Real Life: Live & Unscripted

Inspirational Wednesday

"Creativity involves breaking out of established patterns in
order to look at things in a different way."

-- Edward De Bono, British Writer

This week our interview for Inspirational Wednesday was with Ann of Gorgeous Things Fabrics you can also visit her BLOG, she is also a Sewing Diva .I tell you talking with her, has really inspired ME to get out of my comfort box. She spoke of a dress she made. It's called Judy's Beautiful Dress. What a wonderful story. Between her and Erica, I think I am going to be alright. LOL  Ann, taught me not to be afraid of my fabric. I bought some beautiful jersey from her, and for the LONGEST. I just looked at it. I was so scared I was going to mess it up. Well I finally cut it lol.I still have more that I bought that needs to be cut, lol.  I was hoping I would have it finished for this post, but I didn't. So hopefully before the week is out I will be done. But it felt so good to cut it. Thank GOD I didn't mess it up. I am by no means an expert. Just starting out and trying to learn my craft! Well one of them! tee hee...anyway, Erica recommend that I get this book because I was having trouble with the pants that I make. I POURED over this book ok? I mean. It is SO imformative. Great pics, and descriptions, with easy to follow instructions. Because of this book, I am going to try re-make my favorite pair of SAKS pants. The fit is just perfect. This will NOT be something that I rush into, I will take my time. Probably not starting until the kids go BACK to school, so I have a couple of months to mentally prepare my mind for what I am about to do.

I got a TON of sewing done over the holiday. Considering that I have not sewn in a LONG time, well not that long, but I had no inspiration, my conversation with Ann changed all that. And I am NOT just saying that. Seriously....I was seriously inspired! LOL

Here is my White Gauze Skirt. Butterick 4522 This was an easy skirt, but it served it's purpose. I love it. It's light, cool, airy...perfect for those hot Alabama summer days and warm, muggy nights!! LOL, please excuse the shirt lol, I had to pull Tony away from his company to take my pics, so I was changing clothes VERY fast. lol

Another version of this same skirt. I got this fabric from Hancock for $1.45 a yard. Yep. I only needed TWO! I did NOT make the shirt. I'm going to wear a wrap top (yes white) with this but I couldn't find the one I wanted. But you get the idea lol.

Yep, same skirt again. It was easy, yes, but I started and finished a project. May not be anything to you, but, I am happy! This was also my first time "cutting" my pattern apart. Again, out of my comfort box lol. I say you shouldnt be cutting patterns, lol, but I tried it and I was happy. I cut it to add length to this. There is a short version that was too short, well too short to look good on me, so I made it a little longer than the view on the pattern, but not as long as the white gauze one.

This top was fun to make. It is McCall's 4716. I also got this fabric from Hancock for 1.45 a yard. You can get some really good deals on the sales table! I am not sure what type of fabric it is. It's sheer, but it feels like matte jersery, but not as heavy. I loved the print. I do have to wear a tank under it. But it is also very cool. It feels great. I bought this pattern before I knew how to choose my correct pattern size, so it's a little boxy. I will make this one again, in the right size.

and this one, is my pride...my baby. lol. I LOVE this dress. It is Simplicity 3802. I have loved this dress since I first saw it on the Anthropologie web site. Here is their dress:

This dress is no longer on their site, and I have had it saved in my photobucket forever. I love it. My mom gave me the purse I'm carrying for mother's day, and Zanete made my necklace. Did I say I love my dress? I wore it to work yesterday and got a ton of compliments. I told Toya, that you get that warm and fuzzy feeling when someone asks you where you bought your dress! :-)

That is it guys! I have truly been inspired. As I build my sewing skills, I want to do different and more challenging things. I plan on making my first coat this year and my first jacket. I am no longer afraid of doing a lining, and I am perfecting the art of putting in an invisable zipper!

So this is me, being inspired. I don't want to be some super designer in a French Couture house. What I want to be able to do is make fashionable clothing for me and my family, do some home dec and do it well. I'm a woman, wife and mom. I just want to be good at what I do.

Tomorrow will be full of knitting/yarn goodness....I will show you guys my progress on my Summertime Tunic. Nothing like a good, simple, mindless knit. lol, especially after Rusted Root,I was NOT smarter than the pattern! lol

Have a great IW!

Well hellllooooo there!

So how was your exteneded weekend? Mine was great. Full of crafty goodness. But my days are off lol, I woke up this morning thinking it was Sunday! LOL

How about a quick recap? lol

I changed my banner...obviously lol. I wanted to include a little bit of "me" in it this time lol, so we went with my yarn lol, my camera lens, my seam ripper (can't live without this thing), my tape measure, and some CS! So there ya have it! LOL. It will be like that for a WHILE. LOL.

Moving on.........LOL

I got a LOT of sewing done!

