Yey Taylor won and I am late posting

Ok I know a week late, but yey Taylor

I was so excited when they called his name I screamed. I can't wait till his cd comes out. That is a must buy.

The Weekend in Photos

Wow! Busy busy weekend with Connor's Birthday, Memorial Day..and all that! So instead of a detailed written out blog note today of all the goings on..let's just let the pictures do the talking!



UUhhh..yes...he got this..but this is both his an mine..he will HAVE to share it!LOL












Yesterday we headed to a church picnic with friends..here's some pics..












That's it in a nutshell!!! A really fun weekend!

Julia

Care for an Update?

Gesh..life..busy..me..even busier!LOL So here's an update for those dying to know how I spend my time..it's really not all that exciting!LOL

Saturday night, date night with Tammy and Mark. Saw Mission Impossible 3 and then went out for drinks. I thought the movie was good..funny that Tom's "wife" character in the movie was named Julia! I think the guys thought it a bit mushy at times..but I liked it. Had fun!

Sunday..we spent the day with my Mom at Six Flags. Perfect day..perfect weather..I just cannot ride those rollercoasters like I used to though. Kids loved it..Connor rode the big rides..we all got tattooed!LOLOL

This week..deadlines, deadlines and more! The kids last day is today..in about one hour they'll be free and home. Scott and I set the pool up today..it's filling up now..I know they'll make a run for it when they get home. The water though will be freezing! Connor's birthday is Saturday and we're taking him and a few friends to go Laser Tagging, Race Car driving and then back home for Cookie Cake, Pizza, Playstation games and a sleepover. I will need some serious drinks to handle that! Looking forward to an extra day off this weekend..hanging out, reading, get some sun! And finishing up some more deadlines.

I gotta run for now..but I'll leave you with a layout I did this month using Prima flowers and my Bo Bunny papers over at ScrapJazz. So wish we were going here this summer..so hard knowing Mark and Sharon will be there and we won't! Ahh hopefully another time right?



I'll ttys...

Julia

Taylor Hicks rocked Last night

Taylor rocked the show last night and wowed them at his soulful performace. I really do not believe that I have heard him sing a bad song yet and don't believe that I ever will.

I am so excited about the show tonight. From what I have been reading it is looking pretty great for Taylor. I know I casted my votes. Couldn't get through on the phone so I di some texting

Check out one of Taylors performances last night.

http://www.gofish.com/userVideoPlayer.gfp?gfid=30-1035430


To knot or not to knot

No matter if you are crocheting or knitting the rule fo finishing off a project is to weave your ends in. I have never felt to secure to do just that. I still like to add a small knot just for security reason's. I have also noticed that when weaving in your ends there is always a small piece that just wants to stick out like a sore thumb. So what I do now is weave in my ends and still tie a small knot. Then clip as close to the knot as possible.


Above is my newly crocheted belt. You can find this patter just about anywhere. Most call for 3 inch brass rings. But instead of running out to the craft store why not use a couple of old braclets that you have just tossed aside and don't wear any more

Ki Alphabet Soup Challenge

Just showing off another layout using the Ki Alphabet Soup for the challenge here:

http://kimberlysabel.typepad.com/celebratelife
/2006/05/alphabet_soup_c.html#comments

Here's another one of my layouts:



and one more



my favorite one was posted on Sunday, April 30th... Got take a peek back at it! http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4070/961/1600/Spring-Smile2.jpg

And come join the challenges!

Julia

Tagged by Becky!

My bud Becky tagged me..thanks toots..can't wait to go see the Da Vinci Code as well!!!!!!!!!!!!

Seven things to do before I die:
1. Go to Tahiti and sleep in a hut over the water!
2. Visit Mark and Sharon in Scotland
3. Travel to Italy, Spain, Greece
4. Attend a taping of the “Oprah” show when it is her "Favorite Things"..Becky..I agree and kept this as I feel the same!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
5. Drive lots more Corvettes around.
6. Live in a beach house for a whole summer
7. Win the Lottery so I can do lots and lots more!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Seven things I cannot do:
1. Run a marathon
2. Math beyond the basics
3. Bungy Jump
4. Ride all the Rollercoasters I used too
5. Live in a cold weather climate
6. See without my contacts
7. Walk in high heels

Seven things that attract me to my husband (or that WILL attract me once I am blessed to find someone):
1. Beautiful hands
2. Great legs (well he does!)
3. Sweet
4. Fun fun dad..will do anything!
5. Cooks & grocery shops
6. Gives great BIG gifts!
7. Compliments me when I least expect it!

