April 30, 2011

Nothing done today--came down with a doozie of an illness and I'm
spending the day in bed. Boooooo!

Sent from my iPhone

April 29, 2011

Worked late at school and worked on finishing getting documents ready
to return to the state. Not much else got done.

Decided on the afghan color scheme with Mary Anne.

Dinner at Red Robin where Andrew got hit repeatedly by a poorly
behaved child. Luckily the manager and waitress intervened before we
even had a chance to get pissed. They quickly moved our seats within 2
minutes of sitting down.

So the only creating yesterday was creating an organized testing
procedure, an idea on the afghan, and goodwill towards the staff at
Red Robin. Other than that, nothing got done.

Sent from my iPhone

April 28, 2011

Got a request to do two afghans for babys. Wanted something funky.
Found a pattern that mixes colors so I spent the evening working on
different combos. Still not happy with the mixes. Trying to figure out
what's missing. I think it may need some white.

April 27, 2011

No crafting today either. Today I worked on creating a plan for
tomorrow's testing, as well as Friday. I also met after school for 2
hours to help revise our school's academic achievement plan.

As a result, I am now in charge of funding a bullying plan for next
year, investigating having a girl scout troop, and coordinating the
8th grade prom for this year.

I'm officially too damn tired to do anything else.

April 26, 2011

I just realized--a day late--that I didn't post anything yesterday. I
didn't craft anything yesterday, but I did create.

Yesterday was spent creating and fixing and preparing an almost
perfect testing plan. I've been associated with the State Achievement
Test for 5 years. I adminster the tests, collect, organize, label, and
package them for my school. Over that time I've developed and
redeveloped a system that is less stressful for everyone.

As a result, I worked until late last might checking rosters, printing
information and creating a plan that worked fabulously today.

Yay me and my school!

April 25, 2011

Day 6 is finished. I'll work on it tomorrow and hopefully finish it
all. Today I got sidetracked by car removal and finishing a book.

April 24, 2011

Finished day 4 of the mystery crochet along. Hoping to finish tomorrow.

Day 3

While I watched tv with my parents I finished day 3.

April 23, 2011

Day 2 is finished.

Day 1 (mine)

Button bracelet trial

Tried to make a new variety of button bracelet. Looks good on the
table but doesn't lie flat on the arm. Need smaller buttons for this
type.

April 21, 2011

And I worked on my Homespun scrap afghan.

April 21, 2011

Created an Easter garland.

April 21, 2011

Today I finished the mulch project in the backyard. All that is left
is the front and driveway.

Mystery Crochet Along (Days 5-7)

Day 5
Rnd 34: repeat row 22
Rnd 35-37: repeat rows 23 and 24 ending with a repeat of rnd 23
Rnd 38-39: sc around (96 each rnd)


Day 6
First Handle Flap:
Row 40: ch 1, sc in the same st and in the next 20 sts
Row 41-44: ch 1, turn. sc across. End off at end of row 44.

Second Handle Flap:
Repeat rows 40-44 of handle flap for second handle flap, joining in the 28th st from first st of row 40 of first handle. Do not end off at end of row 44.


Day 7: Final Day of the MCAL #3
Finishing Border:
With right side facing out, ch 1 and sc around handle flaps and main part of purse, with 2 sc in the corner of each handle flap on row 44. End off, weave in all ends.

Finishing assembly:
On each side, place purse handle in between handle flap and purse, with handle flap turned to the inside of purse as pictured. Sew top edge of handle flap to inside of rnd 38 of purse. Tie sewing yarn in tight knot to secure and weave in ends. Line and attach closures if desired.



 

April 20, 2011

Today I briefly worked on my Homespun scrap afghan (I added a purplish
couple of rows). Then I spent the rest of the day daydreaming and
working on a business plan for my own yarn store.

Sent from my iPhone

Aaaand....

A bracelet. Of course.

April 19, 2011

Today, I made this leather headband from American Girl crafts.

April 18, 2011

Today I worked on my Homespun scrap afghan while watching MadMen
season 4. I added 3 rows.

