Tina Dean Designs

TDD Teams with Go Green America TV for a very Special Giveaway!

2012-02-20T12:07:00.000-05:00

I'm so thrilled to announce that TDD has teamed up with Go Green America TV for a very special giveaway to celebrate TDD's product being featured at the GBK Academy Awards Gift Lounge on February 24 and 25 (as represented by The Artisan Group).

You can win a Denim Throw and Go Mini-Tote! The shell of this eco-friendly tote is upcycled and crocheted from plastic bags (plarn). The lining is repurposed from jeans! It's eco-chic, vegan, and machine washable! It hasn't been listed on the site, so whomever wins it will be the first to have one.

It's super easy to enter the giveaway! Go to Go Green America TV's post - ENTER HERE!

Mommy: Finder of Lost Objects

2012-02-08T13:58:00.000-05:00

The following story reminds me of the bit Roseanne used to do when she was a stand-up comedienne. She talked about how her uterus was apparently a detector for lost objects around the house. I've always suspected that she was right...

This morning, Matthew, my 8 year old, was searching for last month's Lego Magazine. He couldn't find it and became very upset. As I was driving him to school, we had this conversation:

Matthew: When I get home from school, you need to help me find it!
Me: Why should I help you find it? You should have put it in your room.
Matthew: You should know where my things are.
Me: Well, if that's the case then you should know where my things are.
Matthew: No!
Me: Why not?
Matthew: Because you're the mom!

TDD is Bringing Hand Crocheted Eco to the Oscars!

2012-02-04T09:32:00.000-05:00

Well, actually, TDD products are Oscar-bound! On February 24-25, TDD will have a display piece and swag bag gifts at the GBK Academy Awards Gift Lounge. I will, again, be represented by The Artisan Group, which had a very successful showing at the GBK Golden Globes Gift Lounge (where TDD gifted the press baskets with a bar of Summerfield Soaps' Buttermilk and Carrot Complexion Soap).

I'm very excited that the newly designed eco-friendly Occoquan Tote Purse will be featured as my display piece! Hand crocheted from upcycled/repurposed plastic grocery bags; it's lined and has a zippered pocket. After receiving customer feedback, models after this design will include a snap closure.

The Occoquan Eco Friendly Tote/Purse

The celebrity swag bags will include an Eco Petite Pocket Purse. These little numbers are hand crocheted from upcycled/repurposed plastic grocery bags and have a magnetic snap and a little bling as a button. They are perfect for keeping coins, lipstick/lip balm, and other small items from cluttering the bottom of your handbag.

And so the excitement for my fellow artisans and I will begin in a couple of weeks! Fingers crossed that we all receive some great photos.

The World of Sweet Stella's

2012-01-29T10:45:00.000-05:00

I had to write a bit about my friend Shannon of Sweet Stella's. Shannon is one of the most talented creative people I know. She has so many talents in her arsenal, I am truly awed. Among them are: artist (she majored in it), creator of the outstanding products at Sweet Stella's, mommy blogger, baker, model and photo shoot stylist.

I've been fortunate to get to know Shannon a bit and have her style the first of what I hope to be many photo shoots for me. She's crazy creative, and I love sitting back and watching her mind work... fast.

The Christmas ornaments that I ordered from Sweet Stella's were amaze-balls (pun intended). I mean, really, look at these!

Left - Hand painted ornament / Right - Paper Paillette ornament

Being a huge fan of abstract art, I'm dying to get a painting from her! Here's a painting called Fire Below. It's abstract in acrylic and plaster.

If you're looking for handcrafted invitations, loot bags, masks, journals, note stacks and more, then Sweet Stella's is the place you want to go.

Find Sweet Stella's here:
Shop
Blog
Facebook
Twitter

Future Elf in da House

2011-12-07T09:38:00.000-05:00

Matthew, as you know if you follow my blog, is my very unique and interesting 8 year old. He loves Christmas more than anyone I know. His favorite colors are red and green, and his room reflects that.

After taking the boys to see Arthur Christmas, Matthew has decided he wants to be an elf. Actually, it's all he talks about lately (between singing Christmas carols and talking incessantly about all things Christmas and becoming an elf). Here's what he's devised to get Santa's attention.

Note to Santa #1

Note to Santa #2

Here's the note to Santa outside his bedroom door, cause we wouldn't want Santa to miss where his room is.

And, last but not least, the note to Santa on his bedside table to indicate exactly where he is (pointing to his bed).

Gotta love him!

My Journey into Summerfield Soaps

2011-11-21T10:47:00.000-05:00

I've been remiss in telling you about my friend, Kate, who is the proprietress of Summerfield Soaps. Now, mind you, I'm completely biased when it comes to talking about her products. I LOVE her products! I keep putting it out there in Internet-World that she makes the Best.Soap.Ever. Of course, that's purely subjective, but whatever!

Not only is she full of amazingness, we are collaborating on a gift basket for the press at the 2012 GBK Golden Globes Gift Lounge.

Here's the thing. I've never tried a handmade artisan soap that lathers the way Summerfield Soaps' does. Not only that, but they smell wonderful and keep my skin from drying.

Violet & Bergamot Shea Butter Soap

Buttermilk & Carrot Complexion Soap

I also use her lotion. Great lotion that moisterizes and sinks in fast for a non-greasy, soft feel, and don't get me started on the lip balms. And, one of my favorite Summerfield Soaps products is the Body Butter Stick. My heels and elbows thank me every single day.

Let's not forget this incredible Lump of Coal Soap!

Follow her blog to find out about news on what fabulous-ness she's concocting, and don't forget to check out her website.

If you're local to Northern Virginia, you can find some of Summerfield Soaps items at:
The Plains, VA Farmers Market
and at
Bedheaders Home in Great Falls, VA

You won't regret it!

600 Facebook Fan Celebration Giveaway

2011-11-19T08:57:00.003-05:00

What a great morning! I woke up this morning to over 600 likes! Time to do a celebration giveaway this weekend for a VHS wristlet clutch! I've decided to let the winner choose the lining from those shown in the album of wristlets on FB.

This is the same wristlet that was designed for the GBK Emmy Gift Lounge and also sent to Jessica Alba and Zooey Deschanel.

Follow my blog and comment below to enter. Giveaway closes on Sunday, 11/20 (tomorrow) at 5pm Eastern. Winner will be randomly chosen soon thereafter. Good luck!

UPDATE:
Congrats to our winner!

Jessica Alba and Zooey Deschanel to Receive TDD Eco Evening Wristlets!

2011-11-14T17:29:00.001-05:00

To say I'm excited to be included in this special celebrity gifting opportunity via The Artisan Group is putting it mildly. The VHS/yarn eco evening wristlets will be headed to California for inclusion in the bag this week and will be headed to these two fabulous actresses the week of December 1st.

