tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38068846513643847872012-01-31T19:48:56.957-05:00Sarah@Neoteric.Traditionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05974066405699512243noreply@blogger.comBlogger1161100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3806884651364384787.post-46315615125360198772011-08-10T15:52:00.000-04:002011-08-10T15:52:39.494-04:00

Blog that is. If you notice it has been quite a while since I last posted and to be honest with you the last few - or more - were put up just because I felt I needed to do it. Not because I particularly wanted to. I do enjoy the idea of blogging, but reality be told I just can't get around to it. I'm just not in a phase of my life where I can. I thought I was entering one when I started this blog

Sarah@Neoteric.Traditionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05974066405699512243noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3806884651364384787.post-51950069893024551942010-10-01T13:44:00.002-04:002010-11-10T13:58:09.388-05:00

Sadly none of the kitties came home with us. Both of the striped cats have disappeared and the fuzzy cutie face cream one is apparently the dominant male of the litter and sprays all over the place and isn't very friendly. Hubs had no good answer for why he would tease me with such a photo.

Sarah@Neoteric.Traditionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05974066405699512243noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3806884651364384787.post-63775103576974768822010-09-21T20:52:00.000-04:002010-09-21T20:52:14.288-04:00

I've long considered myself to be "not a pet person." I like animals, I've owned a few pets, but in general they require more time and energy than I'm willing to invest. And cleaning. Oh lord am I done with bodily waste or what!? I was willing to consider a bunny that could live outdoors in a large pen we have available with a few modifications - it's 6'x12' or so - because it's poo could be used

Sarah@Neoteric.Traditionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05974066405699512243noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3806884651364384787.post-66623291645111112832010-08-10T15:59:00.001-04:002010-08-10T16:05:30.544-04:00

I can only think of 3 lovies that I named when I was a small child. 1 was an elephant named Dumbo, another was a softie cabbage patch kid that I christened with my mother's name and the very first lovie I named was a frog, surely as big as I was at the time, who I graced with a baby babble name that stuck. My pets didn't fare much better. My parents had an Akita when I was a toddler named Mandy

Sarah@Neoteric.Traditionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05974066405699512243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3806884651364384787.post-70200827061361956772010-08-09T16:10:00.000-04:002010-08-09T16:10:44.460-04:00

Today was our first day of school. Our first first day of school. I know, right. It's still summer, yet my niece went back last Monday! Of course her county is on a different calendar system where they get a week of break every 6 or 7 weeks plus holidays that don't fall into that pattern. ANYWAY In preparation for school I did a couple of little projects for AT. Scrapbook paper A's on her 2

Sarah@Neoteric.Traditionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05974066405699512243noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3806884651364384787.post-61761575767344233622010-07-13T16:24:00.003-04:002010-07-13T16:32:37.833-04:00

stuff gets done.In the last few days:I finish sanded lots of sheet rock patches, cleaned up LOTS of dust and primed all the spots and the rest of the kitchen and stairwell going down to the basement. I don't particularly like the tan from the living and dining rooms in there, but I like it better than white primer and I like it WAY better than the blue it was. You know since I have had 2 tone

Sarah@Neoteric.Traditionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05974066405699512243noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3806884651364384787.post-29658086864916285382010-06-12T14:28:00.000-04:002010-06-15T11:59:00.110-04:00

This morning our caller ID displayed a name I didn't recognize so I didn't answer it. But it turned out to be a female friend from far in my husband's past. I don't know that Hubs had talked to this woman since he moved to Atlanta nearly 15 years ago. He was about to simply call her back when he noticed there was a message. It turned out to be another friend calling from this woman's house to let

Sarah@Neoteric.Traditionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05974066405699512243noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3806884651364384787.post-12391409381997903832010-03-08T20:36:00.003-05:002010-03-08T20:37:31.791-05:00

I totally meant to post that elsewhere, but this is what happens when you have 3 kids and a cranky husband running around while you are trying to steal a few minutes to write on his computer after yours finally, officially dies.

Sarah@Neoteric.Traditionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05974066405699512243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3806884651364384787.post-42272402363003095062010-03-02T19:43:00.002-05:002010-03-02T19:50:04.454-05:00

(for once)We all strive to give our kids certain personality traits, whether it be empathy, a sense of adventure, or the ability to know when to hold em, know when to fold em, know when to walk away and when to run. Among those traits is usually self-acceptance / self confidence. If I were wondering how GR is doing on this front, I got my answer. She came up to me and said, out of the blue,"I

Sarah@Neoteric.Traditionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05974066405699512243noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3806884651364384787.post-20594450675015622412010-02-07T14:26:00.004-05:002010-02-07T15:14:37.033-05:00

(Hubs has been around the house this weekend - so his computer has been too. Mostly he's been in front of it, but at the moment he's upstairs watching hockey)No super parent am I, nor have I had terrible issues with my kids at night, but I've got some experience and some tips. This doesn't mean that I'm not awoken nearly every night by one thing or another, but sometimes it's my own sleep issues

Sarah@Neoteric.Traditionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05974066405699512243noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3806884651364384787.post-10330668364335243682010-02-04T16:23:00.001-05:002010-02-04T16:32:27.791-05:00

...though, 4 months is a long time to go without a post. There are lots of factors in the lapse but I'm not ready to go into detail. I'm also not really ready to be back yet, but I miss it. I miss doing things to blog about, I miss the actual blogging - the sitting down and physically writing my thoughts, I miss the networking and sharing of blog visits. Truthfully, this blog hadn't yet reached

Sarah@Neoteric.Traditionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05974066405699512243noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3806884651364384787.post-83972889249885484072009-09-21T22:21:00.000-04:002009-09-21T10:31:50.427-04:00

I've told you about Amy right? Well, she's having a giveaway at her blog Mod Podge Rocks. You can win a starter pack of different Mod Podges. Visit her to find the details.photo snagged from Amy's site

Sarah@Neoteric.Traditionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05974066405699512243noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3806884651364384787.post-85309110437308226902009-09-16T21:26:00.003-04:002009-09-16T21:29:58.323-04:00

I'm sure my dozens of loyal followers have been waiting on the edge of their seats for my next post...ahem...don't laugh...but there's been frightfully little on the personal crafts front and frightfully much on the homeschooling front. I'm struggling with my desire to keep every aspect of my life separate by keeping different blogs. (I like to compartmentalize, an organizer at heart, but I feel

