Back, and With a Little Addition.

It’s been awhile, too long actually. I must admit, I’ve been wary of returning, I fear all my reader have vanished. In the last few days I was struggling with how to begin a new post, well here it is. I’ve been gone, mostly because , well I was gone and the usual day to day routine.

I had one of those daily jobs for awhile, public assistance type. I mainly worked with elderly and underprivileged who were very thankful for help. Then there were the “I don’t have to work because I know you’ll pay for this” type. I was eventually let go because of budget reasons, sad day, but I rebounded over the summer with a little job at the Public Pool. It wasn’t the highest paying job, I got crappy hours, but my two eldest girls got all summer pool fun and hot dogs they could handle.

Then came October, we welcomed our newest little addition, Parker.

 

To help in welcoming him, I created his entire layette. I know I’m known mostly for my crocheting, but before all that, I was best sitting behind a sewing machine.

Gowns, these were made form some of my old t-shirts, most of which I couldn’t or wouldn’t wear anymore. To recreate these for your selves the pattern can be found at This Mama Makes stuff. Super simple, extra super cute!

The Boppy Covers, I’ve had four kids already, so reusing some of the things I had in storage wasn’t new to me, This time, however, I did feel a little guilty reusing the girls’ bobby cover. I headed to the store in hopes for finding a simple blue cover for a reasonable price. Two problems occurred, one- I hated the covers offered at the stores, two- I wasn’t paying THAT much for something I knew I would have to repair after the first five or six washes. (I’m a little anal about baby things being clean, I’m sure you don’t blame me though)  With that in mind I set out to create my own adorable covers, here is what I came up with.

For the cameo cover I followed the tips and suggestions from this tutorial. Like it said it was quick and dirty. 

The sheepish one I decided to trace the cover I had previously used with my girls. It worked much better for me that way and if you decided to go that route don’t forget seam allowances, it will make or break you. 

I only made two because, believe it or not, they take a lot of fabric to create and don’t get me started on the zippers.

To go with the bobby, I of course needed bibs, show me a baby that doesn’t drool and I’ll forget the bibs. As if I’m not dorky enough I had to pass it on to my son, so these are made from remnants of my Everquest fabric and Transformers. There are tons of bib patterns out there goggle it, trust me you’ll find one, or you can mash them all up and get what I made. Here are a few links to get you started.

http://www.thimblythings.com/2009/06/01/in-praise-of-denim-bibs/

http://www.alittletipsy.com/2010/11/baby-week-shirt-bib.html

http://www.purlbee.com/liberty-bibs/

http://lotsofpinkhere.blogspot.com/2011/02/boutique-style-bib-tutorial.html

http://sewshesews.wordpress.com/2010/04/08/quilted-patchwork-bib-pattern-and-tutorial/

Finally, the coming home outfit. I wanted something that would share a little bit of everyone in the home. This is what I came up with.

The shirt and suspenders with a “Gatsby” Hat.

Shirt: http://www.mesewcrazy.com/2011/10/pr-tutorials-week-3-baby-boy-button-up.html

Suspenders: I created them on my own, they’re fake and just attach with a little velcro. Nothing too complicated just a little flashy.

The hat:I I had previously made the hat for my oldest son, and I decided his new little brother needed one as well, In fact I created two. The pattern I referenced from was made for an older boy so there was a lot of snipping and guessing for the proper fit, which I never achived, it was still too big. Never the less, this pattern is great! http://mellysews.com/2012/09/gatsby-hat-with-free-pattern.html

Baby Handmade Toms My baby sister is obsessed with Toms and when I first saw these little booties I couldn’t resist making them to resemble the ones she so desperately wanted. The pattern I found as super simple to follow and for girls you can add an adorable little bow or flower to the top. http://michelequigley.com/blog/soft-baby-shoes-pattern-and-tutorial/

A swaddle blankie. I feel in love with this idea, I had several swaddle me blankets and, although, I liked using them to travel with I wanted something to cuddle him in at home. This was the answer. http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2012/mar/06/how-to-make-a-swaddle-blanket

 

I guess the only thing left to do or say is to reveal the arrival home. I refused my own photo opt. (recovering from a c-section do you blame me?)

