tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57389222386148329312024-03-12T21:37:17.398-07:00Just Simply NonsenseMelissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14980181131137015097noreply@blogger.comBlogger51125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738922238614832931.post-52110980144427649652015-08-17T08:28:00.000-07:002015-08-17T08:31:10.532-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">My style</span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw8Lf_FphoC9ZgXC-1thW2hjUnJdsGJ3xnsC-ypM7UASpd1f0Wsnb0bortp9rGPM8YFEJm08HyTGCfkVdZFBoNzjq7pJeFaHe6-gfHbz4j-bs58xO_q64ndhViFmNJuYi4QE4Pk_Atv5A/s1600/Mystyle.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw8Lf_FphoC9ZgXC-1thW2hjUnJdsGJ3xnsC-ypM7UASpd1f0Wsnb0bortp9rGPM8YFEJm08HyTGCfkVdZFBoNzjq7pJeFaHe6-gfHbz4j-bs58xO_q64ndhViFmNJuYi4QE4Pk_Atv5A/s320/Mystyle.JPG" width="257" /></a><br />
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Some of you know I started selling Jamberry! <br />
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Today, I put together a picture of what I love to wear!<br />
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Get yours today at <a href="http://melissaksjam.jamberrynails.net/">melissaksjam.jamberrynails.net</a> !!!<br />
<br />Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14980181131137015097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738922238614832931.post-31832721156005498132013-05-17T07:50:00.001-07:002013-05-17T07:50:16.635-07:00I haven't been on here much after my friend died. She would post just about everyday and then nothing. Okay breath, it's all good.<br />
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So with the warm weather this spring I needed some change. We've lived in the same house for 8 years with the same rummage sale, thrift store furniture. I'm down with that, but it was time for a change. First up a new couch. Yay! I had on of our old ones stuffed with pillows to make it last.<br />
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Next the boys room needed a make over. They actually had a new bunk bed set thing that was new, but the little bed broke and the bigger bed just took up too much room. I just never like it after we got it because it left not decent room to play on the floor.<br />
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This is what they had.</div>
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And now this is what I built for them. </div>
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I always said my kids would never have a tv in their room, but man alive there is only so much Star Wars I can handle. Now they don't get much tv time, but now when they do they can each watch something different or watch in their room. The PS2 will also go in there because I don't like all the bits and pieces in the livingroom. They never play it so I'm not too worried about that yet.</div>
Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14980181131137015097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738922238614832931.post-40668757227940401022012-11-13T15:04:00.004-08:002012-11-13T15:04:51.625-08:00FriendsYou never know when you may loose a friend.<br />
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Don't forget to tell your friends how much they mean to you!<br />
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If you've followed what I've been doing you know I love to cook, sew and knit. I had a friend who taught it was okay to be different and do those things. Mostly, she taught me how to love my kids to the fullest. It's okay that I want to be with them all the time and it's okay that I want to teach them. I will miss her everyday. I will miss our emails about all sorts of daily stuff, usually funny things the kids did or what we are teaching them or how their reading is progressing. I will miss her very much, but I am thankful I got to know her and she was a part of my life for those 4 short years. <br />
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Hugs!<br />
Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14980181131137015097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738922238614832931.post-69809354354052578512012-10-22T12:56:00.002-07:002012-10-22T12:56:56.796-07:00Money saving tips!Since I don't work and stay home and home school lots of people ask how we do it. Do you really want to know how a family of 4 does it? It probably isn't as pretty as you may think.<br />
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First, we don't get to drive or buy new and fancy cars. Brandon's car died back in February and he upgraded to another car that was already 7 years old. Crazy, but it only had 55,000 miles on it and we got a 7 year warranty. Deal? Maybe, maybe not!<br />
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Next, we don't eat out very often and if we do its with coupons and we don't get soft drinks or drink drinks. Most restaurants are now charging upwards of $3 per soda and only 1 refill. I think for $12 we can stop as the gas station or the McDonald's for $1 large for a fraction of the price. <br />
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I do cheap tricks at home. We all love those single packages of 100 calorie snacks right? Well, they are usually the same crackers you can buy in the big boxes. I buy the big box and break it up right away when we get home and place the single packages back into the box. This also works for kids as they are saved from eating 2 or 3 servings in a sitting. What about the cost of bags? Well those are pretty cheap at Aldis.<br />
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Aldis! Yes, I shop at Aldis for almost everything. Sadly they don't carry things like tofu or fresh herbs, but I can usually do one to two weeks of grocery shopping for $125. That right there saves us tons of money. We were spending $175 every week at WalMart or other grocery. And now we prefer how quickly and easily we can shop at Aldis.<br />