Sarah@Neoteric.Traditionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05974066405699512243noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3806884651364384787.post-19030731673244118272009-09-06T23:24:00.000-04:002009-09-06T23:24:00.396-04:00

...your blogroll? I was away from blogs for 10 days or so and racked up nearly 1000 unread items. Obviously I'm not gonna catch up with that so I've got to skip a lot, but it's got me thinking that maybe it's time to pare down. Break up with my RSS feeds.There are some I'm keeping no question. There are also some I only read when looking for some specific info: a bargain shopper site I "run"

Sarah@Neoteric.Traditionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05974066405699512243noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3806884651364384787.post-89446366802879707002009-09-04T16:36:00.002-04:002009-09-04T16:51:01.595-04:00

I glued scrapbook paper strips around repurposed cans! I'm so proud. Well, OK, so not really but I've got to look for the small things when I'm so strapped for time! And seriously lacking in blog posts...

Sarah@Neoteric.Traditionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05974066405699512243noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3806884651364384787.post-57622397149583230432009-09-03T19:03:00.005-04:002009-09-03T19:34:06.450-04:00

To end the story, I had to keep the tooth, in a small jar, in my bedroom just in case the Tooth Fairy visited anyway. But the Tooth Fairy did visit and left a gift and note. Since, AT didn't want money, she got a white fake fur capelet (that matches a black one we already had that her sister wears a lot to be "Mystery Bat".) She was ambivalent about checking under her pillow, opting to wait until

Sarah@Neoteric.Traditionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05974066405699512243noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3806884651364384787.post-29302574413791253362009-08-24T14:29:00.003-04:002009-08-24T15:25:41.227-04:00

... a very loose tooth and how hard it is to eat apples...... funny faces...... making Halloween costumes ...... and while contemplating a loose tooth in the mirror moments after getting the top photo made she began contemplating what to do when a tooth falls out!And believe me the plan does NOT include the Tooth Fairy. She is apparently not welcome in our house. There are enough treats and money

Sarah@Neoteric.Traditionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05974066405699512243noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3806884651364384787.post-41516636014949660822009-08-18T15:17:00.004-04:002009-08-18T15:25:56.721-04:00

If you've wondered just what it is I'm up to, I just made my checklist available for download on my Montessori From Scratch blog. It sets out all the skills a child would probably learn between 2.5 or 3 depending on the child to about age 7. AK started some of the first period work at 18 months but I think that's mainly because his sisters were doing it too. Which is an excellent example of why

Sarah@Neoteric.Traditionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05974066405699512243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3806884651364384787.post-32333389707085730322009-08-15T00:31:00.002-04:002009-08-15T00:43:37.157-04:00

(yes, I'm still on the name thing and I have no idea why)Part of the modern world's emerging neoteric tradition is that the wife/mother of a family retain her maiden name. Almost 30% of people in a poll thought that was the best route.Hubs and I discussed this several times during our engagement. We discussed the changing of his name as well. We talked about him taking my name, both of us

Sarah@Neoteric.Traditionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05974066405699512243noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3806884651364384787.post-24817789095890852312009-08-12T22:11:00.003-04:002009-08-12T22:19:19.913-04:00

There are a lot of bloggers named Sarah/Sara. At least there are several blogs that I read by a Sarah/Sara and it is a name I see often in the comments lists of those blogs. Since getting people to visit you from the comments section is one way of getting new readers, I'm wondering if I should go back to my blog name as my ID. I had it that way until my husband said to me "It's really weird but I

Sarah@Neoteric.Traditionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05974066405699512243noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3806884651364384787.post-43684935813684847092009-08-08T21:22:00.000-04:002009-08-09T09:41:00.836-04:00

I just touched this topic the other day. It's nice that they actually found out some of what the parents were thinking when they chose the names.Recruitniks and moniker-lovers, meet God's Power Offorrelated: Name of the Year Blog, what happens when Vanilla Dong and Chastity Clapp get together? Never mind, I don't want to know.2009 Name of the Year Brackett

Sarah@Neoteric.Traditionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05974066405699512243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3806884651364384787.post-78354549655108771712009-08-07T19:15:00.003-04:002009-08-07T19:59:34.215-04:00

Just because I've been quiet for a while, I thought I'd pass along a little tip - one that has been on my mind as I try to come to a consensus on the kitchen with Hubs.I was going to tell you the story of how I came to this, but I can't remember all the details that I wanted to put in - what year it happened for instance! But the upswing of it is a tip for those of us who have to do things on as

Sarah@Neoteric.Traditionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05974066405699512243noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3806884651364384787.post-3415330590240804192009-07-31T23:14:00.000-04:002009-07-31T23:30:47.919-04:00

"Homeschool" or "home school" - however you want to spell it, that's what I'm all about this week. I spent a very long day in classes at the Southeast Homeschool Expo today. Some helpful, some not, one even down right disappointing. I'm excited and nervous, I've been working on this a long time and have had many bumps in the road. Last winter, I finally "gave up" and stopped trying to school

Sarah@Neoteric.Traditionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05974066405699512243noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3806884651364384787.post-66592047571202012172009-07-26T13:17:00.001-04:002009-07-26T13:17:00.440-04:00

Without trying to explain the complicated road map of my thoughts, this has been on my mind lately. For our first child, we chose to not know the gender. She wasn't named until the last morning at the hospital. Her name was ultimately chosen for its meanings and wasn't ever on the list. We decided to find out the gender of #2 so we had a little more time to focus on a gender name, but she also

Sarah@Neoteric.Traditionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05974066405699512243noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3806884651364384787.post-60590738818928809822009-07-25T00:22:00.001-04:002009-07-25T13:16:50.916-04:00

Aside from some things when I was a small girl, I haven't really delved into the world of Mod Podge. It has been in my stash for a long time but I don't use it much. I did get started with it to make a collage on one wall of the room that will be my studio, but stopped that project when I realized I didn't know where the furniture would be placed and thus didn't know what would be obscured. In

Sarah@Neoteric.Traditionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05974066405699512243noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3806884651364384787.post-17875562025137363772009-07-21T11:45:00.000-04:002009-07-21T11:53:43.399-04:00

