Crafting to save our sanity... from all the political madness

Cue the choir of angels, the political commercials are finally gone and the television debates are over although since Fox News has PROJECTED the winner to be Barack Obama, I've seriously thought about removing people from my Facebook friends or at least banning them until after January. The Electoral College does not cast their vote until December and the real winner will be announced in January. Although the television debates are over, the real debates surely are not. I'm not saying this just because I support Romney honestly, I didn't want either one to win but I had to vote for someone. I am saying this because since Fox News has projected that Obama will be in office four more years, the people on my friends list are acting like morons. I'm not going to be that person and call you out on it, but you know who you are. 

I haven't exactly had the chance to do any crafting although crafts encompass 95% of my dreams with the other 5% being invaded with dreams about how people might actually come into my work and not act like morons/assholes/some variation of this.

I have been perusing through Pinterest lately but the Food & Drink category has been catching my eye more than the crafts although Amanda has found  few cool craft things. This goes back to how Pinterest should be invite only. But for the most part, Pinterest has been my escape from all the Political madness.

I've been doing some serious thinking about craft shows and if we really want to attempt any more, what I'm going to work on when in reality I need to get some of the stuff out of my house I really want to make a quilt so I've turned on a 15% discount through the end of November in my STORE! Amanda has turned on a 40% discount in her STORE! We also have items in a few auction groups on Facebook but we would still love to take your custom orders :)

How have you been staying sane from all the political madness?

Stay Crafty My Friends,
Rebecca

What are YOU thankful for?

I've noticed a trend on Facebook since November 1 that people are now typing a status each day of what they are thankful for and those who didn't jump on the boat on November 1st have posted enough to make up for their fashionably late arrival to the party.

The way it works is since Thanksgiving is November 25, it is essentially 25 things you are thankful for leading up to Thanksgiving. Seeing the majority of my friends flooding my news feed with these posts have gotten me thinking (which I think is the point?) what exactly am I thankful for?

I'm going through a rough patch in my life right now but honestly, compared to other people I still have it pretty good. I'm currently trying to stop a separation between my husband and I, since he has two daughters that we have on the weekends, while we are trying to work things out he wants me to stay somewhere else on the weekends and come visit so we don't confuse them.

So, this weekend I am staying at my friend Bri's house and we were talking last night about different things about how maybe we are the weird ones. Our idea of a party is sitting at home with a few friends, a few drinks, in front of our sewing machines or watching Netflix and perusing Pinterest while our other friends idea of partying is getting so drunk you are peeing on yourself. We actually care about our future, we don't use our prison identification card when we get carded for buying alcohol or cigarettes, we have never been arrested.

You can browse Twitter or search the hashtag #firstworldproblems, you would be amazed at what you see. I know I complain a lot just like the next person but when we sit back and think for a minute, we have a lot to be thankful for although we are usually ungrateful. While going through the separation with my husband, we have started talking about the problems that we are having and why the separation is needed. One of his complaints is that I'm ungrateful for the things he has tried to do for me, and when I go back and think it is true I've complained about a lot of things that I should be grateful for. We are by no means "well off" we struggle each week to pay bills and put food on the table. I drive a 2005 Chrysler Town and Country that is considered a "luxury vehicle" and literally has all the bells and whistles including a butt warmer. He had it before we got married and I've done nothing but complain until the last few months because it was huge and I wanted something different or I didn't want to drive a van but in all honestly, it's a whole lot better than what I had when we got married.

I had a 1988 Honda Prelude Si that I LOVED but it was a piece of crap. He drove it back and forth to work while I took the van so I would have something reliable. My Prelude was a death trap, the window was broken, no heat, no a/c, the radiator was busted, the speedometer didn't work, if you locked the door from the inside you had to crawl out the window to get out, the knob for the headlights and turn signals was broken so you had to stick the thing into the slot and turn it to make them work, one headlight wouldn't stay up on it's own, etc. We traded it in for a 2005 Jeep Liberty for my birthday that we ended up losing because we couldn't afford it anymore and I wasn't grateful that my husband had tried, he tried to save it and he tried to make me happy but I couldn't see that. All I cared about was the fact that I lost my Jeep. When we got married I got really sick and he told me to quit my job because it wasn't worth me working and when he asked me to start looking for work before he lost his job, all I did was complain that I didn't want to work and I completely regret that.

I should have done it willingly not moaning and groaning about how I didn't want to go back to work or I didn't want to do xyz job. I should be grateful that I found a job to help us survive because his unemployment wasn't going to be enough.

This post is totally not going where I had planned but I'm going to run with it. 

My birthday present this past year was a sewing machine that he bought for me with HIS birthday money. If it hadn't been for that I would not be as big into crafting as I am now. No matter the problems we have, I love him more than ever and I guess through this post that has taken a turn from "what are you thankful for" to explaining and pouring my heart out about how I've been such an ungrateful bitch for the last year I've realized that I have a lot to be thankful for and I need to change my attitude.

