Sick day

So I have been missing for two reason. I have come down with a nasty cold, I will spare the details, I am sure plenty have seen or experienced the recent nasty cold.  Also I have been working straight out. Yes I have been going to work sick. But, why? Because I need the paycheck, and work doesn't have enough people. BOOOO :(  Of course I get the foolish comment from customers, "Oh are you not feeling well", Obviously, thanks. I am hoping the symptoms will decrease by Christmas. I at least have Christmas eve off, I will definitely be sleeping in.
Sorry for such a downer post :(  things should calm down at work by next week, so I can rest up and come back with a more cheery post, full of the stuff I have been doing that isn't work related.

Have a great Holiday!

Holy smokes!

Work is crazy. Sure we're busy, but the people coming in and calling!? I have customers coming up to me, asking me to pull crafts out of thin air. I am so not ready for that. They have no idea what they want to do, but they want to make something. Points for wanting to go handmade. It's definitely awesome to see more people making gifts. I keep trying to explain to my family how I don't want a bunch a stuff. Just to get one heartfelt gift means so much more, even if it's just a handmade card, or maybe some banana bread. Instead, it often looks like they went through the clearance aisle and stuffed a whole bunch of stuff in the cart. Really my mom's the culprit for that. I have been trying for so long to explain it's not quantity, it's quality. But she still doesn't want me to feel left out, because my brother and sister might get more gifts than me. I am definitely not five. 
Not to say I don't have things I want. It's just that A) It can be very expensive, B) I don't have the room to own it all. Most of it involves awesome cooking utensils. I got the Williams-Sonoma catalog in the mail and just drool over all the awesomeness. Oh and the pictures and recipes of food. 
So I ramble, sorry for the rambling post.
Is there anything special you would like for Christmas?
Any weird gifts you have received?

Dec 8

So work is sucking out all my energy. It can be such a bummer. I think of all the things I want to do, and then I get home from work, and I just go, meh! So I woke up at 4:30 this morning. I couldn't get back to sleep. So I think to myself,  go bake! So I finally made the chocolate chip cookies. The reciepe says it will make 5 dozen, I usually only end up making 40 cookies. I have to wonder what size their cookies are, because mine aren't huge. The great thing is, now that I have those cookies done, I can mail out my dad's package. I so can't wait for him to get his gift. My dad is an avid photographer, and I found the coolest gift, on the most awesome website.
If you have someone, or are that someone that loves taking pictures Photojojo is an awesome place to go to. So what did I get my dad? This awesome gift! I love when I find I gift that just seems so right for a person. It makes me all excited, if he lived closer I would have a hard time giving it to him earlier. Do you ever do that? So far I have been pretty good about not giving gifts early. I just love when I can find a really awesome gift for a person. It makes it so fun.
I have today off, but a portion of my day will be spent at the dentist fixing a tooth. How freaky that part of my filling fell out. YOWZER! I can't wait to get it fixed, but I don't like how long it can take, or the numb feeling you get. BLECH! Oh well. Maybe I will get some sugar cookies baked today. I love baking, I just wish I had more time to do it. Ah well, so much fun stuff to do, I must plan my time more wisely!

Have some fun today!

Soooo....

I mentioned earlier that since the computer had been sick and unusable, I had been busy with crochet, and I finished some Christmas gifts. So I thought I should share!
So I decided I wasn't happy with the shawl I made my aunt, and started making granny squares to put together to maker her a granny square scarf. This is a variegated purple yarn. I think my camera dislikes purple, I always have trouble taking pictures with the true purple color. Anyways I made 12 squares and I am now sewing them together to make the scarf. Yay!

 I made my grandmother a little card wallet. She carries her cash and all her cards in a change purse that is ready to bust. This is a much cuter way to do it. I plan on making a bigger one to hold my camera, phone, and Ipod in purse. The fabric choice, is because my grandmother loves elephants with their trunks up (for good luck). Here it is open...

 and here it is closed.

 These are some Christmas trees that will be strung together to make a garland. I just need to weave in the ends, and block them so they will lay flat. I am never crazy about that part, but I can't string them together till I do it. So I better get on it!

Work has been crazy busy! Awesome, since it is a craft store. Maybe more people are making handmade gifts.
Are you making a lot of your gifts this year?

