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Crafting, birds, painting…but not necessarily in that order

Posted by :bcjen On : November 6, 2012
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I can’t believe I haven’t posted since September.  Geesh, what a slacker!!!  I blame Than.

He’s not around to read that so it’s ok.

Where oh where have I been you ask?  Well, even if you haven’t asked I’m going to tell you.  I’ve been homeschooling Than, taking care of our 2 new family members (the cockatiels, Izzy & Sky), attempting small crafts here and there and painting like I knew what I was doing.

That’s pretty much my entire life.  Ok, that and getting diagnosed with 2 new diseases and a new “syndrome”.  (sigh)  It’s always an adventure being me.  You wonder why I’m so weird.  I know you do.  It’s ok.  I accept the weirdness.  I EMBRACE it, actually.  Gotta laugh so I don’t cry or some other maudlin Hallmark saying.  I miss this blog.  Why did you, dear reader, make me stay away?  It’s your fault as well as Than’s.  Heck I’ll even blame Big Daddy as he NEVER reads this site.  He’s an anti-crafter.  Plus he doesn’t want to know what deep, dark family secrets I’m sharing on the web.

So first off, here’s Izzy & Sky’s YouTube page (it’s also Than’s YouTube page that he makes of his different plush toys doing goofy things that only a 9 year old boy would get).  He has fun doing it so I say, “film away!”.  If you want to just see the Izzy & Sky stuff you can search the videos on our channel using the words “Izzy & Sky”.

Then, of course, I had to come up with an Izzy & Sky FaceBook page.  I would SO love if you, invisible internet friends, would check it out and “Like” it.  You never have to go back there ever again, but a “Like” would make me so happy.  It might make me feel better about my horrible crafting skills if you just take pity on me and “Like” the Izzy & Sky page.  No guilt here, nope, none at all (doing the Scooby Doo hurt paw thing…you just have to imagine me doing it to get the idea).

Here are some pics of the birds for your viewing pleasure.  Or just because you have to since you’re already on my blog.  Either way…LOOK AT THEM!  LOOK!  LOOK! SEE?  SEE THEM?

Izzy’s the white-faced boy and Sky’s got the orange cheeks.  We LOVE them.  I won’t go into much about them as that’s why I provided why the links to their YouTube channel and the FB site.

Also I’ve been painting a bit.  Here’s some pics of those (and yes, as in my crafts, I find things on Google and paint my versions of them.  If something I’ve done looks like something of yours, take it as a compliment.  And know that I do NOT sell the things that are taken from an idea I saw on the web.  I give those away. LOL)

   

This next one was commissioned by a friend for a dear friend of hers who is fighting a battle against the evil monster cancer.  I was so blessed to be able to do this one:

I did this one for our dear friends little girl who has a Hello Kitty bedroom.  I still need to get my butt over there and give it to her!  I did it earlier in like July and still haven’t taken it over (that slacker thing again):

I also started making neck pillows for family members.  Ok so I’ve only made one for me and Than so far, but I fully intend to make one for my mom and anyone else who can provide the material and not care that I’m a crappy sewer.

This one is mine:

And this is Than’s:

  Yes the are intentionally shaped like this because for some reason it doesn’t hurt where my syrinx is (cervical spinal cord – that’s neck, not cervix. ROFL)

Here’s one of Big Daddy’s bday presents: (he’s a HUGE Raider fan)

I have another painting (my first big one) around here.  Hmmm (rummages around brain, computer, etc to find it):

Ah!  Here it is!

I figure that’s enough of the picturepalooza.  And hey, I’ll try not to let another zillion.5 months go by before sharing the weirdness that is me.

 

Me? A Crafter who actually SOLD STUFF?

Posted by :bcjen On : July 10, 2012
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So yeah, the craft fair that I was a part of was ok.  I made about $120.00.  I have a ton of tooth fairy pillows left.  Tomorrow I’ll be snapping pics and putting them up on my Etsy shop.  I still can’t believe people bought my stuff.  It’s hysterically funny to me.

In one of those, “Oh crap I hope they don’t get home and take a closer look at what they bought!”

