Crafternoon Prep

My sewing machine and I bonded tonight. I was able to make a ruffle shirt. As always I decided to just wing it instead of follow the instructions, but I don't think it turned out too poorly.

I started out w/ 2 Tshirts (I got them @ Down East for $5). I cut the sleeves off one (I basically couldn't bring myself to cut up a perfectly good shirt, but the ruffles would have worked a lot better if I had used the back of the shirt instead of the sleeves).

I then cut 2" strips. I was planning on this shirt having 5 ruffles, but with 2" strips I was only able to fit 3.

Then I sewed one line down the center of each strip, using the longest stitch available. Pull 1 of the 2 threads tight and work towards the center of the strip.

My hubby borrowed the camera at this point, but I then pinned each strip to the shirt and sewed, going over the loose stitch with a regular one.

TaDa

Things I learned

The ruffles need to start out double as long as you want them in the end.

Be careful when using the reverse stitch, with the stretchy fabric the sewing machine can get stuck on one spot and cause holes etc.

This shirt looked a lot better on the tiny Asian chick in the tutorial.

This pattern isn't the best if you're busty.

....sigh

I want to live here,

instead of here.

Scout's Ears

Remember how I told you about Scout's "special" ears. Here is the proof. All of these pictures were taken in less than a minute, and I did not touch her once, they are this spastic on their own.

Its like a doggy mullet, business on the side a party on the .... other side?

"Did anyone see where I left my ear?"

This is the only time when her ears look almost proportioned.

Twinners

I know its very likely that my love for my doggies is unhealthy, but look @ how stinkin cute they are. Scout (front left) had her first haircut today, and Tobey went along. I should have taken a before picture, they were both on the verge of hobo. I have now learned 2 things:

1. My dogs look creepy alike (especially when they are both staring at you and cock their head @ the same time), we are going to have to buy them different color collars from now on.

2. Scout's ears are freaking screwed up. We didn't get the docked like Tobey's because I didn't want to hurt her, so we assumed they would be normal floppy ears. Turns out her right ear is normal and floppy, and her left ear is pinched and folded to the side. It gives her a very "special" look, which is actually very fitting. She is definitely a very "special" girl, but we love her anyway.

ps if you click on the picture you can see the remnants of Scout's dinner. If you ever want to witness dog food carnage you should watch this puppy eat!

Anyone have sweet circus hookups?

We took a trip with the Morrills to St. George this weekend. We went hiking in Snow Canyon (pretty pictures coming later), and once the weather turned nasty we ended up driving around looking for homes that we could never afford. In one such home we met this man This beauty was from a Deseret News article published in 1978. Don't worry, he still has the same beard. Apparently he was a magician with Ringley's 30 years ago. After meeting Jack Hart I've realized how mediocre my life is, this guy started in Cache Valley, joined the circus, was the advertiser for Ringley's, Disney on Ice, and Monster Truck Ralley. Now he spends his time showing million dollar homes that he sells with his 2 brothers. I have found my new life goal, first I just need to discover my hidden juggling/tight-rope walking/contortionist skills and away we go.

Dinnertime

So, I'm a failure as a wife. I can't bring myself to make dinner. The very few times I actually make any effort at all we have pastaroni. I bought a big a** crockpot (over a year ago) to help with this situation. And I finally decided to take it out of the box. My mom was a sweetie and gave me a bunch of crockpot recipes for Christmas, but my picky husband will only agree to try 15 of the 75 (what a stinker). Anyone have any great recipes they are dying to share?

I need some opinions

So, the other day I went to IKEA to buy some prints to hang on my office wall. there were a few there I liked, but after looking @ them I realized that it would probably make more sense to hang my own photography on the wall of my work-station. Which photo do you like best?

I really wanted to go for a black and white theme, but I just love the greens and purples on the barrel cacti.