My Prayers and Yours Are slowly Being Answered......

Hey there, My Friends,

Just a quick post before the hubby takes over the bandwidth, lol

My Doctor called this morning and while she is not ready to put me on Fenatanyl (?sp.) patch, she is ready to bump me up to maybe the Lidocaine Patch provided that my new insurance will cover it. I have an appointment to discuss this with her the 17th. So pray really hard for me, please {{{hugz}}}

I have changed the look of my blog in hopes of looking a bit more professional until the someday I can afford to get my own setup.

I am also trying to talk our family into helping me get my glasses since my insurance will only pay for the eye exam.

I have finally broken down and ordered myself a nice set of  15 cubby hole unit for my crafts and it should be here the 17th as well. I am super stoked, I love to be organized! It improves so much including my emotional well-being.  I am setting my blog organization and time management up. I will be working on it some more.

Oh, how I long to be able to hold my own Giveaways.....It will come, just do not know when, but I will think of something even if at first it is nothing more than some of my own handmade greeting cards or maybe a needle book :o).

You guys and gals are the bestest! Love you all so much {{{hugz}}}

Well, I better get this posted so ....

Until Next Time,
Karen

P.S. Feel free to visit me at  My Pinterest Boards

Color Challenge at the Outlawz Party

This is my entry in the Color Challenge at the OUTLAWZ 2000 Member Party

I chose my state for the Color Challenge

Inside of card

 

 

An Early Celebration, a Prayer Request and Craft Ideas

Hey there Everyone,

Just a quick shout out to my wonderful hubby for taking me out to my favorite Mexican restaurant for lunch today. I am thinking it was an early celebration of our 8th year Wedding Anniversary. It was scrumptious!

I've been busy working on my first cross stitch pattern. it is a small simple one. I will try to get it posted by the end of the week. Key word try,lol.

Crafts may be slowing down for me if I am not able to get an eye examine I desperately need but cannot afford and my health insurance will not pay for it. I have had multiple episodes where my vision turns completely milky white on me and I cannot see or even focus for about a minute each episode and it happened twelve times yesterday. It really is quite scary when it happens.  So keep me in your prayers, please!

I still have not had the chance to work on my own Wildflower Pincushion yet. My sister-in-law just loves hers. I gave it to her yesterday while we were celebrating my husband's parent's 62nd Wedding Anniversary. Wow! That is a long time to be married in a day and age of what I call "Disposable Marriages" . Congratulations Dot and Don!

I got my Candlewicking pattern today and my cute little fabric cats pattern. I am still waiting on my rose cabochons and my "Mystery Bag of Floss", but at least it is 100% DMC. I am really excited about it and cannot wait to see what colors I do get with it!

A journal I made for myself.

A journal I made fro my sister-in-law Suzy for her birthday.

Baby photo album I jazzed up for my Great Nephew to be who is slated to my his first appearing on June 24th I believe. Can't Wait! So excited to see the little angel!

This is the beginning of an Eyeglasses Case I made out of the rim of an old Christmas stocking. it was really easy to do. Free Mini Tutorial::  Cut 2 squares of felt the same size. Sew up the long edge and the bottom with right sides together turn right side out then slip the second case inside the first and topstitch the top edge. :o) Then you can add either flowers as I have done or, add beads, or even Embroider the square before you start making it. Using the rim is fine for small glasses, but if you have bigger just use a bigger square to accommodate yours :o).

 

 

As always, Happy Creativity and Joy until next we meet!

Love,
Karen

Wildflower Pincushion and Crafting Links

Hello Everyone,

I sure hope that you are having a wonderful weekend.

I had a wonderful time on my birthday which was Saturday the 26th. My hubby took me for a most wonderful 8 hour round trip to commemorate my turning the big 40. It was so beautiful, so much greenery and lovely flowers, mostly Lupine. We ended the day by stopping and viewing Snoqualmie Falls.The most precious part of the whole trip was being able to spend all the time with my sweet, loving,caring,wonderful husband. It was completely computer and Android free, YAY!!!

