HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

I received many wonderful gifts this year from family and friends.  I love the new Bind-it-All that I received, and I will be making many new scrapbooking albums in the near future.  I will be getting my Christmas pics developed, and go to town!  

I was very lucky this year, and I feel that I have been given a gift.  I had blot clots in my lungs, and I very nearly died.  I explained away all the symptoms that I had, and I simply passed out.  My husband saved my life by calling 911.  When they told me that I might die, I thought that the doctor was nuts!  I wasn't going anywhere, and here I am!

I dearly miss my Aunt that passed away from cancer this year.

However, this year I hope will be brighter and merrier.  I plan to post at least 3 to 4 times a month.  I have been busy working on video ideas for crocheting, knitting, and scrapbooking.  I hope to post a video at least once a month.  I may even do some for companies to make money.  More on that later.

My doctor says that I have to lose weight, or I will die.  I am going to walk on my treadmill daily, and hopefully get some swimming in.  For those of you who may have fibromyalgia, you know that water exercise is best, and they have a hot tub too!  Yummy!

I hope those of you that read my posts will continue to do so.  I have much more in store for 2013!

Happy Scrappin & Hookin,

Michelle

Feeling Overwhelmed!

I haven't felt like doing anything lately, and I'm a classical type A person.  Sitting still when I feel good drives me nuts!  I finally figured out why I felt like this.  I'm just feeling overwhelmed by the amount of cleaning that needs to be done and the number of gifts that still need to be made yet.  So,  I decided that tomorrow I'm going to take some me time and make some of our Christmas cards.  I have everything I need.  I'm working on the gifts every nite.  What doesn't get finished, we will have to get creative with.

I bought a sketch book from Annie-sattic.om, and it has nothing but Christmas card sketches in it!  I can't wait to get started.  I have a sale going on in my Etsy store for 10% off of everything right now.  There is a link below.  The coupon is on my store's front page description.  I have something for just about everyone!  You can custom order colors, sizes, and items.  If you don't see an item in my store, just email me to discuss what you would like and how long it would take to make it, etc.  I'm still not very good at taking pics to show off the merchanise  in a good light.  If you have a question, please feel free to email me.  I will be happy to model an item if possible.

I want to visit our local Kraynaks this month.  It's a store that sells plants, candy, toys, and collectibles.  Every year they have what they call Santa's lane, and the long lane inside is divided into sections.  They have each section decorated using a different theme.  One theme might be bear land, another the Peanuts, etc,.   The last section is usually a nativity scene.  There are about 10 different sections with animation, trees, lights, decorations, etc.  It's a local family tradition to go every year, and every year it is different.  People will toss money in the displays to make donations to help pay for the cost of running it.  If you're interested, it's Kraynaks in Hermitage, PA.

Gotta go and work on more gifts.

Happy hookin & Scrappin,

Michelle

New Owl Cell Phone Case

I recently finished crocheting an Owl Cell Phone case for my Etsy store https://www.etsy.com/your/listings.  I got the recipe off of Linda Cyr on I LOVE YARN DAY!  I think they are the cutest things!  I made one for myself pictured here, but I can make them custom colored to your tastes.

I also got a couple more patterns that day.  I have a really cute cozy pattern for a reindeer that will fit an insulated plastic cup or mug (16 oz), and a pattern for an 8oz mug that's a snowman.  I used a colored lights button for the snowman cozy to keep it closed.

You can find the reindeer pattern on Ravelry.com for free, and it was designed by Bernat Design Studio.  The Snowman cozy was designed by Michele Wilcox for Redheart.com, and it's a free pattern as well.  All of these items are for sale in my Etsy store, and I have a whole lot more!  I have something for everyone!  Please take a look.  I will be having a Black Friday sale, so keep watching!

I just saw a really cute reindeer wine bottle topper pattern on the Red heart website.  That would make a great gift for my sister!  I don't know how everyone else is doing this year, but we have been hit hard financially, and have no money for gift giving.  I'm not feeling sorry for myself though, because I just think of those poor people whom have lost their lives or everything they have due to Sandy.  God Bless them!  I will pray for them.  I am using the supplies I have on hand to make by hand our gifts this year.  I just hope everyone likes what they receive.

I need to get back in the scrapbook room again.  I need to make some Christmas cards and stationary sets.  Let me know what's on your hooks.

Happy Scrappin & Hookin,

Michelle

Lace Mittens

I recently finished my first pair of lace mittens, and they are pretty!  They are made with Wool-Ease, so they are washable and kid friendly.  I have them for sale at my Etsy shop.  They are $28 a pair.  I will make them in the color combination that you choose.  They will ship within 1 week, and shipping is included in the price!