As excited as I am to gift to both ladies, I'm really so thrilled to be gifting Jessica Alba, a fellow Air Force Brat.

Jessica Alba (left) - actress, film and tv
Zooey Deschanel (rt)- actress/singer, currently of "New Girl" on FOX

These wristlets were initially designed as press gifts for the 2011 GBK Emmy Gift Lounge. Both Penny Marshall and Nia Peeples spied them and asked to take one home.

Here are the wristlets, with cotton cheetah print lining, that are going into these two special bags:

I hope they enjoy!

TDD is sponsoring a GIVEAWAY on Sweet Stella's Blog!

2011-11-07T12:20:00.000-05:00

My good friend, compatriot and fellow artisan is having an anniversary giveaway on her blog! Up for grabs is a TDD eco peppermint basket filled with Sweet Stella's goodies. Head on over and check it out. Super easy to enter. :)

Help My Eco Business get a Grant to Expand

2011-10-14T10:13:00.000-04:00

I decided to post about my trying to win a $25,000 grant from Intuit's Love a Local Business Program. The grant is given every month, but the voting goes in three month cycles, so businesses can expand on their votes. The ending date for this cycle is December 31, 2011. There's no sign up to vote, and you only need to vote once. If you vote, you should put your name or business name in the space provided before your comment (otherwise it looks like I'm voting for myself multiple times and the votes are kicked out).

So what would I use this grant for? I could pay more people to make plarn for me which, in turn, would free up crazy amounts of time to crochet and design and enable me to make more product available. Having multiple people making plarn would also benefit them, as they will be making extra money AND make a small dent in the number of plastic bags floating around in landfills. I would also be able to pay a seamstress in order to offer more bags that are lined.

So, with all that said, I'd so appreciate your vote for my business. Here's the direct link:
http://lovealocalbusiness.intuit.com/pages/fan?b_id=293352

Thanks so much!

Emmy Gift Lounge Excitement Wrap-Up -- Part 2

2011-10-07T14:31:00.000-04:00

As promised, here's Part 2 of my wrap-up. Better late than never!

The Gift Lounge wasn't just a ball of excitement for me, but also for my fellow artisans. Here are some of their shots. :)

Jeff Probst w/ Sweet Stellas

Rico Rodriguez w/ AJ Sweet Soap

Maria Canals-Barrera w/ Atutudes

Wes Ramsey w/ Fancy Designs

Beverley Mitchell w/ Bellaroma

The Artisan Group table at the 2011 GBK Emmy Gift Lounge

Saving Some Money on Detergent

2011-10-06T09:16:00.003-04:00

One of the things that I've done for my family to save money is make my own laundry detergent and dishwasher detergent. Now, I have tried making my own liquid soap (which looked quite gelatinous - read more practice needed), and also toothpaste which I got way too much salt in, so more practice needed there, too. BUT, the two things that are a major savings to the family are the detergents.

There are a number of recipes on the web, but I'll share the ones that I find the easiest (both are powder).

Laundry Detergent
2 cups grated soap (I use Ivory)
1 cup washing soda (You can find Arm & Hammer Washing Soda in some grocery stores)
1 cup borax

Easy peasy - Use a couple of tablespoons for a load, or more if you've got a large load washer like me. I also like to triple the recipe so I don't have to make it as often. I've got two boys and a husband who create lots of laundry.

I store the detergent in a large plastic container, the kind you put left-overs in.

Cost: About $.03/load vs. about $.30/load of commercial detergent.

Dishwasher Detergent
1 cup washing soda
1 cup borax
1/2 cup salt
1/2 cup citric acid

Use 1 Tbsp per load.

Ok, I cheat on this one and skip the citric acid. I put vinegar in the compartment where the JetDry goes instead.

I store this in an old large peanut butter jar, and keep it handy under the sink.

I hope these little things help! You'll notice a difference in your pocket, for sure.

Cost: You'll get double the loads and save around $.05/load for a few minutes of work.

Want more money saving ideas? Click the icon below!

Emmy's Blog to Blog Giveaway!

2011-09-29T13:19:00.000-04:00

There's a huge blog-to-blog giveaway happening right now!

If you want a chance to win $950 worth of swag, get the details on Fancy Designs blog!

Have fun!

Emmy Gift Lounge Excitement Wrap-Up -- Part 1

2011-09-26T08:13:00.002-04:00

The excitement of being in the GBK Emmy Gift Lounge was unbelievable. Of course, when I wanted to do this post, I wound up catching some creeping crud from Andrew (my 12 year old). I'm still trying to recover, but wanted to congratulate my fellow artisans for a job well done! Our table was quite impressive, and we received great feedback.

I was particularly enthused, not only about hearing that Penny Marshall took home a clutch and Catherine O'Hara took home the display purse, but also that Nia Peeples took home a clutch as well. I am also loving the photographer assigned to The Artisan Group for capturing some great posed photos and some great candid shots as well.

Catherine O'Hara loved the eco purse so much, she took it home!

Nia Peeples - currently of Pretty Little Liars

Kathryn Joosten - of Desperate Housewives & The West Wing

Nia Peeples decked out in TDD's purse, AJ Sweet Soap's Banana Split Sundae (and you can see Atutudes tutu in the background).

The Artisan Group Founder Valerie Guerrero explains to Nia Peeples that the clutches are made of vhs tape & yarn.

Nia Peeples showing a friend the clutch.

Beverley Mitchell - of 7th Heaven - finds out that the purse is made of plarn.

Here are some quotes I received on my product:

"That's amazing! Out of grocery bags? Whole Foods, I see." -- Jennifer Carpenter (of Dexter)

"Oh, my God! That's incredible!" -- Cloris Leachman
"This is awesome! This is fantastic! Look at this! Can you believe it's made out of bags?!" -- Nia Peeples
"Oh, I love that!" -- Jason Isaacs (of the Harry Potter films & the upcoming film Abduction)

So that wraps up an amazing ride that was the GBK Emmy Gift Lounge. My next post will focus on my fellow artisans who were there, too. :)

GBK Productions Emmy Gift Lounge Excitement - Day 2 Recap

2011-09-18T10:35:00.002-04:00

Day 2 was a rollercoaster ride, too! We found out that we'll all get at least TWO celeb photos with our product, so that's a great bonus.

The Artisan Group was interviewed by Splash! Magazine and Gosh tv, and the feedback the group has gotten over Twitter and other avenues has been stellar. :)

Some celebrities in attendance yesterday who were lovin' The Artisan Group:
Nia Peeples, Rico Rodriguez, Michael Trucco, Jennifer Carpenter, Cloris Leachman, Andy Milder, Zach Woods, James Woods, Loretta Devine, Catherine O'Hara, and more!