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Aldis has so many advantages I can't even explain. First, they take away choices. You may like standing in the cereal aisle for 15 minutes letting your children pick out a box of cereal only to find out it's not part of the sale, but I have better things to do. At Aldis I tell each of my kids to run ahead and pick on one box each and I know it's going to be less than $2 and I know what size box it is going to be (it's big enough to last exactly 1 week). It takes 2 minutes and we are done. I don't have to try and figure out which brand of milk is cheaper or which pancake mix we are buying. There is only one choice and 95% of the time I prefer the Aldis brand. Their chips leaving something to be desired. Aldis also cuts down on the impulse spending. Seriously, what is there to buy extra? A can of beans? And get this, check out is super fast!!! They don't bag which means my grapes are not landing in a bag with my leaky chicken breasts. We drive our cart to the back of the car and I have 2 or 3 small laundry baskets or boxes back there where we pack it all in while we sort it. Cold with cold, pantry with pantry and so on. We can leave our house and be back and two weeks of groceries can be put away in under an hour. Talk about time saver. <br />
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Maybe I should have called this Aldis tips! LOL. <br />
Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14980181131137015097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738922238614832931.post-62278573915760239772012-10-18T11:48:00.000-07:002012-10-18T11:48:01.549-07:00New Dessert!So our CSA (Community Shared Agriculture) weekly box has been bountiful with apples. All different kinds. Needless to say some are those that just don't make for good eating off the counter though. <br />
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I found a new and easy and fun recipe. Fruit Filled Oatmeal Bars! My kids called them Apple Pie Bars as they tasted like apple pie sort of. This only took me a few minutes to whip up and it didn't make so many we couldn't eat them and they travel well. I have to say I found this in just one of Better Homes and Gardens books as I now have 4 of them. Yes, 4! You would think they are the same but each edition has new and different recipes so I've collected 4 of these books over the past couple years.<br />
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So bars...<br />
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1 cup flour<br />
1 cup oats (I used old fashioned)<br />
2/3 cup brown sugar (I used white)<br />
1/4 teaspoon baking soda<br />
1/2 cup butter or margarine<br />
2-3 medium apples<br />
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon<br />
1-2 dash cloves<br />
water<br />
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Peal, core and chop apples. Place is small saucepot with cinnamon, cloves and 2 tablespoons water over medium heat with cover. Stir often for 10 minutes.<br />
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Meanwhile combine flour, oats, sugar, and baking soda. Cut in butter until it resembles course crumbs. Place half of crumb mix in 9x9 or 8x8 pan and press to form crust. Pour in apple filling. Top with remaining crumb mix and bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes until browned on top. Cool and enjoy!<br />
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Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14980181131137015097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738922238614832931.post-48377097811435172862012-10-17T08:48:00.001-07:002012-10-17T08:48:25.291-07:00October!?!?It's just that time of year again. Fall! October! You can smell the leaves decomposing and the cool air rolling in. It is exciting and sad all at the same time.<br />
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So, lately I've been reading lots and knitting some and trying to squeeze our budget to make us more money. Busy! Busy, isn't even the word for it!<br />
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I don't know if everyone know we homeschool, but... here goes.<br />
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Caleb is doing Lifepac grade 4 in English, Math, Science and History. I love it. It's easy to take along, easy to explain, easy to expand, and easy on the budget.<br />
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Joel is doing Horizon's preschool program, but I think we might skip ahead a bunch as we're on lesson 40 and it's still long and boring... That's the best thing about homeshool.<br />
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Some of you may be sitting there wondering why we are homeschooling. Seriously, you didn't finish college? You didn't get the grades in high school? You don't even work?<br />
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Yes, neither my husband or I have a 4 year degree and we realize it is required in several of the 50 states. Does that mean we can't teach 4th grade? I've had terrible teachers with Masters and the best teachers who haven't even finish college. True, I can tell you all about this preschool teacher... who was still in school. She was fan-freakin-tastic! <br />
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But how are your kids going to survive without socialization? We have done school and it was terrible. Kids are mean, adults and rude and what are they really learning? We have done groups and there again, the kids had potty mouths and the parents thought the kids were servents. Seriously? Maybe I am setting our kids up for failure, but at least for now they value respect and know what it is. <br />
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Okay, so everyday is awesome. I get some free time to plan menues and to plan more school and play on Ravelry. I can't really leave our new school room until the "day" is done, but I'm okay with that. We have a set schedule and stick to it as best as we can. I did make it easy to rearrange though is we have a play date or field trip. Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14980181131137015097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738922238614832931.post-49927725102713499742012-08-12T11:01:00.003-07:002012-08-12T11:01:20.968-07:00Shawl Knitting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8jXFZq9ee8PG23-b3wNcKyDFF0239PkfDX2AELXbjQ2Dy_-CA9orZ_w-HNTYTpMEAvjlJ5_SIZRYg3Qzy0z5_UuTWUzI9lNcogmt4BXz7_XoGDniafSf-KkP2JI4Y6o1Nu2lIrfuJBm4/s1600/P1030457.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" kda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8jXFZq9ee8PG23-b3wNcKyDFF0239PkfDX2AELXbjQ2Dy_-CA9orZ_w-HNTYTpMEAvjlJ5_SIZRYg3Qzy0z5_UuTWUzI9lNcogmt4BXz7_XoGDniafSf-KkP2JI4Y6o1Nu2lIrfuJBm4/s320/P1030457.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
I finished on time!Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14980181131137015097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738922238614832931.post-24428880171400211892012-06-18T14:29:00.001-07:002012-06-18T14:29:22.175-07:00I had a whole post and it disappeared. This one isn't nearly as nice.<br />
