But I was using my whole a$s!

Quick post - after today's failed haircut experience, I had a half hour to kill and I needed a little pick-me-up. Luckily we were about 2 miles away from Michaels. Now, Michaels is a dismal, poorly-lit, poorly-run store, but it is a treasure trove for crafty types like me. I also forgot they have an entire aisle devoted to Crayola, and ever since I bought Katie an easel, I've been itching to get her some more crayons for it. Washable of course!

We bought crayons and sidewalk chalk (which I plan to use in the garage if it's raining) and then inspiration struck. Why not do a Valentine's Day-themed felt project for our door? For Christmas, I made Katie a little tree out of green felt, with felt ornaments to decorate it. I thought this might keep her away from the real tree. (Hah!) I got the idea from Pinterest:

So why not a big heart? A few dollars later (and a very sore finger from a LOT of cutting), voila!

Near-instant Valentine's fun! And yes, it was hastily done and rather half-assed. Who cares? Katie is 2 and she loves it! :)

P.S. I am now marveling at what a luxury it is to have just one kid. I've got to get as many crafts done as I possibly can before the baby comes! My days of 2-hour breaks (while Katie naps) are numbered. I've heard from many a mother of 2 that they just *never* seem to nap at the same time! And when they do, it's a small miracle. :)

Traveshamockery

Aughhhhhh!!  I just ran across a cute craft idea turned bad.

It was a framed quotation titled "Jane Austen printables."  The quote reads, "I never wish to be parted from you from this day on."  I would have ignored it except for the fact that it simply didn't sound like Jane Austen.  "I never wish..." means that you never do the act of wishing; for example, "I never wish ill upon any other person."  This quote is trying to say that the person wishes never to be parted, etc.  One of the things I treasure most about Austen's work is the precise way she crafted her sentences.  There is no WAY she would have written that!  So I googled it...was it perhaps from a lesser-known, early work that I haven't read?

NOPE!  It was from the 2005 movie adaptation of Pride and Prejudice.  I deliberately avoided this movie for two reasons: 1) Keira Knightley is an appallingly bad actress and 2) no Colin Firth.  Colin Firth is the dreamiest, sexiest, most knee-weakening Mr. Darcy possible.  I refuse to watch Pride and Prejudice without Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy. End of story.

But now, it seems I have a third reason to NEVER EVER see this film.  When I googled the quote, I ended up at imdb, where they have a whole collection of "memorable quotes" from this title.  They had the travesty mentioned above, plus they had dumbed down another pivotal scene: where Elizabeth accuses Mr. Darcy of ending Mr. Bingley's courtship of her sister Jane.  The screenwriter had the gall to sum up Jane's perceived indifference in the following sentence: "That's because she's shy!"

GAH!  I can't go on.  I just can't.  All of Jane Austen's clever wordsmithing, reduced to "because she's shy."  BLEEEHHHHHHHH!  No wonder the whole world thinks Americans are dumb as sh*t.

p.s. I know I may have made some grammatical errors in this post.  I'm not saying I'm perfect; I'm saying Jane Austen is.  :)

Where is my Carl cutter?

Woe is me!!!  I have been looking for my Carl cutter for MONTHS now.  As a paper crafter, it is simply indispensable. I don't get a chance to do paper crafts much anymore since Katie was born, but whenever I have to cut a straight line I *need* my cutter!!  I don't think I can explain how painful it is to even consider cutting a straight line with a SCISSORS!!!  lol!!! Not to mention how difficult it is to get a perfectly straight line.

Today I was thinking about making a very simple garland for Valentine's day, out of some red and pink paper strips.  I'd love to cut said strips about 1/2 - 3/4 inches wide.  Do you know how perfectly and quickly I could do that with my trusty paper cutter?  It would take about 1 minute to do ALL of them.  WHERE ARE YOU, CUTTER???  The last time I remember using it was when I made those cute little boxes to hold tea bags at my baby shower. So, September 2010!!  I have checked the garage, the office, the guest bedroom, our bedroom closet, the den, the kitchen, the dining room hutch, the laundry room...where can it be????

Come baaaaack, Carl cutter!  I miss you so much!!!