The four words that scare my husband

I think just about any crafter has utter these scary words: "I can make that." And has sent their spouse running for the hills. Or into the bedroom until you've finished destroying the living room, kitchen, dining room and bathroom in your attempt to make said craft.

Those are pretty scary words and I've uttered them too much lately.

You cannot find the floor in our living room. Our big stuffed chair has vanished. The kitchen table is no more. My crafts have exploded everywhere and over every surface that's available.

It's so embarassing that I'm refusing to post pictures.**


I've caught I-can-make-that-itis.

I keep finding all these amazing craft ideas on other blogs and I can't resist saying I can make that and then trying. Now, I'm not trying and failing. I'm just trying and not finishing. I'm also trying and moving on to the next craft without storing what I've just been working on.

I've got all these ideas on jewelry, home decor, painting, organizational areas, and books. Oh dear. Don't even get me started on my book collection.


I'm going to call it a collection, because other things that are considered collectables (i.e. stamps, coins, etc.) are things you gather and then stare at. I get all these books, on any subject and then I never get around to reading them. The stories sound great and I'm intrigued, but then a craft project calls and I pass on the book, for the time being.

I've got an enabler, too. She forces me to buy books. Forces me, I tell you!!
Ok, that may be a slight exaggeration.

I'm going to be starting a five step program making lists. It helps me keep my ideas straight and stops me from duplicating and losing track and jumping off on bunny trails of other activities to start.

Spring Cleaning is upon us!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm purging our belongings. Mostly in anticipation of moving, but also as an attempt to curb my enthusiasm of starting another craft project.



**Side note: This is also why we haven't invited any friends over in awhile. Deeply apologetic!

So...here's the thing

^^Above quote is a favorite of DH. He starts almost every story with that. :)

Anyway, here's my thing. I've been sick.

Yeah, that's been me for over a week. :(

It started as a sore throat that snow balled into the flu, that grew into an upper respiratory infection and the cherry on top: pink eye (or conjunctivitis).

Fun.

So, I apologize to my meager amount of readers for not posting any crafts or stories. I just haven't been mentally capable.
The flu really wiped me out. I didn't feel like doing anything. Even laying down to try and sleep hurt.

I'm feeling better now, but am currently contagious because of my self-inflicted conjunctivitis.

I have an interesting project coming up and some ambitions for myself! Stay tuned!!

Bible cover tutorial and what else is going on

First up is this video I found on President's Day and wanted to post it, but got distracted. I guess I have a soft spot for guys named Jaden. ;)


How cute is that!

On to the tutorial! A Bible cover.


I bought some fabric the other day with the intention of making a pillow for my bed. It's a beautiful green pattern. Well, the days passed and I never got around to digging out my sewing machine. Mostly because DH has commandeered the kitchen/dining room/everything table for his paperwork. It's only fair. I usually have it piled high with my crafts. :)

Just before falling asleep an idea hit me. It hurt. :)
I decided to make a bible cover with the pretty green fabric. Partly because I love the pattern and want to carry it around and partly because hubby tends to lay his head on any pillow that is placed on the bed and I'd like to preserve it.
So as I was falling asleep I devised a plan of attack. My solution: wrap it just like I would a text book in high school.

FYI: because the table is covered in paperwork, I was relegated to the floor. Hence the ugly background in the pics. (welcome to apartment living)

I had all the supplies: fabric, interfacing (for sturdiness), scissors, and an iron. And glue--picture later.


I placed my bible on the fabric and cut it out with an inch and a half excess on all sides. Then placed the fabric on the interfacing and cut out the same size.


I then ironed the two pieces together with the rough side of the interfacing joined to the wrong side of the fabric. Instructions come with interfacing when you purchase it from any fabric store.

You need a damp rag over the interfacing when you iron the two together, other wise you will burn it.


Place your bible in the center of the fabric. Fold the long edges inward until the whole piece is the width of the bible (the pic explains it better). Iron down the sides when you have them exact.


Open up your bible cover and fold over the short edges into the cover. This will mark where to iron next.

Slide the edges of your cover into the small pockets you have just created. (forgot to take a picture!)

You will now have a cover on your bible!


BUT we're not finished. In order for the cover to stay put and to keep this project "no-sew", I glued the pocket corners to the back of the green fabric. Aleene's Tacky Glue works best for this. It doesn't bleed through like hot glue would and it's excellent for fabric.


I decided to embellish it with a amazing flower that I made earlier in the week.




I got the idea from this blog Trey and Lucy.

I just glued it on the back. You could take the fabric cover off and stitch the flower on, but we're keeping it "no-sew"!



I thoroughly enjoy the finished project! It pretty much cost me nothing because I bought the fabric for another project but scrapped that idea for the time being. I had everything else on hand.



Another thing of note: Jaden (my hubby, not the kid in the video) won Teacher of the Year for his school district!! Super happy and proud of him. :) It's such a blessing from God.

This is currently my favorites spot in our apartment. It's so pretty.



I love those flowers. They almost beckon spring even though it's still in the 30s outside.
I made them myself (with the help of Aunt Peaches!)and it's currently one of my favorite pastimes while watching movies and tv. Half were made while watching Arrested Development and the other half were made while watching one of my favorite movies: Rocky.

I'm linking with these parties!






Coming up next:
Top ten list of my favorite movies!

Back to work to save my sanity (and a giveaway)

I finally made it back to work this week! Whew, boy. I love love love love love love love love my husband, but I think it's good for both of us to go to work every once in awhile.
In my opinion, I can survive being at home with a couple adventures out into the world, while Jaden can just stay in without any qualms. It's also really beneficial for me to get out of the house, because I spent my free time doing random craft projects. This, of course, led to many injuries. I stuck myself with pins, slightly burned my fingertips with hot glue and a candle, severely burned my knuckle with said hot glue (I was in such a panic to get it off me that I immediately started pulling my skin off--not a fun feeling lemme tell ya!), and harshly gashed my hand with fabric scissors. All of this without a first aid kit in the whole house!

You'd think after spraining an ankles seven years in a row (when I was younger) would be enough of heads-up for me to purchase a simple first-aid kit. Even after I fell twice a few months ago (spraining my ankle AGAIN) I still didn't purchase one.
I did have a few gracious friends who volunteered to help with my scissor injury and a few family members who just said to super glue it shut. It's healing nicely with just a band aid covering it.

Meanwhile, I'm finished with The Great Gatsby:

It's......an interesting book. I think the story is different: a love reconnection told through a bystander. It has an exciting ending, but I guess I don't understand why it's considered a classic. In my opinion, the spoiled nouveau-riche are not an intriguing storyline. Selfishness is one of my biggest pet-peeves and a story that revolves completely around bored rich people complaining about how "sorry" their lives are, does not bode well for my bookshelf.
I read it in high school, but like most required reading, I did not retain any of it.

On to the giveaway:
Great blog giveaway at All Things Vintage!! Maybe you could win?!?
Have a look!! It ends on the 13th.

Giveaway

Snow day! (or three)

Three snow days!! Here is what I accomplished:

--made one scarf
--created two bracelets
--finished crocheting a blanket I started 4 years ago (can I get an Amen!)
--read half of The Great Gatsby
--watched four movies
--trudged through the snow twice to the local gas station for a dose of humanity
--tried to go sledding
--and ended up making this with my husband and friend

Enjoy!