And speaking of Catherine O'Hara, I got this message on the updates:

"Catherine O'Hara fell in LOVE with your purse, and asked to have it, so I hope it'sOK we let her have it. She really loved it."

So, if Day 1 wasn't exciting enough with Penny Marshall picking up a clutch, Day 2 was equally as heart-thumping with Catherine O'Hara picking up the purse!

This purse!

Also extremely happy for my TAG colleagues whose products were also adored and snatched up.

Extra, Extra: READ all about the Emmy's Weekend from the rest of The Artisan Group members (so many fun posts!) starting with Stevie Lynn, of Jewels for Hope.

GBK Productions Emmy Gift Lounge Excitement - Day 1 Recap

2011-09-17T09:49:00.000-04:00

Yesterday was an incredibly excited, nerve-wracking, amazing day! It was the first day of the GBK's Emmy Gift Lounge, and Valerie and Nikki of The Artisan Group kept us up-to-date on some of the goings-on.

Some celebs that came through were Kevin Eubanks, Jeff Probst, Niecy Nash, Lorraine Bracco, Beau Bridges, Alan Cumming, Patti Stanger, Penny Marshall and more!

The mini-tote/purse that I made for Gavin B. Keilly's daughter is apparently her first purse. I hope she enjoys it for years to come. It was fun to make and certainly an original. It's primarily made of upcycled plastic newspaper bags.

I almost fell outta my chair when the update came that Penny Marshall saw the wristlet clutches I had made as press gift and specifically requested to have one!

This one:

I'm so looking forward to see what today brings!

The Emmys Are Coming and The Peppermint Mocha Eco Tote Bag

2011-09-13T09:48:00.001-04:00

After working hard, psyching myself out, and more, the Emmys are THIS week! I'll be glued to my computer for updates (as many of The Artisan Group members will be) from Valerie and Nikki. It's an exciting time, and I can't wait to hear how my product is received. So over three days, starting on Thursday, I'll have a stomach full of knots. :)

I'm also excited to announce a new eco tote that I just listed on my site.
Introducing the Peppermint Mocha Eco Tote Bag!

Crocheted from plastic grocery bags (or plarn), it gets it's name from my good friend, Denise of AJ Sweet Soap! She's a naming genius. Really. The name is perfect, too, describing the brown with red accents so well.

I'm working on more designs, so stay tuned!

Not Long Until the Emmys / New Product

2011-09-07T15:06:00.000-04:00

September 15 and 16 are the days that my eco purse will be on display at the Emmys gift lounge. Can we say ---- SUPER EXCITING?!

Not only is it exciting, but I will surely be a nervous wreck awaiting news as to what reaction to my product is.

I've also been working on a few new items. One of these items is an eco iPod/Smart Phone case. Crocheted from plarn (plastic bags) with a magnetic snap and button decoration. They will be available soon on my site in different colors. Here's one:

Thoughts?

Listen Carefully

2011-08-18T11:08:00.000-04:00

Yesterday was an interesting day in our household. Here are some outtakes:

I asked Matthew if he was listening to me. He looks at me all innocent and says:
"I'm not really in a listening mood right now."

Typical conversation in my house:
Dad: I have the munchies.
Matthew (8): The monkeys?
Dad: The munchies.
Andrew (12): Monk cheese? I wonder if that tastes good.
Dad: Sure it does. In fact, monks make the best cheese ever.
Andrew: I don't think that even exists.
Matthew: It exists in your world, Dad.

We have another addition to Matthew's Unabridged Dictionary:
Clicky Tocks (n): Clock with hands, not digital.

And last, but not least, we file this one under Things you don't want other people to overhear:
We took hubby's truck to the store. I'm maneuvering grocery bags in the back seat and keep hitting Matthew's legs much to his exasperation and some pain. Matthew says:
"She's hitting me again! This time with the groceries!"

Custom Orders? Love them!

2011-08-08T12:32:00.000-04:00

Oh, how I love custom orders! I usually wind up getting to know these customers as it's easier to get a feel for what they want and their personalities by talking to them on the phone v. exchanging emails. Now, mind you, I've done custom orders via emails, but there's nothing like actually connecting with someone by voice. Not to mention, that sometimes my questions will make them really think about what they want. For example, a handbag or tote that's custom-made for a tall person will have a different hang measurement from the shoulder than one made for someone of shorter stature. Some folks like the bag to be more under their armpit than others. Some like the bottom of the bag to be larger to fit their needs, and so on.

Here are a few of my favorite custom pieces all made of upcycled plastic bags:

"The Nikki Bag"

The "Big Hips Diaper Bag"

Plarn Basket to display soap items

Emmy Swag Gifts on Their Way!

2011-08-04T11:07:00.000-04:00

Ok, YAY! I got the Emmy swag gifts off to CA! Now I'm completely obsessed with tracking the box across the country. It should arrive next Tuesday, and I know it's left PA.

So this is how the wristlets wound up being packaged. I used VHS tape as ribbon and kept it simple (cause I like simple).

And just in case you didn't see it before, here is my display piece. A great little plarn purse.

I can't even begin to tell you how excited I am!

Almost Ready for the Primetime Emmy Awards Gift Lounge!

2011-07-28T12:54:00.002-04:00

As I've hunkered down to finish the up prepping for my participation in the GBK Productions' Gift Lounge, I figured I'd do a fly-by post. Now, I've already posted a pic of the VHS/yarn wristlets here, so I won't do that again. Those are going into the press bags.

Because I couldn't come up with something to make 100 of, I decided to do gift certificates for the celebrity swag bags.

Don't they look fantastic! Loving the work The BeezKneez did on these and the stickers.

There's also a special-made mini-tote that'll be making it's way to Hollywood... I'm hoping that it goes over well. :) It's crocheted primarily out of newspaper bags. The lining has a sparkly shine to it.

As soon as I get a box large enough for everything, it'll be on it's way to sunny California!

Clover Stone Designs & Me

2011-07-26T11:00:00.000-04:00

In my line of fun... I mean WORK, I've had the privilege of *meeting* many talented artisans. My involvement with The Artisan Group ("TAG") has taken this to a whole new level. Through TAG, I've met incredible business-minded people who have so much creativity and a genuine interest in sharing that I'm surprised we all haven't exploded from the mass input of combined knowledge yet.

That said, I was extremely fortunate to become friends with Stephi Williams, who is the creative mind behind Clover Stone Designs. By extremely fortunate, I mean, this woman has almost too much talent and creativity for one little person!

I owe her my new website and blog designs. (More to come in a different post about the redesign.) But, I'm also in love with her jewelry. Simple boho-style, perfect for everyday. I'm a simple kind of gal, so I enjoy her offerings all the more.