Pardon the mess up on the pictures but it is Blogger's fault >.<

Snoqualmie Lodge

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 I wish we could move the pictures to where I want them  >.< Grrr!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Snoqualmie Falls

Well, here is the link to the cute little Wildflower Pincushion. Give it a try and let your creativity flow. Send me an email with a picture of yours when you finish it (or them). I would dearly love to see them.

In fact, I think I shall get started on my pincushion :o).

If you are into crocheting as I am then head on over to Crochet Me.
Another good one is Crocknit. However, she is in the middle of an upgrade and the pattern pages are not yet working except for the free patterns. I have sent her an email regarding this. 

If you are into quilting then head on over to Free Patterns  another great place to start if you are a beginner is Easy Quilts

For jewelry patterns then head on over to Fire Mountain Gems Easy Projects.

Another great place to visit is Craft Bits. They have a variety of recycled and upcycled crafts.

Well, folks that is it for today. Hopefully, tomorrow I will be posting my finished pincushion :o). If not then bear with me as I am almost out of white thread.


 Happy creating until next time we meet!

Roses

Needle Case Tutorial

Hello Everyone,

Needle Case Tutorial

Handmade Needle Case

The inside of the needle case

 1. Cut fabric to the size you want.

*Note* You could embroider a design on the main front fabric and pocket before you start layering the pieces to be sewn together. I did not however.*
 I used a piece of felt for the inside piece to put the needles in.
 See Step 7.

The piping placement

2. Place main fabric right side up on table.
3.   Place piping on main fabric layer with the bump where the cord or yarn is on the inside.
*Note* I made my own piping out of a 1 inch strip of fabric and yarn.

adding the inside layer

4. Layer the inside piece right side down on top of the piping.

Adding the batting

5. Layer on your batting piece.

Pinning it all together

6. Layer on your last fabric piece. This piece does not matter whether you place right side up or down as it will not be seen. Pin it all around and stitch it leaving a 3 inch opening to turn it. Turn it right side out then top stitch all the way around the outside of the needle case.

Added pocket for embroidery scissors.

7. The pocket can be added on the inside piece before layering the pieces together or it can be added at the very end if you do not mind seeing the stitching on the backside of the case.

For the pocket, hem the top edge of the pocket piece. Then place it on the fabric where you want it and pin it on then stitch it.
* Note*  I put mine in the back side of the felt.

Adding the felt and marking sides for which kind of needles you want to put into the case.

8. Cut your felt to a size that is about a 1/2 inch smaller then the needle case and secure it to the inside of the case by stitching down the middle of the felt in the middle of the case.

9. Then take a ribbon of your choosing and cut it into 2 pieces of equal length long enough to tie a bow.  Stitch one side of the ribbon to the inside of the case at about the middle point on the front and back cover.

10. Close needle case by tying the ribbon into a bow.

There you have it ! Enjoy your new needle case :o)

Please send me pictures if you have used this tutorial I want to see your creativity and beautiful fabric choices.

Have a lovely creative day! Until next we meet. *waves*

My New Look

Hello All,

I just upgraded my look to one that to me looks more Artsy/Craftsy. So Holler and let me know what you think.

I have a pair of blue leather ballerina slippers being handmade for me complete with blue satin ribbons. An Etsy friend Just Plain Flats of mine is making them for my birthday. I am so excited that I can hardly wait to see them. I just know that they will be beautiful!

I managed to get just one square crocheted on my French Provincial Afghan, Woohoo!

Seriously, my health is bugging out at the moment so it is really hard to get much of anything done.

I did manage to clean my dainty antique Victorian detailed necklace and earrings today. The best cleaner for Costume Jewelry is Colgate toothpaste, my friend, in just plain white with a soft bristled toothbrush. Then just rinse under a tiny stream of lukewarm water until the toothpaste is completely rinsed off. Then set onto a couple of paper towels to air dry.

Anyone have a pet rock that they prefer over any other natural made rock?

I do, Mine is Quartz! All clarities of it. I am partial to rose quartz but alas do not own any. I would dearly love a piece to set on my desk in front of my computer monitor.

