Wedding Spot: DIY Ring Pillow & Tutorial

It's been a while since I last did a Wedding Spot post, so here is a bit on my most recent DIY.

Maybe a month and a half ago, I was walking around the wedding section of my local craft store and stopped to look at the flower girl baskets and ring bearer pillows.  Needless to say, they were rather expensive... and nondescript... blah.  So off to the Goodwill I went to find supplies to DIY these things.

Tonight I'll be talking about the Ring Pillow.  I first decided I wanted to DIY this after seeing these on pinterest.

via: Whollykao

I initially tried to crochet a doily with a clover pattern, but that didn't happen... at... all.  After that, I started looking at fabric ring pillows.  My first try was really crappy.  The idea of it was nice, satiny fabric with a ribbon trim.  Sounds lovely right?  In reality... it was more like a wonky marshmallow with the middle poked in... -___-

The next plan was to use felt.  My best friend brought the idea of felt flowers to my attention a while ago and I absolutely loved them :)  So I figured that if we all have felt bouquets and boutonnieres adding other felt touches would be a great idea.  Oddly, when I started making the felt pillow, I fell into a flow and it just came together. Yay me!

Materials

2 pieces of felt

Fiberfill pillow stuffing

Green thread

Green embroidery thread

Embroidery needle

Thin green ribbon

Shamrock patterns large and small

Letter patterns

Tissue paper

Scissors

Sewing machine or sewing needle

                                                      1.                                                                 2.                                                                 3.

Step 1:  Cut felt into two squares.  Sew together leaving a space to stuff pillow.  After stuffing, sew hole closed.
Steps 2-3: Trace large shamrock shape onto a piece of tissue paper & pin to top of pillow.  Using the green embroidery thread, do a running stitch around the outline.  After going all the way around the design, remove the tissue paper.

                                                      4.                                                                 5.                                                                 6.

Step 4:  Continue stitching around the shamrock shape with a running stitch between the stitches of the previous round.  I suppose you can also use a backstitch to begin with but I'm a new-be at embroidery.  So use whatever stitch you're comfortable with.
Step 5:  Using one of the felt scraps sew a handle on the back of your pillow.  Trace the small shamrock and initials onto tissue paper and pin to the handle.  Stitch the designs just as you did for the large shamrock.

Step 6:  Cut a length of ribbon (enough to make a pretty bow around the rings).  Make a couple stitches through the middle of the shamrock.  Pull them tight to make a little dip.  Sew on the ribbon.

Ta Da!!!!

Step 7:  Step back and admire your awesome craftiness!

There we go! I'm super proud of myself for making this!  It's so cute and so me ^.^ Now I just have to settle on how I want the flower girl basket to look... :)

Gallivanting Files: Diverse Word Poetry Slam

Hi there :)

Tuesday night I did something I haven't done in QUITE some time.  I went to a poetry slam with my roommate and one of her friends :)

Now I must say it started off slow and a bit... meh... but then it picked up and the poets were really awesome.  I kept feeling myself getting giddy and wanting to get up and perform something.  My mind kept flashing back to the days when I was a regular fixture on any available poetry stage.  I always participated in cyphers and could be found writing poem after poem in notebooks, on class notes, my hands, anything.  Poetry was such a huge part of my life, but for some reason a few years after graduating college, I just stopped.

You know when you were really known for something when years and years later people are still asking "Do you still write?" or saying "You should start writing again." 

The clencher for the whole evening for me was the last poet.  He was like 20 years old which made me remember being his age and totally submerged in poetry.  I could see how much his poems moved through him and how he got into them.  I miss that.  His last poem was about using your talents even when you don't feel like it.  It was along the lines of use it before you lose it.  I totally felt like he was preaching directly to me... Needless to say, I want get back into writing again.  I miss having that passion/outlet in my life.

