Okay I'm back- arts and crafts were happening

First off, I'm excited to share that I'm knitting!
I remembered how satisfying and good it felt to cast on, but never really could learn how to actually knit from videos and the sorts, and then Dustin (boyfriend) taught me in person how to knit. And then he had a project he'd previously started. So there we were, knitting together all cute and whatnot. I adored it.

Also, being the self employed childcare provider that I've been, I recently started a childcare job for a family with two daughters, both in elementary school. It's been far from stressful, easy, silly, and likable. So far I've been collecting mail, doing dishes/putting away dishes, recycling/garbage/compost, folding laundry, and making beds in terms of duties. Everything else is hanging out with the girls/sometimes even they want to do their own thing so I sit and draw/do some kind of art or craft. Recently we all painted these little miniature food pieces and a boat they hand built with some kind of clay. There's also been days that I've brought over a bunch of felt and plush stuffing in case they wanted to make anything like a quilt or stuffed animal, as well as a bunch of beading supplies if they wanted to make necklaces and/or bracelets. One of the girls really loves listening to Disney music, and the other loves art. Yesterday I was playing prince and princesses with them and one of their friends. Getting into imaginative play as an adult is possible but to do it like a child at the level and in the way that they do I think can be a little different for some. Though I have a huge imagination and love doing it.

I've also been really fond of the bond that's been forming between Shadow and I (the house kitty here). I love picking him up and hugging him and talking to him and making kitty sounds with him. Sometimes he just keeps looking at me and meows at me like he has needs and I know it's either :I want a treat, pet me, I want running water from the sink, or please open a door to the outside or the garage. I love meeting his needs :P I also love playing with him with a play stick that Dustin made for him. It's a long piece of wood like a wand with lots of yarn tailing at the end. It's so fun to play with Shadow. But yeah, this bond is growing. I feel safe with him, like I know his boundaries and he knows mine. I know how to pet him in all the right ways that he loves. He loves the top of his head. Good kitty, I tell him.

I recently bought and received a ton of new art supplies and fun things to do. Watercolor cards, postcards, wood carving tools, watercolor paper, rubber block for print making, wood blocks to carve and make stamps, a watercolor set, gouache set, paint markets, watercolor pencils, and bamboo brushes. In general I also recently drew this picture of a Sanderling while at my job. I like it.

So I think that's all for now that I will share. I really want to work on my watercolor skills though. Hmm. 

"Catch a Star" Dreamcatcher

So I call it the "Catch a Star" dreamcatcher. It is made out of star beads, beads (shiny ones!), twine, metal hoop, embroidery thread, and sewing thread. The hoops is 2.75 inches in diameter and the hanging pieces are up to 5 inches long.

Last night I had a few failed attempts with making a dreamcatcher but it was good practice, right? I think yes. I think my only thing is I wish I put some of the same blue beads within the thread part of it within the hoop. I think that would have made it come together more. But I still really love it ! It's so fun making things with stars, they are happy and magical.

I am tired. There is a package of unopened Nutter Butters on the kitchen table someone brought home but I know they are dangerous...hydrodgenated oils and trans fat, and high fructose corn syrup. Yikes! But I do love Oreos...though there is a brand called Newman O's which don't contain the scary ingredients and they taste yummy if not yummier.

I really want to watch more Angel (show). I really like Joss Whedon for creating Buffy the Vampire Slayer. I miss seeing Willow...Giles too actually.

So here is my dreamcatcher I made today. It's also for sale in my Etsy shop of course..
https://www.etsy.com/listing/188226576/catch-a-star-dreamcatcher?ref=shop_home_active_5

Catching Dreams

So I got out all my supplies for making some beaded dreamcatchers tonight. You really do need threading needles, sewing needles don't work they are too big to get through the holes of those super tiny miniature beads. These same beads are so light, as if they could be carried by the wind almost. They can also be easy to flick out by their friend the threading needle in any direction that their fates demands. I'm going to put some headphones on now.

New Blog, Where to Begin?

I'm not really sure where to begin I suppose. I've usually kept things like blogs and online journals mostly private, or viewable to people I select or don't even know. I'd like to be able to write about real things here, things about daily life, recurring thoughts, and whatever else comes up in the moment.

I guess for now I really have felt like I want to share how great I feel about this bag I recently made. I would love to make more in the same style. I braided four pieces of rope for the first time ever. The pieces were very long and so they kept wanting to tangle and sometimes the braiding didn't look consistent all the way through. But still, I think it not being perfect makes it perfect in a way.

It's made of all natural felted wool, yarn, thread, and rope. I cut the wool into certain pieces to create the basic shape of it and stitched them together. It's also lined inside with a layer of felt too. It took me at least eight to ten hours to make. It would seem at minimum wage that would be $80-$100. Plus materials, let's say an extra $10-$15? Still, when I think of putting those dollar amounts to my work it's so hard for my mind to accept that or see that making sense. On Etsy I have it listed for sale at $40. I know for the time and work I put into it $40 isn't asking enough in terms of that. Though I feel like I'm more likely to not sell it or something. It really is rather difficult to put money, my mind, and my hard work together all into one to come up with a price it might actually be really worth. What are your thoughts on that?

Anyways, here it is.