Catch that MONSTER!!!

WOW...it takes some time to round up 25 little monsters but I did it!!! All the bags are completed and ready to have the goodies placed inside. Chaz decided that he wanted each bag to have the same thing inside so no ones feelings got hurt because someone got something different than them. Ahhhhhh, isn't my little man just the sweetest. YES HE IS!!! ^_^

Here's what the kiddos will be getting on Valentine's Day from the Chazman. Each bag will have a "Heart POP ring"....a little tissue paper bag with 3 sweet tart candy hearts inside and a handmade friendship bracelet.  Chaz decided that he really liked three of the sayings the best so I made tags yesterday. The ones he picked for the bags were (1) Have a MONSTER of a day!! (2) I only have EYES for you!! and last but not least (3) You're so COOL it's Scary!! I think he picked out three good sayings. The friendship bracelet was one I thought about yesterday after Chaz and I talked about the bags on our walk to school yesterday and him saying that he wanted all the bags to have the same thing in them. As soon as I walked in the door, I immediately started making them. They got the Chazman stamp of approval when he got home from school yesterday. Soooo, that's what I will be doing for the next few days...I'm sure!!

Simple little bracelets using the macrame twisted square knot...some glass beads and finishing it off with a sliding square knot closure. The candy will be gone in seconds but this bracelet they can keep and remember their friend....the Chazman!!

Until next time...........Hugs,
Regi


Psssttt.....if you are my 5th person to comment on this post then I will make YOU a friendship bracelet. Of course it will be a bit more grown up. ^_^

Who loves paper bags? WE DO WE DO!!!

Thank goodness the Chazman headed off to school this morning. OK OK that's not entirely true....he drug his feet on our walk to school and said that he didn't want to go....wanted to stay home with me...not leave me all alone. HEY..it almost worked too but I know that after missing a week with that gnarly, nasty flu bug that he didn't need to miss anymore. The thought was ohhhh so sweet though...ya gotta admit!!!

Sorry I didn't post any this weekend. Hope YOU  had a good one!! We were trying to rest and recoup so we could be ready for this week.  The Chazman and I played several games of Farkle (with real dice and everything..hehe) and UNO. He and I love to play games even if he does seem to always beat me. I do mean always too!! While we were playing he asked if I would make something special for his classmates for Valentine's. Of course, he knew I would....all....twenty-five.....of....them!! HAHA   Our budget is a bit tiny this month so I started looking in our stash to see just what I had available. Here's my list of items I found to make some really awesome (Chazman's word) goodie bags.  PAPER BAGS, GOOGLIE EYES, CRAYONS, GEL PENS, WATERCOLOR PENCILS, YARN and TAGS and oh yeah....glittery hearts.  I drew some monsters on a piece of paper (that's what Chaz wanted) then after his approval I started putting them together. What fun!! He sat and played with his science kit goo and created (a BIG MESS) while I worked. I drew on all the bags first. WHEW...it took awhile too. Then I took one (of many) and started decorating it. Here's three of them. HEY...it takes time to do these peoples and I'm just hoping I can get them all finished by the 14th. *GULP*

I'm going to punch a small hole on the top left side of the bag and tie a tag with multicolored yarn to it. I have some cute sayings picked out that are of course Chazman approved. ^_^

Have a Wild Valentine's!!

I'm CRAZY about you!!

You're so COOL it's scary!!

I only have EYES for you!!

Hope it's a MONSTER of a Valentine's Day!!

I have been buying candy for over a month to use for Valentines and I'm so happy that Chaz wanted these paper MONSTER bags. (kiddos will love these much better than candy in a baggie..I hope)  I'm thinking of making some of my small paper boxes and putting some of the candy hearts with sayings on them inside them. Perhaps a trip to the Dollar Tree and buy some pencils to go inside too. I love making the Chazman happy and he loves making his classmates happy. It's going to be a HAPPY Valentine's for sure!!

Until next time............Hugs,

Regi, Chazman and the lil monsters!!!

