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