Monday, February 1, 2021

Crocheting - my latest hobby obsession

 Hobbies, I love hobbies! I've dabbled in many different crafts and hobbies. I don't like to be idle. I cannot sit and watch TV mindlessly. I can binge watch like no tomorrow, don't get me wrong, but I've got to be doing something while I do it! Crochet is the perfect hobby for that.

I used to do scrapbooking like crazy. I was obsessed. Not in a good way either. My every waking moment was consumed with it, and I probably dreamed about it too. I would stay up into the wee hours of the morning to scrapbook once I got the kids to bed. Staying up until 2 or 3 and then the alarm going off at 5 or 6 was not very healthy, but I had to scrapbook. When my first husband left in 2011, it felt like he took that passion with him. I have only made a couple of pages in the last 10 years. I have kept all my supplies because I have thousands of dollars in supplies, and my hope is that someday, I will want to do it again. My inks and paints may all be dried up by now, but I still hold out hope. I loved scrapbooking, and I was pretty decent at it.

I've also made some mesh wreaths over the past few years. As with anything I do, I'm an over-the-top kind of person. I couldn't make a simple, elegant wreath to save my life! Nope, mine have to be overwhelmingly full of stuff. 


(as an Amazon affiliate, any links clicked and purchased through my blog may give me a small commission at no extra cost to you)

Here are a couple examples of the wreaths I have made. Both of them light up also. The top one was made for my mom and the bottom for my sister. So, needless to say, another craft I wasn't able to sell because by the time you get done with the cost of product and time, nobody (in my circle) wants to pay $80 for a wreath. Both of these were gifts. My sister keeps hers up year round in her bakery. 

My latest craft obsession is crochet. I taught myself to crochet in 2007 when I was pregnant with my son. I bought a book at Walmart, along with some yarn and hooks. I practiced the stitches in the book, then followed along to make first pot holders, then a blanket. That 1st blanket turned out a trapezoid, and I actually just threw it away last year when I found it again. When my son was born, I put up the crochet supplies to concentrate on raising him and just scrapbook when I had free time.

About a year ago, my niece told me she was trying to learn, but was having some difficulty, so I offered to get my stuff back out and re-learn so that I could help her. Little did I know, it would lead to quite the obsession. Over the last year, I've made 5 full size blankets, 4 child/baby blankets, and countless hats & headbands. I've been trying to sell the hats and headbands through my Facebook page, but haven't had any luck yet (except family, but do they count??) Stephanie's crafts and crochet

I did have 1 friend that ordered a blanket and hat for his grandson. Through that, another lady has contacted me to make a squishy, warm queen sized blanket for her son, so that yarn is arriving today, and I'm excited to get started on that project. I don't charge much for the labor portion as I crochet for fun, so I give them quite a break on cost. 

So far, all the patterns I've used, I've found free on Pinterest. I always give credit to the pattern designer when I post.

This is the TC Twist Crochet Headband by Traversebaycrochet.com. This one my mom bought and ordered 2 more, one in red and one in black. All 3 are made with Hobby Lobby I Love this Yarn. I love shopping at Hobby Lobby, and I love their every other week 30% off sale.



This one is the cupcake hat by Nicole Chase. This was a super fun hat to make. 


This is one of my favorite patterns. The Timeless Drifter ear warmer by Lullaby Lodge. I love the colors I chose for this, gray and mint pair so well together! 

I will share more of my creations in the upcoming days. If you have any questions, please feel free to leave me a comment! I appreciate you taking the time to read my rambles! 

Have a great week!

Stephanie

Monday, January 25, 2021

10 Little Goldadors

10 Little Goldadors!

We woke up this morning to a brand new litter of puppies. We knew yesterday she was in labor and was hoping she would give birth during the day so we could watch, but she chose to do so overnight. Can't say that I blame her, she knew what to do and how to do it. We had her kept in a kennel in the back room with a gate separating the German Shepherd and Shihtzu from getting in there. They alerted us though by barking because of the sounds of new puppy cries! Birthing began around 11:30 P.M. and she was all finished and everything clean by the time we got up at 5:30 A.M.