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Some of my knitted favorites.</div>
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I learned how to spin on my spinning wheel and then designed this cute purse.</div>
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Joel is turning 4 this weekend.</div>
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We've been camping 8 times already this spring/summer with several more on the calendars.</div>
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My backpack fits again so we've got Rock Island on the calendar for 4 nights in July. Woot.</div>
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We're taking a break from church again as we are unsure on the direction we want to take our faith in.</div>
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Caleb can really cook up some yummy meals now.</div>
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We splurged and got a gas grill. I love it, Brandon hates it.</div>
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Brandon finished all 5 of classes with A's and we see it as a family accomplishment. Yay.</div>
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We joined a CSA and love it!!! We've already got our first box and can't wait for more. It was pricey up front but so worth it.</div>
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<br /></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14980181131137015097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738922238614832931.post-16603432258287309392012-02-18T07:15:00.000-08:002012-02-18T07:24:53.880-08:00Long Time no See.Well, the last time I was on here it was June. Our summer flew by. We did a hiking trip last summer and have another one on the books this year. The holidays were uneventful, nothing exciting. We filled the freezer with venison again.<br /><br />Big news? <br /><br />I am looking at joining a new church. I met some new people and feel better grounded. <br /><br />We homeschool now! The boys love it. Why didn't we do this earlier?<br /><br />Joel is a chatter bug now.<br /><br />I am in a contest to knit 12 shawls by the end of 2012. I've got 2 done and a 3rd on the needles.<br /><br />I wanted to learn crochet by the end of 2012 and I'm working on that!<br /><br />Brandon is going to school again! Full time even!!! With a full time job! Who says we are lazy? Hmm.<br /><br />Brandon's car is headed to the junk yard and he got a new/used one already.<br /><br />Caleb can really cook now. It's fun to eat his meals. His chicken and veggies with curry glaze is to die for!Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14980181131137015097noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738922238614832931.post-33204583455980860012011-06-01T07:02:00.000-07:002011-06-01T07:34:20.357-07:00Ha!Okay so I finally finished this crazy scarf/wrap. I didn't have enough yarn to keep going and make it as long as I thought it would be but I love it all the same. I can't wait to wear it. I'm thinking a fun white or black tank top and this scarf. I don't fancy so I don't know.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbYvHt69geBBoVtrAoIY5n9OOeu9mJFxxeGsC3OD8-Ib5kymc_hx9Wxz3IVTLJXZ5E-7N_5kKTBDsZroZo0y-YoIyCcgHmOf8IjOShbOO9YZ_BKG4QK97HQmibNdL0As8A3cAafoe2yHc/s1600/2011-06-01_08-49-25_202.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 180px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613252299966400514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbYvHt69geBBoVtrAoIY5n9OOeu9mJFxxeGsC3OD8-Ib5kymc_hx9Wxz3IVTLJXZ5E-7N_5kKTBDsZroZo0y-YoIyCcgHmOf8IjOShbOO9YZ_BKG4QK97HQmibNdL0As8A3cAafoe2yHc/s320/2011-06-01_08-49-25_202.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1oFCHiGr0QK5ljQmJMDgCFhdPmNE3KpEUwDv7EdOwtLbfTPzRK2Ms60EIpiw3BtSr3t5-9u7Ue-VSwFlh1sEx4KP_5740TtWCuDVoqKQw0iDB1q0dhvXBFniJ45FVmkUcK0uJ0iJlOgQ/s1600/2011-06-01_08-44-27_140.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 180px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613252288753689762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1oFCHiGr0QK5ljQmJMDgCFhdPmNE3KpEUwDv7EdOwtLbfTPzRK2Ms60EIpiw3BtSr3t5-9u7Ue-VSwFlh1sEx4KP_5740TtWCuDVoqKQw0iDB1q0dhvXBFniJ45FVmkUcK0uJ0iJlOgQ/s320/2011-06-01_08-44-27_140.jpg" /></a>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14980181131137015097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738922238614832931.post-70700346524739851192011-05-02T14:09:00.000-07:002011-05-02T14:16:36.569-07:00Midwest Masters<div>I went to my first big knitting event this past weekend! It was great! My first class was with an amazing teacher and creator Chris Bylsma and my second class was with Candace Eisner Strick who is just amazing. Candace has an amazing sock book out and now she has a great new way to make shawls which was the class I took. </div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div>So, after class I bought some yarn with my 15% discount for taking classes. I was feeling grey so I bought lots of grey. I guess I'm not feeling all the wild colors after my last knitting project. </div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div>Then today, in the mail I got a beautiful package from Germany. Swaps are so fun and I am enjoying meeting all the wonderful people. Knitting has opened up a whole new world. </div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6jA1SytOtkubZT24F8hYeg7VTjIbR3ybluyQG4rBOtO2a38_TJv0MHaaBrdMPOmHsW0KUn9V_kB1LskOFXenk370LnuyA3lnRWGX8M481Ez3GQOQgWXMXc_oNs4UUftyn46QucarqjS0/s1600/P1030094.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602230626903992738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6jA1SytOtkubZT24F8hYeg7VTjIbR3ybluyQG4rBOtO2a38_TJv0MHaaBrdMPOmHsW0KUn9V_kB1LskOFXenk370LnuyA3lnRWGX8M481Ez3GQOQgWXMXc_oNs4UUftyn46QucarqjS0/s320/P1030094.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14980181131137015097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738922238614832931.post-5661882887756138152011-04-26T09:52:00.000-07:002011-04-26T10:01:22.940-07:00Rainy Dayz<div>So much to do...</div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div>I don't work so one would think I would have an endless amount of free time. Maybe I sign up for too much or I think I should spend most of my time with my husband and kids which will not change. :)</div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div>One of the things I signed up for the past few months was a KAL (knit-a-long) swap in my blue swap group. This has made me so happy and forced me to branch out of my comfort zone. Well, anyway, those who are participating are also making prizes for those who finish and this morning I finished the prize I will be giving away. I so love this purse now I'm not sure I want to give it away, but I will. </div><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpg88yATh6p2NrCelZzRyGuS9PFDUvXzm2bfluNEZXAH454jmiwDWnoBL1B3dHhnGWtEaJz8w2jaZLdbXGZ_-IvoG2sM7cJ86mjKaKRheCmoVo1bLSSxyAX2r2dug4RQlBGBZ9SCARUIo/s1600/P1030092.