Artist Feature--Farragio

I have nothing good in my life to blog about, and it's been a while since I've done this, so I'm going to do a little artist feature from Etsy.

Angela of Farragio is from House Springs, MO and has a very interesting Etsy profile telling of her crafting adventures and her "neruotic pugs" (those are her words).  Her shop is just as lovely as her profile with yoga mat bags, makeup bags and other wonderful tote-ables.  Best of all, she helps out Etsians like me who don't have any sales.  I think she has tweeted for me at least twice, and I greatly appreciate it.  Someone who makes such awesome stuff AND helps out the little guy is always a winner in my book. 

To go to her profile and then her shop click here -->Farragio's Profile

And one of my favorites from her shop is this yoga mat bag:

Go check her out.  She's got really cute stuff!

Video Stitch Directory

Here are a few short videos that illustrate different stitches used in my patterns.  These videos are meant to be refreshers and may not be the best for completely new crocheters.  I apologize for the not so great quality, but that's what happens when your camera converts all the formats.  I put some cheesy music in the background just to let you know that no one is supposed to be talking through the steps.  I have such a thick Southern accent that you probably couldn't understand me anyway!

I'll continually update this post as I add more patterns to my arsenal.

Chain Stitch

Single Crochet

Front Post Single Crochet

Back Post Single Crochet

2 Single Crochet Together

Double Crochet

Magic Ring



In the Middle of My Little Mess

I forget how big I'm blessed.

Title and first line are lyrics from a Francesca Batistelli song.  Sometimes I get so wrapped up in what's going wrong, that I forget to notice my blessings.  It's funny how God can make you realize this with the simple removal of your lab coat.  I wore short sleeves to work for the first time this year.  It's normally so cold in this lab that I need my long sleeves, and sometimes a fleece jacket, under my lab coat.  But I took my lab coat off today, felt the air on my arms, and realized how amazing it is that God renews everything every Spring.  He makes things warm when it's been so cold, He brings the sunshine out and makes the flowers bloom,  He gives us that sense of renewal that only He can offer.  So in the middle of my little messes, He remined me how big I'm actually blessed.  In case I need reminding, here's my blessings:

This is the Day that the LORD has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it.  Psalm 118:24
The weather is Bea-utiful.
I helped our youth group at church make a wonderful spaghetti lunch as a fundraiser for them to go to camp. 
I have leftover spaghetti for supper at work today.
I have two days off in the middle of the week since I'm working the weekend.
I had to go shopping yesterday before work because all of my clothes are too big for me.
I bought a size 4 skirt at a store I had worn a size 10 at.
I paid less than $20 for a skirt, a sweater and 2 shirts when I went shopping.
I'm probably going to eat lunch with my parents tomorrow.
I get to go supplies shopping again tomorrow.
I have a WONDERFUL husband who supports all my crafing adventures even though they may not be successful.
I'm going to Edisto Island this weekend to spend some time with other youth group leaders.
We will probably eat too much and laugh even more.
The next weekend I will go with my family to the mountains to celebrate my Aunt-in-law's birthday.

I could go on and on and on with my list of blessings.  I've just got to stay focused on that and not worry about the little messes.

How have you been blessed?  I'd love to know!

The Things We Do in the Name of Beauty

So Wednesday, I went to Wal-Mart.  I have avoided Wal-Mart like the plague because there are so many delightfully cheap things in there, that I always end up buying  more that what I went in for.  Plus, I usually only have time to go before work, and one can never tell how long it will take to get through the checkout line.  Anyway, I went to Wal-Mart Wednesday because a couple of weeks ago, Dave and I went on one of our reminiscent Hot Dates to Wal-Mart and I found something that I wanted.  It just wasn't in my size. 

Wednesday, for the first time in my nearly 25 years of life, I bought a black string bikini. 

Not just the top either, I've had one of those, I bought the bottoms too, you know, the ones that if you're around the wrong person, will come untied.  This comes off the heels of a nearly 25 lb weight loss over the past year or so.  I still have 2 lbs to go before I meet my goal, but maybe this bikini is just the shove I needed.

So, in the name of looking good in said bikini, I started excising again yesterday.  Most of my weight loss has been diet related, so when I exercised yesterday, I got sore today.  I can't even sneeze without wincing.  And here's the kicker, I was doing the Wii Fit.  I know, I'm so lame.  

It just amazes me sometimes what we women will do just to look nice.  What's even crazier is the fact that I'm married and still trying to do this junk.  I'm not even trying to catch any fish, I have my big fish and I'm quite happy with him.  I don't want another fish.  Granted, it is nice to try to get healthier so that you can play with your future young'uns, but, man, I hate exercising.  Oh well.  I'll probably do it all over again tomorrow.        

Freebie Tuesday?

It's just barely still Tuesday anyway.  I've determined that it's been waaaaay too long since I've had a Freebie Friday, so I made today Freebie Tuesday.  Plus I just trying to get stuff marked off my to-do list.  I know, ulterior motive.  Anyway, today's freebie is an SVG and JPEG file of a daisy.  They look especially cute with a brass brad stuck through the center and fastened to another piece of paper, or a lab coat, whichever.  Here you go!  These are Google Docs Files.  To download the SVG, click "File" in the upper left hand corner and then click "Download Original."  To download the JPEG, just click "Download" in the upper left hand corner.  Again, please let me know if these don't work.

Daisy SVG

Daisy JPEG

Have fun crafting!

Back from Running Away

So I came home.  I didn't really want to, but I did.  It was very refreshing just to get away from everything except my husband and just relax.  We saw 6 shows in 2 days at Dollywood, all of which were very good, though I must admit my favorites were Los Pampas Gauchos and DRUM!  I ate more than any one human being should, but it's ok, I was on vacation.  I got a cute new dress and a new pair of squishy flip flops at the outlets and Dave finally got a pair of tennis shoes that are wide enough for him.  He also got two new shirts since he forgot to pick his shirts up off the bed before we left!  Then, there's Jo Ann's...

I made my first visit to Jo Ann's fabrics.  I must admit, I was a little lost.  I'm just learning how to sew, so I wanted some cheap fabric that I can mess up.  I ended up with some bolt ends and a few fat quarters that were on sale.  That should do me for a little while.  I also picked up some PUL for one of my friends who wants to make cloth diapers for her adorable little one.  And I got two yards of this because it was on clearance

It had been $8 a yard and I got it for about $3.50 since it's "Valentine's"  fabric.  It looks fine for any time to me.  So I'm saving it for when I really know how to sew.  I think I may make a duffel bag out of it. 

Just the rest a relaxation, as cliche as it sounds, was the best part of my weekend.  I made myself forget any obligations to work, Etsy and any other crafting besides the purchase of some fabric.  I have a new drive to get my patterns finished.  Once I get that finished I can start new projects.  I have limited myself in this way.  There are way too many unfinished projects in my Zebra Bag.