"Party like a ROCK ....party like a ROCKSTAR"

WOW....I can...like totally.....so understand that phrase now.   I know you are probably in shock...go ahead...run around the desk holding your face and screaming "It can't be so...tell me it isn't so".  Of course, it isn't so.....SO you can sit back down and relax. What I mean by the phrase is that I pulled an all nighter and I haven't done that in many many many (whew) many many many many...ok..I think ya get the point....years!! It seems that cutting all the different pattern pieces and then sewing 25 penguins takes a tad bit more time than I thought.

I will have to take another pic of one of the penguins when the Chazman gets in from school. Either my camera or perhaps even myself was a tad bit out of focus and the pic didn't take. I didn't make them exactly like the original one I showed ya'll in my earlier post. I didn't make them a hat but I did make their scarves out of real wool. I didn't get a chance to add my faux snow flakes or glitter either. I LOVE to play embellish with my faux snow flakes and glitter. I really do....even if I end up somehow wearing more of it than I should..hehe. DON'T ask!!!!

I did manage to get a few shots of the "BOX". You remember the "BOX"...ri iight?? The one I painted for the mummies to be delivered in. You do remember the "Mummies"...ri iight?? (why am I suddenly feeling like I'm in a very old detective story?)  I took the same box...HA....I bet you thought I was going to type "BOX" again...didn't you?  OK I need coffee to.....snap out of it....as the Chazman would say. Like I was saying..I took the package, removed the mummy info and touched it up a bit.

Why is it that the pretty twinkles of our glitter don't show up in pics.....arrggggg!!  I guess I will have to just tell you what I'm talking about. Three of the corners I painted with white paint...to resemble snow of course. The package is coming from the North Pole. Once the paint was dry, I added a coating of Twinkles crystal glitter. HEY...I did get to play with some glitter but sadly not the kind that you can wear...ummmm...I mean the kind that accidently spills on you like faery dust. Wait...I said "Don't Ask"  ^_^  so I'm not telling..so pfft ....there. My, my...please forgive...the rockstar in me apparently can't ROCK it all night long anymore...I am apparently delirious from lack of sleep.

I found these really cute tags online. I love the North Pole mailing label with the "ELF INSPECTED and SANTA APPROVED" stamped on it. The four little stamps really added to the.........package (gotcha) but I almost panicked when I went to print them off and discovered that my colored ink cartridge was empty. No worries though....I came up with an idea to use them anyways. Yep...I can come up with ideas when I haven't pulled an all nighter. I did the printing BEFORE the party!! I printed them off using my black only cartridge and then water colored them with my water color pencils. Love my water color pencils!! It gave them a vintage look...don't ya think? The big Santa tag is one that is appearing everywhere it seems. I really love it and knew it would add to the ........parcel.......so I printed it off in black only and painted it.There again..my twinklie, sparklie coating is not showing up. I covered Santa's beard, hair and eyebrows with it and it really looks awesome...not the dull color showing in pic. Could be the photographer though!!!

 Chaz said he is bringing the box and the tag home this afternoon. The tag he is going to hang on the tree. I just love when my kiddo loves something that I have made. Ahhhhhhhhh....let me sit and relish in that feeling a moment. Nooo, better not...I might nod off ^_^

Until next time............Hugzzzzzzzzzzz

I SEE PENGUINS!!!!

25 Penguins to sew all the day

25 Penguins to sew

Finish one up

Toss it aside

24 Penguins to sew all the day

That's going to be my song for the day..ALL..THE..DAY..LONG!!! LOL  I so don't mind though because these Li'l guys are going to the Chazman's Christmas party at school on Friday. They are so simple to make and only take a few supplies. 

Supply List (if you want to make some yourself)

Felt (Black-orange-white-off white-Burgandy)

Black and White Thread

Black seed beads (for eyes)

Faux snow or glitter

Pin backing/Bobby pin/Hair clip/Embroidery thread

Pattern (feel free to borrow mine)

Body Cut 2

Face Cut 1

Beak Cut 2

Flipper Cut 2

Feet Cut 4

Medium YoYo

(for hat)

Small YoYo

(for snowball)

Scarf Cut 1

I think you can look at my already made penguin and see how to make it. I would do a tut but I just don't have the time....YIKES...these have to be done by Friday morning...on top of the other projects I have going on. Someone, remind me to start making all these wonderful gifts right after New Year's day..ppplease!!!

