Busy days!

Today is my neice, Ava's first birthday party...I cant believe it has been a year already! Julie had some "one year old" portraits taken of her and I cant wait to see them. She is such a spirited little thing that she makes me laugh. Julie and her husband made the "princess" cake so I will take and share pictures. Cake making has become something they really enjoy doing. I made the little princess something too. will share pictures of that later. Also today I am going to meet a new blogger friend. She lives right by my sister in Clinton, Utah. I think it will be fun.. We are partners this month for the storybook enchanted ornament swap. The theme was pigs. They can be so cute or ugly, or so ugly they are cute! I had fun with the theme and Susan loves pink so I kind of went pink pig wild.

I have really got into this yarn thing...Instead of scarfs, I have been making the collar/cowl things..I think they are cozier and I use really soft yarns so they feel good.











This one I made clay buttons for closures...Just to add a little something, something.

Here is one in a big, soft and cuddly purple...It has a pin to close it that I made from fibers and yarn..In the fibers there are small bits of purple so I thought it looked pretty together.












In the last post I did, I showed some cheap wreath makings I got on clearance at Joanns. I put it together and it really looks pretty on my front door....I sprayed it white to get all the yellowy tones out. Because it is made out of the stuff that bottle brush trees are made of some of the yellow is still there...Then I dumped those white glitter flakes all over..Ribboned and snowflaked it up, Burnt off half of my thumb with hot glue and hung a plain bulb with more white glitter flakes in the ball...Last of all I used silver sticky letters to write "snow" on the ball. I hung it up right as it started snowing... Cool huh?





















I still havent started my Valentines table runner. I have two more projects to finish in the next few days. Nothing like squeaking in the last few days of the month. I think for the Valentines wreath, I am going to strip this one, save the decorations and totally change it up.
I did make a Valentine postcard for a swap too.
It is not very loving but remember my bitter Valentines from last year? I have gone from bitter to cynical. This one is called, "please be my ball and chain.."



















haha.....Have a good weekend all...xoxox melinda

New Addiction.....

I tend to get obssessed with things of a crafty nature. Whether it be scrapbook paper, pens, fabric..you get the idea...For Christmas, my wonderful oldest daughter Stacie and the kids sent me a Joanns gift card! Thrilled! I am saying Thrilled! Julie and I googled a site called free printable Joanns coupons and loaded up that printer...it was smokin'...We had the best time ever and I am afraid that I am getting her hooked on fabric too...I showed her how the home dec fabric on the rolls makes beautiful bags. She says I am a very bad influence...I told her I could be taking her to bars and casinos and hot male brothels and to just be quiet and buy the fabric. She obliged. Now what I wanted to get is a sock loom...I saw one in the store before and I have wanted to make socks for a while. Especially after I looked at sock yarns. I know I am not hand coordinated to knit with four needles and I dont know how to knit. I went on the net and looked at u tube videos of the little contraption and I figured I could do it!










I decided to get one, but they were sold out for Christmas so instead I just got a set of those plastic looms for 50% off...Then I got cute, soft fluffy yarn and I will tell you, I am hooked. The cool thing is, I can do it at work cause I mostly sit and talk on the phone. This is my first scarf and I sewed it together in the back so you loop it around your neck. I added some flowers cause' the hoop set came with a flower maker. I would model it for this post but there isnt anyone to take the picture....I really love it!














The color isnt the best in this photo, I took it in my bathroom. It is brown a creamy white and purple. Have to say, I really had no idea what I was doing, but I love how it turned out anyway...So I am hooked on yarn now and the sock loom is next.....with a 50% off coupon. Of course.


Also for a swap I made a "exposed" book mark...Kind of an out of the box thing...I used this weird metal paper clippie kind of thing I found and then did a polymer clay bust all dressed up. I thought about no clothes bringing exposed' to a new level but decided to be good.















Here it is on an altered cook book with the book closed....













And here it is attached to a page...I call this little bookmark "Boelyn Couture"
I really enjoy polymer clay...I forgot to mention that earlier...


In my last post I mentioned I want to make seasonal wreaths and table runners...When my sister and I went to Joanns, they had 90% off Christmas stuff...I found this ugly kinda yellowy brush wreath that was 24.99 and some blue glittery things...the grand total was four dollars.











