine.
3. Trace the envelope onto the mag page then cut out.
4. Fold it up and glue to edges of the sides to the edges of the bottom flap.

5. Add some sticky adress labels if you'll be sending them. (They can be sent in the mail just like the store bought envelopes.)

You have some cute little envelopes now = )


6. For the paper, I glued facts about the beads right over the "Thank You" that was originally on the paper.

Green Crafts

1. My yummy wallet. The front is a recycled Reese's bag. (I love Reeses!!!) Back is just a fabric scrap. With some cute little pink, orange and purple hearts.


2. This plain green tee was turned into a mexi-masterpiece with some cross stitching. The sugar skull is inspired by El Dia de los Muertos, The Day of The Dead. I was drawn to the bold and bright colors of the Mexican crafts.


3. My turtle bookmark. I crocheted the turtle and used soda can tabs for the marker part.


4. This Super badge was made from recycled materials! I started with a circle of cardboard (from a bed sheet I bought) then layered circles from my son's Game Informer magazine. Put Mario on top with a puffy paint border, hot glue a safety pin on the back, and enjoy!!!

IF U WOULD LIKE A DETAILD HOW-TO JUST COMMENT ME AND I'LL GET ON IT!

Bear Blankie

My ma taught me how to do a double crochet stitch. She learned from her mom. I really enjoyed crocheting so I bought a bunch of yarn, found some online patterns, and taught myself how to do all of the other stitches as I can across them in different patterns. My seester always teased me because she said that crocheting was for old people. Lol. But I love to crochet so I don't let her stop me. It's very relaxing. So when I'm stressin I'll grab some yarn and think of somethin to make!
When I finally decided to make up my own pattern, it really paid off for me. My pattern was featured in the Winners Circle in Crochet-World’s October 2009 issue. I was so proud! It made me feel really good to know that my creation would be shared with people all over the country. The article had my picture and a little biography about me too. It was amazing. I would also like to share the Bear Blankie pattern with you.

BEAR BLANKIE
11" Square, Bear head= 3", Arm= 2 ½"
Skill level: Easy
Materials
Fiesta 6013 Wheat (worsted)
Super Saver 254 Pumpkin (worsted)
Super Saver 633 Dark Sage (worsted)
Fiesta 6661 Meadow (worsted)
Super Saver 0336 Warm Brown (worsted)
Crochet hook G/6-4.25MM
Yarn needle
Gauge
Shell= 1", 4 dc= 1", 2 dc rows= 1"

Rnd 1. With WHEAT, ch 2, 8 sc in second ch from hk, join with slst in first sc.
Rnd 2. Ch 3, dc same st as joining, 2 dc in next sc and each sc around, join with slst in top of beg ch-3. (16 dc)
Rnd 3. Ch 1, sc in same st as joining, ch 3. *sk next dc, sc next dc, ch 3; rep from * around, join with slst in beg ch-1. (8 ch-3 sps)
Rnd 4. Slst into first ch-3 sp (ch 3, 3 dc) in same sp, 4 dc in next ch-3 sp and each rem ch-3 sp around, join with slst in beg ch-3. (32 dc)
Rnd 5. Ch 1, sc in top of beg ch-3 from last rnd, ch 3, *sk next dc, sc next dc, ch 3; rep from * around, join with slst in beg ch-1. (16 ch-3 sps)
Rnd 6. Repeat rnd 4. (64 dc)
Rnd 7. Yo with PUMPKIN, draw through lp on hk. Drop WHEAT. Rep rnd 5. (32 ch-3 lps) FO PUMPKIN.
Rnd 8. Pick up WHEAT. Slst into first ch-3 sp, ch4, in same sp work (tr, ch 2, 2 tr) * 2 dc in next ch-3 lp, 2 hdc in next ch-3 lp, 2 sc in each of the next 3 ch-3 lps, 2 hdc in next ch-3 lp, 2 dc in next ch-3 lp, in next ch-3 lp work (2tr, ch 2, 2 tr). (corner sp made) Rep from * around, omitting last corner sp of last rep. Join with slst in top of beg ch-4.
Rnd 9. Slst into ch-2 corner sp, ch 3, in same sp work (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) Dc in each st across to next corner sp, in corner sp work (3 dc, ch2, 3 dc). (new corner sp made); rep from * 3 times more, omitting last new corner sp. Join with slst in top of beg ch-3. FO Wheat.
Rnd 10. Join DARK SAGE with slst, ch 1, work sc in same st as joining and in each st around, working 3 sc in each new corner sp. Join with slst in beg. Ch-1. FO
**Quick Tip! Find middle st of one corner. Tie a small piece of yarn into this st. Starting with next st, count to 25. Put another piece of yarn in the 25th st. Continue until all four corners are marked. This makes it easier to stay even on all sides. You also won't have to count as you go. Simply cut the yarn "markers" after you're done working the stitch!**
Rnd 11. With RS facing you, repeat rnd.9, using MEADOW. (do not FO)
Rnd 12. Ch 3, dc next 2 sts, in corner sp work(3dc, ch2, 3 dc) dc in each st around. Work (3dc, ch2, 3 dc) in remaining corner sps. Join with slst in top of beg. Ch-3. FO
Rnd 13. Join PUMPKIN with slst in corner. Ch 3, in same sp work (2 dc, ch3, 3 dc)[sk next 2 sts, 5dc in next st, *sk next 3 sts, 5 dc next st. Rep from * 7 more times (8 shells) in corner sp work (3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc)] Repeat [ ]around. Join with slst in top of beg. Ch-3. FO.
Rnd 14. Join MEADOW with sc in corner, in same sp work 4 sc, sc around working 5 sc in each corner sp. Join with slst in first sc. FO Weave in all ends.

