Craftyminx

dried rose revamp...

So I discovered this last weekend, but I haven't been able to write about it yet. Did you know you could revive dried flowers? I really didn't think I would ever want to do such a thing, but I have my reasons. In college I belonged to a sorority that gave you a rose for every event; rush, initiation, special events, etc. So of course I dried all of them and had them in a vase. I also had another vase of all the flowers I received from my mother at my senior recital. Flowers are special so I like to keep them around. Its been a couple of years and they were getting rather dusty. (forgive the messy desk) I was cleaning my room and trying to get everything organized for the holidays when I decided I couldn't stand to have these setting around collecting dust anymore.

I had pressed some petals between cardboard pieces a couple of months ago and kicked myself for not drying these roses that way.

So I got an idea, and it totally worked!!!

There are a couple of ways to approach this.

1. The easy- Remove the rose head from the stem and stick the whole flower into a bowl of water. This will require outer petal removal about and hour in so the inner petals can get to the water.
2. The dangerous- remove each petal from the dried flower and add them to the water. This is kind of hard to do and you can easily break petals. Especially in the center where they are so close together. Be careful when you get to the center, all the dried insides (stamens and pistils) are a pain if they get into the water.
   
3. A combo- Start off by taking the whole flower off the stem and twisting the stem area while holding the flower. This will loosen the flower petals from the green part that holds it together (forgive my lack of appropriate rose terminology) and will keep the shape of the rose. Take off the bottom and pour out the stamens and pistils to throw away. Put the flower head into the water. Taking them apart this way allows the water to reach the inside as well and you won't have to painstakingly remove petals every hour. Soak them for a good two to three hours, moving them around often and taking off any petals that have already been revived.
   

Keep the petals in the water until they are pliable and feel like they were just plucked from a fresh rose. This does happen I promise, but it could take a few hours. They will repel the water for quite awhile, but be patient.

When some petals become pliable enough, move them to a piece of cardboard or a stack of paper towels. I steal pre-cut cardboard pieces from the trash at work. Or even better-- dry them off with paper towels then lay them on the card board. When a piece is full add another piece and stack them up with petals.

Once you've finished stacking place one more piece of cardboard on top and add a couple of heavy books to the top. Now forget about it. Really... just leave them be for a week or so. When you are ready to remember about them you will have pressed rose petals that you can add to paper, or bottles for decoration, or any other kind of crafty thing you can think of.

I added mine to my 21st birthday booze bottle as a temporary home, until I figure out how to make paper.

Just call me freak attack...

Hearing the statement "something's wrong with you" or any variation on that is hard enough to hear from your doctor. For me, however, the worst possible thing that could come out of my doctor's mouth is "blood work." Those two little words can send me in to hysteria faster than just about anything. I cried and freaked the doctor out. I had to have a nurse in the room as well as the lab tech to take my blood. They were all really nice. The tech even used the pediatric needle for me. I still had a freak out session and they wouldn't let me pass out. And they still tell me my anxiety is nothing and I just need to breathe. Oh well. I made it home after waiting in the room for 20 minutes or so and taking a rest break on the drive home from shawnee. I'm ok now, just slightly woozy with a sore arm. My boss said I sounded as though I'd been through hell (and in my world, I had) and take the rest of the day off. So here I am trying to type while my arm throbs and trying to talk myself into knitting. I haven't had anything on the needles since Christmas morning. Maybe I could ball up my violet's pink ribbon yarn and get ready for some socks. Or maybe I'll just go lie down some more.

Add some pep to your step

This is my small tutorial on how I added the batting and non-slip soles to the bottom of my bunny slippers from the happy hooker pattern. What you need:

• quilt batting
• scissors
• needle and thread
• non-slip shelf liner (the no adhesive kind that just grips onto the shelf and dishes, etc) just about the best stuff ever. Make sure you get the good kind that doesn't rip or tear easily. Otherwise they won't last very long.
• your finished bunny pieces not sewn together. I'm sure this would work with any other slipper pattern as well though.

1. Get your finished slipper pieces and your batting.
2. double or even triple your batting by folding it.
3. Cut the batting down to size- you want it to be a little smaller than the bottom sole.
4. Cut the shelf liner into what ever shape you want. I chose hearts. Be creative.
5. position the shelf liner on the bottom of the sole and the batting on the top and sew together with needle and thread. I just used a simple running stitch. Mine got a little off center, but it doesn't really matter. After its been sewn together you can't really feel where the batting is. You can pin it if you need to.
6. Follow the pattern with the slipper top and the upper sole then whip stich to the top of the bottom sole with batting in the middle.

Voila, Happy cushiony feet!

I feel as though its been forever...