I can give you some tips though. I hand sew all of the penguin....they are small and it would just take to much time on the machine. Well...for me anyways ^_^  I use a blanket stitch on all the sewing. I'm sure most know what type of stitch this is but just in case.......

Of course on the YoYo hat and snowball you will just do a straight stitch and then gather it up and tie the ends together to form each one. I put a tiny bit of batting in both. Put a tiny bit of batting in the body too.

The face I just sew on when I sew the sead beads on for the eyes. On the beak you will cut two and sew just the tops together. I put two small straight stitches where the nostril holes would be. Why cut two of the beak you ask? It makes it look like the penguin has a real beak...hehe!! I also sew these on before I sew the body and stuff it. Just makes it easier.

I cut two of the feet (that would be four actually....two pieces for each foot so that penguin has 2 feet. Got it?) I don't stuff these but having the two pieces blanket stitched together just looks better. Gives it more strength so they will last. I sew these on after the body is stuffed and sewed.

Once you have penguin put together then you simply sew a flipper on each side....put a snowball in one flipper...his hat on his head and his scarf around his neck. I made the scarf for the above penguin out of a strip of felt but with the ones I'm currently working on I'm going to use an old sweater. Use your imagination..there are so many possibilities. I add faux snow flakes to the flippers and the snowball. Glitter works good too. Embellish yours how ever you want. I KNOW they will turn out awesome!!

You can turn these Li'l guys into pins to wear.....attach a bobby pin or hair clip....slide it on a headband or ribbon or just attach a hanger from the hat. Again...use your imagination and have FUN!!! Now let's start singing......................

Until next time.....Hugs, Regi

Oopsie and Tig!!!

I have soooo much to get finished by Friday. Where in the world has the time gone to? Someone? Anyone? Please grab it and hold it for me ppplease!! So without rambling any more..hehe..here is the introduction to Oopsie and Tig. (Two of the cloth critters I have been working on) They are so happy to meet you!!!!

Oopsie and Tig

Oopsie is so excited to find out who will be his new caretaker!!

Tig is excited too but seeing that he is a CAT...he isn't letting on!!

Just look at that cute monkey face!!

Awwwww...who could resist those eyes?

Until next time............Hugs, Regi

OMGOSH..I forgot how much fun Barbies were!!!

Yes...I admit it...openly!!! I played with a Barbie this weekend. What memories came pouring back to me. The Saturday night sleep overs with one of my best friends...completely taking over the living room for the weekend with all of Barbie's things. Believe me that was an honor too because Momma NEVER let anyone go into the living room unless they were special company. Getting off on a small tangent here about Momma and the "Living Room".  I remember when I was about 7 and had been really sick and Dr. Hall (our preacher) came to visit. I walked in the room...took his hand and took him to the breakfast nook and had him sit down at the table. Momma looked at me and asked what I was doing. I patted Dr. Hall on the knee and told him I was sorry but the living room was only for special company. Can you hear the "GASP" from Momma? From that day on Lee and I could play Barbie in there anytime. (as long as she wasn't expecting any special visitors mind you) Now back to the present!!  Man oh man....did we ever have Barbie things. I'm probably going to tell my age here (well heck and dang it all...I'm sure most of you know I'm one of the ancient ones already) Do ya'll remember the big heavy cardboard fold out Barbie house from the 60's? I HAD ONE and was so proud of it. My Daddy even made me some furniture to go with it. Ohhhhhh...to be young again...just for a little while so I could play with my Barbie. Oh wait...I did play with one this weekend. I almost forgot..hehe!!!

I know ya'll must be sitting there wondering just how far off the deep in I have stepped. Knowing that I have a boy and no girls....(Noooo...Chaz will not play Barbie...well..he will with his young girl cousins if they ask nicely and they have a Ken or GI Joe man. Shhhhhh..don't tell him I told you that. He is just such a sweet Li'l guy) I must have had a nervous breakdown......ri iight?? Nope..I'm just as sane as always. Well..as sane as I can be. The Chazman was invited to one of his classmates birthday party...which is this afternoon. When I called to RSVP I asked her mom what L liked. She said that I probably only needed to know one thing that would help. L is a big time "girly girl". Now to a mom with a son..what in the world does that mean? She told me the L really loves Barbie. That was all she needed to tell me. The gift just "POPPED" into my head. I had to find me a Barbie.

