Thursday, March 29, 2007

bracelet


This is my first piece of jewelry. It is made from Dalmation jasper oval snowflake obsidian cabochons. I love these colors and think they will match several items in the SWAP I will be making. I have on order more items from Fire Mountain Gems.

I found some pretty patterns for making amulet bags here. I especially like the tiger and snow leopard. It's been quite a while since I've done beading of this type. I'd really like to get started doing it again. Patterns and beads are so much easier to get than when I was beading back in the early '70s.










Saturday, March 24, 2007

ramblings

I woke up earlier than usual this morning. Got up, exercised, then got ready to go to the Weight Watchers meeting. I like to get there early so I can get my "favorite" seat. LOL I'm down another 1.4 pounds. Right on target for my 5 pounds a month weight loss. I had two soft taco supremes for lunch. I like that I can still have a bit of fast food and stay within my points range and still lose weight. I finally got around to re-checking my total daily points target and I lost a point. Now I only get 23 instead of 24. hmmmm.....not real happy about that, I have a healthy appetite and I LOVE good food. Unfortunately it shows! LOL I have to admit though, I do feel much better. And I'm not to unhappy about the number of points. I still get to eat anything I want....in moderation.

After the meeting I went to Joann's Fabrics. They had a sale on McCall's patterns. I picked up these patterns:
5317, a bubble dress, usually I don't like bubble dresses, but this pattern isn't obvious, 5179,
another dress, which I love in the blue, and will probably make it in that color, and 5330,a straight skirt.

I also got a one pound skein of yarn from Caron. It's a beautiful soft baby pink color. I'm using it to make pattern swatches. I printed out the pattern swatch directions from Lion Brand. I started with the wide rib pattern. It's an easy one. I like the simple basketweave and will probably do it next.




This is My Virtual Model, I can "try on" outfits in online dressing rooms. It gives me an idea of how some clothes will look on me. There are several virtual dressing rooms, Sears, Glamour, Lands End etc.....It isn't quite as rubenesque as I am LOL I used to wear my hair that way though. Right now it's below my waist. I am considering coloring it a nice red with chocolate and caramel low-lites and getting it cut very short. Kind of like Lisa Rinna's do.

I tried to put MVM in the side bar, but for some reason it wouldn't take the code. I've had this happen several times. I still can't get the flickr code to work or the code from bloglines. I've emailed bloglines, but I'm still getting the error message indicating I'm not using the correct user name or that I'm using my email address. Neither is true, I'm using the user name they gave me. This is very frustrating. I'd very much like to have the flickr badge there.

I finally found ALL the CDs Dell sent with the computer that was delivered in December. They had all been neatly put away for safe keeping, just not in the place where all the other important CDs are kept. This is the third Dell computer I've owned since 2002.

My first computer was a Gateway in 1998. I got rid of the dinosaur last year. I loved it when I first got it. top of the line! Didn't take long for it to become obsolete though. I remember when Walt and I (for those who don't know Walt, he is my ex-hubby who I share a house with) first went shopping for a computer. I had a list of specific things this computer MUST have. The guy at the store laughed when I said I wanted a hard drive with eight!!!! GB of memory. He said no one will ever use that much memory! LOL How short sighted!

The next one was a HP bought at Walmart at 6 a.m. on a September (2000) Saturday morning after having been up until 4 a.m. working on the Gateway, because of a virus. The only thing I can say about the HP was that it was an ok computer. It was, after all to be just a back-up for when I got the Gateway working again. However, it was the other way around. The Gatgeway became a back-up for the HP. Somewhere along the way, I realize that I MUST NOT be without a computer. I go into withdrawal. LOL I not only have a back-up computer, but a back-up ISP also.

In 2002, September, I got my first Dell. LOVED IT!! Fast forward to 2004, Walt decided he wanted a computer. I had been trying to drag him kicking and screaming into the 21 century to no avail. But wait! He wants a computer??? So we get him a Dell! Doesn't take long for him to retreat. Take it, he says. Don't have to ask me twice! So my Dell goes into back-up and his Dell becomes mine.

It's December 2006, and we decide it's time for a new computer, back to the Dell website. We choose another Dell and it's here in a matter of days.