Most kids are creative, I think or suspect, but AT has had me entranced the last couple of weeks. Mind you the 2 weeks before last I was very busy with wedding stuff so I wasn't able to spend as much time with her as I would have liked. But she'd sit close to me playing with the scraps and practicing her sewing with plastic grid shapes. Then she decided we simply must make peanut butter

Sarah@Neoteric.Traditionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05974066405699512243noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3806884651364384787.post-85486633056411876442009-07-19T07:40:00.000-04:002009-07-19T07:40:00.110-04:00

If you've checked me out (or know me) you know that one of my many varied interests is cake decorating. Mostly simple kid pleasing stuff, though Mom and I keep trying to get together to take a Wilton class. I'm hope I'm not exaggerating when I say that I'm not terrible. But after Sis's wedding this weekend with 3 cakes that were not as they were supposed to be (my camera was missing during the

Sarah@Neoteric.Traditionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05974066405699512243noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3806884651364384787.post-38708736469280986592009-07-17T11:25:00.004-04:002009-07-17T11:43:27.444-04:00

I never put much thought into why I might like a photo of myself other than feeling like I looked pretty in it. Hubs likes to sneak photos of me because he says he's trying to get a picture of what I really look like. I've told him I don't really get what he means and he's never been able to really explain it, but now I understand. His favorite photo of me is one he surprised me with, about 6

Sarah@Neoteric.Traditionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05974066405699512243noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3806884651364384787.post-92203222649900831402009-07-16T17:50:00.004-04:002009-07-16T18:27:52.707-04:00

I wrote poetry. Like many of my artistic and crafty endeavors, very few specimen remain. I don't know if poetry will return to me or not as I can barely think of enough words to hold a conversation these days. I still think in poems on occasion, I just can't seem to get them out of my head the way I see them. And yes, I kinda see them. I will get a little vision of stanzas drifting in lazy waves.

Sarah@Neoteric.Traditionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05974066405699512243noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3806884651364384787.post-17364081100523452282009-07-13T19:13:00.003-04:002009-07-14T12:34:02.360-04:00

OK, so 2 things happen when your husband is in charge of the photos and you're so busy you just trust his judgement / forget to tell him specifically what to do. One thing is that he doesn't take the photos on the "fast motion" setting despite (or because of) the fact that you've told him countless times including the night before that the chance of having an in focus photo in any other mode is

Sarah@Neoteric.Traditionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05974066405699512243noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3806884651364384787.post-1651211267069974152009-07-09T11:59:00.004-04:002009-07-09T12:24:42.559-04:00

Notice how there's no songs listed (save for the one the grooms cousin is singing). Yeah. Anyway, she can change her mind as much as she wants - or delay decisions - well, she can go right up to the deadline anyway.She does have the Bridal Processional picked ("Bridal Chorus" Wagner) and Recessional ("Bridal March" Mendhellson). When talking about this stuff with Hubs, he "discovered" that we

Sarah@Neoteric.Traditionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05974066405699512243noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3806884651364384787.post-72935886276172430212009-07-08T14:12:00.003-04:002009-07-08T14:33:22.518-04:00

on my sister to call me back so I can play her snippets of music off the internet over the phone so she will finally choose her wedding ceremony music so I can put it in the program like she wants....this is the front of the program I made, some things changed for privacy obviously - we're not a bunch of in-breeders with the surname of "Last"e-mail me for the frame creditI don't think I've

Sarah@Neoteric.Traditionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05974066405699512243noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3806884651364384787.post-29311230614319575002009-06-28T00:25:00.000-04:002009-06-28T12:38:21.470-04:00

It's a tricky mistress, that Inspiration. I've been haunted by it since childhood. She'd visit me in my dreams, sleeping or waking. I'd see lovely visions, but my attempts to create them in the real world left me feeling frustrated, unsatisfied and as though I was failing at being myself. It's still that way sometimes for things I don't have the skills for. But when I do have the skills, when I

Sarah@Neoteric.Traditionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05974066405699512243noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3806884651364384787.post-89574334055782539412009-06-27T20:56:00.003-04:002009-06-28T10:47:52.090-04:00

There was one pregnant Mama and a happy Daddy. They planned on making their little bundle a wonderful bedroom, the kind of room that inspires hours of imaginary play and sweet dreams. Not knowing if there would be a little girl or boy joining their family; a fanciful world was dreamed up, befitting of any little boy or girl. It was lovingly painted by both Mommy and Daddy and eventually by a dear

Sarah@Neoteric.Traditionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05974066405699512243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3806884651364384787.post-80383875696199135372009-06-26T13:09:00.001-04:002009-06-28T10:46:03.403-04:00

Somewhere along the way I learned the term "wearable muslin" but it flew out of my head every other time I've talked about this project.Now that I'm using a "correct" term...I finished AT's wearable muslin for her flower girl dressWow, no ballerina poses!As predicted, it is too short. (although you can't see that in the above photo because of the angle)

Sarah@Neoteric.Traditionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05974066405699512243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3806884651364384787.post-11666023991380083932009-06-26T01:04:00.002-04:002009-06-26T01:08:02.496-04:00

I apparently forgot to show you the cake I decorated for Easter this year. My mom baked it and cut out the shapes, so it was waiting for my unsuspecting self when I arrived the night before. It was carrot cake, of course!

Sarah@Neoteric.Traditionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05974066405699512243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3806884651364384787.post-38928946712560843492009-06-18T15:45:00.006-04:002009-06-18T16:16:18.970-04:00

This past May, I made some produce bags for my mother. I'd been thinking about it since the fall of '07 when I visited one of my uncles and saw his Whole Foods bag (not produce specific) and liked the print so much I went and bought one though I rarely shop at WF. Even after all that time I was not prioritizing my sewing time to include it, because frankly produce bags were way down on my wish

Sarah@Neoteric.Traditionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05974066405699512243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3806884651364384787.post-75355131572830427952009-06-18T10:31:00.000-04:002009-06-18T10:31:00.985-04:00

If any of you had a girl or girls before you had a son, it won't be long before you realize that 1. the younger child gets into certain kinds of play at an earlier age than the others because of co-playing 2. very little boys don't care if it's princess or monster truck, but their fathers might HAHA!So after seeing my son playing dress-up for the last year, with a particular fondness of being

Sarah@Neoteric.Traditionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05974066405699512243noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3806884651364384787.post-68604952652407010932009-06-17T10:28:00.005-04:002009-06-17T10:58:20.351-04:00

This project has been taking up considerable amounts of my time and thinking energy. It's still not finished but I just hate having to wait for all that! It needs more paint but I think you'll get a pretty good idea of what it is HAHA!

