Plants are the New Black and how to make cute OUI Jar Plant Things

Has it really been 3 months? 

Apparently. 

I haven't been on here much. I have been writing a wee bit. 

I write for a nature /eco blog ( kind of like ghost writing) once in a while, but I certainly haven't been writing anything fabulous.

So, in-between relentlessly showing up to work to fight COVID, 

which, 

by the way,

I am so over, 

I sometimes piddle around with rescued plants and come up with ridiculous DIY things.

My thrifty self started eating OUI yogurt. I love the little glass jars and I also love the price when it goes on clearance at King Soopers for 79 cents. I haven't died of food poisoning yet, so I keep eating it.

Then I made these little hanging jars with Pothos in them.

there you have it 

Little hanging jars....

If I remember, I'll repost when they grow.

It will be like paint drying.

I have a list of other boring things I hope to accomplish.

Like...

figure out what this is growing in this pot.

Is it something I planted last summer or is it a magic gift from the plant goddess?

I'm sure it is probably a weed.

I'll keep everyone posted on that too.

Then I got this cool Crassula Ovata,

or as I call 

big assed leaf jade plant.

See how crafty? I put little twinkle lights in it.

cute huh?

I ran 2 miles, which I was really happy about because my foot actually didn't hurt...

My entire body did hurt though, because I am out of shape.

I taught Olive how to drive a stick shift, which nearly killed us both.  She tried to kill me with angry attitude and refusal to try anything new and I about killed me by trying to stay positive.

Took 3 weeks, but I think she has it.

Went on a hike

Button Rock Dam

It was lovely.

I cut off all my hair.

Is that a sign of something

I won't say 2022 is going to be my year, but I'm gonna give it my half ass attempt.

I think what I really need to do is make a vision board and get some therapy.

I giving myself 5 more days of January to get my shit together,

then I'm putting on my damn party dress and moving along.

write ya later

xo, m

Cuts Like a Knife

 Fucking Ikea and their death blade serrated knife

A knife that is worse than an old school switchblade....

or better yet....

like a goddamn  machete.

how many times have I cut myself with this knife, you ask?

at least 4 

and man, it will cut through your skin and fingernail like butter.

swoosh

silence....

I look....

so clean the slice....

not even any blood....

then the pain, the blood, the anger

FUCKINGIKEA!!!

Fucking Finger

fucking bagel....

fuckity fuck fuck

I'll survive

shit, I've survived so much this year...

the pinky is minor...

plus

it was

"just the tip"

and no one likes just the tip

write ya later

m

you are welcome

feel free to comment.  

make me feel better

DIY Retro Jean Fun

 It's been a minute since I have had time to sew or do fun shit.

These are Marc Jacobs Runway

So, 

(mine are just as fab)

I, of course, was "given" the opportunity to snazzy up some of the Teen's thrift store haul.

This is how it happens:

Teen and friend buy cool Salvation Army stuff

they say

"Mom, look at this stuff, we have a plan"

then the plan sits on the kitchen table until I say,

" Damnit!!! I'll do it."

Anyways...

here's the how to:

1:Buy jeans

2: cut jeans in cool places (but use caution because you have to sew it back together!)

4: take half the cut pieces and bleach them or dye them

5: reassemble on the floor and pin

6: now remember when you sew them together that you want the seam to the inside and the fringe on the outside.

7: get a glass of wine ( or martini)

8. finish and make teens model 

look how cool....

She makes me smile...

There is your fashion for the day

YOU ARE WELCOME

xo,

sew ya later

m

365 days: day 217 Undie drawer update and DIY Bracelet Organizer

Days are getting pretty swanky around here

underwear drawer is looking good

so, I couldn't just ignore the socks

or the bracelets ( this is brilliant)

I highly recommend doing this, I should have done it years ago.

I got these organizer things on Amazon

closet underwear organizer

came the next day so that I didn't lose my will or want and blammo...Undwear organized like a grownup.