I didn't have a model on hand for the picture, or they would have shown much nicer.  I've already completed a second pair, but I have yet to do the second color that goes underneath the lace.  They are grey, and they will have pink underneath when I get around to going to the craft store.  Right now, I am working on making a blue sock monkey bottle holder that's been custom ordered from my Etsy store.  You can custom order anything on my store, and ask if there is something that you want made that I do not have shown.  There isn't much that I have crocheted!  I do give discounts on bulk orders for those of you whom are store owners.  Shipping is included in the price on all of my products.

Enough sales talk!  I received my first ever Cravebox a couple of days ago!  I was so excited!  I wanted to make a video, but it was so gloomy inside and out, and my camera doesn't have a light.  Anywho, for $10 I got a back to school kit.  It contained: Halo which you spray 3x's in your mouth and it prevents you from getting any airbourne illnesses for up to 3 hours!  Love it!  I used it when I went to the doctor's office!  Great for shopping during the holidays, airplanes, and school teachers during flu season!  I received a coupon for a free lunchable with a smoothie!  Yummi Bear vitamins, Fruit of the Earth Aloe Vera Gel good for sunburns and dry skin, (I used it on my dog, because he's really itchy and it helps!), Little Pim Foreign Language and Fun Spanish DVD for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers (I don't have little ones, and we are donating it to our local libary), Bic Atlantis Ball Pens (very nice), Bic Velocity mechanical pencils (Very nice), a slim packs from Kleenex (Very stylish!).  All of this for $10!

I just sent away for another Cravebox.  This one is a reader's Cravebox.  I should get it on Tuesday.  I can't wait to see what's inside.  This one was $11.  There is a female author with a new release that's donating.  Could it be J. K. Rawlings???  We'll have to wait and see.  I'll be happy with whatever it is.

I just joined this new thing called Jingit.  You get paid to watch commercials.  You get more money buy scanning the same items when you come across them in the grocery store!  You can also make more money as more people sign up under you.  For instance, I can only make $15 a week until someone signs up under me.  So, if you are interested, please go to my facebook, and sign up with the link provided so that I can make more than $15 a week!  I've already made over $5 in 2 days!  It only took a couple minutes of my time, and it beats surveys hands down!

Happy Scrappin & Hookin,

Michelle

Tim Holtz Product Giveaway!

Jessica Shelton is giving away Tim Holtz products that will enable someone to make an entire album!

Go to her website and apply!

Happy Scrappin & Hookin!

Michelle

Yarn blitz!

I recently went to Jo-Annes Fabric store, and I bought a ton of yarn on sale.  I already went through 2 skeins of Patons for my sweater.  I need to buy 2 or 3 more skeins to finish it.  Here are some pics of what it looks like so far.  It was in the Crochet Magazine about 2 months ago.

I also have pics of the yarn stash that I bought.  All together with a coupon, 10% discount, and 30 to 50% off all of the other yarns, I only paid around $33 for everything!

I can't wait to try the Sashay yarn!  I think I'll make a scarf.  I bought the towel to cut in 1/2 and crochet a topper for it.  I'll also make a tawashi and dishcloth in matching colors for a set.  I only paid $2 for the towel at Wal-Mart, and I'll get 2 sets out of it!  You will see it for sale on my Etsy account at https://www.etsy.com/your/listings/.  I'm listed under CropperhopperStuff on Etsy.com.  All of the items that are for sale already have the shipping added unless you are an international buyer.  I do sell bulk items for stores that would like to carry my merchandise.  I also do request orders for just about anything you would like made, and in your colors.

I have started to crochet a Poncho with the blue Wool-Ease.  It's a free pattern on the Lion Brand website.  The official name is Curvy Girl Intertwined Poncho.  It generally fits all, but it can be expanded or shrunk down by adding or subtracting the stitches in the width of the panels between the cables.  It also can be shortened for more petite ladies.

I started scrappin again, but more on that tomorrow!

Happy Scrappin & Hookin,

Michelle

DIY Nail Art Review

Hello Everyone!  I am trying to upload a video, but I'm having difficulty.  The videos is titled DIY Nail Art Review, and you can view it on my youtube site at:  https://plus.google.com/111732778684750403326/videos

I hope this link works!  I'm also going to post a crochet book review soon.  I'll keep you posted. :)

Happy Scrappin & Hookin,

Cropperhopper

Studio in Progress!

I finally started cleaning out one of our bedrooms to be turned into my studio!  Yeah!!  My husband set up the air conditioner, and we put Xmas stuff in the attic.  I set up a card table temporarily until I have funds for a nice table.  I couldn't find my Cricut carts, but I didn't let that stop me.  I scrapped 4 or 5 pages today.  I did make one card.  Fibro is high today, so no pics.  I will be working on the room a little each day to set it up the way that I want.  There will be videos soon.  I want to start making crochet videos too.

