tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47390553238967729142024-03-12T23:27:07.140-04:00♥ ♥ ♥ SoSaje ♥ ♥ ♥One mother's journey through the endless cycle of housekeeping chores ... just trying to come up with a little time to play with the sewing machine.SoSajehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09458241369068554709noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4739055323896772914.post-90077354700017987512010-07-07T17:42:00.000-04:002010-07-07T17:42:13.786-04:00Seriously, can you handle a sandwich this awesome?!Bam! I have just kicked the grilled cheese sandwich up a notch.<br />
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Yes, it's a spiral. Just when you thought <a href="http://sosaje.blogspot.com/2010/02/geometry-at-lunch.html">grilled cheese</a> couldn't get any more fantastic. Snack on that!!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0WV3qDHM-02wfXFmhjqfm_Q5QfKsEL-gYGgnYgFyz5W4mcMs9pX6nMtCzp8prxQ-QAZZBxsGk7Ra7uOdWkMVLPR3D7gESDhj2oscLwjToFJ8gXLQ1JcsYJd-PZGZdXy9R-kCtz3IKDQdI/s1600/big+spiral-expanded.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0WV3qDHM-02wfXFmhjqfm_Q5QfKsEL-gYGgnYgFyz5W4mcMs9pX6nMtCzp8prxQ-QAZZBxsGk7Ra7uOdWkMVLPR3D7gESDhj2oscLwjToFJ8gXLQ1JcsYJd-PZGZdXy9R-kCtz3IKDQdI/s320/big+spiral-expanded.jpg" /></a></div>SoSajehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09458241369068554709noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4739055323896772914.post-74572528772513166592010-06-27T00:13:00.001-04:002010-06-27T00:41:30.450-04:00Contagious Crochet, Part IIOne of the first things I gleefully unpacked after our move was my yarn and crochet hooks. And after four months of being yarn-deprived, it's more like crack than crochet! I've been on a tear since then - whipping out cotton scrubby washcloths and trivets like no one's business. Well, except of course, that I'm about to post lots of pictures and totally make it your business. If you're interested, that is! :-)<br />
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I made my first flower trivets before Christmas, and they became gifts for LOTS of people, shown here wrapped around a small jar of crazy-good dill dip mix.<br />
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I also played with making a few small coordinated sets, each including a flower trivet and two washcloths. (One washcloth is a plain flat double crochet sheet, and the other is the <a href="http://sosaje.blogspot.com/2010/01/contagious-crochet.html">nubby scrubby pattern</a> that I came up with while recycling a failed bath scrubby!) These were considered highly experimental, and only distributed to a select few who I could trust with their honest but loving feedback.<br />
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Well, this time around, I've taken it up a notch and am now working on <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/50087805/crochet-cotton-washcloths-trivets-five">sets of five pieces</a>. One round flower trivet, the same two square washcloths and two granny style washcloths as well. Ta da!!<br />
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The four square washcloths are my own patterns and design. The round flower trivet is made from a pattern by Maggie Weldon, of www.maggiescrochet.com. <br />
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The inspiration for this was finding the natural ecru cotton yarn on a huge 14 oz CONE and going :: Wow, I could make a TON of washcloths with this! And I totally am. :-)<br />
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My design philosophy has changed slightly, incorporating the brighter colors more as accents than as central elements. I've also tweaked the patterns some to achieve more uniformity of size through the set. I'm just having so much fun with these things it's getting a little ridiculous. So far I've knocked out five full sets - three of them in the new color scheme with blue/green, red/green and pink/purple.<br />
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I'm hoping to take them outside (in the new backyard!) and get some better photos soon. These were taken indoors, but will have to suffice for now.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT_CvNtjUeDjd0KvOMba5SqU-XM80c9DLKUWWdIXme_-ZC8N5aTI-mF0PZH0wt6CYK_7Y3W157caUmfimOT_Y8lRc2n65riQxn6EkwsfY3Fam2P-wFxUFa8clQoV_n1sEVSRbC_6edkUef/s1600/CIMG2275-crop+square.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT_CvNtjUeDjd0KvOMba5SqU-XM80c9DLKUWWdIXme_-ZC8N5aTI-mF0PZH0wt6CYK_7Y3W157caUmfimOT_Y8lRc2n65riQxn6EkwsfY3Fam2P-wFxUFa8clQoV_n1sEVSRbC_6edkUef/s320/CIMG2275-crop+square.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Like 'em? LOVE 'em? Wanna get 'em in your colors?! They are now available in my <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/sosaje">Etsy shop</a>. Woo hoo! I'm happy to make a set just for you, as shown, or in pretty much any color combination you can think of.<br />
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They are 100% cotton, completely washable and reusable, so soft and gentle on your hands ... they will inspire more hand-dishwashing and counter-scrubbing than you can imagine, but totally in a good way. :-) Enjoy!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2wNKJAwHdKGq0uAPu0gUJE62ZPPbHPZRRJCoEzw9jrlY5BJIo2yO67FdZ-906-o9dWn3wks3zlLgTOmAKQ-6HI65wesWIgJe8YsF0GSwOaiPMQAvhJeYgndK2yXyDGo_NElPvdWoBq0QT/s1600/CIMG0984-rainbow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2wNKJAwHdKGq0uAPu0gUJE62ZPPbHPZRRJCoEzw9jrlY5BJIo2yO67FdZ-906-o9dWn3wks3zlLgTOmAKQ-6HI65wesWIgJe8YsF0GSwOaiPMQAvhJeYgndK2yXyDGo_NElPvdWoBq0QT/s320/CIMG0984-rainbow.jpg" /></a></div>SoSajehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09458241369068554709noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4739055323896772914.post-30400447666155424602010-05-23T17:04:00.001-04:002010-05-23T17:05:04.735-04:00I dream of boxes! (and sweeping!!)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKO2OASMn1NkIPcV4inIfwmW7QdFzDNSghrs21AqPKibaJPpLoy8YPhrUANy1nqhQOxeWHpX8MWAhtf94KfUISqB82bp_W_pQpY5d0DVWx9dTMKsP7r7Z2JnOR0_XoW41szhXGIJLmRVt_/s1600/boxes+%28unpacking%29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKO2OASMn1NkIPcV4inIfwmW7QdFzDNSghrs21AqPKibaJPpLoy8YPhrUANy1nqhQOxeWHpX8MWAhtf94KfUISqB82bp_W_pQpY5d0DVWx9dTMKsP7r7Z2JnOR0_XoW41szhXGIJLmRVt_/s320/boxes+%28unpacking%29.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The cross-country move is now behind us, and as we settle into the new home we are swimming in corrugated! Literally, I spent one night unpacking in my sleep ... and was quite disappointed to see that dream-time productivity did not translate to the real world. <br />
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Sigh. But no bother. It's not like the towers of boxes are going to go anywhere on their own! They'll wait for me, I am sure.<br />
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But in addition to the logistics puzzle of fitting all the old stuff into the new space(s), I am also realizing that my housekeeping routines are going to need some updating as well. Luckily I did some prep work (before I even knew I needed it), when I created my set of washable and reusable Swiffer dry sweeping cloths.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-fRRM2K8JB8BtOFQH8kyBRMsZ23jxNhFTSa1oVwSnNyC-J-f5RuARCgDyvQxWbenZomPoo0XYQDZH4ovp7eXfji_L_eD8TN0oNHRgtN4I32Gzhc-cFwD8YRyMnOTbYhIvMHf1HCBPUJ7P/s1600/CIMG1245.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-fRRM2K8JB8BtOFQH8kyBRMsZ23jxNhFTSa1oVwSnNyC-J-f5RuARCgDyvQxWbenZomPoo0XYQDZH4ovp7eXfji_L_eD8TN0oNHRgtN4I32Gzhc-cFwD8YRyMnOTbYhIvMHf1HCBPUJ7P/s320/CIMG1245.JPG" /></a></div><br />
The bottom floor of the house is all hard floors - tile and wood - and with a long haired dog, two kids, pollen from countless trees, etc., the daily sediment buildup is impressive! I like the concept and simplicity of the Swiffer sweeper, but I didn't like throwing all their expensive, single-use cloths away. Still, it took a friend to wonder aloud what could be done about it before I turned to my fabric stash for the answer.<br />