A RARE picture of Jaelyn taking a nap on ummm, Saturday I think lol, she hardly EVER naps!! But you would have thought it was National Scrapbook Day at my house. The kids stayed up all night on Friday AND Saturday scrapping. I will show their LO's later lol. I think they had about 20 each lol

Ahhh, nothing like a trip to Sams Club lol. And this isn't even all of it lol.

I put down Rusted Root. The lace pattern is messing with me lol, so I am using some old yarn to practice the pattern, then I will start again. So I started on Summertime Tunic Friday on a nice little car drive (more on that later) and this was my progress then. I am now about 30% of the way through it now lol.

HOLY STITCHMARKERS BATMAN! I made a TON of stitchmarkers!! Someone will get some of these....very, very soon!!!! lol

Hubby was chillen out...while.....

Patrick took over the grill. Not sure how that happened lol...

And some goodness....we had a LOT of food lol

And yes my dears, I scrapped. This one is for the SCRAPALONG. My scanner has died. So I will be taking pics until I get a new one. I have been lusting after the 12x12 one for a while now...hmmm lol

I really like the way this one came out. And I had fun! LOL

A close up on the stars...lol, kinda feelin the stars lately lol

I like this one too! LOL

And that is IT you guys! I will have a super massive update on Wednesday. I have really been "INSPIRED". Don't forget to tune in to INSPIRATIONAL WEDNESDAY. It's a good one!!

Toodles!

TGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGIF!!

I am So happy it's Friday!!!  Yesterday Tony took all three of the kids to the dentist to get their teeth cleaned....Aj could NOT stop smiling!!!!! Here is a picture from the LOST party....

You guys....if you don't have a yarn swift & ball winder and you plan on knitting for the next few years.....GET ONE.  I LOVE MY YARN SWIFT!!!!!!! I posted about mine a couple of weeks ago but I didn't try it until wednesday night. OMG. It paid for itself when I finished winding my hanked yarn. I had, I THINK,  20 hanks and I PROMISE you within 20 minutes, I was DONE with all of it!!! I then took some brown sheep cotton fleece and made a cake. OMG. I then started to cake all my yarn...nothing better than a center pull ball. loland the kids even liked it! tee hee, I let them help ONCE to get it out of the way lol

This is how it starts out.......

and on the winder........

and the kids, lol

and SOME of the final product.....SOME lol

In other news I FINALLY got gauge on Monica  using Elann Sonata and I LOVE this yarn!!!!! I am HOPING that this will be a quick knit, seeing as how I have to make TWO lol.I have accepted the fact that I am a tight knitter. While I have tried to loosen up, it just ain't happening lol. BUT, lol, I can now look at a pattern, see the suggested needle size, grab the size needle that I need, and start swatching. Gauge. Done. I haven't had to switch needles yet! lol so yay! Rusted Root is kicking my A$$. But I will not let the pattern outsmart ME! I am smarter than the pattern, or, I think I am anyway lol

How about this...just for you Erica, I FINALLY GOT MY CROCHET STITCH!!!!!!  OMG. you have NO idea how happy I was to finally get this! LOL. The POWER of online videos!!!!!!!!! I have no words right now. Jaelyn even did a crochet chain, and made a charm necklace...I'll show you guys that when she finishes putting the charms on it lol. So SOOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNN and I do mean soon. You will see the beginnings of a ripple blanket. Now, I have NOT figured out how to do the stitch for Tony's blanket...he just might be getting a soft wave blanket, in manly colors. ROFLOL! But I'm sure I'll get it!

Must add in here, yesterday I got a goodie box in the mail from Carla, what a sweet, sweet, thing...the kids looked at the book for the LONGEST last night! LOL Thank you so much....and check out the card....you KNOW I am going to totally steal this idea and make some of these right? Too cute! Thanks girl! :-)

What are your weekend plans?? Me? I want to knit, scrap, and sew. We will see how much I ACTUALLY get done. I do have an extra day....right? lol With kids involved....anything is bound to happen at any given time, but those are my "PLANS"...keyword....PLANS

Dang, this was a long post! LOL....

Have a good weekend guys. It's going to be a long one!!!

Wanna swap? and a BUNCH of other stuff.....

Ok, so Robin and I did a CD swap, and we all know that I love music...right Zanete? tee hee. I got some great songs!!! I am positive that Robin will love hers as well! LOL so you know, now I want to do a music swap. Just a CD with 15-17 or your favorite songs on it.It's great getting new music and to hear what everyone else likes. I will limit this group to TEN. That shouldn't be too hard to do right? The first ten people that are interested, post here or email me. Once I get ten, I will let you guys know that it's full. This should be fun!

In other news, I have been working on Rusted Root. If I have the weekend I "THINK" I am going to have, I hope to have this bad baby finished next week. I DO however want it done and off the needles BEFORE JUNE 1st. Yep, I said it, now to get it done....