To make Bear: (front)
Rnd 1. With WARM BROWN Ch 4, slst in first ch to form ring, ch 3 (counts as first dc) 11 dc in ring, join to top of beg. Ch-3.
Rnd 2. Ch 1, sc around, join with slst in first sc. (12 sc)
Rnd 3. Ch 3, dc sma est as join from rnd 2, 2 dc in each of the next 6 sts, 2 hdc each of the next 5 sts, join with slst in top of beg. Ch-3.
Rnd 4. Ch 1, sc same st, hdc next st, 2 dc next 11 sts, hdc next st, sc next 11 sts, Join with slst in first sc. FO. Leave a 2" tail.

For Ears:
Starting with the first st after tail from rnd 4, count 8 sts. In the 8th st, join with sc. In same st work (1 hdc, 2 dc, 1hdc, 1sc) slst next 7 sts. In next st work (1 sc, 1 hdc, 2 dc, 1 hdc, 1 sc) FO.
Using yarn needle and DARK SAGE, embroider face.
Bear (back):
Rnd 1. With WARM BROWN, ch 2. 9 sc in second ch from hk, join with slst in first sc.
Rnd 2. Ch 3. Dc same st as join, 2 dc each st around, join with slst in top of beg. Ch-3.
Rnd 3. Ch 3. Dc same st as join, 2 dc each st around, join with slst in top of beg. Ch-3. FO.

For Ears:
Join with sc in any st, in same st work (1 hdc, 2 dc, 1 hdc, 1 sc), slst next 7 sts, in next st work (1sc, 1hdc, 2 dc, 1 hdc, 1 sc) FO.

For Arms:
Row 1. Ch 29, sc in second ch from hk and each ch across, turn.
Row 2. Ch 2, hdc across. FO. Find middle st of blankie corner (see drawing) starting with next st, count to 13. On the 13th st, join last st of arm piece with sc. Hold arm piece and blankie together, sc through both pieces across length of arms. FO. Weave in ends.

To Attach Bear Head:
1. Hold both head pieces with WS touching, slst around leaving 10 sts open on bottom edges. FO leaving about 12" tail.
2. Put corner with arms inside opening at bottom of head. Use yarn needle and the 12" tail to sew bottom of head to blankie.

Let It Be Ur Inspiration

For me, the best way to clear my mind and make myself feel better is to create something. I let my anger, pain, or frustration be my inspiration. There are different ways that I go about this.
I was feeling sad and angry about my father’s death one day. Instead of crying alone or taking out the anger I had on my family, I sat down and wrote about it. That way I was able to get it out but no one had to hear me. It did make me feel better to get the feelings out. I do not want to bottle emotions to the point where I explode over things that may not be that serious. So I will write a poem or a letter. Sometimes I tuck them away and save them so I can reflect on my feelings. Other times I throw them out. It depends on the mood and the subject matter of the words.


A Letter to My Daddy
It's been 20 years, oh wait, five that you have an excuse for.
Now do you miss me daddy?
No, hasn't been that long right.
I had another baby, he's beautiful, did you see?
What did I do to deserve this?
Was I that bad as a kid?
What if I would have found you?
Then would you have tried to live?
Today is a very sad day.
A memory long gone.
But had I only tried harder,
Would you have held on?
I miss you though I try not to.
I just can't hold back the tears
As I dream about what could have been
Through all the misplaced years.
Remember the last time you seen me?
What did I even say?
Did I tell you that I love you?
If not, I will today.
I love you daddy.

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