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Using one of my last sweeper cloths as a pattern (dimensions noted on tub in pic, below), I cut new sheets from scrap fleece. Ta da!! Swiffer sweeper cloths that can be used and washed over and over, and will probably last forever. I cut six cloths for the set, intending to use scraps only, but got talked into using a piece or two of "premium" from my 4 year old helper. :-) All in all, it took about five minutes. Sweet!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH7Fy_f-J6VqYM1sEfhAQXjLmJbDI8LJ71oEoTliY89EujVnvOjzq1vp14xfISwTjRgvRh4yDdTiqu-4mLNOOoE6DrHHHNGoAMZTmHpnusCUJrLcXWSlwYCIBpEtT6ehTuJ-BWABeqGBzs/s1600/CIMG1252.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH7Fy_f-J6VqYM1sEfhAQXjLmJbDI8LJ71oEoTliY89EujVnvOjzq1vp14xfISwTjRgvRh4yDdTiqu-4mLNOOoE6DrHHHNGoAMZTmHpnusCUJrLcXWSlwYCIBpEtT6ehTuJ-BWABeqGBzs/s320/CIMG1252.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Now to find a place to set up the sewing machine, so I can get cranking on that again as well. Happy crafting!SoSajehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09458241369068554709noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4739055323896772914.post-65318088770940444532010-05-09T21:57:00.001-04:002010-05-09T21:58:46.800-04:00Happy Mother's Day!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlrIE_F6IdvVtRjxdZGm027vZCi_PnNFXOLj1lE-vFM_IwFSMj6hdh6l5hFVgbmWRj5EMT63oig7dOoo2TgJCaiHebTWJcxqbcxtoGS6sPDHxfMM0GVInYt_-e3jKR4Y9PY8o6SL9eANr5/s1600/CIMG1041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlrIE_F6IdvVtRjxdZGm027vZCi_PnNFXOLj1lE-vFM_IwFSMj6hdh6l5hFVgbmWRj5EMT63oig7dOoo2TgJCaiHebTWJcxqbcxtoGS6sPDHxfMM0GVInYt_-e3jKR4Y9PY8o6SL9eANr5/s320/CIMG1041.JPG" width="253" /></a></div>So, a <a href="http://sosaje.blogspot.com/2010/02/party-time.html">party banner</a> might strike some as an unusual way to mark Mother's Day - even one so artfully arranged to nearly look like a waterfall of flowers! - but this party banner is special. Even more special than usual, I mean. :-)<br />
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Some good friends of mine are in Thailand this Mother's Day to meet and bring home their adopted daughter, Grace. The banners are part of Grace's "welcome home" decorations, and will also become permanent additions to their playroom decor.<br />
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The vibrant fabrics feature dots (on green stripe), rainbow checks, ladybugs (on yellow), and a "narrative" pattern with boys and girls from all around the world. I finished the banner with a handmade 1" double-fold fabric ribbon in white with white stars.<br />
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I love how this banner turned out! It is so cheerful, and so spring-like. It will bring the sunshine indoors on even the coldest and dreariest of days.<br />
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I loved it so much, in fact, that I made a second one from the scraps! The original banner has 16 flags. (The mini has 8 slightly smaller flags and would work well around a window or large doorway.) <br />
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But the point is - wherever you might be celebrating, and however you might be decorating - Happy Mother's Day! :-)SoSajehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09458241369068554709noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4739055323896772914.post-24058256601903825452010-05-06T07:32:00.002-04:002010-05-23T17:06:46.651-04:00This 'Money' book actually HAS the answers!I'm happy to introduce a new category of post on SoSaje - the Christian book review! Call it a 'wish I'd written that' perhaps. :-) A friend connected me to the <a href="http://booksneeze.com/">BookSneeze</a> blogger review program from Thomas Nelson Publishers, and I am having a blast! Please continue reading below for my first book review, and I hope you will join me for more in the future. :-)<br />
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I devoured The Money Answer Book by Dave Ramsey during one airplane flight, and upon landing I immediately sent a text message to my husband: "On the ground again. :-) Beautiful flight. Oh, by the way, I LOVE Dave Ramsey. Pretty sure after reading this book that you will too."<br />
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I had no prior exposure to Dave Ramsey (or any of his various programming), and I found The Money Answer Book to be a great starting point for someone wanting to get a broad introduction.<br />
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The subtitle is 'Quick Answers for Your Everyday Financial Questions,' and with chapter topics ranging from Budgeting, to Automobiles, to Retirement & Estate Planning, he addresses a lot of subjects. Each question (such as "How do I get started on managing my money?") is followed by a one or two page discussion. He also offers several worksheets that will help you specifically target where your finances stand.<br />
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Ramsey is quite blunt, and does not skirt around the fact that solving tough financial problems is going to require some WORK! But he is also compassionate, understanding from personal experience that people make mistakes, and that the current financial society is NOT engineered to help you make wise choices.<br />
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At the root, he is trying to help people address and change the behaviors that cause financial distress - not just apply a band-aid to the symptoms. I found his suggestions and analysis to be accessible, understandable and applicable in the real world.<br />
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If you're already familiar with Dave Ramsey or keep up with his other offerings, this book might be a re-tread of material you have seen before. If you're looking for a primer or an overview to decide if Dave Ramsey is right for you - this IS the book you want to read. I'm not saying you have to buy it (check it out at the library!), but for a very short investment of your time, you may reap great rewards toward your family's financial health and your peace of mind.<br />
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<i>(( Disclosure: I received this book for free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their <span class="misspell" suggestions="Book Sneeze,Book-Sneeze,Booksellers,Bookings,Booking's">BookSneeze</span>.com <http: booksneeze.com=""> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. ))</http:></i>SoSajehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09458241369068554709noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4739055323896772914.post-71367117723481770122010-02-21T23:26:00.000-05:002010-07-07T17:43:44.909-04:00Geometry at Lunch!If necessity is the mother of invention, then have I got some necessity to drop on you! :-)<br />
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I'm also introducing a new category: Gizmos & Gadgets - in honor of all the tools and handy little, well, gizmos that make my life easier. They'll come from all over, since there's no limit to where we can benefit from a little extra productivity or ease. And sometimes, just sometimes, you'll even be able to outsmart your toddler at lunchtime!<br />
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So the story starts with a simple grilled cheese sandwich ...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuY2Lf4UrpcmF3kCe5PGcZqa1HmOowhEgn09CKyhheNyVvp_ONyZft7nxxF7jt8f-SR44TISYS7pTSZbr8CjWmHnpDPvIsOPMt3VjJAH7y9DmQDAwQDp7E4qb8UmSx6PutLpmuwAG7YP3I/s1600-h/CIMG1160.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuY2Lf4UrpcmF3kCe5PGcZqa1HmOowhEgn09CKyhheNyVvp_ONyZft7nxxF7jt8f-SR44TISYS7pTSZbr8CjWmHnpDPvIsOPMt3VjJAH7y9DmQDAwQDp7E4qb8UmSx6PutLpmuwAG7YP3I/s320/CIMG1160.JPG" /></a></div><br />