Saturday morning I woke up with a mission. To find that Barbie. I know I could have gone to Wal-mart to buy one but that wasn't an option. I wanted to make an outfit for one of the Barbie dolls that L already has. I can't believe it but the first yard sale we came to...the woman had a box full of naked Barbies. Thankfully, she sold me one and back home we came. I had a blast designing a faery costume. Nothing fancy but it really turned out so pretty. I even made her some attachable wings.

Notice the top of her head? She had the craziest hair....well....if you don't count my crazy hair. She had the craziest hair for a doll. I made a little scrunchy to match the outfit thinking that maybe L's dolls hair might have some bad hair days itself. I couldn't stop at just the scrunchy though. I mean what self concerning faery with her finery on doesn't wear her crown too. Yep...I made her a crown.

Isn't she purty??

Once I finished the outfit I decided that it wasn't enough to give L for h er birthday. I mean I wasn't giving her my Barbie....she was old and used. Besides,  I might want to make more clothes and will need a model for them.....ri iight...that's the reason...not that I might want to relive my childhood and sit down for an afternoon and play with her again. Nahhhhhh)  Since I have been on a roll making the fabric flower hair clips, I thought since L is a girlie girl that she might like one or two. 

Now that I had the gifts made I realized that I needed something to put them in. Can you guess what I did? It seems once I get on a roll...I keep on rolling...LOL!!! I painted a box to hold all the goodies L will be receiving from the Chazman. Even made a sweet little tag to go with it. 

I hope that L has a wonderful birthday today and enjoys all the gifts she will be getting. I do hope that (fingers crossed) the Chazman's is one that will always be special to her. 

Until next time.....Hugs, Regi

Make it Monday

I'm decorating today...YEAH.....I just love to decorate for Christmas. Since I'm going to be rather busy today I thought this tutorial I did last year would make for a great repost today. It's a fun project and you can decorate these so many pretty ways. So..while I'm busy tearing up the house decorating....have some FUN!!!

I thought with it being that time of year when most of us think of sharing and giving (which by the way... I feel all year long ^_^) that I would share my resyculbinz way of making snowflakes. It's a fun project that I think anyone would enjoy doing. These snowflakes can be used in so many different ways to decorate for the Holidays. Make some up for your tree...or perhaps to attach to a winter wreath....or as a pretty tag to attach to a gift...or make several to put together as a banner. I know that you will find a way to let this fun and simple project work for YOU.  Let's get started:

Supplies you will need:  

Empty toilet tissue or Paper towel roll

Ruler

Pen or Pencil

Scissors

Glue

Clothes Pin

Fabric or Yarn

Buttons..Beads..Broach..Embellishments

For the snowflake that we are making today, we need 15 pieces. Take your empty paper holder and mark off every 1/2 inch. This will give 16...one extra to get you started on your next snowflake ^_^.

Once you have made all your marks, take the holder and mash it flat and keep your marks showing on top. Take your scissors and cut your strips where you have marked. Actually, you can make your strips be as narrow or as wide as you want them. I just like the 1/2 inch ones...but you can decide on what size you want on the next snowflake that you make.

Once you have cut up all your strips, this is what you should have.....a MESS...no no just kidding. You can see from the ones on the left that I have pulled apart a bit that they look a little like petals. That's what we want...perfect. You did a great job!!

Choose five of the petals that look about the same size. I say this because, some of us, even if we have our project marked, we still can't cut to straight. Ri iight? Ohhh please say I'm not the only one. It doesn't count if you have one of those nice paper cutters...that's cheating.

