On the Go.

On Sunday, we were on our way to a birthday party and my dress was driving me crazy!  So I threw in a quick stitch to keep the neckline the way I wanted it.  I figured that was a better option than my guy's offer to staple it.  Although that did result in a laughing fit and a new business proposal, Easy Squeeze Alternations- The quickest alterations in town.  You wear 'em, while we repair 'em!  (You heard it here first, folks.)

 I managed to hide a tiny little stitch in a black part of the pattern and I was good to go.  So, yep, this is how I do it.  Altering my clothes while I wear them.  I'm not sure if I would say this is always a good idea, but it worked out this time.

Anyone else do weird stuff like this?

Snapshot Friday!

In one way or another, I tend to leave my mark everywhere I go.  Today's photo is an example of that.  These were a few of things that my honey found while cleaning out his car a few weeks ago.

What can I say? I like to be prepared at all times.  Actually I know at least two of those needles probably came from noticing them in my pant leg while we were driving around.  I have taken them and stowed them away in the little cubby under the handle in the door.  I'm like a squirrel, I also hide ponytail holders and lip balm there.  Although, this time of year is really not good for the lip balm.  Summer here means opening your tin of Burt's Bees to find the contents have shifted drastically, like the stuff in overhead bins.  

Ok, now I'm off on a tangent.  Blabbering really.  I'm suspecting it has something to do with not wanting to get back to cleaning the kitchen.  Oh well, I have to because I can't stitch until it's done.  See you later, with an update on my current piece!

Snotty.

Howdy, folks!  What have you been up to this past week?  I've been a stitching fool, but that's not really out of the ordinary for me.  All current projects are put on hold pending the completion of a super secret wall hanging I'm working on.  Nothing like deadlines to motivate, right?  Sneaky peek later tonight. 

Oh, speaking of motivation.  There's nothing like being called fat by two different people, on two different occasions in one week to motivate you to get back in shape.  No?  Oh, I'm sure that's what they thought they were doing when they said such random things.  And I should mention they were two complete strangers!  I wouldn't mind so much if it was someone I knew,  I mean, it's sort of true. But geez, a stranger?  Jerkfaces.

Anyway, it got me to thinking, I haven't always been fat.  Well, I was really skinny and then really fat, then skinny again.  You can see where this is going, think Oprah. So out came the photos.  It was either that or a snack to make myself feel better.  And since my pity party was started after being called a fatty, I just thought the irony of that would have been too much.

I saw this one and thought, hey- that looks really familiar.  Which led to more photo searching.  Apparently, I've been perfecting this look for many years.

So, while I haven't always been big, I've always been snotty.  This proves it.  I found this coincidence to be hilarious.  Laughing, I quickly gave up on being upset about what totally rude strangers think about me.  Eff 'em.  Right, Dude?  I'm smiling now just thinking about the whole ridiculous situation.  I'd rather be a jolly fat person than a skinny (insert pejorative term here)  However, that being said, I do reserve the right to express my snotty side occasionally...preferably for photographs.  Thank you and good day, sir.

Snapshot Friday!

Hi, guys!  How are things out there?  Anyone melting from the heat?  Here in CA it's been pretty ridiculous lately.  I'm not a heat person.  Oh well, got to take the good with the bad, right?  

So I spent a bunch of time last night writing a Words on Wednesday! post before I realized it was Thursday.  Uh, yeah, that should be an indication of how my week has been going so far...crappy.  Now that I know what day of the week it is, I figured I'd start up Snapshot Friday! again, remember that oldie but goodie?  Today is Friday, right?!  Phew.  I know it used to be all vintage shots, but I'm throwing off the restraints and mixing it up from now on.

Therefore, I give you this shot of a pickle!  Why?  Because I freakin' love them.  Especially Nathan's.....YUM!  What's your favorite snack?