So, now we have five dekstops, and two laptops. Time for some house cleaning.
The Gateway and HP get trashed. Too old and slow to do bookkeeping and playing with VB code on any longer. The hard drive from the HP gets put into the first Dell and given to my sister and brother-in-law whose computer had just bitten the dust. Now, I have a new Dell with RoadRunner, and a back-up Dell with MSN, just in case. LOL









Tuesday, March 20, 2007

what else? knitting


I found this pattern on one of the yarn sites yesterday, and today after checking some of my favorite blogs, I see that others like it also. Personally, I think it would be cute in an off white OR a very pale pink for this summer. I'll have to go back to the website and order the yarn soon, so I can get it started. I'm a very slow knitter. Good thing we have long summers here! LOL

I recorded Knitty Gritty yesterday and watched it last night. They were knitting with wire, making cute jewelry. I LOVE that show! and Vickie Howell is so cute with that red hair! I've noticed that a LOT of the crafty type shows have hostesses with bright red hair. Now, I have red hair, but not THAT red. Makes me wanna get redder hair! LOL

Monday, March 19, 2007

101 Things List

I have put my 101 Things list on the sidebar again. It seems like
a tight fit, but it's handier to have it on the side to edit. I have
made a separate Word document with specific steps I need to do
to accomplish each task. I might even put dates as to when each
specific step is to be accomplished.


Sunday, March 18, 2007

Blogroll

I'm getting really frustrated. I've been trying to set up a blogroll for
a couple of weeks now. I am making progress, but it is awfully slow. I
am getting the message I need to use the correct user name and not my
email address. BUT...BUT...BUT!! I am using the user name I was set up with!!

This isn't the only thing I'm having a problem with. I can't get the code
from flickr to work on here either. I am not familiar with css or java-
script or XML, whichever it is, to figure out where/what the errors are.

It took me a while to figure out the "glittering lips" errors so they would
show up.

The two books I got at Barnes and Noble yesterday are about XML and javascript. I'm hoping I can get an inkling of how these languages work.

I really miss working with the guys at CGS. They were always up on the latest in geek chic. We had great fun talking about programing languages, the newest technology, and computers in general. We had an interesting job and had lives after work. They were smart and funny. We all promised we would keep in touch, but you know how that goes.....we go in different directions and lead different lives now..... I do see Miss Rosalyn on line in my Yahoo IM contact list every now and then.

I got some glue at Joann's yesterday to glue the sets in my bracelet, so they wouldn't pop out. I still have to wait get new pliers to finish it. The ones I have aren't working very well. As soon as I finish the bracelet, I'll post a pic. I've got to order supplies to make a couple more too. I get them from Fire Mountain Gems. They have some really nice things there. I want to try the Art Clay, as I love silver jewelry. And I especially love bracelets! I'm not a big earring or necklace fan, even though they can "finish" an outfit.

Saturday, March 17, 2007

knitting, 101 Things #5






Happy St. Paddy's Day!!








101 Things #5 was to learn to knit and knit a scarf. Today I completed my cute simple scarf. Lion's Brand Suede denim color. I made it a little wider and a little longer. I LOVE it! I'm not sure what to knit next. I don't want to do another scarf, but I don't think my skills are up to a top or sweater. I suppose I could do a shawl or something simple. I've thought about making a little blanket for one of my dolls. I'm a few projects away from making sweaters for my dolls.

My trip to Joann's Fabrics wasn't as fruitful as I'd hoped it would be.
I considered getting 4986, but, in the end, decided not to get it. I might change my mind if I see any good reviews on Pattern Review. I got two patterns, Buttericks 5006-I'll use it to make some cute totes and storage for my knitting needles and notions-and 4464, a jacket, sleeveless top, and skirt pattern.

I then went to Barnes and Noble. I got two "Dummies" books. I LOVE those books!! I probably have 25-30 of them on various subjects...sports, music, mathematics etc...

Friday, March 16, 2007

knitting

I was looking through my list of Yahoo Groups yesterday. I'm a member of Knitted Gardens. Members are "knitting" a "garden" bed spread or coverlet. It was another thing that drew me to knitting. It looked like something I would like to try. There isn't much activity on this group. I've been looking for the book for several months. Apparently it is out of print.