Then Rational Jen swoops in, ‘Hey, they only paid $5.00 for it, it’s not like they were expecting Martha Stewart.  You even handed out cards to this website and it’s named “BADLYCRAFTED.  Think on that one Stoopy Jen.”

Stoopy Jen is sitting here, mouth hanging open with a vacant look on her/my face.  It’s how I roll lately.

Seriously, a few days ago I was sitting up in bed (G was over at his computer in our room and Than was in his own room asleep), playing “Draw Something” on my Kindle Fire.  Next thing I know I’m jerking myself awake as I’m about to tip over.  Yes, I fell asleep sitting up with the KF on my lap, stylus in hand and I was DROOLING.

DROOLING?  Yeah, yeah, tmi.  But it’s me and it’s this blog so there’s never really such a thing as “tmi” here.  We’re all friends, right? ;)

I mistakenly told G, ‘OMGOSH George, first…I just fell asleep sitting up, and then I almost fell off the bed!!”  He replied, “Did you know you were drooling, too?”

Me:  “Isn’t that something you should wake me up for?  I mean dang, at least push my forehead back so I fall straight back on my pillow and sleep.

G:  “As if you ever fell in a straight line in your entire life.”

He has a point.  But don’t tell him I said that.

 

I’ve been starting/finishing projects lately but mostly just starting projects.  I actually did crochet a baby blanket for a friend who had a sweet baby girl a few weeks back.  Here’s a pic of that:

It’s pretty, girlie and soft, soft, soft!  I’m actually happy with this one.  That’s a record of 1 in a row.

I also did a project I found on Pinterest.  You take Elmer’s glue and food coloring and paint it on glass.  It goes on really thick and gooey, but when it dries it’s cool looking:

Start to finish:

       

No I have no idea about measurements as I don’t measure.  Yes I didn’t mix really well and have streaky red bits in it.  And yes even though close up it’s not perfect, I’m still perfectly happy with it.  Just know if you paint it on really thick it’s going to slide down the sides into a big pile of goo.  I ended up turning it upside down in my kitchen sink – easier clean up that way.

I’m also starting signage for a local charity. I don’t have any pics of that yet.  I’ll put it up when I get ‘em.

On the home front, Than the Man and I are searching to buy a baby cockatiel.  G’s just letting us run wild on this.  We have a budget of zero dollars and zero cents.  (sigh)  Trying to work bartering out but not sure how that’ll go.  Doesn’t hurt to ask, eh?  We found that some of our favorite people from a pet shop that closed last year started up a new shop in Mesa.  The new shop is AWESOME.  Clean place, pet habitats are clean and the pets are extremely well cared for.  We can afford the pet once it’s in the house – it’s that start up costs that are crazy.  “WE” are learning “fiscal responsibility”.  By “WE” I mean Than.

The only problem with this is that he talks about nothing else and doesn’t stop talking.  All.day.long.  “Hi, cockatiel Mommy, cockatiel.  How cockatiel did cockatiel you cockatiel sleep cockatiel?

Mr. SubliminalFail, thy name is Than.

;)

 

Project: Angry “little” birds?????

Posted by :bcjen On : August 15, 2011
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Than’s bird obsession continues.  Where does he get the obsessive personality from?  I wonder…..

 

Where was I?

Oh… yeah, so anyway I made a couple more birds late last night and Than decided he wanted them to pose with his new Angry Bird plush.  We don’t call them “stuffed animals” around here. Than has to use the term “plush” when referring to his stuffed animals.  Don’t know why, don’t care.

See the pink one?  It is absolutely the BEST sewing job I’ve ever done.  I actually patted myself on the back for that one.  I tried to share my excitement with Than and G at how well I sewed it.  G just stared at me and then went back to watch Food Network and Than just smiled and nodded.  Those reactions could have been interchangeable except you’d have to change Food Network for Nickelodeon.

We are leaving on Friday morning (early!) for a long weekend in Southern California.  I.can’t.wait.  So excited to see our Cali family.  I LOVE them.  Than gets to hang out with his boy cousins.  He calls himself and them “The 4 Amigos”.   They are actually the kids of G’s cousins, so technically they’d be like Thans…3rd cousin?  I don’t know.  Don’t care, they’re family and we love them to pieces.

