Handmade Slippers

I go through slippers like they're nothing, seriously. So, my mother-in-law usually gets me slippers for Christmas and they don't last me a year, because I literally wear them out. I don't know how it happens, but I make holy slippers, okay holey slippers, bad joke but I couldn't resist.

I decided a while ago to try my hand at making my own slippers. I used an old sweater that my Mimi had given me for Christmas one year. It wasn't my style, but I didn't want to throw it out so I kept it and had no clue what to do with it until yet again my feet were talking, you know what I mean. The sole was coming off towards the front, if my slippers had googly eyes glued to them I could have done a puppet show for my kids which I'm sure they would have loved.

I traced around my foot to make a pattern for the project. I, of course, used construction paper. What else would a stay at home mom have on hand? I also made a second pattern which is just a copy of the first oval but it has an oval cut out in the middle, that is the top of the slipper. I, then used the patterns to cut my pieces, four all together. After sewing them inside out, I did a blanket stitch around the tops of the slippers. Then I single crocheted around, using the blanket stitches as my way to attach the yarn. If you have a fabric that you can just crochet into, even better. I have done that also. Then you can either, crochet another row of slip stitches to finish it, or add more single crochet rows and then finish with a row of slip stitches. Just remember with every row you make after the first initial row, you're going to want to decrease around the curve by your toes, or else it might be a bit loose.

Once you've completed the main parts, it's time to add the details. I crocheted two flowers and tied them to the front of each slipper. Then I glued a little gem to it, okay it's a plastic crystal but still cute. If you want, you can also add a strap and button, or even attach some ribbon to either side to complete the slipper and help keep them on.

I would recommend these slippers for indoors, and depending on the fabric used, most likely carpet floors. They are a bit slipper-y on vinyl. Use new or used fabric, I have also made these out of fleece. Super cute and cozy. Get creative when it comes to decorating and your color choices.

Bittersweet Times

So these past couple of months have been crazy. Literally, it feels like anything life could have thrown our way it did. Of course, we weren't hit hardest, but still I was close enough to watch with front row seats. My father-in-law, someone I spent many a hour with trying to tame the kids, died recently. It was sudden. He had a heart attack.

The whole family spent about a week, everyday in the hospital, hoping he would wake up, but it never happened. It seemed out of no where to us, but when I look back now I see how it was almost like he had tried to prepare us for it. Not mentally, or emotionally, but financially. He tried to stabilize us, all of us. He and my mother-in-law were helping us with a house. He babysat one of his grandchildren, so his daughter could support her child and herself. He made sure we had transportation, just a week before the heart attack, he bought a car for his niece, his son, his mother, and his daughter. I was given his wife's car, so that she could get a newer car. Now, my family is not rich, so you may ask where all this money came from. Remember the accident from about a year ago, it's from a settlement he got. He spent most of it on other people, because that's what he did. He took care of everyone.

I was so mad when I realized this. I said to thin air, "Do you think this makes it better, somehow less painful, because we can have a place to live or a car to get us from place to place, because I'd give it all back if you could stay!" That's what I thought. I still don't completely understand.

I am grateful however, that I had the time with him I did. He taught me a lot about being a parent. Sometimes it's not about doing everything perfect. Let them have sweets! It's about trying, and sometimes failing, but always doing. I love that man, and I wish I had said it for him to hear, but I know he's heard me since, and I know he knew it even though I never said it out loud.

Aaahhh!

Okay, so it's not as bad as all that. Just didn't get enough sleep. I stayed up all night pretty much watching the second season of The Office on Netflix. So yeah, I fell asleep finally around 5:00 AM. Not bad. I can handle one night of no sleep, but anymore and I am asking for it. Two kids to take care of with no break or rest, yeah no good.

On another note, there's this great photography website you should check out. It's called OneADayPix Really great photographer, a friend of mine. He takes pictures of all things, really interesting. I especially like how dirty and real everything is, I think that's his strength. Anyway, check him out.

It's been so LONG!

I have been very busy this past month. Almost every weekend we had a birthday party to go to, and so it's been a little hectic at the house. We celebrated my birthday a few weeks ago. One year older. Money has been a little out of reach too. Still, I managed to get a few things for the kids and packed it away in the closet. It's funny, because I remember my parents doing the same thing around Christmas.

Speaking of the holidays, I have been looking for a job. It is hard every Christmas. I always start to think, "how can I make some extra money?" This year the answer might surprise you but it's true. I am an Avon Representative. Crazy. I am a pretty shy person for those of you who have never met me. I am hoping to get a lot of sales online through the website, so check it out. It's www.youravon.com/carnold8821 If you spend over $30 you get free shipping.

I Need To Find A Robot Cookie Cutter!!

I am currently planning my son's first birthday party. It has been crazy trying to find a robot cookie cutter. I finally found one at coppergifts.com I am not sure which cookie cutter I am actually going to order yet though. I really like the robot, but I also like the person, which seems a lot more versatile. They have different sizes too. I was also looking at a mini person cookie cutter and then they have another robot cookie cutter. I was really interested in the Williams-Sonoma robot cookie cutter, but everything that I've read says that the cookie dough gets stuck really easily. I was also looking at this robot cookie cutter, but I decided I wanted something else. I also was thinking about getting a spaceship cookie cutter. I already made the invitation for the party. It's pretty cute and it's based on this invitation. I also found this idea for a robot cake at the cookie website.
If you check out this link, you can see how one person made robot cookies. I am pretty sure the cookie cutter is pretty similar to one of the robot cookie cutters that you can buy at coppergifts.com
I will put up some pictures of the party after we have it.

Self Portrait

I made a self portrait on canvas not long ago. Mostly an experiment, it was done from a picture my husband took of me while we were on our trip. I was actually driving at the time when he took the picture, which I don't really do all that often. As you can see I am very seriously concentrating. It wasn't that bad though, really, but I do tend to worry more than necessary.

Anyway, he took this picture of me when we were driving through Alabama. The way I created the painting was by first sketching the under drawing on the canvas.
Then I figured out what colors I wanted to use. I used acrylic paint for this painting. I decided to go with a blue and yellowish-orange color scheme. Something very contrasting and bold. I painted the background first with a blue color that varied in tones.To finish the painting I had to paint the face. Even though my hair is brown I painted it black, since it looked very dark in the picture. Once most of the painting was done, I also added some colored pencil and some black ink to certain places I wanted to make stand out. I also smudged some of the colored pencils, to blend them into the canvas.All in all, it came out all right. I think my painting of skin tones can definitely be improved, but other than that I do like it.

New Jack O'Lantern Purse Pattern

I created a fun little purse for the Halloween season. I have the pattern up for sale in my etsy store. It is the first of hopefully many patterns I will create for sale. I think it is a very cute little purse. I like to wrap the handle around my wrist and swing it around. I think it would be the perfect bag for a child this season. Anyway, let me know what your thoughts are on it. It was very quick to make and if you want to make one for yourself, go to this site and buy the pattern. I will make sure to send the pdf quickly.