Panties have a living space and every pair is open to fair use.

same with the socks.

remember, if you do this, make sure you get rid of the gross underwear too....and socks.

After I cleaned those 2 drawers I thought, "well hell...let's do something with the jewelry."

I wanted something to hang my bracelets on ( I love bracelets!)

I looked on amazon and Pinterest and really could not find anything which looked semi modern and was not killer $$

Then....I saw something...I said, I know what that is!  

A CUP HOLDER!!! 

So, I went to Target and got a coffee cup hanger thingy and it worked perfect. 16$, light wood and marble base for my rings.

woop woop.

Please see above.

genius 

I ordered this thing for my necklaces and earrings 

we will see.

I feel a bit relieved.  

I have been donating and ditching things for downsizing.

better to be prepared

Now y'all get to organizing that undies drawer.

you can thank me later

off to admire my panties

xo,

m

365 days...cooking in more ways than 1

I used to really like cooking, I know I have said this before...

at some point it became a chore.

It probably was when I really began working later shifts and felt as if I had no support...

and teenagers, teenagers will suck the joy out of everything.

I cook almost every night.

I think it is important to sit at the table together and be present.

This is not always the most highly voted way to eat dinner in my casa, as I know O would like to take her plate to the bedroom and B ....well, I'm not sure he cares either way...as long as it is ready sometime between 6 and 7 ( just as his father used to like)

Me?   Me you ask....?

I like to sit at the table, enjoy my food, watch a bit of tele and chit chat....add a beer after a long day.

It's nice when all goes well.

Last night I threw together Shrimp Tacos and veggie crumble tacos.

I grew up eating shrimp but recently I think I have become allergic, so I try not to eat too many....but I love them so.

 Tomatoes, onion, cilantro and a little lime

rinsed the shrimp and tossed in some thrown together taco seasoning and olive oil....let sit for about 30 minutes, then sauté in oil....let them brown for a minute or 2

then flip!!  mmmmm

O, likes hard taco shells so she got her choice tonight ....I added yummy Mexican hard cheese and of course Marie Sharps hot sauce 

and a beer

O and I had veggie crumbles with taco seasoning (make your own seasoning, don't buy it) with steamed Sweet Potatoes...covers the protein allotment for the day

2/28/19

Yum....I like chopped lettuce   

super simple ...all in all it took longer to clean the pots and pans than cook the dinner

I have been feeling pretty ok.  Started training for the half marathon.  Not sure if I will make it to the Bryce...but I'm going to keep training. Yesterday it was so cold.... I had to head to the gym to run on the treadmill, my nemesis.  As I ran, I watched the mating rituals of the young testosteroned up males.I cannot figure it out.  It's often hard to tell if they are trying to impress the woman or the men....or maybe both in a way.  As much as I love a nice well taken care of hard body, I am not sure I could put up with that type of bravado.  I watched one young chap strut around, bopping from machine to machine with his scantily clad, full makeup, girl trotting behind him carrying his water bottle and his towel.  He was constantly 10 feet in front of her.  weird.

Cleaned out another room and filled the trash can with shit from my life yesterday which felt pretty good once I slammed the lid of the garbage can and kept myself from looking back in it.

Note to self: Don't look at what you throw away...got no time for picking shit OUT of garbage can due to remorse

Weekend is almost here.

Old guy friend, S, is here this weekend. He always spends the first half of his stay with family which is great then he starts texting.  Last night I had to yell... "No,I cannot come get in your Hot Tub...I really have to be up at 4 am....stop sending me those pictures!!!"

finally,  I got the last text around 11pm :)

big dummy

I'm not getting in that hot tub....nope, no matter how enticing it looks

but I know he is going to try to convince me

The weekends have been good, probably because I have been feeling pretty good

I think this weekend will be just as good.

I have to address some more situations,

I have a job interview

I have a couple of training runs to complete,

and maybe I will get up to Denver again....

ya know what I would like?

To go dancing....