And it has. I have no pictures on my main page. That never happens. I should really post some so I'll try to catch up. I've been sick, but my yarn has been here to make me happy. I have big plans for casting on this week since I'm finished with the gifting. Lets have a rundown of the gifts, shall we? (well the ones I can officially post pics of right now)

Gypsy's socks

woot sexy legs!
Sensational knitted socks (one of the toe-up patterns with short row heels)
US 1.5 dpns
Austermann Step yarn- yep that's the stuff with Aloe Vera and Jojoba Oil in THE YARN!!! Its pretty much the best feeling sock yarn ever. So SOFT! It was hard to give them away. If they had fit my fat calves they would probably still be in my possession. Sorry friend, I'm selfish.

Bunny Slippers

Happy hooker - fluffy Bunny Slippers
mods: Do I make anything without my own little modifications? I added a couple more rows or so to each layer to make them bigger. I added a layer of batting in between the upper and lower sole so they are extra fluffy. I also added a slip-proof bottom. Well I hope its slip proof I didn't exactly test them out or anything. (I will post a tutorial soon on how I did all this. The pics are on flickr right now just waiting to be put up. I've been sick, sorry)
J hook
Lion brand jiffy yarn in Light pink. (2 and a half skeins)

Crocheted hat and keyhole scarf set

So he pretty much hated it but I thought it was adorable! He was screaming his head off in this picture (hence the back shot) and I didn't get any other pictures of it because I was sick and not thinking (oh yeah I will use that excuse for everything that I did this weekend haha). Cheryl if you get any pictures of it please send them my way.

Hat- yarncat's barstow hat. I've been using this one a lot lately.
I hook, simply soft yarn in country blue.
Modifications- I skipped round seven on the crown, since it was for a toddler. and I only used one color.

Scarf- My own creation. Lets see if I can remember what I did. hmmm
I think I used a J hook. Sorry... sickness.
ch 14
hdc in 3rd ch from hook and hdc across. Cont with hdc until you have about 2 feet or so( or however long you want it to be. I kind of just turned it in on itself to see how much it would hang once it was around a neck and went from there) then make the key hole by doing 2 hdc, skip 8 and chain 8, 2 hdc in last 2 spots. Then continue with hdcs for about half a foot or so. Really easy. And very cute!

I've already told you all about this one, but my cousin and her husband definitely enjoyed the sweater and hat. Or they're really good actors. She said she'd send me pictures of him in it when he is born.

Pictures I still have to get and or post:
Bek's present
Bri and Joey's hats and her stuff that she still hasn't received yet (and I haven't made yet. Oops)
Mom's button necklace and earrings (my scanner is still broken so I have to wait until she can take scans of them at the farm)
Madison with her cat toys

Sorry for the picture size difference. Some of the pictures were taken with my old camera and some with the new (big ones are new) I'm still not used to the new camera. Like you can't tell. I think its too smart for me. I'm definitely not comfortable using it yet. There are just too many damn settings.

With all the giving, I was glad to get some things as well. This is a picture of the greatest gift ever that I got from Hillary.

My mom is now a hello kitty enabler

This post is going to be long. I'll just go ahead and fill you in on the rest of my weekend. I organized my stash. It only got a wee bit out of control...
Before:

What was in the corner and the two bags from the closet.
After:

Its all in 6 drawers woot! And I'm getting rid of TWO bags! Get ready Southside hookers its all coming your way.

Labels: crochet, knitting, stash, yarn

Long day

So I've done a lot of craft related things today and have pictures uploaded on flickr to prove it. But I'm too tired to post about it all right now. Why am I tired you ask? I am tired because, I've spent hours today trying to get my scanner to work. Its still not working! I can't remember a time when I couldn't fix something having to do with my computer. I feel defeated and am going to bed.

Before I go to bed though, I would like to invite you to go to church online tomorrow morning at lifechurch.tv 's internet campus at 10:00 or 11:30 CST (or physical campus if there's one close to you). I went tonight to and it was amazing! The Christmas music was rockin and Pastor Craig talked about the true meaning of Christmas (a little different that what you would think) all while showing clips of great Christmas movies. It was great fun.

Christmas Time is Here...

Christmas Meme:

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate?
Hot chocolate, I'm not a fan of egg nog. Well, that is unless there's enough alcohol to kill the taste of anything else. Oh what the hey, just pass me a bottle of whiskey.

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just set them under the tree?
In our house Santa just sat them under the tree, because my mom didn't like wrapping. In fact Santa still comes to our house.

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white?
White. I have an aversion to colored lights especially chasing or blinking lights of any kind. The A.D.D. doesn't like it.

4. Do you hang mistletoe?
Yes

5. When do you put your decorations up?
Usually the day after Thanksgiving. We didn't decorate at all this year, because we thought we might be moving.

6. What is your favorite holiday dish?
Broccoli cheese casserole and fresh baked rolls (YUM Carbs!)

7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child:
The year my dad bought me a gun and I thought it was a keyboard. Famous quote, "You got me a GUN????" I was ten. I think he was still hoping I'd turn into a boy.

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?
My cousin told me and I cried. That meanie.

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?
Yes

10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree?
Big: With white lights, Beads (NO TINSEL! I have an aversion to that as well) and handmade ornaments. little desk tree: Hello kitty ornaments and brightly colored glass balls.

