Christmas is Around the Corner

With the appearance of the 12 Days of Christmas Swap on Craftster, Christmas' impending arrival has been on my mind. I've got so many ideas swimming in my head, and I just need to get them all separated out. Sooo, since I know no one in my family reads this...(does anybody?) I've decided to put up my Master list. It will most likely change, as I am a very indecisive person, but I will try to keep it updated, so I can know what I need to work on.

Master Gift List

• Karl: Ripple Blanket (have supplies)
• Randi: Butterfly Washcloth (have supplies), Granny Bag (have supplies)
• Tom: Transformer Washcloth (have supplies)
• Ken: Lady Bug Washcloth (have supplies)
• Mom: Kitchen Basket- Washcloths (have supplies), Wine Cork Trivet(need felt for bottom), Embroidered Hand Towels(need towels, embroidery floss), Sewn Cloth Coasters(need fat quarters, thread), Homemade Mini-Recipe Book(have supplies). Seraphina's Shawl(have supplies)
• Dad: Armchair Organizer (have supplies K.C. Cheifs)
• Jennifer: Slouchy Beret Hat (have supplies)
• Terry: Ipod Cozy/Case
• Trisha: Calorimetry (have supplies, use silver & blue wool)
• Jenna: Calorimetry (have supplies, use salmon wool)
• Reed: Transformer Washcloth (have supplies, maybe)
• Danny:
• Judith:
• K Mom: Kitchen Basket- Washcloths (need white cotton), Wine Cork Trivet (have corks, need felt and assemble), Embroidered Hand Towels (need towels, embroidery floss), Sewn Cloth Coasters(need fat quarters).
• K Dad: Santa Washcloth (May have red cotton)
• Jeremy:
• Angela: Fat Bottom Bag (have rings, need cotton and lining fabric)
• Shaun:
• Worker Bees:

I think I'm addicted.....

MAFSStuff 001
Originally uploaded by Lootyaj

My partner just received in the Make a Friend Swap at craftster. I think I am addicted to swapping, and the best part is when my partner receives their package! Too much fun, indeed.

I made her a set of Pac-Man dishcloths, which I am quite proud of. I really like knitting dishcloths as you get a final product pretty quickly. Which is good considering I knit so slowly. :) I made a couple of mistakes, but I like to think of them as 'happy accidents'. Gives it character.

I've signed up for another swap, too. Its the Because We Miss Harry Potter swap. I've always wanted to do a Harry Potter swap, and when this one came up, I just couldn't resist! My partner in that swap is leaving soon for a trip to Paris, so she has been busily crafting away. I've got my ideas lined out, just waiting on some supplies to arrive.

Captain Destructo

Ok, so I know I really do love my puppy. But today he was very, very bad. I was busy working on my swap package for my partner in the Make a Friend Swap, when I had to put my work down to make dinner. All of the sudden, my youngest daughter said, "Momma, whats this?" as she holds up one end of my ball of yarn. Needless to say, it was too late for the needles.... He's lucky he's cute.

Speaking of the Make a Friend Swap, I'm almost finished with my package, and hope to send by Monday. Just in case Miss Melissa is stalking........ here's a peek:

New addition to the family!

I can hear the collective "Awwww!" now!

Karl and I have been looking for a puppy for about 6 months now. We were very particular in what we wanted, so it took a while to find just the right pup. Well, last weekend, I got up early Sunday morning and read the paper and found someone who had 5 brindle Boxer boys. I could barely contain myself! Karl was supposed to be sleeping in, so I waited patiently until about 7:30 when he got up to go to the bathroom. I very slowly explained that someone had advertised puppies in the paper, and when he woke up we should call. Well, that was it for him! He was wide awake and as excited as I was. After a long day of waiting, we finally got a call back and were given directions to the farm. It was about 95 miles away, so we loaded up the kids, grabbed some movies for them to watch, and headed off. When we got to the farm, the kids were in hog heaven. The nice owners were kind enought to answer all of their questions on farm life and raising dogs. They showed them the corn burning stove, which just amazed Thomas. He had no idea you could burn corn for fuel. Anyway, the minute we saw Leo, we knew he was the one. He slept on my lap on the way home, and I was smitten.

He was so excited to meet Jolee, that he needed a little rest. Look at his little white nose and toes!

"Are you my Mother?"

Its Been A While

Wow, I finally got access to this blog after forgetting all of my log in info and moving email address'. To be honest, I didn't really try until the other day.

Anyway, so much has changed since I wrote last. I no longer get to stay at home with the kidlets. I am the Guest Service Manager at the Topeka Ramada Hotel and Convention Center. Matter of fact, I am writing now from work. Yes, it is 5:00 am and I am still awake from last night. :)

My babies are all getting big. My oldest is 11, middle is 9, and the youngest is 7. Holy Moly how time flys!

I still spend most all of my free time crafting. I've perfected my crocheting abilities, and have recently started working on learning to knit. So far I've completed one washcloth. I'm so very proud of myself!

I am currently working on a Dark Mark Illusion Scarf. I've completed the first chart and am working on chart #2. I've actually put it down for a bit as I wanted to complete a Calorimetry, but I think I may frog that one and finish what I've started. Nothing like having 10 projects going at once.