Seven books that I love:
1. Any of Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series..because they make me laugh, laugh and laugh!
2. All of the Harry Potter books
3. Jane Austen's books..really are there any others..Pride & Prejudice, Sense & Sensibility..love them all!
4. The Bridges of Madison County
5. Angels & Demons, The DaVinci Code and Deception Point all by Dan Brown
6. John Grisham..need I say more?
7. House of Sand and Fog

Seven things that I say:
1. No worries
2. Sweetie Pie
3. Luv you
4. Really
5. What's up?
6. Can I ask a favor?
7. What's happenin?

Seven movies I've loved:
1. How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
2. Any Harry Potter Movie
3. Love Actually..well any movie with Colin Firth and Hugh Grant!
4. The Wdding Crasher/Starsky & Hutch..same type!
5. Pride & Prejudice
6. Fever Pitch
7. Pirates of the Carribean

That's it for me..tagging Briana Fisher, Kristi Managan, Dee GP, Christi Snow..

Julia

Hatbox pocketbook

This is a hatbox, turned pocketbook. It seems as if almost anything can be turned into a pocketbook. I found these cute little hat boxes at of all places the dollar store. What is really fun about this is you can carry it as a drawstring pocketbook or place it on a table with the lid and it is just a decorative box. You could of course store some jewery or some other little treasure in it as well.

Supplies needed for this project are:

small decorative box
a leather punch or an awl ( for punching holes)
Yarn of your choice
a small crochet hook
size I crochet hook


Directions: Remove lid from box and set aside. Take the the bottom of the box and punch your holes around the top about 1/4 of and inch down and apart.

Using the small crochet hook use it to slp stitch your yarn all the way around to beginning and slp st to beginning to join.

Ch 1 sc in first crochet dbl in second . alternate sc then dbl crochet around then slp to beginning ch.

repeat this pattern till desired height as been reached.

chain 4 skip first stitch and dbl in the second. ch1 skip a stitch and dbl cr. continue around till you get back to beginning and join. ( placement for handles )

chain 1 and repeat beginning pattern for 3 rows. finish off and weave ends.

drawstring. make 2 chain desired length for handle.
run your handle through the dbl's you made.

Once handles are through sew ends of cording together.

If you have any questions please post and I will respond.

Oh my heck...

where has the past week gone? It's been a nonstop week for us. Family get together's, my monthly scrapbook crop(hi Tiff, Chandra and Al!), Mother's Day, Girl Scout dinners, Mom's Day Teas at school, article deadline for Scrap Jazz..gesh. It's nuts really. Thankfully the kids have only one more week of school and then they're off and I go part time till August. I absolutely positively cannot wait! I cannot wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So here's what's new with me besides the obvious business..reading a new book by Dan Brown to fill my time until I see The DaVinci Code..it's Deception Point..and yes..it's hooked me just as good as his first two. Thanks Janet O! You're the best! Working on finished up some scrap projects and then need to turn my attention to two other big ones..it never ends really. Never!LOL I did take a few days off over Mother's Day to recharge my batteries. I needed it. Although I made the cutest card for my Mom with Paper Salon papers, stamps and the cutest Bee from Petaloo! Love it!



With the end of school coming up wanted to make something special for the teachers to go along with the gift cards we contribute to. And to play into my Altered Jars article I wrote for ScrapJazz. Came up with the idea of two big Dollar store jars, added some Bo Bunny papers, stickers, ribbon and candy. The one is filled with Dum Dum suckers and says on top "Thanks to you I'm no Dum Dum!" and the second one is filled with Smarties candies and says "Because of you I'm a real Smartie". How fun is that!



Bet they like these! I'll let you know when the article is up on ScrapJazz. Other than that..we have a date night Friday night..looking forward to that and Sunday going with my Mom for the first trip of the year to Six Flags. Connor is out of his mind knowing this is the year he can ride all the big rides..his Season Pass from my parents will be used ALOT!!!!!!!!!!

And..have to add so happy the Hippies won the Amazing Race! I so want to do that show..see the world..just no high jumps off bridges over deep ravines and no eating fried crickets. I would be lousy at that..can you say Gag Reflex...yep! It's such an amazing show to watch..love seeing the world and places I will never see in my life..so cool. Maybe someday Scott and I will be the ones bickering in the car about a missed turn..now that would be a riot!LOL Only I would be the driver..he the map reader!ha

Well that's it for today..leaving you with an awesome picture of my soon to be 5th Grade Graduate..his ceremony and party is tomorrow..so so hard to grasp that next year he'll be in jr high! Is that possible? And not to leave him out..Parker graduates preschool on Friday too! Gesh! Quite a busy day for us!



Have a great one,

Julia

Felting, do you do it?

