Bring In Da Noise, Bring In Da Funk (Emo Wednesday Edition)

I don't know if it's this cloudy weather (I doubt it, it just started raining today) , but I am having one hell of a time getting craftually motivated. Yes... Craftually.

Waiting on an invite from Pinterest (I finally caved) in hopes that I will get inspired. I'm just not feeling it, and it's frustrating. I tried working on new stitch markers, and almost ended up in tears because the stuff I made looked awful.

I'll do what I can and blame the heat. Maybe getting out of the house tomorrow will help. I need to find it, but I was reading this article online that was talking about ways to stay creative and inspired. One of the main points they touched on was to get unplugged from time to time: Step away from the laptop, cell phone, the tv and just get yourself outside (weather permitting). I know that around here, it's a lot easier to talk walks in Spring and Fall. The heat of the summer and those cold winds of the winter months can make being outside a grueling task. Point being: Get yourself outside and be inspired by nature.

This is a quick post andI must be off, but I will leave you with this song. It popped in my head earlier today, and I haven't been able to get it out. Back in the day, I used to listen to Portishead.. A lot. I know they're not considered "emo", but the tone of the song feels about right for today.

Hope you all are doing well! Let me know what you do to stay creative. :)

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Serious. Gratitude .

I was just reading my last post about being an inconsistent blogger. NO KIDDING! I wrote that back in May. That's just sad. Seriously.

 Quite a bit has been going on around here. Went to my first craft night over at HipStitch a few weeks ago, and caught one hell of a sewing bug. I did a little knitting and crocheting that night, while everyone else was sewing. A big thank you goes out to moxiemandie for inviting me. Really hoping to make that a regular thing.
Decided to try a project that made me a little nervous (Sewing with a zipper? Me?! Never!). Did some YouTube research, and off I went. Ended up with this.

Hook and Notions Bag

 Not too shabby, right? Of course, it occurs to me that I probably should have used interfacing - but it was my first attempt so I'm not going to beat myself up over that. I'm still happy with it. I wanted to try making a zippered bag, because my goal was to make a nice one for my bestie (aka @defysocietyarts). I love making things for her, because she truly appreciates handmade gifts. Of course, everything I make her she very well could make herself (She's very talented), but it's always nice to make things for the people you love.

Hook and Notions bag for my bestie :)

 I did this one the right way! Used interfacing, and even pressed the fabric (Which I never do!) She loves it, and that makes me very happy :)

I would like to end this post by taking a moment to thank a few people. I have been the recipient of some amazing generosity from several of my Twitter friends. I'm not going to get into specifics of the gifts, because it would just feel like bragging, but I am sincerely grateful for awesome people.

Many, many, many thanks to @atknitsend , @sillygirlsarah and @moxiemandie

“Why did you do all this for me?" he asked. "I don't deserve it. I've never done anything for you.'
You have been my friend,' replied Charlotte. 'That in itself is a tremendous thing.”
― E.B. White, Charlotte's Web

Long time gone

I have a bad habit of not being consistent. Especially when it comes to blogging. It's horrible, too, because I really do love to blog. To make matters worse, I'm constantly coming up with ideas, and think "This would be GREAT to blog about."

Yeah.

I fail.

Anyhow, I've been on a crafty bender as of late. Doing some painting, got into making mexican pop art magnets (which the boys destroyed). Doing my research on craft resin. Thinking about giving that a whirl.

Very proud of the piece I made for my Mom for Mother's Day :

'Reina del Cielo' / 'Queen of Heaven'

I'd been wanting to do a project that involved embroidery and felt. After giving her the gift, I found out that May is the month of The Blessed Virgin Mary. Makes sense now, since Mother's Day is in May and all >.<

Until next time!

Happy Crafting! 
- fal00la

Emo Wednesday

I notice that a lot of my favorite bloggers use the days of the week to spotlight things on their blog. I've always thought that was a really clever, but could never come up with something that a lot of other people aren't doing.

...until yesterday.

I really have to stop for a moment, and thank Ms. Steph Cortes (aka @nerdJERK on Twitter) for this brilliant idea. 

I tweeted yesterday about feeling a little blue about a book I was reading. The book isn't sad. However, the sad part was I bought the book used, and it looks like no one has ever read it before me. I know that's something stupid to be sad about. Seems like I was feeling a wee bit emo. I think Steph recognized that, and said I should document the moment by photographing the book at my feet, wearing a pair of Doc Martens while listening to The Cure.

The result was this picture:

She said she couldn't believe I had the perfect emo package, and felt it was something I should blog about. After joking about what other photos I can take to capture my emo moments,  it really hit me that this would be an awesome idea to continue.

So, there it is. Emo Wednesdays. Mostly, I'm going to be poking fun at myself, how emo and overly emo I can be. This isn't meant to offend anyone, so apologies in advance if you're among the offended. If I do cross the line, don't hesitate to let me know.

Also, Going to attempt to incorporate some emo crafts - whatever those may be ;)
May even ask some of you to guest post !

Until next time,
                Happy Crafting!