Acckkkkk!!!

I have been away. Busy with Thanksgiving holiday hubbub, then Thanksgiving night got a nasty virus on the computer. BLECK! Had to have the computer shut down, till a buddy could come fix. He left like 20 minutes ago, and all is well!!! YAY!! But in the mean time I have been productive with my time. Crocheting. I have all the Christmas gifts done, now I can bake! I love to add cookies to the gifts. I also got a chocolate mold to make easy chocolate covered OREOs. Oh yes that's right. I had to try it out, super easy, and so yummy!
Well to all those that celebrate it, a belated Happy Thanksgiving. Everyone be safe for the holidays.

Have some fun!

Project cardigan completed!!

So I got a quick pick, since I did say I would. It is so cold outside I swear my camera was shivering! It started to snow a little, but didn't last.

Oh I also made the cute crochet flower headband.
I am really happy with this cardigan, it fits so well, and feels so comfy. I will be making more.....soon as I finish my other projects :)
Have some fun this weekend, I am hoping to get a chance to see the Harry Potter 7 part one, this weekend (more likely I will end up seeing it next weekend).

Working on a cardigan

So I have been busy with work, and crochet.
I get scheduled days off from work, and then they call me. I have a hard time saying no, or ignoring a ringing phone. I know it's sad. So I must find a place to work on my crochet, or other crafts, where I can't hear the phone ring.
I am really excited about this project, it was actually a pretty quick to work up, and not too complicated.

I don't really own cardigans, and I see cute ones in the store. I think I could just make one. So that's what this is. I have now finished it, except I need to add a button to it. I have plenty of buttons, but want to make sure I pick one that will work the best for it, and I haven't taken the time to do that. I have been busy crocheting a bomber hat for my brother for Christmas, and I still have some mittens to make for a friend. I am also making three raccoons, for the kids of my friend. I can never do just one project. I usually end of having at least three projects going at once. The good news is that I will finish them all.
I will have a chance Friday afternoon, to add the button to my cardigan, and get a picture of the finished project. It fits really well, better than the knit cardigan I made last year :(  I could have sworn I did the gauge on it, but it still came out a bit too big for me. It looks so pretty though. Oh well.
I have some great cardigans saved on my ravelry account, that now that I have made one that fits, I will definitely make more.


I have long day of work ahead of me, unloading a Christmas truck.
Have some fun today!

My Tattoos series part four

So this is the first one! It is an angel wing lotus. I wanted it in black and gray, the flower is naturally white. When I showed some people I knew, the first thing a lot of them said is " when are you going to add the color?" really? It isn't pretty as it is? Oh well.

You can see all the gummy stuff from the tape, so this is when it was brand new. why don't I have a current one? I don't get a lot of pictures of myself. David doesn't really use his camera, and I am usually taking the pictures. I have tried to have David use my camera and it's funny, for some reason he can't figure it out. This is actually him using my old camera (a Sony). I own a a Nikon now, and it's not one of the fancy ones, but I like it so much better than my old one.
So that's what I got for tattoos, right now. I have bunches of ideas, but I need the funds. I also don't think I will get all the stuff I have ideas of. Right now I am pretty satisfied with what I have. It may be a while before I get anymore. Certainly price is what slows me down. BUT I do feel you pay for what you get. I want awesome art on me, and I am happy to pay for that art. I have a cousin who gets work from her friend, and she brags about getting a discount. Not to be mean or rude, but the art isn't great, the lines are blurry, and there is no definition. It does not make me say wow. As long as she is happy with what she got.
My sister wants to get tattoos, and I keep telling her to make sure she likes the work they do, the place is clean, and they use an autoclave all the time. In the end what she decides to do is up to her.


Well have some fun today!

My Tattoos series part three

This is my least visible tattoo. Two crows on hip. The one top hurt the most, because when I laid down, it is right on my hip. OW!
I got to two crows, because of a rhyme. Two crows for mirth (joy). Crows are pretty smart, I have seen video of rescued crows that couldn't go back in the wild. They were able to talk, and sound really human, one of them even had an English accent. They are also know to use tools to get to there food. Pretty neat!

 Not the best picture :( But it's in a weird place, and I don't want to share too much. They are flying up, I just didn't fix the photo. Forgive the terrible picture.


Have a some fun today!

