Writing is a socially acceptable form of schizophrenia. ~E.L. Doctorow

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As cold as a...

long time no post! like i think it's been over a year, lol

I 've been up to much, as always, but i just wanted to share a few crochet ami pieces.

first up... lamb!



(  more lamb, larger lamb, and doggie here! )

I was with a group of travelling knights -- Hospitallers, perhaps; I remember the Order of St. John -- when we had to take shelter in a local temple of some kind. The order of that temple were clearly Eastern, though I couldn't say from where, and they obviously didn't like us much. They had a grudging respect for what we were doing and an understanding with our leader that we would provide shelter and protection if and whenever they needed it themselves. Apparently no one was safe at that time. They commented that I was a woman and started to balk, but allowed us to pass when he spoke up and said they needed me as much as any man. They lead us to a long, narrow spiral staircase we had to climb in absolute silence. At the top was a small room, barely large enough to house the men and their weapons, and I immediately started attending to what we needed by lighting a few candles and dispersing the fruit, bread and water I found there before searching them over for wounds. Apparently the trip to the temple wasn't the easiest; we were all dirty, exhausted and battered.

When it was my time to guard the top of the stairs I borrowed a dark cloak from one of the men, who all towered over me. I was small enough to hide in the shadows with the hood drawn up. One of the temple monks came up the stairs to bring us news and muttered to himself about us leaving ourselves unguarded until he came face to face with the tip of my sword nearly at the last minute. After that he had to admit that having me along wasn't the worst idea they ever had. I don't remember much else, but I do remember at one point they realized that if I stood on one of their shoulders I could reach a small window high overhead and maybe crawl through. I don't know, though, if it was because I could see what was happening outside without being seen myself or if they were making contingency plans for my escape if we were discovered and attacked. I just remember them hoisting me up there and having to squeeze through to lean out and see the ground beneath us because there was a roof blocking most of the view. I wish I could remember more detail than that, like their uniforms.

Does anyone have any ideas for making buttons? Not buttons like this, but actual buttons to use on clothing.

I tried to google, but I keep getting stuff for buttons like in the link or crafts to use buttons in.

ETA: Just saw the post a few down from mine. Those are awesome, but I'd still love to see some other ideas as well.

Basically it's a lollipop shaped like a tongue that protrudes from a plastic animal head . . . so you're french kissing an animal to suck on the lolly. The perfect stocking stuffer for furries.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rz4JfOun6o

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Salt dough tips PLEASE!
I’m working with salt-dough ( baker’s clay) for the first time. If anyone has any experience please give me some guidance. For example what kind of flour do you think works best. Wheat? White? What sealers work best? What doesn’t work at all?

Little info: I volunteer at my local animal shelter and I wanted to make something I can sale at my salon during the Christmas season to help raise money since they are building on at the shelter and are really needing any extra funds they can get. I’m making primitive looking dog biscuit ornaments (people in my area are really into the whole primitive thing). Basically wire, torn ribbon and I will put the persons pets name on the bone with a paint pen. I thought that salt dough would look more like a milk-bone than polymer clay and is a heck of a lot cheaper on me since I’m giving all the proceeds to them. Just so you guys know what I’m trying to make. Thanks for any help at all!!!

Look at all of these wonderfully UGLY Christmas sweaters!

Sizes

( OMGBUTTONS!!!one! )

And I'm just debating who I want to give them to! They are so cute! They cost about... $2.30 to make 38 cards. I feel so proud of myself!

The Scrapbook paper cost $.55 cents
the Index Cards cost $.25 cents
and the Adhesive Tape cost $1.50 dollars

I'm thinking about giving them to my cousin because she just got married and shes a mad baker!

And this is how they look! There are 10 different designs, I believe. I was thinking about making a box as well, but for now they are tied up in ribbons.







EDIT: Now pictures of the box. It took me an hour to complete and it cost about $.10 to make!

Love is not a competition

I was in the mood for a snack today but all I had in the fridge were the basics. I mixed them together and came up with this simple but yummy veggie treat...

Ingredients:
cheese (strong chedder or similar - I used Cathedral City)
1 x small green pepper
jalepenos
creme fraiche
pepper
white bread

To make:
Dice the green pepper and fry in a little oil until soft. Grate the cheese and transfer it to a mixing bowl along with two table spoons of creme fraiche. Chop the jalepenos into small chunks and add to the cheese and creme fraiche along with the fried peppers. Use a fork to blend the mix into a paste. Toast the bread, when it is toasted spread the cheese mix evenly and then place under the grill. When the surface of the cheese mix starts to bubble it is ready.

Voila, a tasty snack. I added ketchup to my plate to dip the crusts in which worked really well with the creamyness of the cheese. The jalepenos gave it a little bite and the peppers added a fresh taste to the mix.

Here's some things I've made recently.

( crafty things )
Thanks for looking!

New crochet covered stone necklace
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Oh, and it's got a 30th anniversary reissue.

And the book that critiques it is out of print.

...So, yeah...

I finally finished baby girl's Christmas stocking. I started with a mariner's compass idea and a general star and quilt inspiration. I made it up as I went along.

( Read more... and see pictures )

I sometimes try to be a healthy veggie.. and on those mornings when I smartly go for protein I make a morning star sausage patty mc muffin of sorts. I toast an english muffin and then put cheese on it before placing the hot patty in between. Its pretty good unless you can't eat it right away and it gets cold..not so pleasant. I haven't added egg yet but I'm guessing that would be good too.

Helew, friends.

There are a squintillion pictures waiting to be posted to lj. I just can't make myself do it. Hence long delay since last post- plus I figure no one wants to really see a squintillion pictures (but I'll probably subject you to them anyway, PREPARE.)

So let me start small.

Here's my cousin, Brave. I think he's gonna be staying with us for a while. With him, my grandmother, my parents, two little barking rats, Boo, and me all under one roof, we might want to post a sign outside that says, "Looney Bin". This is a horribly flat picture, but here you go, Aunt Karen.



I cornrowed his hair. (Yes, I'm thinking of opening a little shop. First I'll have to get three-inch-long fake nails though and I'll have to attach little jeweled beads to them with jumper rings). Flyaways. Oops. Next time I'll do it on wet hair. What can I say- I'm a photographer, not a ...corn... row... er.



Brave's had his tonsils removed; he went back to CO to get it done because that's where he's got insurance. Then a blood clot formed in his throat and he had to be airlifted to another hospital. Great. Apparently he's doing fine but it's hard to keep in touch without phones and so forth, which his family doesn't use much. I've been thinking of him a lot today.

Get better, Cuz.

Coming up someday when I'm not quite so lazy:
Thanksgiving- we all go to Santa Fe to pay too much for an atmospherically sound buffet, where they have cheese and really really good deviled eggs. Also 27 other things.
Amy's Bachelorette Party- once-hopeful suicide girl prepares for marriage by partying in a Catholic school girl skirt and a pink boa.
Dad Gets More Catholic- St. Therese is a very picturesque church, that's the only reason I mention it.
My Little Cousins Visit- I'm related to so many cute little people.
I Meet Up With Annie From SPS- Once one of the most popular girls of my high school graduating class.
Other Random BS- New Polaroids, my night of failed dancing, abstracts, etc etc.