Sarah@Neoteric.Traditionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05974066405699512243noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3806884651364384787.post-27737189556344475992009-06-13T03:46:00.003-04:002009-06-13T03:50:50.495-04:00

One of the things I've been liking lately is digital scrapbooking. I'm not very good at it. Like decorating, I don't have a TERRIBLE eye for it but not a great one either. But I just hurriedly threw something together for AK's birthday post the other day without doing much for it. Since Hubs was gone this evening, I had access to a working computer (if he were home he'd be occupying it with

Sarah@Neoteric.Traditionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05974066405699512243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3806884651364384787.post-8089429027218869672009-06-07T16:56:00.010-04:002009-06-13T03:45:49.483-04:00

Whew, it was taking me a long time to write out what all went wrong with this cake. But really, in the end AK didn't care - it was sugar. Everyone else said it was good and all had a big slice. I stayed very simple this time since I had such a short amount of time to work on it and it captured my son's favorite obsession of the moment - vehicles! In the spirit of every other birthday, I decided

Sarah@Neoteric.Traditionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05974066405699512243noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3806884651364384787.post-63884883565761682872009-06-07T13:02:00.000-04:002009-06-07T13:02:00.486-04:00

Taking a cue from Maya*Made, I thought I'd try my hand at making a storage box from an old mild carton. Since my "milk" comes in cartons, and we buy them when Publix is out of our regular organic or when we have to shop at Kroger instead, I thought I'd do something with them.My first attempt didn't come out so great. It was bulky under the tape and I ended up with a piece that was held on only by

Sarah@Neoteric.Traditionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05974066405699512243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3806884651364384787.post-90128624652143615022009-06-06T12:57:00.000-04:002009-06-06T12:57:00.921-04:00

There is a reason I haven't gotten back to sewing AT's practice flower girl dress - I take that back 5 reasons: AT, GR, AK, Hubs and this...Do you know what it is?I coulda picked a different shot, but thought I'd bless you all with proof of my dorkiness. I'm in the middle of setting the nails before I spend hours sanding.

Sarah@Neoteric.Traditionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05974066405699512243noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3806884651364384787.post-58094430205162007552009-06-05T12:10:00.000-04:002009-06-05T12:10:01.052-04:00

Memorial Day and the day after, I was able to determine which pattern I would base the flower girl dresses on, alter the pattern so it was more like what I saw in my head, cut the fabrics and sew one of the dresses. I could do all this because the kids were at my parents' HAHA!I used New Look 6688 (here is a picture of the back side of the pattern)This was the first fully lined anything I've ever

Sarah@Neoteric.Traditionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05974066405699512243noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3806884651364384787.post-73302670048283219372009-06-04T16:27:00.006-04:002009-06-04T16:27:00.867-04:00

It's day 3 at this precise moment, but I'm setting this to publish on day 21. (I love that feature, just discovered it last week. I know - DUH!) Maybe I'll remember to keep it updated between now and then.Day 3: b.s. only, no vinegar. My hair was a little less easily brushed through after my shower. I haven't actually looked in a mirror since it air dried but I was sitting at the dining room

Sarah@Neoteric.Traditionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05974066405699512243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3806884651364384787.post-91201886982643187062009-06-02T21:46:00.001-04:002009-06-04T23:50:12.112-04:00

Although, I have been exposed to sewing since I was too little to remember, I didn't attempt to learn until 8th grade. In my small southern town, the highlight of 8th grade was the end of the year, well, I'm gonna call it Civil War Extravaganza. (I'm pretty sure I'm remembering it correctly, but apparently I don't have a good memory) We'd spend a week or so preparing for it missing 1 period each

Sarah@Neoteric.Traditionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05974066405699512243noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3806884651364384787.post-21990183079275810642009-06-02T21:10:00.002-04:002009-06-02T21:15:17.126-04:00

My scanner, a nice but old and large flat bed will not activate. I shall just have to regale you with my tale sans pictures. Later.

Sarah@Neoteric.Traditionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05974066405699512243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3806884651364384787.post-40701197933198429292009-05-29T13:47:00.002-04:002009-05-29T13:51:29.000-04:00

I almost forgot. Despite I am acutely aware of the fact that my baby boy will be 2 mere days from now, I practically forgot that I actually need to make a party for him! We don't do big parties for little 'uns, it will probably be just my family but I do make a cake. Oh my what will I do?! Thanks to the little blurb from sweet thing(s) I remembered I had some work ahead of me! 2 - TWO!!!???

Sarah@Neoteric.Traditionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05974066405699512243noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3806884651364384787.post-13109728007913169602009-05-28T21:33:00.003-04:002009-05-28T21:36:21.883-04:00

Everything in life is about priorities. It does get tiresome to keep making decisions all day everyday, though. However, avoiding making those decisions leaves you with a mess and no fun had. Or it leaves you with projects left in the middle, posts unfinished, dresses left un-photographed (YES! I SEWED!). Gotta make this blog a priority!