... and my question of "Do you want me to cut it in squares or triangles?" To which the toddler in question answered quite cheerfully "Circles!"<br />
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Circles, huh? Not to be outwitted by a three year old and two slices of bread, I stared at the sandwich for a moment. How do I do this easily? A regular knife was just not going to cut it - cheesy pun intended. :-) But I realized I did have a tool at the ready ... enter the Gadgety Gizmo!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfe1D9Dl5gl3r4g3T98wtHR9XvoZO_e8e7CqUmJehmVxGsAXNLBXEsZm88FiGWymjoYVb0xDKy0Tb8U3inrizbxi0Timtjx4fc68T4s9bm-Ri5mpYHUuSQNSPaKVTaU-c40bqymP86GHKG/s1600-h/IKEA+Trojka+scissors-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfe1D9Dl5gl3r4g3T98wtHR9XvoZO_e8e7CqUmJehmVxGsAXNLBXEsZm88FiGWymjoYVb0xDKy0Tb8U3inrizbxi0Timtjx4fc68T4s9bm-Ri5mpYHUuSQNSPaKVTaU-c40bqymP86GHKG/s320/IKEA+Trojka+scissors-1.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>My <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/50045143">Trojka kitchen shears</a> from <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/">IKEA</a>. A whopping $1.99 (plus tax) and best of all they are dishwasher safe. And on this occasion they also turned my lunchtime geometry problem into short work. Observe!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG10-TQV5Qk7Xdq4K0UetidWN6kuwhas19_sbHgTIS_9F07NVf3gAoIHhOdjy-4GeJ0qPPA52_rPTHcjbBLB_NH4fDtmbM7XEYFYup_SdoXWF6yi8y3m0SVYzM2984rA-G9hBN4O5RlS_3/s1600-h/CIMG1162.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG10-TQV5Qk7Xdq4K0UetidWN6kuwhas19_sbHgTIS_9F07NVf3gAoIHhOdjy-4GeJ0qPPA52_rPTHcjbBLB_NH4fDtmbM7XEYFYup_SdoXWF6yi8y3m0SVYzM2984rA-G9hBN4O5RlS_3/s320/CIMG1162.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHkd8_vPB5dyz5mdEAKBusKFmIIu46RLZAt_NGNqRg_bw6q8lbXXfkSqj13fiqg23d3T6I7y4EhJ-ig1EW4Q1nxLdoZyjbZkAcsKN8cg01ZZJQLckcepy2pQPXYRw6uPXoFMSPoFRyQW4Q/s1600-h/CIMG1165.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHkd8_vPB5dyz5mdEAKBusKFmIIu46RLZAt_NGNqRg_bw6q8lbXXfkSqj13fiqg23d3T6I7y4EhJ-ig1EW4Q1nxLdoZyjbZkAcsKN8cg01ZZJQLckcepy2pQPXYRw6uPXoFMSPoFRyQW4Q/s320/CIMG1165.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZPnvQ4254P0z9GY9Lf6Uq8PaMJiKZJUKFOO6Z6ija5161o4Kh-HhYd23qdUBtuSuBF0iTqLPnW7EjjlwWT4Ji_T4Jbw5jSXWjU_zx7R16KKH8BxncWCcQAOklNLBZl0PpTT8XBp6w9h5-/s1600-h/CIMG1166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZPnvQ4254P0z9GY9Lf6Uq8PaMJiKZJUKFOO6Z6ija5161o4Kh-HhYd23qdUBtuSuBF0iTqLPnW7EjjlwWT4Ji_T4Jbw5jSXWjU_zx7R16KKH8BxncWCcQAOklNLBZl0PpTT8XBp6w9h5-/s320/CIMG1166.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Ta da! Circles! I was obviously impressed enough with myself to re-stage and photograph the entire thing, and I think DD#1 was pleased as well, since 'circles' is how she has continued to order her grilled cheese and other sandwiches since that moment of discovery. But really, with the kitchen scissors you can sculpt your sandwich into just about any set of shapes imaginable. Discover, experiment, and bon appetit!SoSajehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09458241369068554709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4739055323896772914.post-29340739660602662412010-02-16T00:02:00.002-05:002010-05-09T22:01:12.881-04:00Visions of Spring Giveaway, by Irish Rose Creations<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXVK_rjGVkGbtqZ4EL8ID6Mt2q_smlILQnkpC53Ggr4Dr_Azv8SgTRbFxTJ44Ya4VMGUFnbLAG0U11bnPoOsJjQqtV3dDpn51ytCsCsKVwk1gxBKyeG3Dadli5KKSBhw3aYdR8dFJky9eg/s1600-h/008-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXVK_rjGVkGbtqZ4EL8ID6Mt2q_smlILQnkpC53Ggr4Dr_Azv8SgTRbFxTJ44Ya4VMGUFnbLAG0U11bnPoOsJjQqtV3dDpn51ytCsCsKVwk1gxBKyeG3Dadli5KKSBhw3aYdR8dFJky9eg/s200/008-1.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>I'm not sure what to claim as "wish I'd thought of that" for this one ... doing a giveaway myself, or being able to offer such a spectacular prize!<br />
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The giveaway of mention is being offered by fellow Etsian <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/IrishRoseCreations">Irish Rose Creations</a>, and you can see all the details on her <a href="http://myirishrosecreations.blogspot.com/2010/02/visions-of-spring-giveaway.html">BLOG</a>. Short story is she'll be giving away THREE amazing "Ring of Roses" doilies (like the one above) to one lucky reader on March 8th. <i>(Full disclosure: I'm blogging about it here to get a few extra chances to win!)</i><br />
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If you have a moment, be sure to browse her <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/IrishRoseCreations">shop</a> - I've highlighted a few of my favorites below. Her work really is amazing. And she must be a much faster crocheter than I am ... no way I could offer a <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/IrishRoseCreations?section_id=5511858">doily of that intricacy</a> for less than $30 ... unless I only wanted to make 50-cents an hour! Then again, I've only been crocheting for 18 months (give or take) and she's been doing it for 25 years. I'll get there, eventually. :-)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfJeXp6kHNt08WQpra_zDsVsgjJePKXJ6NkMO-yKBRU-F-dMagfPgRf4IiHbS4ZcaK30Agurrey2U4Ym3kigd7jZSe9tsdQWQ7OZ7SrGd3hbMAg3gLF_u9rd4C9GV8Ca-1CxZ00M_k9_qi/s1600-h/il_fullxfull.51269045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfJeXp6kHNt08WQpra_zDsVsgjJePKXJ6NkMO-yKBRU-F-dMagfPgRf4IiHbS4ZcaK30Agurrey2U4Ym3kigd7jZSe9tsdQWQ7OZ7SrGd3hbMAg3gLF_u9rd4C9GV8Ca-1CxZ00M_k9_qi/s320/il_fullxfull.51269045.jpg" width="275" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=19238232"><b>Tulip Patch Granny Square Afghan</b></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This one is just so charming! And maybe it's because I'm in Michigan and getting ready for the spring flowers, but somehow this afghan is so hopeful - looking forward to new blooms! I also really like the "quilty" quality of the block placement. It really does look like a pieced quilt top, except it was pieced out of granny squares.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b> </b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFB6G-o_geADt9SNkqetNMyQUbGKofZxbx1no-6K4ab79faCZOIlzMNrEHiR-VgC2j-k90DUGaIThIg7bLTBu1X9oBleAyzwoAny6ZCiX12U0PwWpQdvoLeugPZUD9JzxynP1jFmsUXFz-/s1600-h/il_fullxfull.108328699-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFB6G-o_geADt9SNkqetNMyQUbGKofZxbx1no-6K4ab79faCZOIlzMNrEHiR-VgC2j-k90DUGaIThIg7bLTBu1X9oBleAyzwoAny6ZCiX12U0PwWpQdvoLeugPZUD9JzxynP1jFmsUXFz-/s320/il_fullxfull.108328699-2.jpg" width="224" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/IrishRoseCreations?section_id=6624019"><b>Crocheted Mint Green Lace Cross Bookmark</b></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div>I don't generally go for crocheted bookmarks - which is odd since I like crocheted everything else! But what strikes me about this one is how the shells come together almost like a butterfly motif, that is of course particularly apt for Easter. I really like the packaging as well; it highlights the form and style of the item very nicely.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim644IW5TFAn69AGcxYAMxM3efFFwb5QNeURYn-jdl5bhgKgFH5su_voGNZIW6R3SSjS4KtnOCqd86b3jf5H64WgaEZb2PSPgcwl331Bgqxaitv37U1RCpuu1woyTzcNR94a1XMGxyYXwY/s1600-h/il_430xN.109097218-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim644IW5TFAn69AGcxYAMxM3efFFwb5QNeURYn-jdl5bhgKgFH5su_voGNZIW6R3SSjS4KtnOCqd86b3jf5H64WgaEZb2PSPgcwl331Bgqxaitv37U1RCpuu1woyTzcNR94a1XMGxyYXwY/s200/il_430xN.109097218-1.jpg" width="190" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/IrishRoseCreations?section_id=6771984"><b>Shabby Shaded Blue Flower Appliques/Embellishments (Set of 2)</b></a> </div>Again, the price point on this one blows my mind ... THREE dollars. Are you kidding me?! Either I'm greatly overestimating the amount of work required here, or I'm just way off base, but that seems crazy low to me. I think these are just delightful! Hmmm ... now to think of a new project where I could use them! ♥SoSajehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09458241369068554709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4739055323896772914.post-20697023191742322682010-02-14T00:34:00.003-05:002010-02-14T10:28:26.238-05:00Welcome to the family!<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgccxr4NAdlVGclGI6-9jHNG5IthwtGPTEZTuBNVsQcauVfQC5J7GxUzKtTuDlotidNctgGF-R-pZuHEtsfzqji2AnMQ3a3GcIHsxsQ0B_mmXlFB5rWIDyvdoBefHWF-joSVwc3SR9Dz3K8/s1600-h/CIMG1152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgccxr4NAdlVGclGI6-9jHNG5IthwtGPTEZTuBNVsQcauVfQC5J7GxUzKtTuDlotidNctgGF-R-pZuHEtsfzqji2AnMQ3a3GcIHsxsQ0B_mmXlFB5rWIDyvdoBefHWF-joSVwc3SR9Dz3K8/s320/CIMG1152.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