This humidity is killer for fibro and arthritus!  I can't wait until the end of the week.  The hurricane's leftovers will have passed by then.  On my Etsy site, I have shipping already included in the purchase price!  I thought that might make it easier to decide whether or not you would like to buy something.  I hate figuring in shipping when I'm shopping.  Sometimes, the shipping makes or breaks the deal.

I am steadily working on a crocheted sweater from the Spring 2012 Crochet Magazine. It's a Shamrock lace sweater made with Paton's wool.  It reminds me of cosmopolitan ice cream, because it's brown, pink, and a raspberry color.  It's only missing the vanilla!

I have a huge hatbox full of embellies, and I have a large plastic box full of embellies.  You can never have enough, can you?  I also found that I lack Christmas and Halloween papers.  I need to buy a stack next month for both.

Happy Memorial Day,

Michelle

New Videos Coming to YOU!

I want to make a shout out to NT8 for giving me a bloggie camera to make scrapbooking videos!  Thank you NT8!  I am still working on making a studio, so please be patient.

I won a copy of Sharon Silverman's Crochet Scarves book from Dora Ohrenstein!  Thank you Dora!  I should be getting it within 2 weeks.  I'll do a review when I see it.

Vocalpoint.com has given me a free coupon for Clairol's Nice'n Easy non permanent hair color.  Thank you Vocalpoint!  I urge all women to join.  They give free samples and coupons at a great discount!  Anyway, I bought the Ash Brown color, and I went to work.  I love the coverage on my gray hairs, and it matched my natural color wonderfully!  It washes out after 28 shampoos, but you can do it again or use it to find your hair color for the permanent color.  I love it, because I don't have to worry about touch-ups!

Here are the before and after pics:

As you can see, it's real close to my natural color, but it's more ashy.  It also covered the bleached sun parts of my hair well.

I have been busy crocheting.  I am making a sweater to wear and another sweater that goes over your clothes.  I just saw a new trend is having a sweater for your coat.  Has anyone else seen this?  It's made to look like an oversized scarf, but you have armholes so that it stays in place.  How many of you would wear this?

I haven't been scrappin for a long time, but I am seriously working on my studio, so that I can get started.  I have so many new products to try.  My mother and sister bought me stuff at a convention.  I'll have to take pics, and show you.

Happy Scrappin & Hooking,

Michelle

Free Chocolate!

Hi everyone, I just wanted to let you know that I won a free bag of GHIRARDELLI SQUARES. I was one of the first 50,000 entrants in their contest, and they rewarded me with a free bag of chocolate!  How cool is that?

I'm not too sure why this is posting in all caps so bear with me.  I have been busy knitting a pair of socks for DH.  I can't find the label, but it's wool with lyrica for stretch.  They are going to be a dark grey.  I also started crocheting the Sweetheart ripple afghan.  It's so pretty!  I finally broke down and bought the book, Reversible Ripple afghans.  It's one of annie's attic products.  I found the recipe online before the book came out, and once it was out, they pulled the recipe!  I have been wanting this for over a year, and it's on sale!

I was busy canning pickles and relish today.  I'm wiped out now, but I have 4 jars of relish and 5 jars of pickles.  They are really easy to make.  It does take a couple of hours with the prep time.

DH leaves monday to go on his motorcycle trip!  two weeks without him!  It's the longest we've been apart since we met!  That was about 20 years ago!  How time flies!  We are talking about taking a trip to chicago in 2 years on the bike!  I can't wait.  I told him to make it about the same time as cha, and we'll have to find a bike trailer to bring back my haul!

Let me know what you have been up to.

Happy Scrappin & Hookin,

Michelle

WIPs

I am currently working on a crocheted lace wedding dress for a 7 inch doll.  I ran out of yarn, and will buy some more tomorrow to finish it.  I also need to buy some more sock yarn to finish a shawl.  It seems that I've been running out of yarn just before I can finish my projects lately.  I do have a crocodile stitch purse that I need to finish yet.

It's been really hot and humid, which discourages me from doing much.  I'm busy trying to sort through household items and donating them.  I need to get rid of the clutter!  :)  I'm sure there are those of you that are doing the same.

My daughter is coming to stay for a few nights while dh is on his motorcycle trip, and we plan to work on the scrapbook room.  I'm so excited!  I can't wait until that room starts to come together.  I have tons of stuff that need to be hung in that room like magazine holders, file holders, etch.  I recently picked up a beautiful blue post board from JoAnne's Fabric.  That room is going to come together in no time!

I've discovered that I have a pension for hoarding books!  I am trying to get away from books, because I can just get them on my e-reader, and they don't take up space.  As I sort, however, I keep finding lots of books that I don't want to part with or at least until I've read them.  I couldn't read all of my books in my lifetime!  I'm definitely trying to get rid of 2 bookcases!