Soo... don't be confused if I start posting random poems on here, K ^.^

Music of the Moment

Just a little ditty that reminds me of mah booski :)

I love this song. I want it played during my reception, but I really think I'll be the only one jamming to it. *shrug* Meh! Whateva... I'm the bride! lol

The Recent Craftiness of the Ghost of Apt 203

Greetings from your friendly blogiverse ghost-girl!  It seems that I've been a rather crappy writer here of late and I really want to change that.  Matter of fact, I want to change a lot of things...  But first I'll start with actually writing a post.  Baby steps right?

Anywho, a few days ago, during a particularly slow couple of hours at work, my coworker and I got to talking about what sort of things I crochet.  She asked if I'd ever made one of those crochet crowns that people use as baby props or anything like that.  I told her I hadn't, but of course it got my wheels a-spinnin' on what type of things I could make to use as photo props at work. 

Pinterest to the rescue!

I started browsing pinterest to get an idea of the kinds of handmade things people are using in photos and came up with various forms of garlands, crowns, cute hats with animal or sports themes, and umpteen photo-booth themed props.  Oh and LOTS of mustaches... While looking, I made a little list of things that I am most likely to be able to sit down and crochet without needing to buy new supplies or perform some super involved fancy stitches.  The list consisted of: Valentine's heart garland, child-size cupid wings, crowns, bunny ear hats for easter, sports-themed hats, and possibly a child sized fedora (tho I'm still debating that last one...)

After making the list and sharing it with my coworker to see if they were things she'd actually use, I set about mentally inventorying supplies.  I did have to purchase bulky red yarn, but that's it. Everything else came from my existing yarn stash, so my work project also acted as a stash busting project. Hurray for a two-fer!!  When I got home, I turned on a movie, got comfortable on my bed, and got started making big red hearts.  When I connected them together, I felt like the ends of the garland were missing something... so I added pom-poms... everything's better with a pom-pom on it right?!

With the garland finished and pinned up on my wall (looking mighty valentine-y I might add) I moved on to the crowns.  I used BobWilson123's video on youtube for the pattern.  It's simple enough so once I take the time to learn some other trim stitches, I'll be able to modify the look of the crowns.  But I made 3 basic crowns in white, pink, & blue.  And then, because I was feeling fancy and wanted the crowns to be REALLY nice, I hand washed them and blocked them!  Watch out now! I never block anything, lol. I'm actually glad I did because it really defined the points.

See my fancy-pants blocking skills

The last thing I made during my photo prop crafting spree was not crocheted.  While browsing on pinterest I came across a valentine themed picture where the child was holding a jar of colorful candy.  I thought how cute and simple it was, so I decided upon recreating it.  I got a mason jar with a cork lid from the thrift store, a couple of bags of dollar store candy and a roll of valentine ribbon. Here's the finished product.  Very appropriate and when the holiday's over, the studio has a candy stash ^.^

That's it for my recent craftings.  I going to really put in effort to write more regularly on here.  I feel like the spirit of this blog might change tho.  Not hugely, but a bit... But then it's not like a change will really be noticed, so whatever! Onward and upward :)

Peace out!

Poem 2 of 100

Hey there ^.^

Yesterday there wasn't much to write about except work was pleasant.  I had some good sales and met some nice people.  Umm... what else... I'm sort of considering joining the Mood Blanket 2014 project, but not sure if I really want to do it yet.

During our lunch break, I told my coworker Erica about my 100 Days challenge, and she chose my prompt for the day.

Here is poem 2 of 100.
~~~~~
Form: Free Verse
Topic: Erica

I see her
full of laughter
and kindness
and honesty
and maybe a bit less tact
than preferred

She speaks loudly
smiles often
and humors my
quirks

I think
good coworkers are hard to find
I guess I should tell her
She's a blessing
~~~~~
I'm not sure how I'm going to post these poems...  should I post them everyday or wait til the end of the week and post then?  I feel like that will be easier and be less like poetry spam on the blog. We'll see :)  Oh and I'm super excited that I got a few prompts from Facebook which is cool.  It's nice to have my friends involved in this project.

I hope your Friday is starting off nicely.  Peace!