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599938260540645266" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpg88yATh6p2NrCelZzRyGuS9PFDUvXzm2bfluNEZXAH454jmiwDWnoBL1B3dHhnGWtEaJz8w2jaZLdbXGZ_-IvoG2sM7cJ86mjKaKRheCmoVo1bLSSxyAX2r2dug4RQlBGBZ9SCARUIo/s320/P1030092.JPG" /></a><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div>Next, I am going to Midwest Masters and the classes I took have homework. Uck! I don't care how old I am, I still hate homework. However, this homework will result in some awesome pocket making abilities. Sweet!</div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div>Rummage sale time! I love my rummage sales and this year I need to find a few things. Caleb is almost out grown his summer cloths so I need to find more for him and Joel could use some more summer pajamas. Easy peasy and I should be able to take care of that with just one weekend. :)</div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14980181131137015097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738922238614832931.post-1475364484236740572011-04-21T11:05:00.001-07:002011-04-21T11:43:15.161-07:00Knitting Swaps<div align="left">I've been doing Ravelry swaps for over six months now. I enjoy getting to know the wonderful knitters around the world and sharing yarns from where we are. These women have truly inspired me to do things I otherwise might not have. For one, I've sold some purses, second, I've knit some crazy complicated items, and third I've taken some very different knitting classes. Sure it's about knitting but because I have that confidence I have the confidence to do other things now too. Just the other day I reapplied for school so I can finish what I started, and I'm also looking at doing some other things.</div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left">Some other great things that have come from these swaps are surprises! There is a group I belong to, Swaps of Colors and Themes and the ladies all know I sew because we had two people flake out and I helped fill in by sending some purses. Well, just yesterday I received a package in the mail from one of the ladies who wants me to take the next step and start selling my products online. She sent me a bunch of Vogue sewing magazines and catalogs and even some knitting booklets for babies and small children. I was so very touched I cried. It's crazy how someone you will probably never meet can touch your heart so very much!!!</div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left">On a slightly different note, I joined a group, Guilty Pleasures/Good Karma where we send out amazing luxury packages, but before we can take part we have to knit up something for donation or make a monetary donation to a charity. Well, it felt good to not only donate some knitted goods, but also know there is a whole group of ladies doing the same thing. Then we all ship out a package to an assigned partner with luxury items. Well, I got my dream yarn which came all the way from India! And some other awesome indie yarns which makes me so happy. My swap partner also sent me some other awesome luxury items like some cool colorful knitting needles and some super awesome body scrub stuff. Here are some pictures!</div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieiE0IAPGO5F2RJehZLjb6uACPu2qW29c4v3dmdO2_Dq4w92bhKukWOWJcT0XsUxs08OMSsY4HWdh6r_gF7kzatB6EK85yiHtIAaqPdnlvU0P6lJI2iFL4gv9cnOCtMSyyP6OJ4zbCGIM/s1600/P1030086.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598100000519251858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieiE0IAPGO5F2RJehZLjb6uACPu2qW29c4v3dmdO2_Dq4w92bhKukWOWJcT0XsUxs08OMSsY4HWdh6r_gF7kzatB6EK85yiHtIAaqPdnlvU0P6lJI2iFL4gv9cnOCtMSyyP6OJ4zbCGIM/s320/P1030086.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkRSlIwHknc9rMgzEmfffbkXfa6sg11GiUaQ0HdfkHal_8b2_BsDeZ71gWytqocRlmHL0j2iIduFVK1v9F-h3Gb1E6NK8GaFoUyGCgcKK_02yN14R30T2CPmjGLpFa0h8Q8K3KN5mmmDk/s1600/P1030090.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598100011070739938" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkRSlIwHknc9rMgzEmfffbkXfa6sg11GiUaQ0HdfkHal_8b2_BsDeZ71gWytqocRlmHL0j2iIduFVK1v9F-h3Gb1E6NK8GaFoUyGCgcKK_02yN14R30T2CPmjGLpFa0h8Q8K3KN5mmmDk/s320/P1030090.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7X2UTRma3PVGu4nMjJmLV1dsW1eAyjV5ink7wDmyku-E8gwjr2tPuE0Gwpa-1sKY0MnHrE9r5duBDCdqljIYkcCotTFbYvDs6zuutmeDypIlopJ_2EbYyPiNtzv-N6FYJPV_QjelAMnI/s1600/P1030088.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598100017451891746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7X2UTRma3PVGu4nMjJmLV1dsW1eAyjV5ink7wDmyku-E8gwjr2tPuE0Gwpa-1sKY0MnHrE9r5duBDCdqljIYkcCotTFbYvDs6zuutmeDypIlopJ_2EbYyPiNtzv-N6FYJPV_QjelAMnI/s320/P1030088.JPG" /></a><br /></div><br /><div align="left">While some of you may feel these swaps are just crazy nonsense, they help this stay at home mom feel warm and fuzzy which is all that matters!<br /></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14980181131137015097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738922238614832931.post-66647896198396441012011-04-15T11:12:00.000-07:002011-04-15T11:30:39.044-07:00EntrelacSo, since I'm not in school at the moment I take knitting classes at the local yarn stores in my area. I consider myself very lucky to have two awesome yarn stores so close by for exactly this reason. Anyway, my most recent class was for a knitting technique called entrelac. I'm not sure where it started or anything, but I saw a huge entrelac blanket somewhere and asked what it was called and thought to myself, I must learn that. So, in my class I learned how to knit entrelac and a mobious and how to put them together. I think you need a picture to fully understand, I know I did. <br /><p align="center">This is a picture of my second entrelac mobious on needles. Crazy, cool!</p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ng-D0qX93sbOHBqp5TxQI-5Tr7bZeWJq4C9TbXHZuz_sptxXvPBRSplW9wTTXWniWdKqOSUjYB-JNFccbnTQcgTPy2STKiAmQtAH5t1hMUSvjUAoqNWkSbX_6m4xvFC_u3K4RgB5w58/s1600/P1030084.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595876322972587170" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ng-D0qX93sbOHBqp5TxQI-5Tr7bZeWJq4C9TbXHZuz_sptxXvPBRSplW9wTTXWniWdKqOSUjYB-JNFccbnTQcgTPy2STKiAmQtAH5t1hMUSvjUAoqNWkSbX_6m4xvFC_u3K4RgB5w58/s320/P1030084.JPG" /></a> <br /><div align="center">This is my finished project!