I just bought spellbinders shapeabilities Nested Owl set!  I can't wait to use them for LOs and cards!  I only paid $14, and that included shipping.  I won a prize package from doing a blog hop, and I'm waiting for my candy to come in to see what I won.  I love getting goodies in the mail.  Even if you think you will never win, you should apply for things.  I win free stuff in spurts.  I might go a month or 2 without winning, and then all of a sudden I win a couple of things in a row!  It's pretty exciting!

Happy Scrappin & Hookin,

Michelle

Pictures of Finished Objects!

I finished several projects that I've been working on lately.  I've been busy crocheting and knitting.  Right now, the cowl that I knitted is being blocked.  It's not much to look at until it dries.  It's an infinity cowl made with mohair.

I crocheted a chemo cap for a woman.  It has a flower on the side.  It will be on sale in my Etsy store for $8, and that includes shipping.

I made 2 preemie baby hats that will be on sale in my Etsy store.  They will be for sale for $6 each, and that includes shipping!

I also made a dark red or maroon Tam.  The color doesn't come out right in the picture.

This hat will also be for sale in my Etsy store for $12 which includes shipping.  The second picture shows more of the detailed stitches.

As you can see, I have been busy!  I don't know what I'm going to work on next, but if you have a request, please feel free to email me.

I haven't worked on my scrapbooking lately.  I haven't felt like it.  I just feel like doing needlework right now.  I think it's because I'm feeling under the weather and a little more in pain.

DH goes on his trip across the US like easy rider in 2 weeks!  Maybe I'll go to the scrapbook store then!

Happy Scrappin & Hookin,

Michelle

WIPS

My WIPs are a cowl made from a real pretty acrylic/mohair mix from Paton's Divine named Richest Rose.  To me, it's a cross between a rose color and a purple.  It's a very pretty color, and very, very soft!  The pattern is #142 Drawstring Lace Cowl from SweaterBabe.com.  It's a free pattern, and you can joing the knitting club for a free pattern every month with giveaways!

I am also working on a Slouchy Beanie pattern by Vickie Howell.  I printed the pattern from one of her emails that she posts for her Caron yarn.  I am using The Simply Soft Caron yarn in a Burgundy color.  I'm a little less than halfway done, and it's turning out really nice!  The color is allowing the feature to stand out quite nicely.  I am really pleased with it so far.

Tomorrow is scrapbooking day at Pat Cataan's, but I don't feel like going.  I don't feel as if I have the energy to drag everything out and back again, let alone scrap.  I think that if I do anything, I'd rather do it at home.  Right now, I'm having fun working on knitting and crocheting.  I just hope my yarn stash holds out. :)

I'd like to hear from you if you have something on your hooks.  Send me a picture or a link to show me what you are doing, whether it's scrapbooking, crocheting, knitting, or stamping.  Maybe it will give me some inspiration.

Happy Scrappin & Hooking,

Michelle

New Sock Monkey Cup Cozy in My Etsy Shop!

Hi everyone!  Life has kept me busy the last week and a half!  I was busy filling an order for my Etsy shop.  I have a new product for my etsy shop, and it's a Sock Monkey Cup Cozy made to fit the to-go cups.  It will also fit the new tumblers that Starbucks just came out with.  (I just bought one from Starbucks for myself.)  The pattern I used is from Frayed Knot.  She has given me permission to use it as long as I give her credit for the pattern.

Here is a pic of my newest creation:

Notice she has a red flower on the left side of her head.  I can make male ones too without the flowers.  So you can get both male and female cup cozies.  I can also make as many as you want to order.  Just email me how many you want, and how many male or female cozies you want, and give me a time frame.

I haven't had time to scrapbook, because I was crocheting day and night to fill orders, but I plan to go within the next 2 weeks.  I have the 3rd Thursday at Pat Cataan's coming up, a church scrapping night for free on the 22nd coming up, and I hope to go to Scrapbooking Expressions soon.  I did buy some stuff recently, and I will post my haul in my next post.

I bought a ton of yarn!  I bought 2 more skeins of Red Heart Super Saver Earth and Sky to finish my crocodile purse.  Now I can't remember how to do it!  Lol!  I have to watch the video again.  I bought a one pound skein of white baby yarn, 4 skeins of Red Heart Super Saver Buff Fleck, and 1 pound of Mill Ends mixed fibers (red).  I still forgot the sock yarn to finish the shawl that I started 2 months ago!  I did finally break down and bought comfort grips for my crochet hooks for $3.49.  They work great, and save me from spending $80 or more on the expensive crochet hooks that already have them on.  I highly recommend them.  Mine are made by Kahoot Products.

I need to make some extra money before August 12th, because DH will be traveling to Omaha, NE to pick up a new motorcycle!!!  We are so excited!  This will be his first big trip on a motorcycle across the country!  He's stoked!  Anywho, I need to start selling on Etsy to help pay for trip.  Please take a look to see if there is something that you would like.  If there is something that you would like to custom order, but you do not see, please feel free to email me and we can discuss the details.

