Etsy Shop - More New Items

More items have been added to the shop.

Stop on over.

And have a G R E A T weekend.

...go make something!

Etsy Shop

I've added a few new items to the shop. There are several other projects in various stages of completion. They'll be added soon.

Craft Corner Update

We are making some serious progress. Here are the two electric outlets I've been talking about. Funny how we take utilities for granted, isn't it? Oh well. I'm a very happy crafter. A big shout out to my wife for coming home early to let the electrician in. Al, you did a fine, fine job!

This is a 'before' picture of the craft corner. The 'after' pics will be posted soon. Dad and I worked several hours on Sunday and got the project WELL on it's way. I now have counter tops installed and the pegboard is 80% complete.



Here's a photo my little guy took. Ah....electricity. It's a good thing.

Getting all High Tech and Stuff

Man oh man! There are so many programs out there to make our lives easier. I've come across two in the last few days that I wanted to mention:


SnagIt



You can capture part or all of a screen of information. Including images. An example is shown above. You can purchase the program for about $40.00 or...do like I did and get a 30-day trial version. It's very easy to use.


TimeLeft



This little gem gives you all sorts of clocks, timers, etc.


In craft news, the electrician is coming over tonite to give us a quote on some electrical outlets for the craft corner. Hopefully, he's less expensive than the company I called earlier in the week. They wanted $85.00/hour + materials.

Keeping my fingers crossed.

Updated at 7:39 p.m. See post below for update on the electrician's quote.

Google Docs and the Craft Corner Update

Okay. So...here's my first blog post using the Google document feature. Pretty cool stuff. I'm trying to think of how I can best use this tool.

I'll get back with you.

In other news, my dad came over yesterday and helped me get started on the 'craft corner' in our basement. I took some photos but haven't uploaded them yet. But...let me tell you, we made some GOOD progress. My wife and I moved tons of stuff out of the corner so we'd have room to work. [We installed new kitchen counter tops a couple years ago and we kept the old ones (for this project)].

After we moved all the stuff/junk out of the way, I laid out the counter tops on the floor to get an idea of what it would look when we are finished. It is going to be perfect. It's an L-shaped configuration that will give us a great surface to work on. We will be able to sew, stamp, sort through old photographs, etc., etc., It is going to be great.

I'm calling an electrician to see how much it will cost to have a couple lines brought in to the area. It's not that much distance from the breaker box to the corner, so hopefully it won't cost an arm and a leg. I'll keep you posted.

Have a great day!


UPDATE (01.17.08): The electrician gave me a very favorable quote on the work I want to have done. He'll be over tomorrow afternoon to install the new electric lines. Woo. Hoo. I am a happy camper!

Dad and his Stocking Cap

Dad and his stocking cap 2007
Originally uploaded by crafty dad

Yes! Another finished item for 2007.

I finished my dad's stocking cap in time to give it to him for Christmas. It was a close call, but it was done and in the gift bag several hours before he opened it on Christmas Day.

Towel and Tote Bag for Kelsey

Towel and Tote Bag for Kelsey
Originally uploaded by crafty dad

Here' are two gifts I made for my cousin who is on the swim team. She wanted a hooded towel and a tote bag in her school colors.

I've made lots of hooded towels before, but this was my very first lined tote bag. It turned out really nice.

Is it just me, or does Christmas seem like it was several weeks ago? Where does time go?

Lazy Schmazy

One of my New Year's resolutions was going to be "post an entry to your blog every day". Ha! You can see that hasn't happened.

But...it's early in the year and perhaps I can make good on my promise yet.

I still have tons of Christmas pics in the camera and need to get them to the PC so I can have some visual aids. (What's a post without a picture, right?)

Okay, back to work. Have a great weekend! ~Do something crafty.

Oh...I almost forgot! My wife and I went to Menard's a few days ago and bought all the lumber I need to get my corner of the basement set up for a craft spot. My dad is going to help me install some walls, counter tops and the like. I'm excited! We are in the process of sorting through LOTS of stuff in the basement (job #1). Once we're through all that, we'll be stirring up some sawdust. I'll be sure to take before and after shots. This should be good!

Happy New Year

Blown Glass Sculpture at the Children's Museum of Indianapolis

It's not quite the same as the Time's Square, but if you ever get a chance to see this up close and personal, do it. It's amazing and 43 feet tall!. It's really stunning on a sunny day.

So many things to be thankful for in 2007. And so many new memories right around the corner.

Happy New Year.
Be safe,
Mike

Merry Christmas!

And may all your dreams come true.

Happy Holidays from the CraftyDad family.

Say A Prayer for Hershey

Our Chocolate Lab is very sick. She has spent the last two nights at the vet's office. She has a bacterial infection in her kidneys. Not good at all.

Her blood work is showing signs of slight improvement, but she's not out of the woods by any stretch.

So....please keep her (and her family -- we are all very upset over this) in your prayers.

We thank you!

--mike


UPDATED 12.21.07 -- Sad news. We had to put Hershey to sleep last night. She was so glad to see us and we felt SO, SO bad, but her kidneys are failing and there's nothing that could make them better. The boys were part of the process and I think it helped them put some closure to this. Oh...what a tough time.

A Very "Let it Snow" Kind of Weekend

The weatherman was right about this one. We got some major snowfall on Saturday and Sunday. My wife and I had a nasty drive home from my company's Christmas party that was held 25 miles from home. It was the stuff white knuckles are made of, to be sure.

I'm guessing there was about 18" of it in our driveway. Sure, some of that was from the wind making drifts of the pretty white stuff. But let me tell you that it was a TON of snow and it took us a very long time to get the driveway cleaned off.

