I love the Oscars and I thought that this year's show was a good one. Some of my favorite parts of the show are the montages of past films because I like to see how much I can recognize. This year they did some weird staging of the "In Memoriam" segment so we couldn't really see it on our televisions at home. Here is that part the way they should have shown it. Thanks to Roger Ebert's blog for posting this.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Monday, February 23, 2009
New Computer
Goodness, it's like we died and went to computer klutz heaven! Since neither my husband or I cares to ever really learn the ins and outs of Microsoft, we purchased an iMac over the weekend. It is so nice! I am happy to find that much of our family photos were uploaded to Flickr or Shutterfly so we only have a small window of missing photos. My craft pictures are all on Flickr and we did a bare minimum of word processing on that computer. Transferring the Flip Videos we took and uploaded to the laptop has not been working...
There is a new call for reporters at Craft Critique. Click HERE to read all about it! Craft Critique is a popular craft product review site.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Computers and Robots
I don't know what happened, but our desktop computer failed the other day and is completely unsalvageable. Be sure that you have your files backed up somewhere! We did backup. Unfortunately the last time was in 2007, so we have a year's worth of photos and all our music files lost on that faulty motherboard. Alas.. We now have to purchase a new computer when we've been saving up for other important large purchases.
We have this horrible little laptop which is something, I suppose...
In any case, I like to post big colorful pictures, so I went back into my Flickr archive and found this felt robot project I made.
That old camera I used back then was so unreliable! It bugs me that these pics are not quite focused.
I actually made several of these and gave a few out as gifts and shared them in a swap:
The pattern was from THIS book. I was able to assemble some of the parts with the sewing machine, but the details are handstitched.
Wish us luck on our thrifty-but-powerful computer quest. We are not particularly excited about it.
We have this horrible little laptop which is something, I suppose...
In any case, I like to post big colorful pictures, so I went back into my Flickr archive and found this felt robot project I made.
That old camera I used back then was so unreliable! It bugs me that these pics are not quite focused.
I actually made several of these and gave a few out as gifts and shared them in a swap:
The pattern was from THIS book. I was able to assemble some of the parts with the sewing machine, but the details are handstitched.
Wish us luck on our thrifty-but-powerful computer quest. We are not particularly excited about it.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Happy Birthday Mr. Lincoln
Today is the 200th birthday of America's Greatest President.
I embroidered a children's coloring page illustration that I found on the internet. The fabric trim is a cheerful vintage print that came to me a few weeks ago from my Aunt's stash after she passed away. I made it into double fold binding using my bias tape maker. This is a flour sack tea towel that I found at Cost Plus World Market. The quality of the towel is exceptional and the price was great. Unfortunately, the last time I shopped there they were out of these perfect tea towels.
I like these low, side angle photos:
My daughter brought her Mary Todd and Abraham Lincoln dolls into school today. We got them at the Lincoln Library in Springfield, Illinois. You should definitely go to all the Lincoln stuff they have in the Springfield area. We had one of our funnest, least expensive vacations with the kids in Springfield. At one small county museum, the proprietor let my son handle the axe that Lincoln used to cut shingles before he left his labor job to become a state legislator. It had the initials "AL" on it.
Happy Birthday Mr. President!
I embroidered a children's coloring page illustration that I found on the internet. The fabric trim is a cheerful vintage print that came to me a few weeks ago from my Aunt's stash after she passed away. I made it into double fold binding using my bias tape maker. This is a flour sack tea towel that I found at Cost Plus World Market. The quality of the towel is exceptional and the price was great. Unfortunately, the last time I shopped there they were out of these perfect tea towels.
I like these low, side angle photos:
My daughter brought her Mary Todd and Abraham Lincoln dolls into school today. We got them at the Lincoln Library in Springfield, Illinois. You should definitely go to all the Lincoln stuff they have in the Springfield area. We had one of our funnest, least expensive vacations with the kids in Springfield. At one small county museum, the proprietor let my son handle the axe that Lincoln used to cut shingles before he left his labor job to become a state legislator. It had the initials "AL" on it.
Happy Birthday Mr. President!
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Basic Grey
Paper giveaway at Craft Critique!
If you join Craft Critique at:
YouTube
Email Subscriptions
Blog Carnivals
and then you leave a comment on THIS Craft Critique post. You will qualify to win a paper and stickers package from Basic Grey.
Please note that I'm not doing the giveaway! It's over at Craft Critique. They'll choose the winners on Feb. 14.
Good Luck!
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Kreativ
Aww-- Thanks Nan!
Rules:List 6 things that make you happy. Pass the award on to 6 bloggers for Kreativ. Link to the blogger who gave you the award. Link to the blogs receiving the award. Notify the recipients
So.. 6 things that make me happy:
1) My family. My husband and I have the same goals and values. We enjoy many of the same things and agree on so many essential things about life and faith, except politics. We avoid discussing politics. Our children are delightful!
2) Nature and the outdoors. I love living where we have dramatic seasonal changes. I enjoy nature walks, geology, birdwatching, camping, cooking over the open fire, all that outdoorsey stuff is awesome.
3) Seeing movies at the movie theater.
4) The ability to see things and know that I can make them myself if I try hard enough. This is also a curse because I don't always have the will or the supplies to try hard enough.
5) Going away on vacation to a cool, quiet, natural place. If I can't do that, then I want to go somewhere historic and educational.
