Let it Snow, Let it Snow!

In the past 3 days, we have gotten about 7 to 10 inches of snow! Since then, my asthma has kicked up, and I can't walk a couple of steps without having an asthma attack. I wish I could go outside and play with the pups and build a snowman. :) I am currently working on a purse pattern I found for free at JoAnne Fabrics by Red Heart. It's called Crochet Posey Purse. I made one for my daughter for Christmas, and my aunt wanted one for her b-day which is on Tuesday. I don't think it will be done by then, but she won't care if it's a couple of days late since I'm not feeling well. I'm using a 4-ply purple baby yarn which is really pretty. I can't remember which brand it is, but I bought it at JoAnne's in the one pound. I believe it is Caron. I will be posting pics of slippers and a cancer cap later when I feel better. These will be made available on Etsy. I changed my store name to Cropperhopper so that everyone will recognize it from my blog. I had to miss a crop today. I'm hoping to go soon. I will probably have to see the doc if this doesn't ease up. I hate going to the docs since I have to go at least once a month to get my meds for fibro. I have good news! I won the Northridge Publishing contest. I won the 6x6 Yours truly paper pad and the February issue of CARDS magazine! I'm on a roll this month! I should play the lotto, but I never do. I'm never this lucky this much at once! It made me so happy since I didn't have the money to go buy Valentine's day paper! Now I don't have to worry about it. I got 3/4 of the way on my tank top that I was crocheting, and I ran out of yarn. I have to wait until payday next month to get more to finish it. I just finished reading "Shutter Island". I give it 5 out of 5 stars! I was so surprised by the ending. I loved it. It kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. I wonder if the movie did it justice? You'll have to let me know. I usually don't like the movie as much as the book. Another book I just finished is "A Reliable Wife". I give it 4.7 out of 5 stars. Let me know what you're reading.

Happy scrappin & Hookin,

Michelle

Current Crochet Project

I am currently working on a Picot Shell top for the summer for myself for a change. The pattern can be found at Crochet Magazine, July 2011, Volume 24, No. 4. I believe I recently got it for free in one of their newsletters. I'm using the Handicrafter Bernat cotton. I forget the color, but is blue and white. I buy the 1 lb skeins. I had less than a skein to begin with, so I'm positive that I'll have to buy more to finish it. I like my tops loose and big, so I make them a size larger. Check this pattern out. I figure that by the time I finish it, it'll be time to wear it, because I have other things in the works at the same time. I wanted to show pics of finished objects, but the internet isn't cooperating tonite. I'm thinking of entering the 2013 Herrmann's afghan contest this year, but I'm undecided. I've never taken on a project that large before. However, one has until June to finish it. Let me know if you plan to enter. I'd like to hear from you. I think I'm going to be digging out my more romantic DCWV stacks to work on Valentines next Saturday. I'll have to wait to get my film developed from X-mas until next month. I'll have lots of pics of the work I did then. Right now, my craft room is overcrowded and unorganized. Our battery back-up broke and make a high-pitched whine so that I couldn't stay in the room for longer than to dump stuff in. LOL! We replaced it, and I'm dying to get in their and get busy. I've been sick for over a month, and I'm slowly building back strength again. Fibro is such a pain. I have been sleeping all day for the past 2 weeks, and feeling weaker every day, so I force myself to do things around the house to build back up. I'm not complaining, just explaining why I'm so inconsistent. Hang in there with me. I really want to do a lot of different things this year with my blog. I'm really starting to like alternative mediums like Gesso and different paints.

Happy Scrappin & Hookin,

Michelle

I Love All Free Crochet!

I just received an e-mail from AllfreeCrochet.com, and I won an "Itty Bitty Dress Up Fashion book in their giveaway on the 11th! Now, I have to go get some Itty Bitty dolls to dress up! LOL! I just finished a dog sweater for Sweat Pea my basset hound, and now I'm working on a summer tank for me. I feel a little burned out after Christmas, and I needed some inspiration. I just don't have two pennies to rub together this month. Next month will be much easier. So this is a nice break. So for all you doubting Thomas's out there, this website actually gives away their items to strangers. This is the second time I have won. I won a complete set of circular knitting needles previously.

I will have pics of some of the projects that I have completed, but my batteries have died, and I can't take more pics til next month. Scrappin Doodles has great digital art that is cheap! I love the templates that you get that match the art and nothing seems to be over $4 or 5. They have a Friday freebie too. If you click on the button thru my web site then I get partial credit for the sale. Also take a look at Born Pretty! They have awesome nail art that you cut and peel and stick on your nails. It doesn't chip like polish! These are 2 of my favorite new things. If you have a chance, stop at my blog at pynoblem and give me some feedback. The work I have up is not some of my best, and I think it may be part of my problem not to mention that I don't have anything up to date. I need help.

