The Arts of Crafts

I'M FINE!!! NOW LEAVE ME ALONE!!!!

2011-07-25T10:21:00.000-05:00

You know when you are having one of "those days"? Where it's not really bad, but everything that happens just makes it seem a little bit more frustrating? One of those days where at the end of it you declare it to be a horrible, awful, no good, very bad day?

Have you ever stopped to wonder why your day ended up this way?

I have a theory. My theory is simple. I believe your day starts out ok. But then one tiny little thing happens that others think should, apparently, rock your world. So they ask, "Are you ok?" to which you reply, "yeah, it's not a big deal. I'm fine."

But then something else doesn't quite go your way, and another thing (that's tiny by itself, but at this point all the little disappointments are compounding), and yet another thing, and all the while you have people asking you if you are ok.

At this point, you just want to scream out I'M FINE!!! REALLY!!! NOW STOPPING ASKING ME IF I'M OK!!!!

Am I right?

See, I think that the well-intentioned people who are trying to check on you actually make you unable to deal with whatever has been thrown your way. If you are constantly asked if everything is ok, then it's going to get very annoying after awhile. And once you get annoyed, there is nothing you can do to get un-annoyed at that point except to walk away from everyone and try to be alone for awhile (or punch some people, but that rarely works....).

Maybe it's just me. But being asked every 30 minutes if I'm alright will generally spoil my mood - whatever it was. So maybe instead of asking that one little question, perhaps you could just offer to listen if they want to talk. And then drop it. Let that person come to you.

Know what I mean?

Absence makes the heart grow...?

2011-07-20T10:31:00.000-05:00

Fonder. Right? That's how the saying goes. "Absence makes the heart grow fonder." We've all heard it. In fact, I bet there are a few of you out there who believe it.

I always had a problem with that statement. I mean, how does it work? Why would absence make the heart grow fonder?

As I've gotten older, I have realized that the statement is both true and untrue. And I'm not the only one. Check out this quote I read the other day: "Absence diminishes small loves and increases great ones, as the wind blows out the candle and blows up the bonfire." - Francois de la Rochefoucauld

Now THAT statement I agree with. Let me explain.

Think back to every "new" relationship you've ever had. All you wanted to do was spend all your time with that person, right? No absence there. Now imagine that this relationship started right before summer break back in college or high school. Unless this person lived close to you, the relationship probably didn't last. How could it? You were just starting out, getting to know one another, and suddenly you are separated. No way it could work.

However, think, if you will, of a relationship that has spanned some time. Or even think of a significant breakup. The time away from THIS person actually makes you remember all the good times. You don't remember the bad times, you remember happy things. (Well, given enough time after a breakup you do.)

So absence is one of those fickle things. It can choose to go either way and it very often wreaks havoc on your emotions.

On filing....

2011-07-18T12:20:00.000-05:00

Ok. I am a secretary/receptionist for the President's office, Provost's office, Vice-President's and Assistant Vice-President's office, and the Office of Assessment at my local university. (Yes, it does sound like alot. No, it really isn't as bad as it sounds.)

However, there is one aspect of my job that I absolutely loathe. Filing.

I do not enjoy standing in the filing closet with a stack of papers, digging through the filing cabinets trying to find just the right (overstuffed) cabinet and folder to put said paper in.

Having said that, this is what greeted me at my desk when I got back from lunch today:

Any ideas as to what this could possibly mean for my immediate future? *sigh.

Christening Gown

2011-07-18T10:32:00.000-05:00

This is a beautiful gown made of silk and hand smocked by yours truly. The bonnet is batiste and also hand smocked. Wouldn't a baby girl look gorgeous in this?

Monday, monday

2011-07-18T10:22:00.001-05:00

After a week with no children, it was a bit difficult to get back into the swing of things.

No children?

Nope. For an entire week they were at their grandparents' in Tennessee. I'm not sure everything that they did, but I know it involved some water play, a movie, some gardening, some video games, oh and wearing their grandparents OUT!

Anyway, this morning was a bit....odd. I had gotten used to getting up a bit later than I do when they are here. I had gotten used to watching the news in the morning. I had gotten used to not worrying about all the "stuff" that is required to go to school with the kids. I had gotten used to a quiet existence.

