Farm swap

I apologize for the lack of updates. I have found Instagram as of late and found it so much more user friendly as Blogger no longer has a phone app for updates. Lately I have been working through this farm swap blanket which has been sucking every moment dry between work. I plan on gifting the final product to the littles for Christmas and another for Nico their stepbrother. My swap box was shipped off yesterday and I am now plugging away at tulip fields. 18 farm animals were cut out as well yesterday on the scroll saw. I am so excited for how this project will turn out once completed. Here are a few snippets on our farm:

 

 

This is what swap crafting truly looks like....

What are you crafting lately? Have you started any of your Christmas gifts yet?

linking with KCCO

No more sickies!!!

 Some time to reflect on the last week and share some things that have made me grateful.

 No time to be depressed when you are happy for what you have.

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A first place trophy at our church's annual turtle race for the fastest decorated turtle. This is huge as she was not going to compete until last minute since she "sucked" the year before...

Some one on one play time with the boy... Eating and destroying things...

A 2nd place win for our Sparky team at Sparksarama

My trove of goodies from the Spring Equinox swap. 2 of my top choices ( the bunny and birds) however the root baby has grown on me so... Even the itty bitty lady bug on top!

 

 A Hobbit themed play blanket complete with castle, lake and Shire...

 

 Nanner's dog Rondo suffered a back injury and unfortunately was paralyzed from the waist back for a few days. We were very worried about needing to put him down however after several days of anti inflammatory meds and muscle relaxers has now allowed him to walk with his paws right side up again and not fall over nearly as much. If I could only keep him off the couch and stairs would help! 

the plague finally passing throughout our house. We have suffered a bug being passed around for 3 weeks and finally took Ryguy to the doctor as he was the worst off and couldn't shake that high fever. Oddly enough it was strep ( he had NEVER complained of a sore throat) however none of us have tested positive as of yet. Some of the family was put on preventative antibiotics as they were sharing drinks and food and Randy since he can't get strep due to his auto immune issues. My boys are now running around again and much less snotty so I am very happy.

I have started on some more crafting in future posts and am feeling back closer to myself since starting a round of steroids for this week long migraine and am back on my tarantula. Progress for sure.

I would ask for prayers however for Nico's family ( the stepkids other brother) as his father died a few weeks back. He stayed with us a week and had the funeral this weekend which was a bit emotional I'm sure. Traveling during snow storms are not helping as well as they are now finally coming to Illinois. Safe travels and peace of mind are deeply needed.

What are you grateful for as of late?

KCCO- Spring equinox swap and a sweater for me

 I apologize for being away. Between drowning at work, a sick family and Randy getting into a motorcycle accident I have not had time for creating and crafting. I have missed it terribly and forced some last night which made my heart sing. The Hobbit movies and soundtracks have been on to remind me of a childhood comforting story, something I hope to ingrain in my children on how those stories create such solid memories, or nightmares ( I was always terrified of those dang spiders!).

I signed up a few weeks ago to participate in a spring equinox swap for some new decor as it use to bring me joy and found it hard to get enough approvals. We finally decided on raindrops and clouds as nothing says spring to me more being in Illinois.

 

I have also finally located my missing yarn bag from New Years that had my Wisteria cardigan. As much as I hate using acrylic as of lately I chose Caron Simply Soft as I was too scared to use something nice and expensive for my first "official" clothing endeavor. 

Dying yarn

 As the deadline nears for my unicorn hats for my swap I realized I did not have the perfect yarn for the manes. I decided to dye my own using Kool-Aid and food coloring. It is not perfect by any means but since it will be cut up into fringe I feel it adds character. I am decently happy on how the striping turned out and hope to do it again soon with much more time and patience.

rainbow dyes

Pre-dye

 

All wrapped up

The final product!

 

Keep Calm and Craft On...

 

I am currently elbow deep in Shrek. Working on the production team I have been selected to come up with costumes. My biggest challenge currently is making Dragon. The prototypes for the head were shot down however as they want them BIGGER! We formed them around milk containers and the jumbo sized dishing soap bottle. Our new form is going to be made of wire coat hangers, chicken wire and paper mache. Here is to crossing my fingers I can pull it off.

 

 

I did get the pattern from these at cRAfter chick however the link is not working at the moment. Hopefully it will be back up soon if you would like to make these for your little ogre at home.

I am also going to make some fingerless gloves for the big green man from this pattern. Lots to do!

 

This whole production will take up a good chunk of my time but I did sign up for a Waldorf Swap with a rainbow birthday theme so I will have those started soon too.

What are you crafting?

linking up with KCCO and Yarn along

Craftin

I have found a newfound love of the Waldorf swaps. Basically in a nutshell a bunch of moms pick a theme, do some major crafting and then swap and share! This months theme was "Play Kitchen" so I was very excited seeing I just finished making the kids their own bigger kitchen out of a repurposed coffee table. I hope it isn't just me but I get frustrated when I look at some of the toy kitchens and it seems only 1-2 children can fit over there at a time. With 7 total its just not an option so the coffee table was a much better fit.

 My contribution for the swap is sushi so I journaled a bit for inspiration.  

and then Beanie and Koda helped paint all the pieces I had cut out from my new scroll saw I received from my dad for my birthday.

Aren't they sweet?!