Emmy is a pure bred golden retriever. This is her 2nd litter of puppies, but first of Goldadors. 


Is there anything sweeter than a bunch of brand new baby puppies? When I told my son that she was gonna have puppies, he asked what we were going to do with them. I said sell them. He said, but what if they are cute? (have you ever seen a puppy that wasn't cute???) and I chuckled and said, sell them. 


This is daddy, Stryker, with mommy, Emmy, prior to conception. Looks like they are actually in love. 💕

Here is Stryker just lounging on the couch one evening. Normally, they are both kept outside, but we let them in once in a while for some extra love and attention. 

Here are some of our favorite products that we use for all of our dogs to keep them healthy and strong. (As an Amazon associate, I will earn affiliate commissions on any product ordered through links on my blog at no additional cost to you.)

Salmon bites are great for their coats, leaving it looking healthy and shiny


With my German Shepherd, he is prone to get urinary tract infections when he is stressed or anxious, so I find these cranberry bites helpful with preventative treatment.



This is the dog food that we feed all 3 of the large breed dogs. I did a lot of research to find a healthy dog food that didn't cost a fortune. They have all done wonderfully on this food. We don't have any issues with digestion, stool, or dry spots.



This is what I give my Shihtzu. It's a little pricier than Diamond Naturals, but they don't make Diamond Naturals for small breeds. 



This is the dog crate I have raised my German Shepherd in. We've had it for 2 years now, and it is still holding up excellent! I looked and looked for an extra large crate that would grow with him, that didn't cost a fortune. For less than a hundred dollars, I found this. It's not made of heavy duty material, and I have had to buy one replacement bottom pan that I just picked up at Rural King, but otherwise, this has been an excellent crate. He no longer has to go in here with door locked unless he comes in muddy, but this has become his safe space. We leave the door open and he often lays in here just to be. 

Well, I'll finish bombarding you for today! Thanks for looking at my adorable dogs! I'll be back soon with posts about my current craft passion!

Stephanie

Monday, January 4, 2021

MOOSOO for the win!

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I've been wondering lately, why is it women seem to get Christmas gifts that have to do with cleaning their homes or cooking meals, but men seem to get gifts for their hobbies or pleasure? Doesn't seem fair. Well, it is what we ask for, right? Sure, we have hobbies, but most of us just buy for those on an as needed (or wanted 😉) basis! We somehow justify buying those items, maybe we are going to sell our finished project or it's to beautify the home we live in...or simply to keep us from losing our mind, which nobody wants to see! So, we buy the wants all year and save the needs for Christmas! Don't tell the guys!

This year, I asked for a cordless stick vacuum for Christmas, and I was very surprised that my boyfriend snuck around behind my back with my daughter, bought it for me! Not only that, but after I opened it, he unpackaged it, charged it, then proceeded to vacuum our entire home! Talk about a Christmas gift!!

He will kill me for posting a pic where he doesn't have his hat on. Men and their hair loss insecurities! 😖. But who wouldn't take a pic of this rare phenomenon? He even moved furniture!! 


Anyway, I asked for the MOSOO Cordless Vacuum. I was looking for one that wouldn't break the bank, but still had great suction and great battery life. I got both with this vacuum. On just one charge, he was able to vacuum our entire house. Now, our home is only about 1700 square foot, and the kitchen/dining room is hard floor, but the vacuum hadn't died yet, so he started moving furniture. His goal was to see how long it would last, and it definitely did! 

The suction on this vacuum is fabulous too! I have a full size Shark vacuum that I got several years ago. I still love that vacuum, but it becomes a pain to pull it out and plug it in, move the plug to different outlets for the whole house, then wind it up and put it all away. I have found myself just grabbing this out of my pantry and using it daily! Whether I want to clean up just a small area or do a whole cleaning job, this is my go-to. 

