Shorty's Stuff

New items have been added to my etsy shop!

Check it out!
(click on the image below)

A beautiful 'Must Read'

Years ago I had a pin attached to my purse that read, "A world of wanted children would make a world of difference." I believe this still.

This morning I was going through my usual blog clicks... looking for new posts from those who I follow. One of my stops is at Lyndsay's blog, and she shared a beautiful mother's story as well as linked to another beautiful mother's story. I hope that you read her story and the next one. You will be so moved. Pure raw truthful love.

Thankfully, the music playlist didn't begin until I was finished with the second story and posting my comment to Kelle's post. Otherwise my sobs would have been heard down the hall.

Remind yourselves of who you love today and why. I know I needed a reminder of why I should get out of the rat race more often.

Cherish your child(ren). Always. They deserve nothing less. And, in Kelle's words... Enjoy the Small Things. Always.

My history In the Making

As you may already have guessed I like to make things. I enjoy crocheting and sewing, but I've also dabbled in scrap booking and drawing. I just don't always make enough time to create. I am alarmed to think that there was a period of years where I didn't make anything that I can recall.

I began to crochet when I was five years old. My grandmother gave me one of the fattest light blue crochet hooks you'll ever see and a skein of yarn. She showed me how to make a basic chain, and I made chain after chain after chain for quite some time. I don't remember when exactly she taught me more basic stitches, but I remember by the age of ten I made a little boxy sweater for one of my cabbage patch dolls. It was made from red acrylic yarn. When I was around 18 I began making afghans. And then I stopped crocheting for over eight years. Then last year I started making preemie baby beanies for church, and that got me going again.

My great-grandmother showed me how to sew on her machine when I was about eight or ten years old. She gave me the quilt squares that I sewed with all those years ago but I haven't managed yet to do much with them other than make a mess. (One of the items on my every-growing 'to do' list is to take apart the blocks I've made and to reuse the squares in a wonderful way. But, I haven't figured out how that project should come together yet.) From that time when I was young and just learning, up until I was twenty-four when I became a mother, I didn't sew. Then, when I was staying at home with The Little Guy, I used some of those blocks from my sewing-with-Granny days and made a humble attempt at my first quilt. It came out ok. My son used it for years and we still have it tucked away in a closet. I made other baby quilts and blankets, but shortly after that I stopped sewing for several years.

Somewhere between these years, when my son was very young, is when I tried scrap booking. That probably lasted two years, if that.

In the past year I have consistently sewn and crocheted more than I ever have in my entire life. It has been so rewarding and fulfilling that I honestly can't imagine why I ever stopped. Perhaps just permitting life to get in the way is all that stopped me. Or maybe I snuffed out the creative spirit while I was having an identity crisis.

I have vowed to myself that I won't let the creative void surface again. Being crafty is such a huge part of me. My mind is constantly imagining what I can try next, or what new skills I can develop. I'm not quite sure where my creative journey will take me in the future, but I look forward to seeing where I end up.

The Biggest Flake

I wish I were talking about snowflakes, but I'm not. And, I can be a bit on the dingy side, but I'm not talking about flaking out that way either.

I'm talking about super dry skin. Yuck!

I suffer from this every year. Pretty much year round. But, it definitely gets worse in the winter. And this winter has been no exception especially with regard to my head. My scalp has been more gross this winter than it ever has before, and I've been trying some home remedies that I thought I might share with you.

Before Christmas my scalp got really bad. I couldn't scratch my head without looking like Ally Sheedy in The Breakfast Club! It was disgusting.

So, I did some research online and found out that most regular shampoos and conditioners contain sulfates that can really dry your skin out. (Sulfates are the stuff that makes your shampoo foam up when you scrub.) I read some reviews of a product at Sally's that I wanted to try out called Hair One and it doesn't contain sulfates. It is a shampoo and conditioner in one, but you can use an additional conditioner if needed. Which I do. This stuff helped a lot. It's a hair treatment with every wash, which I only do this a few times each week, so you have to make sure you keep a little extra time open to let it soak, but I am not going back to standard sulfate shampoos.

Unfortunately though, this wasn't quite enough. So my research continued and I found out that Apple Cider Vinegar (as well as the white variety) is great for your hair and scalp. It restores the PH balance that shampooing, coloring and using products can mess up. So, a couple of times each week I've been spritzing my scalp with pure Apple Cider Vinegar, and letting it soak for 15 minutes up to an hour before washing.