Happy Scrappin & Hookin,

Michelle

Merry Christmas!

I forgot to take pics of the presents that I made for people before I wrapped them, so I will be posting pics of people with their gifts so you can see why I have been so busy. I made all of my cards and tags this years of which I forgot to take pics of too. LOL! You wouldn't think that I have a blog! I am starting to learn my video camera after 5 months, so that I can post video logs. I went scrapping last weekend with my mother. I convinced her last month that it would be relaxing. We looked at each other last week, and said we were crazy to go scrappin one week before Christmas. We just exchanged gifts with extended family last nite, and I think one of the neatest gifts was the Steeler's party bag. It was filled with mugs, hats, ornaments, pencils, noise makers, etc. for the big game day. My hubbie and I loved it! Right now, I'm trying to win the Cricut mini cake machine on e-bay. Wish me luck! I can't afford the big one. I'm using x-mas money to try and buy one. I hope your holidays are going well. I will post our scrapping results within the next few days.

Happy Scrappin & Hookin,

Michelle

Hi everyone! You have a chance to win $25 by shopping at a locally owned store. Just click on the link above and enter. Sorry it's been so long since I posted. I've been busy with my aunt who has colon cancer, and then I've been sick for 2 months since her roommate in the hospital had something and we all got it. I have no immune system, and it totally wiped me out, while everyone else was better in a week or two except for DH. He has no immune system either. He also has fibromyalgia. Anyway, I've been very busy crocheting and knitting Christmas gifts, and I will be posting pics. I want to start working on tags and cards soon. I am working on a granny square blanket using up my scrap yarn, and I am finding that my stash is seriously depleted. I am going to have to stop buying scrapping supplies for a while and concentrate on yarn until I have enough. Let me know what you are working on, I'd love to hear from you. Happy Scrappin and Hookin, Michelle

ATC Cards Made for the First Time!

Hi everyone! I just learned how to make ATC cards. For those of you who don't know what they are. They are 2 1/2 in. by 3 1/2 in. cards made out of file folder material or out of playing cards. You decorate them all identical in sets, and then number them in the order they were made. For instance, 1 out of 10, 2 out of 10, etc. Then you sign your name on the back of the card. People trade these cards all over the world. You keep them in plastic sleeves to protect them. You can use rolodexes to store them, or 7 gypsies has a storage system for them. You can also store them in tins. Some people prefer library drawers. They are very collectible, and some are very valuable and worth a lot of money. One that I know of just sold for almost $300, because of the rare picture of a rare horse on it. You just never know. So start saving all your tiny pieces of ephemera, hardware, etc. You will need it for these ATC's. These are so much fun, and a good part of the fun is trading them for cards that you want that you didn't make. It also feels great when someone else loves your art. Here are some pics of my cards from the class that I'm in.

Can you tell how excited I am? I know they have been out there a while, but they are new to me. I was just starting to get interested, and they introduced them to us at our scrapbooking Mystery book club at the Scrapbook Studio in Niles, OH. I love that store. I am hoping I can take the class on making 2 albums from paper only for $25, and they provide all the materials. Along with making the albums, they teach you about weight, and how to make pockets, tags, movable parts, etc. You learn so much! There's also a class for breast cancer for $25, and you get the I-rock tool, the jewels, and a template with the jewels! I think it's well worth taking just for the product! It sounds like a lot of fun too. Take along a survivor or someone going thru cancer with you.

I have a pic of my latest crochet project. I made sock monkey water bottle holders for myself and my mother. Everyone loved them at the Scrapbook Studio. I will make them for anyone who wants them for $4.50. Shipping will be negible and at cost. I will also be selling them in my Etsy store in Pynoblem's Etsy Store. I will accept Paypat, cash, money order, or cashier's check.

I have wonderful pics of my father and mother holding my granddaughter. They would be her great grandparents. The pics are below. Isabella is now 1 month old!

The young lady opening the gift is Jeni the mother of my grandbaby. Our family bought her a stroller with a carseat and a base for the carseat with Pooh bear of course!

I made a bunch of miniature die cuts with my Cricut today, and I'll be working with my friend Anne and hopefully my mother tomorrow afternoon on our ATC's. Anne is really talented and artistic, and it's starting to rub off on us. LOL! I just bought some wonder Red Heart Collage yarn. The color is Art. I got it on sale at Ollie's for $1.99! a skein. I also bought a pound of baby yarn (purple) for $8. That wasn't so much a great deal, but I needed baby yarn for all of the projects for Isabella that I want to make. I even have plans for when she is a couple of years old! Is this normal?