Once you have the five picked out then we need to glue them together. It doesn't take a lot of glue but I like to use one that is fairly fast bonding. Put a touch of glue on the end side of a petal and stick it to another petal. Attach the clothes pin to the two petals and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes. To speed the process you can do this with all five pieces at the same time...attaching each to the other. This will be the top part of our snowflake. Put it over to the side and let's do the bottom part now.

This is how the bottom part of the flake should look. Same process as the top, lay out five petals that are similar in size. Glue them together. Once it is dry then you are going to add the remaining five pieces. Place a petal in between the original petals. Glue those in place and let dry.

This is what you should have now that both the bottom and the top of the snowflake is dry. Wasn't that FUN?

Now is when you decide what you want your snowflake wrapped in. You can use yarn...there are so many wonderful kinds...wool yarns....sparkling yarns....twisted yarn...I think you know what I mean. You can also use fabric. Which is what we are using today. A white cotton fabric. Now remember this project is from my Resyculbinz file...which means I love to use recycled items. You know that the paper holder fits that category but your fabric can too. Old shirts...old sheets....old pillow cases, which is what I used for this project. Take your fabric and cut just enough down to be able to tear it. The snowflakes look great with a few of the fringes that tearing the fabric leave. I made strips measuring about 1 inch wide. I tear a few to start with and then do more as I need them. We all wrap differently so I think this is the best way not to tear to many.

To start your wrapping all you need to do is wrap your fabric around the center. I place the end at the back of the flake, wrap it over the front and then back under coming out to one of the petals. Now you simply start wrapping each petal.

 It makes for a neater wrap at the tips of the petals if you twist the fabric once and then wrap down the other side. Continue this step until all of the snowflake is wrapped. Once the top part of the flake is complete put it aside and do the bottom piece the same way. When both pieces are complete, lay the smaller flake on top of the larger flake and you can either wrap a few of the petals together that are touching each other. Or you can put a few stitches to hold them together.

Now is the best part...well..I think so but you know how I love to embellish!! You can put a pretty pin in the middle....perhaps sew some beads on the tips or leave plain. Remember that each and every snowflake that is created by nature is a true one of a kind.

I hope you enjoyed this snowflake project. I would love to see your photos if you do try it. There are so many things that you can do with this basic idea.  Enjoy..have fun!!!

Just to show that you can do more than snowflakes with this project. What do you see if you add even more petals to the basic bottom pattern? Let me give you a hint.....picture the center 10 pieces of this done in red and then the outer 10 pieces done in greens. A Pointisetta!!

Until next time.....Hugs,
Regi

It SNOWED!!!!

WHAT???? Snow in Foley.....our sweet little coastal town in the South? Nooo way....it actually snowed and I have the proof. Ready for a snowball fight? Well...ya had better be because the Chazman is aiming one right at YOU!!

Ok now...you know good and well that it didn't snow here. Although...we have had a few brrreezing days here lately. Stop laughing my northern friends...STOP IT!!!  HeHe  It has been cold to us beach folks...one day it only reached around 50 and when your daily attire is normally flip flops and shorts....that's COLD!!!

So if it didn't really snow...I bet your asking yourself....go ahead...ask...yourself....it's alright....I'll wait. "Where did all that snow come from?"  It all came from the Kiwanis Club which each year has what's called "Snow in the Park". They bring in a huge ice blower that makes snow for our kiddos. (kiddos on this particular day can range from young to very old) The Chazman had a blast!!!

I think they are planning on doing something here...LOL

"Here let me help you make a bigger one"

Hey Hey Hey (mom yells..that's me) WHO threw that snowball?

Hmmm....is that the Chazman walking away?

Not only did the Kiwanis club have this awesome, FUN setup but there was a few bouncy/slides that the Chazman could NOT resist. Hmmmmm, wonder what the weight limit is on the bigger one? It sure did look like fun. 

They have a cute little Christmas village set up that you can peek in the windows and see elves busily working away. I had my Li'l elf stand in front of some....he is just so darn cute. Love this kiddo more than I will ever be able to show.

Hmmmm, no Chazman!! 

