Learning to Crochet

This week I was supposed to go to a crocheting lesson at the library but it was cancelled. So I took out this book called 200 Crochet Blocks by Jan Eaton and attempted to relearn how to crochet on my own. When I was a teenager I learned how to crochet but haven't touched it in many many years.

I had some yarn left over from knitting Naomi's leg warmers and I already had some needles which I acquired for my knitting projects. Well, the saying it's like learning how to bicycle. It certainly is true.

The first granny square that I attempted from the book above is called Tiny Textures. I used the same yarn I had left over from Naomi's leg warmers. Here's a photo of my finished block. It is only 6 inches but not bad for my first attempt.

Then while reading my various blogs I came across a crochet blog that had some halloween type crochet patterns. So while dinner was cooking I sat on the couch and crocheted this skull. I'm sure I made an error on this but here is my first attempt. Crocheting takes a bit more concentration as you have to count stitches and while watching tv it is a bit difficult doing this while looking back and forth at directions. I think that's probably why I like knitting as there is no counting involved.

This week I received my tote bag from Thirty-One. I got this tote for $5 after spending $30. It's the customer special for October. I just had to have this bag. It is perfect for my yarns and needles. It's even big enough to carry the book which I think I may have to buy. It's a great reference book.

Halloween Craft

We did a fun project. We made a skeleton for our front door. Got the pattern from here. First we placed them on the floor to see how big they would be.

Then we transferred it to black paper.

Glue it down.

Hang it on the front door and pose for the photo of the day.

Received My First ATC Card

Surprise came in the mail today from Bonnie from Scrapping till the cows come home. She made me 2 tags and my very first ATC card. Thank you Bonnie for thinking of me.

Sewing: Hemming Girls Halloween Costume

Wow, you wouldn't believe it but yes, the tutorial that I took the other day to hem my pants really came in handy again. The girls Halloween costumes were too long. So much so that I had to sew it about 4 or 5 inches. I did not want to cut it because the costume if for size 4-6. They may get another year out of it so I just folded it and sewn it 2 times. The black part was also fraying since they wore it already so I did a hem there


You can't really tell that I sewn it. I'm sure I didn't do it correctly but at least now they won't step on it and trip.

Limited Time Collaboration Kit

Inspired by The French Country Style, Deb Ammerman & Rose Made Designs present to you a Weekend at the Chateau, A Collaboration Kit. For a Limited Time Only, this kit is available to you as a complete package at a fantastic price! This kit will only be available for sale as a bundle until November 1st, 2009. The Weekend at the Chateau Bundle contains 38 background papers, 3 alphas, 122 elements, 12 quick pages and 12 Abby hybrid pages. Get all of this for a special bundle price of just $8.99!

You can find this wonderful kit here: http://www.deco-pages.com/product.ph...4&cat=0&page=1

Sewing - Hemming My Jeans

I owe it all to Valerie from Frugal Family Fun Blog that I took my sewing machine out again this month. I did not finish my 13 days of workshop yet. Still need to do the grocery bag final step.

However, yesterday I bought a new pair of jeans in size 4 (my prepregnancy size). I was wearing size 8. My friends told me they were too big. I had a belt holding them up as they were big around the waste. Anyway, I didn't realize the jeans I bought were too long until I wore them today. All day I had them turned up so I wouldn't step on them.

Tonight I did a search on you tube on how to sew jeans. There were many different versions. Some made you cut the pants which I was not too fond of. I wound up following pathu32's directions. Here are my results.

Tada. I now have jeans 2 inches smaller.

Girl Scouts - Daisies

Last week, the girls and I attended the Girl Scout recruitment meeting in my town. We learned that there is only one Daisy troop in our area and it meets at 1:30 pm. This does not work for us since we have afternoon kindergarten. So it's official I volunteered to be a troop leader. My paperwork is all filled out and ready to be mailed tomorrow. Once registered my girls will be members of the Girl Scouts of America. When I was a kid, we started with Brownies in first grade. Not anymore. Now, Girl Scouts begin earlier, in Kindergarten. These pre-Brownies are called Daisies.


