Okay, trying again, haha

So, I am unsure if anyone still reads this, but I am going to try this blogging thing again. I have been super busy lately. Little Monster started Summer break and I started a new job. I feel like I hardly ever have time to craft anymore. But I am going to try and change that. I used to babysit on Thursdays and Fridays of every week, but had to stop when the girls started fighting so much that we worried about the state of their friendship. I have those 2 days off of work, so I am thinking Thursdays will be craft day and Fridays will be Mommy and Monster days. My hopes for this blog are mainly a place for me to get my thoughts out, but also to post about my crafting and perhaps post a how-to every now and then. I think my first big "project" will be to get my crafting area under control. It is an insane mess. I know crafty areas are supposed to be somewhat dishevled, but this is beyond that. I will post before and after photos and of course if any craftiness is involved I will post about that as well. My biggest thing I need to tackle is a place for my fabric and ribbon. Also, I must do something with the pegboard! I am going to hit a few thrift stores and yard sales this weekend after I get paid Friday and see what I can find. I tend to think of myself as a fairly creative person, so I am sure I will figure it all out. Anyway, off to snuggle my Monster! Until next time!!

Who says you can't go home?

So little monster and I have been back in Ohio for 2 months now. We live with my Mom now and occupy the main room of the basement. It's a decent size really and even has a half bathroom and a (nonworking) fireplace. This room allows both of us to have a sleeping area, her with a twin sized day bed and me with a queen sized futon; a total of 4 dressers, 2 each; her giant toy chest, a book case, mini fridge, a seating area with a giant chair and a bean bag chair, a place for the TV stand AND my favorite, a crafting corner (complete with pegboard!) This area we have has so much potential and I cannot wait to get it just the way I want it.

 I am still planning on getting this blog going again and have many projects coming up that I can't wait to share! One project I am working on that will take quite awhile for me to complete is a Harry Potter paper piecing quilt. I am a couple weeks behind on this project but plan on catching up soon. Here is a pic of one of the blocks I have pieced so far:

I have, I believe, pieced 3 blocks so far. However, I don't have pictures of them at this time. This will be such a fun project and I cannot wait to complete it!

I am still making other things to sell on my Etsy store. Here are some new items available now:

I have been working on so much lately. I am attempting to make Goddess dolls and still have to perfect the pattern but here is a rough draft of it so far:

I want to make the body longer and the hip area wider.

Well, that's what I have been up to lately! :) Next week, I start babysitting 4 wonderful kids 2 days a week. I am so excited, though I have never looked after 5 kids (my monster will be with us) before. But I am confident I can do it. I love these kids and they love me. I can't wait to teach them different crafts and do activities with them. I will, of course, update here as often as I can. Well, happy crafting! Until next time <3

I'm baaaack!!

That was quite the little hiatus I took, but I am now back and ready to blog! So many new things I am working on, and so many things that have happened. I haven't a clue where to begin either, ha!! I would like to first say, I am back in frigid cold Ohio. 6 months in Florida was nice, but I missed my friends, family, and knowing how to get somewhere without the use of my GPS. Not to mention more than 1 season is ideal. Well, I guess Florida has 2, rain and hell. Where as we have many, cold, Hoth, hot, rain, and fall. LOL. But, seriously, I am glad to be back and can't wait to get back in to crafting and blogging. :)

Busy, busy, busy!

   I have been so super busy lately, I swear my brain is going to explode! We are getting so close to the big move, and the closer we get the more hectic things get! I am trying to get the organizing done so we can pack, trying to get the driving thing done so I can get my license, and trying to schedule time with all the people we want to see before we leave...all while crafting on the side! 

   About 2 weeks ago I signed the title to a new to me car, a 2001 Kia Optima that previously belonged to my Aunt. I have spent quite a bit of time in the car getting ready for my drivers test on July 9th at 2:00pm. Super excited and super nervous!! I think I am mostly nervous about the maneuverability aspect of the test more than the actual driving. But I am determined to pass!! 

    
 
   I started a crochet project that I actually intend to finish! I learned the bobble stitch after stumbling on this blog, colourinasimplelife. I love all her designs and patterns and am currently working on her puffed daisy hexagon pattern. I plan to do at least 2 daisies a day and eventually join them to make a blanket/throw. This is the first non generic pattern I have ever done and it turn out properly. And by generic, I mean the patterns I did before consisted of nothing but simple stitches like double crochets, treble crochets or single crochets, haha. Also, I think this project will be the perfect thing to work on on the drive to Florida, since reading in a moving vehicle makes me car sick.