I’m just happy to see the ocean and stand on the beach, see family I absolutely love with all of my heart and visit with friends that we miss!

Taking drawing stuff and maybe “some” felt stuff to make birds for the drive (it’s a 6 hour drive).  Or I may just load up my phone with music, pop in some ear buds and sleep the entire way.  I’m not sure yet.

Project: Tropical Bird #1 FINISHED!

Posted by :bcjen On : August 12, 2011
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I can only stand to have one unfinished project at any given time (and that honor goes to BATCAT ).  It’s starting to become obvious that BatCat will never be completed.

So, before I allowed myself to make more tiny little felt birds, I had to finish the first tropical bird.

 

He looks NOTHING like the drawing I started (which, I constantly remind you, was far to complicated for me):

The completed project looks like a cross between a puffin and a dodo bird. It looks nothing like the drawing or any tropical bird currently alive in the world today.

That’s what ambition gets ya folks…crushed dreams and an ugly felt bird.

Than likes it, though.  He’s currently flying it around the living room while singing the opening song to the movie, “Rio”.  Then he took it over to the globe on the school/craft table and pointed to Brazil and told it, “That’s where you come from!”  Now he’s making it point to Rio and I have to watch as it points to Rio.

Sadly, the bird is giving me the evil eye.  It’s like it’s saying, “You’re a terrible crafter and a bad mom.  You are making your poor, sweet, innocent child think that a bird that looks like me ever existed.  Shame on you badcrafter…shame on you.”

So I reply, “Hey badlycrafted bird, I have a match and some lighter fluid.  I’m not afraid to use them.”

And then the bird replies, “Just kidding, just kidding.  Wow have I told you how pretty you look today?  And just look at how well these stitches you made are!  And my colors!  Gorgeous I tell you!”

And  I just look at it and nod.

Don’t jack with me, badlycrafted felt bird..don’t jack with me.

Project: Tiny Little Felt birds

Posted by :bcjen On : August 11, 2011
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I still haven’t picked yesterdays tropical bird back up as Than wanted tiny little birds.  I’m all about something easy.  So here we go:  Little Easy Birds.

I’m fairly certain the pictures are self explanatory and as I’m really, really tired we’re gonna go with that. The eyes are just drawn on with a black Sharpie pen.

First up, the little guy we’re going for:

                   

I think I’m going to make a whole bunch of these little guys (plus other types of animals) and sell them at next years Used Curriculum Book Fair.

PS. Its the next day and I’m a little more awake.

TIP O’THE DAY:

I had mentioned that I was nearly out of the stuff to “stuff” things with.  New “stuff” was between $3.50-$5.00 and I just didn’t have that to spend on stuffing.  However, I did need cotton balls.  And since these guys are tiny, I used shredded up cotton balls to stuff them with.  Cotton balls would work for small projects, but wouldn’t be cost effective for big ones. The entire bag o’ balls was $1.58.  BARGAIN.

Project: Papier Mache Birds Nest, part 1

Posted by :bcjen On : August 10, 2011
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Alrighty then…apparently 1 craft project a day is not enough.  The obsession just gets worse.  On my deathbed I imagine my conversation with the Lord will go something like this (and know that I love the Lord with all my heart and I’m not being disrespectful, just attempting humor):

“Lord, I don’t think I’m ready yet, I need to finish that BatCat project I started 20 years ago.”

“Lord,  I have to wait til the paint dries so I can add a top coat.  Than and George will forget to do that and then that project will be ruined.”

“Lord, I sewed my hospital gown and project to each other and then to the bed.  Do you have a Heavenly Seam Ripper by chance?”

*************************

Previously I mentioned that I was going to make a birds nest for this bird madness that Than is going through right now.  You know, the whole obsession that will end the minute I finish the last bird-related project.  I’ll have put hours and days into these and 5 seconds after I finally finish he’ll say, “Mommy I’m done with birds, can you make me a dinosaur rocket?”