I've been slowly working on the simple scarf, doing a few rows at at time. I really enjoy working with the suede yarn. It's SOOO soft!!!

I'm thinking about what I want to do next. I should be done with the scarf this weekend. I'm going to Joann's Fabrics tomorrow after my Weight Watchers meeting. They are having a sale on yarn, Butterick patterns, and numerous craft items. I'm going to get yarn for my next project, a few patterns and some things for scrapboking and altered art.

Wednesday, March 14, 2007

playing with my webcam!




I got a webcam this evening when I went to Walmart. This one has some interesting effects as you can see from my pic.

Last night was the last class of the session. Everyone thought we were going to start the new session on Monday, but NOOOOOOO!!!! It started tonight. Luckily, it was a short class and I got to go shopping after class ended.

I LOVE to shop! Especially for clothes and shoes, but I like shopping for almost anything. I like going to Lowe's and Home Depot. I even like shopping in a hardware store. I can always find things for my sewing room and for altered art and other crafts.

I installed the webcam and made a couple of stills. When I opened Snapfire Plus to view the pic, there was a window asking me if I wanted to update. Well, of course I do! LOL WWWAAAHHH!!! Now I wish I hadn't. the msi file is now missing and I can't complete the update and the old program won't open. I don't think I received CDs for the programs when I bought the new Dell in December. Although I find that a little odd.....don't you always get the application CDs when you buy a new computer???

Saturday, March 10, 2007

Soundtrack of my Life

I found this on Lick My Sticks site.

Soundtrack of my Life

Directions: If your life was a movie, what would the soundtrack be?

1. Open your mp3 library
2. Put it on shuffle.
3. Press Play.
4. For every question, type the song that’s playing.
5. When you go to a new question, press the Next button.
6. Don’t lie and try to pretend you’re cool.
7. Don’t skip songs.

My Movie:

1. Opening credits: Rock My World - Brooks & Dunn
2. Waking up: Georgia on My Mind - Ray Charles
3. First day of school: It's Crying Time Again - Ray Charles
4. Fight song: His Name was John - Reba McEntire
5. Breaking up: You Can't Judge a Book By it's Cover - Stevie Ray Vaughn and Delbert Mcclinton
6. Happiness: I Play Chicken - Cowboy Troy
7. Life’s okay: Stomp - The Brothers Johnson
8. Mental breakdown: Steam - Ty Herndon
9. Driving: Don't Have to Worry - Rosie Ledet
10. Flashback: Nospace - Jesse Connerley
11. Getting back together: Boot Scootin' Boogie - Brooks & Dunn
12. Wedding song: Cain's Blood - 4Runner
13. Birth of first child: Some Kind of Wonderful - Delbert McClinton
14. Final battle scene: Birmingham Tonight - Delbert McClinton
15. Death scene: I Fell in the Water - John Anderson
16. Funeral song: Frosty the Snowman - Leon Redbone
17. End credits: J'ai deux amours - Josephine Baker

If you’re reading this, I’m tagging you! Let’s see it!

Odd, even though I have a couple hundred different artists on my iPod, a lot of the same ones popped up.

101 Things Update

You can see my entire list of 101 Things here.


#1 was to graduate from the paralegal course with a 4.0. Unfortunately, I got an A- in constitutional law, and that dropped me to a 3.97. I was taking that class during my last few weeks of work and didn't have time to study as much as I wanted, and my grades suffered because of it.

#2 SWAP storyboard, and sew all items...I'm still in the planning stage of this. I have several patterns that I'll be using. I'm always on the lookout for fabric also. I'm not going to sew anything until I have reached my goal weight. That's a few months away, unless I really get crackin' as my Dad used to say.

#5 I'm on my way to learn to knit, I have completed one project, my gray bag, that can be seen here. Today I got a beautiful demin colored "suede" yarn to make this scarf, and Sensations Beautiful in lt blue to make a doll sweater. The color isn't as vibrant as in the picture. It's much more beautiful. I still have to get size 50 needles though. I might try to make my own out of a dowel, if I can find one big enough. I saw it done on DIY's Knitty Gritty.