New Year, New Project

Happy New Year y'all!  I hope you brought in the year with the people you love.

Recently Lamar & I read an article about quantity being a better route to better quality (article HERE) which lead us to a page about learning something or practicing something for 100 days (check it out HERE).  He suggested I write a poem a day as my 100 day challenge.  And I, being ever the lover of poetic forms, added that to the mix.  So my challenge is to write a poem, every day, for the next 100 days, in one of 14 forms on any topic.  I'm excited and nervous because I haven't written in soooo long that it's like getting back in touch with an old friend that you let things fall off with... you know??

Anywho, today Lamar chose form #7-Kyrielle and told me to write about loving a sports fan. 

Kyrielle: A French form of rhyming poetry written in quatrains (a stanza consisting of 4 lines), and each quatrain contains a repeating line or phrase as a refrain (usually appearing as the last line of each stanza). Each line within the poem consists of only eight syllables. There is no limit to the amount of stanzas a Kyrielle may have, but three is considered the accepted minimum. (from ShadowPoetry) 

So here is poem 1 of 100. 

~~~~~
-Untitled-
Basketball, football, volleyball
Sacks, passes, trying not to fall
These things are the music at hand
When you really love a sports fan

He coaches teams and watches games
And wants you to come cheer his name
You go tho may misunderstand
When you really love a sports fan

Eventually you'll learn the rules
And be crocheting at the schools
Yelling at the refs from the stands
When you really love a sports fan
~~~~~
What would you do as a 100 days 100 things project?  Also, give me a number 1-14 & a topic for a future poem. That would be cool.

Thankfulness: Christmas Day

Merry day after Christmas aka First Day of Kwanzaa: Umoja (Unity)!!!!

Yesterday was a really nice and relaxed Christmas.  I spent the day hanging out with Lamar and his family.  We watched a few movies and the boys played catch in the back yard.  See... chilled to the max. (Yep... I just thought and wrote that. >.< )

The biggest impact this Christmas had on me was an increased value of family.  I loved watching everyone enjoying the company and just being together.  We sang carols and played games and of course opened gifts.  Lamar's family does this thing where they put gifts inside boxes that don't fit the gift.  So you never know what's in them.  I really like that because there's always genuine surprise at whatever is actually there.  Which is very cool.  At one point, I started crying because I missed my family so much.  But Lamar, being ever the sweet-talker, reminded me that I'm gaining a whole new family and they love me already *.* I'm glad to be blessed to have been accepted into Lamar's family and he into mine.  It really means a lot.   Family is everything.

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas! Much love to you!

Christmas cuddles with Lamar & Kiva.  Toot was under the bed like a grimlin ^.^

Reading: Wonder by R.J. Palacio

So... back in January, I decided to actually make a few goals for 2013.  One of which was to read 15 books.  Needless to say, I pretty much failed miserably at that particular goal, but I did finish more books that I would have without that thought in the back of my head.

The book I just recently finished, and thoroughly enjoyed, was Wonder by R.J. Palacio.  As I read it, I couldn't help but draw similarities to The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky.  Anyway, Wonder is about a 5th grader named August who was born with a facial deformity.  The story follows him as he goes from homeschooling to mainstream school for middle school.  It deals with making friends, bullying, and feelings about being different... (different being an understatement).

As I got further into the story, I couldn't help but to think about my future children and their possible experiences in school.  I also reflected on my own.  Luckily, I wasn't bullied, but being a pastor's kid, I was regularly the 'new kid' and that is not fun.  Especially when you come in the middle of a school year.

Anywho, at the end of the book, there is an awards ceremony and this particular quote touched me.  I mean really... I cried.   It made me feel like... "this needs to be printed out and passed out as pamphlets or hung on the wall.  So here it is.  I hope it resonates with you as well. :)

Better luck next year for that reading goal! ^.^

Not So Blue Monday #26: Regenerative

Working in the photo studio during the holidays has started wearing me down.  Now I'm not complaining about the hours or anything because the pay is better, but the longer I'm there, the more people are getting on my nerves.