Yesterday, while I was SUPPOSED to be working lol, I cleaned out my  knitting pattern file. My bag was getting SO heavy. That's because I had 10lbs of patterns in my binder! Not cool! So I re-organized it. In my binder now are these sections.... Current projects (what ever is on my needles now) What's next....the next thing I want to make, sweaters, hats & scarves, and socks...but the socks is a whole different post. Now the GOOD thing about this, with the EXCEPTION of the hat & scarf, and sock sections, if I have it in my folder, I have yarn for it or yarn has been ordered.....and I did a LOT of ordering yesterday. I hope to have a VERY good mail week next week! The stuff that I took out of my binder was finished  patterns, stuff I like (but may never knit), stuff I wanna make (but no yarn) and gift ideas. No need in carrying all that around with me right? lol, how do you organize YOUR patterns????

Now on to LOST. I had a party with Cheryl and well I just have no words. I will be buying this season on DVD as SOON as it comes out. I mean NO words. I have pictures, but I'm blogging from work..shhh, because the internet is down in our area. YUCK! Guys...she made a Dharma cookie cake....we had lost themed food....fruit kabobs...the works! LOL

In yet MORE news, I got hubby a pair of tickets to the SEC Championship Baseball Game on Sunday. Of course I don't know who will win, but he will be there, and I will be home....knitting....tee hee oh joy...

Alright guys! have a good day!

Toodles!

Inspirational Wednesday

Today, my inspiration is plain and simple....another finished object...Number #4 if you are counting and I hope to have #5 done very soon! As in Before June 1st!

I present to you....GREEN GABLE!

Details: 2 skeins of Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece in Sprite

Size 8 and 6 Denise Needles

I have NO Idea how long it took me to complete, but I did write down the start date for Rusted Root.

I did make it a size smaller than my normal size, per suggestions from others that have made it and it's a perfect fit.

The top isn't actually this short. It looks shorter because I have on a long white tank, but I still like it! LOL

Be sure to check out the PODCAST. Fun stuff going on!!! Also don't forget about

Summertime Tunic KAL

Ebony Elite, A knitting group for women of color.

Inspirational Wednesday Scrapalong

Toodles! Happy IW!

Pinch, punch, captin crunch, I got something you can't touch....

or how about....

Bang, bang, choo-choo train, wind us up we'll do our thang.... no reese pieces, no buttercup, mess with me we'll mess you up....

OR....I know karate, I know kungfu, you mess with me we'll mess with you....

Can you TELL what I did last night? LOL

Knitting is "SO" on my mind lol

I took a power nap when I got home yesterday,  because hubby had cooked (TACO SALAD LOL, tee hee lol, gotta figure out how to overnight this to Toya lol) did the few dishes that were in the sink, finished the last load of laundry, and made the kids vaccume....ahhhh, nice...so when it was time to go to sleep, I couldn't.... so me, my mac, and knitty.com had a little party lol....I have added the following to my evergrowing binder of patterns....I think i Just want to buy more yarn....what do you think? lol

Bad Penny

(penny kinda reminds me of wicked...but without the pocket....what do you think?) But I love it...can't wait to make it!

Wicked

Bob, very nice, casual.......great top to dress up or down....

Tempting (haven't decided on this one yet, but its really cute.....even with the bow lol, so girly lol)

Leftovers (I LOVE the stripes in this! LOL, I don't have any left over yarn, but I sure can buy some! tee hee) What yarn would you suggest for this? The pattern calls for Phildar Legende  but I have no idea what that is and I can't find it. The gauge is 5 sts per inch. Im thinking cascasde 220 would work(even though I normally wouldn't use this, BUT it won't be against my skin....).....so many color options....lovin this!

Soleil (not like I need another tank, but this one is SO versatile!!) I even like the color! But it will look great alone or under a jacket....nice!

And guess what guys??? Im wearing my Green Gable today! I will post my pic tomorrow! Don't forget to check out Inspirational Wednesday tomorrow!!!

Hangovers are overated.....

......I tried to hang out with the grown folks Saturday night....and that is all I have to say about that lol.....

Friday my baby graduated. I am SUCH a proud mommy!!! She got some really outstanding awards, and one that she got, "SHE" was even surprised. She made a perfect score on a writing test, writing adaw, and she scored a four! YAY!!! lol, just a good, good day. BUSY lol, after the graduation we took her out to dinner and to the movies.We say Spiderman 3 and it was overrated. Too mushy for a "comic book film". We didnt' get home until TEN PM! Actually it was AFTER 10 lol.... how about a couple of pictures....

a class picture....

and mommy and "the graduate" lol

Also on Friday, I was reading through the newest issue of Essence and what did I see but this article....

now what does this mean??? Nothing but the very  FHI iron that was featured in the article, I "JUST" bought! Tee hee. Now this Iron, is the bomb ok? Seriously. Worth every dime. I don't have the pink one, but the black one is JUST as good....

I will be using this when I do my hair today...teee heee lol.....