Instead of badges like the older girls earn, they will earn a total of 10 petals to complete the large daisy on the middle of their tunic. . Their uniform is really more like a cobbler smock, in a bright cheery blue, with an American Flag on the right shoulder, troop numbers on the front, just under the flag, and a large daisy centered in the middle. I can't wait to see them all dressed in their uniforms and ready for their first meeting.

Of course, first I need to be approved and then attend some leadership training classes. My new adventure has just begun.

Happenings at Deco-Pages

It's A Jungle Out There!

Fall is upon us already and the leaves are changing fast bringing with it brisker, cooler air and lots of photo opportunities begging to be scrapped. Leaf raking and with it comes piles of wonderful leaves for kid-diving. We also find pumpkin picking, hay rides and all kinds of activities we identify with fall. Deco-Pages.com has the perfect kits to preserve those memories and help you to always remember. Just check out some of what's new....


October Club Deco Kit:
It's A Jungle Out There! The team really went wild with this kit! There are so many wonderful elements and papers to add to your digital scrapbooking pages! We can't wait to see the pages you create with this awesome kit! If you aren't a club member it's easy and affordable to join. For just $7.99 a month or $15.00 for 3 months you get a monstrous mega kit with contributions from many of the talented designers often totalling over 1 GB in size. It's a steal for all you get. You can sign up in the forum today. Visit us at: http://board.deco-pages.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3355for more information.

Fruity Tooty by Dream Catchers Scrapping
A little fruity with warm colors perfect for your fall pages as well as bright birthdays and any other occasion, this kit is a bit retro and a lot perfect! It has 10 papers, 2 journal tags, 6 painted flowers, 6 ribbons, 12 doodle stickers, 7 flower stickers, 5 fruit textured frames, and a whole lot of fun! You can find this kit here: http://www.deco-pages.com/product.php?productid=19114&cat=0&page=1 and for more of Dream Catchers Scrapping talented designs you can visit her store here: http://www.deco-pages.com/manufacturers.php?manufactureid=5&sort_direction=1&page1


Overlays - Nature Pack 1by Cautcha Lookin Images
Floral, earthy and all natural; this pack of overlays is perfect for your outdoor pages. With 6 jpg 12x12 @ 300 ppi - grayscale overlays (floral, textured, foliage) you will use them again and again. Commercial use okay for these. You can find this overlay pack here: http://www.deco-pages.com/product.php?productid=18959&cat=0&page=1.


Simple Templates by Cautcha Looking Images Got to come up with something fast and simple for your photos...want to give them away for a gift? This template pack is perfect....Just drag your photos into it and Walla! You're ready to roll! There are 5 psd. 12x12 @ 300 ppi - templates just ready for you! You can find these inspirational pages here: http://www.deco-pages.com/product.php?productid=19104&cat=0&page-1



Sweet Dreams of You by Cautcha Lookin Images Using rainbow pastel colors that are extremely versatile for any occasion this huge mega-kit should contain everything you need to make a multitude of pages for the whole family. Personal and S4H (flattened images) only. Kit Includes: 116 jpg 12x12 @300ppi - Papers (grunge, patterns, plain, floral, crumpled, textured, multi-colored, rainbow pastels, oil paints, photos, ripped/torn, squares, circles, plaid, clouds, pathways, swing, trees, water, romantic, land) 8 png - Alpha (patterned, multi-colored, floral, circles, plaids) 7 png - Borders (corners, full-length, pathway), 48 png - Frames (bracket, ribbon, square, rectangle, circular, paper, clustered, hanging, patterned, textured, floral, glass, stamps, star, ripped, masks, corners, doodles, bling), 3 png - Overlays (realistic, fantasy, hills/land), 27 png - Wordart (multi-colors), 300 png - Elements (realistic, patterns, textures, glass, fantasy, romance, outdoors, doodles, floral, etc.) 1 – Beanstalk, 2 – Benches, 3 – Bikes, 1 - Bird feeder, 5 – Birds, 9 – Bling, 22 – Bows, 2 - Brick Walls, 1 – Bubbles, 1 - Bumble Bee, 7 – Butterflies, 1 – Campfire, 1 – Castle, 3 – Caterpillar, Doodles, 9 – Clouds, 3 – Crayons, 10 - Doodles, 1 – Dragonfly, 1 – Duck, 1 – Fairy, 12 - Floral Doodles, 6 – Glitter, 1 – Gnome, 1 – Grass, 2 – Hats, 5 – Hearts, 2 – Horses, 3 - Hot Air Balloons, 1 – House, 3 - Jean Pockets, 6 - Journal Mats, 4 - Ladybug Doodles, 1 - Lawn Chair, 1 - Lawn Patio, 1 – Moon, 1 – Mushrooms, 2 - Music Sheet, 3 - Outside Lights, 1 - Paint Roller, 1 – Rainbow, 1 - Realistic Bush, 2 - Realistic Female Dolls, 61 - Realistic Floral, 10 - Realistic Leaves, 4 - Realistic Trees, 13 – Ribbons, 8 – Sequins, 3 – Spirals, 7 – Stars, 1 – Stitches, 7 – String, 2 – Sun, 1 – Sunflowers, 5 – Swings, 17 – Tags, 2 – Trees, 1 – Unicorn, 1 – Waterfalls, 6 – Wings, and 7 – Wraps. This kit is huge! You can find it here: http://www.deco-pages.com/product.php?productid=18939&cat=0&page=1 and for more of Cautcha Lookin Images talented designs; visit her store here: http://www.deco-pages.com/manufactur...ction=1&page=1