Mystery Crochet Along Day 4

Day 4
Rnds 25-29: repeat rnds 23 and 24, ending with a repeat of rnd 23
Rnd 30: (sc in next 16 sts, sc2tog over next 2 sts) around (102)
Rnd 31: sc around (102)
Rnd 32: (sc in next 15 sts, sc2tog over next 2 sts) around (96)
Rnd 33: sc around (96)

 

Mystery Crochet Along Day 3

Day 3
Rnd 22: ch 1, sc in same stitch. sk next 2 sts, 5 dc in next st, sk next 2 sts. (sc in next st, sk next 2 sts, 5 dc in next st, sk next 2 sts) repeat around. Join with sl st in first sc.
Rnd 23: ch 3, 4 dc in same st, sk next 2 sts, sc in next st, sk next 2 sts. (5 dc in next st, sk next 2 sts, sc in next st, sk next 2 sts) repeat around. Join with sl st in top of beg ch 3.
Rnd 24: sl st in next 2 sts. ch 1, sc in same sp, sk next 2 sts, 5 dc in next st, sk next 2 sts. (sc in next st, sk next 2 sts, 5 dc in next st, sk next 2 sts) repeat around. Join with sl st in first sc.

 

April 17, 2011

Today I continued my work on the Homespun scraps afghan.

April 16, 2011

Today, I used some ribbon I purchased to make a fleece pillow and I
created a wall hanging instead. The colors compliment my craft room
fabulously! (And I was able to use some of the ribbon in my stash!)

Mystery Crochet Along (Day 2)

I haven't started this yet, but here is day 2's instructions.  I'll get started soon...

 

Day 2
Rnd 11: (sc in next 9 sts, 2 sc in next st) around (66)
Rnd 12: (sc in next 10 sts, 2 sc in next st) around (72)
Rnd 13: (sc in next 11 sts, 2 sc in next st) around (78)
Rnd 14: (sc in next 12 sts, 2 sc in next st) around (84)
Rnd 15: (sc in next 13 sts, 2 sc in next st) around (90)
Rnd 16: (sc in next 14 sts, 2 sc in next st) around (96)
Rnd 17: (sc in next 15 sts, 2 sc in next st) around (102)
Rnd 18: (sc in next 16 sts, 2 sc in next st) around (108)
Rnd 19-21: sc around, join with sl st in next st at end of rnd 21 (108 each rnd)

 

April 16, 2011

Started an afghan using my scraps of homespun I had left over from all
the ruffle scarves I made this year.

If you have homespun laying around, I'll take it.

April 15, 2011

Today, I sharpened 705 pencils; therefore, I'm too pooped to do anything else.

Mystery Crochet Along (again)

Yes, I'm trying it again.  This time it is a purse of some sort.

 

Here's the instructions:

____________________________
Materials Needed:
6oz worsted weight cotton yarn
h hook
tapestry needle
5" wooden purse handles
____________________________

Day 1
Note: Adjustable loop may be replaced with ch 2. Sc would then be made in 2nd ch from hook.

Make adjustable loop.
Rnd 1: 6 sc in loop, pull loop taut (6)
Rnd 2: 2 sc in each st around (12)
Rnd 3: (sc in next st, 2 sc in next st) around (18)
Rnd 4: (sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st) around (24)
Rnd 5: (sc in next 3 sts, 2 sc in next st) around (30)
Rnd 6: (sc in next 4 sts, 2 sc in next st) around (36)
Rnd 7: (sc in next 5 sts, 2 sc in next st) around (42)
Rnd 8: (sc in next 6 sts, 2 sc in next st) around (48)
Rnd 9: (sc in next 7 sts, 2 sc in next st) around (54)
Rnd 10: (sc in next 8 sts, 2 sc in next st) around (60)


Picture will be posted later.

 

April 14, 2011

Here's the banners I created for the students during testing week.

April 13, 2011

Today we went to Home Depot to purchase 10 bags of mulch, some
topsoil, solar batteries for our outdoor lights, and spray paint for
my weekend craft project. Nothing was created except for the huge
start of my weekend flower bed project.