Did I mention, I have a Shih-tzu and a German Shepherd? 
That tongue though! 


A big baby! 
The rare moments when they get along


Niko (the GS) stopped harassing Roxie for a pic! 

I brag about my darling doggies for the one simple point...HAIR! There is a reason that the German Shepherds are nicknamed the German Shedders! THEY SHED! OMG!!! And this little vacuum, picks it all up!! 

The canister holds quite a bit, and we were impressed how much hair and dirt this vacuum picked up each time we emptied it. I was also a little surprised in how much my Shark left behind. 

So, if you are looking for an inexpensive, yet very reliable cordless stick vacuum, I highly recommend purchasing this one! 

As always, thank you for visiting my blog, and I look forward to writing more soon! 

Stephanie


Wednesday, December 30, 2020

My baby girl got married!

 In September, my daughter married her love! These two met when she was a freshman and he a senior in high school. He was supposed to just be taking her to prom as a favor to his at the time girlfriend, so the girls could both go and dance. He ended up breaking up with her and just taking Shelby. 7 years later, these two were married. It was such a beautiful ceremony!

We had a beautiful venue, but definitely no match for her beauty! They got married at the Celebrations Event Center in Marion, IL

Her brother, Elias, walked her new daughter down the aisle.


I was so honored to get to walk her down the aisle! 


First kiss as Mr. & Mrs. Webb

The beautiful cake and cupcakes were made by my sister who has her own bakery! She is so very talented at what she does!


First dance as Mr. & Mrs. Webb

Photos were taken by Storm Clarry Photography from St. Louis, MO. He is so talented and worth every penny! 













Our first family picture! My new granddaughter, Rylee, was being a little stinker and wouldn't cooperate with any after pictures.

Not only did I get to walk her down the aisle, but she had us share a special mother-daughter dance! This girl sure knows how to bless her momma!

The two girls in the foreground of the pic are her bridesmaid, Cassidy, & maid of honor, Alex. I am dancing with Alex's son. He's such a little doll!


Shelby with her new daughter, Rylee! 

Thank you for looking through my happy moment! I will be sharing more updates in the coming days to catch you up with my life from the last 6 years, and move forward with new craft creations!

Happy New Year!
Stephanie



Thursday, February 20, 2014

Heartfelt Creations DT Application Projects

Last fall, I applied for the Heartfelt Creations DT. I made it to the first level, but didn't make the design team. I am finally uploading the projects that I had to create and send in.


Products Used:
HCDP1 235 Burst of Splendor Paper Collection
HCPC 3533 Sun Kissed Fleur PreCut Set
HCD 734 Sun Kissed Fleur Die
HCPC 3334 Open Falling Leaves PreCut Set
452255 Grand Calibur

Project Instructions:
Other Products: Zutter Distrezz It All, Heidi Swapp Distress Tool, Spellbinders Nestabilities Labels 4, Tim Holtz Black Soot & Forest Moss Distress Ink, Olive Vine, Tuscan Sun & Crème De Rouge Glimmer Mist

My inspiration for this card came from a great friend, Alissa. You should visit her blog for lots of beautiful cards and layouts! 

Card base is 6” x 6”. Cut a piece of paper 5 ¾” x 5 ¾” and another 5 ½” x 5 ½”. Distress the edges, then sew the smaller piece onto the larger piece. Cut a strip 1 ½” x 4 ¾”, distress the edges, mat on black cardstock, then sew around the edges. Cut 2 - 2” x 2” squares, distress the edges, mat on black and sew around the edges. Cut the largest labels 4 die out of a darker piece of patterned paper. Cut the 2nd largest out of a lighter piece of patterned paper. Distress the edges on both with the Heidi Swapp tool, then ink the edges with black soot distress ink. Stamp the Thanksgiving quote from the Open Falling Leaves precut set. Adhere the smaller label to the larger with foam dots to give it dimension. Stamp and cut out 3 sets of the Sun Kissed Fleur. Spray all but the leaves with Tuscan Sun and Crème De Rouge glimmer mist. For the largest flower, use the 3 largest flowers and the 1 ¼ x 1 ¼ . Using an embossing tool and pad, shape the backside of each petal, then flip over and press down in the center to pull the petals up. The two smaller flowers, use the 4 middle flower shapes. Roll each petal backwards, press into the center of each to draw the petals up.  Add your centers for all the flowers. For the leaves, ink with Forest Moss Distress ink, then spray with Olive Vine glimmer mist. Shape the leaves by embossing some lines down each petal, then bending the edges. Make a bow out of green ribbon and adhere to card. Assemble everything as pictured.