IN A WEEK. In a way it makes me feel like a terrible mother. Like I should have been pining away for them. Like I should have been driving my folks crazy with all my calls. But honestly, it was a relief for the quiet.

And I don't think that makes me a bad mother. I believe every mother should have some time off. Some time to relax a bit and not have to worry about all the details. A time to let someone else watch the kids. A time to rejuvenate - a time to get back to being a person, not just being a mom.

I enjoyed my time away from my children. I really did. But I'll tell you something else. Seeing their faces light up when they saw me after a week was pure heaven.

Teaching a new way...?

2011-07-15T14:38:00.000-05:00

Teaching has become difficult these days. Kids are so used to multitasking without realizing it, that keeping them focused on one thing at a time can be pretty difficult. Heck, even I have trouble concentrating in my classes, and I grew up without all the technological distractions - I should be able to revert back to my old school days.

And then I came upon this article:
http://www.npr.org/2011/07/14/137853462/rethinking-how-we-teach-the-net-generation

....I think the author has a point. Perhaps more universities should try to be more advanced. Give the students something to link into.

My university (I'm studying for a Master's degree) hardly lets the students use laptops in the classroom. And NONE of my professors (I'm studying Accounting) will even consider an e-textbook as an option. Which is ridiculous, and I'll explain why. In the process of buying my textbooks (hard cover, WhatEver!) I realized that I would need something called Connect+. So ok, if I need it, then I need it. We start class and the Connect+ is to allow us to turn in homework and quizzes online. Great!, I think. Except the Connect+ access also gives us an online version of the same book I had to buy in hard back. Wait, say what?! Oh, yes, that's right. I have essentially bought 2 versions of the exact same book. But I can't just use the electronic version; oh, no - computers aren't allowed in our class.

It's this way the next semester. I talked to the Dean of my school about it; maybe something will come of it. We are getting a new Department Chair - maybe he will change a few things. After all, says the Dean, he's "young". We'll see.

But I think a new approach to teaching needs to be found. And not just because of the way kids are raised with technology; no, I believe a new way needs to be found that will allow the students to learn to deal with the fast-paced, hectic, interrupted-style of work they will be expected to do in the real world. Because that's what college is for, isn't it? Getting you ready for the "real world"?

Sparkly things

2011-07-15T10:11:00.000-05:00

I bet this first thing everyone who read the title thought of was "Twilight". Am I right? Someone says sparkly and everyone thinks vampires. And it's not so hard to understand why.

When these books first came out, the only ones reading them were of the young, female population. And then the first movie was made. Oh boy. Did that start an uproar.

Not only were the vampires "sparkly", but this book/movie promoted the idea of boys sneaking into their girlfriends rooms at night! How dare they!

So two groups were offended: the moms, and the die-hard, "vampires should not sparkle" types.

Me? I enjoyed the series. Those books were a fun read for a month. I even enjoy the movies (if only for the vindication I get by tearing apart the acting, filming, premise....you get the idea).

So why sparkly today? What brought all this up? Well, I realized that the powder I use has some sparkle to it. Knew that when I bought it. What I did not realize is that it is apparently the exact same powder they put all over the Twilight vamps. Yes, that's correct, I sparkle like a vampire. But only in the sun - and that's when it really counts. Right?

On Rodeos

2011-07-14T16:39:00.003-05:00

Ahh, summer. The time for lazy days, swimming pools, fireworks, and rodeos.

Rodeos? Oh yes. If you live in this great country's Midwest, you have been introduced to the very popular rodeo. Movies have been made about it, songs have been sung, and in every country/western bar you go to you are sure to find a mechanical bull for that one idiot who likes to think of himself (or herself) as a cowboy (girl).

But, you might ask, why am I talking about rodeos? This is a crafty site!

True, but I am also a mother. While I know that statement makes absolutely no sense, just stay with me.

Tis the week of the Stratford Rodeo and Peach Festival. I have been going to this for a few years now, and have been taking my children since they were about 3-4 years old. It's entertaining, to say the least, and my kids get to ride a horse (usually). Last year a friend of their Papa's brought a pony to the rodeo and let my daughter ride it. It's all she talked about for about a month afterwards. Oh, and she likes the cowboys - gets all dressed up for them, wearing a cowboy hat and boots.