</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoJjE4zTbKd0G5bgeYZCw6XRF7X3UEfriJQOcMmXzF_atBaXilS572t5ETiG7uak5svCV1k7KgsCGBEgJstC-Z0yCj075VYGLE1L9aJi8TgLjMrdmqOldPLtxXHmh83A2R7lCDyniH5x0/s1600/P1030082.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595876331720722898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoJjE4zTbKd0G5bgeYZCw6XRF7X3UEfriJQOcMmXzF_atBaXilS572t5ETiG7uak5svCV1k7KgsCGBEgJstC-Z0yCj075VYGLE1L9aJi8TgLjMrdmqOldPLtxXHmh83A2R7lCDyniH5x0/s320/P1030082.JPG" /></a> <br /><div align="center">Mobious means twist, I guess.</div><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPuhc7JMcvnuTO_dGX2BT2a0Phvgiry7gfC1rlC85_MLH-ltON_YCGXu_uv-JsneBapqOThEQahbLCqzE31odz9iXJ7YPHZEbNyjJt7GHQcfccL5Ra56Zis2cVBvnNyWyNCYz2c9-4ktc/s1600/P1030080.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595876333337793266" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPuhc7JMcvnuTO_dGX2BT2a0Phvgiry7gfC1rlC85_MLH-ltON_YCGXu_uv-JsneBapqOThEQahbLCqzE31odz9iXJ7YPHZEbNyjJt7GHQcfccL5Ra56Zis2cVBvnNyWyNCYz2c9-4ktc/s320/P1030080.JPG" /></a></p><br /><p></p><br /><p>Oh I suppose you want to know what it is you are to do with this odd shaped thing. You wear it like a scarf. I wanted to wear mine this spring, most like a necklace. The first one is smaller and fits like a cowl where the second one will accoplish what I want. Crazy! </p>On a similar note Brandon and I are working tirelessly to get ready for school this fall. There is a ton of paper work involved with higher education. Both of us in school and taking on homeschooling. Now that is crazy! Next week I plan on making more soap so... Yay!Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14980181131137015097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738922238614832931.post-75433324017623397972011-03-26T09:39:00.001-07:002011-03-26T10:15:49.673-07:00Coffee!For the love of COFFEE! <br><br /><img src="http://x44.xanga.com/4da13056522a31177402/b1137077.jpg" alt="castle" style="width:400px" /> <br><br /><br />I have always loved coffee since I was probably 8. <br /><br />For my coffee addiction I have learned how to make an assortment of coffees thus purchasing many coffee makers. My favorite is the a very simple french press which I recently dressed up with a skein of yarn from a swap. <br><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcRr5yXFaSVBKyZKW6ocHSt1klur_Bp03dMHU4boLFUWPEz2lXFHrwI3hv66lKknCke8BAbkUmFvBrbNVOjFAABB5X9nmfuJxVnYOhTiq8H_t45OQGIOXSddPwTzOI1Rj8_4qz3JmZUjY/s1600/P1030061.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcRr5yXFaSVBKyZKW6ocHSt1klur_Bp03dMHU4boLFUWPEz2lXFHrwI3hv66lKknCke8BAbkUmFvBrbNVOjFAABB5X9nmfuJxVnYOhTiq8H_t45OQGIOXSddPwTzOI1Rj8_4qz3JmZUjY/s320/P1030061.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588433725356353858" /></a><br /><br /><br />Along with that, I have a run of the mill drip coffee maker for normal people who enjoy a regular cup of coffee. Lastly an old fashion percolator coffee maker, for the stove top or mainly camping as it's easy to clean and use and requires no electric. <br /><br />To make a long story short I was doing some spring cleaning and much to my surprise I found back my awesome and much loved Turkish coffee grinder. I accquired mine at a Bosnian flee market in Tusla, but I'm sure they have them around here. So, this morning I rushed to get up and make myself a cup of traditional Bosnian coffee or sludge as we nicknamed it. This closes mimics a Turkish coffee only the more old fashion, lets say. I took apart the ginder and cleaned it since it hadn't been used in about 5 years and put it all back together. Simple! I ground my coffee into the fine powder and it smells like heaven already and I test the powder to see if it's just as fine as I remember and much to my surprise it is even more fine. Eek! I whip up a batch in my saucepan pour myself a small coffee cup full. Mind you their coffee cups hold maybe 2 oz and our regular cups measure about 6-8 oz and mind is a full 14 oucner. Eep!<br /><br><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivaXBkvAxbjeNGpobMFpn7-Yf7e7NUFZ9Pl-txSc4oIxWHPvMrRWNnOyygRL8gJpK7sT3gRSZT2sWtNvWO8_VgaIYla_JlFPoYn8G8jKiymf_gMPwWr1mC3jGD84v614JduYs_bJa0MNA/s1600/P1030071.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivaXBkvAxbjeNGpobMFpn7-Yf7e7NUFZ9Pl-txSc4oIxWHPvMrRWNnOyygRL8gJpK7sT3gRSZT2sWtNvWO8_VgaIYla_JlFPoYn8G8jKiymf_gMPwWr1mC3jGD84v614JduYs_bJa0MNA/s320/P1030071.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588433733033112834" /></a><br /><br /><br /> <br />I am in pure bliss with my coffee this morning. Did my taste change? Have I now grown more accustom to the stronger coffee. Trust me, I'm totally wired this morning as this coffee has those superfine grounds mixed right in the water and there is no filter. <br><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5DwwpY6NLvwlx72AQXGqIBhYPoyMlpQFtaYKdxX1OptE59XvqBGDVPeDA1cXsu1DEmb2SeaUmWjaAOgDuh9kP4e06m7ec5M9logBPZrsSrad1uYOJMr01DcOFRIfK4i6YLqUokcsfGzk/s1600/P1030069.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5DwwpY6NLvwlx72AQXGqIBhYPoyMlpQFtaYKdxX1OptE59XvqBGDVPeDA1cXsu1DEmb2SeaUmWjaAOgDuh9kP4e06m7ec5M9logBPZrsSrad1uYOJMr01DcOFRIfK4i6YLqUokcsfGzk/s320/P1030069.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588433739929840002" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />Lastly, here is a picture of my Bosnian coffee set which was taken right before Kadira and I had coffee. I think this was the first time I made the coffee and she said it was okay. Yay! <br><br /><img src="http://xdd.xanga.com/53e1302650ca31470733/b1420426.jpg" alt="coffee" style="width:500px" />Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14980181131137015097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738922238614832931.post-58655779897314418882011-03-23T07:45:00.000-07:002011-03-23T08:15:17.465-07:00Where did spring go?It is super cold and the public schools are on spring break. So of course it is snowing out and private schools were canceled. It's all good though. I just wanted spring.<br /><br><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ni1gnxLJQAVbkGSKxLkBMid90jYHWH40l912QBTteEbKLAjSi957C6Jx759qv7W_66qC5gh6V75Ybs-BFNf7sDXptiskGlisxLqQbhMxWKCU6qwGg8ux7XMaQvrbbPO3aMlo2P14szc/s1600/P1010897.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ni1gnxLJQAVbkGSKxLkBMid90jYHWH40l912QBTteEbKLAjSi957C6Jx759qv7W_66qC5gh6V75Ybs-BFNf7sDXptiskGlisxLqQbhMxWKCU6qwGg8ux7XMaQvrbbPO3aMlo2P14szc/s320/P1010897.