 

 

Everything I’ve linked to today can also be found on my Pinterest board.

TGIF! The First Avenger

Welcome to the first Favorite Friday post! I will be posting a craft every Friday that I have handmade with the link and purchase information or pattern to said item. I know it sounds a little much to sell some of my crafts. But, really I make and make and make, I can only give away so much, AND yarn does cost money. Well that is until I convince Stephen that I need a small flock of sheep and spinning lessons XD!!
For my first Favorite Friday I thought that I would make something that would help showcase one of my favorite Christmas presents! My Captain America Shirt! I’m extremely blessed to have family (shout out to my Amazing in laws, Steve, Rita, and Danielle!) that accepts me for all my goofy little dorkiness, and still be treated as a responsible, growing adult.  Seriously, to my comic book fans, is the shirt not AWESOME in the realm of awesomeness!!!

Now, for my favorite part where I rant about how awesome Captain America is, and let you know how much I know about him. First lets get to what I didn’t have to research…

Captain America was first published in Febuary or March of 1941 by Timely Comics. He was originally going to be named Super American, because of the already famous Superman, artist Joe Simon decided that Captain America sounded better. 
  “After all there aren’t too many captains out there.” Is what I believe he was reported to say on the subject.
Captain America’s alter ego Steve Rogers was pretty much super enhanced to help with the war efforts and fought against the Axis Powers or more commonly known now as his nemesis Red Skull, during war time WWII. Even though he is basically super human altered, he carries an indestructible shield that he throws as a weapon. (Better than Xena’s weird Tron disc looking thing she throws[wow how many dorky things can I fit in this post?]) It’s well known, at least I think it is that Captain America was killed in 2007, and later discovered to still be living. But, his side kick Bucky has now taken up the role of Captain America.

There is a movie on way, Captain America: The First Avenger. The role of Steve Rogers is being played by Chris Evans of Fantastic Four fame.  I am so glad that the rumors of Mathew McConaughey playing Steve Rogers was only that a big fat ugly scary rumor! And WOW I just now found this  While putting the hyperlinks on here.

This is a photo from the movie, not sure if it’s being used as promo but, WOW! They are introducing Steve Roger’s love interest as Peggy Carter. Though I was under the assumption that was Sharon Carter’s (Agent 13) older sister. Sharon Carter being his original love interest.  It’s confusing, seeing as in the comics he’s dated both and I’m guessing they just meshed them together to forego confusion. That’s Hollywood for you. It was rumored that Joss Whedon was one of the screen writers and it appears that is so. And naturally, Samuel L. Jackson, will be reprising his role as Nick Fury! I’m thrilled that the movie starts off in 1941, and will do so through the entire film. So far the movie is set to open in July 2011. I’m psyched! Hope you are too!
So, let us get to the craft, I made this simple, adorably awesome (I’m really using that word a lot. But, let’s face it, Captain America is pretty close to Captain Awesome!) Captain America Shield headband. As soon as I get the proper color blue I will be making another identical headband and giving it away with some other Captain America themed goodies, keep following to find out when!

Captain America Shield headband
First you want to start with the star seeing as it can be a different size each time depending on how consistent your crocheting is.
Star
supplies:
size h hook
white yarn
tapestry or yarn needle
scissors
pattern key:
ch – chain
st - stitch
slst – slip stitch
sk - skip
sc – single crochet
hdc – half double crochet
dc- double crochet
() – crochet amount indicated in same stitch
[] – repeat pattern number of times indicated
pattern:
round 1 ch 3, in 3rd ch from hook do (10 hdc), slst in top of first hdc to join
first point. ch 5 slst in second ch from hook, sc in nect ch, hdc in next ch, dc in ch, sk hdc in rnd, slst to next hdc in rnd.
bind off and weave in all ends
points 2-5 do the exact same thing until you have five pointed star in your hand! It’s pretty simple and goes really fast once you get the hang of it.

Shield Base:
This is simple too. It’s just the basic flat circle, it will look a little wavy at times but all you need to do is shape it a little. Because, lets face it, there’s no such thing as a perfect circle.