I'm in love with the color teal. My wedding was teal, ivory and black (we won't discuss how long ago that was). When I saw this piece, I had to have it!

Then, because she knew that military was near and dear to my heart, this military support bracelet was in my package, too!

Now, eventually I'll get out of her something else that I can make for her (she was my guinea pig for an upcycled change purse), but for now, I'll enjoy my wonderful Clover Stone Design pieces. I should also mention that she's getting ready for a big relaunch, so stay tuned!

Shop Clover Stone Designs
See her blog

Letting Go...

2011-07-21T10:35:00.001-04:00

This past weekend my grandmother in Denmark passed away quite suddenly. She was 92, lived a long life and went in her sleep -- exactly how she wanted. I hadn't seen her in over 20 years, cause it's a pretty expensive trip, but I'll always be grateful to her for teaching me to crochet when I was a little girl.

I remember some great times and some not-so-great times. She was a dynamic woman who folk danced and bicycled everywhere til she was around 88 years old. She was as sharp as a tack until the day she died. She passed a little over a year after my grandfather (who was also in his 90's).

I hope that they are at peace, together again and happy.

Love you, Mormor...

Crocheting in Different Mediums (or The 'Neat' Ideas I Get From Nikki)

2011-07-16T09:11:00.000-04:00

Contrary to (my friends') popular belief, I cannot crochet in all mediums, nor do I intend to (you'll see why soon enough). I've had one think that I can crochet with dental floss (smiles to Ashley). Now, I probably could, but why? Does anyone really want a spearmint smelling, waxy doily? I have another who will likely run screaming to the hills if I start crocheting tree branches. (Yes, she said tree branches.) I'm good, but I'm not that good!

The best ever comes from Nikki. How she manages to find some of the most disgusting mediums to show me is beyond me. (Ok, fine, she sees them on Regretsy.)

Like this, crocheted and painted gum --

Or this, crocheted from human hair (with fingernails, too) --

So, I've decided that I actually enjoy the laughs I get from Nikki's adventures in Regretsy. She's smart, talented and has a superb sense of humor. Go check out her shop -- 13 Black Cat Designs.

I promise you there's nothing gross there! LOL

Creativity & VHS Tape

2011-07-13T22:23:00.002-04:00

As I'm finishing up the last touches on my Emmy wristlet clutches, I began to ponder whether one is born creative or can it be learned. I felt oh-so-creative after reading some of the comments when Kathryn of Crochet Concupiscence followed up her first blog post on TDD with one about the Emmy wristlets (see it here). Then it got me to thinking. Am I really creative, or did it come with practice?

Part of my brand of creativity comes from a lot of practice, and I dream about designs and stuff. I actually was awakened this morning with the idea for this blog post.

Ok, back to the wristlets. My journey with upcycling VHS tape took a few months. Almost like trying to create a new recipe, it was about trying things, discarding them, then trying again to get that perfect melding of ingredients in the right amount for the right finished product. I looked around the internet to see what others might be doing. I really didn't see anything I was loving, so I designed my own purse. There are no pictures of that purse... on purpose. It's not that the design was horrible, it squeaked like you would not believe! I also didn't think it was as strong as I would have liked.

So, I experimented. First, I decided that the next big fashion thing would be a VHS tape/yarn belt. HA!

The belt

Then I decided to do an evening clutch that was lined - better response to that.

Evening Clutch with Yarn and VHS tape

And so it goes. It's all about trial and error. When I was thinking of what I could do for the press bags at the Emmys, I received great input from my colleagues in The Artisan Group, and decided to do wristlet clutches. These wristlets are a smaller version of the evening clutch and crocheted vinyl cord for the wrist loop. With smaller purse magnets and reclaimed fabric remnants, everything came together quite nicely. I also learned that it's much better to use VHS tape that's shiny on both sides (keeps your fingers cleaner and lends a better sparkle).

The Emmy Wristlet Clutch

So, am I naturally creative, or do I just practice a lot? Now that I've written this, I'm thinking it's a combination of both.

10,000 Hours

2011-07-01T12:31:00.009-04:00

Ten thousand hours. Well, what about it?

In Malcolm Gladwell's Outliers: The Story of Success, he writes that the number of hours of practice that it takes to become expert in something is 10,000 hours.

I was happy to hear this because I can call myself an expert crochet artisan now. :) After years (and years and years) of 'practice' - making things, ripping them out, re-doing it, ripping it out, etc., I know that I have that 10,000 hours. Now, this doesn't mean that the ultimate goal has been met. In order to continue at a high level of whatever you do, you have to continue practicing.

There are so many pieces of knowledge and insight that Gladwell has written about that are truly out-of-the-box thinking - in this and his other books - that all I can say is - read the books!

Crocheting in Silence? I Don't Think So...

2011-06-25T09:38:00.005-04:00

Most people who crochet don't sit in a vacuum of silence while creating their creations (especially if they've been doing it a while). I'm no different. In fact, I typically listen to/watch television while crocheting. But, I think I may have a problem...

I am crazy addicted to watching Discovery ID shows, "Dr. G - Medical Examiner", and "Snapped". In fact, I watch so much, I get a bit torked when it's mostly reruns on a "Snapped" marathon. So now, because I've seen so many shows,I've turned my attention to "Notorious" on Bio (I DVR new episodes of "I Survived"). Still, so far, most of the shows I've seen are just another way to tell the story on some sick twisted individual who I already know about. (Ok, I'll say here that my husband used to worry about this... a lot. Until he started watching with me.)

Mind you, I probably would've been a profiler or forensic somebody or other in another life. Frankly, what interests me most in the cases is the detective work and forensics that goes into catching the bad guy.

On the flip side, you can pretty much ask me about any episode of "iCarly", "The Penguins of Madagascar", "Victorious" and my all time favorite - "SpongeBob Squarepants". My favorite SpongeBob episode is the DoodleBob episode, with Sandy's episode of going back to Texas in close second place.

So there you have it -- What I do while I'm prepping plarn, designing patterns and counting stitches while crocheting.

Do Crazy Parents Breed Crazy Children?

2011-06-18T20:08:00.006-04:00

So, I recently had a request to write something more about my crazy kiddos, and started wondering why they are so cra-za-zy... Then I looked in the mirror while simultaneously thinking about my husband. My wondering stopped there.

Here are some more memorable moments and interactions we've had with the kids:

A new addition to Matthew's Unabridged Dictionary v.1 --

Side Butt: (n) hip.

(Staying with the hip theme)

Matthew, on pregnancy:

"When you have babies, your hips accelerate and turn into hu-normous things... I mean hips."

I was so pleased to find out that I was Matthew's "very best mom". Of course, I thought I was his ONLY mom - but that's neither here nor there.

Apparently, we have one kid who says he can dance in French & another who wears "long sleeved" pants.