I know the fourth is over, but we did go to the beach, and I went swimming.  DH sat on the shore waiting for me, (isn't he sweet?) because he doesn't swim.  Then, we went home and had a picnic.  Afterwards, the entire neighborhood sounded like a war zone (NO KIDDING!), and the sky was lit up for hours!  We sat and watched the light show.  We had a few cones and sparklers, and we did a few.

He made me a video of the fourth of July, and he was supposed to post it on youtube.  So, if you get the chance, go to cropperhopper on youtube to see if he posted it and let me know.

Happy Scrappin & Hookin,

Michelle

Free Class on Craftsy.com!

For all those who would like to know the differences between the different types of wool.  There is a free class on http://www.craftsy.com!  It describes the difference between the fibers, the drape, how well each felts, etc.  I highly recommend taking this course if you are a knitter.  I will be taking this course too.

Tomorrow I hope the rain will hold off long enough for dh and I to go to the beach.  There is nothing like the feeling of sand between your toes.  I can't wait!  We also have an awesome picnic planned.

I'm starting to fall asleep, so I'm getting off the computer. :)

Happy Scrappin & Happy Hooking,

Michelle 

Rent/Tax Rebate for Seniors in PA

For those of you whom might be interested, now is the time when the tax/rent rebate is being sent to the seniors and disabled in PA.  You need to apply at tax time for the rebate if you rent or own your home and fall into the income guidelines.  It is well worth checking into.  The top rebate is $600 for the year!  This is sponsored by the PA lottery.

I hope everyone is getting ready for the fourth?  I'm not doing anything fancy.  That's why your not seeing anything made with the Cricut.  I just got over a migraine from yesterday.  I had to dig to find the last of my medicine and slept all day.  Dh and I are going to the beach for a few hours, and then coming home with the pups for a cook-out!  We are finally able to get the gas tank for grill filled today.  Hooray!  We are the type that grill all year round.  Not having the tank filled, is like not having bread!

Dh is putting up a canopy in the yard for the Fourth too.  Our poor dog (Cinnamon) is already scared to death every night from the noise.  It will be a couple of weeks until the neighborhood gets quiet again.  Some of the neighbors use the M80s, even though they are illegal.  The cops don't care, because they put on a better show than the places that have the fireworks!  Go figure.  Any who, I'm thinking of trying that Thunder coat from Petsmart.  It's a little pricey, but well worth him having peace of mind.  If it works in thunderstorms that would be great too.  Has anyone tried it yet?  I'd like to know how well it worked.  My dog has been buck shot in the leg when he was homeless, and I think that the ozone smell is what triggers his post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).  Yes, dogs get it too!

I have too buy more yummy yarn today to make more sock monkeys for my etsy store.  I love buying yarn!  One can never have enough!  I always run out!  Of course I'm always making something.  I haven't been knitting anything lately though.  It seems that it takes soooo much longer to make anything, and it's never as nice as what I crochet.  I know I'm just being impatient, since I've been crocheting forever, and I just started to knit!  I am going to attempt a pair of colorwise mittens with a design.  We'll have to see if I can carry the strands without getting them tangled.

Happy Fourth of July!

Michelle

Huge Giveaway Ends Today!

Happyexpressions.blogspot.com has a huge awesome candy basket that she is giving away.  Today is the last day to enter!  It is her blogiversary.  Congrats!  Good luck to everyone who enters!  Sorry about the late notice, but I just found out about it.

I just watched the fireworks put on by Quaker Stake and Lube in Sharon, PA, and they were beautiful!

This is just a sample!

The pics were taken from our front porch, so they were much bigger if you were closer.

I'm busy working on my Etsy order, and it's coming along great.  We're putting our canopy up tomorrow for the fourth.  We may go to the beach for a while, who knows?  I haven't been to the beach in years.  It's been too long.

I'm looking forward to getting back to scrapping again in a couple of weeks.  I need to go to the store and scrap again for a while.  While my room is being renovated, I think it's easier to scrap there.  I'm putting off the renovation for a few months while I purchase a spinning wheel.  The wheel has been on my wish list for years, and I found one that I can actually afford!  I'm jumping on it with both feet!

I can't wait to start spinning my own yarn!  I want to make my creations, and dye them to my specifications and desires.  I think it will be much cheaper in the long run to make my own skeins.  Who knows, some of my skeins may appear on my Etsy store if I get good enough.  I just need to find some sheep & alpaca farmers that are local and are willing to wheel and deal!

I felt much better today.  I was actually able to get some housecleaning done.  Yeah!  I had to sort through my yarn stash and organize it.  I'm starting to get quite a collection of magazines and books.  I'm going to have to find a home for them.  I'm thinking of getting rid of about 200 books, because I have my e reader.  I figure that I'll never be able to read all my books on that let alone what I have on the bookshelf.  I just want to keep my faves.  What do you think?

Have a nice weekend!

