Blanket Stitch

My Cousin just found out that they are having a girl! I was really excited to get something together to take to her when we visit her on Halloween.  I found some fabric at Joann's-- It was precut and discounted.  It wasnt that big of a piece, but babies start out small right?  Well, i didnt want to make it a "no-sew" blanket because I didnt want to lose too much of the blanket with the fringe.  So, I found a wonderful tutorial at futuregirl that has very clear and concise step by step pictures.  Here are two of her great close-ups:

My stitches didn't turn out as clean, but it was my first try! I had some hot pink embroidery floss already on hand so this blanket cost me $4 to make. Im excited to see her tomorrow and give it to her!

Have a wonderful day and Happy Halloween!

Swagbucks ShoutOut

I recently joined Swagbucks.  What is it?  Its a search engine that rewards you swagbucks.  You can earn swagbucks all kinds of ways-- my favorite is when Im searching for something and a little swag dollar is just presented to me on my screen. Its fun.  Well, in the past couple of months that I have had it, I have earned enough swag dollars to redeem them for $10 amazon gift cards (where I bought my mod podge) and tomorrow I am going to have enough to get a  $5 amazon gift card (to go towards the payment of That 70s show season 8).  Im excited because you can use it as your regular search engine (I use it at work-- if I had it at home maybe I would earn more swag faster).  Well, Check it out HERE and I would get credit as you as a referral. Its nice to get referrals because some of the swag dollars they earn, you earn too!   Who doesnt love earning free stuff? And this is so easy!  Well, hopefully you check it out and then spread the word to others so you can get some referrals too!  Have a swag-tastic day!

Recipes

Well,  I dont have much free time at the moment, but I was hoping I could get some help.  I am trying to find a recipe but Im not quite sure what to look for.  It is a chocolate covered cherry treat but not exactly.  You chop up a jar of maraschino cherries into small pieces, add powdered sugar (I dont know how much), mix it together and form a ball, and then cover in chocolate. They are really good. I just wish I knew the exact recipe! If anyone knows what I am talking about, or if your family has a similar recipe, please let me know! I have been looking through my cookbooks for this and I cant seem to find it!

Sorry for the lack of blogging

Between Jury Duty and being sick (oh, and getting to work at 6:30 so I can get two hours paid each day before jury duty starts), I havent had much time to do anything, let along think.  So, I have been trying to relax.  The first thing is with my swagbucks, I bought a $10 Amazon e-gift card. So, I bought myself a 16 oz bottle of Mod Podge for less than $5! woot! 

Second, I found my Knifty Knitter Loom. Now I can work on the scarf Ive been working on since winter (last winter-- if thats what you can call what that one season between summer and summer here in LA). 
The last thing I have been working on is some pictures for an activity book Im going to be putting together for Jesse's birthday.  So, Here is Jesse's coloring page.  And soon, I will be posting the invitations I sent out. They turned out great and I have gotten some great compliments!

Fab Friday Newz

Today is fab friday newz. I am not feeling overly excited because I have jury duty. Jury duty isnt that bad. Its the not getting paid, your husband being unemployed, not knowing how long this is going to last, and only have two diapers left that is bad. Oh my, only two diapers. Oh wait, I forgot-- the good city of Los Angeles will pay me $15... a DAY to be on a jury. man this stinks.

Onto better news. The good news. First, my birthday is coming up and Ive asked my husband to make tacos and he said he would!

Also, my Apa (dad) is going to visit my sister. I am so excited for her. and jealous that my dad will be able to meet the newest addition to our family. Since my sister lives so far away, I havent met my new nephew yet, but I will one day. :) I miss you!

And the best fab friday newz-- Jesse is adorable. LOL. that's it. I encourage everyone to join and just right a short post about some fab friday newz. Look at the good things in life! Click on the button above to find The Nueff and Mr. Linky.

Have a great day,

Etsy

Check out what Ive added to my etsy.  I figured out how to post my pictures better.  The first is a really cute bee charm for a cell phone or to put on your key ring.  The second are some baby burp cloths!  Thanks! :)

Birthday Party

Still working on his party. :) I think I am officially obsessing over this!I was hoping I could get some input.  I am having the extended family over. Lots of them.  There will be about 15 or 16 kids there, if they all show up. Ages range from newborn to 9 years old.  I am having a couple of games and I'm thinking of having some prizes for the games (baseball bean bag toss; pin the ball on the outfield...) What would be something easy as a prize that any age kid could like?  I haven't decided to buy it or to make it. 

Also, Im going to have little goodie bags.  Jesse is going to go trick or treating and we are going to put his candy in the goodie bags (what I decide not to keep ;D).  Im thinking of maybe bubbles, a pencil (I always got one when I was a kid).  What are other things that go into goodie bags? Its been a while since Ive gotten one, and Ive never given one.  Thanks for all of your help and hopefully I get some good ideas!

Photoshop Tutorial - B&W, with color pop

There are a couple of things I can do in Photoshop, and that's about it.  This is one of my favorites.  I especially love wedding pictures. I like to either highlight the couple, or the wedding colors (like the bouquet).  So, here is a short tutorial and some pictures and let's see how this goes!