I know this blog is supposed to be about crafting and keeping our sanity but sometimes you just need to roll with the punches and do what has been laid on your heart and our your mind.

I know my husband will never read this blog and gets frustrated by my crafting and the amount of money I spend on craft supplies and craft shows, so some of you may wonder why I typed all this out. There is a big difference between talking about something and actually typing it out. When I talk I sometimes stammer and stutter but when I type the words just flow from my fingers like nothing can stop them.

I think I can go ahead and summarize what I'm thankful for right now and I will try and narrow them down to 10:
1. I am thankful that God has a purpose for my life and although I do not always see it I know there is a reason I am still here. I was born with severe heart problems and my parents were told that I would not survive, I am now 21 years old.

2. I am thankful for my husband and step daughters. Although we have rough patches, I know in my heart he loves me and they love me and things will work out. I am thankful that he has put up with my ungratefulness this long.

3. I am thankful that I have friends that I can count on even if there are just two or three of them.

4. I am thankful for my ability to craft that I inherited from my grandparents. Crafting helps save my sanity and provides a little bit of income.

5. I am thankful for my manager, he gave me a job when my family was struggling and getting ready to lose everything. Although we are still struggling and on the verge of losing our house, at least I am bringing in some income. He is also a great person for me to talk to and has helped me through a lot lately.

6. I am thankful for having gone through the abuse that I have been through. It may seem weird to say I am thankful for it but since I have gone through the emotional, physical, and sexual abuse I have been able to help others.

7. I am thankful for our fans and followers. Without you, we would have empty walls to talk to and share our creations and failures with.

8. I am thankful for my customers at work who try their best day in and day out to brighten my day and make me smile when they know I am having a day from hell.

9. I am thankful for the opportunities I have had thus far and the experiences and memories I have made. Without those, I would not where where I am today.

10. I am thankful that I live in United States of America and that I have the freedom to do most of what I want. If I lived in another country, I might not  be able to have a blog and share my thoughts with the world or share and sell my crafts.

Now back to the original question... What are YOU thankful for?

Let us know in the comments, we would love to hear it.

Until next time, Stay crafty my friends...
Rebecca

We've moved....

Attention all of our friends/followers/fans, we have moved to another blog platform. We solemnly swear to attempt to post more frequently. You can check out our new blog HERE. We have a post about our most recent craft show and hope you will follow us to our new site. Amanda and I believe that this one will work better in the long run.

What platforms have you used? We are also looking into making merch. for Crafting for Sanity, let us know if you would be interested and what your ideas are.

Rebecca

Motivation, where for art thou?

So after several weeks of trying to find out, I was finally able to confirm that Rebecca and I will be at the Belmont Fall Festival in Belmont, NC on October 13th. However between class, house, and a child that seems to have his mind set on getting tossed out of a public school, the motivation I need to get some work down is deserting me. I've been slowly sorting through the stuff that was left from the fiasco that was July 4th, which incidently I saw that they were planning for next year. Debating on whether or not to do it, I wonder if I can request a spot away from the stage and the Democrats........

So I found a few posts on Pinterest about DIY Air Fresheners, sadly I still don't have pictures of the finished product, my camera is currently playing hide and seek and the little bugger is winning. I think it's been almost 2 months since I saw my camera, I can't even find the good one, but I have a suspicion that it might be in my husband's cave (yes, this is what he calls his  computer room). The instructions were pretty straight forward, I saw one that the liquid potpourri would work (and it's a hell of a lot cheaper the essential oils), unflavored gelatin, salt ( to keep it from molding), and something to  

put the air freshener in.

If your like me, this will intrigue you, it did me. This by the way goes in the Epic Fail category, before I forget. I did make this, the problem was that the liquid potpourri separated from the gelatin. So what I have are two cloudy, rather ugly looking gelatin air fresheners that smell highly of roses because the scent separated and moved to the top. I suppose it could have worked if I'd actually used essential oils, but considering that you needed about a cup and a half of the scent, it really wouldn't have been cost effective.

  

What we have been up to...

*GASP* 

We're back! We took a short hiatus but we have been trying to keep our lovely followers/sanity saving Crafters up to date with what we have been up to via our Facebook page. Ariadne and I are giving Craft Shows another go in Belmont, NC in October (we have sent our application in so cross your fingers for us and hop around three times). We are still contemplating doing another show in December although it does not look very promising (we have been accepted but the quality of the show is possibly lacking). I have been working a lot and filling orders along with throwing a few items each week into auctions to try and make a little bit of extra money. It is hard to 'craft like a badass' when you are disappointed in the way your first show went and sales have slacked off. 

