US Armed Forces - Square Swap

What have I been up to recently? I joined another crochet square swap on http://www.knitting-crochet.com/ (same as the pink breast cancer awareness swap last month). I am trying to make squares for a swap focused on American forces in the navy, army, marines, ect.

After much brainstorming, I thought that a blue and white (maybe with gold?) with an anchor in the middle would be nice and I wanted to do the white Army star symbol too.

I tried to find a star-in-square pattern online and in books at the local Borders to no avail. For some reason, a simple solution to my pattern dilemma is not happening.

So I have been working on making my own pattern for a star that is not an overlay on a crochet square. It has been slow going, really. As you can see from the different squares below, it has been all trial and error.

Teen Sewing: Prom Purse

I like to learn new things. This past Friday, I took a sewing class a Joann's Fabrics in Marple Crossroads. I had already taken Sewing 101 and Upholstery classes that both involved sewing machines, so I thought getting a little more sewing experience would be good. Basically, I want to be skilled enough to make some curtains, pillows, and the occasional child's toy. There was a class called "Prom Purses" for teens that I decided to take after double checking that it was fine that I am 25 and taking a teen class, of course. Turns out, they just want your money and don't really care. Go figure.In the class we had the option of making either the black purse or pink. Based on which purse you were interested in making, they gave you a supply list. To Joann's credit, they give you both patterns in case you want to make the other in your spare time. I decided to go for the pink one as it looked more complicated (jewels, pipe trim, custom button) and I wanted to tackle it while I had the helpful support of a paid employee! Considering my newness and the design requirements, I had to complete some of the bag in my kitchen. Kudos to my mother for lending me her sewing machine! I really want one of my own but I can't validate spending all that money when my mom and her machine live less then 10 minutes away.

Anyways, the class consisted of myself (25 years old) and a little girl (11 years old). I guess it wasn't really a teen class!! Ha ha. I am thinking that teens attending the prom did not take the class considering it was so close to actual prom dates. I chose a purple/teal taffeta for the outside and black silk for the lining. I think it looks really nice with the back piping. But I digress... Check out my finished product:

When I showed it to my mom, she asked where I had purchased the purse! What a compliment. Now, she did ask that when she was not actually HOLDING the purse (or she would have see some uneven seaming on the back). Still, it was my first bag. I bought a pattern to try to make a diaper bag for my little (pregnant) sister. I am not sure if making the diaper bag will work out but I am willing to give it a try and curse at the machine a little bit more for my kid sister. I already made her crochet blankets and so on. Why not try my hand at a new medium?

Scrapbook Weekend

A few weeks ago, I took a trip with my three sisters and some other nice ladies to The Hamburg Hideaway in Berks County, PA. We had alot of fun on the trip! Bascially, the Hideaway is a place that is designed for crafters to take long weekends together and concentrate and share new ideas and techniques with each other. It was a little dorky, but I embrace that!

I wanted to post some of the pages I worked on. It was so great to have that time devoted only to scrapbooking. I don't seem to get time when I am home to work on my scrapping.

I really wanted to spend my time working on new techniques and journaling on my pages. Usually, I never journal. My style of scrapbooking involved paper, pictures, and embellishments-- not my own thoughts.

Also, while away, I tried a new medium for me. This is an acrylic book cut in the shape of a house. I purchased a home on May 16, 2008 and I made this book to commemorate this big event in my life. Making the book was alot of fun. As a general worry-wort, I am concerned that the book pages are not protected by plastic but I am told that there are sealers available so that I can progect the exposed pages. I will have to look into that soon.

Here are a few more pages I made. Nothing major-- just some of my favorites from the weekend. As you can tell, I enjoy circles in designs AND my nephew, Dylan.