Products Used:
HCDP1 235 Burst of Splendor Paper Collection
HCPC 3533 Sun Kissed Fleur PreCut Set
HCD 734 Sun Kissed Fleur Die
HCPC 3390 Bella Rose Leaves PreCut Set
HCD 712 Bella Rose Die
HCPC 3468 Tattered Blossoms PreCut Set
HCD 722 Tattered Blossoms Die
452255 Grand Calibur

Project Instructions:
Other Products: Zutter Distrezz It All, Tim Holtz Distress Ink Aged mahogany & Forest Moss, Black Archival Ink, English Ivy glimmer mist, Shimmerz Bling, Pearl Ex Interference violet, Gesso, Cuttlebug A2 Script Texture Embossing Folder, EK Success Upper Crest Border Punch, Zing glitter black embossing powder, Tim Holtz Rock Candy Stickles, Black puffy paint, Bling, Pearl sprigs, Black cardstock


Background 12” x 12”, distress edges. Emboss the two opposite corners with Zing glitter black embossing powder by just rubbing the glue pad on the edges and applying the powder. Cut one piece of paper 8” x 9” and another 8” x 7”, distress the edges and ink with Aged Mahogany & forest moss distress inks. Sew each of these to the background sheet. Stamp with forest moss & cut 2 of the Bella Rose leaves, then spray with English Ivy glimmer mist. Shape the leaves using an embossing stylus on the front side around the edges. Stamp several sets of the Sun Kissed Fleur with black archival ink on different pieces of patterned paper and cardstock, then cut out. Shape the leaves in different ways to add a variety of flowers. Using just the four smallest flowers, create some small buds. Some I shaped on the front side of the petals, drawing them up, adding some sprigs to the center and pearls. Others I shaped the underside, pinching each of the petals edges together and twisting the tip of the petal to one side. Mix the gesso with Shimmerz blings and Pearl Ex Interference Violet, paint a larger area in the upper left hand corner and a couple of smaller areas around the background. I hand drew a brick design in the upper left hand corner while it was wet. Cut a 4” strip of patterned paper, use a border punch on the bottom of the strip, then dry emboss with script text, then sand off gently.  Sew a piece of ribbon at the top of the border strip. Add some bling and a couple of the Tattered Blossoms flowers. I print the journaling using Photoshop Elements, fussy cut out, inked the edges with forest moss and adhere underneath the border strip. The bling I made myself using puffy paint and transparencies. Cut it apart and randomly adhere around the flower cluster. Stamp & cut out 12 of the smallest flower in the Tattered Blossoms set. Shape each of the petals on the underside and adhere two together off-setting the petals. Place a jewel in the center. Tear out a strip of the background piece at the top. I sprayed a piece of lace ribbon with English Ivy Glimmer mist, then adhered behind the torn out area. Add one of the Tattered Blossoms flowers to the bottom of it. I printed the butterflies, fussy cut them out, add black puffy paint to the centers and Rock Candy Stickles to the wings, then adhered to the flower cluster. Take some of the leaves from the Sun Kissed Fleur set that you cut out earlier, ink with forest moss and spray with English Ivy glimmer mist, shape them and add to your flower cluster. Adhere some pearl sprigs throughout the cluster.  Once finished, adhere the whole thing to a sheet of 12” x  12” black cardstock.


