My Octopus' Garden

It's finished!!!!!!!!!!!  Insert happy dance here!

"I'd like to be under the sea
In an octopus' garden in the shade
He'd let us in, knows where we've been
In his octopus' garden in the shade

I'd ask my friends to come and see
An octopus' garden with me
I'd like to be under the sea
In an octopus' garden in the shade.

We would be warm below the storm
In our little hideaway beneath the waves
Resting our head on the sea bed
In an octopus' garden near a cave

We would sing and dance around
Because we know we can't be found
I'd like to be under the sea
In an octopus' garden in the shade

We would shout and swim about
The coral that lies beneath the waves
(Lies beneath the ocean waves)
Oh what joy for every girl and boy
Knowing they're happy and they're safe
(Happy and they're safe)

We would be so happy you and me
No one there to tell us what to do
I'd like to be under the sea
In an octopus' garden with you."

(The Beatles, Octopus' Garden)

Finding My Inner Fisherman

My husband tells me all the time, "you should of been a fisherman!"  He is usually referring to the knots and nets that I make using crochet.  Maybe though, that is why I am drawn to my little fishing town....deep down I am a fisher-woman at heart. 

Being drawn to knot type crafts, friendship bracelets, crochet, macrame....somehow I have never picked up a knot book.  After the tax deadline, my boss usually gives all of us a small bonus.  I almost always have to use it responsibly and this year was no different, but I did decide to buy myself something.  A little treat for my hard work.

I decided on buying the book "Decorative Fusion Knots".  (I have not been paid to talk about this book)

This book was well worth the money I spent on it.  It arrived in the mail yesterday and I spent all night tying knots.  Even if I never pick up this book again, it has already served its purpose.

I only kept a few of them tied and after a while wished I had a different color to experiment with.  A trip to the hardware store for some rope is definitely in my future.

Some things to make with knots....

• Earrings
• Necklace
• Key chain
• Barrett
• Rug

Bringing Outdoor Fun Inside

Not sure where the idea to make an indoor Hop Scotch came from (somewhere on the internet), but I knew I needed to make one for my niece.   

 

Materials Used:
Craft Felt
Acrylic Paint
Non-slip Shelf Liner
Scrap Fabric and beans, for Bean Bags

Directions:
Plan out the layout.
Paint numbers on each of the rectangles. I had to paint three to four coats on each.
Sew together; take #3 and #4, put right sides together and sew middle seam. Do the same with #6 and #7.
Next, take #2 and overlap the bottom edge 1/2" on top of the top edge of #1, sew together. 
Take #3/4 and overlap the bottom edge 1/2" on top of the top edge of #2, sew together.
Take #5 and underlap the bottom edge 1/2" underneath of the top edge of #3/4, sew together.
Take #6/7 and overlap the bottom edge 1/2" on top of the top edge of #5, sew together.
Take #8 and underlap the bottom edge 1/2" underneath the top edge of #6/7, sew together.

Pin Non-slip Shelf liner on the backside starting at #1, up to #8.  Sew the together along the outside edge.  Trim excess.  Measure and cut additional rectangles to sew to the back side of the outer edges of #6, 7, 3 and 4.

Bean Bags:  Using scrap material cut four, 4" squares, sew three sides, fill with 1/4 cup beans, sew fourth side.

Old Jeans Get a New Life

Old jeans are one of my favorite clothing items to re-purpose.  The material is tough, lays out flat without needing to iron and has supplies lots of odd bits to use like labels, zippers, etc.

In an attempt to get myself back on the treadmill and into shape, the "exercise/guest/storage" room in my house is getting a make over to make it more inviting and comfortable.  In what I will now refer to as the Girl Cave, because why can't we have a one too, is a daybed used as a couch.  For the longest time, all that has covered the futon mattress has been fitted sheets. 

Last night that changed, I pulled out all the old jeans I had stored in the craft room and started cutting out 16" x 16" squares.  I was able to come up with 20 of these squares.  After deciding on the layout to the sewing machine I went.  Just a simple quilt.

A perfect fit!

One more row may be added, so the cover can tuck under the bottom part of the cushion.  Plus a back still needs to be added (or not).

Learning to be Resourceful

With gas prices high ($2.84 here), the price of food increasing ($9 for a block of cheese, are you serious?) and just over all high prices everywhere, I keep trying to come up with ways to save money, spend less, and be resourceful. I spend the time to plan a two week dinner menu and make a grocery list based on that...when offered hand me down clothes I jump on the offer...mend things instead of buying new...and stuff of that nature.

So since I am trying to be economical, I thought to myself one day, "Why pay $40 for a bra or $3-5 each for underwear when I could make my own??" Sounds crazy I know, but the only way for me to purchase a bra that will fit is to order on line. The problem with this is it may not fit right when I get it, so I have to return it, and most vendors do not make my size in pretty colors, fabrics etc. I usually just find something that kind of works at Walmart and then hardly ever wear it. You have no clue how many of those I have in my dresser. Now I haven't tried it yet, just bought the pattern, but can't wait start!!

What things do you do to save on money??

When in doubt...Make it!

I have had my eye on this $140 jacket for sometime now, yet I haven't been able to justify spending that amount of money on a jacket that won't be warm, is white so it will get dirty, and hard to wash. (it is though, a beautiful jacket)

My solution: I went to the store and thumbed thru a couple sewing pattern catalogues in search for a jacket pattern. I wanted something unique, and maybe something I change up or add to later. I found McCalls DIY Style pattern #M5714, purchased some fleece and with excitement headed home. All in all it took me 3 nights (an hour or 2 each night), deciding how I wanted my jacket to look like, cutting out the pattern, laying out the pieces, figuring out the directions and finally having a finished project that I am proud of.....

Still needs a few extra decorative touches, but for now DONE!! (and the total spent, $30 including the pattern.)