My new addiction

Cutting my own hair. I know, scary and unwise. I had a brief period when I was pregnant with Matea when I cut my own hair. It was a short choppy shag kind of cut and impossible to screw up. This time, I'm cutting my own hair to save money. And have fun.

I bought a straight razor (is that what it's called?) at Sally Beauty Supply last month and have hacked into my hair three times already. Yes, I even do the back. Yes, I cut bangs two nights ago. I'm trying to grow the front another two inches or so and end up with a choppy a-line cut with short bangs. Exactly what Crafty Papa does not want. But, I'm still paying for that pink hair I did for him in January so he'll just have to deal. I'm also coloring my hair at home and wearing cheap makeup again. Just a few of the luxuries I can easily give up while the economy is in the crapper.

Super Cute (Kid) Dress

I'm almost out of magnetic snaps and bag sales are slow for everyone right now so I can't really justify restocking at the moment. So, I thought I'd switch gears and sew some clothing today.




















I love this set so much, I want to keep it for Matea. Luckily, I successfully reminded myself that she refuses to wear almost anything I make (unless she has creative input) and the only reason I was able to get pics of her for the listing is because I offered chocolate in exchange for her services.





















I had forgotten how fun it is to sew sweet little baby clothing. I'm thinking this fabric for tomorrow's listing.

Shopping

Can you tell I've been fabric shopping? Actually, I got this Sugar Snap fabric from Jona a while ago with the intent to make myself a skirt. But two things happened. First, I was totally intimidated by the skirt pattern (I really am an e-pattern girl). And second, I realized the fabric background was fairly light and a skirt would require a slip. Yeah, no thanks. Since I was making myself a skirt, I had to buy a lot of fabric so you'll probably see another hundred bags or so with this pattern...



















I came home this afternoon to find a box from Fabritopia filled with tons of new fabrics. I probably shouldn't have have gone as crazy as I did but sometimes new colors and patterns are just what I need to get me out of a sewing funk. I wasn't really sure where I was going when I started this bag but I'm pleased with where it ended. I used one less layer of interfecing so it's a little less bulky than some of my other bags and really lightweight.

You might see that I added a weight loss ticker over there to the right. I normally hate those things and always thought they were about showing off or over-sharing. Now I think they're about accountability. At least that's what it is for me.

Crafty Mama is getting fat. Like, the fattest I've ever been outside of pregnancy. I mostly blame myself for being lazy and overindulgent. And I think a very small part of it might have been that crazy medicine I was on. But mostly, just me letting myself go.

I've been counting weight watchers points for a while and it just wasn't working for me for some reason. I think maybe I was finding ways to cheat and still stay within my points. Anyway, a few years ago, Crafty Papa and I were both very successful with counting calories so I switched back to doing that last Thursday. I've been resisting the urge to weigh in every day and shoot for a once a week weigh in but today was as a long as I could hold out. After 5 days of counting calories, I'm down 3.3 pounds!

I'm using www.my-calorie-counter.com and finding it much easier than tracking everything on my own. Not only can I track my calories, but also weight, measurements, activity, etc. My plan is to follow my calorie goal strictly during the week and then let myself cheat on the weekends. I've read that not only is a cheating period good for you mentally, it also helps your metabolism from getting stuck at one level and platueing.

Anyway, get used to the ticker because I plan on sticking with this. The realization that I officially hit the "overweight" category was enough to make me get my fat ass in gear and focus on being healthy.

New Additions

As much as the wind, rain, and hail tried to get to me to today, I ignored the yuckiness outside and forged ahead with productivity.

First, I added this fun and funky pink and brown Park Slope bag. Included in the listing is a coordinating oil cloth pouch. If you don't have one of these already, you need one. They're so practical and the perfect size. I guess you'll just have to buy the bag to get the pouch:)



















I was in a scrapbooking mood this afternoon. I haven't touched my supplies since the retreat last month and really wanted to get everything out today and play. I made these paper gift bag tags that I listed in my shop and really had fun making them so I hope they'll sell and I can continue to offer them in my shop.































On an unrelated note, remember my laptop drama? Dell ponied up and sent us a new computer. I should probably be grateful but I freakin' hate this thing! Crafty Papa bitched about it all night the first day we got it and I kept saying, "think positively", "lets just be happy we got a new computer", blah, blah, blah. It's terrible. I'm totally with him now on the "Vista is Crap" campaign. It's like there are all these shortcuts enabled that go off all the freakin time. Random window zooming, tabs opening on their own, typed text just disappearing never to be seen again. It took me three attempts to type this post. That's how dedicated I am to you guys.

I promise....

I really will be back some day. We made it home safely from a super fun trip to Disneyland. If you're nosy and curious like I am, you can see some pics here....
http://gonzalezdisneyland.shutterfly.com/

I had every intention of getting back to sewing today (even though I didn't really want to). I heated the iron, picked out my fabric, popped open a refreshing diet pepsi....and then remembered that I'm all out of interfacing. Instead, I worked on my valentines for work...yeah, really, valentines for work. What's up with that? I've always worked at more mid-size employers so maybe this is a regular occurrence at smaller companies (that employ all female children)? Anyway, I intend to be back tomorrow but we'll see. I'm kind of in a funk and am working 20 hours this week on top of my regular full-time mom gig. So yeah, sewing isn't at the top of my list right now. But obsessing over whether my husband will successfully record "The Office" for me while I'm working tonight is:)

Special Coupon

30% off any one item in my shop effective now through Tuesday, February 10th. Just make your purchase through Etsy, pay via Paypal, and enter coupon code "FEBLOVE" in the notes to seller field.

www.craftymamacreations.etsy.com

I'll refund you the coupon savings asap.

***Please note that I will be out of town enjoying Disneyland with my family Saturday-Tuesday. I'll resume shipping, issuing coupon refunds, and get back to sewing on Wednesday.

Have a great weekend!

An Exercise in Resourcefulness

I'm all out of the interfacing I use for bag making. I have maybe enough for one small zippered purse. Instead of rushing out to stock up, I'm going to force myself to be resourceful and sew other things this week. Probably kids' clothing. Maybe nothing at all. I don't like being told what to do. Even if it's me telling myself.

It's been a long time since I've done a monkey bag. Truthfully, I forgot I even had any of the fabric left until I finally did that clean sweep of my craft room a few weeks ago.

I present to you, the ultimate sock monkey gift set. Diaper bag, zippered pouch, onesie, and burp cloth.