Gotta go, it's getting late.

Happy Scrapping and Hookin,

Michelle

I'm a new Grandmother!

Isabella Rose born on 7/27/11! She was born with a full head of hair just like her daddy! I have been so busy with her birth and my son moving back home again. I apologize for not keeping up with the site. I am having difficulty with uploading pics. You can see her pics up on my facebook page.

I did go to the Dove chocolate crop where we made a mini album of all the Dove chocolate recipes that we tasted at the crop. We all had such a good time. It took place at the Scrapbook Studio Cafe in Niles, OH. They have been having a ton of classes, and we have been learning so much! I don't know how to fix this picture thing. If anyone has any suggestions, please let me know. It's been over a month now since I have been able to post a picture. I may have to move to another site, and I really don't want to do that. I am learning how to bind books with paper to make them really strong. Once I feel comfortable, I want to make a video to demonstrate how to do this technique. Please let me know what other types of videos you would like to see.

Keep in mind for those of you who crochet or knit, I will also be making how-to videos. So please feel free to request certain videos.

Happy Scrappin and Hookin,

Michelle

Christmas in July!

I worked on last years Christmas photos and my DH's birthday photos. I am not sure in some cases what paper I used. I do know that the Christmas stickers and the traveling mats for the photos I used were K&Company. I used DCWV Flower stickers and tags with flowers from the same brand. I will try to tell you which papers I used as I go, but as we were at Pat Cataan's, they have products that are unlabeled. I apologize.

Creating from the Heart is celebrating her 3rd year on the net, and she is having some big prizes. Go and register here: http://keepsakesbymelissa.blogspot.com

First things first, I have to show you the neck warmer that I finished. It's my first ever knitting project, and it turned out beautiful! I used the boucle yarn, and it only took about a 1/2 a skein. I also used 2 buttons that I picked up on sale. Here it is below:

I used the Winter Wonderland (I believe) Christmas cart for the Cricut at Pat Cataan's for my titles and some of the icons.

The next couple of pages are from our trip to altoona last year. The paper is DCWV.

I had a lot of fun with the ladies and my mother scrappin at Pat Cataan's, but I was disappointed with the lack of new paper and new embellies. They had the same stale supplies that they have had for the last 3 years. However, on a good note, I was able to get 2 of Tim Holtz antiquing inks with my coupon. They also had Cricut carts on sale for $20 for 3 days, and if you used your coupon from scrappin, they only cost $8!!! I sadly did not have the money after going on a shoppin binge at the beginning of the month. I simply bought what I was running out of, and it very quickly added up to hundreds of dollars! I had sticker or receipt shock when I was done. Needless to say, I won't be buying much through to Decemeber, because I have to pay our house taxes. I am on a strict budget since I have been forced into early retirement. Sometimes I wish I could work part-time just to supplement my crafting habits. LOL! I hope you enjoy my layouts. I will definitely have much more on Saturday nite.

Happy Scrappin & Hookin,

Michelle

Court's Crafts DT Call

I am applying for Court's Crafts DT call. Below are the three projects that I selected for review.

Wish me luck!

Happy Scrappin & Hookin,

Michelle

My Creative Classroom Course

I am so thrilled with the first week of My Creative Classroom Course "Nifty Gifty" with Jennifer Priest! She has her own blog too for those of you that are interested. Here is a pic of the Apron recipe book that I made so far.

I used too many different types of paper too remember, but I used Mrs Grossman's stickers that I used my baby powder duster on the backs of them to remove the stickiness. Then, I put a pop dot on the back to make it stand out. The front and back panels are attached to each other so that you can stand them up while looking at the smaller panels. The smaller panels are attached to the back panel on the side so that you can flip through them.

I will have to take a pic, but I have also finished knitting a neck warmer. It's my first knitted project! I'm very proud of it, because it actually looks like the picture, and it's very pretty. I'm on the lookout for a new easy knitting project. I went scrapbooking at Pat Cataan's today, and I will be showing you what I did there over the next couple of days. I took my time, and I did a couple of 2 page layouts using the Cricut. When I got home, DH treated me to Pizza Hut! We had a really nice time. We hadn't eaten there in years. By the way, Pat Cataan's has a sale for 3 days on their Cricut carts for $20 on select ones. They have some really nice ones. My mother got one for $8 with her $10 certificate while scrappin today! I spent way too much money alreay this month to justify buying one. (Sob!) I finally was able to get the brown and black distress inks. I know, I know, everyone probably has had them forever. I just had other priorities.

Happy Scrappin & Hookin,

Michelle