Phoenix

Hello All,

So I realized that I've been keeping a dream journal since I was 14yrs old. That's literally 12+ years. I've had some really insane dreams and some really ordinary ones as well. I can't really understand the way my dreams work. They can be intense. I have woken up sobbing sometimes. I've had seriously prophetic dreams that fulfilled themselves later. It's sometimes really scary. Recently, I've been having these strange dreams. They aren't strange necessarily because of the events in them, it's more so the people... or PERSON rather. The same individual has been appearing in my dreams for almost a month now. It doesn't matter what the setting or happenings, he always shows up. I've had more memorable dreams this past month that I can ever really recall having over such a short period of time. It's just plain eerie!

I haven't decided yet if I'm going to tell this person about their early morning forays into my subconscious. It may be too weird. Needless to say I don't need them asking me for details. These dreams aren't to be shared lightly.The worst part is, I can't decide if these dreams are stemming from just the increased level of interaction I'm having with this person, the fact that my dreams are crazy, or the fact that I'm finding myself in the position of wanting something I can't have. I don't even need to express how positively DISASTROUS it would be it these dreams somehow came to fruition.That is a possibility I don't even dare to contemplate.

On another front, I'm trying really hard to get back into the swing of things craft wise. I haven't picked up anything art related in so long. I'm really going through withdrawal. It isn't my own doing mind you. I honestly haven't had the time, energy, or anything to devote to my usual pursuits. It's so sad. I'm like crashing an burning a little. Well it's time to rise from the ashes and get back to making magic. Who's With Me?!?!?!

Look Out for More Craft Shananijinks by Your Truly Jenny M!

Until Then... Color Life Outside the Lines

Back on le Horse... Kinda

Hello All,

Well, let's just say that things went from bad to worse. I got several traffic tickets, I got passed over for several positions at work, I got really sick, my wisdom teeth started giving me fits, I missed a shift at work, and to top that all off, today I got a letter stating that my student loans (which were supposed to be deferred til Dec '13) are now trying to garnish my income tax returns for like EVER.

Ok from the top... I got a ticket for not using my blinker while making a right hand turn on a green light. The fine was $240.50 and I was put on probation (yay). Then I got a ticket for running a yellow light (yes a yellow light) and having a lost driver's license. The total fine was $178 and since I was flat broke they tried to take me to jail for 15 days. This is not caring that I'd lose my job and be homeless and starving. So I overdrafted my account and avoided jail at the cost of $315+.

My job has a policy that states that if you are a coworker that applies for an internal position, you are guaranteed an interview for it. Well I've applied for 8 (yes 8) internal positions and was only interviewed for 2. I also got none of them. Keep in mind 3 of them were in the department that I already work in, and I spend most of my workdays cleaning up the messes of my coworkers that occur due to uncaring and laziness.

I got sick and for a whole almost 2 days and couldn't hold down ANYTHING, not even water. This sickness came along with my wisdom teeth giving me so much pain that I couldn't eat anything for a week. Yes I'm even skinnier folks. I've lost over 20lbs. So I get medical assistance and they pretty much won't be able to squeeze me in to the surgeon until 25 September 2013... Great.

Finally, I missed work because my managers neglected to tell me that my name may appear in two separate places on the schedule and thus I should look out for more shifts elsewhere. Am I a bloody mind reader? Not last I checked so I miss a shift. They write me up on the highest level write up that they can do besides firing me in no way taking any responsibility for the mix up. I'm currently disputing it.

So basically readers, the last month and a half since my last post has been hellish. But guess what? I'm still fighting and will not give ground. The Department of Education can threaten my existence with tax refund stealing, but they can't get money that I don't have. If I were rich and making millions (hell even a few extra hundreds), I'd GLADLY pay them the money I owe them for a degree that is doing me not one bit of good (International Biz and Economics for those that want to know).

I got some completed projects and stuffs to share so as soon as I get to some wifi I'll be making some posts.

Look Out for more Crafty Shenanijinks by yours truly Jennifer M!

Until Then... Color Life Outside the Lines

Drowning in Life? Not Bloody Likely!