Happy Scrappin & Hookin,

Michelle

First Sale on Etsy!

I'm so excited!  I made my first sale on Etsy, and I'm negotiating my second!  I sold the Cricut Cartridge, but I still have the the Sizzix embossing equipment for sale.  Go view my Etsy store, and take a look at the 2 new kitchen dishcloths and the stuffed kitty that I crocheted and have for sale!  If you e-mail me and say that you saw my blog, I'll give you a 10% discount!

I didn't get much done today.  I'm lucky I got the dishes done. :)  I thought about scrapping, but I just don't have the energy today.  I'm going to work on crocheting my delta lace project.  I'm still just beginning it, but it's already pretty!  I'm using Simply Soft Caron in Yellow.  I decided to increase the number of stitches in the foundation crochet to be sure that it fits.  One Size DOES NOT fit all!  I really hate when they say that.  Nothing makes you feel like Big Bertha when you can't fit into a one size fits all piece of clothing.

It's over 90 degrees here in PA today.  My dumb dog wants to stay outside all day.  Typical beagle.  I worry about the heat, and he just plops down in the hot sun and looks dead!  I make him come in the air conditioning, because he had kennel cough, and as a result he now has asthma really bad.  He can't even go for walks in the summer.  Both of my male dogs have had kennel cough, and have that problem.  I'm glad we have a fenced in yard, or they would never get exercise.

Notice in the last pic that My dh is holding Cinnamon?  He's terrified of the camera.  He thinks that thunder and lightning is coming out of it, and refuses to get his photo taken!

Let me know what the weather is like in your area.  I love to hear about different parts of the world.  Let me know what your working on.

Happy Scrappin & Hookin,

Michelle

Peach Cheap Giveaway!

Peachy Cheap is having a $100 giveaway on Facebook!  All you have to do is like them, and leave a comment.

I went up on Ravelry.com to organize my yarn stash and projects.  I spent hours looking for free patterns.  It always amazes me how someone can turn crochet or knit pieces into works of art!  Some of the projects are just beautiful!  I'm starting to get bored with the knifty knitter, so I'm starting another project, and I'll work between the two.

There is a ScrapArt Tour in Mars, PA on July 15 or 16, and I will be there.  There will be stamping vendors from all over the US selling at discount.  I can't wait.  I'm debating on going to the $30 scrapping session.  You get a goodie bag, and 7 or 8 make and takes.  That's quite a bit, but I have my eye on a spinning wheel that I want right now.  I have to keep reminding myself that I can't do everything at once.  Someone was selling their Cricut Imagine for $100!  I think it went fast, because I couldn't get them to return my email, or I would have it!

Don't forget, I have a Cricut Paperdoll Dress-up cartridge, Sizzix Sidekick, & Sizzix embossing purse for sale.  I would like to get at least $15 for the cart and $10 for the purse, but I will take offers.

I did color the cards that I stamped the other day, but I have yet to add embellies.  I chose to play with my dog outside and stay away from the crafts and computer today.

I still have to make decorations for the Fourth yet.  We are planning to invite our friends over for a picnic.  I want to have some decorations make up to make it more festive.  I only have 2 Fourth of July stamps, and no carts for the Cricut.  I will have to be inventive.

Happy Scrappin & Stampin,

Michelle

Fibromyalgia

I have been dizzy and sick off and on throughout the day for the past 2 months.  The doctors are still running tests to try to figure out what is wrong with me.  I think that I finally figured it out!  It's pain!  I have grown so used to being in pain and ignoring it, that it's been getting me sick when my pain levels are getting too high.  Lately, my arthritis has been really bad, it helped me figure it out.  One minute I feel like I can do anything (Doesn't last long), and the next, I feel like laying down and being put out of my misery!  No, I'm not exaggerating.  I just wanted to put it out there in case someone else is going through the same thing.  They have me scheduled for a brain scan, but I know there's no tumor or anything.  I have the scans every so many years due to migraines.


Thank you for encouraging my DH to build my desk, and remodel my scrapbook room.  I currently have to carry my stuff downstairs to my living room, and sit on the floor or armchair to scrap!  By the time I get everything downstairs, I"m all wore out.  


I did work on some cards yesterday.  I stamped some Christmas, Fourth of July, and Halloween cards.  I wanted to add embellies and color them either with pencils or markers to finish them off, and then I will post pics of some of them.  I want to submit the Christmas ones, if they turn out nice to some magazine submissions.  I decided that I need to get published.  Why not?  If I want to be on a design team, I decided it would help if I had some designs that were published.  


I'm about halfway done with the wrap that I'm working on with the loom.  I'm using Lion Brand Homespun yarn with the Prairie colorway.  I love the light colors that are turning up as I weave.  I'm debating on putting on some fringe when it's done.  I think I'm going to add a flower for decoration.  


