I always have good intentions to blog more regularly, but, alas, I just get caught up in other things and don't get it done.  In my last post I promised a picture of the "raw materials" I was using to make a brush roll for my acrylic nail and nail art brushes.  I've been working on the brush roll and have the construction completed, but need to add a few more embellishments.

This is the "raw materials."  I got another  piece of purple fabric and used the batik fabric in the inside of the roll.  I added a nail covered with glitter to each of the ties, one in purple glitter and one in pink glitter.  There is also a pink embossed lip print on the inside flap on the left side.  I'm going to add some beads, embroider my name, and add a few other embellishments as time allows.

I'm also adding a picture of the nail polish display I made showing some of my nail polish.  I'm going to make a bigger one as soon as I can.  I'll probably use this one as a spice rack.

My Week in a Nutshell

Working at least one day this week.  Continuing my search for a full time job.

Reading Flood by Andrew Vachss.

Doing at least one creative thing each day.

Making fish tacos.  I've never had them before, but they look yummy in the picture in my Weight Watchers    book.  I might make a sweet corn salsa too. 

Working out as much as my back will allow.

 

I didn't get the pictures of my materials and supplies for my brush carrier taken.  I spent most of the  day reading my magazines, trying to get caught up.  I have to work tomorrow, but I'll try to get it done tomorrow evening.  I'm going to try to get the pieces cut tomorrow too.

Who doesn't love a wedding??  I certainly do, especially one that has all the pomp and circumstance of a royal wedding.  I DVR'd it and watched it Friday night.   The media kept referring to Cate as a commoner.  I do understand what they mean, but there is nothing "common" about her.  She is an exceptional young woman.  It cannot be easy being scrutinized by not only your fellow countrymen, but, by the entire world.  I wish them a long and happy life together.

The broadcasts on CNN didn't really show a lot of the damage the tornado did in Ringgold.  There are home videos on youtube.  This is one of them.

     

    

Sewing and Creativity

I finished sewing up McCall's 6287 a couple of days ago, but I didn't get a chance to remove the basting until this evening.  It looks exactly as it does on the pattern cover, although a little uneven hanging on a hanger.   I'll be making a pair of white pants to wear it with.  I have a silver cuff, a silver chain, and white sandals I'll accessorize it with.  The style may be a little young for me, but I don't care.  I love it!

I went to Joann's today and picked up three of the patterns on my list.  McCall's 5972 (view B, I had a dress similar to this when I was younger),  Butterick 5600, and 5357, the webwsite reports this as pattern of the week.  I'm thinking I'll make B5600, view C, in a coral pink linen that I saw on Denver Fabrics.

The days I haven't been sewing I've been working on a simple pattern for a folding carrier for all my nail brushes, including the brushes for acrylic, gel, and all my nail art brushes.  I have about 9 or 10, and I want an altered art/modern quilt type carrier.  I have most of the materials and supplies.  I'll post a pic of the raw materials tomorrow.  I've been doing nail art, too,  and will post pics of those nails when I get a couple more finished.

I am so grateful that all my family that lived in Ringgold, GA survived the tornado.  Some friends have lost all their possessions, including their homes, but they are alive.  That is the most important thing.

My Week in a Nutshell

Looking for a full-time job.
Going to Walmart for dog supplies, lots of flippie chips and pig sticks!  LOL
Checking out Walgreens for Sinful Colors nail polish, it's 99¢ this week.  There are some beautiful colors!
Sewing and knitting for a few minutes each day.  I'll finish the knit top today.  I just have to hem the neckline.
Watching a few favorite TV shows while I ride my stationary bike.  Continue training for the 5k walk Weight Watchers is having in May.
I think I'll work on my 101 Things too.  I haven't done much work on the list lately.

Knitting

What I've done, what I haven't and I what I want to do

The rules: Mark with bold the things you have knit, with italics the ones you plan to do sometime, and leave the rest.