Supplies:
red, white, and blue yarn preferably the same weight you used on your star.
size h hook
tapestry or yarn needle
scissors
pattern key:
ch – chain
st - stitch
slst – slip stitch
sk - skip
sc – single crochet
hdc – half double crochet
dc- double crochet
() – crochet amount indicated in same stitch
[] – repeat pattern number of times indicated
Shield Pattern:
With blue yarn ch2
Rnd 1 (6 sc) in second ch from hook, slst to first sc to join
Rnd 2 ch1 (2 sc) in every sc around  slst to first sc to join (12 sc)
Rnd 3 ch 1 [sc, (2sc)] repeat all around slst to first sc to join (18 sc)
Rnd 4 ch 1 [2 sc, (2sc)] repeat all around slst to first sc to join (24 sc)
Rnd 5 [3 sc, (2sc)] repeat all around slst to first sc to join (30 sc)
  OK, here is where you want to take your star and see if you need to continue with another round of blue or not by sizing it with your star.
Rnd 6 you can ch 1 or join the red yarn , [4sc, (2 sc)] repeat all around, slst to first sc to join (36 sc)
Rnd 7 join either your first row of red here or your white  [5sc, (2 sc)] repeat all around, slst to first sc to join (42 sc)
Rnd 8 join white or your last row of red, [6 sc, (2 sc)] repeat all around slst to first sc to join (48 sc)
Just in case you needed that extra row
Rnd 9 join red, [7 sc, (2 sc)] repeat all around, slst to first sc to join. Bind off and weave in all ends.
You can now sew your star onto the center of the shield base you have yourself a Captain America Shield*. *This shield is clearly not indestructible and should not be used as a weapon, as you are most defiantly not Captain America!
There are clearly a million and one options with which you can do with this. I will give you two simple handmade options and you just do what ever tickles your pickle!

You can make the three strand headband like I did. You can find the pattern over at Creativeyarn (she’s one of those that you have to keep going back to)
Or you can go with Chloe, my 7 year olds favorite which is the single crochet or double crochet headband.

Depending on your yarn, regular worsted weight yarn will run about 14 sc to 4 inches, I prefer to use lily yarn, it’s cheap and soft to work with it runs about 17 sc to 4 inches. My head is about 22 inches…
With the H hook (my favorite) ch 94 for sc and 95 for dc. Now just sc or dc evenly across, sew ends together and weave in all lose strands.That’s really all there is to it.
I hope this was either informative, inspirational, or board line clinical to someone out there!