It makes such a difference! Granted, I smell like a pickle factory until I wash my hair, but the difference in my scalp and hair is amazing. My scalp feels healthy, isn't itchy or flaky for a couple of days, and my hair is healthier condition than before. Which is great considering I color it every six to eight weeks.

Another great home remedy from Craftaholics Anonymous (another blog you will hear more about from me very soon!) is this recommendation on naturally exfoliating your skin. Check it out and scroll through her blog. She's an amazing crafter!

Great State Quilt Block

You might remember that I signed up to participate in Danielle's Great State Quilt project a few months back. She needed representatives from each state to complete a five inch quilt block. All the blocks will be pieced together for a children's hospital in her area. I was a few days late getting my block in the mail, but here it is.

If you look closely you can see that I embroidered 'Texas' just above the star in blue. The thread stood out so much better on the red (duh) than on the faded denim, but I was afraid I would mess up if I pulled it out and tried again with another color.

I kept singing, "The stars at night, are big and bright, (clap, clap, clap, clap, clap) Deep in the heart of Texas!" while I was making it. Ok, so I didn't clap since my hands were obviously busy, but I could hear the claps in my head while I paused between words.

I hope it matches well with the other blocks. And I hope to see the finished project!

The Little Guy Recovers

The Little Guy was attacked by some un-lovely Valentine bug this year. All was well until Sunday night when the virus settled in. For over two days he was bed & bathroom ridden and the most sick I've ever seen him. I found myself saying lots of healing prayers in hopes that his torture would end quickly. He is such a trooper.

Today he is sounding much more like his normal self and should be able to return to school tomorrow. But, what he's really excited about is a fishing trip he's had planned for weeks that is to take place this weekend. He is determined not to miss it. I just hope he heals enough to actually go. Stay tuned...

Friday's Snow Frollicks

When I was complaining on Friday about being at work when all the snow was surrounding my hacienda this is what Hubby & The Little Guy were up to...

A tactical snowman was built!

A snow wall to hide behind while pummeling the neighbor kids with snow balls!

An igloo to dwell in!

And now the pretty white stuff is melting away leaving all of these things but a fond memory. That's ok.... I'm still ready for sunshine! (But we're still waiting... it hasn't arrived just yet.)

Skelly Valentine Card!

You may already know this, but I love skellies. By that I mean I love skeleton figurines and skulls and all things some people find on the side of morbidity. If you ever travel through Santa Fe, NM then you've seen some of the jewelry that I probably find adorable. Well, the fellas in my household know this about me, and made me the cutest Skelly Valentine card ever. I love it!

And, in keeping with the tradition we started last year we made our Valentine's for each other again this year. I sort of fell off the wagon when I bought some stuff to make some chocolate covered strawberries, but hey, the final dish was concocted at home, so that counts as homemade, right???

I highly recommend making choco-berries at home. They were so quick and easy! And if you've ever tried to pick some already-made-ones up at a store then you know how expensive they can be.

All you need is semi-sweet baker's chocolate, baker's white chocolate, strawberries, something to melt the chocolate in (stove top or microwave), and a fridge to store them in until you're ready to devour the little tasties!

Enjoy!

What did your Valentine's treats include this year?

Record Breaking Snow in Texas!

And, I'm at work.

Worked a full day yesterday as the snow fell ALL DAY LONG, and I happily returned my butt back to my office by 9 a.m. today. (We opened two hours late to allow for weather delays.) But, I'm so ready to be back home!

Hubby and The Little Guy are busy making a tactical snow man and I'm missing out!

Last night Hubby asked me why I was so sure about heading in to work today. My response was something to the dorky effect of "That's what Management is supposed to do." I guess.... That thought sounded so much better in my head last night as we were making cupcakes, whereas now I'm wondering if I could mandate an early dismissal.

But, I know that won't fly. I may be in management, but I don't yield that kind of power.

Dang it.

Valen-time!

A Valentine's decoration that I made on Saturday...

I found the tutorial on making the crocheted granny hearts here.

And, I'm playing along with Hotpants for this little game. You should, too!