Let me introduce ... the family! And also introducing a new category of posting on SoSaje - things I wish I'd thought of. :-) An opportunity for me to highlight great ideas and projects that other people are working on. Enjoy the (vicarious) creativity!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">So back to our introductions, my wonderful mom created the family dolls above and gave them to us at Christmas 2007. They have become such an important part of our daily and imaginary play lives that she's currently planning an addition to the family to include the new friends that we've made over the last few years.</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
Each person is designed with a particular fabric that compliments their personality - my mom's for instance features snowmen. :-) Although we are many miles away from our extended family and only manage a few visits per year, the girls know everyone's name and face. And since we're talking about (and to!) the dolls/family constantly, it really helps to keep these family members current and "present" for us and the girls.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I am also continually amazed by the different ways the girls think of to play with our "in house" family - taking them on imaginary trips, selecting various participants for special outings, playing catch! (Yes, extended family members have been known to fly headlong across the playroom.) </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">So, thanks mom! I never would have imagined to ask for these dolls, but now that you've created them - I can't imagine our home without them. Love you!! :-)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div>SoSajehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09458241369068554709noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4739055323896772914.post-83476347555403640152010-02-07T00:28:00.005-05:002010-02-21T23:32:17.909-05:00Tied by an Angel!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmp-dl43c0OCHhdWQM2Sb4IwAXNTFdeBZiRU8LvdDmEek1BEfD1E5kOU35Wxom1gE8mU81eRg7JKXQMQOFc0k-yik6LfATZjvcSpWovfH_F_d5dSoKBRIIQpG9vhP6ZkXTJYyGBTz2doJV/s1600-h/CIMG1007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmp-dl43c0OCHhdWQM2Sb4IwAXNTFdeBZiRU8LvdDmEek1BEfD1E5kOU35Wxom1gE8mU81eRg7JKXQMQOFc0k-yik6LfATZjvcSpWovfH_F_d5dSoKBRIIQpG9vhP6ZkXTJYyGBTz2doJV/s320/CIMG1007.JPG" width="188" /></a></div>I was putting the finishing touches on a baby set, and tied up the Texas flag lovey with my favorite bit of package bling - the crafty angel. It's so cute and so easy ... I was inspired to attempt my first tutorial for SoSaje. So here we go! :-)<br />
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<b>Materials</b><br />
~ medium butterfly clip (#2 size), available at office supply stores<br />
~ 8 mm bead<br />
~ narrow ribbon, cut to desired length<br />
~ threading tool - I'm quite partial to <a href="http://www.amazon.com/G-U-M-Butler-Eez-Thru-Floss-Threaders/dp/B000GGJCDO/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&s=hpc&qid=1265519349&sr=1-8">plastic dental theaders</a> since they're so easy to work with, but really any piece of dental floss or strong thread will work<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4i2mIRJAbt032qUZvclTnlEMPofUyjPlj3veeEFVQ-VUc7-l8HCtnDmXsojABVrbqQ1fDqlHTT_bIyaXIv4ErdxHtx1EWIZoZ37rj-oqZctQXgAkbcdkYkPU7Ssr9xGtbqivCFI4G5dml/s1600-h/CIMG1010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4i2mIRJAbt032qUZvclTnlEMPofUyjPlj3veeEFVQ-VUc7-l8HCtnDmXsojABVrbqQ1fDqlHTT_bIyaXIv4ErdxHtx1EWIZoZ37rj-oqZctQXgAkbcdkYkPU7Ssr9xGtbqivCFI4G5dml/s320/CIMG1010.JPG" /></a></div><b></b><br />
<b>Instructions</b><br />
The beauty of this little project is that it's so simple, once you're working it from the correct end! In this case, it's the bead that goes on first, not the clip. :-)<br />
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1) Insert the threader through the bead, and string your ribbon through the threader. Slip the threader through your bead so a loop of ribbon is now through the bead. Remove your threader. (In the case of using the dental flossers, this means separating the sides until the handle splits in half - but not to fear, it can easily be used again since the plastic is quite rigid.)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd6_Pu-1OxVmmgmOlS3lm2kjA8TkafxZQTuPPSwQvedjWZzoJdIe-_oOH8wiqbQvmwr2eRC2ElxMKTZqnKT_mgQ1XUZwSX9pGiKRmY0kltalGkv9SAoHBsTJjDd1Zp7SAdWE18egNrt5V5/s1600-h/CIMG1016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd6_Pu-1OxVmmgmOlS3lm2kjA8TkafxZQTuPPSwQvedjWZzoJdIe-_oOH8wiqbQvmwr2eRC2ElxMKTZqnKT_mgQ1XUZwSX9pGiKRmY0kltalGkv9SAoHBsTJjDd1Zp7SAdWE18egNrt5V5/s320/CIMG1016.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyZTxuLdrmauy_HBh7FqQjZ-Swa_zlFZfQ1N4xRNEphKnY8gdVsxOQGRz4j-XqPK54fOXGosJW5QvBOufsKEdWDgh1ZdqcK4rOsJtQd8cOpHK31aCCViU0CyH2QCLvg8qsZKvmmz9SLh9D/s1600-h/CIMG1020+duo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyZTxuLdrmauy_HBh7FqQjZ-Swa_zlFZfQ1N4xRNEphKnY8gdVsxOQGRz4j-XqPK54fOXGosJW5QvBOufsKEdWDgh1ZdqcK4rOsJtQd8cOpHK31aCCViU0CyH2QCLvg8qsZKvmmz9SLh9D/s320/CIMG1020+duo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
2) Insert the ribbon loop through the center diamond of the butterfly clip. From the other side, tuck the bead under the ribbon loop and cinch the knot down to form the angel's "collar." (Click the photo below to see a larger view.) Then slide the bead down to center the head between the wings ... and done!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs0LjNV8uVbnwvNO9wV60hRAIYQ0NPha5sqoh7uffyIOv2uhgjhU6uecA70VZh8fbdUyUx6aaliwldAdti8lC0bj0zhxgkSdsIKM-qzNtaK4iuhv74xlAboC3t6iYKWuL3tUn5qwUT_LqL/s1600-h/CIMG1022+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="84" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs0LjNV8uVbnwvNO9wV60hRAIYQ0NPha5sqoh7uffyIOv2uhgjhU6uecA70VZh8fbdUyUx6aaliwldAdti8lC0bj0zhxgkSdsIKM-qzNtaK4iuhv74xlAboC3t6iYKWuL3tUn5qwUT_LqL/s320/CIMG1022+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Use the loose ends of the ribbon to tie up your packages, create a book mark, or tie the ends together and create a whole host of angels with which to decorate someone's office or nook! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Also a great craft to do with your kiddos or another group of young blessing sharers - Girl Scouts, youth groups, etc. I hope you enjoyed this, and that you'll be sharing angels with lots of others. ♥</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg9eS0124zSExUIA5NwZ_tbZrbddNKl16B3fl8uennuVTwmUO_4fCoxbp9SC7Xym58XypPGeRZjh6fWuPGIdpeMBdJH6msXgiHfbb-GtUumFH4xW3JMHS00GqKtXuqPfaBZsP-K7q9RWjt/s1600-h/CIMG1029+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg9eS0124zSExUIA5NwZ_tbZrbddNKl16B3fl8uennuVTwmUO_4fCoxbp9SC7Xym58XypPGeRZjh6fWuPGIdpeMBdJH6msXgiHfbb-GtUumFH4xW3JMHS00GqKtXuqPfaBZsP-K7q9RWjt/s320/CIMG1029+2.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div>SoSajehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09458241369068554709noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4739055323896772914.post-16870755245028293462010-02-02T00:27:00.002-05:002010-05-09T21:58:46.800-04:00Party Time!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4jzjlySsKER61o7fpAhi_qt7BUTt3ZqQz1C61Q7AkO0l8kXCscBCHEKt5sy5kta0R2bF8ag_zqkIgN2hPNMox-BtL0CMbcEDTIN7SrKIze1KfoVHpCYtnFxkjhBRkOF9SIHgfACpB4_le/s1600-h/CIMG0109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4jzjlySsKER61o7fpAhi_qt7BUTt3ZqQz1C61Q7AkO0l8kXCscBCHEKt5sy5kta0R2bF8ag_zqkIgN2hPNMox-BtL0CMbcEDTIN7SrKIze1KfoVHpCYtnFxkjhBRkOF9SIHgfACpB4_le/s320/CIMG0109.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I love the <a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_transaction.php?transaction_id=20899194">fabric party banner</a>! Rainbow colored, themed or even monochrome - it's a perfect punch of color addition to any event or celebration.<br />
