January 24, 2012

DIY Android Phone Case

If you were the happy owner of an Android HTC Evo 4G, and were looking diligently for a cute phone case, you would very likely be frustrated. Because there aren’t any cute ones–at least not that I could find.  The iphone seems to have a tight grip on the market for cool cases, apparently we Androids aren’t worthy of all that awesomeness.

My sweet hubby bought me one when I first got the phone, but (for some reason) I wasn’t entirely bummed when it (mysteriously) broke a couple months later (jk Allan, Jo really did break it). While looking for a replacement I decided that modge podging was my only real option. I bought a cheap, white, hard case as well as 1/8 of a yard of a Kaffe Fasset stripe. It was a mess, and at first I didn’t think it would work. But then it did, and I liked it.

In a  few words, here’s how it went: I cut the fabric larger than the case, modge podged it on, and smoothed it over all the curves.  I then let it dry completely, then exacto’d around the edges and holes. After that I just slapped on a few more coats of the good stuff and that was it.

I think it will hold up nicely, but it has kind of a scratchy texture that I don’t love.  I have a thing about that…I also don’t like the feel of my callused heels on expensive sheets. Give me lesser-thread-count sheets or give me death!

Evocase 1 DIY Android Phone Case

Evocase 2 DIY Android Phone Case

Evocase 4 DIY Android Phone Case

Evocase 5 DIY Android Phone Case

Evocase 6 DIY Android Phone Case

Posted by Miriam at 7:58 pm — 5 Comments
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January 20, 2012

Harper’s Lullaby

I have a special little lullaby for each of my kids, and Harper’s has been especially important because there’s been so many times–especially in the hospital post surgery–when I have had no way of comforting her, so instead I would get close to her face and just sing her song.

I feel SUPER shy about putting it on here, but anyway, here it is: Harper’s Lullaby

PS the tune is from Disney’s Summer Magic. It’s called “On the Front Porch With You.”

Have a good weekend!

XO Mim

PPS a big thanks to my sweet bro Peter for helping me record, and also for playing the Ukulele!

Posted by Miriam at 8:20 am — 18 Comments
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January 18, 2012

A Refashion for the Reverence Child

 Mom, I need you to make me a sign she said as she brought me a marker and paper.  What for, Honey? It’s bedtime. And to her credit, she was ready; all but this very important final preparation.  I want you to write ”This Sunday is going to be Josie’s bestest Sunday ever.” And if people want to write on my sign, tell them it’s Josie’s favorite paper and not to draw on it. And if you forget, just ask me and I’ll remind you. Got it, Mom? I’m not sure what kind of crowd she was expecting me to host after hours, but the instructions were clear–I was to guard and protect that beloved paper from any tempted pens or pencils in the neighborhood.  That paper was almost as beloved as the little slip of paper she’d received a week earlier asking her if she could be the reverence child for our church sacrament service. The duty is quite a solemn affair–the child stands in front of the congregation (on the stand even!) and folds their arms and sets a very pious example of reverence and quiet until church begins.  All week long the event had been discussed and anticipated, and now that it was Saturday night, she had laid out her outfit, picked her shoes and tights, and planned the way we’d do her hair. She was ready. And now that she had a sign posted clearly on the fridge which commemorated the magnitude of the event, she could sleep in peace.

At church the next day she bravely scaled the steps, and positioned herself near the large plant to the side (almost INside the plant, you know, Pollyanna style.) She folded her arms and held very still. Her bright eyes watered, and we thought she would cry.  When we asked her about it, she said I was crying since I was so happy.

maternitynomore 1 A Refashion for the Reverence Child

maternitynomore 3 A Refashion for the Reverence Child

maternitynomore 5 A Refashion for the Reverence Child

maternitynomore 4 A Refashion for the Reverence Child

maternitynomore 6 A Refashion for the Reverence Child

maternitynomore 2 A Refashion for the Reverence Child

This was a simple refashion that really wasn’t that simple at all.  It was originally a maternity shirt that I really liked, but for some reason didn’t wear that often. Something about the length and cut of it made my ample baby-bearing hips even more ample and bearing, if you know what I mean.  I loved the delicate knit, and so when I realized that Jo needed another Sunday dress, I thought this would be a great refashion.  It should have been simpler than it was, but I I had to line it, and add a key hole opening in back, and for some reason it just took way longer than I expected. I like the way it turned out okay, although I still don’t think I tapped the full potential of the shirt. But she likes it, and looked lovely in it, so it was a successful venture all in all.

Is it hard for you to refashion clothing that you always liked, but never wore? I kinda thought it was, even though I don’t think I wore this once my last pregnancy. Funny how we sort of mentally label certain items as off limits, (and a permanent member of the closet), even though it may not make a lot of sense.  At least with this refashion I could keep that lovely knit in the family!

Posted by Miriam at 10:13 am — 4 Comments
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January 16, 2012

The Stick Horse

I guess this is Bullseye. I prefer animals with less predictable names, but my kids–who get the last word–think it’s a fine name for a fine horse.