Witchy Halloween by Cornelia Designs
I have a new kit in my store, it’s a Halloween kit "Witchy Halloween", and perfect for all your spooktacular pictures. Also 2 WA Packs, each with 10 spooky Wordarts and I have a special for all of you. Buy all together, for only $ 5.99. You can find the Witchy Halloween kit here: http://www.deco-pages.com/product.php?productid=19130&cat=0&page=1 , Word Art Pack 1 here: http://www.deco-pages.com/product.ph...6&cat=0&page=1 , Word Art Pack 2 here: http://www.deco-pages.com/product.php?productid=19127&cat=0&page=1 and the whole kit here: http://www.deco-pages.com/product.php?productid=19131&cat=0&page=1 and for more of Cornelia Designs talented kits visit her store here: http://www.deco-pages.com/manufactur...ction=1&page=1

Dark and Frightful by Paris Designs
Do you like the dark side of Halloween? Have a macabre sense of humor? Paris Designs Dark and Frightful has the dark side you want, with a touch of light heartedness thrown in. This kit has 27 backgrounds, 1 overlay and 54 assorted elements all set to make the Dark Side come out in your pages!! A special thank you to Dover Publications, Country Clip Art/Trina Clark and friends, Rose Li, Debra Pas and Cida Merola. You can find this frightful kit in their store here: http://www.deco-pages.com/product.php?productid=19124&cat=0&page=1


Trick or Treat by Paris Designs
A fun kit for fall or Halloween with just about everything you need to create lots of fun pages. This kit has a variety of 21 backgrounds and 47 assorted elements. Made with oranges, browns, greens, yellows, purples and hints of other bits of color, ghosts, including a "ghost rider", tags, and frames just to name some. Fall is one of my favorite times of year and I wanted to give you a nice variety in a fun kit for the Halloween/fall season! You can find this kit here: http://www.deco-pages.com/product.ph...3&cat=0&page=1 and for more of Paris Designs talented kits visit their store here: http://www.deco-pages.com/manufacturers.php?manufacturerid=22&sort=add_date& sort_direction=1&page=1

Teatime Treat by Retro Designs
For young and old cupcakes are everyone´s favorite teatime and party treat. You´ll find many of them in this kit along with matching table napkins, plates, cups and even a cupcake shaped teapot. There are also tiny tea sets for tiny tots´ pretend tea parties. And the edible looking jelly and cream alpha is the perfect finishing touch. A delicious kit for parties and, best of all, you won´t have to count the calories! Kit includes: 10 backgrounds 12 x 12, 44 misc. Embellishments, 4 brads, 8 frames, 3 page borders, Jelly And Cream Alpha: all upper case letters, all numbers, 8 symbols. A sweet treat of a kit, high in fun but surprisingly low in calories and you can find it here: http://www.deco-pages.com/product.ph...3&cat=0&page=1 and for more of Retro Designs you can visit her store here: http://www.deco-pages.com/manufacturers.php?manufacturerid=15&sort=add_date& sort_direction=1&page=1

