Blog Hops

Most of the time I have so many tabs open in my browser that I figure my computer is going to blow up (one time Mr. P.S. counted 30).  I can't help it though.  So many blogs, so little time.  My goal is to keep only the amount of tabs open that I can actually see on the screen.  Well, so much for that........

Aww, come on!  YOU can have a ton of tabs open too.  Can you beat 30?

WDYD? Wednesday - Blog Frog

Another week has rolled around, and I moved a couple of inches forward on the blog front. On Monday I attended my first of three photography classes. Am I going to "graduate" a seasoned, award-winning photographer? Nope. But I've already learned a couple of points, and I would imagine by the end I'll be able to actually understand all the verbiage in the instruction manual (when I'll have the time or the mindset to read that, well, that's another story). We've got a cute, little camera that actually has a whole host of features. It's my goal to learn what I can accomplish with it and greatly increase my skills.

I've also joined the BlogFrog. I had only recently heard about it myself. So if you are unfamiliar with it, here is the description from the BlogFrog web site:

BlogFrog makes blogs social through online community. This opens the conversation up between bloggers and readers and generates buzz, visibility and engaging conversations.

Although I am still working to fully set up my community, I would like it if you would join me because I have a lot of questions for you. I guess I decided to begin this additional piece of blogging once I learned I had 50+ more folks subscribing to my blog than I even knew!! (Thank you Google stats.) Heck, I thought I had a few friends taking a peek now and again, my dear Mother and two of her supportive co-workers reading my posts. So to the rest of you.....Hello and Welcome!! But more importantly, who are you?  Really ~ I want to know because I appreciate an audience.  My whole blog establishment comes from my desire to publish my life experiences (and oh boy, I've got 'em), a children's book (or 10), and some crazy and somewhat secret wish to be a stand-up comedian.  (Nice, stable life there, eh?)

My new BlogFrog widget is on the right column, labeled as such. I have displayed my first question. See that one, lonely, little question just sitting there all by itself with nary a response? I'd love some visitors. I wouldn't even feel the need to dust. And to all my other secret subscribers:  Hello?  Is this thing on?  Testing 1,2,3.  Testing 1,2.

What about you? How was your week? What did you do/accomplish/enjoy?

Stuffed Garland

Last night I got wind of this challenge.  It really was late, and I was Practically Spent, so I put it out of my mind.  But my subconscious sometimes knows me better than I do, and at 4pm today, an idea popped into my head.  Before I knew what hit me, I was in action.  I guess I just can't turn down a good challenge, especially where prizes are involved.  Here, then, is my Living With Lindsay $5 Challenge entry.

I made this garland for my daughter's bedroom window, but I have so many ideas about the fabric that could be used and where it could be hung, that it's an endless world of garland wonder.

It's a nice, little spring pick me up, and it cost me under $5, no problem.  Here are the supplies I used:

I had gotten the fabric as a remnant at Jo-Ann's a while back.  It was just a little strip, costing $.87.  I had the pins and scissors.  Although I used a rotary cutter to cut the strips, surely a scissors would have been just fine since it's not a super exact project.

I also used a pack of ribbon from Target's dollar spot, but I had gotten it at 50% off.....probably after last Easter.  You can use any type of yarn, twine, string, ribbon to tie the garland balls to.  I used two colors of yarn.  The white I got from the Hospice Thrift Store for $.99, and the lavender was given to me in a bag full of unwanted craft leftovers from a friend.  You will also need some stuffing.  I had a bag of opened but barely used batting that I had gotten at a massive annual garage sale in my community last June ($.25).  But anything from tissue paper to cotton balls to Sunday newspaper ads will work.

You will be making fabric tubes, and you can choose any size you like, but I cut mine 4"x7".  I cut 6 of these 4"x7" strips in order to make a total of 12 tubes.

Next, put the right sides together.  Pin the long 7" sides, and sew these 7" sides only using a few back stitches at each end.

Trim the extra thread.  Now you have a tube that you will turn inside out so the right side is back on the outside where you can see it.

Lay your yarn out on a flat surface and pull your sewn tube at desired intervals of where you'd like them to hang, making sure to keep enough yarn at the ends for hanging.

In this picture you can see how one has already been fed on the yarn and stuffed, and the other is still just the tube of fabric.

Position your tube with the yarn now running through it with the seams on the top and bottom.

Next it's time to fill the tube.  What I did was put a bunch both above and below the yarn to help balance how it hung.  Again, keep your seams positioned on the top and bottom.  Get your fingers in there and bunch it around how ever you need to.

When you're done filling the tube, all you need to do is tie the ends with the ribbon of your choice.

I can envision this project in a laundry room done with fabric from a man's shirt, or in a kitchen with an old, red gingham table cloth.  It would be cute in a baby's room created from a fuzzy towel, or on a mantle made with any sort of fabric that fits your decor.

