Handmade Christmas

This year, just like last year, my family members are getting home made presents. This year the women will be getting spa sets that I am crocheting filled with Avon products as I have become an independent Avon rep. I am still kinda in the dark about what to make the men, namely by brother-in-laws and a nephew-in-law. Last year I made them camouflage scarfs for two of them as they are into hunting and a men's dresser kit for the other who isn't into hunting. I hope that I will figure it out before time runs out. These gifts are for my hubby's family. My family is soooo big I would have to work the year round to make gifts for them so I send a big thing of food from Swiss Colony. Most of them go to my folks house for Christmas and I don't get to be there because of the distance, they live in Northern lower Michigan and I live in Kentucky. I know that they all enjoy the treats!

I have found lots of things that I would like to get for myself this year, but I know that is not a proper thing to think, LOL! I keep dropping hints to the hubby and hopefully I will get my wish! Here is one of the things that makes my list!!

Lime Green and Hot Pink Beaded Markers for Crochet from TJBdesigns on Etsy.com. I have a pair of scissor fobs from her shop and just love them!!! A great shop to visit and get a gift for the crafter in your life!

To see this item and more like it visit www.tjbdesigns.etsy.com

I will show more of my picks tomorrow!!!

School meeting and boy flying kite

Okay, so the first thing that I am going to go on about is the academic committee meeting that I went to at my daughters elementary school last night. I have a 19-year-old son who is done with school and I hate to admit that I was not involved as much as I probably should have been, but I tried and now have the opportunity to be involved since I do not work full time outside of the home. Anyway, the first thing that struck me was that there were 10 teachers and only 3 parents (that were not employed by the school anyway) there. My understanding is that they rarely have parents involved with the academic performance committee. I also got the first impression that the teachers that were there, some of them anyway, did not really want to be there. I also kinda got the opinion that parents were not really "welcomed". Opinions were not really listened to much and there were a few teachers that were rolling there eyes while another parent there in attendance was talking about some concerns he had heard in the community about the education at the school. Am I wrong or is that why parents are suppose to be a part of the process. Not a very welcoming atmosphere.

As the meeting progressed, the issue of monies came up, of course! I came to find out that my daughters elementary school has only a $44,000 operating budget! That of course is after salaries, utilities and those kinda things. The library only gets around $1000 and technology only $3000. The books in the library are soooo old and outdated. Our library had a book published in 1973 that gave instructions to boys on how to be well groomed! That is an example of what they have to work with. Over 3000 of the 7000 books in this library are out of date and need to be replaced to meet modern learning and reading standards. This saddens my heart as a "book worm" and a parent that has really encouraged reading and has incorporated it into an integral part of family life.

Another sad thing is the technology part of this. We are fast becoming a total computer society! The school does have some nice looking computers, but not enough for all students to have access and they are in desperate need of "smart classrooms" to enhance and make the most of the learning experience. The school building is only 5 years old and I didn't understand why the technology upgrades were not built in. There have been a few new schools built in the county I live in over the past few years and I thought all of them were designed with smart classrooms, well I was wrong because ours was not. When I asked about this, I found out it was because we did not have the money for it. See, our school is the part of the county that is not "financially prosperous". We are the middle class of education, not poor enough to be considered in need and not rich enough to have what we need. Other schools in the district are getting 2-1/2 times or more money to operated on. Teachers here are buying supplies for there classrooms from their own pockets. I find this sad!

I plan on blogging on this issue often to bring awareness of the need of public education. Our children our suffering because of this and not enough is being done. Is throwing money the answer, no it is not. As I do think the schools need money, I think that we need to take a look at where our education dollars are going. This is something that I am going to be looking into and keeping tabs on and I encourage every parent out there to do the same! I will be researching this over the weekend as the schools budgets are suppose to be public record. Will keep updates right here on a regular basis! PTA meeting also coming up in a week so will try to find out more!

Now for an update on a project that I am currently working on. It is a cross stitch picture of a boy flying a kite. It seems like it is taking me forever to finish this. I keep coming up with new ideas for things or get request for things and this stitching keeps getting put off. I will finish it one of these days, I hope. It is really cute and will make a nice framed item for a boys room or nursery. Hopefully will be able to finish it by the end of September.

Well, I guess that is all for now. Until next time!

Pattern recreated, I think, and new design in the works

Okay, so I have not posted in awhile. Why is it that best made plans never seem to come through the way they are suppose to? Oh well, I am posting now.

I have been working on several projects lately. I guess I may really have ADHD when it comes to crafting. I cannot seem to get enough and I love to do EVERYTHING!

When I was about 8 years old, I did a "home sampler" from a kit that my mother had bought me. I have had it all these years, and to my dismay, it is literally falling apart. I guess that after 30 years it probably would and I have not always had it stored properly. I loved the simple stitches and design and wanted to make another one. I have looked just about everywhere for the pattern (I have saved most from projects done over the years), but can not seem to find it. I do not remember where my mother bought it or who designed it. So, I sat down and did a recreate with a few little changes I think because of areas where the stitching had fallen away. If any one out there knows where I can find an original, I would love to know! Again, this is a recreation and not an original design by me, I take no credit.

I am currently working a design adapted from a wall quilt that I have absolutely fallen in love with! I love the design and the colors! I though that this would make a nice small sampler type design to maybe fit in with some other homey hearts. Maybe to make a collection from. It will be my first real "challenge" pattern. I am finally learning to use my design software (PCStitch) and I am falling in love with it more and more! Not only is it useful with my cross stitch, but I am also find ways to use it for my crochet too! I love things that are versatile!

I am also currently working on a new afghan. It is going to be an assembled square afghan using a "sunburst" square and a basic double crochet square. It is still a work in progress. I am just about finished with the remaining squares and hope to have it completed by the end of the week. When it is done it will probably be posted for sale on Etsy. If you have not checked out Etsy, you really should. There are alot of great items!

Well, that is all for now! Happy crafting, thinking, working, playing or whatever you are doing today!