Not so bad, you might be thinking. While all that's true, this year her dad wants to enter her into the Mutton Bustin' contest. (Keep in mind that my little girl is only 4 years old.) What, you might ask, is Mutton Bustin'? Well, it's like a kids rodeo. Basically, very small children (under the age of 7 or 8) are put on the back of a sheep and told to hang on. Whoever hangs on longest, wins.

(Bearing in mind that I am a mother who is a tad overprotective and have a daughter is is somewhat fearless, you should see where this is going.)

Her dad and Papa are nearly soiling themselves with the idea that she is old enough for this. I am terrified that they are going to go behind my back and put my little girl on the back of an animal that isn't used to being ridden. The images and ideas that flash through my head are of the worst possible scenarios. So, like I do, I googled "mutton bustin". This is what I came up with:

The vast majority of children participating in the event fall off in less than 8 seconds. Age, height and weight restrictions on participants generally prevent injuries to the sheep, and implements such as spurs are banned from use. In most cases, children are required to wear helmets and parents are often asked to sign waivers to protect the rodeo from legal action in that event.

What?! Sign a legal document? And HELMETS?! (This is sounding worse than even I imagined.) The Stratford rodeo doesn't make the children wear a helmet! But it continues:

Supporters consider the event both entertaining and a way to introduce young children to the sport of rough stock riding. Organizations such as the ASPCA discourage the practice on the grounds that it does not promote kindness to, or respect of, animals.

So on one hand, it introduces children to riding a bull or bronc later in life. On the other hand, it teaches them to say "in your face, you stupid lowly animal".

Am I crazy for being opposed to the idea? For not wanting my daughter to possibly get injured? For not wanting to have to sign a legal waiver "in the event" something happens? For the plan, simple fact that AT NO TIME in her life should she EVER have to know how to ride "rough stock"?

In other words, am I just being overprotective? Should I "just lighten up", as I have been told by my ex (the children's father)?

Heck no! This is stupidly placing a child in harm's way! Am I right?!

Monsters

2011-07-14T16:20:00.000-05:00

"its things like that, that make me hate this world. its full of monsters."

I saw this post on Facebook and was curious about what evoked such a strong emotion. I found this:
http://www.cnn.com/2011/CRIME/07/14/new.york.boy.slain/index.html?hpt=hp_t2

Ok, now I understand. That is a truly horrific and monstrous thing to do. What sort of depraved individual would even think of doing that, let alone actually doing it to a child? He is a monster.

But why hate the world? I guess this is what made me stop and ponder her statement. IS the world full of monsters? Or are these stories so terrible that they tend to stick with us, overshadowing all the good that happens everyday?

I don't believe the world is full of monsters. As a mother, I tend to act like it is while trying to protect my children from the "big, bad unknown". But I don't believe it is. I like to think that people are basically good. That if my child were hurt or lost, that someone would be willing to help. It's what I would do if I saw a child in need of an adult.

I don't consider myself a naive person. I am somewhat of a cynic, and tend to shut myself off from personal involvement with others. But deep down, I do believe in the inherent goodness of my fellow man. I have known many more good people than evil ones....and even that evil is more of a "we don't get along and he/she is trying to ruin my life (metaphorically speaking)" type evil.

So no, I don't believe the world is full of monsters. I don't hate the world. And I do believe that there is much more goodness out there than evil.

After all, who wants to live in a place full of monsters?

Starting over

2011-07-12T12:50:00.000-05:00

It's been over a year since I last wrote. In that year, many things have happened. I have sold several of my smocked pieces, I have found a friend who is helping me learn to quilt (as soon as I can find the time to get to her house!), my cousins (with the exception of one) are all married, my oldest cousin has had her first baby, my sister is expecting her second, oh, and I am now a divorced, single mother.

Like I said, may things.

I have had to go back to work. (I have to be honest here, I don't really mind being at work. I enjoy it - staying home was driving me crazy.) I have started earning a Master's degree in Accounting; this I hope to use to earn a better living for my children and myself, and it's one that I can take anywhere I want to go. (Am I still crazy for enjoying Accounting?)