Well, I hate to cut this short but it is my nap time--I take three hour naps to rest up to be able to make it through the evening most days, not all, in Summer, it is so light I manage to grab just about an hour. But then I usually feel better in the Summer except for my new found allergies and the major painful Concentric Bulging Disc in my L4-L5 region. When that flares up I am down for the count with my friend the Ice Pack.

Happy Creating!

Head Pain Finally Figured Out!

Hey there Everyone,

I finally figured out my head pain on my own on Mother's Day when it finally came to a massively severe pain-wracking full blown Migraine. Now it is just down to a Allergy Headache. SO No Tumor as originally thought!!!

My sweet hubby surprised me with a Orchid corsage and a dozen Carnation Pink Carnations for Mother's Day! I love them Darlin'! Thank you so much and I love you dearly!

I am working on a French Provincial Afghan pattern I found in an 1986 Afghan book I bought at the Goodwill here. I have changed the color scheme a bit to adjust to my tastes. I will try to do a tutorial on it as I go. It may be after I finish it completely that I post it though. As it takes quite some time and money to make at least 55 squares, then to single crochet two different colors to each square, make 55 flowers, attach the flowers then to join all the squares and to finish it with a Picot edging. But then I am taking a Lap Robe project and turning it into a full blown afghan for a queen sized bed :O).

I have been getting quite the crafting bug here lately but my poor thumb is so sore I cannot do much other than to crochet. I may have to talk to my doctor again about it as it has been really sore at rest and I have not sprained it. I think it is an inflammation in my ligaments. Very painful. Nonetheless, I have been perusing other crafting blogs for inspiration and to see creativity at its finest as a Do-it-yourself kind of person.
I just may show you my ugly dining room slipcovers and afghan if I can ever feel well enough to finish them...actually they are not that bad.

I am sitting here wishing I had a craft room all my own...but I am crammed into the bedroom with a meeting table with a table skirt I made. I just wished I could afford the right kind of chair to use for my sewing and quilting, Right now I am using a dining room chair which causes my lower back to really hurt after an hour of sitting at the machine.

Ah well, tis the life story of one who is extremely poor and disabled and cannot work.

Anyhoo, back to designing more crafts to do when I am able to do so!

Happy Creativity and Crafting Y'all!

Good News and Even Better News

Hello Everyone,

Today is a grand day for me......

I found out that my MRI of my head came back normal which means there is no tumor like originally thought. Still does not explain my symptoms though. Maybe it is just a new form of headache that I have never had in the past. I am going to see if I can see a headache specialist as this was just too painful to ignor especially when my vision was so affected.

The greatest news of all I won my auction and am now the proud owner of a dainty Victorian matching necklace and earring set. 

Victorian Earrings

Victorian necklace

I have also purchased a lovely pair of hand beaded appliqués. I am thinking I may use them on my veil on the main layer which reaches down to my ankles or thereabouts. Thinking I will finish it with some lace trim and possibly with other smaller appliqués and extra pearls and crystal type beads.

Hand beaded Appliqués
Happy Weddings and crafting!

What's Happening Lately

    Well, for starters, I finally finished that cute little hat I was crocheting along with the lap afghan I had been working on for the past few months.

Hand crocheted hat based on a child's pattern by Red Heart.

Lap Afghan hand crocheted.

Shell stitch made up of 5 Double Crochet.

   In the hat picture you can see what my next project will be. It will be new pillows for my sofa. I just have to wait for my sewing machine to get looked at if the machine oil does not do the trick.  That is why I have a month's worth of mending left to do. My sewing machine went wonky on me. I am trying to fix it on my own. But if it needs to go to the shop I am pretty much out of luck as I do not have that kind of money. I am operating off of a $20 a month allowance. I am disabled and cannot work at all. Due to my disabilities but I cannot seem to get that Administrative Law Judge to see it. So we are appealing again from a different angle. So wish me well in my endeavor.


   Right now I am working on a secret project that cannot be discussed for a few more months. At the right time I will post pictures of my project. I cannot let my little secret out ahead of time or it would ruin the surprise factor. It is a grand little surprise I have!


Here is a picture of the very first Ripple afghan I ever made.

Me and my first ever Ripple afghan taken on April 4, 2007.

 

 

 

 

  I really must make another sometime. Only this time in blues.