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587289541212140242" /></a><br /><br><br /><br />On the bright side, I've had time to work my behind off and get pretty far on my scarf for a KAL swap project thing. I've also finished one sock from yarn I hand dyed and I've got an entrelac class tomorrow. Woot! Let's not forget the mittens I need to get done for another swap for charity. This weather is just reminding I have enough stuff to get done.<br /><br /><br><center>The crazy yarn I picked out for my entrelac class.</center> <br><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyVMoN0Ey4WV6WesaA4JyMrDTi-n1jKBd_w50JMdlVm_Z9XV6PiwCQxaJ2XzmJAP2g-Fj260T_ZcLeecJ_J5Es_siwy7pdBBTb3tXr4o_Y8beq_PFCrfdK9TdBj8RDjoJcvs1vhBF4uT0/s1600/P1030063.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyVMoN0Ey4WV6WesaA4JyMrDTi-n1jKBd_w50JMdlVm_Z9XV6PiwCQxaJ2XzmJAP2g-Fj260T_ZcLeecJ_J5Es_siwy7pdBBTb3tXr4o_Y8beq_PFCrfdK9TdBj8RDjoJcvs1vhBF4uT0/s320/P1030063.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587289046744064978" /></a>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14980181131137015097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738922238614832931.post-22781164732323533392011-03-17T09:44:00.001-07:002011-03-17T09:57:04.759-07:00Dying my own yarn!So, I thought I should get back into my grove and share my yarn experiences.<br /><br />Today I finished up a ball of yarn. It is dried and already on my needles this morning after chores. :)<br /><br />I think pictures would make for a better story!<br /><br />Used Kool-Aid and Pals Easter Egg dying kit. Very easy and fun!<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37589569@N02/5531678397/" title="P1030042 by melissabauman62, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5093/5531678397_8d41d5ace6.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="P1030042" /></a><br /><br />All dried and waiting to be used!<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37589569@N02/5534906274/" title="P1030054 by melissabauman62, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5176/5534906274_b7cb896afe.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="P1030054" /></a><br /><br />Makes a very pretty ball of yarn!<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37589569@N02/5534907070/" title="P1030056 by melissabauman62, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5292/5534907070_6d04f3b2e1.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="P1030056" /></a>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14980181131137015097noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738922238614832931.post-51304909535254808992011-01-25T08:25:00.001-08:002011-01-25T08:29:10.069-08:00LearningHoly cow!!! I learned it. I know I took the class and all about 6 months ago, but I finally learned it and how it works. What's that you ask? I learned magic loop knitting. You know with one long circular needle instead of double points?! Well, I was making some uber cute longies for a friend who is expecting and deserves these like nobody else and it finally "clicked" in my head. Not only did I learn how to do magic loop, but I figured out/learned how to do two at a time right after. Way cool and makes it go so much faster. Maybe not faster, but I like being able to do the legs two at a time.<br /><br />Yay!Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14980181131137015097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738922238614832931.post-8774346872552286722010-12-07T10:13:00.001-08:002010-12-07T10:24:08.723-08:00Looking Ahead.So, I finished everything Brandon needed for hunting and he brought us home tons of meat. It was great! The downside is after I tackled those heavy duty wool pants I was done and needed a break from sewing. Don't get me wrong, I've been knitting away like a mad woman, but I need to get my sewing done too. I made a purse since then for a swap and that's been it, in the last two weeks. I did make each of the kiddos a pair of clogs as well as myself. Yeah!<br /><br />So, Caleb really wants to have a huge birthday party but with a birthday just days before Christmas I fear there would be few who showed up even after inviting his entire class. I just don't see many families having free time the Saturday before Christmas to run their kids to a party and then to pick them up and shop for an additional gift. I know as a parent I would probably pass on that party. Ack! Anyway, now I need something exciting for Caleb so he gives up on the party. He wants a DS thingy, I don't know what all it does, but it's about $200. Now before I get my panties in a twist I looked at the cost of a party anywhere except here and whoa! Expensive!!! So it makes the $200 DS look much cheaper. I feel bad buying him off though. Ack!<br /><br />Anyway, I've got some fun ideas for Christmas and now I need to get moving!!! WooHoo!Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14980181131137015097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738922238614832931.post-68128814957047333612010-11-11T14:37:00.000-08:002010-11-11T14:49:23.751-08:00Wallet!After I made my list and was downstairs looking at my fabric when I decided to look for a pattern for a wallet. This might help me use up some of my fabric stash and be perfect for my brother and other boys on my list. So I found a few patterns but nothing really struck me as awesome, until I ran across this <a href="http://www.craftpassion.com/2010/07/sewing-trifold-floral-wallet-tutorial-pattern.html">http://www.craftpassion.com/2010/07/sewing-trifold-floral-wallet-tutorial-pattern.html</a>. At first I wasn't impressed because I'm not really thrilled with that kind of thing, but with some adaptions and some creativity I came up with my own.<br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><br /><br />Inside. (It even fits a standard credit card!!!)</p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKyY5Vbb2m0aGQGj81TlYx1yfEnJbSBNy0T0xCqiU_pXm8W9xHE13fL4tomXtODs1qw4KbODqA8DSAsYNRNapWXQPrGrQzCGeYh5oBVgiLcVCszkMpCiN2r3Pp_U6Oqr1X8CgpP-4x0-4/s1600/wallet3.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538426334246299858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKyY5Vbb2m0aGQGj81TlYx1yfEnJbSBNy0T0xCqiU_pXm8W9xHE13fL4tomXtODs1qw4KbODqA8DSAsYNRNapWXQPrGrQzCGeYh5oBVgiLcVCszkMpCiN2r3Pp_U6Oqr1X8CgpP-4x0-4/s320/wallet3.JPG" /> <p align="center"></a> All folded up. You can kind of see the zipper with a pocket on the other side.</p><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpcS_rG0NdkXQRyMHsKzItNbYQlD0Tue8Kqa9OKPSDcxNvVae_dQz5udaDwV9prXeRtPECUU6g8jyjJMhyphenhyphen1GsJ2IgxxbRssSq8YhMhyphenhyphenoIaXHXj3klQ7M16f-QU50GQAimk8gCT_FRBV3g/s1600/wallet2.