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<ul><li> birthday party? Check!</li>
<li>family coming home from the airport? Check!</li>
<li> gorgeous, sunny day that makes you really happy? Check!</li>
<li> playdate scheduled with friends you just saw yesterday? Check!</li>
</ul><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVhqS4IdWRQioV3Ffxx69MKz-2EatmVE6IHw8XUnYYBp4agGbnjdKUFBjv2W0HC6r8SrLmjtBol9dwYwq_1KTalEwa26y5kPI3JOPWXBcf3F320t5jPc0FOml9dWDXru0y3Nf7NSXAx88X/s1600-h/CIMG0147.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVhqS4IdWRQioV3Ffxx69MKz-2EatmVE6IHw8XUnYYBp4agGbnjdKUFBjv2W0HC6r8SrLmjtBol9dwYwq_1KTalEwa26y5kPI3JOPWXBcf3F320t5jPc0FOml9dWDXru0y3Nf7NSXAx88X/s320/CIMG0147.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
It's gotten to the point that I have just left the hooks up in the entryway since I know I'll be asked to put it back up again pretty soon. Yay! And since it's made of fabric, not paper, you can know that this durable banner will last, year after year.<br />
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And fun to make as well. :-) I did a custom for my MIL - photos to come soon, I hope! And working on another custom themed banner for a friend. Meanwhile, some "artsy" photos to share from the ones I've already made.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmHvMnkTN_zAnbZDuUA0os7YpnzO-SyKCydSkk4g2tWfR36bmfWQsqKU6bhfL3XWyeQ0QwBBgqrqKDnfTTSbgyWvdBOvM7D9ssSppbOWgG6oR1ng7Ef3TGXsVJa9yG-fKRJoZ83YjDO9Dk/s1600-h/CIMG0125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmHvMnkTN_zAnbZDuUA0os7YpnzO-SyKCydSkk4g2tWfR36bmfWQsqKU6bhfL3XWyeQ0QwBBgqrqKDnfTTSbgyWvdBOvM7D9ssSppbOWgG6oR1ng7Ef3TGXsVJa9yG-fKRJoZ83YjDO9Dk/s400/CIMG0125.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8-cR9lQhUjAG88VT7LDaohEEia_LmhjGxKSyoz79TZmAOgBJV0zQ2sAgOWVuHIpSU9x-eLeaK3ws1UOqBYiGtPpnCyIlEf8VcHM01qt35aW27J2unttcQJW8inbfZUFJzMmVjqrW8PPwh/s1600-h/CIMG0151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8-cR9lQhUjAG88VT7LDaohEEia_LmhjGxKSyoz79TZmAOgBJV0zQ2sAgOWVuHIpSU9x-eLeaK3ws1UOqBYiGtPpnCyIlEf8VcHM01qt35aW27J2unttcQJW8inbfZUFJzMmVjqrW8PPwh/s320/CIMG0151.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>SoSajehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09458241369068554709noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4739055323896772914.post-10304794099967886622010-01-06T16:10:00.006-05:002010-01-06T16:20:26.575-05:00Contagious CrochetPart of the 'problem' with crochet, apart from the relative cheapness and long shelf-life of yarn, is the abundance of free patterns to spark the imagination! I got started crocheting with a free pattern from <a href="http://www.caron.com/free.html">Caron yarn</a> for a <a href="http://sosaje.blogspot.com/2009/02/first-real-hat-3rd-try-is-charm.html">heart motif cap</a> - it's not listed any more, but there are lots of other great projects available. Plus you can always pick up a few new patterns down the yarn aisle of your <a href="http://www.hobbylobby.com/">favorite</a> <a href="http://www.joanns.com/joann/home/home.jsp">craft</a> <a href="http://www.michaels.com/art/online/home">store</a>, with the nice benefit of it being printed in color on handy-sized stock. (I've finally taken the step to organize my patterns and even have a small (5½ x 8½ in.) binder to put them in. Geeky good fun!!)<br />
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And of course, the ultimate idea-generator ... seeing things that other people have made and trying to duplicate them! Take, for instance, the crocheted bath pouf. I had seen several on Etsy that really intrigued me, but I couldn't bring myself to: 1) shell out for something that I 'easily' could make myself - ha!; or 2) buy something that I wasn't for sure I would like or not. <a href="http://www.crochetspot.com/crochet-pattern-super-fluffy-bath-puff/">Free pattern</a> to the rescue ... again!! :-)<br />
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But I was 85% of the way complete with my very own bath pouf - and it looked spectacular! - when I realized that it was so dense that it would never really DRY between uses. Since using a pre-dampened bath scrubby is unappealing (and I'm unlikely to actually launder it between every shower), I needed to find a way to un-make my nearly-pouf into something useful. (Did I mention the other super-fabulous aspect of crochet? It's so easy to rip out and remake!)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqPuav6bA2nDQDwuStdca6ijC7RzOxK5mdHkRYFQsMyxbRXdVrV_EIb82waeOURvPhyphenhyphenIeNVbIfqlHG1JeYB2Q6z5C9W2qLlXn7jdgL7RWYVDCatLRJU0pwYUzSaKecPJ6r0Y1TfKlMSSE6/s1600-h/CIMG0903.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqPuav6bA2nDQDwuStdca6ijC7RzOxK5mdHkRYFQsMyxbRXdVrV_EIb82waeOURvPhyphenhyphenIeNVbIfqlHG1JeYB2Q6z5C9W2qLlXn7jdgL7RWYVDCatLRJU0pwYUzSaKecPJ6r0Y1TfKlMSSE6/s400/CIMG0903.JPG" /></a><br />
</div>So I un-made the pouf ... and created the washcloth/scrubby! I've seen various patterns and examples of the crocheted dishcloth, but this one is from my very own imagination (not a pattern). Even so, it turned out to be pretty close to 6" square, yay! I did an alternating double crochet post pattern that gave some nice texture and scrubby areas, with bands of single crochet to add interest and make it work up a tiny bit faster. :-) (You can click to see a larger image.)<br />
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I was easily able to get this one made while watching the last two <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/newyear/">Doctor Who</a> episodes; now that I know what I'm doing (and won't have to rip as many rows!) they should go faster. And fun!! :-)<br />
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Of course, that pushes all my other projects back down another rung on the to do list ... but that's a subject for another day!SoSajehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09458241369068554709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4739055323896772914.post-4634772684079529642009-12-21T13:12:00.002-05:002009-12-21T20:28:47.897-05:00Ta Da!!New format & layout for SoSaje!! Hooray!<br />
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Thanks <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/reloveddesigns">ReLoved</a> for the inspiration to go and pimp out my site just a little bit. :-) And check out her <a href="http://reloveddesigns.blogspot.com/">lovely blog</a> as well!<br />
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Free design elements available at <a href="http://www.shabbyblogs.com/">Shabby Blogs</a> ... but I don't think they're very shabby, not one bit!<br />
