Craft Therapy: Crocheted Wrap

First, thanks so much for all the thoughts, prayers, and well wishes for my Mom. After a couple of stressful and hectic weeks, she’s back home recovering nicely and I was able to fly back home yesterday.

Being a crafty person who is used to having several projects in process at once, and spending long hours sitting in a hospital does not a great combination make. Thankfully there’s crochet which is portable, productive, comforting and not something I always have time to do.

On the way home from the hospital the night I arrived to see my mom, yes…I stopped at Michaels!

What can I say? It’s a comforting place for me. I wandered the aisles looking for nothing in particular and then saw this yarn by Loops and Threads in Lavender Blues. Bingo. The Mumster’s always cold ( even living in Arizona!) so I decided I’d make her a wrap.

Pretty basic. The yarn is very textured so I just did a single crochet stitch. Something I could do without thinking while Mom was napping.

The store I was closest to didn’t have enough yarn so when I needed more , thanks to my Michaels iPhone app, not only could I find another store but even get directions to get there and a coupon right on my phone!

It’s great to be back home, but it’s better to know that the Mumster is home and doing great!

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BFF Open House Link Party #45: I Love Nurses Edition

Hi all,
Haven't been around much this week since I've been focusing on the Mumster who is recovering from some major surgery. I have always respected the job that nurses do but after spending several days witnessing them in action, they are even more AMAZING than I knew! I'm able to leave and go home at night because I know the skill, love, and care my mom's receiving.

I needed to do at least one creative thing this week which having the weekly party. Even if I'm not able to make anything, it will feed my creative soul to peek in on what you all have been up to.  Please link to your specific blog post and not your main page and no advertising or shops please. Otherwise, party ON!

Medical Notes Journal. Crafting For Real Life

Crafting is good for so many things… including stress relief. The Mumster ( aka my mom) was admitted to the hospital and we’re in the process of figuring out what’s going on.

We live in different states and I couldn’t get a flight out the same day, so while I was waiting I had to burn off some energy. I figured I could make something practical, like a journal to take notes in when I do meet w/ her doctors.

Took a 9.5 x 6 spiral notebook that I had on hand and matched some scrapbook paper to the cover since I couldn’t cover over the spiral binding.

Used a piece of paper from DCWV’s “Tradewinds” stack:

and glued it to the cover with Ranger Glue N Seal. Added a piece of Core’dinations Whitewash cardstock and cut a semi circle from the remaining Tradewinds piece. Added some Colobok metallic rub-ons.

Found a decorative chipboard piece in my stash and used a scrap of the Tradewinds paper to fill the center of it. Embellished w/ pre-shaped decorative rhinestone swirly thingies and computer generated the caduceus ( medical thingy) and text.

I crumpled the paper w/ the text up and brished over it with Ranger Distress Antique Linen. Glued that down w/ the Glue N Seal.

Maybe I won’t be quite so stressed if I’m taking notes in this? Hopefully!

One of the Mumster’s favorite sayings is: “Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans”. Yup. 

BFF Open House Link Party #44 ...The No Frills Edition!

To say that this week's been crazy would be understating an understatement. And...I thought I had the party all scheduled and ready to go and almost oopsed.

So no frills ( and sorry, no BFF this week) but let's party anyway OK, What have you all been up to this week?
Please link to your specific post and not your main blog, and no advertising or shops please. Pary On!

Superhero Art...Big Boys Love Comics Too

When your kids get older, it’s fun to watch them become mature enough to indulge their inner child. Through the Middle to High School years, they're usually trying to act much older than they are. Then they get to college and they are more comfortable in their own skin.

Our son is a self professed comic geek. A fan of both DC and Marvel characters ( although Marvel prevails) and a collector of comics, memorabilia etc.

He’s coming home for Spring Break tomorrow (YEAH) and I found a way to combine what I love to do with what he loves.

He’s excited about the “Justice League” movie that’s in the works so I found an image online ( this is for personal use only Copyright people)  but it was in color and I wanted black and white.

Using My Memories Suite, I not only converted it to black and white, but chose a pencil sketch filter. I exported it as a photo and in my Print Shop program, aged the edges.

Printed on cardstock, framed it in a frame I had on hand and then downloaded the “Justice League” font from here and then cut the words on CoCo, my Silhouette Cameo. I used metallic silver vinyl from Expressions Vinyl.

We got him a very cool black and white Batman statue for his birthday so this will go perfectly with that!

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DREAM Card

It’s a good thing I keep having reasons to make cards because it helps make a dent in my paper stash. OK it makes a slight mark. Or an indication that it’s been touched? You get the picture.

This one’s for a colleague who will be retiring soon. It wasn’t planned but she’s actually quite excited now and can’t wait to do some things she hasn’t had time for.

I used DCWV’s Serenity Stack and K and Co’s Edamame die cuts and Grand Adhesions dimensional stickers. The swirly frame I cut from kraft cardstock using my Silhouette Cameo.

Covered the front of the card with a patterned and foiled paper from the stack, and then layered a white panel, the swirl frame and the DREAM sticker.

Finished the card off with layered die cuts and cocoa colored self adhesive pearls.

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BFF Open House Link Party #43 Wrap Up and Features

Before I jump into the features, I am remiss in welcoming and thanking new followers. I don’t obsess over numbers but I also do want to acknowledge that I’ve seen the number of people following increase and am really excited and honored to have you!

Thanks again for another great party. So many great ideas and here are just a few projects that caught my eye!

I am smitten by bottle lamps, even though I haven’t yet attempted one. I’ve seen them in Ballard and PB catalogs, and in stores. Intrepid DIYers have tackled these and done so brilliantly!

Bethany, from Pitter and Glink shared this stunning mercury glass etched lamp:

And Kathleen from Charm Bracelet Diva shared the amazing find she picked up at Goodwill and transformed into another gorgeous bottle lamp:

Coincidentally, there was another inspiring pair of projects linked up…bright and brilliant bulletin boards:

The first from Michele at The Scrap Shoppe:

Talk about a transformation!

And Mel, the Crafty Scientist shared this beautiful quatrefoil bulletin board:

Finally, I love this idea from Sarah at Alderberry Hill. She has a multi purpose twig tree  that she decorates for whatever occasion…in this case an ab fab birthday party she threw for her daughter!

Isn’t it fun?!

Hope you all have a great and creative week!