11. Snow! Love it or Dread it?
I like looking at it, but hate getting out in it.

12. Can you ice skate?
I have before, but its not something I do all the time.

13. Do you remember your favorite gift?
The My Little Pony dream house complex. I used that for years and years. I think I was finally able to sell it a few years ago. I'm kind of a pack rat.

14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you?
Making gifts. Edible and others. I feel its important to show people that you like them and care for them enough to make them something.

15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert?
Pumpkin Roll

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition?
There are a few. When I was little it was making pie for Santa. He was apparently tired of cookies by the time he got to my house. Later was a gift wrapping war that I had with my cousin's husband. He won with layers of concrete, spray foam insulation, and duct tape. Since he won with that one, My holiday tradition is watching as many cheesy Christmas movies that I can.

17. What tops your tree?
Big: snowflake
little desk tree: A plastic hello kitty ballerina.

18. Which do you prefer: giving or receiving?
Giving

19. What is your favorite Christmas Song?
I've already posted this, but its Whiteheart's Little Drummer Boy.

20. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum?
Yum! I like the mint ones, but I'm a sucker for the ones that have rainbow stripes and taste like cherry.

Ok my friends, your turn to share your Christmas traditions with the blogging world.

Labels: meme

I forgot to get documentation!

I crocheted two hats today. Well let me rephrase... I finished the hat I was making my friend, Bri. Then I (with the help from Gypsy) decided said hat should actually go to her fiance Joey and that I should make Bri another hat in opposite colors. The first hat was grey with a red stripe. So I started the Red w/ grey stripe hat this afternoon at work. Bri came over tonight and I casually asked her when she was leaving to go see the fiance. Turns out she leaves Thursday for her family Christmas shindig then leaves from there to go see Joey. I had to finish the hat tonight, while she was still at my house. I whipped that sucker out in 3 hours or less. It took me about 3 times that to finish the first one. I tend to be slow when I'm not under pressure. Go figure. So now my friend and her fiance have matching red and grey hats. (SO CUTE! right?) I was very tempted to write his and hers on them like the knit.1 sweaters, but I was able to resist temptation.

In the process of hurrying this project along, I forgot to take pictures. I know Bri will take pics of them wearing the finished hats looking all cute and engaged, but what if she doesn't? I have been very weird lately about making sure everything I make is documented. Probably because there are a lot of people that believe this hobby should not take the place of my musical talents. I believe I should have substantial support on my behalf that crafting is more rewarding to me because it produces tangible evidence of my talent. We won't get on that tangent though.

I'm off work tomorrow! I'm planning on doing non-stop knitting with a break to buy some handbell music for the next year. I'm the director starting Jan. 8th. Exciting, though I'd honestly rather be playing. But anyways. Yay for no work! I hope to finish everything tonight and tomorrow!

Labels: crochet

A light at the end of the tunnel

I've finished one sock. I only have about 4 inches left on the other one. I have to finish a crocheted hat and a scarf, some crocheted bunny slippers, and my mother's gift, then I think I'm finished. I'm glad I got all of the knitting out of the way. Crochet goes sooo much faster.

I got a package today as well! yay my Japanese knitting book "Winter Knit Item Book" from superbuzzy came in. There are a lot of really cute things in it. I'm all ready to make some of the hats and scarfs in it. And luckily one of the ladies in my crochet group can help with the knitting patterns (which still have diagrams, but aren't as easy to read as the crochet patterns) because she is from Japan. Woot! They sent a piece of Kasugai candy with it. I'm excited to try it, I'm not sure what flavor it is. I'll share when I've tasted it.

I can't wait until Christmas is over so I can start knitting socks for myself. I'm only slightly excited that my violet's pink ribbon yarn came in!

Labels: crochet, Japanese crafts, knitting

damn short row...

Ok so I've done one heel already. I didn't like the p3tog through the back loop. I was dreading this on the second sock. I've decided I loathe the p3tog tbl! I just think I knit too tight to do it without worrying about snapping my brittany dpn in half. Maybe I should get some metal needles for short row heels... I just like how short the Brittany dpns are. I haven't seen any others that short. Who sells short (5") metal dpns?

*an hour later*
Ok I take it back. I guess I just needed a break to think about it and let my hands rest. I took the stuff out that I had messed up and I started over. I had forgot to slip the purl-side sets knitwise before slipping the wraps over and doing the p3tog tbl. YAY! I've been able to have ultimate power over my knitting again!

I got a package today!!!

Guess what was inside???

YARN!!!! Lisa Souza yarn in the Violet's pink ribbon colorway.

Isn't it pretty? I can't wait to make some socks. I'm just a little sad that I can't cast on now. I have to finish Gypsy's socks before I dare let myself start on my own. Sad day. Once I finish the heel it will be easy breezy from there. I started the heel tonight at a handbell gig. I play handbells did I ever mention that? Ok must get working on socks. socks socks socks.

Labels: socks, yarn