From Matthew's Survival Guide:

"Never swallow sea water. It can kill you. Fish pee in it."

Andrew trying to convince hubby to buy a riding mower:

Hubby: "You & Mom are really working hard to get me to buy a riding mower. Why should I?"

Andrew: "Well, you're not getting any younger."

I'm sure there will be more, they still have a few years here at home.

Should be interesting...

The Business of Plarn

2011-06-15T09:33:00.013-04:00

Plarn, or plastic yarn, is a wonderful way to recycle/upcycle those plastic bags that most people throw away. Heck, I made a business out of it! So in the interest of 'education', I'm posting some pics of plarn in process...

1. Bags get folded then cut into strips.

2. The strips get pulled apart, ready to be connected together.

3. Strip connection ensues.

4. Connected strips are rolled into a ball.

5. Crocheting the ball of plarn into something useful.

6. Finished product! (This, btw, is my best selling tote.)

The best thing about my bags is that they are easy-care. Machine wash cold and hang to dry!

Also, the totes this size use 100+ plastic bags. One person uses about 300-700 bags per year. Three to seven TDD totes takes what one person in the U.S. uses out of our landfills!

I can't think of a better business to be in!

Expanding the Biz...

2011-05-30T09:15:00.004-04:00

So, as I continue preparations for my participation in the GBK Productions' Gift Lounge at the Primetime Emmy Awards, I find myself pondering as to how to expand my business. Right now, it's just lil ol' me prepping the plastic bags and crocheting. That means that there's a limited number of product that I can produce.

I've had people tell me to outsource the prepping and teach people how to crochet my totes and purses. Well, outsourcing the prepping makes a lot of sense to me; that would give me more time to crochet, thereby increasing the number of products I can offer at one time. But, having someone else crochet for/with me, not so much. The point is that it's MY work, and I'm such a flipping perfectionist.

I have found one person who's willing to prep bags for me, which is awesome (thank you, Lu)! I would like to find more. I will continue to crochet all the totes and purses myself. My hope is that people will understand that something that's artisan-made is worth the wait. In today's society of instant gratification, that may be a bit difficult, but I'm confident that my products will be worth the wait to those women who truly want something that's not only eco-friendly, but also one-of-a-kind (because handcrafted items are never exactly alike).

My thanks go out to my wonderful husband and friends who give me honest feedback about my products and my business. Kate, Denise and Valerie, thank you! And a special thanks to The Artisan Group and its members for their support.

Stuff is Happening!

2011-05-12T12:44:00.000-04:00

Ok, so it's been almost a month that I haven't posted. I need to get on it and do more! Anyhoo, things have been busy at Tina Dean Designs. I've been working on my Emmy prep, and then, boom - I get this full feature, front page of the Business Section article in the Free Lance-Star (see it - 'Bag Lady' Goes Prime Time). It's been amazing for getting Tina Dean Designs' name out in the local community and farther. Then, I see that a wonderful lady did a blog post on TDD, too! Here's the article - Plarn Gifts Get an Emmy Award.

So here I am, I've sent out the orders I received thus far and have the opportunity to reflect. But not for long! I need to get ready for Handmade Mart AND get my inventory back up on my website.

Lots of work ahead of me, but it's all good.

Preparations Underway for The 63rd Primetime Emmy Awards Gift Lounge

2011-04-19T11:20:00.004-04:00

Holy Cow! Here we go, ya'll! I've started my preparations to participate in the gift lounge at the Emmy Awards in September through The Artisan Group. I've decided to display one of my P-Eco Purses of upcycled/repurposed plastic bags (or plarn). The wallet that will be with the purse is a new idea. It's constructed out of yarn, cassette tape and will be lined with the same fabric as the purse.

Here's the purse:

Here's the wallet, so far:

To say that this is a little exciting would be a huge understatement. The Artisan Group has been invited to participate in GBK Productions' Gift Lounge. For those that don't know (or don't follow this stuff), GBK is the PREMIERE gift lounge to be in. Not only will we participating member artisans be in GBK's gift lounge, but we'll also have our items displayed for TWO days. This is a major boon - to be seen by top celebrities for two days!

More updates to follow!

The Artisan Group

2011-04-15T10:55:00.007-04:00

So, I recently had the privilege of being accepted into an exclusive group of artisans. What group is that you may ask. Well, I'll tell you!

Ever heard of those celebrity swag bags and gifting suites/lounges at major awards shows? Think Oscars, Emmys, Grammys, Kids Choice, Golden Globes... The Artisan Group is a professional promotions group that gives its talented member artisans an opportunity to get in front of those celebs. Not only celebrities, but also in front of major press outlets (E!, Life & Style, InStyle Magazine, Fox, MSNBC, and so on). How cool is that?

*Photos are from The Artisan Group website.*

Description: Giuliana Rancic, Host of E! News, and star of "Giuliana & Bill". *with a former promotions group.

I was clued in by one of my favorite people, Denise of AJSweetSoap (go look at her stuff, it's AMAZING). And I'll be thanking her until she gets sick of me. LOL! Firstly, I'm so glad that she thought well enough of my work to recommend me to the Group; and secondly (is that a word?), I'm so glad that the Group thought well enough of my work to accept me.

Description: Sarah Drew, best known for her role as Dr. April Kepner on "Grey's Anatomy. *with a former promotions group.

It's free to join and be aware that they are discriminating. They are currently looking for more talented artisans.

Right now, the Group is ramping up for the Primetime Emmy Awards in September. It's a great way to get your item on the display table and possibly get a professional photograph of your item in a celeb's hands. Can we say - incredible marketing opportunity? But, the time to get in is drawing near as half the display places have already been snagged.

Go check out their site, follow them on Twitter and Facebook. Fill out the application and see where it takes you!

My First Craft Show

2011-04-08T17:33:00.007-04:00

So, I participated my first show on Saturday, March 26th. It was the first Shop Schmooze and Savor Mini-Expo in Arlington presented by On Purpose Networking for Women.

I did okay, especially considering that I'm a newbie. I learned soooo much from some of the other artisans about display techniques and received some excellent advice. Here's where I'd like to do a shout out to Deb of A.W.E Handcrafted Jewelry. Deb is a true artisan and crafts some of the most amazing pieces. She also happens to be a really cool chick.

Aside from the fact that my table looked like a flippin' flea market, I really enjoyed getting out of the house, meeting some amazing folks, getting the opportunity to reconnect with Ginny Robertson (head guru/founder of OPN), and learning more about the craft show scene.

It boosted my confidence enough to actually apply for a juried show. So, I applied to the Handmade Mart that will be happening in Silver Spring, MD on May 22nd and was accepted!!!! Calendar it and come on by to see me. It'll be from 10am - 5pm. See you there!