Just keep moving forward

find your tribe, or rediscover your tribe

write ya later

xo,

m

365 days : no gloves

2/6/19

no gloves,

safety socks from work.

Don't ever sell me short

picture ya later,

xo 

m

Older Should be Better....Right?

I know some of you follow me on IG.  

I'm just a friend of many.  I try to say it like it is, which is often pretty realistic (such as the fact I took a selfie with no makeup, in my dirty 1970's kitchen) Lord knows I am never gonna be an influencer like that!!!  That shit is real and when you work full time, try to stay healthy, have a teenager (OMG that shit will kill you), and bizarre family dynamics you just do what you do to get through the hour, the day, the month , and the year....and pray it doesn't go too fast that you miss out.

I wanna talk about Older, Smarter, Better....

me .....older and still mastering the other 2.

I'll be 50 in a few weeks and I am starting, finally, to get it....to just plain old understand how the stuff I tended to worry about, really doesn't matter.  I think of all the times my mom said to me as a teen, "Stop being such a drama queen, that shit won't matter by next week!" 

She was so correct (as usual).

I can officially say I am older now.  I like it.  It doesn't bother me too much.  

I feel wiser, because I am wiser. 

This does NOT mean I don't struggle everyday with getting up and taking care of myself in a way which will keep me moving into the next 10 years.  

If there is one thing I want to say to you....it's not too late to start taking care of yourself.

If you are overweight, go get a physical and start slow. You don't need to join a gym (unless you want to)....just go walk. listen to a book or podcast and walk. Cut out Sodas and add in water. It's these little things which can keep you off medications and feeling better. 

you do no one any favors if you are not healthy or taking care of your skin suit.

Lift some weights.  You need to strengthen your muscles and your core.  

You are going to need it for balance, believe it or not. 

Hell, I fell UP the stairs at work the other day and I can guarantee if I was not as strong/healthy as I am right now I would have broken my leg, hip , or even worse cracked my head.   But I caught my dumbass , cracking my shin, and spilling my coffee...20 pounds heavier, it would not have been good.

Smarter?

I'm not sure.  My best advice...keep reading, listen to one book, read one book and keep a list on a site like GoodReads.  It's nice to know that you accomplish things even if you don't remember what the hell you have read or done.

I have Alzheimer's in my family .... so I try to keep my brain moving.  I try new things and I don't buy into that bullshit that I can't change, or I am too old.

With that said ....last year, or so, I did try an aerial ribbon dance class and that was the first time that I thought,

"For fuck's sake , Myssi, you are too old for this ribbon hanging stuff"

But I completed the class, and was horrible, but laughed a lot and got kudos for being the oldest in the class.

Better?

This is easy.... 

We know more now, so do better.  Maybe Oprah said that or something ...But she is damn right.  There is no excuse as a grown adult to be a dick.

People need kindness and empathy, so now that you are moving up Maslow's Heirarchy 

be kind, be better....reach that Nirvana.

It's pretty simple.   

Volunteer , offer a nice word, tell someone they are beautiful, encourage a person to move up and forward....

just do good things....you will feel better.  

Even if you get nothing back, because honestly, as an adult what do you really need?, you get those amazing Karma points that most of us blew through in our shitty 20's.

I'm no guru.  My life , if you read my posts ,has been a circle of weird times, confused love, horrible body image, bad hair, and one time I even tried to wax my own hooha....

But I can honestly say I am smarter now....better.....and I will never ever try to wax myself again.

That shit is for the pros.

now go out for a walk and do good things

write ya later

xo

m

           

DIY Garden Glass Globe Mushrooms

It is still not full blown Spring here in Colorado, but in between blizzrds we get some nice 78 degree weather.  Still too cold to start gardening, but we do start tidying up the beds.

It keeps all of us gardner types happy for a while.

While taking a break from pulling dandelions I decided to make a few things.

I like the way mushrooms look and I really wanted some yard art for my , well for my yard.