What's In a name ...

As you can probably tell, I have changed the name of my blog. 

Tried to pick something to appeal to my crafty side, and my love of pirate culture. It's to coincide with the soon-to-be relaunch of my etsy shop. I know, I know... I keep talking about it. You surely can understand! Life has gotten in the way. Trying as hard as I can to stick to my commitment to myself to get listings up on etsy A S A P.

Other than that, I've been reading. A LOT. Over the last 5 days, I've read 4 books.

An awesome trilogy. Young adult books, yes - but they are nowhere NEAR a "light read".

A novel by the Crafty Chica. Great book!

It's been a whirlwind of words. I tend to be a bit of a speed reader. I mean, c'mon! I need to be a speed reader with two small boys in the house.  Why am I talking about books when this is my craft blog? Well, writing is a craft. Plain and simple.

Speaking of books and the 'Hunger Games' , I need to be off. My sister and I are going to see the movie. I'm excited! Successfully read the entire first book last Thursday,  and finished the last book today. Ha! Makes sense that I should celebrate by criticizing the movie.
          I kid! I kid!
Seriously. I won't do that.

This has been a mini blog post, brought to you by fal00la. lol

What do YOU think of the new layout, and name?

Would you like to swing on a star

Trying to get back into the swing of blogging. This will prove to be a difficult task, seeing as how 2012 didn't exactly start on a high note. In fact, this first 9 days has been a endless stream of BLAH and headache. However -- Things can only go up from here, yes? A friend of mine said "Don't worry. This just means you're getting all the bad stuff out of the way."

I hope she's right.

In other news, my hands have been busy crocheting and knitting. Ha! What else is new!

 I often find myself at bookstores (sometimes thrift stores) buying crocheting and knitting pattern books. Earlier last year , I was introduced to an awesome crochet artist by the name of Twinkie Chan via twitter. Imagine my surprise as I'm browsing the shelves, and find her crochet book. I buy it, and then make the mistake of showing it to my sister who -- of course!-- wants me to make her a few things from the book. I ended up crocheting her the Cupcake scarf. Turned out pretty sweet :D (Pun intended? Surely!)

Almost good enough to eat

Cupcakeeeesss!

Not far behind making the cupcake scarf, my aunt contacts me and asks if I could make her niece slippers with cupcakes on them. After crocheting a bundle of them, I take on this project -- plus make a pair for niece's sister and Mom. Basing the slipper cupcakes off of the pattern, I was mucho happy with how they turned out. Need to get to making myself a pair.

Took a break from all the cupcakes. They're and fun to make, but require a lot of making things separately, and then sewing together. Most days, I just don't have the time or patience for that.

Thinking it's been awhile since I made anything for my Hunny, thought it would be nice to knit him some fingerless gloves. These turned out great. Liked them so much, I'm working on a pair for myself!

Pattern from - Knits Men Want by Bruce Weinstein

 Well, I'm off to find my embroidery stuff. Got some AMAZING patterns today... Some of which I think I'll use for an upcoming friend's baby shower.

Until Next Time! 

* Happy Crafting *

-fal00la-

Welcome Back, Kotter

Hello my fellow crafties! 

and 

Happy New Year!

Well, this post is certainly long overdue. I was doing good at being a somewhat regular blogger for awhile. Ha! That didn't seem to last. I know it's the new year, and people are trying to keep their word with their resolutions. I need to get back into regularly blogging. This is by no means a resolution -- just simply something that must be done. 

I keep forgetting that blogging is word based. I'm always fixed on the mentality of "if I don't have pictures, I can't post". Well, that's lame. Sure, I can post! I could post an entire how-to blog without a single picture. That's been accomplished for years in cookbooks.

One of my big resolutions (aside from the cliche 'I'm going to loose weight' ) is to make time for myself. Being a stay-at-home Mom is exhausting. I'm maid, cook, nanny, police officer, referee, shoulder to cry on, playground to climb, drive-up box to scream at, sewage treatment employee, doctor, nurse, groomer... The list is endless. Once the day is over, my house looks like it was hit by a category 5 tornado.

I seem to struggle with finding time for myself --  Even for little things... painting my nails, doing my hair, taking long showers, enjoying my food. When I do have time to myself, I end up zoning out on the couch, scarfing down food. Probably why I'm at the heaviest weight I've ever been. People say kids change your life, and they do. Dramatically. People also forget to tell you to make sure you have your wits about you, so your individuality doesn't get sucked out. I need to remember who I am as a person -- as Stephanie. She constantly gets brushed aside. I don't think there is anything wrong with trying to maintain a sense of self. I'm a funny person, damnit. Most of the time I forget to BE funny, because I'm so busy being Mom. 

This year is going to be a grand journey. It will be a refresher course in being spontaneous, being outrageous, being fun, lighthearted, getting excited about the simple things... and a chance to change and stop worrying all the time. 

I read a quote once on tumblr (which I'm now on - btw :D) ... and it's stuck with me. It's my grand resolution for this year, and all years to come: 

 Be the kind of person you would want to meet.