I am going to change it all up and make a winter snow wreath...might be kind of fun I figure, and when it's done we will see if you recognize it...
I have been kind of stressed,so I have been walking on the treadmill and playing rock band on the wii....Beating on those drums really helps my attitude.....oxoxoxox Melinda

January things and a lesson in FAITH

To start with I wanted to encourage you to swing by and check out this fun site! (click on the picture on the sidebar to check it out!) This is my third year playing in the Enchanted Ornament Swap and this year we have a storybook theme. One, it is really fun, You also are encouraged to participate and post, you can swap if you like or just craft along. I love it because a theme will get my creativity going and I have got to meet some great people! It also has gotten me to try a lot of different ways to make things..It gives you a lot of freedom to just be a watcher, a participant or a swapper so come check it out! It is a great group of people and good for beginners who want to dip their toe in the water or more advanced crafters..We love you all...come play...


I mentioned a while back that I had struck up an online friendship with Cj when we swapped shabby bags. We have been writing long emails back and forth and it really has been fun for both of us to get a peek into each others life. We decided to do a 12 days of Christmas swap..We couldnt buy anything. It had to be made, repurposed or even regifted. It was so fun and both of us were thrilled with our boxes...There is so much detail in the things she sent me, that I didnt want to just lump it all together in one picture so I will show a few things at a time.












So here is 1,2,3 and four.....The most adorable little lion key chain made out of wool. I just love this guy and I looked and looked for stitches and you cant even see them! I am HORRID at hand sewing so if I did this, you would see more stitches than lion. Then this little wool mousie...He tends to travel around the house and have all kinds of adventures. I have a cat that adores him. I finally have got him up on a high shelf where the cat just eyeballs him longingly. The hedgehog box is so darn cute. I spose' I could use him for pins, but he is just to adorable for that...Besides I have THE voodoo doll for that which I still stab into occasionally. (like last night as I wandered by it) She also made me this wonderful book bag out of a book! I think this is the coolest and here is the awesomest part. It holds my kindle and keeps it safe!!! I probably have two hundred books on my kindle so it is the book that holds the books....Remember all, this is 1-4....Pretty amazing huh? She is going to take a few pictures of stuff that I sent her cause I was working so much that I didnt get a chance...

I also have been making hexagon flowers when I have a little time. Maybe someday I will have a quilts worth, but for right now I am doing them one at a time.














I also have decided that this year I am going to make seasonal table runners. It is always something that I have wanted to do, so this is the year. They dont take a whole lot of fabric and they really look pretty. I am also thinking of making wreaths to match so I have been getting ideas from the internet. There are a lot of pretty ones and I want to keep the cost down so I am able to do it...I already have the Valentine fabric for my first one...I love all the patterns.
















Pretty huh? If you make any table runners or wreaths, I would love to see them. Especially if they are seasonal.