I was flipping through Pinterest and saw some glass mushrooms.

Easy enough.

I see light fixture leftovers at every thrift store so we went on an excursion to find them.

$4.25 later I had the makings for 2 LED garden mushrooms

~~~SQUEEEEE~~~~

you , too, can have these.

Junk you need:

(for 2 mushrooms)

4 vase like sconces or whatever you think will work and look cute for mushroom stem

2 Large light fixture bowls

(see picture)

2 LED light candles *or you can use real candles just be careful

lock tite glue or gorilla glue

 Here are the old lamp parts

I put a piece of tape here to hold the little LED "flickering candle"

But if you are using candles, do it like a pumpkin, or you could use those LED little string lights.

See ,stack it up .

I actually did not glue anything but if I was going to glue I would only glue the "stem" and leave the cap removable

There they are.

They are going to look great when all the little flowers are popping up around them

Enjoy,

m

Easy Patio Chair Cushion Recover. DIY

So, as I cleaned up the deck, the one day the weather was nice, I noticed the chair cushions were nasty...nasty ....nasty...

The female that I am headed to the Home Depot to get new ones.

They were anywhere from $18.00- 32.00 each!!!!

Holy Heck.

So just like I did when I covered the swing chair cover, I decided to cover these old things, again.  This is the 3rd time I have recovered.

I wanted to do an easy tutorial because , even though I sew and read and follow a ton of tutorials, sometimes even the most "simple" ones are not so simple.

I guarantee if you can cut a shape (no pattern needed), sew a line with a sewing machine...you can do this one

junk you need:

2 yard+ fabric.  

I needed 2 yards of large bolt upholstery fabric

 and this was actually weather resistant.

I purchased it from Hancock Fabrics, on sale, in the crap section, for 9$ a yard.

Thread

Sewing machine

Scissors 

pins? 

OOOH yucky 

 Step 1: lay out your fabric (doubled) and figure out how those cushions will fit so that the shape can be cut.  

 Step 2: Cut out leaving about 3/4" or so all the way around.  no need to be perfect.  just cut out the shape, like kindergarten.  Remember, the fabric is doubled so when you cut you are cutting out 2 at one time.

Step 3: Probably cut out all at once, but I cut out one pillow at a time, because I like instant satisfaction and I want to see what it will look like.  

Once cut, put RIGHT SIDES TOGETHER.  You can pin at this point almost all the way around , but leave one side open so that you can get that ugly cushion inside it.  

Step 4: I start my sewing, with right sides together, about 3 inches up and head south, turn and go all the way around then stop about 3 inches into the las side.  that way it leaves the opening for the cushion cramming.

Remember! right sides together... and I sew about a 3/4 seam, but we aren't picky.  Just sew! we don't want difficult.

Step 5: put the ugly cushion in the new cover.  

Oh my, that is a lot of pattern going on there.  Sorry, its the ironing board cover clashing with the cushion cover.   

 Step 6: OK...the hardest part.  Now that the cushion is safe inside take the opening and iron the area where you are going to sew it closed into about a 3/4 fold.  it will match with what is all ready sewn. 

This just makes it easier to sew it closed in a few.  If you are super crafty feel free to put a zipper in, but if you know how to put a zipper win, you won't be reading this simple tutorial. 

Open....

 Step 7: This is where I pin the opening closed.  see?

Closed

 Step 8: Now take it back to your sewing machind and sew it on the outside at about a 1/4 inch topstitch.  I just line the outside of my presser foot with the fabric and sew that hole closed.

Don't worry if its a little wonky, your rear end is going to be sitting on this. If one of your friends looks that closely, they need to be scolded.

Step 9:  Pat self on back and go buy a 20$ bottle of wine because you will still be ahead on cash flow after the wine!

good job!

I'll take final pictures when the snow melts from my patio chairs.

Write you later,

m

feel free to share.

craft room and yarn hole! Lets do this thing

Shit shit and more shit.   