  Well, I guess that's it for now until I get my machine working right again.
  Have fun creating and please do share your crafts with me!

Please Help My Good Friend Al

Change.org|Start an Online Petition »

       Why is this at the top of my post?
       Because I strongly believe in this gentle man's right to stay in the United States of America! We are to be a safe harbor to those who just like us are just seeking to live their lives in freedom. Is that not what the United States has stood for all these many centuries? Why now change our Motto: In God We Trust? To say simply that we only trust God sometimes but only when it is convenient for us. My dear friend Al, we are all on our knees praying for your freedom at this very moment and for the safety of your mother.

       In other news, my back is still in the process of healing. I've been denied Disability benefits due to too many discrepancies between what I am telling the judge and what my records actually show as I can never seem to catch my own doctor in the  office to get her up to date. Then when I do, the time frame is too short to really discuss anything and due to the clinic's new policy I cannot be treated by the other physicians there as I am considered a complicated case.  I invite the Administrative Law Judge to live just one day at my house and she will see that I am telling the truth. My lawyer is appealing with a different focus this time. Personally, I feel that Fibromyalgia has completely wrecked my life and that without proper healthcare access such as the medical coupon through DSHS, I never will get better. Right now DSHS is still mailing me paperwork to fill out once again declaring my Adult Functionality and my Ancient Work History 15 years past. So I am still in limbo on that decision as well.

     In recent news, my father-in-law fell on Christmas Eve and fractured his spine and the family is going through a huge adjustment period as he has been taken in by my brother-in-law and his wife. and poor Pa Bear as we call him still insists on being an Olympic Jumper at 84 years old. Gotta slow down there Pa Bear!

     I have not had the chance to do much crafting as they are increasing my Gabapentin and it has pretty much had me tied to the bed as has wrenching my back trying to help poor Pa Bear the one time I was able to visit him in rehab. The back is doing slightly better with the medication increase and the wonderful present I received from one of my sister-in-law's Suzy,{ Yay for Suzy! }She bought me a really nice thick foam mattress for my bed and two other pieces for my desk chair and my crafting chair! They have been a huge help with the back pain.
    I am still battling trying to get my Fibromyalgia under control. Seems like I have been on one huge long flare-up. With the increase in my medication I am sleeping better and most of the way through the night. I am still so very stiff in the mornings that it is usually an hour after taking my morning medications that I can even think about loosening up my muscles and start moving. I am still really exhausted. I can manage being up for about five hours max then I take a four hour nap then I go to bed early to boot. So it kind of makes it really hard to have much of a relationship with the hubby. But as long as the hubby has his computers he is entertained. However, I made the audicity of asking him to play a movie for me on his puter as my monitor gave up and I am using a loaner monitor that the screen is all messed up on so I am not on the puter much these days due to it giving me a headache trying to read the old CTL way, not as crisp and clear as an LCD monitor. Anyhow, the movie was "G-Force",  Loved it! But then I am a computer artist who fiddles with 3-d models *sheepish grin*  Rump is giving out, I'm off for now and please remember to help my good friend Al out !!

Health Update

        Just a short post to let you know that I am battling with no health insurance and a herniated disc in my L4-L5 region. I am trying desperately to get coverage so I can have my surgery to no avail at the moment. I am very frustrated and in an excruciating amount of pain on top of my usual Fibromyalgia pain. So please keep me in your prayers.

       New News- 11-08-2011: I have a Referral Request in the works and am just waiting to hear back from Virginia Mason Spine Clinic as to when the appointment is. Wish me well! 

      The pain has increased and it now feels like my low back and right hip are on fire constantly. Also it feels like my right hip is actually bone-on-bone which makes it excruciating to walk even from the bedroom to the bathroom which is like just five feet from each other. The last three days I have pretty much spent all my day catching up on missed sleep due to the increase in pain. Using an ice pack several times during sleeping hours.  The pain is somewhat tolerable upon waking but as soon as I sit up on the edge of the bed it kicks into high gear and becomes unbearable. 