Sarah@Neoteric.Traditionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05974066405699512243noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3806884651364384787.post-22872262605083600162009-05-16T14:55:00.003-04:002009-05-16T15:12:46.078-04:00

Don't worry, I'm not going to update you every day, but today's results are quite different from yesterday's.Last night, about 14 hours after washing, my hair was oily. Not something totally unusual, but it's not the time of my cycle for that. This morning, it was in it's typical needs-to-be-washed state.I poured the b.s. mix on and made one big note. The "silky" feel I mentioned yesterday, that

Sarah@Neoteric.Traditionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05974066405699512243noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3806884651364384787.post-69154202995664822009-05-15T14:48:00.006-04:002009-05-15T16:10:37.905-04:00

Well, that's not exactly true, but when I was in the shower it didn't feel anything like washing my hair.I'm one of those people who wash their hair everyday. I just don't feel like myself if I don't and further, I don't look like myself since I have an oily complexion. I've had issues with oily skin since before I hit puberty, and when I did hit puberty, I couldn't make it through a whole day

Sarah@Neoteric.Traditionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05974066405699512243noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3806884651364384787.post-57071121067375201132009-05-13T13:14:00.003-04:002009-05-13T13:14:00.833-04:00

A while back I mentioned I had done some work on a Mother's Day gift. This is what it is. Reusable produce shopping bags.Again I didn't take pictures of the process! I'm so immersed in thought when making this stuff that I just don't think of the camera. I'm not a natural picture taker. I'm quite sure that I took more pictures in the first few months of my eldest's life than I had in the 25 years

Sarah@Neoteric.Traditionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05974066405699512243noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3806884651364384787.post-57370541596633906412009-05-12T12:59:00.000-04:002009-05-12T12:59:00.980-04:00

I've been at a loss as to what to do with the garlic we always have around and also the rare onions and potatoes (those are usually bought only when I have a specific use for them so storage isn't usualy a problem, but having them on hand regularly requires more thought)I was considering paper bags or a muslin bag. Then I found Maya*Made's bags. Although her bags are beautiful and much finer in

Sarah@Neoteric.Traditionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05974066405699512243noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3806884651364384787.post-2118567933215848162009-05-12T00:43:00.005-04:002009-05-12T00:51:38.349-04:00

Nothing earth shattering of course here's one thing I made, it uses a scrapbooking template I got from SAHM Scrapper (she didn't put a TOU in so it links to the originator's blog)Then I made a frame a la Martha Stewart different size of course. And yes, I can think of that on my own, but having the backside stand template is handy.I'll show you the other things later... just so I can have more

Sarah@Neoteric.Traditionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05974066405699512243noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3806884651364384787.post-67182448253593754602009-05-10T01:13:00.003-04:002009-05-12T00:57:40.513-04:00

That's what I'm supposed to be doing, but instead I'm playing with photoshop and digiscrap to make a new background. The last one was made by me using a scanner, actual paper, and PS to make an icon that matched the paper. But I was tired of it. I realize that I need to go back and change the text color, but I'll do that later!General credits go to the Spring Blosson's Mega Kit, you'll have to

Sarah@Neoteric.Traditionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05974066405699512243noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3806884651364384787.post-84705505680173392662009-05-01T22:22:00.002-04:002009-05-01T22:28:24.398-04:00

I worked on some crafting today. Sent the cranky kids to bed after a crafting playdate (during which my normally independent son was glued to my lap for nearly all of the actual crafting time - of course HAHA!) so I finished 1/4 of the project while they slept .Just came to check instructions for something else because I thought I was doing it wrong but really, I just used too much duct tape on

Sarah@Neoteric.Traditionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05974066405699512243noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3806884651364384787.post-90342530695429755242009-04-29T19:23:00.003-04:002009-04-29T19:38:17.161-04:00

I spent several days at my parents. It was supposed to be one night then one was added on at the beginning then another at the end and then another was spontaneously added. I will make a post soon about those cookies - they were delicious!For the moment, I'm consumed with my sister's wedding. She set the date last week - we have a little over 2 months to get ready (no, she's not pregnant). She

Sarah@Neoteric.Traditionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05974066405699512243noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3806884651364384787.post-44465179116553360682009-04-23T13:42:00.002-04:002009-04-23T13:50:44.370-04:00

be looking up oatmeal cookie recipes but got sidetracked by blog comments. I was reflecting last night on how difficult it is to teach the English language to a child when there are so many rules and even more exceptions to them, and then, through someone's blog comments, was reminded of another problem - the fact that there are so many terms for things. Ever heard of a "chicken tractor"? I was

Sarah@Neoteric.Traditionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05974066405699512243noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3806884651364384787.post-76657606559636437582009-04-21T16:21:00.002-04:002009-04-21T16:30:50.557-04:00

But I did manage to make some stuff for Mother's Day for my mom. I tried one thing 3 different ways. Each way has its challenges and its bonuses. I'm not sure which I liked best. I will post it here eventually. Mostly because I haven't taken pictures yet. I don't actually think my mom reads this blog. She's seen it, but blogs are sort of out of her sphere. I don't mind, anyway Mommy is Cranky

Sarah@Neoteric.Traditionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05974066405699512243noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3806884651364384787.post-89444737825360007252009-04-01T15:51:00.002-04:002009-04-01T15:59:00.630-04:00

I've been on-line today, fb a little, mostly reading blogs. Just thought I'd share this link with you before I forget. I'm all foggy today and thinking seems difficult, I can't even count the type-os (yikes, is that a word) I've made so far.If you're going on a car trip and you have kids, I'd say at least 5 years old, they'd probably love the game that Chrissie has come up with. She's calling it

Sarah@Neoteric.Traditionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05974066405699512243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3806884651364384787.post-56570699150724551792009-03-27T13:07:00.004-04:002009-03-27T13:12:55.515-04:00

Infarrantly Creative. I found her last night and quickly asked if I could quote her on here and she said I could. This is a great idea for keeping your husband from going insane from your creative pursuits. Now, if only there was a way to get him to participate... "Answer to Your Burning Question I think I get asked some version of this question everyday from one of you...How do you have time

Sarah@Neoteric.Traditionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05974066405699512243noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3806884651364384787.post-17437544380304638772009-03-27T12:37:00.003-04:002009-03-27T13:07:06.328-04:00

I had planned on going through my Reader list alphabetically and making a little write up about each one. But, as I've gone through them, looking back to refresh my memory, I'm finding that for many I'm not quite sure why I subscribed. This doesn't apply to the one's I've already done, though. And then with spring coming my interests are going more towards thrifty home improvement and decor so

Sarah@Neoteric.Traditionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05974066405699512243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3806884651364384787.post-7993359123362335912009-03-26T22:56:00.002-04:002009-03-26T23:02:59.149-04:00

And not the good kind. Not the beautiful scrapbook paper kind. I mean the how the heck long do I have to keep this old bill, and where in the world IS that letter type of problem. I had a huge pile on my counter top. But finally, this weekend I tackled it. Sort of. It tackled back. How does paper have such a strong grip on my life? How is it that I was GOOD with papers in my office manager life