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538426318989897506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpcS_rG0NdkXQRyMHsKzItNbYQlD0Tue8Kqa9OKPSDcxNvVae_dQz5udaDwV9prXeRtPECUU6g8jyjJMhyphenhyphen1GsJ2IgxxbRssSq8YhMhyphenhyphenoIaXHXj3klQ7M16f-QU50GQAimk8gCT_FRBV3g/s320/wallet2.JPG" /></a> Caleb just had to model it for me and since he is so cute, here is the picture.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqc0J2d9i0GVIbRb-zu_HtSJpNmvcya4iC-JtBPyo2lFm2UNrWtbU21WH3MU9AsSiK1pV4VK-JzZFPkNk4Z35vEGPghs99zRIOs1vaItpBwhol5mVbooBMCdIsQY-GRBWaOmeR8_Kla-0/s1600/caleb+with+wallet.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 314px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538426321665083874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqc0J2d9i0GVIbRb-zu_HtSJpNmvcya4iC-JtBPyo2lFm2UNrWtbU21WH3MU9AsSiK1pV4VK-JzZFPkNk4Z35vEGPghs99zRIOs1vaItpBwhol5mVbooBMCdIsQY-GRBWaOmeR8_Kla-0/s320/caleb+with+wallet.JPG" /></a> I think my brother will like it. He likes orange and skulls and plays the guitar. I assume he needs a wallet and I thought I put some $$ in there for him to buy his own gift. Now I need one more present for his birthday.<br /><br /></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14980181131137015097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738922238614832931.post-90915297874213193622010-11-10T10:56:00.000-08:002010-11-10T11:03:56.558-08:00Adding to list!!!Adding to list? Yes I am!!!<br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;color:#993399;">Grandma</span><br /><span style="color:#000000;">Large size rag quilt</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;color:#003333;">Mom and Dad</span><br /><span style="color:#000000;">Purse/Wallet</span><br />Truck cover<br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;color:#cc0000;">Friends</span><br /><span style="color:#000000;">5 purses</span><br />6 draw string bag things<br /><br />Guess I better get downstairs and get sewing.Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14980181131137015097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738922238614832931.post-22718443412267944572010-11-09T19:16:00.000-08:002010-12-07T10:12:17.194-08:00To do list!Okay, so awhile back I posted my to do list, maybe a month ago. I don't remember what was on it but I think it was before we decided to do a handmade Christmas. Anyway, I want to put on here what I need to get done yet and what I have done already.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;color:#000099;">Caleb</span><br />1 bigger quilt<br />1 small lap quilt<br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="color:#3366ff;">Done!</span> 5 -6- boxers<br /></span>pencil case<br />lunch money wrist band<br /><span style="color:#3366ff;">Done!</span> Bag for winter clothes going back and forth to school<br />Draw sting backpack bag<br />Sleeping bag type thing, I have an idea<br />2 pair of fleece pjs<br /><span style="color:#3333ff;">Done!</span> Knit sweater<br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;color:#990000;">Joel</span><br /><span style="color:#000000;">1 big quilt</span><br /><span style="color:#3366ff;">Done!</span> 1 small Thomas quilt<br /><span style="color:#3366ff;">Done!</span> 6 underwear<br />Thomas pillow or pillow case<br />Thomas crayon/color pencil roll up case<br />2 pair fleece pjs<br />Sleeping bag type thing<br />Knit Thoams hat<br />Knit sweater<br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;color:#006600;">Hubby <span style="font-size:100%;">(He needs some of his by Thanksgiving!)</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="color:#3333ff;">Done! </span>Wool pants</span><br /><span style="color:#3366ff;">Done!</span> Shooting mittens<br />6 boxers<br /><span style="color:#3366ff;">Done!</span> Cotton gun case<br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff6600;">Daniel-(brother)</span><br /><span style="color:#000000;">Pencil case</span><br /><span style="color:#3366ff;">Done!</span> Wallet<br /><em>Denim quilt?? </em>Not attempting this year.Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14980181131137015097noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738922238614832931.post-13257696248185208922010-11-07T07:15:00.000-08:002010-11-07T07:30:06.339-08:00It's Been Awhile!<div>Okay so first let me say since this was my knitting or rather crafting blog that I learned how to do intarsia yesterday. I paid for a lesson with a very awesome lady and it was well worth it. She helped me pick out yarn and get me started and show me what to do where. I'm so excited! Without buying commercial stuff for Christmas I needed to know intarsia to make a Thomas sweater for Joel. Yeah!!</div><br /><div>I have the paper for the advent calendar this year. I'm excited to get that going.</div><br /><br /><div>I finished my messenger bag and some hunting/shooting mittens for Brandon. Yeah!</div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuv6qduP24CwGuRjwscYCJRyJ7ABLsHJnfUrsXE7gSy0d9Djj1HL8ZsWZ707ZVd1yy9ysitIGaeiueQzbVhg3N0c114-BKhy-P4ebLnta4m4zGQ_B5sxZP6gsLqOxC-ubAaBCQjh0Be-8/s1600/feltedmessengerbag.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536828729361495234" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuv6qduP24CwGuRjwscYCJRyJ7ABLsHJnfUrsXE7gSy0d9Djj1HL8ZsWZ707ZVd1yy9ysitIGaeiueQzbVhg3N0c114-BKhy-P4ebLnta4m4zGQ_B5sxZP6gsLqOxC-ubAaBCQjh0Be-8/s320/feltedmessengerbag.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQwMZD9mkLRszjdmEXKsoqzJlnt9e0PIR18H0I2ZtdDMj6_HFNR38eH580xjaVzMfUnSjXa6b6RSCf0DyAs8tJoLqy4jUGbL5l2yvwqwxjEQGwr_caXVjlKTMoprTBSw7WfYpaQ8LklzU/s1600/shooting+gloves.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536829247056176546" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQwMZD9mkLRszjdmEXKsoqzJlnt9e0PIR18H0I2ZtdDMj6_HFNR38eH580xjaVzMfUnSjXa6b6RSCf0DyAs8tJoLqy4jUGbL5l2yvwqwxjEQGwr_caXVjlKTMoprTBSw7WfYpaQ8LklzU/s320/shooting+gloves.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div>The other day I got an amzing swap package. I love swapping on Ravelry.</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcQtrWIXRzPONdTohNRRiAVxCWVdyaeZvARrXEb9mOUp2G88bULTyGMIOrLAPftV2rPWa3ouE7tK15UpOWCJQ0lfYuDR63DUHQ92HjbFFSbRAks2GDsPyukHQbrLadxBvWec2qIvb5pTU/s1600/blueprojectswap.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 301px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536829252852030370" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcQtrWIXRzPONdTohNRRiAVxCWVdyaeZvARrXEb9mOUp2G88bULTyGMIOrLAPftV2rPWa3ouE7tK15UpOWCJQ0lfYuDR63DUHQ92HjbFFSbRAks2GDsPyukHQbrLadxBvWec2qIvb5pTU/s320/blueprojectswap.