Need Inspiration for your pages? Let our creative challenges stretch your imagination in preserving those memories that will help you to always remember! Here are just a few of the challenges offered this month:

Greeting Card Challenge hosted by Lori Staton
This challenge offers a wonderful starter kit in the store for $2.00 or is free for club deco members. You get one Card Template, 4 Papers, 1 Flower, 1 Tag, 8 Elements, and 3 Brads in the starter kit! What an awesome way to send greetings to the loved ones with this inspiration to get the creative juices flowing! You can find more information on this challenge here: http://board.deco-pages.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6195


Template Challenge hosted by Michaele Burkhart
Perfect for those quick scrap pages that take little time to put together. You just add the papers, elements and photos easy as 1, 2, 3... Best of all, this challenge template is free. For more details on this challenge visit the forum here: http://board.deco-pages.com/forums/s...ead.php?t=6209






Do you like to gain inspiration from looking at what others are doing? So do we and we choose one page per day that really reaches out and speaks to us! Check out what’s been chosen for Layout of the Day at Deco-pages.com recently:





















My Dad by Retro Designs – Helen Weber






















Exchange of Rings by Casey1






















Autumn by Marilyng

Help Wanted ! Sunshine Team Members : Are you of sunny disposition, enjoy being on your computer and being involved? We would like to invite you to join our Sunshine Team! We currently have openings. It’s easy to apply, just send a PM to PatinParis with a bit about yourself and why you would like to be on the team. It’s simple really. Just spend 30 minutes a day on the site or equivalent each week, taking part in the challenges, games, posting in the forums and gallery. Just having fun, making friends and helping Deco-Pages spread sunshine and love all around! We also ask that you help us promote Club Deco. Create LO’s using the kits and post them in the gallery and on your blogs showing off the talent of yourself as well as the design team. There are lots of benefits! Meeting new friends, getting to know everyone better around the site and you get the Club Deco for Free! If you are already a subscription member, your subscription will be extended for the amount of time you have left when you leave the team. We would love to have you join us!

There is something for everyone at Deco-Pages.com . Stop in and Let us help you to always remember! We appreciate you being part of our community. Thank You! Deco-Pages.com

Other Links of Interest
Monthly Newsletter: http://deco-pages.com/pages.php?pageid=7
Gallery: http://board.deco-pages.com/
Facebook Group: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=8672640733
Digital Scrapbook Connection: http://www.digitalscrapbookconnection.com/
Digital Scrapbooking News with Deco-Pages: http://digitalscrappingnews.blogspot.com/
Deco-Pages Blog: http://deco-pages.blogspot.com/
Twitter : http://twitter.com/DecoPages

Fridays Fave 5

Sorry posting mine a bit late. The weekend just got away from me. This past week had so many ups and downs some happy and some sad we even had an emergency. Join me as I reflect back on the week and find my five favorite things.

1. Ashley's Baptism. The week started out with my niece Ashley getting baptized. I stood up as God Mother. The entire family got together to celebrate our little miracle. The only one not present was my husband since he had to work overnight.

2. Earrings. My daughter had an emergency this week. Her diamond earring went into her ear and we couldn't get it out. My husband had to rush her to the doctor's office for the doctor to remove the earring through the back. After returning home my husband and I went to the mall and purchased 2 new sets for both girls. The earrings that were in her ear are now in the garbage and note to self never purchase cheap earrings from Walmart. Cost us $80 for real ones at the mall. Priceless.

3. Iced Coffee. It seems to be the only thing that gets me motivated.

4. Peppers. Our garden has peppers finally. Amazing.

5. Emily's Birthday. At the end of the week we lit a candle in memorial of my niece Emily who passed away last year. She would have been one years old on Friday. It was a rough day for our family. She will always be remembered and loved my sweet angel Emily.

What has made your 5 favorites this week? Go over to Living to tell the story and post your link of Mr. Linky.