Busy day today. I have a great crochet belt to complete. Gonna look great with my gypsy skirts. Then I have some flip flops to do as well as get things up in my EBay store. My Ebay id is crochet18purple. Check it out. My store name is of course A Needle In The Haystack. I also have some listings on Blu Jay as well and even on the Lion Brand Yarn Boutique.
http://www.blujay.com/purpleknitster

Well they sent Elliott home. He is a great singer and I believe that he will go far.

I will be back in a while. I guess I really need to get busy.

Well I finally got some EBay auctions up. yey. It took me over an hour just to edit my pics. Not to mention all the cleaning I have been doing today. I have even managed to work on my belt some. I hope to have it finished tonight and I can post a picture tomorrow.

The pocketbooks above were knitted with wool and novelty yarn. Then felted. They were alot bigger before they hit the hot water. But I just love how the stitches blend together. I also did the same process with bracelets. When they dry you can emblish them with novelty yarns or beads.

By the way. My EBay store is A needle in the haystack too and my id is crochet18purple
Check it out.

Tuesday May 2006 What to do today

Well first thing is post in my blog. I have some projects to work on and some that I need to finish. I have started learning hairpin lace. No pictures for that yet. I am presently working on a ribbon belt. It is being crocheted. I will post a pic when finished. I have done some of the barefoot sandals. They are fun to knit and the yarns you can choose from are so unlimited.

It's funny because if you are a knitter or a crocheter you probally just like me come up with your own designs and patterns at times. I know that a couple of years ago I did what I called a bracelet pocketbook. Now you can find them all over the place. I mean hey they are great for a cell phone and other small items if you don't want to carry a big purse. And I don't know about you but pocketbooks seem to be the most popular thing to knit or crochet. All you need is some yarn and a little creativity.


One more thing before I forget Don't forget to Vote for Taylor Hicks.

Mothers Day 2006

First of all Happy Mother's day to all. The day started off kinda rocky. Our kitty Buttercup was hit by a car and died today. It was an awlful feeling. It really bugs me that people drive so stupid and don't obey traffic laws. We live in an residential area that has a sign posted "children at play" speed limit 25 mph and yet people fly up and down this dead end streat. That concerns me with summer vacation coming soon. I know there will be a lot of kids out playing including 2 of my grandson's.

Then my sister informs me this morning that they are going to be going to South Dakota and don't know for how long. They may even move up there or should I say out there. We live in Central N C so that is quite far. I am really hopeing that she changes her mind.

And now the storms are hitting. Lot's of hail. We are under a tornado watch till 8:00 tonight.


Now back to what I really enjoy knitting and crocheting. I think after today I am ready to set down and pick up the knitting needles and try and relax. I am making barefoot sandals. among other things.

Well this is all for now except one more thing. Vote Vote Vote for Taylor Hicks

Good Things Thursday

I know..I haven't posted right. You're wondering why..too busy. Just the norm..too much stuff and trying not to be on this computer too much as that means the stuff doesn't get done right!LOL But..I didn't forget about my blog..so for today..here's some good things that make me very very happy!

1)Fun fun pedicure! Thanks to my Mom I got a really nice pedicure massage and the cutest paint job on those short toes of mine..very very me! Thanks again Mom..I will definitely be going back!!



2)New tires for my Mom mobile! Yes..I know that sounds boring..but to a car girl like me..so not! I actually researched what tire I wanted. Sounds silly right..but it's not. It's important to know what you are driving on. So I looked around at other SUV's to see what they had what they looked like. I like "chunky" tires. Realized the ones I liked the most were on the Hummer H3. Figured that they would be too pricey. Turned out..no..no more than any other tire actually less than some and the best part..they are the top rated tire and most purchased tire out there. They scored a 9 or 10 out of 10 on everything. Rain, snow, ice, everyday, noise..you name it. My current tire..3 or 4...how about that. So...showed Scott those and another..that was more..and not even as good. He said..get the ones you like. So..here they are..and the difference is HUGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Tires are really important..trust me! I have a story to tell you if you ever want to know...right Deidre!



3)New pj shorts..need I say more..the striped pair..totally me!



4)A box of the coolest scrapbook products that you didn't pay for and love every single piece of it and can't wait to use!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Check out Petaloo...they're amazing..and will be HUGE in the scrapbook market! Thank you Petaloo...can't wait to use your products!!!!!!!!!



5)And lastly...working with the cool Mari Mi/Paper Salon papers and getting a layout done that I really am pleased with for the CK call! Hopefully they pick it!



It's about how I realized in the month of April I took 601 pictures and still want more!!!!!! I think I will start doing a page a month like this of a random grouping of some the shots I took in a month. Great way to remind yourself of things..it's a good thing for Thursday!

So..that's my Good Thing Thursday..what's some of yours? I challenge you to post some of your on your blogs!

Lastly..Happy Birthday to Bono from U2 today..so cool of a guy!!!!!!!!!