Ta Da!

I have been crocheting like crazy! I love it!

I am pretty pleased with myself, finishing two more gifts. I have two more to go. I never know what to make for the guys, so I end up buying something they will enjoy.
I also tried felting and am really pleased with how the hat turned out. I want to add a band, and make some holiday hat pins. I may only get to adding the band :)
So now I will dump some pictures :) I haven't gotten pictures of everything, including the gifts, and multiples of the mitts.

 My version of a raccoon. I am really pleased with him/her.

 I think I love felting! It was so neat to see it shrink, so it would actually fit my head.

My new favorite pair of fingerless mitts. I LOVE them! The color should look darker it's called peacock feather. I also made another pair, in a dark berry color, they will be gift for someone.

Keep warm! There is definitely a chill in the air up here! I had to actually scrape the frost off my car windows a couple of days ago.

Have I mentioned?

Have I mentioned my trip to Salem, MA this year?
I haven't? How rude!
This year is a bunch of pics of boats and trees. Yes I like trees :)
It was a partly sunny day, that required the wearing of long johns. It was so chilly and windy at times, but the place is still so pretty!
I also love the side streets, with the cobblestone and brick on the ground and the brick buildings, it is so pretty. 

 The question I have, what is a crotchet box? Should I know? Do I really want to know?

 I love walking through this little side path.

The oldest cemetery, with some old gnarly trees.

My Tattoos series part two

I had look for a picture of my third tattoo. My artist (Jennifer Moore, Sanctuary Tattoo) got a couple of pictures when she was done. It took four hours, and was done by 11pm. I looked wiped! Tattoo looks awesome, I look pooped, HA!

 So this is the best way to show it off, just show the tattoo, you don't need to see how pooped I looked.
What is it you ask, well it's the green man. Without getting into all the details, the druids believe he protects the woods, and symbolizes the seasons and life and death.
For me, it shows my love of plants, and the job I love. Working with plants, has been the job I have enjoyed the most.
Jennifer drew up this design based off two different pictures I liked, and used a lot of the plant material I like. Ginkgo, Oak, and Birch leaves, and hops.  I get so many comments on this one, all good.

My Tattoos series

I have been thinking about sharing my tattoos. I firmly believe that a tattoo should have meaning for you. It doesn't have to have profound meaning, but it should mean something. I think that time should be spent checking out tattoo artists. They all have different styles, and attitudes. Pick the right one for you. I have gone to Jennifer Moore at Sanctuary Tattoo for all of mine. I have four tattoos, and I have a few more I would like to get.
I think I will go backwards, and in this post I will share my current tattoo. I got this in the beginning of October.

This is my most visible tattoo. I wanted it on my arm so I could see it everyday.
This is actually part of a song. The band is Switchfoot, and the song is called C'mon, C'mon. Every time I hear him sing these lyrics, it stirs me up and gives me goosebumps.
It means to me, not to take any moment for granted, and live your life to the fullest. It inspires me to go after my passions. The whole song means so much.
 LYRICS:
You've been living life like it's a sequel
and your already bored with the plot
as if the cast and the score
are more money than before
But the script and the backdrop are stock

We've got the rest of our lives to regret
All the words that were said here tonight
but i bet that the morning, in the morning
You'll find us in bloom

So C'mon C'mon C'mon
Let's not be our parents
Oh C'mon C'mon C'mon
Let's follow this trough
Oh C'mon C'mon C'mon
Everything's waiting

We will rise with the wings of the dawn
When everythings new [2x]

Ever size up with summer sun?
Let these songs awaken the dawn
Let us beathe every breath
like a breath to be kept
Let us breathe it all in till it's gone

We've got the rest of our lives to live out
All these dreams we stay up tonight talking about
In the morning, start hoping, to not be too soon

So C'mon C'mon C'mon
Let's abandon this darkness
Oh C'mon C'mon C'mon
Let's follow this through
Yeah so C'mon C'mon C'mon
Everything's waiting
We will live like fire and gold
when everything's new [8x]

Crochet

So I have been crocheting like crazy! I have also felted for the first time! I really like the way it came out!
I have started working at Michael's and it's not that bad. I work up at the register, and as long as it's busy I don't mind it. Also this week they are having employee appreciation week, which means anything not on sale is 50% off. Um hi can you just keep my paycheck this week. I picked up a Christmas present, and of course some yarn. I will have to grab some more yarn before the 24th (sale ends). Also might have to look at the potential of some other kinds of Christmas gifts I could make. The men in my life (dad, brother, boyfriend, grandfather) are so difficult to make things for. Any ideas??? They are already have scarves from me.
This Friday, is the Friday! We make our annual trip to Salem. So far weather looks good. The place is so pretty especially in fall. The houses are pretty much kept historically accurate. I love just walking through the town.
Any places you like to visit in fall?