For the scrapbooking crowd, I noticed that crocheted flowers are hot right now.  I crochet my own for a few pennies each, that look identical to the ones that are being sold for $4-6 for 4 flowers.  Would anyone be interested in buying crocheted flowers off of Etsy cheap?  I can do any color, or color combo.  I can do different flowers, vines, leaves, etc.  I can even do bugs!  Of course, you do your own by looking up patterns and using crochet thread to make them yourself.  


I still have the Cricut Paper Cut Dolls Dress-Up Cartridge for sale.  Make an offer.  I only used it once or twice.  It will come with the box and instruction booklet, as well as the rubber pad.  I never uploaded it to a gypsy as I don't have one, so you will be able to do so.

I also have a Sizzix purse that I'm selling. The plates come with it.  I just don't have them in the pic.  I have a Bigshot, and I no longer need the purse.  Make an offer.

I have a Sizzix Sidekick that I'm selling as well.  Make an offer.

That's all I have for now.


Happy Scrappin & Hookin,


Michelle

WIP

I am currently working on my Knifty Knitter, and I have never used the big one that I bought.  I am using a thick soft yarn (can't think of the name), and it's turning out to be real pretty.  I haven't figured out what it's going to be yet.  Here is a pic so far:

I'm so excited to try Delta crochet!  I might just start tonight.  I have to look and see if I have any yarn that will work.  I want the right color for the project I mentioned in the last post.  I also want to do a little card making and scrapping if time allows.  I've been actually getting some housework done for a change.  Go figure!  Now it's time for some fun!  I'm thinking of doing some fun things for the fourth, but I also want to work on some things for Christmas.  I know it's early, but I want to apply for some of the magazines for publication.  Who knows, I might actually get published.  Little update on the Shibaguyzs Designs, I did not get position that they had available.  They did tell me to reapply in 4 months though.  There are people whom they told not to reapply.  I thought that they might tell me this as I never had to block a swatch in my life.  They did not turn out too well.   It was a lot harder than I thought to crochet a swatch without a pic to see what it should look like when your done.  I found that I had a lot trouble doing this, and it took me a few times before it turned out nice.  Oh well, I don't mind practicing. :)  I have another shawl that is 3/4 of the way completed, but I have to get more yarn payday to complete it.  Can't wait to see the finished product, let alone wear it!

There is a Scrap/Stamp Art Tour in Mars, PA in July.  I will be there with a friend.  I hope to see you there! I hope the scrapping Friday isn't sold out yet!  I'd love to go on Friday with all of the make and takes that they have along with the prizes.

I need some more stamps.  I need larger stamps that I can use for cardmaking and can color with colored pencils or markers.  Most of mine are too small or not appropriate.

Happy Scrappin & Hookin,

Michelle

I'm Selling my Cricut Dress-Up Dolls Cartridge and Sizzix Purse!

Say hello to Calico!  She was finished last week, and she is dressed for France.  She has a little red beret too, but it fell off and it's so tiny that I mislocated it.

She also is sporting a tote with cherries on it, and a companion duck! LOL!  I also completed a floppy summer hat crocheted with cotton, but it looks much better on.

I am currently playing with my Knifty Knitting Loom while I am waiting for some books that I ordered from Annie's Attic.  (I almost wrote Auntie Anne's, the pretzel place--LOL!)  My mind is going with the fibro again!  I ordered 3 crochet books and a christmas card book about a week ago.  I'm anxiously waiting for them.  I have decided that I'm going to purge some of my craft stash, in order to buy what I really need.  I have a Cricut Dress-up Dolls cartridge that I am selling for $15 plus shipping.  (It shouldn't cost much)  It has never been put on a gypsy since I don't own one.  I have 2 of these carts.  Both were gifts, and I can definitely get rid of one.  I have rarely if ever used this cart, and it comes with the box, instructions, and of course the pad.  I have the Sizzix Embossing Purse that retails in the store for $30, and I am selling mine for $15 plus shipping.  I used it once or twice, and then got my BigShot for Christmas.  I can send pics upon request.  I just haven't taken them as I just decided to do this.

I am thinking of having an online class for $10 that will teach you how to make your own embossing folders using your Cricut and die cut machines.  Classes that will teach you how to reuse the hard plastic on the packages you buy, to make gifts, cards, and other items.  Card classes, LO classes, crochet classes.  All of these classes would be online.  Is there any interest for this?  Please give me feedback.  I am all for learning how to do things for free or close to free instead of spending a fortune as I am not rich!  I'm sure most of you are not too!

I am looking for an used gypsy that works well.  If you have one, please contact me.  I am also looking for roving (wool), alpaca fur, etc, that can be spun on a spinning wheel from local farmers or any farmers shipped at a reasonable price or for barter.

Happy Scrappin & Hookin,

Michelle

Free Paper from Colorbok!