This was my big homemade present for my two year old son, but it’s been equally loved so far by his name-choosing sister.

stick horse 2 The Stick Horse

stick horse 1 The Stick Horse
stick horse 3 The Stick Horse

I had to make up the pattern I used, because I couldn’t find anything out there that I liked or had the look I was going for.  Usually when I do that I try and make a tutorial or something so I can contribute to the crafting community’s particular void, but due to a crazy season and late night crafting, I took no photos or even saved the pattern I made. But I’ll be making another one of these beauties soon, and I’m planning on doing a tutorial/pattern for the second time around, so stay tuned.

Posted by Miriam at 9:09 am — 4 Comments
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January 10, 2012

The Mod Wallet

I drew my sister-in-law Mere for Christmas this year, who wanted a wallet–something modern, something neutral, something functional.  I based my color scheme off these shoes, which I knew she really liked.  I made up the wallet pattern, because I couldn’t find a tutorial for a bi-fold with vertical card holders.  The leather detail really makes the wallet, if you ask me. When I started looking for leather, I called the local Tandy’s Leather shop, and asked how much they sold their scraps for. I think she quoted me at something ludicrous like my First Born (it was $15 per 8″ square, I think).  I decided to swing by a local leather shop that I remembered driving by, and was thrilled when I stopped by and found bins and bins of scraps for $2 per square foot. He gave me three 6″ squarish pieces for $1. SOLD!!

Meres wallet 5 The Mod Wallet

Meres wallet 4 The Mod Wallet

Meres wallet 3 The Mod Wallet

Meres wallet 6 The Mod Wallet

Meres wallet 1 The Mod Wallet

Meres wallet 2 The Mod WalletI love how this turned out, and I think she did too.  Now about one for me…

Posted by Miriam at 8:40 am — 8 Comments
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January 9, 2012

Goal Nut.

I like New Year’s, cause I’m a goal enthusiast. Can’t you tell by this picture? I look like I’m ready to snuggle with my goals.

mugshot Goal Nut.

Come here, You!

Here are my 2012 goals before we get too deeply entrenched in January and her icy tendrils…

Family/home:

-Potty train my two year old (working on that now p.s. i hate poop. p. p.s. PT is the WORSE part of parenthood).

-Teach my four year old to read.

-Get my Montessori on with my kids (or  ”Montesoduim” for all you Homestar fans)

-Get  my (Montessori ) works in organized, functioning order.

-Reduce the crap in my house. Reuse any reuseable and useful crap. Recycle any of the crap into more useful crap (my clothes specifically).

Spiritual/service:

-Fill a need as I see a need in those around me. Never suppress a generous thought.

-Read and study the Old Testament. (I’ve never actually finished it).  (Yeah sorry Jeff, not happening this year).

-Teach my kids the stories of Jesus. Study the Gospels with them.

Physical/health:

-Get back to my prepregnancy weight, but embrace every stage before then.

-Stay active. Exercise but keep it enjoyable.

-TRY to incorporate  more fruits and vegetables in our family diet. (I’m guilty of making salads and sometimes veggy sides just for me, because I know I’m the only one who will eat it).

-Work on cooking meals not just main dishes. Add more healthy sides.

Personal:

-Read. Engage my mind every once in a while!

-Write in an actual journal, and not just online. I want my kids to have something to hold in their hands, to see my handwriting. To see how it turns into chicken scratch when I’m falling asleep.

-Develop my artistic skills, specifically painting and drawing.

Last year I wrote two goals for my blog: keep it minimal and make money? Hah! What a joke!  I’ve learned since then that those two statements don’t even like being in the same sentence together. This past year I did get to the point with my blog stats that I thought I was legit enough (or at least on my way) to begin thinking about the whole advertising/sponsoring thing, but ultimately decided that I’m not going to take my blog in that direction for the following very personal reasons: I hate deadlines. I hate pressure. I hate feeling obligated to pump out a quality post by a certain time or so often. I feel like once you have a sponsor you have a certain standard and schedule you need to keep up with (maybe that’s just me, my husband thinks so), and then there’s always promotions etc. Call me a commitment-phobe, but if I’ve learned one thing it’s that making money on your blog takes a lot of work and time (and networking!), and I can’t commit to that right now (maybe ever?)  I can’t even commit to blogging regularly, as evident these past couple of months.  I started this blog as a creative outlet and stress releaser, and I hope that it continues to be so.

So my goals for this blog are:

-Blog when I feel like it. Blog when I have something to say. Blog because I enjoy it.

-Learn how to digitize patterns, and post a few of them here (my t shirt patterns?)

-Write more creative anecdotal posts.

-Record some songs and post them here (maybe an original?) Didn’t see that one coming, did you!?

-redesign my theme, make it true to my style, aesthetic, and purpose.

Yeah, yeah, I know I have too many goals, but whatev.  I don’t feel bad about uncompleted goals, but I do feel bad when I don’t make any. When I read over last year’s goals the other night, I was happy to see that although there weren’t too many that I could say  Did it! to, there were plenty of things that I gave my best shot at, and plenty of things that were shadowed when more important things entered my life, if you know what I mean. I’m cool with that.

2012 has already been good to me, and I’m excited for all the many changes it will bring. Except my birthday.

Posted by Miriam at 12:44 am — 7 Comments
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