Afghan - I think I'd rather crochet an afghan.  In fact, it's a work in progress.
I-cord -   If it's needed for a project.
Garter stitch - of course
Knitting with metal wire-not yet.  I want to make Sea Tangles, not metal wire per se, but "a fine silk yarn with an even finer steel wire inside it."
Shawl- 
Stockinette stitch
Socks: top-down
Socks: toe-up-I think this is a must for knitters, even if it's just one pair.  Just for the experience.
Knitting with camel yarn -
Mittens: Cuff-up
Mittens: Tip-down
Hat
Knitting with silk 
Moebius band knitting 
Participating in a KAL - maybe depends on the item
Sweater
Drop stitch patterns
Knitting with recycled/secondhand yarn
Slip stitch patterns - 
Knitting with banana fiber yarn
Domino knitting 
Twisted stitch patterns
Two end knitting
Knitting with bamboo yarn
Charity knitting- when I get a lot better and faster
Knitting with soy yarn
Cardigan
Toy/doll clothing - just a sweater for my AG doll
Knitting with circular needles  
Baby items- only for my "reborn" doll
Knitting with your own hand-spun yarn
Slippers
Graffiti knitting
Continental knitting
Designing knitted garments - not really my thing.  maybe if I get a lot better
Cable stitch patterns (incl. Aran)
Lace patterns
Branching out
Publishing a knitting book
Participate in an exchange
Scarf
Teaching a child to knit - I don't have the patience
American/English knitting (as opposed to continental)
Knitting to make money-No 
Buttonholes
Knitting with alpaca
Fair Isle knitting
Norwegian knitting
Dying with plant colors
Knitting items for a wedding
Household items (dishcloths, washcloths, tea cosies…) - 
Knitting socks (or other small tubular items) on one or two circulars -
Knitting with someone else’s hand-spun yarn
Knitting with dpns
Holiday related knitting
Teaching a male how to knit - I don't have the patience
Bobbles
Knitting for a living- NO.  I won't turn something I enjoy doing to relax into a job.
Knitting with cotton
Knitting smocking
Dying yarn
Steeks -   maybe
Knitting art
Knitting two socks on two circulars simultaneously
Fulling/felting
Knitting with wool
Textured knitting
Kitchener stitch
Knitted flowers
Purses/bags
Knitting with beads
Swatching
Long Tail CO
Entrelac
Knitting and purling backwards
Machine knitting
Knitting with self patterning/self striping/variegated yarn
Stuffed toys
Baby items
Knitting with cashmere
Darning
Jewelry
Knitting with synthetic yarn - 
Writing a pattern
Gloves
Intarsia
Knitting with linen
Knitting for preemies
Tubular CO
Free-form knitting
Short rows
Cuffs/fingerless mits/arm-warmers
Pillows
Knitting a pattern from an on-line knitting magazine
Rug
Knitting on a loom- Sounds like fun
Thrummed knitting - 
Knitting a gift
Knitting for pets
Shrug/bolero/poncho
Knitting with dog/cat hair- maybe
Hair accessories
Knitting in public

As you can tell, I'm a new knitter and don't have a lot of experience.   I want to knit a lot of different things, I'm slow but I'll eventually get everything done.  LOL

Why is blogger

being so difficult to edit html and post pictures too?  What a pain in the ass.  I hate when my posts aren't neatly aligned.  OCD.  LOL  In the overall scheme of things not a big deal, but, damn.  It should just work the way it is supposed to work.  It won't even let me cut and paste.  Does anyone know what is going on? This is just pissing me off.  Sorry.  I suppose I could try using a different computer.  But, again, it should work the way it is supposed to work.   So if it appears correctly ya know I edited it on my laptop. Anyway.........                                                                                                 

Okay,  I didn't sew Wednesday, Thursday or today.  But I did do something creative.  Wednesday I drew up simple plans for a display for my nai polish.  Yesterday I went to Lowe's and picked up the materials and supplies.  It took me a couple of hours to make the display.  As you can see there are two shelves I still need to put the fronts on.    I have to go back and get another piece of molding.  I didn't realize that the piece I got was only eight feet long.    This is basically a practice display.    I'll make another, bigger one in a few months and curve the upper edges on the side pieces and put a saying and/or some sort of carving above the top shelf.  Overall, Im pleased with the way this one came out.   

 

Today I did a fill in on my nails.  The ones on my left hand were really good. I hardly had to file at all.  But the ones on my right hand, looked like they had been done by someone who rarely picks up a brush.  The creative part came in when I did my nail art.  Nothing fancy today.  Two shades of pink polish layered over one another and black and gold stripes on four of the nails.  I did better putting down the stripes with my left hand than I did putting down the acrylic.           

I have been enjoying watching Criminal Minds lately.  I enjoy the interaction between Penelope Garcia, played by Kirsten Vangsness and Derek Morgan played by Shemar Moore.  Who I might add is one fine male speciman. mmm mmmm mmmmmm  LOL

Tomorrow, I'll be going shopping at Sephora.  There is now a Sephora inside J.C. Penney's at Tyrone Mall. Sephora is one of my favorite places to shop.  LOL    I'll probably go to Joann's too.  I think Simplicity patterns are "on sale" for $1.99 this weekend.          

            

Sewing

I received the May issue of Burda yesterday.  Way earlier in the month than I usually receive it.  I was totally underwhelmed.  I didn't find anything I wanted to sew.  Used to be I would find several things I wanted to make, lately, I find, maybe, one thing.  I'm considering letting my subscription lapse.  But then I think what if? There is an issue with numerous things I want to sew and I have to spend the time looking for the issue and then not find it.  I don't mind spending the money.  And I do enjoy looking at the magazine, even if I don't sew anything from it.  I really enjoy the style pages and the decorating ideas.

I spent most of my sewing time yesterday getting my cover-stitch machine re-threaded,  (It's been a while since I've used it.) and testing on scrap fabric.  I'll baste the hem in place before I stitch it.  Usually, I just eyeball it, and am good with accurately folding back the same width.  Does that make sense?  LOL I think today I'm going to pre-wash the tricot and a knit fabric for my next top.  It's McCall's 6282.  I have a cream and black leaf pattern jersey, similar to the fabric on the short sleeved dress.