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♦ D'oh! ♦ Wrong shout out above. :-) It was <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/vivatregina">Regina's</a> <a href="http://vivatregina.blogspot.com/">blog</a> that tipped me off to the Shabby source. Got my R's crossed ... it happens sometimes!SoSajehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09458241369068554709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4739055323896772914.post-36996973321712911452009-12-15T01:12:00.006-05:002009-12-15T22:56:08.784-05:00Self-Diagnosed Craftitis<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6bDTWhKTk5z3AD0A5b9cWD99NtUB2Pnwr3auEhDJcW0Fh6yCug9L8pOEDBknswT99yif4rTpy5Kfv2-Hrv_CUNpypKw4Lo0ZVM33eHNuoWiS3JsLR50PYW_pUpBHDUxWCDo2zbnsTd2Qu/s1600-h/CIMG0490.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 258px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6bDTWhKTk5z3AD0A5b9cWD99NtUB2Pnwr3auEhDJcW0Fh6yCug9L8pOEDBknswT99yif4rTpy5Kfv2-Hrv_CUNpypKw4Lo0ZVM33eHNuoWiS3JsLR50PYW_pUpBHDUxWCDo2zbnsTd2Qu/s320/CIMG0490.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415344427322700242" /></a><br />So, I'm starting to think there's nothing wrong with my to do list, per se, other than the fact that I keep putting things ON it! To wit, here I am 10 days before Christmas, weighing the implications of my new-found obsession with plarn ... the ultimate way to merge recycling and crochet!<br /><br />You start with plastic bags, lots and lots of plastic bags. And through a nifty little process described <a href="http://www.myrecycledbags.com/2007/02/17/instructions-for-cutting-plastic-bags-creating-recycled-plastic-yarn/">HERE</a> you can turn the bulk of the bag into a plastic yarn (hence "plarn"), and from there you're only limited by your imagination! My first goal is to make a mesh-style tote bag out of old plastic bags, and maybe just maybe actually have it finished in time for next summer's farmer's market.<br /><br />Until then I'm going to keep using the <a href="http://www.envirosax.com/graphic-series/5-in-1-pouches/flora-pouch.html">Envirosax</a> reusable bags that I already own and LOVE, and will faithfully mutilate any stray plastics that happen to wander into my house. It's fun shredding them at any rate, and yarn doesn't go bad. Plarn either, I'm guessing. :-)SoSajehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09458241369068554709noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4739055323896772914.post-3050309871263831792009-12-12T02:09:00.006-05:002010-02-21T23:31:14.501-05:00A Little Scrap Fabric Will Cover a LOT of Toys!We are swimming in stuffed animals. They come from everywhere, and it's really hard - for me! - to purge and toss something so sweet, fuzzy and squeezable. But that's not to say I'm not T.I.R.E.D. of seeing them all over the floor in the playroom and everywhere I look throughout the house!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR0xdNOThzf1AhyphenhyphenSigyGhK67a6dHf07T31MYiLHH9OkjqBmVy8V2Tj6TCF2R75QKJbE2YHujhePHYCFxRP1wrz_jVnYP3qe3_iIuhXlQ5c4oN2pVfL1-btLQIjjzN9SGQciBLcgzE3cidm/s1600-h/beanbag+chair+-+BEFORE+(8-24-09).jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 284px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR0xdNOThzf1AhyphenhyphenSigyGhK67a6dHf07T31MYiLHH9OkjqBmVy8V2Tj6TCF2R75QKJbE2YHujhePHYCFxRP1wrz_jVnYP3qe3_iIuhXlQ5c4oN2pVfL1-btLQIjjzN9SGQciBLcgzE3cidm/s400/beanbag+chair+-+BEFORE+(8-24-09).jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415347018409044354" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Exhibit A: Playroom BEFORE</span><br /><br />Granted, the 70 lb dog doesn't really add to the clutter problem (no wait, she does!), but you get the idea. There were too many toys, and they didn't have a home ... at the end of the day, if we're actually going to clean - and have it make a difference! - they need somewhere to GO. But what to do with a heap of soft, squishy stuffed animals? ...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyEpwZuQDVy1CcC7nxShu2YWk_THcIhl8TFTT0jWb8L-cePXK_yE6yDOqfbd1FUxRudNRrT7KCAcgYhAmDIn8ZhBeiaEeaS2NUVoj0AoU-k9sVxriLxfLYzsjTk6KxUuL0stGVwuScpai-/s1600-h/beanbag+chair+-+AFTER+(8-25-09).jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 305px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyEpwZuQDVy1CcC7nxShu2YWk_THcIhl8TFTT0jWb8L-cePXK_yE6yDOqfbd1FUxRudNRrT7KCAcgYhAmDIn8ZhBeiaEeaS2NUVoj0AoU-k9sVxriLxfLYzsjTk6KxUuL0stGVwuScpai-/s400/beanbag+chair+-+AFTER+(8-25-09).jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415347289881595458" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Exhibit B: Playroom AFTER, with Sophia sitting on top of the spoils!<br /></span><br />Make a chair out of them! Specifically a denim and fleece zippered bean bag chair. :-) All but a very select few stuffed critters now get crammed in the bag at night (zipper is on the bottom, in the center panel), and the resulting lumpy cushion is surprisingly pleasing to crash on. Good times for all! In fact, this turned out so well, I'm mid-way through attempting an all-denim version made from upcycled blue jeans ... wish me luck!<br /><br />(P.S. No, the dog was not stuffed inside the bag! She had the good sense to wander off when I went looking.)SoSajehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09458241369068554709noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4739055323896772914.post-56269534383645950212009-05-03T08:09:00.004-04:002009-05-03T08:23:12.040-04:00I Can Really Crochet, Part II<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ZyYK_huwE_idhJ5FQKSYd9A4U6MdwURgAkmT_N1DRcyYZtGLbTlALlzSR0WBGNmjtpnQ0oSUrS49GwRZ3C3BhW2NmDe4-ltckrP7XcxCu8A0lOKudRz99VaeCcTc4jI_luRsrGN4RAuy/s1600-h/Mario+Flower.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 205px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ZyYK_huwE_idhJ5FQKSYd9A4U6MdwURgAkmT_N1DRcyYZtGLbTlALlzSR0WBGNmjtpnQ0oSUrS49GwRZ3C3BhW2NmDe4-ltckrP7XcxCu8A0lOKudRz99VaeCcTc4jI_luRsrGN4RAuy/s320/Mario+Flower.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331569803297822962" /></a><br />The little brother just turned 30, and to mark the occasion I made him a "plant." :-) Can't take creative credit though, as I was following a <a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=23750699">pattern</a>. But I did do all the work! And if I'd known at the beginning how many hours it was going to take me to reach the end ... I may very well have gotten him something different. Of course, I didn't, so now I am pleased to present to you the Super Mario Piranha Plant, Crochet Edition. :-)SoSajehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09458241369068554709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4739055323896772914.post-62454514357157988352009-04-09T20:26:00.003-04:002010-02-21T23:31:14.502-05:00A Fluttering Fairy Mobile!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpbxlgB8cAT6RbAtbIQnow-gwmewPyJuuuOctp4_a1433ZpqtGWuaKtlrEDBJPNRoohZ04SsLxnZ8b_aLUyOfB75lFgLpezjUScuwz-GRUoJUGUBaiMhtvmZPUGxU6lZuFZDS9tQh_-vbu/s1600-h/CIMG7944-fairy+mobile.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 243px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpbxlgB8cAT6RbAtbIQnow-gwmewPyJuuuOctp4_a1433ZpqtGWuaKtlrEDBJPNRoohZ04SsLxnZ8b_aLUyOfB75lFgLpezjUScuwz-GRUoJUGUBaiMhtvmZPUGxU6lZuFZDS9tQh_-vbu/s400/CIMG7944-fairy+mobile.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322852696940494930" /></a><br />What does one do with a house full of fairies? Set them to tending the flowers and butterflies, of course!<br /><br />This (temporary) art installation/chandelier is a grouping of five mobiles hanging off our dining room light, that my daughter and her friends assembled during the birthday party. And I came up with this craft all on my own-some! :-) It started simply with finding some pre-cut butterfly and flower foam shapes on clearance. Add some stickers, yarn from the stash, and you're pretty much done.<br /><br />The clever bit was how I mangled the coat hangers to become the 3D foundation for these mobiles-in-the-round. To duplicate: pull the bottom bar of the hanger up toward the top and get them as close together/parallel as possible; curve the two "arms" around toward each other, creating an arc shape that can be as tight or open as you like; to set, flip the bottom bar OVER the hook so there is now a twist of the hanger wire within each arm. This keeps the shape from falling out, especially if you were using heavier objects in your mobile. (For the foam it probably didn't matter, but I liked the twist effect.) I then wrapped the hanger in a bit of blue tulle to evoke a "sky" feeling. Ta-da!!