First days

I started working at Michael's yesterday. Most of the day was signing and watching movies. The last hour was watching someone use the cash register. That's where I will be for most of the time. I am only a holiday hire, so they will only keep me till Jan1. There is the chance if they still need me they will keep me longer.I didn't have to be in till 11am, I am usually up around 5:30. So what did I do to keep myself busy, and the first day jitters down? I made a tutu! Ha! I am not sure what my costume will be, but I will be wearing a green tutu. Any ideas for me?

TA DA!
I broke my first sewing needle, on this. It would be so cool if I work Halloween, and they would let us reasonably dress up, I could totally wear it! Fingers crossed!
I work today, so I will definitely be on the registers today. I am a little nervous, but I know it won't be a big thing.

In about one week, we will be taking our annual trip to Salem, Mass. it is such a pretty town. So excited!

Does anyone else get first day jitters?

I have been crocheting turtles and it is so much fun. I think they came out really cute.

 Then of course I feel it was inevitable that I should crochet a lobster. All I had in my stash was a yarn called goldfish. David said I should make it a steamed lobster then. So I put x's for the eyes. I little morbid I know, would it help if I made some corn to go with him. Or for the holiday season should I make him a zombie lobster? Ha!

Well I have about nine yards of green tulle, thinking about making a tutu.
Also today is the first day of the holiday job, hopefully it will go well. First day is always a bit nervous for me. It should be just fine though :)
I have some pumpkins that are waiting for me to carve into them, too.

Have some fun today!

Fall movies

Fall kicks off, with pretty colors, and cooler weather. I can't help but start to get all festive for Halloween. Here are the movies that make me think of Halloween.

I love Coraline! Besides did you know there was a lady that knitted her little sweaters!!! I also love just the visual stimulation.

I am a HUGE Wallace and Gromit fan. This a halloween movie that won't have me checking under the bed, so cute! What would Wallace do without Gromit.

I love fairy tales, and what a great way to see them! Creepy, but not too scary.

Of course the Harry Potter series. I am a fan, and can't wait to see the next one. Need I say more?

Something about just always makes me think of fall and Halloween. Sure there are witches, but I just like the whole story. I am also IN LOVE with that house!
I got all my movies pictures from Amazon.com

These are the movies I could think of off the top of my head. I know there are so many more out there. I am not a horror/gore fan so that's why I don't have any of that on my list. Last night I watched the Wolfman, with Anthony Hopkins, and Benicio Del Toro. It had some gore, but it wasn't over done. I definitely looked away in some yucky parts.

So what do you like to watch when Halloween comes around?

Fryeburg fair fun!

The Fryeburg Fair is such a big deal, especially for agriculture in Maine. Also ONE of the great things about fall. David and I have been going for every year we have been together, minus one year when we were both working so much. I can't remember what year that was I must have blocked it out :)

Warning: Ridiculous amount of cute babies in pictures

 This was the nosiest one in the barn, definitely wanted it's picture taken. See the smile.

Blurry picture, but it was cool to see the way blacksmith's use to work

 Old log splitter it works on both sides, so glad I never had to use that one!

 The most friendly little bunny, came right over when I got to him. It's a lionhead bunny.

 I wanted to fit this one in my pocket and take it home with me, so tiny and cute!!

 David and I called this one glam bunny. It is perfectly white except a black ring around it's eyes

These baby chicks are only a few days old

Some of the spoils of my adventure! Maple cotton candy, 100% wool, hand dyed and spun yarn, and because I'm a geek a winter tree finder.

close up on the yarn. I love how it is not all perfectly one thickness, and some slight variation in the yellow

Anyways I did warn, there are a lot of pictures. I would have had more, but mostly I can't help taking pictures of animals.