 

Unfortunately, I don't have any pickles right now, but that's ok because I have Jeopardy.  I'm off to relax after work.  Hope that you've enjoyed the resurrection of Snapshot Friday!  See you soon.  Have a craftastic weekend, I'll be back tomorrow with Caturday...meow.

Full of It!

Last weekend I was lamenting the fact that I had a "new-to-me" vase, it was nice out, and we couldn't spruce the place up with some fresh flowers. My guy said he would take care of it in no time at all. I huffed and puffed and quickly gave up, given our budget.

A few minutes later, I saw this... A full vase.  Full of good intentions, that is.

Well, I can pretty much admit that my heart melted.  Yeah, they aren't the prettiest and to most people they are weeds.  But, to me, they are the flowers that turn into wishes.  And you know what?!  They brightened my kitchen for a whole week.  Yellow, full, and going strong the whole time.  I finally tossed them out today because they weren't as bright as they started off and didn't open so wide anymore.

It reminded me that it's not what you have, but who you have it with.  I'm sure we all know this, but sometimes we need something bright and in your face to remind us.  Thanks, Cakes, for always showing me what's important.

I admit, I have tunnel vision sometimes.  I look right past the real stuff, nit-picking silly things.  So I savor the moments that make me stay grounded.  What do you do to help keep things in perspective?  I'd love to know how you guys get it all together.

Ton's of new stuff coming at ya, see you again tomorrow.  Hope you have craftastic weekend!  Talk to you soon :)

Am I the Only One?

I can't be the only person that does this.  After a long stitching session, when I finally take a break, I paint my nails.  Not really sure why.  Perhaps it's that I've spent the last few hours having to look at my hands constantly.  Or maybe I just have to be doing something.  It's hard for me to take a break and do absolutely nothing.

I think part of it is, I'm forced to set down my project while they dry.  Otherwise I would sit there, examining it and wanting to fix every little thing about it that bothered me.  Stitching and stitching until it was finished or until my arm fell off.  So, whatcha think, do I seem wacky enough for you?!  Just keeping it real.

Watchful Eyes

So, I see things a little differently than most people.  I'm ok with that.  

For instance, we usually take the same path when we walk the dog.  (He leads the way.)  One of my favorite parts of the journey is getting to visit the alligator.  For everyone else, it's just a smear of paint from someone's tire.  Left there many moons ago, when the parking lot was redone.

For me, it's a gator.

 

Can you see him?!

Weekend Update

This weekend was pretty productive for me, not so much crafting wise, but productive none the less.  I took Friday afternoon off to get some errands done before the weekend.   Want to see my weekend?  It was full of fun stuff, I'll show you.

After the adult, real life business, like banking, I got down to the fun stuff.  Like swinging by the library for some goodies and then stocking up on stamps.  Yay, stamps!

 

Celia is my favorite one, she was so amazing!

 

 On the walk home I passed by one of my favorite benches.  It's not too much to look at in this photo, but trust me it's pretty wonderful.  Oh, how I would love to have a huge green bench made from tiny, green tiles.  *sigh*  So many greens in this picture too, I love green!

 

Luckily my walk took me past Sift Cupcakery, so I could stock up on some essentials.  Here, we have a Stud Muffin, a Carbomb, and an All For The Cookie.  Yum, yum in my tum-tum.

 

On Saturday, I found this amazing little photo while sitting at my desk at work.  My second job is at an appliance parts store, so there are tons of little bits lying around that pay homage to old washing machines and such.  Isn't it pretty great? Just wait until I show you "The Wall."

 

 Then I played Suzy Homemaker for the rest of the weekend.  Shopping, scrubbing and cooking were all on the agenda.  I think I experienced what pregnant ladies like to call "nesting."  

At the store, the guy read off everything but olives.  I swear, it's on purpose, poor thing is so terrified of an olive smooch.  Or maybe it's because I couldn't be bothered to put a "s" on the end while I was writing the list.  I can spell, I just can't proofread, ha ha.  I had no intention of buying just one olive.  (And although I do love the name Olive for a little girl, I also wasn't trying to pick one of those up at the grocery store.)  Anyways, he reminded me at the last possible second.  Perhaps hoping that I wouldn't jump out of line to run and get them, I'm weird about that. However, I love olives that much.  Made is back with seconds to spare...and with a bottle of pink champagne, too!  Ha, I'm good.

