Sunday, May 31, 2009

A Jewelry Box for my Daughter


I got the idea a while back to make a jewelry box for my daughter using magazine clippings and mod pogding them on to a plain box. I picked up a plain box at a craft store for less than five dollars and tore a few sheets of paper out of a magazine. I tried to make sure that all the pieces of paper were similar in color, but had enough interest. I ended up using about four pieces of paper of that had pictures of a nursery. I then cut the pieces of paper up width wise, due to the dimensions of the box I bought. The box is about 9 inches by 7 1/2 inches. Anyway I then just simply glued them down overlapping as I went. I used Mod Podge and a painting brush that I use just for gluing. Then after I covered the box, I went through some magazines that I have saved and looked for words that I wanted to use to decorate the box with. I have things like, "laugh, party central, dream big, baby steps, girl talk," etc. I also cut out the letters to write, "Adelyn's Treasures" on the front. I think it's coming out pretty good. It's not done yet. I still have to do the bottom and the inside, but I wanted to show how the progress of this jewelry box since I may have to hold off on finishing it for a little bit.

My Jewelry


Lately I have been trying to redo our family's budget, so it is only natural that I would also be thinking of ways to add to our family's income. That is why I have decided to start up my jewelry making again. I used to make jewelry all the time before I had children. I think it will be good to try to add some extra income. I love etsy.com and you can look for my stuff at steenta.etsy.com I only have one thing for sale right now but I will add more.

Saturday, May 30, 2009

A new digital camera

I was looking over some of the pictures I took of my children and decided it was time to look for a new digital camera. I have been wanting to get a new digital camera for a while now. I really wanted to get a DSLR, but I think I'll wait until I can buy it without feeling guilty. Our money is pretty tight right now. We just started a health insurance plan that takes $120 from our income every week. That's right I said week, not month, week! That comes to about $500 a month. That was the max amount of money we could save a month. I don't think we are going to be moving out on our own anytime soon, we just don't have enough money. So you would think that I wouldn't be crazy enough to buy something so expensive. Well, it comes down to the fact that I do have some money saved. And when I think about looking back on the pictures of my children, I want them to be blur free. A lot of thought went into the decision, with some help from my technologically gifted husband. And the winner is......... the

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX150S!

Congratulations!You have been selected to be our family's new digital camera. You have a lot of responsibility now, don't let us down.

Here's a review of it with pictures taken with the camera--->LINK

Friday, May 29, 2009

Where are my options?

I don't think it's the women who should change their right to decide if they want to stay at home to be with their children. I think instead we should be open to new solutions of integrating the fact that we are women and we do have children. One option is to put your children into daycare, but as they are now, most women don't feel that is a good option because the cost of a decent daycare is so expensive. Another option might be to have the workplace more open to allowing children and accommodating them. Telecommuting should be an option for women after there maternity leave is up. I'm certain there are other solutions out there as well, but people are too busy trying to make the women who decided to stay home and raise their kids feel bad about their decision. This is not the end of feminism. I feel that we should not just turn our back on the fact that many of us decide to be mothers. We should be able to be presidents of companies, and we should be able to raise our children. Check out the link it's on the same subject as yesterday.

Thursday, May 28, 2009

As A Mom

Some people may think that the role of a mother is easy. It is not. I sacrifice a lot for my children and my family. I didn't choose this life because I want to be taken care of. It's quite the opposite, since I am the one who takes care of everyone, with a lot of help from the people around me. Still, on my resume it does not say how I work at a job everyday with no days off for nearly three years. No it does not. It does show how in that time I started up school again, but the only thing someone at a job would notice is how I later quit without a degree. They would not know that the reason I quit was because I had a newborn added to the chaos of my life and could not dedicate enough time to school for that reason. No, everything is much more gray in my world, not so black and white as a job would like it to be. I don't like excuses. That's not what this is. It's just the truth. Don't label me a dropout! I am taking an extended break. I will eventually get back to my degree, but right now I have more important things that need my attention. They won't be little forever. I want to raise my children with both eyes open and remember as much as I can. This is a modern woman, a modern mother. At least it's the way it works for me.

In case you were wondering why I got so worked up check out the link.

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Random Rant

I am getting really annoyed with my current state of leech. I know that I do add to my family but since I am no longer in school, I feel like I'm not working towards anything anymore. I still don't feel bored or rested in any way though since I am constantly busy with a six month old and an almost three year old. Still I am contemplating adding more, by getting a certificate in graphic design. It's pretty inexpensive, I can do it online through my local university, and until I can conceivably re-enter college and work towards getting a bachelor degree, I'll at least have something to prove I am somewhat competent. Now I just have to see if I can convince my husband or father to help with the initial cost, since I am a leech. On another note, I do have some interest in my artwork and have been commissioned to do some caricatures. I guess I had better get to work. I don't want to be a leech forever. Now my only problem is not enough hours in the day, oh yeah and a baby who sleeps only when I do.

Monday, May 25, 2009

My new Flickr account

I just created a new flickr account. In case anyone wants to see some of my pics that I haven't posted in my portfolio or here check it out. Just go here http://www.flickr.com/photos/steenta