Sarah@Neoteric.Traditionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05974066405699512243noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3806884651364384787.post-80948074060898053922009-03-19T10:36:00.003-04:002009-03-19T10:55:43.114-04:00

When you're in the midst of it and with the filter of seeing people out of their home or reading their blogs, it can seem like you're the only one not getting everything done. I've actually had friends tell me that I seem "together" "on top of things" "able to laugh everything off". Well, I can laugh things off, those comments at least. It makes me chuckle to think of it now. At dinner out with

Sarah@Neoteric.Traditionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05974066405699512243noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3806884651364384787.post-73025626883562249022009-03-18T20:11:00.005-04:002009-03-18T22:48:53.431-04:00

I came down to Hub's office to get online instead of clean up AK, because he threw a "no, no, no" fit as soon as he saw me and a wash cloth. I signed in and saw I had a new comment so I decided to check it out. I looked at my blog and GOOD GRIEF (yes I say that IRL) it looks terrible! On my computer it is nice and centered and there are no white borders. I spent days making it look right. So, now

Sarah@Neoteric.Traditionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05974066405699512243noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3806884651364384787.post-36330325887669331762009-03-17T15:37:00.002-04:002009-03-17T15:49:32.120-04:00

From a contest that is a shameless bid to get more subscribers. No seriously, she says so herself.In the recent past, and again in the future I promise, I've been doing brief reviews of crafty blogs that I read. I was going to save the others that I like that aren't "crafty" for another time. But because I'm such a kind person and not at all because earrings are my favorite accessory or because I

Sarah@Neoteric.Traditionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05974066405699512243noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3806884651364384787.post-22057025987260446222009-03-16T21:40:00.003-04:002009-03-16T21:58:53.075-04:00

Today, I sent the kids up to the playroom to clean. This is the only surefire way to get them to play in there. Otherwise, they wreck it so quickly and thoroughly that they don't want to hang out for more than a moment - during which they grab a bunch of stuff to strew across the rest of the house. But I digress. I sent them to "clean" so I could sneak down stairs and craft. I only had about 20

Sarah@Neoteric.Traditionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05974066405699512243noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3806884651364384787.post-78709732964145978632009-03-15T13:18:00.002-04:002009-03-15T13:23:13.624-04:00

I just discovered that my 2 cup glass measuring cup actually holds 2 AND 1/3 cups! I use it for anything that needs a measure above 1 cup, or if the total liquid is more than 1 cup. Like when baking... So YAY! not all of my not-so-good food is totally my fault!

Sarah@Neoteric.Traditionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05974066405699512243noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3806884651364384787.post-4411929767276277392009-03-13T15:41:00.000-04:002009-03-13T15:42:29.105-04:00

Now, I know most crafty mom bloggers will say that their laundry is piled up, dishes are dirty and the carpet needed to be vacuumed last week, but they are still able to craft. Some how they have the space, time and freedom to get things done. And by all this I mean their kids and/or husband leave them enough space, time and freedom - I want to know how they accomplish that part.My kids want to

Sarah@Neoteric.Traditionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05974066405699512243noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3806884651364384787.post-63093329451147007242009-03-12T21:14:00.004-04:002009-03-12T21:38:13.430-04:00

They're nothing elaborate or fancy. Just 2 lengths of flannel sewn together. I "embroidered" each one in a few spots to keep the layers together correctly. I let the girls pick out their material, with just a little guidance, or an attempt at guidance anyway.GR was absolutely set on having the yellow cupcake material but nothing available really matched it. The stripe was the best I could do.

Sarah@Neoteric.Traditionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05974066405699512243noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3806884651364384787.post-15260566735467611122009-03-12T18:56:00.003-04:002009-03-12T19:05:04.781-04:00

So I started to vent. It feels good to put it out of my head and instead of thinking about it constantly it's out there.I also stayed up late crafting. 2 nights in a row. I don't usually do this because I totally suck at late night crafting. Especially things that require clear focused eyes. (as I get older the worse and worse I see at the end of the day. This happening to anyone else?) But I did

Sarah@Neoteric.Traditionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05974066405699512243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3806884651364384787.post-78966442308920353132009-03-09T13:59:00.002-04:002009-03-09T14:07:19.785-04:00

I really dislike the phrase "downward spiral", but it is pretty accurate actually. You're going around everything in your life losing ground little by little. You feel scattered and unfocused - not unlike dizzy. And, heck, let's just go into full on metaphor; it's a slide so it's hard to stop and crawl back up in your sock feet. I've written a few draft posts since Valentine's Day, but they were

Sarah@Neoteric.Traditionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05974066405699512243noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3806884651364384787.post-42025935161686439852009-03-09T12:34:00.002-04:002009-03-09T12:37:27.790-04:00

One of the hardest things about making a blog is finding an address that isn't already taken. Of course people can take what ever name they want if they're the first and if they're still blogging fine, great I'm glad they got a name that suits them. But if you haven't blogged since 2006, 2004 or even 2002, why can't you just let the name go?I hate making titles.

Sarah@Neoteric.Traditionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05974066405699512243noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3806884651364384787.post-5837490279150562462009-02-20T13:58:00.003-05:002009-02-20T14:50:36.453-05:00

After re-reading my last post and letting a comment my husband made last night sink in, I realized that I'm an "all or nothing" type person. Which actually comes as a surprise to me. A perfectionist in denial? I think I let myself go on believing I was easy going because my definition of perfection is not so intransigent, but rather simply one's best effort (yes, I used the thesaurus, sometimes I

Sarah@Neoteric.Traditionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05974066405699512243noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3806884651364384787.post-91560487189298785282009-02-18T16:11:00.001-05:002009-02-18T16:13:17.184-05:00

The http://dictionary.reference.com definition of tradition includes phrases like "handing down", "long-established", and "continuing pattern". Neoteric is "modern; new; recent" While I may be doing things a little differently than how my parents and my husband's parents did it, I'm not exactly novel in my choices. And I frequently change my mind, or even forget that I made a decision to do

Sarah@Neoteric.Traditionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05974066405699512243noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3806884651364384787.post-68978667190988757972009-02-17T16:08:00.000-05:002009-02-17T16:14:53.684-05:00