I've also found the best website ever! Ravelry is where I spend most of my time, anymore. I still frequent Craftster daily, but I just love love love the organizational tools Ravelry has to offer.

So long for now!

Another day, another opportunity.

Hmmm. I ought to start thinking this way and embrace the good fortune that I have. I am an intelligent person, and I am not needed at home as much as I would like. I am needed in the workforce. Although I would love to do my crafts full time, I know that it is unrealistic of me to expect to be able to do it at this time. Times are too tough, and my husband is cracking under the pressure. Justin called me last night and said that he can get me a job up at the hospital. I hope this is the case, even though I interviewed with them 3 weeks ago and they chose not to hire me. I did tell them that I only wanted part time. This position is full time, three 12 hour shifts a week. Sounds good, I am just worried that I won't be able to work a 12 hour shift. It is secretarial work in the ER. And I would be working with Liz. She's cool, nice, just a different type of person than who I am used to being around. But, change is good. You grow from change. I certainly have only grown fatter as I sit on my ass.

Good Reads

I recently finished reading The Great Tree of Avalon: Child of the Dark Prophecy. This was one of those books that once I started, it was hard to put down. The first day I got it I read over 100 pages! The characters are great, the story-line was easy to follow. I love that I got a bookmark with the map of Avalon, which made it easier to understand alot of what was going on.

This book is set in a new world that Merlin the Wizard created. It is a little hard to follow and reason how exactly they live on a huge tree that is as big as earth. Some of the directions got confusing to me, but other than that I followed the plot easily. I love the different types of creatures that T.A. Barron created and am eager to read the next installment!

What a Fucking Mess!

I am starting to appriciate my husband's curse of cleaning. Yesterday I was completely wiped out with cramps and a 3 year old and didn't get the house straightened before bed. Now I am going to live the reprocussions of this. Here is a preliminary list of chores I HAVE to complete today.

1. Load and Run Dishwasher (done)
2. Wipe down all counters/table.
3. Sweep/Mop kitchen floor.
4. Pack up 85% of all kids toys.
5. Vacuum Randi and Thomas' Room
6. Move Beds from Bunk to side-by-side.
7. Sweep/Mop Kennedi's Room.
8. My office is horrible. I need to clean it out and make room for the TV again----no tv in kids rooms!
9. Laundry, fold, and PUT AWAY!
10. Vacuum, Vacuum, Vacuum.
11. Clean out piggie cage

Ok, so this is just a starting point, but I already have doubts about my abilities to do this. Yesterday was a HELL day with me and the kids. I am tired of screaming, so I am taking all of the toys and packing them up. They are going to have to learn to behave and get along before they can start getting their stuff back.

Looking Glass Tattoo and Gallery

My brother's girlfriend, Judith, is opening a shop, title above. She is having major problems with the Kansas State Board of Cosmotology getting her license. We think it is because the co-owner of one of the TWO shops in town in on the Board. I feel it is a great conflict of interest for this person to serve on this board. Here is an article where they boast about how they were the ones to get the law passed and how they ran all of the other businesses out of town/state.

"He saw a marked decrease of tattooists in Kansas after the regulation passed.
"They left the state like rafts leaving a sinking ship," he said, as he filled in a Harley-Davidson tattoo on the left arm of St. George resident Cliff Mahan."

Hell yeah they saw a marked decrease...because you have to go through his WIFE to get a license. Also, as the statute dictates....you must attend a board certified school to recieve this license, however, they have not approved any schools, anywhere. Which leaves you to the other option of apprenticing under a licensed instructor.....guess who.....yup owners of fat line tattoo. Humph!

Anyway, she is an artist and plans to open her gallery until she gets her license. I gave her a set of Marble Magnets, and she said she may consign some of my stuff.... YEAH BABY. My things I think I can make to sell are:

Marble Magnet sets.
AOL CD candle holders
Lighted Blender fishtank...

I wanna do these projects.....

Ok, so alot of these will probably NOT get done, but I still have to put all of my ideas down somewhere.....so......:

1. A-line Mini Skirt: I am drafting my own pattern for this, I got a whole bunch of black fabric from Goodwill the other day, and when I get some hot pink thread I plan to put it together. EDIT: I bought some black thread tonight, I am thinking of using pink embroidery thread for some sort of accent. Maybe applique something on it????

2. Finish hem (tie waist?) for sheet skirt.

3. Mini-Duffles: These would make good gifts, I haven't decided on a fabric yet....

4. Pleated Mini: I need to loose about 20 lbs before i can make wone from me, but Angela could sooo pull this look off.

5. Stuffed Felt Monsters: I have the felt for this project, I want to design my own monster, I need to sit down and get this going...

6. Messenger Bag: I took apart a coat I got from the Goodwill store, this really great grey/brown color.......with a lining that I can use to line the bag. I've never done a bag of this magnitude, with lining and all, I'm sure it will take a while to start this project. I really need some interfacing so my bag stands up, so will wait for the $ to roll in :(

7. Lacoste top: I have cut up a blue, red, and white striped shirt to do this project, I just need matching thread.

8. Knotted Shag & 'Strung Shag' Rag Rugs I think that I can make a 'loom' to do this on...

9. Knitting Needle Case

10. Fall Wrap