6) When we all sit down to supper together and everyone likes the food.
Okay, now for my 6 award choices. I read so many inspiring blogs! It is hard to narrow it down.
I love the creativity gone horribly wrong over at Craftasrophe.
Bent Objects makes the most humorous wire sculptures.
Syko makes fantastic things up in Finland.
Sharon-Lizette cooks vegan and creates gorgeous projects at NastyWench's All Things Crafty
Peacock Chic might inspire me to try harder at garment sewing.
Quilt While You're Ahead- beautiful, colorful projects.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Valentine Amigurumi
It's Valentine Week. Valentines Day has never been my fave holiday, but I do like red and pink and I think hearts are a great shape. I also change all my dishes to the red, pink, and orange ones because I am crazy like that.
Some folks really hate Valentines Day. This little guy is for you:
He reverses to a happier sort of blissfully ignorant face. This side shows the peppy optimism of Valentines Day romantics:
I made these hearts using the Corazoncitos pattern from Owlishly HERE. These are the large and the medium sizes. My large one is about 4.5 inches. I added the felt faces with fabric glue.
Happy Valentines Day!
Some folks really hate Valentines Day. This little guy is for you:
He reverses to a happier sort of blissfully ignorant face. This side shows the peppy optimism of Valentines Day romantics:
I made these hearts using the Corazoncitos pattern from Owlishly HERE. These are the large and the medium sizes. My large one is about 4.5 inches. I added the felt faces with fabric glue.
Happy Valentines Day!
Friday, February 6, 2009
Getting Stitchy Again
A little action at the Etsy shop is very motivating!
I made some custom patches for an Etsy seller, Chat Noir Designs, who will use them on some children's things she knits.
These are smaller than I usually do. The disks are just 1.5 inches. She wanted two sheep, two elephants, and two turtles. It is hard to believe, but these are the very first turtles I've ever stitched. Not because they are so fantastically original or anything, but hasn't everyone crafty made owls and turtles?
Just because they are smaller doesn't really make them easier. You have to be really precise with small shapes like these.
Their wee cuteness brightens my mood so I also made an amigurumi valentine. It's dark here now, so I'll have to photograph it later. I used this pattern by Owlishly HERE.
Finally, back in the fall I had a HUGE order to craft a variety of my pouches for all the moderators at Craftster. Yesterday, my pouches were on the front page of Craftster. See it HERE. Craftster has really updated their look and I love it. It is really easy to see projects people post because there are thumbnails for each photo post. They also have a long overdue blog.
I listed and relisted a bunch of stuff over at Etsy. Our slightly brighter days are good for my photographs!
I made some custom patches for an Etsy seller, Chat Noir Designs, who will use them on some children's things she knits.
These are smaller than I usually do. The disks are just 1.5 inches. She wanted two sheep, two elephants, and two turtles. It is hard to believe, but these are the very first turtles I've ever stitched. Not because they are so fantastically original or anything, but hasn't everyone crafty made owls and turtles?
Just because they are smaller doesn't really make them easier. You have to be really precise with small shapes like these.
Their wee cuteness brightens my mood so I also made an amigurumi valentine. It's dark here now, so I'll have to photograph it later. I used this pattern by Owlishly HERE.
Finally, back in the fall I had a HUGE order to craft a variety of my pouches for all the moderators at Craftster. Yesterday, my pouches were on the front page of Craftster. See it HERE. Craftster has really updated their look and I love it. It is really easy to see projects people post because there are thumbnails for each photo post. They also have a long overdue blog.
I listed and relisted a bunch of stuff over at Etsy. Our slightly brighter days are good for my photographs!
Monday, February 2, 2009
Crochet Edging Book
Okay, enough nostalgia. You know, people really do look the same over the years. I know you hear that all the time, but it is true. The days are getting lighter and I think I'm feeling crafty again. I have a final book to share from my last trip to the Japanese bookstore. This one is Crochet Edging & Braid. It has 100 edge patterns and is published by Asahi. ISBN978-4-02-190432-5 or 4021904325. I don't see any braiding patterns in here, but sometimes they have you weaving in and out of the crochet or crocheting around manufactured trims and lace.
EDIT: I found the book at YesAsia HERE. Y'all, I'm not going to order this book for you, you can do that yourself! (click on the word HERE to go to the YesAsia listing.)
Everything in this book is beautiful without exception.
I'd like to crochet the edges of my bedroom curtains, but I cannot imagine how long it would take to make 18 yards or more of one of these lovelies.
These are just fun. Here are little fruits, ice cream cones and teacup and saucer edgings:
I am swooning over the ones with the laundry hanging on the line and the garden spade with watering can:
Not all the patterns are multicolored. There are several pages with one-color motifs.
As in all Japanese books, patterns are international charts. Charts are easy if you just give them a try!
Everything in this book is beautiful without exception.
I'd like to crochet the edges of my bedroom curtains, but I cannot imagine how long it would take to make 18 yards or more of one of these lovelies.
These are just fun. Here are little fruits, ice cream cones and teacup and saucer edgings:
I am swooning over the ones with the laundry hanging on the line and the garden spade with watering can:
Not all the patterns are multicolored. There are several pages with one-color motifs.
As in all Japanese books, patterns are international charts. Charts are easy if you just give them a try!
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