First: select a photo.  I choose this one because it has loud color, and it will be easy to do.

Then you need to save as. You don't want to get rid of the original just in case you don't like how it turns out, or if you mess up and want to start over.  So, Save as... then this screen will pop up, and Press OK.

After we have saved our picture (name it whatever you want) then you can start the process. First, we want to take all the color out. You want to do this by Desaturation. 

Images - Adjustments - DeSaturation

Once we have it in black and white, we can choose what we want to bring back to color.

You need to find the history tool brush. I dont know if all versions allow it, but CS3 will let you press Y and it will automatically bring up the history tool brush.

You will need to resize the history tool brush depending on the size of the picture.  You will also need to resize it while you are using it just in case you want to get into smaller spots and need a smaller brush.

Once you have done this, you can start using your brush.  What you are doing is bringing about the history; you are removing the desaturation from the picture so that you can see the color layer.

You just hold the mouse and drag it around wherever you want to rbing it about. But dont do too big of strokes, because whatever you do with all one mousestroke, has to be undone all at the same time.

If you make a mistake, undo it (or press ctrl +  z) and it will undo everything that you have done since you have been holding down the mouse (make sense or no? Just try it!)

To get close up so you can do the edges, you will need to zoom in (view - zoom in or ctrl + +)

Then, you complete by coloring in all that you want to be colored. 

or, you can start over and do something else:

Just save it and voila! You have a black and white photo with a color pop.  Let me know if you like this tutorial and if you tried it out. I'd like to see some pictures.

Check out Tip Junkie for Talk to Me Tuesday!

Almost forgot

I almsot forgot the best fab friday news!

The Dodgers are doing well. They are 2-0 in their series. Hoping they do well (not to offend any other teams :D) but I really want them to win the World Series.  *sigh*

Today is Friday! That is the first part of my news! The second part is we are going to a wedding reception tonight. I love weddings. How lovely!  I am really excited and I think Im going to take my camera along and see if I get some good pictures. :D

I am working (slowly) on compiling a list of 101 goals. I read on a fellow blogger's site about the 101 in 1001 project. Complete 101 goals in 1001 days (about 2.75 years) and so my sister and I have decided to do it. Now just to come up with the list!!!

Okay, that is all for today. I hope everyone has a fabulous friday and write down your news! Click the button up to and it will send you to The Neuff and you can add your news to the list!  Ciao!

SuperHero

Hey Everyone! There is something you have to check out!  I love reading other people's blogs because, well because I am addicted to it. So I think you should all check out Get Your Craft On  today because she has a tutorial to make a cape and accessories. I have a pattern I have been wanting to make, but my little one is still to small (11 months-- I think he'd trip over a cape LOL).  but this is a great tutorial with awesome pictures. She even made a two sided superman and spidey cape.   So, Check it out and let her know what you think about her awesome tutorial!

Easy Trail Mix

I love nuts.  A while ago, I bought a big tub of party peanuts. You know the size.  Then I ate some and the rest sat on the shelf.  After seeing them just sit there, I had an idea. Why not make a great and easy trail mix.

I used my tub of peanuts
1/2 box of california raisins
1 medium bag of m&m's.

I mixed all together and then stored in sandwich sized zippies so they will stay fresh.  I couldnt wait to take some to work tomorrow and I already ate half a bag tonight! 

So Easy and SO Good! I love trail mix so this was nice.

Etsy-- Eek!

b



Remember when I said I was working on some cup sleeves? Well, I finished them. 




One of them is a bit caddy-wampus and I don't think I will be putting it in my shop. But the rest of them turned out quite nice. 




So, I have finally started my etsy shop. U I think I am still terrified of the whole thing. It's all new to me. But, I think it is good that I venture out.



So, check it out. It’s over there in the left side bar. R Okay everyone, have a wonderful day! Its tuesday! Ü

Frayed Flower Tutorial

Okay being that this is my very first tutorial, you will have to (please) bear with me!! You will need some coordinating (or not) fabric scraps, needle, thread, hot glue and a button cover set, (sorry I don't have a pic!! Its kind of like this one, but I got mine in the craft section at wal-mart.) I think thats it...

Okay, step 1: find some scraps, cut one about 1.5 inches x 12 inches. Cut the other 1 inch x 12 inches.

Layer the 1x12 on top of the 1.5x12, lining the bottom sides up.

Using your needle and thread, sew a running stitch along the entire bottom edge.

Bunch the fabric all up

Make sure your flower is as bunched up as you want it. Being careful not to let the thread slack, hold the two short sides right sides together and sew together using a backstitch.

Lay it down and admire your work so far:)

Cover a button and glue it to the center.

Cut out a circular piece of felt and glue it onto the back.

Attach an alligator clip, hair pin, brooch, etc... I used an alligator clip, its lined with cabinet lining to give the clip a no-slip grip.

See? Piece o' cake!! Clip it on to your precious girlie's head and take pride in your craftiness.

I'm happy to answer any questions! OH, and let me know if I missed a step:)!! Not feeling too crafty?? You can buy one in my Etsy shop. Have a grrreeeaat day!!