Hello All,

A lot has happened since I posted last! I moved across town and am worlds away in terms of the neighborhood. My internet is currently off due to the fact that AT&T (my previous provider) does not offer service in my new area. To top that off, they send me the final bill and promptly turn it over to collections despite the fact that it isnt MY fault that I was forced to terminate service before my "contract" was up.

The whole moving process was a trial that I care not to repeat ANYTIME in the near future (if at all lol). To top all of that off, my job then decides to further cut my hours and leave me basically barely clinging to a place to stay, much less food and transportation. Let's just say that I'm looking skinnier these days and it ain't from long hours at the gym.

I persevere despite all this and continue to be the BAMFing flower that blooms in the midst of change, instability, and all out adversity. I Will Survive!!!

My crafting has suffered as well. I am just getting back on the horse with projects and such. It's a tough biz ladies and gents. I removed from storage the wood carved mirrors that took ALL of my time one summer... And all of my manual dexterial patience, skill, and fortitude. They're going up for sale. Major moves such as tags, labels, and biz paraphernalia have been put on pause as I get my life back on track.

Never fear fair readers, more crafty Shananijinks will ensue. I have a few posts to give you all as soon as I get the time to type them out on my tiny iPhone key board.

Look Out for more Crafty Shenanijinks by yours truly Jennifer M!

Until Then... Color Life Outside the Lines

Pockets on Scarves... Great Idea!!!

Hello All,

Still BAMFing it up and done with my pocket scarves. So I'm in the process of moving and getting things together. Life is Hard man! I HATE moving with a fiery, bloody passion that burns with the intensity of a trillion suns. Solar flares and all can tell you the extent of my hatred for moving.

So on to the pocket scarves!!! I was trying this pattern and GOD it was pretty. Problem was, I made the thing too damn wide. I didn't want to unravel it like I do the other things, so I revamped the pattern and made a pocket. The idea stuck and a scarf was born! It's currently up for grabs because I didn't make it for anyone in particular. I'll let it go for $15.

The first scarf entitled "Gray" looks like this:

The pattern in a spiked stitch in multiples of 5. I used Red Heart Super Saver in Black and White with Michael's exclusive Loop & Threads Impeccable in True Gray. The result is a little stiff but It is quite lovely to look at. All it needs is a good washing to soften it right on up. I'll do all of that before I send or deliver it to the buyer. It took me a while to finish due to my work schedule picking up a lot. I finished it though and I'm so proud of it.

It's done in two separate pieces and the sewn together in the middle. I wanted to make sure the pattern was identical on both ends. It turned out better than I could have hoped. Take THAT Target!!!

After I finished the "Gray" Pocket Scarf, I loved the idea so much that I started another. This one took me less than a week and I worked on it for four hours straight one day while just waiting around. That really got me over the hump and I finished a few days later. This one isn't going to remain a scarf for long though. I'm going to continue the pattern and make it into an afghan. I figure some lovely girly girl will adore it. This is the scarf version here:





As you can see, the colors are way brighter than what I'm used to working with or wearing. I can't honestly see myself sporting this ensemble. It's amazingly pretty to me. The pictures honestly don't do it justice. The Iris is a jewel toned purple that is deep and rich, while the Watermelon is a bright and vibrant pink. It's a really hot pink that stands out in a real pop of color. I'm not so brave as to wear such an eye-catching accessory, but I'm sure that there are plenty of women that would.

I really enjoyed making this item. Everyone at work kept walking by and telling me how good the scarf looked. I even got some requests for lessons and items. If I'm not careful I'll have more things to do that I can keep up with. My work schedule gets really hectic. Plus we have this big kitchen sale... again.

For this scarf I used some of the stash I had on hand. The Iris, Watermelon, and Black worked up really easily. The Caron Simply Soft is some of the prettiest yarn I've worked with on the lower end of the price spectrum. It works up soft and silky and makes me smile at the array of stunning jewel toned colors available. I even find ones I've never seen. "Celestial" is ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS. I can't wait to get more and to work up something. I have a book that I got for 50% off from Joanns back in January that has Caron Simply Soft patterns all through it. They are truly some great ones too. I usually can't look though a book and say I HAVE to have it because I want to do more than maybe 1 or 2 of the patterns. This book is different. I took one look and was interested. As I thumbed through it, each page was a WOW! I really want to make that. Had to have it. It was decided then and there. I used my coupon on it and $19.99 became $10!