So I grabbed one of the washed out milk jugs I’d been saving on the craft table and cut out a hole.  Then I taped the edges so it wouldn’t be sharp and cut his hands.  I didn’t have masking tape, so I used duct tape (or is it duck tape? I have no idea).  Then I went searching for a better papier mache paste recipe.  I didn’t feel like doing one of those “cook it on the stove” messes.

I found a great site!  This lady is a master at papier mache and she gives great info.  I used her RAW papier mache paste recipe.  I fully intend to start using her new papier mache clay that she came up with. But not today.  Today I went old school with her raw recipe:  flour, water. stir.  Seriously.  That’s it.  Make it the consistency of pancake batter.  I read somewhere (not on her site) to add salt so that your paste doesn’t mold so I did that, too.  Here’s her site to get the reasoning behind her recipes, etc.:

ULTIMATE PAPER MACHE

WARNING:  AND I MEAN PAY ATTENTION.  I WOULDN’T WRITE THIS IN OBNOXIOUS CAPS AND BOLD IF THIS WASN’T IMPORTANT!  SEND ME MONEY…wait..that’s not what I wanted to say… OK HERE GOES:

KIDS DO NOT TRY TO CUT  THIS ON YOUR OWN. DO NOT USE A SHARP KNIFE ON YOUR OWN.  LET A RESPONSIBLE ADULT DO THE CUTTING.

We didn’t have a responsible adult handy, so I did it.  And I didn’t cut myself.  Than knows he’s not allowed to mess with sharp knives and since it was a difficult (for him) kind of cutting, he was not allowed to do it.

We are currently letting this first layer dry.  Overnight.  Or longer.  I’ll explain after I put up the pictures:

     

Listen, papier mache is messy.  There is no getting around that.  And your kid is going to be covered in the madness more than the strips of paper he/she is trying to put on the object.  Let them get messy.  GENTLY remind them that they aren’t the project, but the artist.  It’s ok that it’s not perfectly flat against the surface.  If you are doing crafts with your kids, let them create the way they want to.  If they ask for help, help them.  But don’t try to take over for them.

Or if you’re me, be prepared to be covered in the paste just because you’re a clutz.

Project: Tropical Bird #1 Progress Update

Posted by :bcjen On : August 10, 2011
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Ok, so I swear I’m working on the 1st dang bird.  It’s taking forever.  Why?  Because I got complicated in the drawing.  Geesh.  You’d think I’d learn a lesson.  Due to this being so complicated (in my opinion) I’m not going to do a how to.  We’d be here forever.  I’m just going to post pictures.  The next bird will be a “how to”.   Btw, I ended up changing up the darker green face part after I put it together because THAN decided he wanted the bird face on both sides.  I was planning on making this bird just one sided only, but Mr. “I don’t feel good and I really, really, really want it to have two sides, look at my puppydogeyesohsosadpitymeIampatheticsickysickyohsosadpleasepleaseplease” got his way.

Try fitting that on a check.  Or a business card.  I’ll take that Mom of the Year award in hot pink….

Wanna see what we have so far??

(this is me taking a break from sewing because right now I’m sick of sewing and want to do something else.)

                         

Ok so I also sewed the wings on each side but only sewed across the top.  Than wanted to be able to flap the wings.  Less sewing for me = a good thing!

Next up is the tricky sewing together of the separate pieces all while trying to figure out how to stuff as I go with almost no stuffing left.  Did I mention lately that I have an unwell child and my kidneys hate me?  That means no trip to Hobby Lobby to get some stuffing. LOL  We’ll have to see how this works out.

So anyway, that’s it for now.  I’ll finish sewing it (probably tonight) and then put up another post.  I have to go because I’m making a birds nest out of a milk jug for Than for the smaller birds that I’m apparently making later.

Bird drawings…and then felt birds

Posted by :bcjen On : August 8, 2011
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Ok so Than isn’t interested in papier mache today. (hey a rhyme!)  He wants me to make felt birds.  Of the small variety so he can play with them.  This is what happens when you buy the “Rio” dvd.

So he wanted me to draw bird pictures so he can pick out which ones he wants me to make:

He wants them ALL except for the Angry Bird one.  My guess is he’ll get maybe 3 out of the 6 remaining.  LOL  I’ll take pictures as I go along.