(someone called his name and POOF...LOL)

There was so much to do in the park yesterday....yep...there was even more. They had a creative area set up were the kiddos could make things, paint with glitter on cards and even get pretty little Christmas designs painted on their sweet Li'l faces. Of course, for some reason I couldn't convince the Chazman to do that one. He did however head over to the table with pipe cleaners and beads. That table apparently seemed to be "BOY" appropriate. HEHE  He made a cute "ALABAMA" Christmas tree. Not Alabama as in our state but ALABAMA as in ROLL TIDE!! Such a smart boy I have.

It was a great day filled with fun....even with getting beamed with several snowballs. I think though..that I will stick to our nice, warm, squish between your toes sand. LOL

Until next time................HUGS!!!!

Boo Hoo!!

Boo Hoo...Boo Hoo, what a sad sad day

It seems this artist has run outa of clay

My muse is whispering for me not to fret

She has an idea that is a sure sure bet

Some paper, a pencil and hearing my muse

it seems I have drawn a critter to use

I love to sculpt with my clay, as anyone that knows me, knows that to be true but it's not the only thing that I can do. OMGOSH...I'm still rhyming....sorry!! ^_^  Let me shake it off. (standing up....shaking my head all around) OUCH...ok enough of that.Now I'm dizzier than normal. HEY...no comment on that subject. I heard that!!  It is true that I have used all of my clay and since the Hubbikins seems to be actually cleaning his pockets out before he puts his pants in the washer. Dang it So nice of him. My pickle jar is a tad bit low. (pickle jar...where I hide put any and all loose change I find...which use to be in the Hubbikins pants pockets that he forgot about) 

Being an artist is what I am...and it's also how I keep myself grounded....as in...it makes for a great "THERAPY" session. Keeps me sane...most of the time. In thinking about some of my past sessions work, I remembered some of the fabric critters I use to enjoy designing, sewing and painting. In moving it seems I have lost my pattern folder so I just sat down and started doodling some new ones. I use the term "doodling" as I don't really think of myself as the kind of artist that can draw...just stating a fact!! Anyways, here are some of my doodlings so far.................

This one will be a monkey. I keep my designs simple....very very simple. Can ya tell? HeHe  I'm thinking that I might even make a banana to go with him...attach it to a string to one of his arms. I mean..a monkey has to eat or he could go APE!! 

This of course is a FROG. I love frogs and being the mom of a true ALL AMERICAN boy..it's a very good thing that I do!! Can't ya just hear him saying "Ribbet"? Thinking of frogs...I use to make small clay ones and give them as inspirational gifts to friends that were feeling blue. Now....I know what you are probably thinking. "Perhaps Regi has gone insane...what do frogs have to do with inspiration?" Well, let me tell you. On the bottom of each frog I would write the word FROG and I would attach a tag that explained why I was giving them a frog. Here is what the tag would say.....

Fully Rely on God

                                                                           

                                                                             

This smiling fella is a cat. I bet the body pattern looks funny to ya, huh? Well...it does on paper but once sewed up...it looks kinda cute. Kinda like this......

 I have to get him or her all painted up and then I will show just what my fabric critters really look like. I really like this body design and I thought of another creature that would look cute with it. Can ya guess what it might be? 

 Why...it's PUFF the magic dragon of course. I think he will look so cute with this body...like he is laying around just waiting for some mischief magic to get into. 

These make such cute gifts to give. You can paint them and leave them just painted. Perfect for a little boy to have a playmate for all those monster battles. You can paint them and then make cute clothes for them. Perfect for those little girls and their afternoon tea parties. Also, one of the things that I have done with them in the past is to let them become Tooth Faery helpers. Paint them and then make 2 small bags to go with them. Each bag is painted alike with a tooth. You place one of the bags around the critters neck with the lost tooth in it. They hold the tooth in the bag to keep it safe until the Tooth Faery comes to collect it. Then the Tooth Faery (that's you by the way) replaces the bag with the tooth in it with the extra bag with money inside. Just a hint too....a quarter won't cut it these days....believe me...I know...the Chazman expected at least a dollar..LOL!!!

I'm so happy that my muse sings so many different ideas to me......I would so hate to go completely insane and mistakenly squish her due to post traumatic artist syndrome. How do YOU keep sane?

Until next time.......HUGS, Regi