Just Call Me... General

2011-03-15T14:16:00.003-04:00

So, today, I decided to take a break from crocheting. I know I have a mini-expo in Arlington to get ready for on March 26th, but I just needed the rest. Besides, with the paper breeding voraciously on my kitchen island, I needed to step in and get it under control. (Anyone know of a paper neutering service?)

I have so many designs in my head, but my fingers just won't go faster. Sometimes I think it'd be great to be like General Grievous in Star Wars... Lots of arms! Shoot, I could work on a couple of projects at a time. How cool would that be? Of course, I'm sure I'd get a few stares, what with 4 arms and all. So instead of holding light sabers, I'd be holding crochet hooks!

Ok, ok, I know I didn't do the greatest job on the pic, but you get the idea... I left the light sabers in cause I'm that cool... LOL

Oh Matthew!

2011-02-28T12:08:00.004-05:00

As many of my friends and family members know, Matthew (soon-to-be 8) is a veritable font of innocent kid quips. While Andrew is, as my mother calls him "the Professor", Matthew gives us life through the eyes of, well, Matthew.

Here are some of my favorite Matthew interactions.

Matthew asks for a bowl of Trix for an after school snack. I pour him a bowl. He says it's too much and proceeds to put about 5 pieces of cereal back into the box before proclaiming that now it's just right.

Matthew: "Daddy, can I have an ice cream sandwich?"
Daddy: "No."
Matthew: "Yay, I get to have an ice cream sandwich!"
Daddy: "I said, no."
Matthew: "I'm so happy I get to have an ice cream sandwich!"
Daddy: " Hellooo! I said no!"
Matthew: "Daddy, can I have my ice cream sandwich now?"
(Ah, the power of positive thought.)

Andrew was explaining to Matthew that you can't foresee the consequences of changing the past. That it would be possible that if you stopped Lincoln's assassination you could end up with monkeys ruling the world.
Matthew's response: "Are they mean monkeys?"

Matthew (when he was almost 7) finds the sheet for Andrew's spelling bee --
"Mom, look, the thing for Andrew's Spelling Bee. Hey, why isn't there a Spelling A?"

My hope is that he'll continue seeing the world through his own eyes and not be affected by how those around him see things. He's such a free spirit, and I'd hate to see him lose that. It's such a precious trait and will serve him well. He's my out-of-the-box thinker and keeps me on my toes!

Can Boys Watch Too Much Military Channel?

2011-02-22T11:24:00.002-05:00

So, I have to say that being a mom to two boys is really pretty cool. As I was pondering some of those things, I started to think about things that little boys are interested in that typically girls aren't. Which leads me to the following question...

How do you know if your kids are watching too much of the Military Channel?

1. Driving home from school...
Me: Matthew, how was school?
Matt: Art was fun!
Me: What'd you do in Art?
Matt: That's classified.

2. Driving to BK...
Andrew: I really want to write a mean letter to someone... Must be the testosterone.

3. Matthew informed us that he is an "innocent civilian child."

4. Driving to go grocery shopping, Matthew sees the Girl Scouts out selling cookies in the lot. He asks if we can buy some. I tell him we don't have any cash, but we'll return. He says we can "infiltrate" them from behind, he will run and yell at them, then we can duct tape them and get the cookies.

Nuff said.

Hair? What hair?

2011-02-14T09:49:00.000-05:00

So, I'm sitting here at the computer and started thinking about why people would actually want to read what I write, especially about the kiddos. Then I thought "Cause the s***'s funny." Well, at least it's funny to me.

Take, for example, an incident that happened last school year. Matthew, the youngest, gets into the car after school. He's practically in tears that he would be in BIG trouble over a note that the teacher sent home. So I look at the note, which, btw, is attached to a sandwich baggie with hair in it.

This should be interesting...

The note said:

"I found this hair under Matthew's desk after school yesterday. I asked him this morning & he said he cut his hair because it was in his eyes when he was working."

His hair wasn't THAT long! Really! In any event, hubby and I laughed so hard. Poor kid didn't know how to respond. But he had the distinct honor of being the first kid in his 1st grade class to cut his hair in school.

The End of Fairytales?

2011-02-07T11:03:00.001-05:00

So, a few months ago, I was sitting at the computer and my 11-year-old comes up to me. After a minute, I got tired of him hovering over my shoulder and asked him what was up.

Me: What's up?
Him: I wanted to ask you a question.
Me: Ok, ask.
Him: Is the tooth fairy real, or are you the tooth fairy?
Me: You want the truth?
Him: Yes.
Me: I'm the tooth fairy.
Him: I knew it!

Flash forward to a few months after that conversation, just before Christmas. Same scenario.

I'm sitting at the computer, and he's hovering again.

Me: What's up?
Him: I wanted to ask you a question.
Me: Ok, ask.
Him: Is Santa real?
Me: You want the truth?
Him: No, that's ok...

I guess the lesson that I learned from this is that by a certain age, kids know the truth, but really really like to keep believing for as long as they can. Sometimes, I wish I could, too.

Why I Love Having Young Kids at My Age

2011-02-03T11:11:00.003-05:00

So, most of my friends from high school started having kids younger than I did. Some are even grandparents now. It's weird, because it makes me feel old, but then I look at my kids (in elementary and middle schools), and feel a little younger again.

I've learned a lot from my kids. They make up words, they are sarcastic just like me and my husband, and we have some interesting conversations. For example:

Took Matthew to McD's the other night to get some "crack for kids", otherwise known as nuggets.
Matt: Mom, do you know why McDonald's chicken nuggets are so good?
Me: No, why are they so good?
Matt: It's the grease!

Picking up Matthew from school:
Me looking in the rearview & not seeing him: Matt, what're you doing?
Matt: Looking at my shadow. Hey, you don't have eyes in the back of your head... & neither does daddy!
Me: Then how come I know when you're up to no good?
Matt: (silence)

I added a new word to my vocabulary -- 'aloneless': the condition opposite of crowded or accompanied by others. Apparently, this word exists only in 'Matthew's Unabridged Dictionary v.1'.

I learned that a place can be "infested with people" -- courtesy of Andrew.

I've also learned that spelling bees can have some of the dumbest words. Andrew (my straight-A student) was recently caught off guard because he was supposed to spell "yippee". Seriously? Yippee? He missed the word after correctly spelling "warrior". Go figure.

Crochet - A Genetic Trait? Really?

2011-01-25T14:10:00.002-05:00

So, I'm talking to my hubby the other day and tell him about a recent conversation I had with a bank teller. She was impressed that I had the ability to crochet, and to be expert enough to sell my goods. Her experience with crochet wasn't so good and, apparently, she wound up throwing everything across the room.

So hubby says, "I thought all women could crochet... isn't it, like, genetic?"