A defeated purpose

So, how do I begin this? I decided when I was 11 that I wanted to play the clarinet because my mother had played the clarinet. I started in band in 6th grade. My mother and grandmother had decided that it would be best to do a rental purchase on a clarinet. I'm not sure if it was because of money issues, which we did have, or if they were not sure I would stick with it. From the moment I got my clarinet I played it every day. I went through the beginner book so fast it was crazy. I was ahead of the other clarinets at that point and the other woodwinds for that matter. I remember that summer, I played it everyday and wanted my mother to show me how to march. She refused, lol, I think she was trying to keep me from becoming the dork I was. But no matter I eventually mastered it on my own. In band it was the first thing I felt like I had excelled in ever. I loved it. I loved the music, playing it and making music. In 7th grade my mother and grandmother took the clarinet I had a beginner no brand to The Pied Piper for repairs and came back with a brand new Intermediate Artley with a matte wood grain finish. And my mother bought me a book. It was Disney for the clarinet all the songs from The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, and Beauty and the Beast. I continued to play everyday. I remember the day we began to learn the second octave notes and how to do a finger break. Monumental really in my eyes, I loved eing challenged in my music and wouldn't wait until I got to prove my talents. But that spring began a  new chapter in my life that started a downfall that I wish i had never let happen. My mother left my father, for what reasoning's I still don't know we all have theories, I get mad when I remember what happened closed doors. Things no one believes and things no one wants to hear.
Everyone remembers what happened then we moved out of our home and into the home of one Brenda Hammonds. I couldn't practice, I hated that place. One it wasn't home, two the only thing my mother did there was send us outside to play and smoke, what I won't say, three within two days of living there my sisters brother and I had lice. Need I go on? That summer I was rescued by my aunt and went to stay with her in Louisiana as her family began their journey back to Tennessee. I have never regretted that summer I never will.  It was a terrific summer! One of my favorites. I only wish my siblings could have had a better one. There were things that happened that summer that no one will tell me to this day. I just know it was things that no child should ever go through.
By the time I returned home my father and mother were fighting my father as many people in Grayson at that time was out of work and my mother was suing for child support. He was hiding, I got to see him once. At the beginning of 8th grade my music skills soon were becoming natural to me and I still practiced everyday. We were living at that time with my grandmother Juanita, Nanny to me, my mother's mom. It wasn't a bad situation, it was much more like home. My mother however was becoming bitter, and acted like a child. more than I did. She would get a call and in minutes she would leave us with my grandmother and no one would see her for the rest of the night. She told her mom once she was going to church. I called her on it saying bull. I was slapped across the face and told not to talk back. Everyone knows the story, and what happened next, by that winter she was in the hospital and died shortly after Christmas.
I was thrust into taking care of my siblings at 13. No one knows what I did that winter, that summer. I was miserable, I wanted to be a kid, I had to have diner on the table at a certain time, give the little ones a bath and teach my younger sister how to use deodorant. I had no time to grieve, no time to be alone. I had no one, and felt like no one wanted me. I couldn't bring myself to look at my clarinet much less try and play it. I had barely passed 8th grade and would soon begin high school. I constantly thought about how I could manage it, what would I have to give up so I could be home to take care of my family. I sat and cried about this night and day. Tried to play the part of a happy teenager. My friend Amanda wasn't much help, she alienated me from the one friend that was there for me. Jessica had been there through my mother's death, her and her mother. Not a day goes by that I don't regret losing that friendship. Amanda cost me a lot and why I felt her friendship was so important I don't know.
Eventually it was all too much for my father to handle, and he took us to my grandmother and there we stayed. I don't know how he helped her out, or what the arrangement was. Just that any decision he had the final word. But by the time I started high school i had completely forgotten who I was. If I was to continue with my music I would have to teach myself all over again. I did but I didn't want to. every note every sound reminded me of her. My turning point was the last day of my freshman year, I was one of tha last ones out of the band trailer. Miss Hartley called me back, put her arm around my should and told me not to give up, that it's not what my mother would have wanted. She told me I had it in me and to keep practicing. That summer I met Cara.
My life began to turn around, then my great grandmother passed away. I began to float into depression again, I stopped eating healthy if anyone really noticed me they would have seen the traumatic weight difference in me. My hair began to fall out so I cut it off and  kept it short. Years later I found a picture of myself and threw it away. I hate what I looked like, I was sick, too thin and had a huge fake smile. I was tortuous to look at.
I had began to take private clarinet lessons from Dr.Jones. He intimated me, and told my grandmother that I didn't play I just sat and held my horn. I was offended and he refused to teach me. I know I didn't hold horn, I knew I was trying and I was making progress, but to this day my grandmother says that I did. Fast forward, junior year, I was doing a solo competition thing I don't even remember what it was called. Sara had a tumbling class with our cousin Rachel and I needed to practice, Aunt Flo said I could practice in the back. I was going to do a song from my Disney book, sort of a homage to my mother I was excited about it. It was Beauty and the Beast, full of double eighth note and really complicated. I practiced during the entire class. And when it was time to go, my grandmother made fun of me. Said I could have chose a better song one that wasn't so annoying and sad. I was hurt but most of all embarrassed. I drooped out of the competition. After that I just played in marching and concert band. I was tired of trying and my effort not being seen. I still have my clarinet, I would play it but I need to replace some of the lower pads. I don't have the money to pay for it so it remains in the closet. I'll pull it out every so often and check the corks and finger through a song, check all the keys. But I miss it. I miss being the maker of music. I miss the sound and feel of it. I miss the annoying callus on my thumbs and the tips of my finger being numb from hours of practicing. I miss it. But it all seems to be a defeated purpose.