Saturday I was able to meet up with Erica at Barnes & Noble......fun times!! We are both very excited about the response our Yahoo group, Ebony Elite has gotten. If you would like to sign up,  please click the button below. And we will get you hooked up! Speaking of "hook" lol, she showed me how to do a couple of crochet stitches....she has a picture floating around here somewhere lol......and here is the pic lol

Click to join ebonyelite

In other news, I did finish Green Gable, which was a very fun knit. I did the sleeves on circs instead of DPN's and I am in love. Very much so! Once I figured it out, I was GOOD TO GO! LOL,  and I started on Rusted Root, but you won't see those pics until Wednesday! LOL, NOTHING happened by way of sewing lol. I THOUGHT the patterns from THIS POST would inspire me to sew....umm, not so much. ALL I want to do is KNIT! But My mom did sew this weekend. SPEAKING of my mom...tee hee.... (im SO glad she doesn't read my blog lol), we were talking about something and one of the kids mentioned the cupid shuffle.....well, I took a pic of Donna (aka, my mom) doing the cupid shuffle. Mind you it's from my camera phone but its STILL funny! See....tee heee lol

It's EXTREMELY blurry lol, but they were on the part where is says....NOW KICK tee hee, that would explain all the movement....too funny, the baby was dancing too! LOL

In funny  news, Aj has had these pants since he was PROBABLY two or three. My mom bought them for him (it was a whole set, can NOT find the shirt) and they glow in the dark. HE LOVES THESE PANTS....the funny part....well you look...

still can't see it? LOL, well how about a closeup....

Yeah, now you see it lol...and he was ASHY! lol but he LOVES these things! LOL

I got my B&H summer catalog in the mail....I will leave it at that lol.

In  more "knitting" news, since that is all I want to do lately....I want to make Wicked I keep looking at it, and I do think that this will soon be added to my pattern collection!!  And because SOMEONE I know who shall remain nameless kept talking about this Ballet T-Shirt (scroll down) I really want to make one! LOL, and I ADORE the Intarsia Argyle Vest. Those of you that have tried Intarsia, would this one be a good beginner pattern???? I REALLY like this for the fall/winter. I can "SO" see this on me.

Alrighty guys, that is it for me! Have a great Monday!

So I'm having two Fridays............

Tee hee, so TGIF! Again lol.

Ok, first you guys, go check out scrapalong.blogspot.com I mean, seriously....get an invite and start posting. We are having a BLAST!

Second.... come and check out The Summer Time Tunic KAL we are getting ready to fire it up! Some people have already cast on! LOL, show offs! tee hee

Third....lol Erica and I are joining forces. We are trying to encourage other women of color to knit. So I will now introduce to you...

EBONY ELITE:
Women of Color, Knitting Together.

***You can click the link to go to the yahoo group.***

A month or so ago, I had a woman say to me, "I didn't know black people knit". Well. I was ummm, upset to say the least.  Knitting is NOT just a hobby for ONE race or religion. It's for all people. But how many times have you gone into a LYS and seen a black woman? It's NOT OFTEN. When I go, I am THE only one. I've only been ignored in ONE store here in town, so I don't even go  to that store. And no they were NOT busy the day I went...lol I did try and go back, to give them another chance, but I didn't even like the yarn selection lol. ANYWAY, What I want to do is encourage more black women to knit, maybe if they see other women doing it, they will want to try it to. KWIM? It's a great hobby and while it may not be for everyone, some may very well fall in love. I  know I did! And I certainly don't fit the "sterotypical" image of a knitter, which is complete BS by the way. So aside from all my rambling, if you are in my area, and a woman of color, feel free to email me or Erica and join up. We would LOVE to have a wonderful group of "Elite" women, to meet with from time to time, and maybe even go to one of our LYS on their knit night and show them that hey.....black women DO knit! So pass it on.....tell others! Yay lol

**ETA I HAVE HAD A TON OF REQUESTS, SO I AM GOING TO OPEN THIS GROUP TO ALL WOMEN OF COLOR.....NOT JUST WOMEN IN OUR AREA. I'VE BEEN AWAY FROM THE COMPUTER BUT WILL GET ALL THE INVITES APPROVED BEFORE TODAY IS OVER. THANKS GUYS!!!**

Click to join ebonyelite

And that is all lol. Have a great weekend guys!

TGIF! lol

Noo, you didn't read that wrong! LOL, today is my Friday! WOO HOO!!! Tomorrow Jaelyn graduates so mommy is taking the day off, from work AND the computer! LOL, breaks are wonderful!!!

Soooo what have I been doing????
KNITTING! LOL Next time you see Green Gable, it will be a FO!!!! YAY

In other "knitty" news, I got the yarn for my girls Monica.