<br /><br />The girls enjoyed it. The moms were not overly burdened with clunky, heavy things to lug home. Win-win all round. Hooray!SoSajehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09458241369068554709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4739055323896772914.post-77206944817849277582009-03-29T22:14:00.003-04:002009-03-29T22:20:41.977-04:00Flitteriffic!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwvmw0bsQTEUgZOgbwXrKHcKaBM3csF9hRlEwcb-S88C3sPem4CRtS7VQuQJfbkWVDcaUfCla846dx3HDtmBja-QNsOPXzY6rKk5oeaXhB7CpfpvjzVmmjZmwYryRpds36wMvFjEAdq329/s1600-h/fairy+me.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwvmw0bsQTEUgZOgbwXrKHcKaBM3csF9hRlEwcb-S88C3sPem4CRtS7VQuQJfbkWVDcaUfCla846dx3HDtmBja-QNsOPXzY6rKk5oeaXhB7CpfpvjzVmmjZmwYryRpds36wMvFjEAdq329/s320/fairy+me.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318798866290780546" /></a><br /><br />This was not a craft, per se, but it was a good bit of procrastinatory fun! I was looking at the Disney Fairies website for fun activities for the Tinkerbell-themed birthday party I'll soon be hosting for my three-year-old. Oh, I found some cute things ... and then got sucked into their design-your-own Fairy application. Ridiculous waste of time! But quite absorbing finding just the right style of wings. :-) So that's me, as a fairy!SoSajehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09458241369068554709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4739055323896772914.post-20128756591517750852009-03-16T22:30:00.005-04:002010-02-21T23:31:14.503-05:00Glue, by any other name, is just as sticky.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh75T_orlkrme_XGgr1fwfCOaIZrGquamAHSt3Ypz6p-pvarSM9fktaddl97nhSkHty4GRsXC-rDtaGkY7uHa8dbYaRdpyD51s57VpzPA2NLv6O6uVbuBUE8es1IrczO0z8NkADrXgJdJkb/s1600-h/glue+pots.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh75T_orlkrme_XGgr1fwfCOaIZrGquamAHSt3Ypz6p-pvarSM9fktaddl97nhSkHty4GRsXC-rDtaGkY7uHa8dbYaRdpyD51s57VpzPA2NLv6O6uVbuBUE8es1IrczO0z8NkADrXgJdJkb/s400/glue+pots.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313978718643586706" /></a><br />I can't take credit for this idea, but it's such a good one I wanted to share it! At a recent crafting event, the glue for the kid's project was set out in individual "servings" via bottle tops and Q-tips. The containers really set a cap (ha!) on the potential mess factor, since each child no longer had access to an entire bottle of glue. And the provided tool made it a lot easier for my 3-yr old to make precise applications. (No more giant glops that will never, ever dry no matter how long you wait!) <br /><br />And maybe my favorite bit? This finally gives me a useful way to recycle all the milk gallon and other bottle tops that the recycling place won't take, even though they take the bottles. Hooray!SoSajehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09458241369068554709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4739055323896772914.post-16655243453087063402009-03-02T22:16:00.004-05:002010-02-21T23:31:14.504-05:00Instant Art Gallery!Ah necessity, the mother of invention! :-)<br /><br />My daughter is at the age where "ART" features prominently in her life - be it crayon, stickers, packing peanuts dipped in water and pressed on to poster board - you name it! I was starting to feel awash in her various creations, and growing increasingly tired of protecting her art from the exploratory nibblings of her 10 month old sister.<br /><br />So today during the "something different" that used to be her nap time, we created an art gallery for the playroom. Voila!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyEzXLUs-9yQSq7DZG6k6-83gdmTPC1dWSPmIbLdFMdeBUlwGzFDnu-pMZvUKFBXINsXk7msmkH1fGgyf8ojWPGaKlTq4Gud-wfini85O_P9iSmT7T9Xy0OtHxmSQCUjnCWyoMFO3s70oy/s1600-h/instant+art+gallery.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 190px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyEzXLUs-9yQSq7DZG6k6-83gdmTPC1dWSPmIbLdFMdeBUlwGzFDnu-pMZvUKFBXINsXk7msmkH1fGgyf8ojWPGaKlTq4Gud-wfini85O_P9iSmT7T9Xy0OtHxmSQCUjnCWyoMFO3s70oy/s400/instant+art+gallery.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308798586750762578" /></a><br />I grabbed some stick-up hooks from the garage, a box of brightly colored binder clips from the desk, and a stretch of yarn from the sewing stash, and that was it. We threaded the clips on at regular intervals (about 14 inches apart), and I simply tied them off on loops to keep them from sliding around. I tied off two more loops at the ends to stretch between the hooks. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeer0YgtmxJuu-loWuJlU0ks65OAghvZx1UsbacrN7Ctffe7Q5KChKu3PyDG-P0S36Jln5jNoDCCVc5nJhGjo1cFa9Or-qEwNvZp_X1divvfpDC8lSSNpa5FCvg8ylkiSfKmhh5tbKf3SS/s1600-h/instant+art+gallery+2.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 271px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeer0YgtmxJuu-loWuJlU0ks65OAghvZx1UsbacrN7Ctffe7Q5KChKu3PyDG-P0S36Jln5jNoDCCVc5nJhGjo1cFa9Or-qEwNvZp_X1divvfpDC8lSSNpa5FCvg8ylkiSfKmhh5tbKf3SS/s400/instant+art+gallery+2.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308799840533723554" /></a><br />Super simple! Delighted child! No new slew of nail holes in the walls! So simple, and best of all - very nearly free! :-)SoSajehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09458241369068554709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4739055323896772914.post-10498008797720776232009-02-23T20:32:00.003-05:002010-02-16T08:25:38.844-05:00Product Development Does Not Produce Pretty PicturesMy major problem these days isn't a lack of ideas for projects to work on. It's that when I've finally scrounged enough little scraps of time together to start working on one project, I have ideas for three others - all of which will require prototypes and tweaking before they can be finalized, and during which I will think of yet nine more things to make or do! I have to keep reminding myself that I don't actually have a deadline for any of these things, other than my own desire to be productive and generate a little income.<br /><br />Ultimately I'd love for the shop to be successful enough that when the girls are both in school, the shop can be my job. But for that to happen I need to have popular and profitable products, and for that to happen I eventually need to finish a whole bunch more of these "proof of concept" projects and figure out which to pursue and which to abandon. <br /><br />Right now my three main areas of focus are crochet, flannel baby items, and recycled/upcycled/eco bags. I'm in the middle of too many projects to count ... and have very little by way of tangible evidence to show for it! :-) But I keep scribbling in my notebook, and working up samples, refining my ideas, and hoping and praying that by God's grace I'll be able to transform this enterprise into a Proverbs 31 kind of thing.SoSajehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09458241369068554709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4739055323896772914.post-65966999535630395892009-02-19T20:16:00.004-05:002009-03-16T22:40:11.444-04:00First (Real) Hat - 3rd try is the charm!