   Speaking of Florida, we are coming up on the 2 week mark. 2 weeks from tomorrow we will begin our journey to our new lives! We are driving my car down, or rather my Dad is driving us down there in my car, and then he is flying home. Right now I am going through all of mine and my daughters things, condensing it as much as I can to fit in the trunk and back seat of my car. It's amazing how much stuff 2 girls accumulate! In my car I plan on packing, 2 adults, 1 child, 1 cat, about 6 pairs of shoes, 4 bags of clothes, about 200 books, some toys and a couple boxes of crafting supplies and bathroom supplies. I think I can do it!!  Btw, regarding the picture to the right. It's a dry erase board made from a picture frame! I simply took a plain piece of paper (you can use whatever color/pattern you wish and even fabric!) and put it in the frame, painted the frame and then used a dry erase marker on the glass of the frame! So simple and cute, plus great way to recycle old frames!!

   I am still trying to decide the look I want this blog to have so be patient if you see lots of changes on here. Eventually I will buy a URL (when I have the money to do so!), but no worries I will post about it before changing it so anyone who has bookmarked/follows this blog can update it.

-DIY/Craft- Homemade Sidewalk Paint

I have seen many pins on Pinterest regarding homemade sidewalk chalk. So I figured why not try one out?

Ingredients are super simple and you probably have them all sitting in your kitchen right now!

• Corn Starch
• Water
• Food Coloring
•  You can either use bowls or a muffin/cupcake pan to make these in. Depends on how many colors you are making and how much you want of each color.

Okay so add equal parts water and corn starch to the container(s). Mix well with a spoon, you don't want any clumps

 Then add some food coloring. It is really THAT simple

 You don't want it too runny or too thick which is why it's a good idea to stick with the equal parts water and corn starch.

Happy painting!!

Last day of school, crafting and squats!

So Wednesday I chaperoned the last field trip of the year and of my Monsters time in Ohio. We went to the library and park. It was a nice time, I helped some of the kids pick out books and even played on the playground with them! I was the only adult playing. Though I have a bruise from banging my knee on the ladder to the slide. Guess that's what I get for trying to keep up with 8 years old when I am almost 30 (1 month and 13 days!). Then Thursday was the last day of school. I cried after one of the girls came up to me and gave me a hug thanking me for everything since Kindergarten. Yeah, water works ensued. I will miss them kids when we move. Also my second grade teacher is retiring this year! So tears were had there as well. 

Monster (middle) and 2 of her BFFs

My 2nd grade teacher and myself

Monsters class at the library

So, I haven't updated about the green onion situation in some time! It worked out wonderfully and I have used them already. I am currently waiting to go to the store to get more green onions because the bulbs on the others went bad. I definitely reccomend anyone who likes saving money to try this! Also you can do it with celery as well, but we don't eat nearly enough celery to do it though.

I have been a crafting machine lately. I have made bracelets, earrings, necklaces and bookmarks. I am taking a small break due to an impending migraine though. However, the next craft project I am trying is braided headbands made from old t-shirts as seen here.  I am excited to see if I can make them. That would save me money on hair accessories and would give me something to do with all these old t-shirts I no longer wear! I love up-cycling projects!! I did a few back in December that were adorable!

Choker I made

Necklace I made

 

Earrings I made

So today is day 7 of the 30 day squat challenge. Todays number was 80. I also had to babysit all day which made it a little difficult to get much of anything done let alone 80 squats. However, I got them done! The last 20 were a doozy! My dog, Dusty, decided it would be a good idea to hump me mid squat.....yeah, it was horrible, haha. The kids thought it funny though. He is a german shepherd/border collie mix. 

Tada!

So, I have tried this whole blogging thing at least 100 times. But not going to dwell on that. Going to move on with this blog. I don't know 100% what I wish to accomplish with this blog. I do know it will have crafts, DIY, recipes and of course rants. I am a single mama so this will be a blog about parenting as well. I may even let the little monster (as I so lovingly call her) do some of the blogging once in a while! I think she would love that! There will be pictures and all kinds of fun stuff. I am really excited to try this again. And, if it doesn't work this time then I will give up the blogging thing.