The two pinks are for Kayla, and the purple and gold is Jaelyns. They were SO excited when I opened the box lol...ooooohhhhh mommy you got it lol

I have all kinds of projects lined up and I am past excited about it!! LOL, I am also picking out my knits for the fall lol. I am pouring through my Fitted Knits Book! LOVE THAT BOOK!!!! I think I just want to order some more yarn! LOL, LOVE getting stuff in the mail! tee hee

In other news  my girlie girl girl girl, girlie girl lol, V is expecting again! YAY congrats girl!! I am sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo excited for her! I am going to be an auntie again!! LOL...I can knit for a baby now! LOL, who was I talking to about the book of tiny hats? Amy, what is the name of that book??? LOL the hats in that book are ADORABLE!

I can now make stuff like:

and

I was JUST looking at this like the other day...JUST looking at it lol

omg....I have the fever!!!!!  I could go on and on lol....SO glad I'm not having the baby! LOL.....tee heee lol

In more other news, I am SO making three of these!

I got these images from THIS BLOG so I am not trying to take any kind of credit for them, but these are SO FREAKING CUTE! OMG! These are going to be ADORABLE on my girls.....and some other lucky little person lol who shall remain nameless because I "THINK" there mom reads my blog lol, can you say CHRISTMAS GIFT!?!? You can find the pattern HERE .

Is there anything else? LOL, I plan on doing some sewing this weekend. I cut out some patterns, and material so we will see how that goes! lol

LOST WAS FANTASTIC! Cheryl and I are going to have a LOST season finale at my house, so that should be fun. I get to have someone else to scream at the tv with me lol

Alright guys! Gotta finish getting dinner ready!

TOODLES!

Inspirational Wednesday

"Creativity involves breaking out of established patterns in
order to look at things in a different way."

-- Edward De Bono, British Writer

LOVE THIS QUOTE!!!!!!

We have all seen how inspiration comes in MANY, MANY different forms, and I have learned that inspiration will often strike, when you least expect it. When it hit's, run with it. If you are not inspired...just let it go. Don't do it or you will mess up lol....don't ask me how I know. LOL

Someone at work brought in a cute little beta fish that they bought for their child, and it was almost time to leave for the day, but all I could see was how pretty the color was on the fish. Now, I've seen beta fish a thousand times, as I am sure you all have too, and had a couple myself, but it made me think about lol, well how colorful fish are. So I started looking around on flickr and came up with some amazing stuff

OMG.....

This is the Junenille angel fish. HOW BEAUTIFUL IS THIS!?!

These are parrot fish. Yes, I know, its a gross, and probably smelly dead fish,  but try and look past all that.....see past the dead fish, LOL, look at the BEAUTIFUL COLORS!!!!!!!!

FOr some reason, this last picture just makes me happy. LOL, maybe it's the purple? lol

Even things in nature, that surround us everyday can be inspiring. Take a look around and see what can inspire you!

My daughter is going to have to have surgery, please keep her in your prayers. She is doing FINE, but she is MILKING THIS WHOLE THING! LOL...DRAMA QUEEN!!!! LOL

And because I have a few clients waiting for pics....some peeks for you all....because I KNOW you are looking! LOL

My first client, you all have my permission to hate lol, she looks FANTASTIC to be due.....NOW...seriously...she has days left! She teaches a "Get Crunk" workout here and looks amazing and is SO FUN TO SHOOT!!! OMG! We had a blast!

<-----I can't even do this...lol

And this little guy....omg....talk about CUTE!!!! LOVEEEEEE all his curls!

and the birthday boy......lol my favorite shot....well during this time! lol

Toodles! Have a great IW!

Ummm, what day is it? LOL

Hope All you mothers out there had a very, VERY nice Mothers Day! Mine was very nice, but VERY busy!! Thanks for all the phone calls, and emails. You guys are really sweet. I am going to start tackling my email tomorrow....lol ok... How about a picture recap of the weekend? Because I am lazy and just too tired to think right now lol (Oh and Kayla has another dr appt on tomorrow evening......)

<---I felt like death warmed over when I got out of this thing...but I had FUN! LOL

<---my mother's day gifts...woo hoo......

One sick child,three photo shoots, and a partridge in a pear tree.

Ring.......Ring.......Ring......

Hi. You have reached www (dot) adrienneslittleworld (dot) typepad (dot) com

Today is Thursday, May 10, 2007.

I am currently away from my computer handling family issues. If you need immediate assistance, please send me an email. As I always have it with me (especially  now because I got my new phone on Tuesday) and I will reply to them as time permits. Before I leave, I want to leave you with this thought:

Most times, when people have a death in their family, or a close friend, or just experice loosing someone, they will often times tell you to make sure you say "I love you" to the people that you love. I won't say that. Instead, look at the relationships you are in. If you are satisfied with the way things are going, cool. If you know that if you loose that person, or if something happens, and you ask yourself will you have any regrets? If you answer that question "yes" then you know what you have to do.