If I were a month, I'd be October. (love me some Halloween!)
If I were a day of the week, I’d be Friday. (everyone looks forward to Friday's arrival!)
If I were a time of day, I’d be 3:30 pm. (that's when the whistle blows at work)
If I were a planet, I’d be Jupiter. (this gal loves her some rings!)
If I were a sea animal, I’d be a dolphin. (they are so beautiful, graceful and intelligent)
If I were a direction, I’d be north. (because I hate it when things turn south...)
If I were a piece of furniture, I’d be a chaise. (come lounge with me...)
If I were a liquid, I’d be an sweet southern tea. (i can go too many directions with that one...)
If I were a gemstone, I’d be a sapphire. (a reflection of the deep blue sea)
If I were a tree, I’d be a Maple. (their leaves are so beautiful, no matter what kind of Maple)
If I were a tool, I’d be a drill. (i like driving things home, getting to the point, if ya dig)
If I were a kind of weather, I'd be sunny and cool. (that usually keeps people happy)
If I were a musical instrument, I’d be a set of drums. (i like being noisy sometimes)
If I were a color, I’d be green. (eco friendly and my all time fave)
If I were an emotion, I’d be delighted. (sounds like something Anne Shirley would say)
If I were a mythical creature, I'd be an unicorn. (just because)
If I were a fruit, I’d be a blueberry. (small, sweet and oh, so good for you!)
If I were a sound, I’d be a whisper. (just to let you know when I'm around)
If I were a car, I’d be an Aston Martin. (doesn't that just scream style, grace and affordability?)
If I were a food, I’d be a salad. (a veritable medley of good stuff)
If I were a place, I’d be home. (had to snag this one from Hotpants... sounded so good!)
If I were a material, I’d be organza. (transparent but elegant)
If I were a taste, I’d be spicy. (a girl's gotta have some bite!)
If I were a scent, I’d be honey suckle. (that brings back such great memories for me)
If I were an object, I’d be a computer. (so much is created on those things these days)
If I were a body part, I’d be a foot. (such a great balancer of heavy things)
If I were a facial expression, I’d be a smirk. (smirks can be quite cute)
If I were a song, I’d be Ode to Joy. (such a happy song)
If I were a pair of shoes, I'd be flops. (casual and reliable)
If I were a flower, I'd be a daisy. (of the Gerbera variety)

What would you be?

Giveaway Winner Revealed!

Thank you to everyone who participated in my RuffleSkinny scarf giveaway, and an extra thanks to everyone who sent someone the link to my etsy shop to help spread the word!

The big winner of a RuffleSkinny scarf is..... Deb! Click on the link to visit her blog.

Deb, let me know which of the three colors you prefer via email, along with your mailing address, and I'll have your scarf sent right out to you!

Jimmy Choo Bag Giveaway

JennyMac is giving away an amazing handbag.... check it out! Deadline is February 10th so don't delay. And, I'm confident you'll want to follow her blog. Lots of witty, intelligent material comes from this amazing blogger. Her site is definitely in my top 10 blogs to visit each day!

Sneaky Peeky

Just a quick reminder to sign up for my giveaway if you haven't already. I will choose the big winner tomorrow (Friday, February 5th) at 5:00 pm CST.

Last night I sat down to create a new brooch for my shop. Here is a peek at what transpired...

A whimsical organza prototype. I'm still debating if it is 'list' worthy. More practice will be take place throughout the week!

Why, oh Why?

Do you remember when Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz sings Somewhere Over the Rainbow, and at the end of the song asks, "Why, oh why.... can't I?" as she dreams of being somewhere far, far away from where she was at that very moment?

(Photo from http://www.bryanreesman.com/blog/tag/wizard-of-oz/)

This morning I'm finding myself asking why oh why over and over again.

Why, oh Why... can't I:

• be at home making little lovely creations?
• stop playing adult for the day?
• take away all the heartache that my son is experiencing due to the lame conduct of a specific adult very close to him?
• make the sun come out (and stay out!) and turn this day into Saturday?
• jump over the rainbow for even just an hour?

Today I'm longing to just get away. To curl up away from responsibility and revel in play time with The Little Guy and Hubby.

(Don't forget to sign up for the giveaway... a winner will be picked on Friday, February 5th.)

Weekend Recap

I was missing my sewing machine, but this weekend I found time to spend just sewing. It was lovely. I caught up on the quilt blocks I needed to make for the virtual sewing bee that I'm part of.

Here are January's blocks...
These blocks are paper-pieced, which was new to me. It was good to try a new method.

Here is February's block...Another work of paper-piecing.

I'm working on some brooches for my etsy shop and I can't wait to share them with you guys. Don't forget to scroll down and sign up for my giveaway...