There are a couple of patterns I want to get when they go on sale at Joann's.  Butterick 5575,  Simplicity 2224.  I think a pair of black pants (2224) to go with the top from 6282.  I love the jacket from 5575.  I think it looks almost like a vest and blouse on the pattern envelope.

I'm still having back pain.  Hard to sit for long periods of time as well as stand or walk.  Some of the pain from the herniated disc and some of the pain is from arthritis.  The arthritis is not limited to my back though.  The worst is that it is in my hands.  They are so stiff and achy at times, it makes it difficult to do a lot of things. Stretching helps, so I stretch several times a day.  I have an appointment with my chiropractor in an hour or so.  I had Girl on her leash when she lunged and it hurt my back, yet again.  It seems that it only took a few seconds to undo all the progress I've made over the past several months.  

I started Weight Watchers back in October 2010.  I'm about a third of the way to goal.  I haven't started a formal exercise program yet.  Just a little walking.  I still have my old workout plan, lower body, upper body, and a run/walk schedule here.  I'll just decrease the weights and work back up to the weights listed here.  

Burda

 I received the May issue of Burda Style yesterday.  Way earlier in the month than I usually get it.  I was totally underwhelmed.  I didn't find anything I wanted to sew.   Used to be I would find several things I wanted to make, lately, I find, maybe, one thing.  I'm considering letting my subscription lapse.  But then I think what if? There is an issue with numerous things I want to sew and I have to spend the time looking for the issue and then not finding it.  I don't mind spending the money.  And I do enjoy looking at the magazine, even if I don't sew anything from it.  I also enjoy the style pages and the decorating ideas.

I spent most of my sewing time yesterday getting my cover-stitch machine re-threaded,  (It's been a while since I've used it.) and testing on scrap fabric.  I'll baste the hem in place before I stitch it.  Usually, I just eyeball it, and am pretty good with accuracy.  Today I'm going to pre-wash the tricot and a knit fabric for my next top.  It's McCall's 6282.  I have a cream and black leaf pattern jersey, similar to the fabric on the short sleeved dress.

There are a couple of patterns I want to get when they go on sale at Joann's.  Butterick 5575,  Simplicity 2224.   I think a pair of black pants (2224) to go with the top from 6282.

I'm still having back pain.  Hard to sit for long periods of time as well as stand or walk.  Some of the pain from the herniated disc and some of the pain is from arthritis.  The arthritis is not limited to my back though.  The worst is that it is in my hands.  They are so stiff and achy at times, it makes it difficult to do a lot of things. Stretching helps, so I stretch several times a day.

I started Weight Watchers back in October 2010.  I'm about a third of the way to goal.  I haven't started a formal exercise program yet.  Just a little walking.  I still have a workout plan, lower body, upper body, and a run/walk shcedule here.

What??

It's April 17th already.  I haven't posted since January.   I have thought of numerous things I wanted to blog about, but for one reason or another didn't.  Mostly it's because I want to post pictures when I blog.  But I don't have a good place to take pictures.  Especially when I want to take pictures of smaller items, such as a bottle of nail polish.  Clothing items I can just hang on the back of a door.   The smaller items I really have to work at getting photographed.  I enjoy blogging even if I don't have pics, so I'm just gonna do it.  lol

Fabric and Sewing and Patterns! oh my!
My sewing mojo comes and goes.  Mostly it has been on vacation, at least for the past couple of years.  Same for my knitting and crocheting mojo.  I have decided that I will go into my studio and sew every day.  (I have a dedicated room for sewing. So I can leave everything as is when I want to quit for the day and don't have to put everything away.) Even if for only 10 minutes.  I use the term sewing to include tracing off patterns and cutting out, as well as taking needle and thread to fabric.   This past week I worked a few minutes a day on McCall's 6287.  I'm making the top, view A, in black jersey, as shown on the pattern envelope.  I'll post a pic when I have it completed.  It calls for leaving some of the edges unfinished, which I don't care for.  I'll be using my cover stitch machine to finish them.   I also got a couple more pieces of fabric and will post pictures as I complete the garments.

I haven't been following all the sew-a-longs, SWAPs etc as closely as I normally do either.  :( I still have pics of a SWAP on Flickr, I had planned a few years ago and never followed through on it.  I'm thinking of updating the patterns and finishing it.  I AM interested in seeing all the jackets that have been made for the 12 jackets in 12 months challenge.  I live in Florida and rarely wear a jacket, even in the winter.  But after receiving last month's Burda, and looking through it, ironically, I only saw one pattern I was interested in sewing.  The parka on page 57.    I'd like to make it in a forrest green or dark teal.

I hope

everyone had a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

I have been busy searching for family members I haven't seen in quite some time.  I have been successful in locating several of them.  The last time I saw my grand-nephews was almost 10 years ago at my son's funeral.  They are both married and one of them now has a cutie patootie son.  One of my nephews was a baby.  I haven't actually spoken with him, but I have chatted with his half sister on Facebook.  I'm so excited I can hardly stand it! It's just so sad that families are torn apart by divorce.