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

Happy New Year: 2013 Is A Go!!!

Hello All,

It has been awhile since I posted, but in my defense I haven't had the time to really devote to major projects. Hell, I haven't even had time to devote to ANY projects in December. I worked long, crazy hours at work when not killed over. Eating, writing, and pretty much everything else fell by the wayside for an entire month. I'm not proud of this ladies and gents, but this is my reality

I've started the new year off with a fresh new boatload of inspiration and motivation. I'm also working with more energy than I thought possible. Yes I'm still working crazy, long hours, but I'm making myself take time to get busy on my projects. The current one is a braided infinity scarf that I decided to try my hand at making. The design literally fell on me while I was trying to find something unique to buy as a gift for my friend Pam. She'd mentioned wanting an infinity scarf, but I decided that I could make her a scarf that would rock her proverbial socks.

I was goofing around at work and braided some scarves together. The resulting design was cool. So thus I began drafting up a pattern. This is the end result.

Now I was so excited to be really working on something that I didn't stop to take any pictures of the assembly process. Rest assured that I've been asked to make another, therefore I'll be really diligent about photo documenting the process. Pam was very happy upon receiving what I've come to term the "Peas in a Pod Infinity scarf."

IT just felt good to finish my first project of 2013. Well, I'm off to finish a throw and start the finish up on my outfit for the event on Sunday. I'll post pics of it, the guest post, and the sneak peek. Until then...

Happy Hooking!!!

Featured Guest: Page Petals by Shanay Cobb

<======== THESE ARE BOOKMARKS!!! TA-DAAAAA!!!!! Ok seriously though, this month's featured guest will be Shanay again 1) because her crochetions are really amazing and 2) because she's the only person that I have access to right now that wants to contribute. No worries though, I'll surely find some more people to rape for their crochetions (with credit given of course).

She has been on a rampage as of late making these really cool flower bookmarks for a few select members of her school family thing. So I loved them and now I'm featuring them.

The flowers are made in a round and the petals are crocheted and sew on. The tail in braided and then is burned. It leaves a cute crocheted item that could be used for a bookmark, broach, or any manner of accessory. You can make them with the yarn and colors of your choosing. If, however you aren't as good a hooker, you can visit her tumblr http://starvinarts.tumblr.com/ and she'll be happy to take your order.

Make a bouquet or two of your own today. Until then...

HAPPY HOOKING!!!

Winter Wonderland

Hey all!

It's that time again! Now that the winter weather is FINALLY settling in, I find myself excitedly plotting out my winter wardrobe and fantasizing about how wonderful I'll look in my accessories. Lately, I've been on the scarf bent and making scarves of all shapes and sizes. I've been holding off on posting because I wanted to have a few projects lined up to give you guys a good post. So...

I got a request from my best guy friend to make him a scarf of my choosing. I chose a simple pattern that I knew would suit him. I decided to kamikaze the scarf in a dummy attempt to test the color scheme. Despite some random bitch coming up and trying to undermine my work by commenting that the pattern was "nice in a simple kinda way" and that she'd been crocheting for 5yrs and thus I had to be a beginner, the scarf came out great. Let us forget the fact that I have been crocheting for 18yrs and generally reserve the more complex designs for bigger more bells and whistles type projects. I gave the finished the scarf to a friend at work named Walter and gained another customer that will bring in more. Not to mention, several coworkers saw my work and now are coming to me for consultations for projects. Yay!

I'm also working on a new aspect of my posts that I'll call sneak peek. I'm making a nice tri-colored scarf that will be put up for grabs when done. Check out the pic below

Hope you guys like how things are going. I'm really just getting up and running with the blogging thing. Bear with me folks while I bring you great stuffs. As always, until then...

Happy Hooking!