Finally I want to talk about Faith. I think this is my word for the year. I have heard that many people only turn to God when things are bad. They do the whole bargaining thing. I have been through a lot of tragedy and loss and I have never blamed God. Not once. Usually I blame myself and that is when I turn my back on God because I am so disgusted with myself or embarrassed that I continue to be the person that life takes a swing at. Am I setting myself up for this? Am I paying for my sins of stupidity and pride? Is it some kind of karma? The thing is, when I am happy and things are well I am thanking God, being grateful, feeling loved but when the bad strikes as it seems to do quite often, I turn my back. Not because I blame, but because in my mind, if I dont love myself, if I cant stand myself or am embarassed, why on earth would God even be able to stand me. So this year I am going to stand on FAITH even it is during bad times. Now I had just made this realization and I had a typical what I would call "MELINDA DAY." I wake up, it is a beautiful day and the sun just fills me with hope. I am up and moving and I now work at 12:15 so I have time to run an errand instead of running around like a chicken without a head. I go to Walmart to pick up one of my prescriptions. I get up to the counter and they bring it to the register. They say 127.00. Now I will flat out tell you that I live penny to penny. This prescription should have been 14.00 with my co pay. The rest was for things like food...and I had a week and a half to go...Apparently after you fill a prescription three times at a pharmacy you have to buy thru the mail three months at a time or they wont cover it...Let's see, five prescriptions time three months and I can barely afford them one at a time. (yes, I have applied for medicaid twice to help with co pays and I "make 50.00 too much a month) So I am weighing the choices...Food or crazy...food or crazy....I go with the sanity option and pick the medication...Run my card thru and it is declined. I am already on the verge of a breakdown so I take a deep calming breath. I know there is money in there I say...run it as credit...declined...Tears, frustration I run out of walmart destroyed. I call my bank sobbing...The lady was very kind and it turns out someone took 548. out of my account. I sit on the grass in the middle of the very crowded parking lot. Now I am hysterical...the hiccupping where you cant talk hysterical. Ever been there? Good times...I have auto pay on several utilities and apparently someone disregarded our electricity arrangement (yes there are times when I can barely pay that too.) and decided to take the whole thing. Lady at the bank was very kind and did a three way call and got them to agree to put it back and then the bank put it back pending. Now I am late for work, I have make up streaming and I still have to go back into walmart and face THE PHARMACIST who has already seen one too many meltdowns on my part. I am now the crazy woman of the day. So I get in my car and wipe my face and do the ole pep talk thing. " It is going to work out, you can do this and still have a good day. so what if you eat dog food for a week. you could stand to lose a few pounds anyway...blah blah blah......" I go into Walmart holding my head up high and get my prescription and go to get in my car. I find out I locked my only keys in the car. In fact, there they are winking at me from the drivers side floor. Oh how pretty and shiny, they are mocking me...Previous hysteria? Oh you got nothin' on this one sister...no sitting on the grass this time. I flop on my back and wail. I have no money for food, certainly no money for a locksmith. I get on my little phone and I try to call the two people who might be able to help me. I am now an hour late for work clutching my prescription bag that is supposed to keep me sane and NO ONE is answering the phone. This is not shaping up to be a good 2012...I am laying on the grass and I am hearing in my head "have faith, " have faith" The human part of me is saying " I hate my life" " I hate that I have to live this way" "Why do I want to live this way?" "I hate walmart" (not really but I just thought it might be fun to throw that in.) This time I hear the screamed words "Have Faith!!!!!!!!'" I couldnt be any more humble before God. In fact I feel worthless in his presence right now. Surely he is looking down at me saying..."what a pathetic mess this daughter of mine is...Can she ever just swallow her pride and ask for help?" In the middle of the packed Walmart parking lot laying on a little piece of grass, people agog as they walk by me, I finally humbled myself and said a prayer...God, I know you love me even though I dont deserve it and I know I need to come to you more often even when times are bad. You know my situation, you know I am a giant mess and you love me anyway. I need help from you. I dont know what to do but I am going to trust you to help me out of this mess..Thank you for loving me despite me being me...in Jesus name, Amen....I sit up, face ravaged and clothing covered in grass...I am doing the hiccuping hysterical thing again but I am walking in FAITH back into that Walmart, God right beside me...I no sooner get thru the doors than a police officer walks up to me and says with kindness "is there anything I can help you with? Are you ok?" I tell him the locked car thing and he walks me out to the car, calls another officer to bring a lock out kit and they unlock my door....Then the officer puts his arm around me and tells me it is going to be ok....boom, done...FAITH. I need to remember this, this year...I really do. Thanks for listening! xoxoxxox

It is 2012!

Boy, did 2011 fly by and I can't say I mind...A little time between me and the start of 2011 is a good thing...in 2011 what did I do?


















I lost my mind and then slowly got it back again.















Once I got my fruit all back in the basket I realized once again that I am stronger than I think...






















I climbed up the side of a mountain to go thru a cave even though I almost died of heat stroke then froze my butt off in the cave.
















I got to spend one night with my two little grand boys after not seeing them for over a year and I had Daniel and Olivia for part of the summer.













My new niece was born and between she and Jace I smiled about a million times.












And I made things, cause that is what I do..... Happy New Years everyone. Thanks for sharing 2011 with me fruit in the basket or not....

Merry Christmas!

And a wonderful and Happy New Year...I figure a lot of us are due!

Well wishes....