D'oh! What on earth is this man talking about? He's a very intelligent man; I know he's not that stoo-pid.

Ok, after I stopped laughing at him, and after a few minutes of discussion, I realized that he really hasn't known any women who haven't picked up a crochet hook or knitting needles at some point and actually made something. I guess it was just a "woman" thing that all women knew how to do; that it was somehow on a small strand of DNA contributed solely by the X chromosome.

He is now educated on the matter. He also understands that not all crochet is created equal, and that there are men who crochet -- but he still insists they must be 'XXY' males. "You can't fight biology!"

I still love my hubby.

Blatant Self-Promotion

2010-12-26T14:06:00.005-05:00

So, in the interest of complete, utter self-promotion (and since my birthday is coming up very soon & because this is my blog - LOL), I decided to post a list of some of the places where my stuff has been written up this year.

http://confessionsofanover-workedmom.blogspot.com/search?q=tina+dean+designs

http://andreawdesigns.blogspot.com/2010/06/artisan-of-the-day-tina-dean-designs.html

http://www.handmadenews.org/article/index.php?id=5312

http://allmixedupart.wordpress.com/2010/07/30/plastic-bags-creativity-eco-tote/

http://jonathanandmelanie.blogspot.com/2010/09/plastic-eco-diaper-ooak-bag-review-and.html

http://www.beingtazim.com/recyclehandmadecrochet/

http://www.indiespotting.com/shop-showcase/meet-tina-dean-designs/

http://creatingthehive.com/blog-post/28523/home-green-home-blogmania-teaser

My thanks to all who've featured my work and written about it!
I hope everyone has a Happy, Healthy & Prosperous New Year!

Following the Yellow Brick Road

2010-07-16T18:43:00.007-04:00

So, I've neglected writing for a bit just trying to get my business head organized. I've been very busy getting a new line of bags done & can't wait to share them with you. My new line will be in my Etsy shop. So far, one is listed.

On another business note, I've been shopping boutiques to carry my line of baskets and bags. What in the world was I thinking when I went out today in over 100 degree heat, bags & baskets in tow, walking through historic Fredericksburg and popping into shops? Nothing like trying to sell yourself and your product when you're sweating like a pig. Oh, and I know some people say women "glow". I don't. I sweat. So there I am, talking to owners, with sweat running down the side of my neck. Great first impression.

On the bright side, my new evening clutches impressed a manager enough to take my card and brochure to give to the owner. She couldn't believe it was completely handmade, handstitched, etc. AND had videotape throughout. I also made contact with an owner who wants to carry my baskets once her shop is finished with their move. I'm not going to get ahead of myself, but it's given my confidence a wonderful boost.

Now, I was told no, politely, by a shop, but I figure rejection goes with the territory. There are plenty of people out there who'll say a quick no and not actually get what you do. No problem. I'll move on to the ones who do and follow my own yellow brick road.

Onward & upward!

Lessons in American History

2010-06-26T09:50:00.010-04:00

So, I haven't posted in a little bit cause we've been so busy taking the time to play tourist at some of the most amazing historical sites in our area here in Northern Virginia. The area is so rich in history from both the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, and we didn't have to travel far to see some of it (which is great as we could come home and sleep in our own beds every night).

Being the goof that I am, I forgot the camera when we went to see Chatham and the Fredericksburg Battlefield. Duh. Nonetheless, we did see Chatham, which is only one of three homes in the country where Washington, Jefferson and Lincoln all visited. I wish that we could have seen the inside of the smokehouse, laundry house, etc., but they were closed off to the public. The house was in such a strategic area, overlooking Fredericksburg, and we were able to see where the Union forces had engineered one of their pontoon bridges to cross the river into Fredericksburg.

We took the tour at Fredericksburg Battlefield where the infamous Sunken Road is. They've meticulously crafted the stone wall to look like it did back in the day, but there's still a piece of the original wall there for all to see (but not to touch). Unbelievably, Union General Burnside sent seven (7) waves of troops against the Confederates behind the wall... with NO cover. They were slaughtered. I've got to do a shout-out to our tour guide, Preston, who was great! He believed that this battle was really Lee's greatest victory, although Lee thought that Chancellorsville was his greatest.

So, the next day, we motor over to Chancellorsville. If you're from this area, or have lived here for a while, you start to see some familiar family names crop up as you travel through battlefields and historic sites and recognize how certain towns and cities got their names. Chancellorsville is where Stonewall Jackson got shot by his own troops upon his return from scouting ahead. He didn't die from the wound, but they did have to amputate an arm. He actually died from pneumonia, and there is question as to whether he was sick prior to being shot. Here's a memorial stone that was placed in this honor way back when, and the monument.

Confederate Earthworks

It continued to amaze me how we have almost lost (and have lost some) of our historical sites due to urban sprawl.

Instead of going to The Wilderness the following day and keeping with the timeline, we decided to go to Manassas. What were we thinking?! It was over 100 degrees! But we went and took the tour regarding 1st Manassas (or Bull Run). This was the first battle of the Civil War. You know, the one that they thought would take a few hours and the war would be over? The one where people packed picnic baskets and came out from DC and surrounding areas to watch the "show". It was too hot to go on the tour of 2nd Manassas, so we wimped out and watched to movie they had on the whole thing in the air conditioned visitor's center.

I'll end our historical tour here for now. There's obviously so much more to tell, but I could go on and on.

I did, however, get two dishcloths per trip crocheted while in the car. :o)

Ramblings

2010-06-17T09:39:00.006-04:00

So, this is the last week of school, and there's been so much to do with the kiddos. The awards ceremonies, programs, etc. It's hard enough to realize yet another school year has gone by, and my oldest is going into middle school. I know, I know, there are so many who've gone before him, and I'm one of many mommies who've gone through this. It's almost the same feeling I had when I weaned them from nursing (but that's a whole other story).

Anyhoo, I've been working on a few things in my in-between moments. I've listed a few crocheted earrings, soap holders and washcloths/dishcloths. I still have a plarn bag to make for my 91 year old grandmother in Denmark. I'm looking forward to that because she's the one who taught me how to crochet.

Still having fun listening to the kiddos. The other day on the way to school, the little dude tells us that one of the little girls in his class had turned around, and he saw her undies! I wish I'd had a camera for the look on his face. Hand over mouth, then says: "I wanted to throw up!" What do you say after that?

My Dilemma

2010-06-16T07:53:00.009-04:00

So, here I go! I finally decided to get a studio banner that reflects the professional look that I want. I went to libertydoll (aka Marissa) on Artfire. She's busy as all get out (like I'd like to be), very nice to work with, and pretty dang creative.

Now, here's my dilemma. She came up with TWO ideas for my banner (& avatar). Now, I can't decide and need some help, so I'm putting it to a vote. Let me know what you think in the comments.