Till next time. I will leave you with these pictures, because this is who matters the most to me.Regardless of my PAST MISTAKES, I have a wonderful husband, a man that takes care of me, listens to me, EVEN WHEN I AM DEAD WRONG, and will tell me just that,a man that doesn't judge me because of my past, a man who is my best friend, when no one else is around, a man to listen to me go on and on AND on about my hopes and dreams, and supports me 500%. Even when things got EXTREMELY rough, we made it though. Yep...I love him! Children that get on my nerves are well behaved, well  sometimes, lol, smart, silly, and just plain children lol. My family. I love them with all my heart and soul. And they love me back.

**SONG ALWAYS BY ATLANTIC STAR**

And yes I took all of these myself. It was hard, but I got it done.

Say a special prayer for little miss drama queen  Kayla. She has to have some tests done on Friday and momma is quiet worried about her.

(dang, this was a long blogmachine message)

**BEEP**

**ETA, don't forget about the INSPIRATIONAL WEDNESDAY SCRAPALONG . If you would like to participate you can send me or Toya an email. Here is a summery of what you can expect and ANYONE is welcome to join:

1. It will be a community based blog, on blogger, so that everyone can have assess to upload their individual post anytime you feel like. Blogger is free, that is why we chose to go that route, as I said on my last post, you can create a blog, just so you can post.
2. We intend to post layouts for discussion, either from a magazine, an idea book, or any other source, so that everyone can talk about what design aspect they like about it and how they would redesign it, it will NOT be a challenge, I don't like the whole challenge thing because it can be stressful trying to keep up. If you chose to redesign it in order to share with the community of bloggers it will be much appreciate it.
3. We would like members to post reviews, on anything scrap related, eg all things photography related, new products, any books that is worth buying, paper lines, whatever.
4. Inspirational photos, please share you photos of places and things
5. Tips, tricks, substitutions for any and every thing you can think about that will help us overcome the "what if" situations, eg, what if I don't have paint, how do I decorate my chipboard.
6. And of course, share you layouts and your creative process of getting it together, which is the core of the blog.

This list is not complete, it is a blueprint of what we would like to achieve going forward. The blog will be launched on June 1st so plan to start sharing. Please post some more ideas if you have any, I would appreciate whatever you can come up with. More information will follow in the next couple of weeks.

This was copied directly from Toya's Blog.**

Inspirational Wednesday

Special thanks to Cathy for doing the the interview for Inspirational Wednesday ! It was fun talking with you! LOL (next time, I'll turn the mike ON lol)
Visit Little Knits for all your yarn needs. I'm still waiting on my order, so I will let you guys know how their service is and all that good jazz when it get's here.

Congrats to Cynta and Holly for winning a copy of Ck Computer tricks! Send your snail mail addy!

I'm giving a way of one of Cathy'z books, so send me an email with CLEAN & SIMPLE in the subject line and the winner will be announced on next weeks podcast. And no I am NOT giving away "my autograph copies" lol tee hee lol

I am not feeling IW today lol.I had a bad day yesterday and an even worse night, sooooo,lol Inspiration comes and it goes. Some days you are inspired, some days not. When you aren't inspired, or when I'm not inspired, I don't do it. So maybe next week, I will be more inspired! tee hee lol

But ya'll have a great day and enoy the interview with Cathy!
Toodles!

** the family recieved word that my cousin 26, passed having her first baby. the baby didn't make it either, pls keep the family in your prayers**

Good times......yay!

On  Friday I was the featured photographer at  an art gallery here. Space was limited, so I had to keep my display very small and was instructed to only bring the bare essentials, and that is what I did.

It was AWESOME!!!!! I got to show off some of my work, made some AWESOME,AWESOME connections, and really enjoyed networking with other local artists! This opportunity could have been given to ANYONE!!! I am SO glad I was thought of! YAY! I have already been asked to come back to the next show in October!!! YAY!!!! So busy days are ahead!! GOOD STUFF!!! If you look closely you might see someone you recognize **coughcoughvirginiaireallylovethatpictureofyouandatticusinthehospitalcoughcough** tee hee. I was BEAT when I got home Friday night.  I am still very excited about what is ahead for me. Very excited! I also got VIP passes to see The Salon . Can't wait to see that!

Yesterday was NSD. My kids WOKE up wanting to scrapbook...How did they know? LOL No, one wants to take a picture right now, so I will show you guys their work later on LOL, even Aj did a LO!

Then they got hungry and made a "healthy snack"

Notice the pile of "sugar"? lol They put a "sheet" on the table to serve as a tablecloth lol....they are a mess! lol

I went by the store to "help-out", well more like "talk" tee hee, and was able to help a new scrapper! yay! She asked so many questions! It was soooooo  much fun. I remember when I was like that lol. While there, Mrs. Noreen came in (pls excuse that non-sense in the picture....aka...my double chin) the store was kinda busy so I had to do a self portrait lol....

and then there is the loveliness called "Gretchen"

Gretchen is a really, really sweet person. Can't help but love her.....tee hee, and she makes you love stuff like the little bitty MM letter stickers lol. WHY can't I work my freakin point and shoot?!? UGH. I mean it is NOT rocket science, but I never take good pics with that thing. SOMETIMES, but not always, Maybe because it was on auto....I don't like auto lol

Oh and the JOY OF JOYS. I got a package from....