I don't know why thus far I've felt compelled to tell you where/how I found each of the blogs I read, but I'm getting over that right now!Except that I came to Bella Dia through the author's other site, The Crafty Crow. They're almost inextricably linked in my mind so I have to list them together.Up first Bella DiaShe is a blogging veteran. Doing it when it wasn't a fad, or at least I don't think

Sarah@Neoteric.Traditionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05974066405699512243noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3806884651364384787.post-18837157182956808042009-02-04T21:44:00.001-05:002009-02-04T21:46:32.854-05:00

As a first timer of a creative team (HA if you can call me that!) for some one who does digiscrap design, (to be clear, I'm on the make things with/for your kids part not the digiscrapping part) I probably should have known what exactly digiscrapping was. However, I didn't, at least not beyond a pretty firm assumption that it was DIGItal SCRAPbooking. Heck, when Mel sent me the first kit, I had

Sarah@Neoteric.Traditionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05974066405699512243noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3806884651364384787.post-91155214242927339272009-02-04T01:05:00.000-05:002009-02-04T01:06:52.577-05:00

I've been doing my little write-ups at night a few at a time or just partials when I have a moment. I was working on a few and it occurs to me that when I'm writing here, and on my family blog, that I'm not really sounding like myself. Rather, I'm not writing like I would be talking to a close friend. I'm writing more like I would for a school report. (I don't mean for an English teacher, of

Sarah@Neoteric.Traditionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05974066405699512243noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3806884651364384787.post-47113687470276691772009-02-01T18:27:00.000-05:002009-02-01T18:46:14.536-05:00

Bakerella is just totally, well cute. I almost hate to use that word but it really fits. Her blog itself is cute, her photography/photoshop style is cute, and her "projects"... C-U-T-E!(Yes, that's a cupcake people - a snowglobe cupcake!)I previously said that I found her through Craftzine, but it was actually through How About Orange possibly that was on Craftzine or I just assumed, who knows.

Sarah@Neoteric.Traditionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05974066405699512243noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3806884651364384787.post-20105284481869850462009-01-28T16:42:00.000-05:002009-01-28T17:29:18.350-05:00

I found Art Junk Girl listed in the sidebar of another blog (don't remember which one). The author, Lia, primarily makes collages of various types. Collage-ing is one of my favorite creative outlets from way back. I haven't made any in a while. I started to make one on one of my studio walls, then I realized that I wasn't considering furniture placement, got discouraged and put it aside. I

Sarah@Neoteric.Traditionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05974066405699512243noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3806884651364384787.post-3969818604225344042009-01-28T16:04:00.002-05:002009-01-28T16:12:14.210-05:00

You really like me! Or not. Anyone use google analytics on their sites? I do. I checked it yesterday for the first time in a long time, because hey, I've no illusions of grandeur. But it said I had 73 unique visitors "0 days ago" -73! My jaw litterally hung open at that. Then today it listed yesterday's unique visitors at 6, which frankly, is still a lot in my book, but not nearly 73. Today, it

Sarah@Neoteric.Traditionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05974066405699512243noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3806884651364384787.post-68991207467678357912009-01-26T13:30:00.002-05:002009-01-27T11:48:16.646-05:00

Time to finally start writing a little about the blogs I read regularly. I'm going in alphabetical order because it is easiest and fair. I might add some blogs to my Reader list in the meantime so their reviews might be out of order.Angry ChickenA personal craft blog headed up by Amy Karol. I found Amy while searching for bias tape tutorials. I was actually looking for one on how to make bias

Sarah@Neoteric.Traditionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05974066405699512243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3806884651364384787.post-38812135633520695162009-01-23T01:47:00.000-05:002009-01-23T01:47:46.777-05:00

Of course I didn't take enough photos of these easy little books to make a "tutorial-ish" post, but if you're interested, I'm sure I could come up with something.(more pre-thinking-about-taking-real-photos photos)They are about 3"x5" with 25-30 pages each.Meant to be sturdy enough to keep in your purse or car.With a little initial of the recipient on the frontPretty paper inside and out.Next time

Sarah@Neoteric.Traditionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05974066405699512243noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3806884651364384787.post-29072917697668923272009-01-22T23:53:00.002-05:002009-01-23T00:03:47.765-05:00

I had to do it myself. And I'm not that good with Photoshop so it took me longer than I'm willing to admit.2 or more of the blogs that I read regularly have recently posted photos that resemble the iconic blue, red and "white" posters of Obama.I didn't pay too much attention to it at first then realized they included a link to a site that does it for you!Obamicon Me, lets you input your photo and

Sarah@Neoteric.Traditionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05974066405699512243noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3806884651364384787.post-52163005978081193272009-01-20T15:52:00.003-05:002009-01-20T15:57:13.284-05:00

I happened to read this today on Make and Takes. This post happens to be a guest blogger with tips for snapping pix of kids, but you'll find lots of good stuff for kids crafts and for you, too. Eventually, I'll write a better post about this site but for now just click on over and check her out!

Sarah@Neoteric.Traditionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05974066405699512243noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3806884651364384787.post-11484208306469001822009-01-20T01:08:00.001-05:002009-01-23T01:56:07.977-05:00

Thanks for the comments, keep 'em coming - I know next to nothing about photography. Well, I do know this. My camera sucks. I loved it when I first got it because it was so much better than the one I had before. I have a Fugi Finepix f20. But the only setting I can use is fast motion because otherwise it all comes out blurry and even then it's often out of focus. Worse yet, it's usually really

Sarah@Neoteric.Traditionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05974066405699512243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3806884651364384787.post-2829348843971682762009-01-19T12:13:00.003-05:002009-01-19T12:25:04.287-05:00

Technically, it's the first thing I did this season. I actually managed to finish it before Dec 1st! This is a wooden Advent Calendar I got from Michael's. I probably wouldn't have bothered with making one except my eldest was with me and she just fell in love with it. Yeah, I can be a sucker. Neither my photos nor my CS3 skills could show the brightness of the colors or the sparkly number detail

Sarah@Neoteric.Traditionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05974066405699512243noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3806884651364384787.post-24990934445366693972009-01-18T13:02:00.002-05:002009-01-18T13:12:28.351-05:00

In another bout of insanity, blogger has made my blog look different this morning from the way it looked last night. Even though my header was made with a widget, the widget is now gone. On the plus side, I still have a header and it seems to be centered!I did figure out padding so my post text isn't right up on the edge.But now there is an "open" edge on the left making the posts area off center