#14 on my list of 101 Things is to collect all 50 U.S. State Quarters. So far, I have 38 of them. I'll be on the lookout for the rest of them as they are minted.

#19 I've been working a crossword puzzle daily for the past two weeks. I didn't do one yesterday, so I did two today to make up for it. I have a stash of them, so I always have some handy to work on.

#20 I've discontinued several of my magazine subscriptions. I plan on reading and clipping articles next weekend and get rid of the stash of magazines I don't want to keep.

#21 I probably should have started my veggie garden already, but haven't gotten any seeds or starter plants. Maybe, I'll do that next weekend too. I tried growing tomatoes outdoors here, but that didn't work out for me. I'll just try to grow these in containers.

#24 Monday I'm going to call and make an appointment to get my eyes checked. I need new glasses and I might as well go ahead and get the contacts then. I'm still not sure if I'll get vision correction or not. But in a week or two, I can have brown eyes when I want them! LOL

#33 I have a bracelet that I made last year, but the stones keep popping out. I'm going to check Fire Mountain Gems to see if they sell some sort of glue I can use to keep them in place. when I order it, I will also order other things I need to make a few more bracelets. I love bracelets!

#34 I carved a jack o'lantern for Halloween. The pic of "The Shriek" can be seen here.

#39 Flylady....that's a difficult one. I have always had my own routines in place, so I was attracted to her way of doing things. But there are things I don't agree with also. I do have a lot of figurines and books. I keep most of the figurines packed safely away and rotate them every month or so.

#43 I'm not so sure now if I want to make a braided rug for the kitchen or make a knitted one from strips of fabric. Or, I could make both! They both would be cute.

#58 I'm still learning about my camera. Got a lot to learn!

#68 & 69 Wardrobe, again. Fill in the gaps I have in my wardrobe to make sure I have an outfit for each "life" occasion i.e. a new career, (can't wear scrubs forever!) dinner's out to a nice restaurant, a party, a funeral, just hanging out, etc......It's just one huge gap!! LOL As I start to sew the items I will review them on Pattern Review.

#81 I'm 18 pounds into a 75 pound weight loss. Five pounds a month, on target, but I need to step it up, if I'm going to be at goal weight when I graduate from the paralegal course. And, of course, my wardrobe, SWAP sewing depends on me achieving this goal first. I mean, I know I can
do it any time, but I want to have a nice co-ordinated wardrobe for my
goal weight.

#101 I can make four pairs of pj's at any time, but I will do them in
a size close to what I will wear at goal weight.

Overall, a lot of these things I'm putting off til I reach goal weight.
Some I can't do until I finish the paralegal course and start working, due
to time and money constraints. Some, are just dependent on my completing
another thing first. I have absolutely no doubts that I will complete all
these things before the end of the 1001 days on Thursday February 19, 2009!

Last Night: Country music with a Vengence!!!


I went to the Strawberry Festival in Plant City, Florida.
It's usually about 10 days long, the typical fair type scene, with livestock contests, arts and crafts
judging, and they serve the usual "fair type foods," including elephant
ears, corn dogs, burgers, etc...but they also serve strawberry shortcake.
YUMMY!! The berries are huge!! and very sweet!!.
They also have musicians/bands playing every
afternoon and night. Last night, members of the
MuzikMafia, Big & Rich,
big & rich

and MY personal favorite,

CBT

Cowboy Troy
, was there, also appearing was Two Foot Fred and John Anderson(newest member of the Mafia, who had appeared earlier in the day. Big & Rich put on a terrific show. They play some of their new
songs coming out on CD in June, and many of their older songs. They touched on the current affairs in Darfur. And implored each person
to do what they could to stop the abuse, not only there but in our own country also.

Tuesday, March 06, 2007

French Kitty


I have recently become aware of the French Kitty "doll".
I am quite enamored of this little creature. She is
just adorable. I can envision her in several different
designer outfits. Apparently she has been around for a
while, but I didn't pay attention to her. The
merchandising is a vast array of items. I've seen
books, pyjamas and numerous other things. I'm adding
the doll and a couple of the books to my wish list.
Too cute!!