 Thanks for looking

Stephanie

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Heartfelt Creations Design Team Semi-Finalist

I was so excited today when a friend told me I had made the Heartfelt Creations Design Team Semi-Finalist stage!!  I've never been on a design team, so I'm really hopeful about getting this one! I love their products!!! Especially all of their flowers! If you would like to vote, please visit their blog here Heartfelt Creations.

Saturday, April 27, 2013

Delicate Rose Tutorial - 1 1/2"

My 2nd most loved flower is an exact replica of the 1" Mini Delicate Rose, but in a larger size.  The finished flower is about 1 1/2" across and about 1" tall.  They are just as beautiful!!
Supplies needed:
EK Success Retro Punch Med (Whale of a punch) - 6 punched out layers
Deco Scissors
Embossing pad & stylus
glue
Ink (optional)


Using the deco scissors, cut off the tips of each petal. On one, you will cut about 1/3 the petal off. This will be your center bud. Optional: ink the edges

 
Starting with the bud (the one you cut more of the petal off), place it on your embossing pad. Using a stylus (or paintbrush), starting at the outer edges of each petal in a circular fashion, press down on the petals to curl them inward. Then press into the center of the flower in a circular fashion to draw all the petals into a bud.

 
Then, place glue on the inside of each petal. Roll the bud between your finger. Tip, make sure one side of the petal overlaps the next petal for a better bud look. Hold it in place for a minute to let the glue seal. Set aside


Grab your next layer. Using a skewer or small paintbrush, roll back each petal. Then, while holding the roll back in place with your right hand (if you're right-handed of course), use your thumb to press into the center of each petal and cup the petal around. You want each petal to have a fold in the middle while still having the roll backward. This helps to shape it tightly around your bud.

Then place that layer on your embossing pad, in a circular motion press in the center of the layer to draw the petals up and together.


Place glue on the inside of each petal and at the base, then put your bud inside and wrap the outer layer around it, making sure to overlap one edge of each petal like you did on the bud. Gently roll it with your fingers to help shape it around the bud and allow the glue to seal. Set this aside.


The last 4 layers: using a skewer or small paintbrush or something similar
 
two of the layers, you will roll each petal back at a slight angle. See bottom row.
 
two of the layers you will roll each petal back (no angle)


Using a larger ball stylus or paintbrush, press in a circular manner the center of all the layers. On the two bottom row ones that you rolled at an angle, you'll be more agressive in drawing up the petals, since these will be the middle layers. On the top row with the straight back roll, just slightly press the centers.



Taking the first angled layer, place glue on the inside of each petal and at the base. Place the already made bud in the center and wrap the angled petals around it. There will only be a slight overlap of petals on this layer, The "tall end" of the angle will kind-of tuck into the "short end" angle of the petal next to it. Hold in place a bit to allow the glue to seal.


Take your next angled layer, place glue on the inside of each petal and at the base. (do not be afraid to use the glue! I want my flower to stay like I make it, so I tend to use a generous amount of glue). Place your flower into the new layer, there will be no overlapping of petals, just try to alternate the petals to fill in the "bare spots". Hold this in place a bit to allow the glue to seal.
 

 
On your last two layers (straight back rolls), place glue onto each petal and the base. Alternating the petals, add them to the base of your flower. Hold each in place for a bit to allow the glue to seal.

Here is the finished Delicate Rose. So delicate looking. Making both sizes of roses makes for a wonderful grouping on a layout or card.


 
Here is one with a bit of diamond dust on it. Remember, if using diamond dust, it's always better to sprinkle some on with a spoon or something rather than dip the flower in it. I love sparkle and shine! Try some Glimmer Mist or Perfect Pearl Mist spray too!





I hope you have enjoyed this tutorial! If you haven't already, be sure and check out the mini Delicate Rose Tutorial! Thank you so much for stopping by!!!

Stephanie