Completed First Sewing Project

I would like to thank Valerie from Frugal Family Fun Blog for helping me through baby steps to sewing workshop. We are on day 10. There is only 13 days to the workshop. Tonight I completed 4 of these draw string bags. I did them in Halloween fabric. They are a little tiny but plan for the kids to use them for trick or treating. It didn't take me that long once I figured how to make the first one. Now that I know the basics of how these are made hopefully I can adjust the pattern to make them bigger.

Fabric Crayon Wallet Giveaway

To enter for your chance to win one of these adorable crayon wallets please go to Frugal Family Fun Blog and tell her Creative Triplet Mom sent you.

Sewing Link

I'm only on day 3 of my sewing class so this won't help me at this very moment, however, I plan to revisit once I know how to sew.

Gifts You Can Sew!

For those who already know how to sew enjoy the link. As I said before I will revisit that link later in the month after my sewing class is over.

Fridays Fave 5

Wow is it Friday already? Do I say that every week? Time just seems to fly. I did manage to get a lot accomplished though this week. Lots of decluttering and finishing up projects.


So here we go with this week's favorite highlights of my week.

1. Laundry Room. Yes, I tackled my laundry room when the kids were in school. I managed to get the whole shelf cleaned out. All the summer stuff was put away. All the school supplies were put away. It is so nice to come home and see a nice place for my pocketbook and gym bag. The above photo shows you what it looks like now after the decluttering. But you need to see the before photo below to realize how much I have accomplished.



2. Ashley's blanket. I finally finished Ashley's knitted blanket. I had the knitting all done but it needed to be blocked. So finally one day this week I wet it and pinned it while stretching it to shape. This blanket actually took me 5 years to complete. What? It was originally started 5 years ago before I got pregnant with the triplets. Once they told me I was expecting triplets I put it down and didn't pick it back up until this past Jan or Feb when I found it in my closet and had the urge to learn to knit again.

3. Sewing Table. I started an on line sewing class. The class consists of 13 days. The first day was to make a space for your sewing machine. Well, this was a major project for me since my craft room is a total clutter mess. For 3 hours it took me to dig out the corner of my room to make my sewing space. Above photo shows my new sewing space. Take a lot at the before photo below. Yikes!




4. Naomi's leg warmer. Remember last week I started a new knitting project. Well, with all the tv I have been watching I managed to complete one leg. I have been watching Melrose Place, Heroes, Vampire Diaries, Desperate Housewives and Fast Forward. Oh, and you can't forget I watch Days of Our Lives every day.


5. Yom Kippur. We celebrated Yom Kippur with my husband's parents. Bagels was the main course along with some fish. The kids enjoyed coloring and looking at Daddy's old photos on the wall.

How was your week? Can you find five favorite things out of it? We'd love to come and visit you to enjoy them with you. If you've done a post, please link the specific post onto Mr. Linky here at Living To Tell the Story. Have a great weekend everyone!

Learn to Sew - Day 1

Today is my first day of sewing class. Baby step one was find your sewing machine and make a place for it. I knew where my sewing machine was but a place to sew? That was not an easy task. I looked in my craft room and almost fainted. Yes, it is a total mess! Look at the before photo to the left. It was cluttered with no longer used paper scrapbooking supplies. No wonder why I turned to digital and never looked back. I cleared it out in over an hour. Moving things to the other side of the room and making lots of garbage along the way. Finally, I now have a place to sit down and my sewing machine is dusted off. What a difference from the before photo. Now, don't look on the other side of the room because now that side is a total disaster.


Credits

October Blog Train - Thankful

Welcome to the October edition of The Blog Train Blog!
Hop aboard the "THANKFUL" train and collect all your goodies along the way!

Sewing in Baby Steps

I've always wanted to learn how to sew. I have quilted before and made some blankets but have never made any clothing. Last month I tried to sign up for Valerie's class but was too late. She's having it again. So today I am starting the 13 days of sewing. Wish me luck. Of course, my knitting will probably be put on the side burner for the 2 weeks but I will be learning something new.

By the end of the workshop, you'll have sewn a reusable drawstring produce bag and a matching grocery tote! Doesn't that sound like fun?

If you would like to join me in this new journey. Please go here to register.

More October Daily Downloads

Divine Digital


Brownie Scraps


Scrappity Doo Dah



Gotta Pixel



3 Scrapateers