Yes, yes, yes......what was in my package!?!?!?

The bestestest stuff called KOIGU . OMG. This stuff feels SO GOOD! This will be for my chevron scarf. If this stuff wasn't in hanks....I would have cast it on as SOON as I got it. Since it IS in hanks, and you simply can NOT work from it like that, and since I have ordered a LOT of yarn that should be here ANY day not that is ALSO in hanks, that I did NOT get from my LYS so they will NOT wind it for me....I purchased this:

Yep, I ordered this bad boy  and I "HOPE" to have it this week. I will have my very own swift and winder. If you want to read about them, you can check HERE and HERE .

In other knitting news, Toya and I are doing our first KAL. IT will be for the Summer Time Tunic in the new IK. You can email me at anixon1036@charter.net if you want to join and the blog can be found HERE. We are aiming to start on or around May 15th.  So YAY!

And yet MORE knitting news....I was looking at the Spring Knitty patterns(I am supposed to be getting ready for church right now lol) and Kayla was sitting with me and she liked this...

It's called Monica . AND it's done in Robin's favorite! Brown sheep cotton fleece! ROFLOL!

Kayla want's hers in Tea Rose and Pink-A-Boo and Jaelyn wants hers in Raging Purple and Gold Dust, why purple and gold? I bet Cheryl can tell you lol. Those are her "new" school colors....her words were, I can wear it over a plain white tee when it get's cold to our pep rallys. Humph lol

And last but NOT least lol, remember when Tmobile sent me a new phone, it was February 23 (how do I link individual posts?? LOL) ANYWAY, I was still having problems with it. It locked up Saturday and I could hardly do ANYTHING. Well, turns out there is a problem with the phone. (if you have one and you have been having trouble, call and they will replace it) Here I was thinking maybe it kept messing up because it did too much lol, internet, email, organizer, camera phone lol, but nope, so come Wednesday, gone will be my beloved Tmobile MDA (that they no longer carry) I will now have a TMOBILE DASH.

So YAY! Alrighty guys that is IT for me!  Have a great day, I have  GOT to get off of here and get ready for Church!

Toodles!

TGIF!

YAY! So happy today is Friday!!!  YAY!!! Can you guys believe I am actually still awake? I mean normally I just set this thing to post at 12:01am, but umm, what time is it now? Yeah, I will pay for this later lol, and I have to get up at WHAT time? lol, anyway lol,yesterday I took my daughter to the Middle school, which she is DETERMINED to call "Jr. High" lol, It was nice...brought back a LOT of memories. It's been a LONG time since I walked those halls, and one of the teachers that was there when "I" was there.....he is STILL there! LOL, I got a chance to sign up to help with a few things (yep already lol) and I am glad. I'm really excited! LOL

I got my Interweave Knits yesterday. OMG. GREAT issue. At first glance. I see a good bit of stuff I want to make, BUT I have to choose my patterns carefully. No more picking stuff on a whim. NOPE, but what I did see.....

THIS BAG Now I have seen them before, and thought...naaahhh. I made my bag, I love my bag...I bought  a GAP Red bag....love my bag. I just LOVE bags...but now I REALLY want one. And I think I am going to get it too! YAY lol.... LOVE THESE BAGS! OMG. Or maybe I can find a different one somewhere else cheaper? Maybe, but I REALLY like these. tee hee

As far as the patterns go I really like the Summertime tunic.

Now it looks good on the website, but the picture in the magazine sold me on it. This is a definite knit.

I also got my Spring 2007 Knit Scene. So YAY! lol, VERY good mail day!

Here is my ribs and lace tank...tee hee lol

Now, here is Jaelyn and her LO's....she is SO proud, and NO we do NOT have a cat. These pics are VERY OLD. Notice how her hand is CAREFULLY placed on the edge of that pic with the blue circles.....she ran out of circles lol

and

and of COURSE Kayla had to show SOMETHING, so I pulled out a couple of necklaces that Zanete made me that I never did show you guys. **WARNING, THE PICTURES BELOW HAVE BEEN EDITED IN PHOTOSHOP. IF YOU DO NOT LIKE THE "UNNATURAL LOOK OF PHOTOS", PLEASE CLICK THE RED "X" IN THE UPPER RIGHT HAND CORNER OF THE SCREEN IF YOU HAVE A PC, OR THE UPPER LEFT HAND CORNER IF YOU HAVE A MAC** If seeing color added to your photos doesn't  bother you, then you can continue on....lol

I love this pic! This will "SO" be a scrapbook page soon!

and this one...