Julia

Recycling 101

Having a new grandbaby there are lots and lots of formula cans. What to do with them. Being a crafter you know most items have a purpose. I decided a drawstring pocketbook would be fun to try. Here are 2 that I am working on that are done out of these cans.

It is still cloudy here and damp. He is asleep right now so I figured it would be a great time to post.
Have a great day
Debbie

First time for everything

Hello and good day. It is a rainy day here in N C. I haven't done a blog before so this ought to be interesting. I knit and I crochet. And I absoutley can not resist a new knit or crochet book or a great skein of yarn that I really have no idea what I will use it for, I just have to have it.

I do however like to design my own items as well. I sell alot of what I make on EBay and even have my own knit/crochet discussion group as well. I actually have some things I should be finishing up at the moment but my grandson has other ideas for me.

Ok he has gone home now. Supper is done and time to set back and knit. Gonna be working on a pocketbook for a May swap I am in.

The picture in this post I crocheted from a chipwood box. I designed the paper and then decoupaged it to the box. I crocheted into the box and made a drawstring pocketbook.
I also did another one that I used duct tape on.
I will try and be back tomorrow.
Have a great night.
Debbie

Testing Testing

Testing out my camera and it's video feature and whether I am saavy enough to figure out how to link it here!

Let me know if you can see if and what you think of my little ball player!


**Okay Blogger will not allow me to post the direct video onto my blog..I can see it when I compose the post..but you can't once I publish it. Can anyone help me with this? For now to see the video...you can click on the pics below. Be sure to leave feedback if you can see them!

Julia

10 Food Cravings!!!!!!!!!!!!

This week's blogging challenge(from Sophia):

A quickie! List ten food cravings that you easily cave in to! If there was one offered, you’d never turn it down. Share any thoughts on these.

1)Easy..Cheesecake Factory Spring Rolls...heaven heaven heaven heaven!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2)Penne Borghese from Charlie's Gitto's on the Hill...hand down the best pasta..with vokda, peas, proscuitto...ymmm!!!!!!!!

3)Outback Caesar Salad & their Victoria's Filet with shrooms!!!!!!

4)Really anything on the Cheesecake Facotry's menu for that matter!

5)Bahama Breeze's Onion Rings..OMG is all I can say!!!!!!!

6)Pasta with Broccoli

7)Corn on the Cob covered with butter and salt..the white/yellow super sweet kind that you can just sit and eat and eat!

8)Cracker barrel's Chicken & Dumplings

9)Scott's amazing lasanga with the bechamel sauce..yum!!!!!!!!!

10)Anything with the words Ice Cream and chocolate in it!

an 11th..cauliflower and veggie dip and let's also add those pickle cucumbers in ranch dressing! YUM!

So what are yours?

Top 5 Quickie

Top 5 must-haves

In my fridge

1. Milk
2. OJ
3. Schnucks drinks for me
4. Beer for Scott
5. Salad fixings

In my closet

1. Clothes in rainbow order(yes!)
2. My Shoes
3. Scott's clothes
4. Summer Sandals
5. Pink running/walking shoes

In my purse

1. Wallet
2. Orbit gum
3. Receipts I bet I will lose
4. Cell Phone
5. I'll bet a good 3-4 lip glosses in different colors

In my car

1. Wet wipes
2. Kleenex
3.Several umbrellas
4. Sunglasses
5. I'll be a drink I left in there!

On my TiVo (I don't have one, so how about on my computer TV recorder)

1. Last week's Lost episode
2. Extreme Home from Sunday
3. What A Girl Wants movie for Haley(alright I like it too!)
4. Shows Connor recorded that have bizarre names!
5. The Amazing Race from last week

that's it for today..gotta go work!

Julia

Top 5 Quickie

Top 5 must-haves

In my fridge

1. Milk
2. OJ
3. Schnucks drinks for me
4. Beer for Scott
5. Salad fixings

In my closet

1. Clothes in rainbow order(yes!)
2. My Shoes
3. Scott's clothes
4. Summer Sandals
5. Pink running/walking shoes

In my purse

1. Wallet
2. Orbit gum
3. Receipts I bet I will lose
4. Cell Phone
5. I'll bet a good 3-4 lip glosses in different colors

In my car

1. Wet wipes
2. Kleenex
3.Several umbrellas
4. Sunglasses
5. I'll be a drink I left in there!

On my TiVo (I don't have one, so how about on my computer TV recorder)

1. Last week's Lost episode
2. Extreme Home from Sunday
3. What A Girl Wants movie for Haley(alright I like it too!)
4. Shows Connor recorded that have bizarre names!
5. The Amazing Race from last week

that's it for today..gotta go work!

Julia