Thank you so much everyone who has continued to encourage me...I am doing better the last few days. I think having faith is the hardest thing to have when you are having rough times and I am sure that God is right here with me. He is probably trying to ease my heart and I need to just remember to let him shoulder it. Sometimes I just need a reminder...
I spent all night working on one last thing. A bag for my sister Julie. I am going over there tomorrow night. I got clear down to the handles attaching to the straps and my machine is not cooperating...I just hate that!! I am going to go to bed and figure it out before I leave tomorrow.
I want to thank Barb and Deb too. I got two packages in the mail that are under my little pink tree...I even had to give them a squeeze. Just like a kid I guess but I will have them on Christmas!
Here a couple more things I sent CJ.















It is made out of old laces, trims and ribbons and there is vintage fabric inside...

I also made her a stuffed heart ornament and some straight pins with little toppers.












She got my box and I got hers and we both were so overwhelmed we havent been able to talk about how wonderful everything is! Wait till' you see the stuff she made me...It was just unbelievable going thru my box. In fact, I cried....a lot. I will share soon....Love you all.....melinda




Well it is Christmas Eve and I sat down and my sewing machine and it finished up the bag for my sister just fine..What the heck, but I am glad...If it looks kind of lumpy, it is because I put some things in there...I love this fabric...

More Holiday stuff.....

It has been pretty lonely around here...Aside from work I have been filling my extra time with pets, reading and making things...Can I just go on the record as saying that the holidays are a lonely time for me...It is hard not to sink into a mattress filled with sadness and tears. All my lost loved ones seem to surround me and I feel so darn sad. I think it is the hardest time to get through. I have my sister and her kids, but I don't get to see them very often. They live about 45 miles away and a lot of times I cant even afford the gas to get over there. I know so many people struggle with being alone this time of year and my wish would be, if you know someone who is, offer them company, or a phone call or some Christmas cookies and a card. One thing that has kept me feeling like I am participating in something Christmas related is I joined Shawnee's secret santa swap....I figured I could do it the handmade way with what I have...the only thing that cost me money was a peppermint bark candy bar and postage. My partner was a lady named Debbie. I just heard she got her package so it is ok to share now...

















I made this bag from a curtain panel that I had...I think it is pretty festive and it was lined with ivory satin and then instead of a card I attached a fabric, paper heart that can be used as an ornament.


She loves bright colors so I also made her a "Joy" banner...her house is in mexican style colors so I thought she would enjoy it.












The glitter bird and the turquoise, brown necklace in the last post were also for her. I passed on the quilt mystery book that I won from Michelle's blog too...


I made some more bird ornaments..This is one of my favorites. I love the turquoise with the glitter.











Then CJ H. and I are doing a private swap that is a twelve days of Christmas thing...Number twelve is a handmade stocking and then the other things just have to be made with what you have, re purposed into something else or used...no things that cost anything...We are both late and smiling about it, but we plan on mailing by tomorrow. We have had fun emailing each other back and forth. Thru emailing, we have found out that we have some things in common which makes it even more fun. I have put a lot of time into this, I just turn the tv on and sit on the floor and paint and glue and cut fabric and sew. I cant wait to hear what she thinks when she gets her package...
I am finally down to two little bins of fabric and paper...I may have to turn into one of those trash artists, but you never know, that could be fun too! I love those bags made out of candy wrappers....Yeah, that's an idea... xoxoxoxox Melinda

A creative Christmas.....

First of all, a little catch up! I was in the table runner swap and my camera once again went on the blink so I didn't get to post the table runner I got from Dayna at Scottie Acres....I am in love with it....I love the colors and I love batiks so it was the perfect one for me....She also mentioned that she used her go cutter and I thought that was so cool. I don't have one, but I would like one someday...(that and a lot of other crafty, sewing goodies, but that is another whole subject.)
She also sent me a bag of things that is right up my alley...Buttons, ribbon, little books and frames...All the stuff that I love and use a lot! Thanks Dayna so much. I actually have my runner on my big square slate coffee table and it looks so pretty...















Have I mentioned lately that I am absolutely poor as a church mouse? Well I am. There are so many things I want to do, and just can't so this year it is truly a homemade year. In fact, it is a make handmade "with what you have" year...The grand babies I am hoping to be able to send something to, but for every one else I am making them something. Last year I just wasn't up to anything but this year, I am enjoying the process, broke or not. I keep thinking I am going to win the damn Publishers Clearing House thingie, but so far it hasn't happened even though they flood my email and I enter like a fool every time. Does anyone really know anyone that has won anything from them? I figure being a fool and having a little hope isn't costing me anything.