 

 
I wore the Marble Nails to work and sure enough people started complimenting them. It makes me smile when people enjoy my art. It makes me cringe when people get too friendly and grab/touch me without asking. Anyway, the appreciation is wonderful just the same.

Look Out for more Crafty Shenanijinks by yours truly Jennifer M!

Until Then... Color Life Outside the Lines

The Nails Have It!!!

Hello All,

So here I am still being my BAMFing self and it's March!!! The third month of the year is in full swing and I'm swinging with it. I've been crafting and writing and guess what... Doing nail art! GASP! I know!

So I have like 30+ nail colors and I've decided to start using them. It's a lot of fun that takes nothing but about 10-15 minutes of your time and patience. I cannot stress this enough. It really helps your art if you give it the necessary time to dry. If you need to dance around or wave your arms like mad then do it, but give it its time. I'm guilty of trying to rush the process, but I've really improved on this.

First I did the Galaxy Nails: Blue, Purple, and Pink polish sponge painted on a black base and topped with glitter (cough cough stars). Sounds nice right? Here's the pic.

The Pics don't do it justice!!!

I always start with a Base Coat of Sally Hansen's Diamond Strength Instant Nail Hardener (to shore up weak nails, a result of my print photography class's chemicals). I followed with a coat of Sally Hansen's Hard As Nails Xtreme Wear Nail Color in 370 Black Out. I find that Sally tends to have thick polishes that give me solid opacity in one coat. The sponges are your standard cosmetic wedges. I then sponged on Sally's Hard As Nails in 770 Rock Bottom(purple) and La Colors Color Craze Nail Polish with hardeners in NP424 Wired(blue) and NP383 Ballerina(pink). The glitter was Rimmel London's 60 Seconds in 831 Magic Stardust (hint hint).

Not here's where things get weird. I used a "Fast Dry Top Coat" that supposedly dries instantly. LIES It takes at least 5 minutes and even then you can still get smudges, prints, and creases. It's annoying. If you wait the required time, the results are amazing. My nails lasted a whole week and this is with me submerging my hands in water, using chemicals, and down on the floor at work doing some heavy duty hand work with carts and pallet jacks and other such nonsense.

So today I took off the galaxy paint because my left index finger finally got a chip. I was going to attempt my own version of the newsprint nails, but lo and behold I had not ONE scrap of newspaper ANYWHERE!!! So I decided to do Water Marbling to reflect my job's color scheme. Check em out!

So I've been hearing that water marbling is so hard and messy... It isn't really. I found it to be simple and fairly quick honestly. I started out with my Diamond Strength base coat and Followed with L.A. Colors in NP164 French White(duh) for my base color. I then filled a teacup with water from the tap and dropped circles of L.A. Colors NP424 Wired, Milani 84 Green Glow, and Sally's Xtreme 360 Mellow Yellow in that order. I did each color three times in the above listed order. The trick of the trade is to: 1) Use a small vessel (whatever that may be). 2) work quickly for your layers can (and will) dry in the water. And 3) PATIENCE!!! You will get it, just take your time. You must completely submerge your finger to really get the design on your nail and remember when dropping, the seeming disappearance of the polish is normal. Just keep dropping.





I also scored FOUR of the colors on my list: Sally Hansen's Insta-Dri in 375 Gone Gray, Sally's Xtreme in 150 SunKissed and 160 Cherry Red, and Sally's Magnetic Nail Color in 908 Graphite Gravity. I am stoked that I'm finding the colors I want. I also finally got Essie's Matte About You AND NYC's Matte Me Crazy top coats. Things are about to get C.R.A.Z.Y!!! 

           

I'm going to wear these to work for sure! I already got a completely out of the blue compliment by a man tonight. He just stopped me and said, "I really love your nails." All I could do was say thanks and smile like a nutter. Oh well, I seem to be getting tons of attention with my nail art and other crafty undertakings. Little do these admirers know how close I am to total destruction, murder, and mayhem hahaha.


 
  


Look Out for more Crafty Shenanijinks by yours truly Jennifer M!