But I continue to smock. I continue to knit (a very little bit). I continue in my pursuit of crafty-ness. And I continue to have hope for myself. Hope that I can find happiness and fulfillment and the belief that what I am doing matters. Hope for my children, their father, and the belief in what really matters.

Hope for our future.

Quilting along

2010-01-04T13:53:00.003-06:00

i've decided it's time for me to add quilting to my resume. so i'm starting with a small project that i plan on framing and hanging on the wall in my daughter's bedroom. so far, i have the front pieces sewn together. i need to cut out the applique pieces, sew them on, add the borders, the back and the binding and voila! i'm done. some pictures of what's done and what fabrics i've picked:

back:

front with no applique:

pieces of fabric i will cut the applique pattern from:

picture of quilt i'm trying to make (different colors, of course):

imitation as a form of flattery

2009-12-30T08:52:00.003-06:00

The previous post showed the bonnet I was attempting to "remake". I thought it was a gorgeous design (kudos to the designer), and wanted to make it myself. So far, this is where I am:

I need to add the pearls and the roses, but I think it is going to turn out extremely well.

Newest bonnet

2009-12-11T07:35:00.002-06:00

I found this design on a bonnet and thought it was gorgeous. So, I'm in the process of mimicking the pattern. I've written it out, but I don't have the full space rows required. I scaled it down to half space rows which will shrink it some, but I believe it will be just as beautiful. We'll see.

finished works

2009-12-07T09:15:00.002-06:00

some of my previously finished works:

a long sleeved corduroy dress for my newest niece for christmas

my newest niece modeling her dress and bonnet

bonnet that matches the above photo

close up of dress

first dress i attempted smocking

necklace (did i mention i do jewelry too?)

closeup of said necklace

burp cloth embroidery for a friend at work

first ever bonnet

onesie embroidery for friend at work (it went with the burp cloth)

tiny pink flowers

2009-12-07T09:12:00.002-06:00

my newest bonnet. i started this cutie around 7:00 one evening,

and by 9:30 it was nearly done! all i have to add is the green leaves around the flowers and sew on the side ribbons.

bonus! it's already sold! my first sale! hooray!

now, this is completed. pretty nice, eh?

little hands need little mittens

2009-12-03T06:54:00.003-06:00

my son told me he wanted mittens because his hands hurt from the cold. i asked him what color he wanted. "red!" so i pulled out my red yarn, my double-points and my book on designing knitwear and sat down and made him some mittens. amazingly, they fit! i'm getting better. after 3 hours and a major hand cramp later, here they are:

of course, one day of wearing them to school, and they are now lost. go figure. i will make him some more once i get up the umph to cramp my hands again. hasn't happened yet.

cold!

2009-12-02T10:03:00.002-06:00

winter has finally made it's presence known. it waited until december 1, for which i am grateful, but it has now come in full force. and it's cold!

i realized this as i was taking my son to school this morning. i really realized this when i couldn't find my gloves and didn't have time to look for them.

so, i'm starting a quest to find a convertible fingerless mitt knitting pattern. what is a convertible fingerless mitt? it's a mitten with the fingers "cut off" to allow use and a cap that folds over the top of the fingers to look like a mitten. pretty cool, right?

kinda like this: http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEfall02/PATTbroadstreet.html

i want something i little less plain though. so the quest continues....

little girl dress

2009-12-01T07:24:00.003-06:00

blue bonnet

2009-11-14T17:56:00.002-06:00

A blue bonnet! Well, it's white with blue embroidery. But still. I think this would be adorable on a little baby girl with some denim!

Seriously, are all girl babies to be expected to wear pink and purple all the time? NO! So here is my small rebellion against pink:

Trimming a Bonnet

2009-11-14T17:50:00.002-06:00

I've been watching so much Jane Austen lately, that I thought I'd try my hand at "trimming a bonnet". My daughter had one from Easter and I happened to have some pretty blue ribbon. I think it turned out adorably!

little girl socks

2009-11-10T07:27:00.002-06:00

it's been awhile. and truthfully, i've been taking a semi-break. i've been working on wrapping up christmas gifts (which obviously i can't show on here - but i will) and just reading.

yesterday the crafty bug hit me and i decided to get a pair of my son's old socks that will fit my daughter and turn them girly. so i did.