Ok, so right now as I sit pounding away on my laptop, surrounded by the huge mess I have created while creating, I guess I better show what I have been doing...

I have been making jewelry out of clay. I saw a free pattern at Michaels and took some clay and fishing line over to my sister Julie's house and showed her how to make these. Of course, I didn't know either, but I played the craft expert and luckily they turned out really pretty. But now I cant give her one for Christmas...I should've thought of that!

















I am so proud of her...She has started sewing! She made some I pad bags and they turned out great. I have tried to get her to sew before and I went with her while she bought fabric! Woo hoo....Of course I was the expert on that too....I think I am going to make her a really cute pincushion and some pins with toppers...She is like me, she loves pink so it will be fun for me to make. I have lots of pink fabric pieces.




I also started painting a poetry journal and all the pages are drawn and painted. It has been an ambitious project to say the least.


















Then I have made a few ornaments...here is a bird..












I like to make ornaments...I guess that is why I do the ornament swap every month that Val hosts...

And finally, I made three more hexagons...I still am sewing them on my machine and it seems to work out fine. Maybe someday I will catch up with Maria and make a quilt out of mine...I have no clue how to put them together, but I guess I will figure that out later!














The rest of what I have been making I cant show yet, but I will soon.
I hope you all are enjoying this season....Now I need to pick up that mess....Melinda

One Flower Wednesday and a book Review

Hey all, I have been admiring the flower hexagons for a while now. The part that made me nervous was the hand sewing...I keep seeing them on Maria's Life on the Block blog and telling her I want to make some. She was sweet enough to send me some links and here are my first ones...Every Wednesday, there a lot of ladies who make some really pretty hexagons...Now I have to be truthful, I am sewing them by machine. I found if you leave a 1/4 inch at the ends of the seams, you can fold it together and finish the seams. I love using scraps! I dont have a lot of focus type fabric, but I love them done like that...So I did it Maria!!! woohooo

























I also won a book giveaway from Michelle! Her blog is the L7 Quilt company...She asked me to do a review for her after I read it. In this case, I am more than happy to give a review. I have tried to read other quilting fiction, and I just never enjoyed them. This one was really fun and full of small town characters.Nell is the main character and she is the girlfriend of the towns sheriff...She is a busybody in a good way even though she would deny it. Her grandmother owns a quilt shop and this old girl is a pistol...the town is planning and anniversary celebration and grandma ropes Nell into putting together a quilt show.. Then while planting a rose garden, they find a body buried in the garden. The characters are so much fun and I definitely would like a book where Glad is featured...It is a happy little read and I have been looking for the first book in this series...of course the love of quilting is included too...I would highly reccomend it to anyone who loves to read and enjoys a little quilting too!

I just joined a Secret Santa Swap!

Shawnee from the Flirty Apron Swappers is having it and tomorrow is the last day to register!









She also has a little questionarre that she would like us to do to help out our secret partners...


What are your hobbies? Reading, quilting, painting, playing with polymer clay


What are your favorite colors? Pink, orange


Do you collect anything? art books, bits and pieces of things that might be made into something else..buttons and ribbons

Are you allergic to any fibers or animals? nope


Do you have any pets? I have a zoo...one rottweiler, one giant yellow lab, an orange cat who rules the world, a fluffy cat who doesnt have a brain in his little head and a miniature bunny.


Coffee, Tea, or Chocolate? oh Honey, it is all about the chocolate


What do you like to read? Wow! hard question! Fiction, biographies..not a lot of romances, but occasionally I will pick one up.


Do you prefer Cookies or Candies as a sweet?

I cant decide because I like both!

What is your favorite holiday treat?

homemade sugar cookies with frosting.


Describe your favorite holiday tradition.


With the kids gone, this makes me really sad, but it was always bundling up and going to see the lights and church on Christmas Eve.



Did you believe in Santa as a child?

I still do!

When do you open presents?

It used to be Christmas morning...