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzti8kZemuY_8YfvXxgCeZ1fotguDZHM-l60dZ8sfVfeD5fnWDUW1uGgshyGvML8xpyCCaqg6p8AqPuAsfVXOrIdvthtDMeqvrDfOcj0eF5_78k1nrrRbiQF1C_PKscF1K-W88umbjbHEc/s1600-h/hearts+hat+(1-2009).jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 353px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzti8kZemuY_8YfvXxgCeZ1fotguDZHM-l60dZ8sfVfeD5fnWDUW1uGgshyGvML8xpyCCaqg6p8AqPuAsfVXOrIdvthtDMeqvrDfOcj0eF5_78k1nrrRbiQF1C_PKscF1K-W88umbjbHEc/s400/hearts+hat+(1-2009).jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304682757361151186" /></a><br />So I did finally manage to make a real hat using an actual crochet stitch! Of course, it took me three tries, but I got there eventually. Fortunately crochet is easy to rip out, and then you can just keep re-doing it until it's right. :-) The above hat is the result - made with a single crochet stitch in a spiral pattern, and using yarn by Vanna White. (Who knew?! But it's good to see that she's diversifying her portfolio.) <br /><br />I'd originally intended it to be a hat for my hubby, but the sizing never quite worked out (and he thought the hearts were somewhat girly, I suppose), so I finished it in a scalloped edge for myself. It's a little snug, and a little long, but it covers the head. Success! And evidently, it's also quite tasty. :-)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRsXVkEdF1aPNEwmffEzclsiXBSrqS40HokHRtzNYl0zMgI0_8hkPvfewI3oksirYlr3xxGioKUm3GuwRFzmAmzu5_Url2k1uG9FrHbFBTx6op8QBvkJqGNDDMZ7r5HYLtmDcRXNi-UDXS/s1600-h/hearts+hat+2+(1-2009).jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 329px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRsXVkEdF1aPNEwmffEzclsiXBSrqS40HokHRtzNYl0zMgI0_8hkPvfewI3oksirYlr3xxGioKUm3GuwRFzmAmzu5_Url2k1uG9FrHbFBTx6op8QBvkJqGNDDMZ7r5HYLtmDcRXNi-UDXS/s400/hearts+hat+2+(1-2009).jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304683766884781282" /></a>SoSajehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09458241369068554709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4739055323896772914.post-25535063772962731582009-02-10T20:37:00.006-05:002009-02-10T21:12:19.069-05:00And they said it couldn't be done!I've been teaching myself to crochet. So far I know three stitches: single, double, and half-double. And that's plenty, evidently! You can make a lot of things with just three stitches, so I've been having some fun.<br /><br />I started the grand crochet experiment with a skein of yarn that my mom left at my house after doing some crafts with the girls. It seemed such a waste to let the yarn just sit there, and crochet only takes one hook - how hard could it be, I figured. <br /><br />I started, where I start most things, on Google. :-) Found a page that described how to do the most basic of all crochet, the single crochet stitch, and I was off and running. At my local supermart I found a free (yay!) pattern for a hat using the single crochet stitch, and I was good to go! Figured I'd use the yarn I had on hand and the one crochet hook I purchased to make my brother a handcrafted hat and scarf set for Christmas.<br /><br />So there I was, happily crocheting away ... except the further and further along I got, the more and more it was plainly evident that my creation did not look anything like the picture. But it did look <span style="font-style:italic;">vaguely</span> hatish, so I kept doggedly on. (The scarf I'd already given up as a bad job and renamed it "scarflette" so it would sound intentional.) Finally I finished, tied the ends off, wrapped and shipped it. Merry Christmas!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2mdP4PD8tFakW8TSpShB9UM-KvB0z1LIHGvIEckQdfAkVXif-WP-RH0erPokC4Om_t298mfOseYEskN_PpazeK1zGikXTtg5v9oy-VPIt5z26an1hNtI0h6UPaALvbOoSETNxXVQ4fbB0/s1600-h/impossible+hat+and+scarf.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 360px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2mdP4PD8tFakW8TSpShB9UM-KvB0z1LIHGvIEckQdfAkVXif-WP-RH0erPokC4Om_t298mfOseYEskN_PpazeK1zGikXTtg5v9oy-VPIt5z26an1hNtI0h6UPaALvbOoSETNxXVQ4fbB0/s400/impossible+hat+and+scarf.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301356472730411490" /></a><br /><em>Remarkably macho brother models the impossible hat and scarf. Um, scarflette!</em><br /><br /><br />So it serves the general "hat" function, in that it covers the head and whatnot, but it's not what I was thinking of making ... well, not exactly. <br /><br />Come to find out, I'd not actually been doing crochet at all! The entire hat and scarf were constructed completely through the use of the slipstich. (D'oh!) And how did I figure this out? I was looking at an <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Z-Crochet-Country-Bumpkin-Publications/dp/1564778568/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1234317979&sr=8-1">actual crochet book </a>which helped me discern my error (and also why the hat didn't look right when finished). But what got me was their description of the slipstich, with the explanation that it cannot be used to create fabric. Ha! Guess I showed them.SoSajehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09458241369068554709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4739055323896772914.post-74717863874111286952009-02-07T20:16:00.004-05:002009-02-23T20:49:26.002-05:00"Did you crochet a coozie for the flashlight?"me -- "Um, yes."<br /><br />him -- "Why?"<br /><br />me -- "Well, clearly because I could!"<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMUxIHx8fif_AOzv2J9o9jR2V8yUGd9vBcpw4VcEtRQhPCAQh2KuLmAfw8CEkuzOos2SxpTn-P4UZtI4s6NQDp_85eTDnuz3iZypiBcOAJ4maqQMYkhW_X7B9L0vzizlvej23UOqE4qVwm/s1600-h/flashlight+coozie+(1-2009).jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 314px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMUxIHx8fif_AOzv2J9o9jR2V8yUGd9vBcpw4VcEtRQhPCAQh2KuLmAfw8CEkuzOos2SxpTn-P4UZtI4s6NQDp_85eTDnuz3iZypiBcOAJ4maqQMYkhW_X7B9L0vzizlvej23UOqE4qVwm/s400/flashlight+coozie+(1-2009).jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300232722239846786" /></a><br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><span style="font-weight:bold;">"Let this be a light to you, when all other lights go out, even though you are trying to read, while your husband is trying to sleep!"</span></span><br /><br />So welcome to the world of crochet! I've only been doing it for a couple months, but already obsessed. :-) I love that it can be very portable (unlike the sewing machine), and can also spawn lots of other projects. My mind is just spinning with ideas of things to make, patterns to create, and lots of new bags and goodies to sew to store them all in!<br /><br />The last few months have not been super-productive, crafting-wise, but I'm hoping to get back in gear. Tons of flannel to whip up into baby sets for the shop: wraps, burp cloths, toys and the marvelous X-bag (post to come soon). Several things I'm working on with crochet that I want to list as well - mostly baby items. And a spattering of beaded baubles to toss in just to liven things up. I need to unload the fabric (and now yarn!) hordes ... so I can justify shopping for more things. :-)SoSajehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09458241369068554709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4739055323896772914.post-77406932566636974832008-09-30T22:15:00.002-04:002010-02-16T08:25:38.845-05:00Just when you think Etsy can't get any better ...So I'm browsing Etsy the other night, because that's what I do, and I see something on the front page that catches my eye ... then I see something that person has "hearted" ... and so on, until I stumble on a PIF. Pay it forward. On Etsy, this ridiculous little phrase (based on a MOVIE, remember?!) has a whole new, wonderful meaning. Check it out for yourself <a href="http://www.etsy.com/search_results.php?search_type=tag_title&search_query=pif">HERE</a>.<div><br /></div><div>As for now ... I've already wasted more than enough time online and I need to call it a night!</div>SoSajehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09458241369068554709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4739055323896772914.post-7131816901573624712008-09-21T20:49:00.002-04:002009-02-10T21:15:52.122-05:00Ebb and flow ...So I keep saying, maybe tomorrow ... maybe tomorrow ... maybe the tomorrow after that! Finding the time (and energy!) for creative, non-essential pursuits is beyond difficult with a toddler and a baby. Whew! But the first time for "adult playdate sewing party" has been set, which means now I have a deadline for getting my projects to the hand-finishing stage, or at the very least tidying up the project corner to make it somewhat presentable. Explain that to my 2 1/2 yr old who spent the entire weekend pushing the bounds of every conceivable limit while refusing to nap and catching herself a lovely little cold in the process. (Good times!)SoSajehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09458241369068554709noreply@blogger.com0