i flipped them inside out and crocheted a single crochet around the edge. slip stitch together to make a ring, then 3 double crochet in one stitch, one double crochet in one stitch. 3 double crochet in one stitch, one double crochet in one stitch. all the way around. join with a sip stitch in the first double crochet and voila! lacy socks made from hand-me-downs.

she loved them! she said they were her "pretty socks".

newest addition

2009-09-02T08:57:00.002-05:00

This is my newest addition to my shop: a beautiful white on white baby bonnet. it's got lace and embroidery and it's just breathtaking. One of these days I will have to get pictures up of a project in progress. One day.

latest doings

2009-08-31T09:16:00.003-05:00

my latest creation. it's a size 3 month pink and white gingham bubble. i smocked around the top and added an embroidered a flower near the leg. i was hoping to get my niece to model, but i forgot to take it with me when i was going to see her. oops. i remembered my camera, though!

the art of....

2009-08-25T07:24:00.004-05:00

shuttle tatting! i'm trying to teach myself to tat. i would say that it isn't difficult, but it is. at least right now it is. i finally got the hang of the basic stitch yesterday - it just took all day. then i got picots and making a ring. but now i'm stuck. and it quite literally took me all day. i learned some things, in case you are wanting to take it up. i learned that you must keep tension, but that doesn't mean pull tightly. you want the knots to stay loose so they will slide. i learned you have to be able to feel the "flip" - and you do, if you take your time. i learned that it's much easier to work with a light colored thread when you are starting out - white is too hard to see and dark you can't see the stitches. i also learned that there is nowhere that really explains or shows clearly how to start tatting. which is a shame. it's a beautiful art form that hardly anyone does anymore. so i'm trying my best to revive the old arts. smocking, tatting, anything else anyone can think of?

for my nephew

2009-08-22T16:17:00.004-05:00

my husband and i decided that, since we are both the really crafty type, we were going to hand make all the christmas gifts this year. needless to say, we need to get going! these things take time! so, i have just completed my first handmade gift for this year: a spiderman toboggan. what do you think?

i think it turned out rather well.
my husband, the model. i think i may have to hide the hat from him. otherwise, i'll have to make my nephew another one!

just one more

2009-08-20T13:48:00.004-05:00

just one more, just one more! i love to make these little burp cloths out of gerber diapers. they are just perfect for babies! so absorbent and machine-washable. what more could you ask for?

once i get this one and the ones from yesterday finished, i will put up new pictures. and of course, i will list them on my etsy site! http://designsbyabby.etsy.com/

all in a day's work...

2009-08-19T12:49:00.004-05:00

today's workings:

i have to finish them, of course. i sew fabric onto the backs and the ends, and i may even add a little trim to a couple of them. and, if anyone wants it, i can always add a name or initials!

2009-08-18T13:49:00.003-05:00

This is what I work on in my spare time. Well, one of the 3 or 4 projects on my needles at any one time. This is the finished front. I have to finish the back and then seam. I hate seaming. But, it's part of the package. It's a really cool shade of green. It's berroco's ultra alpaca and the color is pea soup mix. It looks almost hunter inside, and changes to a yellow-green in the sunlight. And it's awesome to work with! Very springy and super soft. Made of angora (that's right!) and wool. Pretty cool.

latest project....

2009-08-18T11:34:00.004-05:00

ok, so i know you've probably noticed that i have an etsy link up on the right side of the screen. i am attempting to sell some of my things there. the jewelry that is listed i have had made for awhile. i tried to sell it about a year ago, and obviously it didn't sell because i still have it. some new pictures of it, new "poses" if you will, and we'll see how this go-around goes. btw, if you haven't visited etsy.com, i recommend that you do so. it is a website for all things handmade. there are some pretty amazing things there!

anyway, i am now working on a white bonnet and a blue gingham romper (see below). i'm thinking white on the bonnet, make it a little elegant, and maybe sailboats on the romper. what do you think?