I'm SO TIRED of parents telling their kids that they're ugly in pictures!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Why is this normal behavior guys!?

Anywho, today was one of those days when I literally couldn't focus in on my thoughts.  My mind was super fuzzy and I'm not entirely sure why.  "Luckily" enough for me, we had some no-shows and I was able to leave early.  It was nice to have a surprise afternoon off.

Provided... I def slept it away.  *shrug*

After my much needed and regenerative nap, I went to the library to get some movies and stopped by the Goodwill.  While there I found a red sweater that I'll be DIYing into my "ugly Christmas sweater" and I also found an awesome pair of boots!  Too bad I can't wear them to work -_-

So yeah, today ended up a good day.  Ended up relaxing.  Ended up finishing the laundry. 

Peace & goodnight ^.^

Finally I'm Finished #4: Black Friday = Done-zo!

So this has been one of the LONGEST work weeks yet!  My eyes, shoulders, arms, thighs, knees, and feet are so tired it's ridiculous. But I'm thankful for this job I enjoy and a good work environment despite the craziness :)

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving, by the way ^.^  I spent mine with Lamar and his family.  He cooked and I baked a pound cake.  Then family came over and we ate while watching random recorded TV shows.  It was a good evening.  Kiva sat quietly begging the whole time and Toot stayed under the bed.

This was Kiva's begging pose. 

Anywho, this week I've been doing more crocheting.  I've found that doing something quiet and focused like crochet during my lunch and after I get off helps me counteract the loud extroverted persona I have to have in the studio. That being said, I finished two "elf" hats.  One is red/white and the other is green/white.  I wore the red one to work today and it was pretty cool.  I felt super fancy. :)

The green hat looks just like this one.

Welp, that's all for tonight.  Have a good weekend!

Thankfulness: Whoa! Christmas in Walmart

Just a little Instagram video for ya!

>____<

I'm thankful to have made it all the way through 2013 to the beginning of another "Christmas season"... even though it's not yet Thanksgiving. :)  I hope this little video makes you smile ^.^

*EDIT* I guess mozilla doesnt like allowing instagram videos to post. BOO!  If you want, it's up on my feed. My IG name is @nadiratani :)

WIP Wednesday: Cherry Red

'Ello there :)

I feel like it's been a while since I posted... Woo... it's been exactly a week o.O  My bad.  So here we are back at WIP Wednesday. I finished the top-down ribbed hat from last week, but as it turns out, I like the bottom-up version better. *shrug*  Things you don't find out til you try.

Anywho, I'm on to the next project.  Since this past Monday was veteran's day, lots of stores had special sales and coupons out. So I stopped by Michaels and Joann's for a few crafty bits.  I have recently started using the Vanna's choice worsted weight yarn and I love the cushiness of it.  What I do not love is the price.  It normally runs about $4 per ball.. which I cannot abide and neither can my wallet...  lucky me I recently thrifted a couple new balls to add to my stash.  But anyway, Michaels had them on sale for $2.29 and on top of that I had a 25% off total purchase coupon. I picked up 2 red and 2 yellow and with the 25% off it was pretty much buy 3 get 1 free :) I'll take it.  Then I went over to Joann's armed with 3 60% off coupons and got 3 balls of bulky weight yarn. Stash upgraded.

The first yarn I cracked into was the red Vanna's Choice.  I wanted to make a bow detailed ear warmer... (I'm in this ear warmer making phase evidently... *shrug*) So that is my current WIP. I finished the pieces for the bow detail today, but I decided it was scaled too large.  And like the grand blogger I am, I've forgotten to take pictures... >insert epic eyeroll here< 

Please forgive the shatty camera phone snapshot, but I wanted to show the scale issue.

That little band in the back is the beginning of the headband part, so you can see the gross scale difference between the bow.  Yeah... That bow is getting frogged asap...  I am loving the yarn tho. Glad I snagged it ^.^

Good night!