        To give you an example of one such night: I went to bed at midnight, woke up at 1 a.m. grabbed an ice pack and laid with feet propped up on pillows on the loveseat. I went back to bed and fitfully slept until 2:30 a.m. I painstakingly made my way to the bathroom, took 2 Percocet then grabbed ice pack and laid on loveseat again. this time it took until 4:30 a.m. to get the pain level back to somewhat bearable then I went back to bed and slept until 6:17 a.m. at which time I was friends with my ice pack again and my over-the-counter Salonpas pain patch. I was awake until 9:45 a.m.  then I laid back down in bed and fitfully slept until 10:30 a.m. at which time I then got up to spend time with my hubby until 12:30 p.m. and then I crashed and burned until 4:30 p.m. 


        I am truly hoping in my case that the surgery improves my sleep. I however, have heard of cases where one surgery begat five more surgeries and then chronic pain. I am truly praying for a decrease in pain as far as my back is concerned. I know that I will never be pain-free because of my Fibromyalgia, but I do pray for my constant level tolerable pain back again. Having my back out pretty has pretty much bedridden me even though I do when the pain is somewhat tolerable get out and walk my dog, Pepper.  I truly miss being able to sit at my craft table working on my crafts whatever they may be. I do, however, have an idea for an adult sized version of a beautiful baby afghan made with 2 yarns crocheted at the same time into little shells. Hopefully, I can get stated on it soon and maybe I can work on that while I am laid up . We'll see! In the meantime, please keep those prayers rising up to God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.


       Also, share some of your crafting websites with me so I can get even more creative ideas :o) So I have something positive and cheering to look forward to!

My Baby Girl, Pepper, My Emotional Support Animal

     Keep on creating and exploring different crafts this week and I will try to get back to you later this week or as soon as I know when my surgery appointment will be.  God Bless and keep you!

Day One of a New Journey

            I am beginning a new journey to rediscover my inner crafter. I call myself the 'Masquerading Crafter' due to the fact that I have Fibromyalgia. There are many days I can barely crawl or often times fall out of bed. But on the days I can do my crafts, I do! Right now I am experimenting with different modes and types of crafts. I have been a very crafty person from the beginning until tragedy struck ( whole other story) and my health took a turn for the worse.....I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia at the age of 31 yrs. although I had carried the symptoms for many years before I could never afford proper medical care. That is until I met my wonderful hubby! He has been my saviour in many ways. Thank you, Darlin', I love you!

            My mother-in-law keeps telling me I can write a novel about the way I have survived life during my troubled years of growing up and away from my biological family. It was the best move I have ever made in my life! I'm not a heroine I am just an average person who has just refused to let Satan win one more battle in my life, anyone can do that. It does not take a hero, just takes determination and some bruises that do heal after time with the right kind of attitude and love. It's all a matter of the right kind of attitude. Even I falter at that at times :-) . I'm human and prone to err!

            Anyway, back to my new journey, I have been interested in learning to scrapbook for a while now. There are just so many diverse ways to express yourself with scrapbooking, whether it be with albums, journals or making cards. It amazes me that you can take 10 women and put them in a room with each having the exact same supplies and you will end up with 10 different outcomes! Each one unique to the creator herself. Many times I think we, women, craft with our emotions more often than not and each of us is just as likely to be too critical of our own work thinking that someone else's work is better than our own. It's not that it is any better, it is just different. Each is to be treasured!! I have come many years before that saying to finally sink into my hard head.

           I am just sitting here playing with a design for my "Renewing Our Vows" Album and the color blue keeps coming back to mind as it resembles the old saying of one being "true blue". The fact that it is my hubby and my  favorite color isn't being considered, honestly !  I am planning a Victorian ceremony on my part complete with the ballgown and the hubby gets to wear his blue jeans and sneakers as that is his true self. I am so excited about it! I am eagerly making the crafts needed for the ceremony myself at a lesser cost than it would cost to just buy them ready made. In fact as I write this, I am eagerly awaiting my Antique Victorian silver bridal bouquet holder! Should be here tomorrow....*does little happy dance*

              I am just beginning my journey and I hope that you will join me and we can travel together.......


              Until next time Happy Crafting! Celebrate Life, Focus on what you do have even if it is not much, it may be more than the person next to you has.