Until Then... Color Life Outside the Lines

Sneak Peek and The Crochet Meet

Hello All,

I'm busy finishing up this pocket scarf and let me tell you I'm so happy with how my "Oh shit I'm fucking this up" turned into something cool. I'm weaving in the ends and connecting the two pieces as I type, and let me be the first to tell you that you definitely should choose one or the other task to complete at once. I'm posting to tell you all about the crochet meet up I went to Tuesday Feb 5, 2013. It was a really cool event that is held at the Edgewood Barnes and Noble at 7:00pm every Tuesday. I was a little skeptical at first, but upon arrival immediately began to warm up to the other ladies and gents. There were some seriously talented folks in attendance. I was working on something simple, a half-double crochet throw. I admit that I felt a little envious of the skill and artistry that was being displayed.

I'm pretty sure that feeling craft envy is a good thing. It gave me the motivation to tackle bigger and better projects. I can't wait to start on the new things I have lined up. The simple throw is something I've been working on off and on for months. I can't ever seem to work on it for more than maybe a week at a time before I get pulled away by something else. I like to say it's my fall back project. It's the slow going, easy to pick up and put down, somewhat monotonous piece that I can fall back into when I hit a tough spot or a lag in motivation. This serves me well I find. I'm actually surprised that I didn't know this in the 15yrs I've practiced this craft.

(I put it down for about three years and then randomly picked it up again while moving back in 2004.)

The throw is in Red Heart's Cherry Chip and I fell in love with it as a completely single crocheted throw. While it was gorgeous, I find I have neither the time nor patience to do an entire throw in singles in ONE color... How boring. I gave it a try but to my immense dismay, I just couldn't do it. IT is a really pretty colorway that is warm and rich. These pics don't do it justice let me assure you.

Rolled&Wrapped: Too Big Portion to be unraveled

I think it's pretty

To be completely honest, I have pretty much worked up and then unraveled the throw several times. I experimented with different stitches and techniques, I made it too big and then too small. I even now am thinking of things to do to it. I don't know, I guess I'm sorta forcing myself to do something simple and non complex AT ALL.

YOu all have no idea how hard it is for me to not make things all... I don't know "EXTRA".

I'm a boss, what can I say.

SO I'll keep slaving away at this throw and will do a post for it as soon as I finish it... IF I EVER finish it. In the meantime, I'm gonna finish up this pocket scarf and maybe make another and a matching hat for both. On a roll here folks.

Look out for more Crafty Shenanijinks by yours truly Jennifer M!

Until Then... Color Life Outside the Lines

My Hat It Has... Corners?!

Hello All,
YES the blog is getting a reboot. I figure it's 2013, I'm a BAMF, so hell why not change things! I honestly want to revamp my whole crafting existence and give you guys a full viewing of my creative arsenal. I'm talking needle-craft (crochet, knit, sewing, and embroidery), jewel-craft (beading, wiring, and metalwork), Painting (and other mediums of art). It is time to let my creative juices flow! INTRODUCING...

Shenanijinks Episode 1!!!

I attended an AMAZING event January 27,2013 and opened a whole new world of possibility for myself. I created a hat to wear with my Aristocrat Lolita outfit and got so many compliments that it blew my mind. I had no idea that my slave-labor would impress so many people. That hat kicked my proverbial ass, but I was proud of my first foray into fabric working and sewing. I had so much fun that I'm going to make a serious effort to improve my skills. I want to make the outfits that I see for $100s of dollars on line. I am going to truly become the person I want to be!

Anyway, back to the hat...

I was inspired by hundreds of hats that I viewed via Google search and just worked the elements I wanted into my hat. I now have so many ideas for hats that I HAVE to start making the outfits to go along with them or else I'll go mad. Needless to say I'm hooked. I know few people, if any, read this blog, but I hope that changes one day. I vow to pursue my love of crafting and maybe I'll discover something great!

I've been somewhat at a loss as to where my future is going, and turning 25 didn't help one bit. I feel like I'm stuck, life on serious hold as others sail by... along with time. ANYWAY, I'm rambling. To anyone that reads this, I thank you from the bottom of my heart (cliche though the saying is). To all my possible future readers, I hope that if you ever read this you'll know how much I appreciate you all as well.

Look out for more Crafty Shenanijinks by yours truly Jennifer M!

Until Then... Color Life Outside the Lines