Do you put up a tree and when? If not, how do you celebrate?

I always had a giant tree with all the kids ornaments. I bought one every year for them from birth on. I now have them all packed away to give them.


Does your tree have a theme?

Now I have a little pink tree and I have pink, white and silver homemade ornaments.


What has been your favorite gift to give? to receive?

I love to make things for my family that will be special to them. Gift buying for others especially the little kids, is my favorite thing in the world. watching them with their special thing from maga (their word for grandma) is the best gift in the world for me. I have really missed being able to do that this last year!

Fall colors, Fall swaps!

Even though it is Fall, we had snow two days ago...I like it for a day or two and today it is back to the beautiful Fall weather. It is my favorite time of year. Time to wear all my favorite flannel pj bottoms, my favorite big soft tshirts and flip flops...and that is what I wear to work! heehee...Cuddling up with a quilt and reading...Of course I do that all year but it just seems so much cozier....To get me in the spirit of Autumn, I actually joined two Fall swaps.


The first one was a Shabby Fall Bag swap...My partner was CJ. I recognized her name right away. We finally realized that we are both in Fiber Art Traders. I swear I have been her partner in something, but I cant remember what. What I do know, Is she needs to get a blog!!!!!!!



We have had so much fun getting to know each other thru emails..She is one of those people you just wish lived closer! We have a lot of things in common. I think we both made the perfect bags for each others taste.





















CJ made me this beautiful bag from some drapes that she had. I love the colors and the beautiful pleating the bag has...I immediately put all my things in it and changed bags. She told me she makes a lot of bags for gifts. Especially during Christmas. I could tell, it is made beautifully.























She also made a mixed media heart, (I love hearts) some little charms, fibers, silk fabrics and some monogrammed goodies and little shells. I love getting little bits of things to use in projects....

Here is what I made for Cj...





















No pattern of course. I just started by pulling scraps out of my basket in colors that to me, looked like fall..I lined it with some of my hoarded, favorite green silk.


I am hooked on these mug rugs with the pockets. They are fun to put little things in. CJ told me she threw her coaster away and put her coffee mug right on it in her studio.






















Here is her fall package...I sent her a bag book that I had and have used to get ideas...Remember, I cant follow a pattern!
















I also joined Shawnee's Fall table runner swap. This is the one that took five times of sewing and ripping it apart to make...But I did it, I did it! I made the runner a matching banner and I really tried to match the colors of my partners dining room!















It was really worth the effort because I love how it turned out....


















She hasnt gotten it yet, and I cant wait to hear what she thinks!

Well, now I am going to go take advantage of the beautiful weather and take my dogs for a walk...Happy Fall all.....Melinda

Hey everyone..Happy Halloween

I have the perfect Halloween post, but first I have to say two things....Number one is if there were a dingbat costume I would've humbly wore it...Lately I put something away so I can find it and then I cant remember where I put it!
The second thing is I cannot follow a quilt pattern. I made a table runner and it turned out gorgeous..However, the pattern said you could pour a cup of tea and by the time you were done with it, the top would be done...Let's put it this way, I couldve grown the tea, harvested the leaves, dried them and drank a gallon...I had to take it apart five times to figure out what I was doing wrong...jeesh...
I had some of the cutest little trick or treaters tonight...One little guy was so precious...I miss my grand kids...I miss trick or treating with them!
I joined Aunt pitty pats halloween tote swap and she was my partner! We both have our packages so I thought I would share....She sent me the most adorable bag and mug rug with a zombie on it...I have used it as a book bag all week and taken it to work and everyone thought it was adorable!

















And here is the whole package....She sent me a cellophane bag of candy too...It is not here in full, because I either ate it or forgot where I put it...I especially love the little black cat pin keep!


















I sent her a tote, a mug rug with the same fabric and some little goodies...


















The mug rug actually was an accident, but it ended up with little pockets on one side and I thought it was really cool!






















Here is the whole thing before I mailed it....















I really enjoyed this swap..it made me feel like a kid and I LOVE orange.....


I also have made THE tablerunner and I was in the shabby chic fall bag swap and my partner an I both just loved our bags, in fact I immediatly cleaned out my blackhole of a bag and switched...I will post the other two swaps in my next post...Watch out for zombies......