Having accepted this challenge, I can safely say that I came it on budget at a whopping $2.61.  The massive hug I got from A. and the gasp she gave as she looked up at the garland from her bed and said, "Ooooooo ~ I looooove it, Mom!  Thank you."......priceless.

Follow Along

Have you been reading along these past 4 months? Do you actually care what I have to say? Would you like my blog delivered directly to your e-mail so you don't have keep guessing when I have a new post? If so, please subscribe using the gadget in the right column. You can also subscribe using one of the various readers. Also, if you have your own blog and would like to add my button, you can do that now! I'd be honored.

Tutorial Tutorial

I love blogging. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!!! I am addicted to tutorials, I have come to really appreciate the expert photography skills of some bloggers, I and very much enjoy sharing my own smorgasbord of thoughts & suggestions. Blogging has become the little vacation that I take each day. I am welcomed into others' worlds, peeking into their lives, discovering their interests, meeting their families, examining their homes, and viewing their talents. I simply cannot believe the number of people who take the time (oh, and they DO take a lot of time) to prepare, position and photograph step-by-step instructions on how to make any number of things. When they find the time to share so many creations in such a precise manner, well, I'm clueless on that one. Meanwhile, I'm soaking them all up, appreciative of everyone's patience, dedication and generosity. Thank you so much for all of your hard work.

For my love of the tutorial, it is without further adieu that I give you the.....

Tutorial Tutorial

1) Think of something you want to make or do that is so spectacular you can't possibly hoard it just for your own enjoyment.
2) Gather supplies, and hope you have everything you need on hand. Otherwise, scrap your instruction for that day until you can carve out time to go to the store and purchase the missing item(s). Meanwhile, wrack brain trying to think of something else delightful to blog about.
3) Photograph needed items all together after you have cleared off your work space with one large swoop of your arm so that looks like you keep the cleanest house this side of the Pecos.
4) List supplies needed with such detail that even a monkey could assemble them.
5) Photograph, labeling each picture with a description of

every
single
little
step
you
do,
WHILE creating the perfect lighting and pretty backdrops for appealing shots.

6) Photograph final product in all its loveliness.
7) Link to every blog you can think of to share it with the world and reap your moment in the spotlight.

Ta-Da!!

Blogland Forecast

Good morning everyone! Let's get right to it with our national Blogland forecast for today.

Starting in the midwest, we'll see a bit of scrapbooking, especially in the low-lying areas, along with quilting & sewing in areas to the southwest. Utah is experiencing the brunt of the blogging with strong & incredibly crafty women hailing from this area.

In the east, there's a pattern of high fashion upcycling and restyling, and some strong jewelry-making underway. Knitting & crocheting conditions will continue to rule through the month of March. Also, cupcakes continue to blast through this region with a mix of sprinkles & butter cream frosting. Tracking through the northeast at a strong and fast pace are furniture re-dos and thrifty decorating.

The west coast is impacted with a considerable amount of banners, which we're experiencing in various materials and sizes. Along with this flash of garland comes a mix of ribbon & bows. This return of bows affects not only only hairbands, but little girls' skirts and paper-covered jars. Pom-poms continue to cover the area, coupled with hard-hitting sweater surgeries and burlap transformations.

Down south, we're already seeing signs of garden planning & planting. Folks in this area can also expect a continuation of Cricuit cutting & stamping. High amounts of printables will remain, at least, through the end of this year. Impacting lettering & chipboard usage are cookie sheet charts and calendars, chalk board re-designs, and picture frame make-overs. Meanwhile, heavy downpours of Mod Podge continue to pummel this region.

Throughout the nation, bloggers are covered in fabric flowers and ruffles, along with a serge of hand-stamped silver jewelry. Most areas will also be inundated with felt food, baby leggings, and elaborate birthday party decorations. High pressure tutorials have swept throughout our country causing heavy amounts of laundry pile-ups and, at times, severe blogger envy. Keep a close watch on the giveaways in all areas, as they can create dangerous addiction.

That's it for the Blogland weather for now. Until tomorrow, have a safe and creative today.

Paper Glitter Winner

I have discovered a whole new area of blogging....giveaways. Oh yes...free stuff. It seems as bloggers become popular, they use giveaways to promote their site & readership. I can't wait for the day I can give something away! No, it can't be the kitchy shelf-sitter that your great aunt gave you for Easter. It has to be something you make or design.

I have only signed up for 2 so far, but check this out.....I was a winner on my second try. You must visit Paper Glitter and check out her darling designs. I am in awe over her job as a toy designer. I mean, how cool is that? And she designs for mass market lines that we folks with girls surely have in our homes. The ultimate for me is Hello Kitty. She, too, has been a fan for over 3 decades. But then to end up designing for Sanrio. OH! And the other neat thing is her web site where you'll find a variety of free printables that you and your girls will love. Also, check out her Etsy store for a variety of cute and very inexpensive designs.

So, thank you, Linnette, for your sharing your creativeness with us! A. and I had a great time choosing our selection, and she was also thrilled to find your latest offering printed out for her this morning.