Lu, here is that "soft focus" we were talking about! LOL

Alright guys, that is IT for me!! I have an exciting day today!! YAY, but I will tell you guys alllllllllllllllllllllllllll about it on Monday! YAY! And if I don't respond to your emails....I'm probably somewhere passed out! LOL

Have a great weekend!!

Toodles!

Ok knitters.....has this happened to you?

Ok, so I have been working on Ribs and Lace from IK. It was going well, messed up, fixed it.....going well, messed up lol, fixed it, going good again, BUT I'm not liking it anymore. I don't know if it is my yarn choice, color or what. Im working with Rowan all seasons cotton, so I know I can use it on something else. I was telling Robin when I first started that I wasn't sure of the way it was knitting up, but liked the yarn, soooooo lol, kept going. But hmmm, not so sure now. I did start on Green Gable and it is going good. I messed up once on it, counted wrong lol, and fixed it and now, its just mindless....sooooo lol does it happen to you? Do I frog it and use the yarn for something else or do I keep going? Help me decide.......but I am leaning more towards frogging......

And here is the yarn....in case you can't remember....

In other news, I made the recipie Toya posted the other day. It was a hit. I changed a few things and doubled the recipie, lol, and it was almost gone the first day. I made an 11x13 pan and they ate over half of it the first day lol, hubby is trying to be the photographer, so ummm, let's thank him for this yellow picture lol, he will learn to love light lol

Oh and these are the stitchmarkers I made with Zanete this past weekend. I also got a good deal on some other beads that I will be making sooooooonnnnn. Most of these will be for giveaways, so stay tuned for that!

I don't like jump rings or split rings, or what ever you call them lol, because they can snag your yarn, so I used braclet and necklace closures. Only one end, well because I don't have any use for the other end. Here is a close up of the end. And they come in a variety of sizes.

And while we are on the subject....tee heee...here are more beads that will become stitch markers lol, you know they had to be orange lol. I am kinda glad right now because we don't have an AC Moore, but one is just at an hour away...tee heeeeee

and of course lol

Now, let me tell you what I learned about the above stone.......while I love the color, I will never again buy this for necklaces, to make. Now, I guess I knew the stone wasn't authentic, BUT when I saw a strand of stones that Zanete had, that WERE authentic. OMG. BEAUTIFUL. I only want the real thing from now on.Call it what you want, but that is what I want! LOL.....and then there is this.

This is my first and only necklace. Now, I started it, but could NOT finish it. I do know that beading as a hobby, as in making stuff to wear is OUT..WHY? Man, these beads were SO small! I now appreciate even more what Zanete does for others AND me lol....

Yesterday Tony got to play Field Trip Dad....lol

lol, and Jaelyn and her friend Jessica. I see her number on the caller id SO much lol.....

And Jaelyn being "MY" daughter....took this one of her dad...

Yep...that is indeed my daughter....

But before I go, my girls have not scrapped in a LONG time. They finally got their stuff out and I about fell out when Jaelyn told me her Mojo is back. Ummmm, I will post her LO's tomorrow! tee hee, lol

Toodles!

Inspirational Wednesday

"The person who says it cannot be done should not interrupt
the person doing it."

-- Chinese proverb

How true is THAT saying!? LOL

We did not have a recording this week. But I will tell you that our interview this week was supposed to be with, none other than Cathy Z, but she has a very sore throat,strep throat I do believe, so that will be our interview for next week. FUN STUFF! We are going to extend the give away for the CK computer tricks mag, so email me at anixon1036@charter.net and put Computer tricks in the subject line. We are giving away two!  Thanks to everyone who has joined the frappr map over at The inspirational wednesday site. We have listeners everywhere. YAY!! Great stuff in store for IW! Stay tuned......

So my inspiration this week....... Well, in a few weeks, well maybe more like 6-8 weeks we are going to re-do our kitchen. Walls down, no cooking redo. So I am looking into all the options and doing all the pricing and all that jazz right now. I am also about to start cooking and freezing because I REFUSE to eat out everyday while the work is being done. NOPE, not going to happen. So I will cook and freeze. That way we can un-thaw and eat. LOL......

I am REALLY feelin this white. Hmmmmmm, so fresh, and clean. Simple.Love that.

I really love this lighter color too.

LOL, and this one lol

Now my kitchen isn't this big lol, I'm just looking at color and design lol

And with the new kitchen will come.....

New dishes. I "NEED" some really bad. LOL, So my mom swears by the Cooks Essentials from QVC. And this is on my "want" list......

I NEED this pressure cooker!!! lol

But I want black or red maybe lol....depending on what kitchen I go with. lol

And in about 4 weeks this will be in my lovely home.......

Gotta work off all that food I will be cooking in my kitchen lol

And for you Paige...because I "know" you are reading, here is a sneak peek for you.....tee hee (sorry off topic everyone lol) I wish I looked this good when I was pregnant! You were a joy to work with!

Have a great IW guys!

Toodles!