All mulch bags are in the yard ready to be applied. Andrew laid the
topsoil in the ruts in our front yard from the boom lift we used to
paint the house last summer. And right now he is out fixing the solar
lights.

So, I guess we created a better living space. Hmm. Amazing what a
little elbow grease does.

My friend Sarah

She's a ham.

Bulletin Board

Here's the first one AFTER the heat, dampness, and humidity hit it.
Drat!

April 12, 2011

Finished the bulletin boards today. Finally. Fingers hurt from cutting
the letters out.

New button bracelet

Decided to craft after I did all his filing from September to today.
Creating a less chaotic office made the day worth it. Or maybe not. It
did reveal that clutter is stifling. And clearing it out made me feel
better.

So here's the bracelet I made after solving the chaos of his corner of
the office. Buttons, natch!

April 11, 2011

Today I completed the second bulletin board for testing. Another 2
hours spent cutting and stapling. And it all gets torn down on May 2.
Bummer.

Don't have energy to do much else.

Dogwood Garland

While I had my paper cutter out, I cut out some leaves to complete the
garland. So pretty.

April 10, 2011

Today I made a name garland.

April 9, 2011

I was on a roll today, so I made my dogwood garland. I'm pretty happy
with it. Reminds me it's spring. And if the Martin family had a
family flower, it would be dogwood.

Tell me what you think of the garland...

April 9, 2011

Finished the flower garland for my bedroom. The picture is bad, but I
get to see pretty flowers while I lay in my new bed and dream of spring.

It's the same basic idea from previous flower garlands. Same American
Girl craft pad I used before. (And now I'm off to buy another pad
because they are half price at Michael's!)

I may have a flower garland craft night soon. Sound cool?

P.S.

I'm clearing out the craft room again. This time I'm actually putting everything in a box in a different room. I'll post the inventory so you can decide if you want anything before I donate it to the Rainey Institute for the Arts.

April 8, 2011

Today I worked on a new bulletin board at school. I've been putting up
testing advice for the kids as they prepare for the Ohio Achievement
Assessment. It took a couple of hours and I still have one more board
to go.

At home, I got the new Martha Stewartliving magazine and I found a
craft I'm going to try tomorrow. Can't publish the craft here because
it's a surprise for someone. I'll post it at a later date.

Today, I also sold my cute little clutch purse to a coworker.
Actually, she took it and wouldn't even let me say it wasn't for sale,
she just threw me some cash and walked away squealing about how cute
it was. I only hope I have enough of that yarn to make another because
that yarn is no longer available to purchase. (sigh)

Happy Weekend! My Tempurpedic Swedish mattress is whispering for me to
come back to bed...

April 7, 2011

I finished putting my flowers together. Tomorrow, I'm going to create
a new garland for my bedroom.

April 6, 2011

No crafting today. But I did create a recycling team at school today. So that counts.

April 5, 2011

All I got done today was rolling this expensive yarn into balls I can
actually use. And repairing a sweater for Alicia.

Cookies!

Not the best picture, but the cookies are super! Cake mix, 2 eggs,
stick of butter. Mix and bake at 350 for 11 minutes--right before the
edges turn brown. (Mom said 9, but she has a better oven.).

The batch I undercooked was shared by me and the dogs. They didn't mind.

April 4, 2011

Today, I repaired my BFF's watch and then laid on my new bed and
watched it rain. �N I also fought with my new yarn as I tried to roll
it into balls while it decided to tangle. No cuss words were used, but
scissors�c were and that sucks.��

Made the mistake of taking out my chain maille supplies to fix Lisa's
watch and now I want to make a necklace for myself. Argh. �^

April 3, 2011

Today I finished the Gaelic Afghan. Finally.

April 2, 2011

Three more rows until it's finished. Of course, if I have enough yarn
left I'll have to add 10 more rows so I don't waste perfectly good
expensive wool yarn. I hope I don't have enough because 2 rows takes
an hour and I've grown rather tired of the darn thing.

April 1, 2011

Today I (finally) finished the scarf I started a month ago. Sheesh. No
more Red Heart Yarn!