Colorbok has a new membership panel that you can join, and for participation you will receive a paper pack to get you started!  Periodically, you will receive products to test or review just for being a member.  Go to their facebook page and sign up by taking the survey!

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Colorb%C3%B6k/112716942577

I was outside the other day, and I took some pics of my yellow roses.  I bought these roses from Sam's Club for $4, and now they're almost taller than me!  I have to prune them back this year.  I'm not sure how to go about it without killing them.  Any advice would be appreciated.

The above LO was completed with paper donated by DCWV.  I'm not sure which paper stack it was from since they sent me paper from mixed stacks.  I used a Sizzix flower die-cut to cut the flower and I used the center of the flower on the page as well.  I used a BoBunny butterfly button and glued it inside the large pink flower.  I embossed the cardstock as well as punched the corners with a punch on the cardstock behind the picture.  I used a creative memories corner rounder punch on the picture.  I used a peel and stick ribbon from the dollar store.  I also used a cute cone brad from a travel pack that was bought at Ollie's a year ago.

A lot of people think you have to spend a lot of money on paper and glue.  However, I went shopping today at the dollar store and scored!

All of this cost $5!  I bought pastel cardstock (acid free) 12x12 and 8x10 (both match!).  I bought 100 sticky large sticky squares that I will probably cut up smaller.  The bags are different sizes and are resealable.  I will also use these for jewelry making and crochet jewelry.  The scotch scissors are for my crochet and knitting, but would have cost $5 or more in a regular store.  They also had Jolee stickers, inks, beads, more cardstock, you name it!

I had a heck of a time with a certain bank.  I'll give you a hint (it has 3 letters), in the western PA area.  Their policy is that if an unauthorized transaction is pending, they will withdraw the funds from your account, and if funds are unavailable, then you will receive overdraft fees on your account.  The overdraft fees are YOUR responsibility!!!  It is a courtesy, and totally up to the rep as to whether or not they reverse these fees if the transaction never goes thru.  If the transaction never goes thru, you can't contest it and the overdraft fees won't be reversed or included in the fraud.

It is quite a racket that this particular bank has going.  They could only tell me the state and city the company was located in.  They didn't have a legitimate address or phone number.  However, I was able to email them and threatened them with a lawsuit for the overdraft fees and pain and suffering if they didn't remove it from my account, because the longer it was there, the more the overdraft fees.  By this time, it was the 3rd time contacting this particular bank.  I happen to know that 2 other banks do not operate like this, and would not let the customer get shafted because a computer can not tell the difference between a fraudulent pending draft and a real one.  I must also tell you that the customer service and management online was rude and disrepectful implying that I probably authorized it and was lying, and continued to put me down for over an hour!

Long story short, I just had it fixed today, after the company removed the pending authorization, and after the 4th time contacting the bank.  However, I believe that I will no longer be a customer.  I will find a bank with more ethical practices and urge you to do the same, especially if you are on a budget as well.  I urge everyone that reads this to check your bank policies on fraudulent charges pending, and write to your bank or switch banks if they have the same practice!!!!  If enough people do this, they will change this policy, because they do not want to lose our business.

Happy Hookin & Scrappin,

Michelle

Chosen for the DCWV contest

I was chosen with 24 other people to enter the DCWV contest in collaboration with May Arts Ribbons.  I received tons of paper and ribbon, and I made an album.  I had 2 boards that had ink resistant designs on them, and I used ink on them.  I rubbed the extra ink off with a paper towel.  I used cardboard for my pages, and I will spray the entire album with a preservative spray.  I loved the die-cuts that were part of the paper pack, and I cut some of my images out from the paper to use as die-cuts.  Here is the finished album.

Hope you enjoyed that!  I didn't win, but I had a lot of fun.  I learned that I need to step my game up to win. I just learned how to make my own embossing folders, using my cricut and my die-cuts, and I plan to share this with you.

I am currently working on the knitting Loom making a scarf for the first time on the long loom.  I want to do this to see how I can figure out how to make an afghan.  I want to start building up my stash, so that I can enter one of the shows next season.  Suggestions are welcome, since I have never done so before.  I think I may do some papercrafting as well.  I'm really interested in pergammano  (don't think it's spelled right), and I'd really like to add it to my card making skills.  DH and I are both really sick right now, and haven't been doing anything.  I can't wait to feel better so that I can go to the beach and make a sand castle.  I would love to have a cook-out.  I plan to get the gas tank filled for our grill for the 4th of July for a picnic.  I would love to take the boat out too, but unfortunately not until after the 4th.  Our boat is bigger and faster and a whole lot funner than the the one pictured here.  I'm sure you'll see pics later.

DCWV is having a Design Team call.  I entered, and they will announce it in July.  I hope you enter.  Competition is fierce, so I don't really expect to win, but it's good experience to apply.

Let me know what you have on your hooks!

Happy Scrappin & Hookin,

Michelle