The past few weeks I have realized a few things:
1) Do not go to Wal-Mart on Tax Free Weekend no matter how badly you are out of food.
2) Do not go to Wal-Mart on a Saturday.
3) Do not go looking for a car when your husband tells you not to because you will inevitably end up having a wreck (that was not your fault) but you will still get blamed for it EVEN IF YOU TRY AND SAY YOU DECIDED TO GO TO JOANN'S INSTEAD!
4) Everyone should be required at some point in their lives to work at a gas station.
5) I am no Susie Homemaker.
6) I either need a blog for my 'feelings' or some anger management classes (probably both)
7) I use to say that people's intelligence amazed me (but it's more like their lack of intelligence). 

All our female followers should check out this HILARIOUS but addicting BLOG. Much laughter has ensued and be sure to like them on Facebook too! I have been slacking on updating my Twitter so my Facebook page is the best way to see updates on my crafts.

I recently celebrated my 21st Birthday on July 29, I have enjoyed being able to reward myself for not losing my mind at work with a drink when I come home. Although I have realized that "drunk sewing" is not advised.
 Here is a picture of me, on my birthday with my glorious cake which I may or may not have eaten 95% of it by myself.

Stay Sane My Friends,
Rebecca

Not quite crafting, but still really cool!

So a friend posted something on Facebook posted this one, then I found it on Pinterest and had to try it! I found the recipe at Six Sisters' Stuff, I have to browse around there and see what other good stuff I can find for the Stinker!
Any way, it's simplicity in itself, 1/3 water, 3oz box of Jello (it can be done with Sugar free, but the sugar free seems to make it a lot more tart!), and a single packet of Unflavored Gelatin. I have a rather large amount of unflavored gelatin from a crafting fail that I haven't taken pictures of yet (Bad Ariadne, Bad bad!) Your supposed to be able to pour this in ice trays and such, I used hard candy molds I found at Hobby Lobby. If you have a child you know how expensive fruit snacks are! Being a stay at home mom now I'm trying to find less expensive ways of doing things and healthier as well! I have at least one doctor still on my back about my weight due to a medical condition (that ironically would most likely clear up, most likely being roughly a 97% chance statistically, if I got off my tail and lost weight, not to mention we would be able to have another child which would make my mother in law ecstatic!).  I know we call this Crafting for Sanity, so please don't hate me if I through in recipes from time to time!
For followers of the main blog that are on Facebook we do have the spin off page there, and both Rebecca and I admit that it is a lot easier to update Facebook then this!
Crafting For Sanity on Facebook can be found here : https://www.facebook.com/Crafting.for.our.Sanity

Feel Free to follow us there as well, we try to make a note there when there is an update here.

Epic Fail: Our First Festival!

So we had talked about not posting this, basically since both of us forgot to get pictures. July 4th was our first festival, and as you can tell from the title, it was an epic fail! Ok, let me state this first, if you don't have a sense of humor, like really heavy metal music, or are a devout Democrat, you may want to leave know. I generally try to keep the snark to a minimum, but for this case I'm not going to bother.
All in all everything got off to a good start, we got set up, said hi to a shit load of people who for the most part totally ignored us (retail flashbacks *shudder*) and started hoping like hell that people would buy stuff. Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to sound greedy. I'm still a bit on the miffed side. We ended up on the end of the festival with the live band stage, the car show, and the most obnoxious group of Democrats rabidly trying to get people to register to vote so that they can pray that Barack Obama gets a second term. First, before anyone decides to flame me in comments, I have every respect for the office of the President. However I don't believe that the current President should have ever been elected. I personally would have rather seem John McCain get into the White House, die, and Sarah Palin, a first term Governor become President then, to see a first term Senator become President. Before anyone says I'm a rabid republican, I'm actually a registered Independent because I seriously think both parties are full of it. Needless to say I got asked about being registered twice, one guy even asking who I was going to vote for, the look I got when I said Mitt Romney was priceless.
The cars from the car show left around 2 and then our end of the festival pretty much died. Rebecca, My Sister-in-Law Joy, and I all came to the conclusion that the bands should have been screened a little more thoroughly. Between our commentary of the emcee (we weren't sure what her deal was) who was beyond obnoxious. I made a comment about needing tomatoes for target practice and made Rebecca laugh so hard she started snorting, which got me laughing too. The last band to take the stage before the storm moved in was a heavy metal group, and I mean HEAVY metal. I actually like metal music, until you get to the groups that sound like the singer is about to swallow the microphone. This was this band. Right before my brother pulled rank (would LOOOOOOVE to see my husband try that) on Joy, she had actually called him to ask him to bring ear plugs because the music was so bad. 
Basically it seems that it all came down to a really bad spot. The couple next to us didn't make squat either. However I've read through a group I help admin on Facebook that people on the other end (where all the food was) did pretty good. So while they were all happy, every time I think of how I spent this July 4th I hear the music from the old game shows when someone lost (did anyone ever watch Whammy? That music that played when someone hit a whammy and got wiped out, that's what I hear). So despite the lack of pictures, I hope I summed up the suckage well.