Sunday was a great day to stay home, so we spent time making chocolate chip cookies (the best ones we've ever made). I also made up a big batch of sugar cookie dough. It's chilling in the fridge right now. Perhaps tonight we'll get out all the cookie cutters and get 'em done. The boys each have their own rolling pin. We got them at an Amish store not too far from home a few years back. So...the annual cookie cutting and baking tradition will continue at the Crafty Dad residence tonight. I promise there will be pictures.

Oh, and I've been working on my dad's stocking cap. And...I'm about 50% finished with a tote bag from my cousin who is in Swim Club. I received a request for one as a Christmas gift. Stay tuned for a photograph or two. It's my first official lined tote bag. So far so good. If you're looking for a great tutorial, go check this out. Thanks Mariko!

All I Want for Christmas ...

..is a real good tan. I'm not an official fan of country music, but I do like this Kenny Chesney song. I'm just sayin'

Caribbean Beach Resort at Walt Disney World

Have a great weekend. And safe travels to those in the winter wonderland states.

More Finished Objects

Tissue Holders
Originally uploaded by crafty dad

Sometimes I surprise myself. Case in point: these tissue holders.

I've seen tons of these in the blogosphere and always thought they were pretty cool. So....I found a pattern and, voila, handy-dandy tissue holders.

I think they'll make nice little stocking stuffers.

Woo hoo...more gifts to give away. Gotta love it.

Barb: please turn away from this photo. You may be getting one of these in a few days! :-)

Stocking Cap for Dad

Stocking Cap for Dad
Originally uploaded by crafty dad

Here's what's 'on the hook' right now. My dad has been asking for a stocking cap for quite some time now. So...with Christmas just a few days away (you knew that right? I mean the fact that Christmas is just 15 days away???). As in HOLY COW! I have a lot of gifts to make and wrap.

So anyhow...my dad wants a hat and when I asked him what color he wanted, he said 'green and white'. Well...checking the yarn stash, I had lots of green but no white. And with the goal of using up what I already have, I am making him a hat in this soft green and cream. I think he'll like it.

Now...let's just hope I can find some time to sit down and get it done.

This week is full of Cub Scout meetings, band and orchestra programs, birthday parties and some big school projects (including a time line project for my little guy). Whew! What a week.

Son No. 1 Makes Breakfast

2007_1208asof1208070008
Originally uploaded by crafty dad

Yes, it's true. My oldest son said he was going to make scrambled eggs for breakfast. And a fine, fine job he did.

Thinking back to when I was twelve, I was cooking, cutting the grass, helping with laundry, babysitting my brother and sister (which is a subject worth a blog post all its own!).

So...it was really nice to come downstairs to a plate of scrambled eggs. Just add some ketchup and enjoy.

Thanks Son No.1! You can make breakfast (or lunch or dinner) for me anytime. :-)

Look! Finished Objects!!!

2007_1208asof1208070019
Originally uploaded by crafty dad

Seems like it's been a long, long time since I've actually made (started and finished) a project.

These are my coasters. They are pretty much 'prototypes' as I tried a couple different techniques.

But...I really like the pattern of the fabric (a thrift shop find) and the coordinating linen-look backs.

I'm excited.

My trusty sewing machine

My trusty sewing machine
Originally uploaded by crafty dad

was very busy this past weekend. We hemmed SEVERAL pairs of pants for the boys. And...get this...we even did some C R A F T I N G. No kidding. We actually made some tissue holders and a few Christmas gifts (stocking stuffers).

More to come...

Crafty Dad - The Monday thru Friday Routine

Here's where I hang out during the week. It's the anti-craft, for sure. But...it's a great job, pays the bills and makes me think. Click on the image for a larger version and you'll see the little sign under the left-hand flat panel. That's my reminder. Every day presents new challenges. It's up to me (and you too) to think. Remember the old saying, 'work smarter, not harder'. It's pretty much true. ;-)

Mashed Potato Tribute for my Little Guy

My seven-year-old had a bit of trouble yesterday at school. It seems he was buried in a pile of leaves when another student decided it would be fun to jump on him. Oh maybe three or four times on the stomach. Yeah. That's the ticket! Then...as if that weren't enough, a second student joined in the fun and jumped on him -- twice. Dang! The behavior of some kids is just a bit more than I can handle.

Let me just say that my wife and I don't pretend to have perfect kids, but I can tell you that they have enough sense and manners that they know right from wrong. I don't think I would find either of my sons in a situation where they would jump on another kid. While I'm on my soapbox...can I just say that the behavior of several school children pretty much amazes me. It seems they can't keep their hands to themselves. And...the 'grown up' language they use is another issue I have. What are their parents teaching them? Or...have I hit the nail on the head with that comment? Perhaps the parents are NOT teaching them. I guess I'll save that for another post.

But...back to the story. So...my wife is at an offsite meeting for the entire afternoon yesterday when the school principal calls and leaves a voicemail message to let her know that our son was in a "situation" at recess but everything is okay. Not so fast..... When my wife picks him up from his after-school program, he tells her that his stomach hurts and that he can't pee. (Oh joy!) When I get home from work, he's complaining that his lower abdomen still hurts. So...the decision was made to take him to the ER to check things out. After an IV and a CT scan, he was allowed to go home. Some bruising, but nothing major. Thank God!

So..."Little Guy", I'm so glad that you're okay. You've had your share of tough times at school this year and I sure hope that things get better for you.

This post is for you buddy! My red-headed, mashed potato eater. Mom and Dad love you very much. And we're sure proud of you!

Hot potatoes in the mixing bowl on Thanksgiving morning.

Ready for the second batch. Love that KitchenAid mixer baby!

My "little guy" licking the bowl and the spatula. He LOVES mashed potatoes. And Hershey does too. See her in the lower right-hand corner? She knows a good thing when she sees/smells one. :-)

Have a great weekend everyone. Give your kids an extra hug.