So today I start to fix and throw away and try to make something out of this place we call home.

It gets to a point where you have lived some where so long you don't really care any more, then one day you look around and say 

Jeesus, this place is a mess and we have such great space and I bet if someone else lived here they would make it nice

so I am going to make my space nice.

Of course as soon as I started the man came down and said you can't just paint...you cant just put stuff in here.

well why the hell not!?

Just go back out to your garage.

the front loader broke...I had to spend 600$ on a new washing machine on Mother's Day which really really pissed me off.  so that wont be here until 5/25.  that gives me time to paint.

I'll keep ya posted and in the mean time if you have any ideas via pinterest etc...send them my way

Circular Needle Holder …clothespins

Yesterday I started cleaning the craft/laundry room.   

I had all my circular needles (which I dont use very often because I have since acquired some knitpicks interchangeables) in a needle wrap...pretty unsuccessfully.   They were a mess.  

So….I came up with an easy fix

Off to Home Depot.

1 piece of steel/metal   1.58   1 inch wide and 1 foot long

clothespins                   1.29

magnets                       4.00

glue gun

You may have some of this stuff just hanging out.  I had magnets but I wanted stronger ones than my bottle cap magnets.

The metal strip I got has holes in it so that I can nail it to the wall….or because its magnetic, I can put it to metal.  Imagine that.

Painting the clothes pins would be quite fancy also.

 You can easily romove the needles.

 I'm sure you crafty people can make them look more hip

But I like the industrial look.

Enjoy!

DIY Interchangeable Knitting Needle Case

Labor day brought a day of nothing for me.  Isn't that how it should be?  Friday I received my new Knit Picks Zephyr interchangeable needles.  My knitting partner in crime had ordered herself the Addy's and they came in this adorable wallet.  it was perfect purse size, tidy, and classy.  When I got my needles they came in this god awful tacky plastic Walmart looking thing.  I was sad.  I didn't want to spend any more cash out of my budget so I decided to sew one up.  I used Miss Vonkysmeed's blog and a combo of others and set to work.
I had all the fabric in my cabinet but if you don't I would head to the fabric shob and use some scrap upholstery or cotton.  I used two different coordinating fabrics.  I'm wild like that.
Plug your iron in and get your ruler and pins and stitch remover (just in case)….and a lemonade or cocktail. ( I prefer the latter)
This is what you need:

Two 11 3/4" x 17" pieces of fabric for outside of case and for lining 

11 3/4" x 10 1/2" piece of fabric for cable pocket

11 3/4" x 9 1/2" piece of fabric for needles pocket

11 3/4" x 8" piece of fabric for pocket on bottom flap

2" x 4" piece of fabric for button loop

6" x 8" piece of fabric for zippered pocket lining

11 3/4" 17" piece of interfacing*

11 3/4" x 17" piece of batting*

7", or longer , zipper

button

I chose not to use interfacing or batting, the batting made it too bulky, so I used a piece of thicker cotton canvas (denim or old jeans) I had around to give it some form.

1. Cut out all your pieces.  Extremely easy if you have a cutting wheel.   Don't worrry about being perfect.  Just cut and be happy.
2. Fold the pocket pieces together lengthwise.  WITH RIGHT SIDES TOGETHER.  Press and stitch a nice 3/4" hem ( or whatever size you like to hem…3/4" is standard so I will say that is what it is when I say hem.)   You should have 2 rectangular tubes. 11 3/4" x 5 1/4" & 11 3/4" x 4 3/4"  Now turn right sides out, trim seams, and press again.  Set to the side.

3.  Layer the large pieces together . Fabric lining then batting.  )Save the last piece of large fabric for the very end. Have your 2 layers nice and neat in front of you.

Now you want to take the smaller rectangle tube.  11 3/4"x4 3/4" and put it on your layers and pin it about 5 3/4" down from the top.  Mark the center with a little dot for reference.  

Stitch the bottom of the pocket across close to the edge.

This is going to be your needle pocket.  

After it is stitched down this is where you get to decide what you want to do.  