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div></div><div>I got some fun yarn online that looked fun and now I don't know what to do with. Isn't it pretty?</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_az5g9Zwql-iuGBxHwx12sY6A9kRnGOPJ0YAzC5x6bm7vtyyY4FyjDcwlr2xphr6_dJQBzeYc9WTwBxtCYCcY44RJrb_x1xXORLCvnoadtRpHkhriZ4lmpEw5qFjpfPQqC4GcYSt0WKo/s1600/think+bamboo+fiber+yarn.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 276px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536829257157332994" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_az5g9Zwql-iuGBxHwx12sY6A9kRnGOPJ0YAzC5x6bm7vtyyY4FyjDcwlr2xphr6_dJQBzeYc9WTwBxtCYCcY44RJrb_x1xXORLCvnoadtRpHkhriZ4lmpEw5qFjpfPQqC4GcYSt0WKo/s320/think+bamboo+fiber+yarn.JPG" /></a><br /><div><div>Now, all I need to do is figure out what I need to make my parents and brother for Christmas. Those 3 are a bit more difficult. I have one idea though.</div></div></div></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14980181131137015097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738922238614832931.post-63691120799804484152010-10-04T10:56:00.002-07:002010-10-22T09:27:32.234-07:00Getting things done!Here is a before photo of my bathroom about 3 years ago, but still. We had a very big shower stall, and I liked it. But then it leaked buckets into the basement due to crappy work by the builders.Before my green phase and you can see I bought everything from thrift stores and rummage sales. Hehe! I still have this shower curtain because I like it so much.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcsB2OjoTsnuET_AHNU6gWlYPP1RuEbi7bFqTY0szqVDQDx3t_YobYAxdvBy463Str9bUo4sDleT8RC6fz6Msh44gmQyhnkAWmHRsdCoIXm7yYTisZK3i3FMCJmHaE-I7c983BTnZRWUg/s1600/beforebathroom.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530904039973559218" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcsB2OjoTsnuET_AHNU6gWlYPP1RuEbi7bFqTY0szqVDQDx3t_YobYAxdvBy463Str9bUo4sDleT8RC6fz6Msh44gmQyhnkAWmHRsdCoIXm7yYTisZK3i3FMCJmHaE-I7c983BTnZRWUg/s320/beforebathroom.jpg" /></a><br /><div>So you see we finished my bathroom one week ago today. It was six weeks worth of work. Now granted we didn't work on it every single day, but we put a lot of time and effort into this stupid bathroom. It wasn't free either. Ack! Now there are no shower does yet simply because those will have to be custom.<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpbsHLf9gEZV4hyJ0ohWAeiw47tim2eBXgw7GXeFVLaix5eYugDIJ3I133uNrN4Y6FEnSdHCPJWB6B0GlYEoZE60jRy1G9kyq4GK6YEseM55XzsgsXLZ4ipx9JaG69g0sRJ40pvXcD10M/s1600/bathroom2.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530901914776068930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpbsHLf9gEZV4hyJ0ohWAeiw47tim2eBXgw7GXeFVLaix5eYugDIJ3I133uNrN4Y6FEnSdHCPJWB6B0GlYEoZE60jRy1G9kyq4GK6YEseM55XzsgsXLZ4ipx9JaG69g0sRJ40pvXcD10M/s320/bathroom2.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyVXEzK9s6cHPyv-BQSmFvwD0BnKz1RyAk8FiM1bC-bY6Obrt5QPCCq-_oyuV3c6JYflhWqmOTve6CX3OXu3saKuYBA1kpz_mT8-BJTfBnLA1qehsKPZ1YP3wSDx6gQJ7uB9D9OmyMzeY/s1600/bathroom.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530902303686647746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyVXEzK9s6cHPyv-BQSmFvwD0BnKz1RyAk8FiM1bC-bY6Obrt5QPCCq-_oyuV3c6JYflhWqmOTve6CX3OXu3saKuYBA1kpz_mT8-BJTfBnLA1qehsKPZ1YP3wSDx6gQJ7uB9D9OmyMzeY/s320/bathroom.JPG" /></a> So you see we knocked out the cabinets which now I realize how useful they really were even though the lower one was almost empty. Hah! Then we took out the one piece shower unit and threw that out. Ripped up the crappy vinyl floor, installed sheet rock and backerboard, built a unit for the tub to sit in. (Did you know you your tub needs lots of support including concrete underneath?) Then I spent an entire day putting tile on the walls. We then spent awhile trying to make the bottom panel as removeable as possible as that is where the motor and heater are for the tub. We figure we'll still have cut a hole in my bedroom wall if there ever is a problem though. Then I tiled the floor. During the weeks we grouted and caulked which wasn't any fun. Last week I picked out paint and painted. And now we've been using it for one week and I love it!!! </div><div></div><div>I even have the best husband who took the kids for two nights so I could have as many baths as I wanted. :)<br /></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14980181131137015097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738922238614832931.post-5031647687306177162010-10-01T10:21:00.000-07:002010-10-01T10:32:04.959-07:00Potty Training!I want to say, "YEAH!" Joel is mostly potty trained. He can't make it long in the car yet, but he knows how to use the bathroom. Woot! Who knew it took so much work? I forgot over the years since Caleb.<br /><br />Anyway, we are staying super busy. Turns out that the weekend we planned for our anniversary get away is the most busy weekend of the year for tourists and it's also a holiday weekend. Did you know Columbus day weekend you need to stay at least three nights for B&B's and two nights for hotels? Well, that's not an option so... we have a weekend with nothing. WooHoo! The bad thing is we doubt we'll have a make-up weekend so there goes our tenth anniversary with nothing.<br /><br />But I also want to mention I got a wonderful swap package last week and in it was yarn, project bag, and pattern, with some goodies too. Well, I finished half of the project already. Yeah me!<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9OH-ZXNEjsoMGI6eKUDnT5uL_n_1HDFAyyetOCWPilWEItHxytm45nwC73sdS1E2Jf-meOcw7HAa6JoVoYa3OMLI65nT6b5J5B1QdXWKXAvfIHNzy0pCatsOs-9yAcUqVpFSjkgyW0oU/s1600/oneswapwonder.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523130798567846274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9OH-ZXNEjsoMGI6eKUDnT5uL_n_1HDFAyyetOCWPilWEItHxytm45nwC73sdS1E2Jf-meOcw7HAa6JoVoYa3OMLI65nT6b5J5B1QdXWKXAvfIHNzy0pCatsOs-9yAcUqVpFSjkgyW0oU/s320/oneswapwonder.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-boIagMdm-r1CdGG3HEp6WmmWi8ZkIfxGPu3Qc6mSdbNQcVEWYzB25XRTbSOtYy5qOwm6NFflhRnXQmgAsq47aEGZa-TvUREvKgRfB2xoArSnZRmxZ46CWqS_jVZyhz_ce3kJB5T4-sY/s1600/fingerlessglove2.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 250px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523130803254344210" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-boIagMdm-r1CdGG3HEp6WmmWi8ZkIfxGPu3Qc6mSdbNQcVEWYzB25XRTbSOtYy5qOwm6NFflhRnXQmgAsq47aEGZa-TvUREvKgRfB2xoArSnZRmxZ46CWqS_jVZyhz_ce3kJB5T4-sY/s320/fingerlessglove2.JPG" /></a>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14980181131137015097noreply@blogger.com1