Sarah@Neoteric.Traditionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05974066405699512243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3806884651364384787.post-65072563801471316572009-01-18T01:24:00.000-05:002009-01-18T01:26:25.936-05:00

I finally completed a project for Mel over at The Hybrid Kid!!!And of course, it took me way longer than it should have. (This is in no way a reflection on the project, that's just how my life goes)A travel size, letter tracing kit.Mel made a lovely layout with simple kid friendly colors that are not glaringly "primary". Inside the book are dashed line upper case and lower case print lettersYou

Sarah@Neoteric.Traditionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05974066405699512243noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3806884651364384787.post-88265400522417837372009-01-18T01:17:00.006-05:002009-01-18T13:19:07.368-05:00

But it's better than plain white Minima template, I think, I hope.Some problems I'm having:-The header is too low-The header won't center-The text is too close to the edge of its background-I don't know a host who will let me up load a really big image for the background, not that I've looked very farIf you know the answers to these problems, please chime in!!!! PLEASE!Or if you know just where

Sarah@Neoteric.Traditionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05974066405699512243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3806884651364384787.post-11116968231158555412009-01-11T19:01:00.005-05:002009-01-11T19:27:17.648-05:00

I made some scarves that I quite like. It was during the making of these that my husband made this comment.Here's a brief run-down of how to make your own:1 yard cotton flannelthread - I chose contrasting colorfabric paint or acrylic paint with fabric medium-Wash your flannel according to mfg directions-cut it in half lengthwise - I didn't measure my fabric after I washed it so if the

Sarah@Neoteric.Traditionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05974066405699512243noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3806884651364384787.post-19685736870604579402009-01-10T17:43:00.002-05:002009-01-10T17:52:17.606-05:00

Blogger has gone crazy - that's all I have time to say.I joined a small group of women/moms/families to create projects for a very talented lady, Melissa.She describes it better than I do so I'll let you go on over to her site and explore it Hybrid Kids. I'll let you know more about it as soon as I complete the first project - I just hope she doesn't have deadlines!Added: I didn't even describe

Sarah@Neoteric.Traditionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05974066405699512243noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3806884651364384787.post-34548957860431341842009-01-10T16:51:00.002-05:002009-01-10T17:09:31.774-05:00

Part one won't actually start with any photos - I just haven't been blogging much lately and wanted to pop in and say "Hi, I'm still alive" I've been so busy that I just gave our next door neighbors / best friends their Christmas presents on THURSDAY as in 2 days ago! Even though I've been way more busy than usual, I don't feel like I have accomplished much. But is it ever enough? I had to scrap

Sarah@Neoteric.Traditionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05974066405699512243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3806884651364384787.post-85732309113726431812008-12-21T14:13:00.002-05:002008-12-21T14:19:35.842-05:00

Last night I was working on the gifts for my 2 best friends (sorry Becca, no hints here!), when my husband saw them he said "Wow you really are crafty, I had no idea!" And no, this is not because he's totally unobservant, (he's just the average amount of unobservant) it is because I hardly get to do arts and crafts. I've known him close to 11 years, and in all that time I haven't been able to

Sarah@Neoteric.Traditionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05974066405699512243noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3806884651364384787.post-77949003487392816062008-12-05T17:32:00.001-05:002008-12-05T17:34:32.978-05:00

The photo on my account is fine, so why did it get cut like that? The last post was the first one I'd used flickr for, not impressed! To see the whole of any photo, just click on it.

Sarah@Neoteric.Traditionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05974066405699512243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3806884651364384787.post-7985407285306108402008-12-02T12:54:00.008-05:002009-08-18T15:14:24.098-04:00

I'm so happy with the way my turkey came out!I had a 23 pound frozen turkey that didn't completely thaw in the 3 days before I needed it. Apparently, it should take 5 but I didn't learn that until after I'd picked up the turkey. So, on Wednesday I started a "quick thaw" using cold water in the sink. During that time, I put 6 quarts of water, 1 cup table salt, 1/2 onion cut into chunks, 1/2 head

Sarah@Neoteric.Traditionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05974066405699512243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3806884651364384787.post-30859440439284800612008-11-24T12:43:00.002-05:002008-12-02T13:48:36.673-05:00

She requested a horse party but settled on a My Little Pony party since neither of the party stores had strictly "horse" decor. (Oriental Trading did, but this decision was made too late to order) I looked at many sites online (general search "horse shaped cake") and then turned to images of horses in profile. Hubs drew the template and I cut the shape out of a 9x13 sheet cake, "gluing" pieces as

Sarah@Neoteric.Traditionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05974066405699512243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3806884651364384787.post-43467446457067897522008-11-24T12:37:00.001-05:002008-12-02T12:54:11.650-05:00

As Thanksgiving is just days away, it's on my mind a lot. As are traditions in general. When you start your own family you're given an opportunity to create a lot of things for yourselves. In a sense, even continuing on in the same way you grew up with is a new tradition for your family because chances are at least one of you didn't grow up doing exactly that and there's usually some compromise

Sarah@Neoteric.Traditionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05974066405699512243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3806884651364384787.post-76884301762255021592008-11-20T17:59:00.003-05:002008-11-21T13:55:19.057-05:00

Seeing how it took nearly 3 hours to get the brood out of the house today, I decided to take a shortcut on making sugar cookies for an activity in the morning. I bought a log of Pillsbury sugar cookie dough to cut shapes out of. Don't do it. It is a very fragile dough and then it spreads a lot. What cookies survived the cutting/transfer process aren't even recognizable. Oh well, the kids don't

Sarah@Neoteric.Traditionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05974066405699512243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3806884651364384787.post-39136194774054215332008-11-07T17:55:00.004-05:002008-11-07T18:19:16.047-05:00

I've been doing very rudimentary stuff on Photoshop for several years now. Resizing, cropping very simple fixes and the like. Just recently, I became interested in using it for artistic/crafty purposes. I've looked up stuff before when I wanted to try things out and just wasn't having success with reading directions on-line. Last night, though, I discovered videos on Graphics District. I only

Sarah@Neoteric.Traditionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05974066405699512243noreply@blogger.com0