For my niece

2009-08-18T11:15:00.004-05:00

This is a dress that I made for my niece, Ella. I bought it "ready-to-smock" which means it was already put together and pleated. The only thing I had to do was smock it. This is really the way to go if you can find the dresses or bonnets. Just check EBay and search "ready to smock" to find all kinds of things. This will save you some time on pleating and sewing - which I need! I sew and I have a pleater, but finding the time to sit down and pleat (not to mention a place to lay it out where little fingers won't get ahold of it) and then to sit and sew all the seams....well, sometimes babies just don't make that possible. Anyway, I enjoyed working on this dress and bonnet.

little boy bubble

2009-08-09T11:44:00.003-05:00

This is what I'm working on. I started yesterday, and should finish today. It's a white bubble for boys and I'm using DMC thread #3325 (which is light blue). I'm a little over half done, but wanted to show my mistakes in starting this project.

the full on frontal (hee hee)

close up of my smocking so far

this is my mistake. see the little "dot" in the middle of the screen? that's my starting knot. how is this a mistake? well, take a look at the next picture....

yes, that little white flap lifts up to accommodate the smocking and hide all that ugly back knotting. oops. oh well, i caught it pretty quick.

almost finished

2009-08-07T16:18:00.002-05:00

I'm at the part in smocking that I don't enjoy: bullion knots. Specifically, bullion knot flowers. So what did I do? I went and made a dress that is supposed to be covered in them. Anyway, the bonnet is done and all I have left is all those tiny flowers on the dress. I have yet to figure out an easy way to make these bullions. Anyone have any ideas?

past stuff

2009-08-06T06:59:00.003-05:00

here's some of my past work - i thought you might want to see and secretly i wanted to preserve my work. you can see some of my jewelry on the right side of the page (which is for sell, btw) so i'm loading some of my knitting, crocheting, and embroidery.

this i made from an old shower curtain - i think it turned out pretty darn cute!

one of my favorite models wearing one of my hat creations.

christmas burp cloths!

i'm not much good as a model - but the fit turned out well.

it's so lacy and soft and perfect f0r my little girl!

so sorry!

2009-08-05T13:16:00.003-05:00

so, i'm not off to the best start yet, i know. i haven't said anything about what i'm working on. let me tell you why. i have 4 days with no kids at home so i am working on, basically, spring cleaning the house. not much time to craft it up. i do have several things in the making - a knit cardigan for my daughter, a pink dress with puppies smocked on it for her also, a pink dress with smocking and a bonnet for my new niece, my first attempt at a circle blanket (which i'm almost through with, thank goodness), and various knitted things that i haven't picked up in a while. speaking of, i need to sort through those and get some of them done.

my son (j) starts school in a week. WAIT - did i just say that? he's not that old! he can't be starting school! oh man. nothing makes you feel all old than by having your children get older. but i have to get him some new school clothes. i just found out about the sears promise on children's clothes - apparently, if the clothes get a hole in them or shoes wear through or anything like that, sears will replace whatever wore out with the same thing in the same size. would have been great for me to know about that since j just tore through the toes in his sneakers. and of course, i didn't get them at sears so now i have to go and buy more of the same size! my daughter (k) just needs fall/winter clothes.

speaking of fall/winter clothes, i need to post some of my favorites sites to get patterns. if you knit, you should already know about ravelry. but there are some other websites with some pretty neat (free) patterns! i'll figure out how to post a link and get some of them started. same for all my crafts - i tend to troll the internet looking for new things, but i always come back to the same basic sites.

Just finished...

2009-08-03T17:28:00.003-05:00

In honor of my first blog, I wanted to include a picture of a finished
dress. I bought the dress already pleated and smocked it myself.

Pretty, huh? This is the first dress I sold also. Lot of firsts with this one dress.

day one

2009-08-03T16:25:00.004-05:00

today is the day - i am officially unemployed. my oldest is starting school and my youngest will stay home with me. this will give me the opportunity to become a "room mother" for his pre-k class and more time to work blogging and my various crafts. all the crafts i have listed are ones that i continually keep up with - no kidding. and all have been learned in the last 4 years. I am the type of person who has to keep busy. because of this, i tend to start a project and then get bored halfway through it just to start a different project (usually of a different type) only to come back to the original project a month or so later. i've met with some success - i have managed to sell some jewelry pieces and most recently a smocked dress. i plan on putting up a store here, so anything that i list will be up for sale. the thing i like about this is you can watch my journey as i make many of the pieces in my store. i hope you enjoy the journey through my arts of crafts.