Told you I was a busy girl!  And there's more but I don't want to torture with every boring little detail.  I mean, I'm already pushing it with shopping lists and random green benches.  For getting so much done, today I am rewarding myself with much needed arts and crafts time.  A little stitching and a little painting are in order. Perhaps, popping open that pink champagne I mentioned earlier?  Hmmmm.

Hope you had a great weekend too. Have a craftastic day, see you soon!

Evidence

 Howdy, folks!  Been a while, eh?  I've been a busy gal...working my buns off.  I'm working two jobs, so hopefully I'll be all caught upon expenses soon.  And you know what that means?  Craft store, here I come! Ha, actually I don't really need anything, but it's nice to know I can get it if I do need something.

I noticed something, even though I have the hobbies of an old lady and I'm often told I'm "mature" for my age, I still have my moments of childish behavior.  I have proof.

Given the choice, I will always go with the cartoon bandages.

 I still buy crayons.

I stashed the last Hershey's Bar, from Halloween, away in my crafting area.  For a moment of frustration, I suppose.  I'm happy to report it's still there.

So, yeah.  I guess no matter how old I am, part of me never seems to grow up.

P.S.  Need more proof?  I still shop for coloring books.  I want this one sooo bad!

Day Off

I'm kind of a boring person but I'm ok with it.  On my day's off I rarely have big plans unless my guy has the day off too.  However, this time of year his Sunday's are spend cuddled with the pup, watching football.  And since I have a funky schedule too, I've just been doing my own thing lately.

My day off tends to revolve around drinking warm beverages from cheesy cups.  (Occasionally, obliging when said cup is branded with the Kahlua logo.)

Later I eat lots of yummy soup.  With TONS of fresh cracked pepper.  I'm a soup junkie.

I'll also do some cleaning, some stitching, and some dog walking.  Perhaps take in a bit of guilty pleasure television.

And if I'm lucky, I'll be doing all of this while wearing my favorite sweater.  My Freddy Krueger sweater!!  The only picture I have is terrible, want to see it?!  I think Dillon must have yelled, "Jackson!" right before he snapped this one.  I seem to look a bit confused.

(Oh yeah, and this was last year.  I've already mentioned our tragic lack of pumpkins this season.) 

I pulled my trusty, old Freddy sweater out for the first time this season, despite the fact it's pretty nice outside.  It's November, it should be sweater time.

So, I guess what I'm trying to say, is I'm a creature of habit.  If I was an old wiseguy, I'd be easy to whack.

How about you?  Are you a homebody or always on the go on your day's off?  Whether you're out and about or cozy at home, I hope that your day is craftastic!

Helllllloooooooooo!!!!

Howdy, folks!  Long time, no post.  Truely sorry about that- I've missed you guys very much.  I'm checking in with you from lovely Free Soil, Michigan, my boy's hometown.

Between quality time getting acquainted with my new family, melting in the humidity, and taking in the scenery, I've been doing a lot of stitching.  So, get ready for new projects very soon.

In the meantime, did I tell you the good news?!  I've been selected for the July Project and Interview in the Needlework section on Craftster!

 
As most of you guys already know, I love Craftster- with a passion.  In fact, it's how I got back into crafting after many years and I "met" a lot of my online crafty friends.  It's full of talented people with nothing but nice things to say.  There are tons of great projects that will amuse and inspire you.  If it's not already a part of your daily online routine, change that right away.

Be sure to check out my silly interview with Pam aka Kittykill.  You'll get to find out what inspires me and the kind of stuff I'm stitching lately.

Read the awesomeness HERE!!!!  

Snapshot Friday!