I chose to make incremently larger needle holders from left to right on my case.  Instead of measuring, dividing, doing long divison...I put my tiniest needles in,  marked top and bottom and sewed a line.***NOTE: sew from bottom hem where the pocket is stitched on so that you don't get bumpy.

You can look at Mrs. Vonkysmeed's if you want to do math.  I had too many cocktails by this point.

click pic to see bigger detail

So, take your time and sew your nice neat lines.  I think mine ended up having 12 needle compartments for "pairs of needles".
4.  Get the larger pocket and pin it neatly 1 1/2" DOWN and on top of pocket #1.  (oooh it's starting to look like something!)  This is your cable pocket.

Pin in place and stitch neatly, close to the bottom edge.  After it is stitched on the bottom I made one center stitch, which actually matched up with my needle pockets, so that I would have 2 cable pockets.
That's good for me.  Like I said, if you want to do math divide by 3 or something and remember !!!!STITCH FROM BOTTOM SEAM TO OPENING (TOP) so you don't get bumps.  If you do it wrong you will know, then just pull it out with the ripper. and do it over right.

Now have a drink, because I don't want you to be afraid of the stupid zipper.  You have Youtube and a few links.  it's easier than it looks.
5.  inner pocket tutorial  @ craftpassion and U-handbag tutorial  and please look at Vonkysmeed's…I used a combo of all three.  I like the way Vonkysmeed folds the pocket in half .
 YOU READY?  here we go
Go look at the tutorials, unless you know how to do it all ready.  We are going to draw the zipper box 2" from the top of the fabric and make it 6-6 1/2" long.  (Zipperbox is the drawing you are going to cut out.) ***I did not use interfacing, so when you look at the tutorials, just ignore the extra piece of fabric

click for larger view

When you draw the box only make the rectangle about 1 cm high.  I made mine too tall, which threw my zipper sewing off.  The closer the rectangle is to the zipper teeth the easier.

 U-handbag shows a great step by step on turning the pocket to the inside

once it is looking similar to this, press like no ones business!

put your zipper underneath as in tutorial, sew it in close to the edge…use a zipper foot…you must have one somewhere…and if you have NEVER ever sewn a zipper, refer to Youtube.  ( I swear by those videos)

Fold the bottom of the fabric up over the installed zipper and sew it all the way around (just on that  fabric) to make the pocket.   OOOOHHHH  very nice

except for my little pucker.

Look at this point you should be patting yourself on the back and doing the happy dance!

6.  Now easy stuff: the loop for the closure.  Get your 2"x4" fold in half length wise. Press. Unfold then press the raw edges in making a nice 4" thin, hemmed, piece of fabric.  Press again then sew close to the edge on the open seam to close it.  Got it?  now, pin it to the top, center, above where your new zipper is…on the edge.

8.  you should have another "pocket rectangle" there on your sewing table.  Fold it in half, WRONG sides together.  pin it with the raw edges lined up with the bottom of the project (opposite end of the zipper….) It's the last pocket , so it goes below the other pockets.  The folded side should be aiming north and the "raw edges" south.  layer the last big piece over the entire thing, right sides together, and pin together.  Capturing all the layers and loop enclosure.

7. Sew all the way around the edge BUT leave about 3 inches open on one side or bottom so that you can turn it right side out.  Turn right side out, press….stitch the last little section closed, either by hand or I just sew it together with the sewing machine, making sure I fold the seams inside and press.

When that is done press, admire your work…take a sip of cocktail, then I sewed all the way around the outside, close to the edge with a nice topstitch…. then add a button.  I had a button that I covered with matching fabric…but use whatever you like.

TA-DA!!!!!!

I'm so proud of you…..I hope it worked for you.

Thank you to all the other blogs which I found direction with…

Show me a pic…

send me a nice email….

But if it didn't work out….I'm gonna blame it on the fact you had too much cocktail.

xo,

m