Choice 1:

Choice 2:

Featured Studio ArtFire Fire Stalkers -- AJSweetSoap

2010-06-09T14:13:00.008-04:00

AJSweetSoap is an amazing place. Just wandering through pages of decadent soaps is a treat in itself. How she does this, I don't know, but you definitely have to see it to believe it.

My main thought as I looked through the studio was -- OMG! I can just see my sugar hungry kids trying to eat the soap! Actually, it'd be pretty doggone funny... I guess I am a mean mom (see older post). But seriously, LOOK and tell me I'm wrong... I dare you!

Ramblings

2010-06-02T08:16:00.005-04:00

So, I took a little break from writing, and am happy to report that the beach/pool/shopping bag made of Wal-mart bags has been completed and can be viewed at my Artfire studio. Yippee!

Over the past few days, I have learned the following from my kiddos:

There is such a thing as "short-sleeved" pants. Otherwise known to the rest of the English-speaking world as "shorts".

I am a "mean mommy". I take this as a compliment. I make them brush their teeth.

I tell my kids - "Wait til you have kids!" This is eerily familiar... Oh wait, my parents used to tell me that!

I learned that I'm a "police mom". Apparently, that means I catch people, i.e., children, when they don't do what they're supposed to do.

I also had been trying to figure out what to make out of our old vhs tapes. I finally had the lightbulb go off over my head, and decided to try my hand at making belts. The first attempt, eh, not so much. Too squeaky. My second attempt - great! I mixed yarn and the vhs tape. It created a sturdier belt than just plain yarn and added a very cool shine from the vhs tape. It's in my studio, and I plan to make more in different sizes.

I've also found out that I absolutely suck at taking pictures. Even my 11-year old can take a clear picture. Mine come out fuzzy. It's not like I drink that much coffee. Maybe I'm just a spazzoid. I'm making the hubby man take my product pictures from now on.

I guess I'm done rambling for now.

Bags Bags Everywhere?

2010-05-25T11:08:00.012-04:00

So, I'm crocheting the bag made out of primarily Wal-mart bags that I mentioned in a previous post. Unbelievably, I run out of blue & white bags. Nothing is like the feeling of running out of materials near the end of a project. Ugh! You would think that with all the plastic bags floating around my house, I would never run out... Now, I need to either buy crap at Wal-mart, or dive through the recyclables at the grocery store. Ok, so going to Wal-mart wouldn't be a horrible thing. I need to pick up Lunchables and milk anyway.

Then, I start crocheting a bag out of Giant bags - same thing happens! Double ugh! Now I have two projects sitting unfinished until I can "dumpster" dive into recycle bins.

I'm on the wrong side of "bag mania". I have hundreds of bags, and I run out? How is this possible? How is this possible? How is this possible? But I digress...

On the bright side, I am so excited about the bags so far! They are a couple of my best ones -- I'm loving how they are looking! I hope everyone else does, too.

The "X" Mom

2010-05-18T17:16:00.000-04:00

So, as we're driving home after picking the boys up from school, the conversation ventured into the land of superheroes. My 7 year old says: "Mom is a superhero." And so it starts...

11 year old: "Mom's not a superhero."
7 year old: "Uh huh! Mom can see through walls!"
11 year old: "No, she can't!"
7 year old: "She's got x-ray vision."
Daddy: "Yeah, she's got eyes in the back of her head."
7 year old: "NO, she's got x-ray vision! I was trying to sneak a snack, and she was in her room, and she caught me. And, darn, I almost got that snack!"

It's so nice to be in the company of Superman, Wonder Woman, The Flash and Captain Underpants, but the closest thing I have to being a superhero is a poor excuse for the Lasso of Truth (a long piece of plarn) and a studded belt from 1985. And, frankly, I couldn't even pass for Iron Man's mate, unless holding an actual iron counted.

I suppose if I had to choose a name or superhero persona I'd call myself "Tide" -- not because I can control the ocean, but because I use so damn much detergent.

It'll be sad when the little guy figures out that I don't really have superhero powers, but for the time being, I'll use it to my advantage.

The Action Hero

2010-05-16T20:09:00.000-04:00

So, yesterday I'm sitting at the computer tooling around on the Artfire forums and looking at some studios before my guests arrive. My husband is looking for a plastic bag to put something in and gets frustrated because he apparently cannot find one bag to use in a houseful of plastic bags. He starts mumbling something, and I hear him say something about Wal-mart bags.

Cut to slow motion scene in an action film:

The heroine (that would be me) screams at the offender while lunging to protect precious cargo - NOOOOOOO, NOT THOSE BAGS!

Disaster averted! He was reaching for the stash that I'm making a new beach bag out of (yes, I ended the sentence in a preposition). A bag that is half done and every blue & white bag in the house will be needed to finish it. He huffs away as I chase him to the pantry to show him the bags he can use -- sheesh! Frankly, he says that the last time he saw me move that fast a mouse was involved.

And so is life in my house. There are mommy's "good" bags, and the "ok to use" bags.

As the little shrimp in Finding Nemo said -- "True story."

Crochet Injury?

2010-05-11T16:19:00.000-04:00

So, here I am, writing my first blog post, and I'm on the injured list. Don't laugh, but I'm actually suffering from a crochet injury (confirmed by the doc)! Whoda thunk it? While trying to supply a number of plarn (plastic yarn) baskets to my strategic business partner - Truly Life - I crocheted a basket too tight and wound up on the bench for a couple of weeks recuperating. Fortunately, it's gotten better slowly (with the help of Tylenol with Codeine and my handy dandy heating pad). I've now had ample time to think of new designs and make quite a bit of plarn for those new designs.

Here are some things I've learned about making plarn:

1. People save their bags for you. A LOT of bags. Recently, my brother gave me three huge garbage bags full of grocery bags. I keep wondering if I'll ever get through them all.

2. Your house becomes Bag Central. No matter how much I sweep or clean, I keep finding little pieces of plastic bag on the floor.

3. You become a "bag lady". My local Giant grocery store loves what I do with their bags and will let me rummage through their recyclables. You should see the looks on the faces of their other customers. Fortunately, I do not embarrass easily.

4. The kids thought it was really cool to help... at first. Then the glamour wore off, and they're content to watch me fold, cut, put together and roll into a ball -- if they pay any attention at all.

5. It's really annoying to the hubby when I make plarn while we're watching tv in bed. It can be noisy. Fortunately, he's now been "plarn trained" and all I have to do is throw the end to him, and he'll start rolling it into ball. He's become quite good at it, too.

6. If you're not paying attention, you can wind up with a ball of plarn as big as a basketball.

Oh, there goes another piece of plastic scurrying across the floor! Gotta run for now.