Today, Snapshot Friday is a little different.  Why?  Because I said so...and it's my birthday, so you'll have to just deal.

A long time ago, I developed a love...

... for cake,

... for getting into trouble,

... and for cussing like a sailor.

 OK, so my love of dirty words didn't really start that young, but I'm definitely blaming my love of cake and sweets on my early exposure.

Thanks for humoring me on this Snapshot Friday!  I hope that you have a lovely, creative day.

 

Siete!

I was tagged by the lovely and talented Kira of Oops! I craft my pants.  That means I get to tell you guys seven random things about myself and then choose seven more people I wouldn't mind knowing a little more about.

Ok, away we go!

Uno-  I was born and raised in Niagara Falls, New York.  And despite the nearness to the border, I am definitely what you would call a stereo-typical New Yorker (I know some of you are thinking, "uh yeah, I wouldn't brag about that.)  I'm loud!  At times, a bit crass.   I'm a fast walker and a fast talker.  I'm highly opinionated and not afraid to show it.  Basically, everything you can think of except for the whole wearing black everyday thing.

p.s.  Oh yeah, I'm a Yankees fan too.  I hope we can still be friends.

Dos- I'm German and Irish.  I love potatoes and hate cabbage.  I'm also Native American- Cherokee.

Tres- I returned to crafting about 3 years ago after approximately a 10 year hiatus.  For some reason when you go to school for art, "they" try to convince you of the inadequacy of hand crafts.  While it's "kitschy" and "folksy", the "Crafty Cathy's" of the world are not and will never be "real" artists.  WTF?  I strongly disagree with this and have spent the last few years creating a balance in my life between the fine art world and the hand craft world.  To the chagrin of my teachers I love to incorporate things like embroidery into my projects.  Hey, the way that I look at it is professors love to go on about the importance of the Bayeux Tapestry but last time I checked that was still needlework.  So I don't know why they are so quick to put down the craftiness.

Cuatro- I love cooking and it shows (on my waistline).  I'm lucky that I have a man who also likes to cook but I honestly don't mind spending a few hours in the kitchen making the house smell good.  

Especially since we've got The Beast.  I love my stove so much.

Bonus confession:  While cooking I like to enjoy a glass of wine and listen to cheesy music, like the soundtrack to The Godfather or old school love songs.  Really, I am that silly.

 Here's a favorite of mine:


Cinco- Although, most of you folks probably found me because of my love for embroidery or ATCs, I am actually a painter.  Well, I should say I'm trying to be a painter.  I've used acrylics for years but would like to venture outside of my comfort zone and learn oils.  I haven't really shared that side of me on here, except for a sketch or two.  I think I'll change that.  Maybe it'll help me to be a bit more productive.

Seis- I love a nice, stiff drink.  My preferences come in spurts.  Sometimes I'm in a Jimmy the Gent kind of mood, wanting nothing but 7 and 7s.  Other times I feel like The Dude... White Russians all the way!  Nothing too foo-foo for me.  (Yes, I do liken many things in my life to movies.  I quote a few everyday.  At least a dozen times.  In this case, Goodfellas and The Big Lebowski.)

Siete-  And last but not least.  I love crime shows and movies.  Give me a First 48 or Law and Order marathon to stitch to (and the aforementioned cocktail) and I'll be happy.  In fact, I'm such an SVU junkie that the kitties, Natasha and Boris, were almost Benson and Stabler.  However, the man said that Natasha didn't seem like a Benson, that she wasn't feisty enough.  Oh well, maybe someday.

Mmmmmmm, Stabler.

Now it's my turn to pick!

Sam aka Sunnysidey

Laurie Anne aka Rebel Blossom

Deana aka AlwaysInspired

Shannon aka Giggly Mama

Amy aka The Crafty Dame

Katy and Maureen aka Sew Lovely Embroidery

Lorna aka Arty Mess

Well, that was a lot!  Do you feel like you know me a little better?  Anything you want to know that I didn't address?