Applique Anyone?

After flipping around on various craft sites and Etsy, I decided that I needed to applique some t-shirts. Nothing puts a personal stamp on clothing like your own homemade iron-on patches. So I came up with some ideas, some things I drew free hand and others I traced from various pictures. I must say I’m excited about this new venture and to date have only tried one out.

I must tell you, I love hippos. My future child will learn to enjoy them as well, as it’s nursery will be decorated with hippos. Baby’s first blanket has hippos on it. You get the picture. That being said, my first applique was an orange hippo. There is nothing more lovely than an orange hippo.

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THE Skirt

I bought this skirt pattern, Butterick B4461, back in the summer for 99 cents. Honestly, why pay more for patterns? Those 99 cent sales are on at least once a month. I found the perfect black embroidered moleskin fabric in September and paid more than common sense should have allowed for it. But you know how life gets in the way sometimes? Well, I finally had some down time to make the skirt and well, I was 14 weeks pregnant. I made the skirt anyways. Baby or not, I wanted this skirt!

However, I am probably going to go back to my Sew What! Skirts book. I like the freedom.

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I’m One Crafty Lady

After some thought, I’ve decided to share my crafts with the world. You know, because I can’t manage to write a book review ever. Get off my back Thomas.

Boot Gate – Why Should We Care?

All of this hullabaloo about Tom Brady’s boot is stupid. Old Bill has listed Cheeks on the injured list since like 2004. And he’s played every week. Let’s be honest, is there a chance Tom won’t play in the Super Bowl? Not unless he gets hit by a bus. Even then, he’d still be listed as probable.

Oh Cincinnati….

This is exactly the kind of news story I expect to come out of Cincinnati. A College Hill man beat up a woman with terminal cancer over $10. That would be $10 for beer to be exact. Heaven forbid a person be able to walk down the street AND have cancer. The nerve of some people.

Why Sports Announcers Should Be Muzzled

This gem brought to you by Troy Aikman, America’s favorite quarterback with a head injury:

“That was a fantastic catch with his hands!”

Um…what else is he supposed to catch with? Dumb.

NFL AFC/NFC Championships: Are We There Yet Week?

San Diego Chargers vs. New England Patriots
After being full of trash talk since beating the Colts last week, now the Chargers get to take their mouthy show on the road to Foxborough. Philip Rivers expects to cry, I mean play this week. After watching T.O. cry last week, I know some of us were hoping to see Cheeks cry this week, but really, if I saw Cry Baby Rivers in actual tears it would make my week. Let’s examine the facts: the Patriots have really taken their foot off the gas lately, and the Chargers aren’t sucking as much as they did earlier in the season, but old Bill isn’t going to let those boys lose. He’ll beat them to death with his sweatshirt before that happens. New England by 7.

New York Giants vs. Green Bay Packers
Now, I love little Eli Manning. I may be the only (albeit very independent, largely unread) media source that hasn’t blasted him all season. That being said, let’s be honest. The Giants chances of winning in Green Bay are about as likely as a sobriety day at Lambeau Field. The Giants look good on the road, but I don’t think they’ll look like a win this week. Brett Favre is too magical and the Giants pass rush isn’t that good. Brett Favre is a little bit more mature than that Tony Romo character, he can take it. Packers by 14. Sorry Eli, you’ll be watching the Super Bowl in Peyton’s living room this year.

In other news, Mike Carey will become the first black referee in Super Bowl history. AND he can vote too! What is this, 1975?

So My Predictions Were a Little Off….

But the Giants still won. That’s right, haters. You all thought I was an idiot but I was RIGHT. So much for “America’s Team”. Leave it to Tony Romo to blow it in the playoffs two years in a row. Aww, look on the bright side Tony, think about all the time this frees up in your life for Jessica Simpson! Perhaps Dallas should change their nickname to “America’s One and Out Team”. T.O. may have brought back a healthy ankle, but unfortunately for the big star (not Terrell, the one in the middle of their jerseys) he also brought back his hands of brick. Eli borrowed Peyton’s laser-rocket arm, and led his team to victory. How about that Giants defense? Outstanding! Kings of the goal line stand. Perhaps the Bengals should be taking notes.

I am a little upset that my dreams of the Manning vs. Manning Super Bowl are over, but it was worth it to watch the Cowboys lose. However, as long as I don’t have to watch the Brady vs. Romo Super Bowl, my life is peaceful. I’m even ok with the much more probable Brady vs. Favre. But for today, how ’bout them Giants?

NFL Playoffs – Narrowing It Down Week: My Predictions

 Seattle Seahawks vs. Green Bay Packers
I’ve developed a liking for Matt Hasselbeck. It’s really a shame too, because after this week we won’t be seeing him for several months. It’s true, I initially picked the Seahawks to go all the way this season, but that was before they became one of the more inconsistent teams in the NFL. They don’t have a very good record against decent teams and they don’t have a man who is magical like a unicorn as their quarterback. Fav-Ray and friends by 10.

 Jacksonville Jaguars vs. New England Patriots
Hmm, here’s an interesting game. People everywhere (outside of Foxborough) are predicting that the Patriots can’t stop the Jags running game. The Jags were able to stop the Pittsburgh passing game, but that’s mostly because Pittsburgh has a terrible O-line and Big Ben is overrated. Let’s be honest, Jacksonville isn’t good at securing a lead apparently. I’m backing the Patriots, but only by 7, because they’ve really taken their foot off the gas recently.

 San Diego Chargers vs. Indianapolis Colts
Everyone is talking about the big rematch. What are the chances that Peyton will throw bajillion interceptions again? Not likely. Let’s recall that the Chargers still almost lost that game. Let’s also recall that they didn’t look too hot last week against Tennessee. Finally, let’s recall that Philip Rivers is a giant cry baby. He might be wearing a diaper. It’s been fun Norv Turner, but now it’s done. Colts..by 14.

 New York Giants vs. Dallas Cowboys
It’s hard to beat a team 3 times in one season, blah blah blah. Terrell Owens expects to play, but this doesn’t mean he won’t bring his brick hands. Meanwhile, the Giants are trying to overcome the impossible with a quarterback who has looked outstanding the last two weeks. Hmm, what to choose? Does common sense trump loyalty? Nope. Giants by 3. Eat it, Romo.

The Hood Salute and Other Nuggets of Fun

You have got to be kidding me. The Hood Salute? 4 men have been arrested for firing guns into the air at the funeral of a local kid. Did I mention that this kid was shot to death? Inappropriate perhaps? The family is very upset, and rightfully so. Who wants to bury their child and then subsequently have a handful of bozo’s “salute” him by shooting into the air. This is more than a 21 gun salute gone bad, this is just plain dumb.

Meanwhile in politics, John Kerry chooses to back Barack Obama. Trouble in political paradise? Why is John Kerry backing Obama over his old running mate John Edwards? I mean, I can name 110 reasons not to back John Edwards, but then again, I would never have chosen him as my running mate. I also don’t have a thing for sleeze-bag lawyers. However, I like that this is some type of John Kerry sticking out his proverbial tongue at Edwards. Passive-aggressive mud-slinging by people who aren’t even running, that’s cute boys.

Ahh, a breath of fresh air comes to us from Des Moines, Iowa. Not even from my nieces! Meanest Mom on the planet, Jane Hambleton placed this ad in the Des Moines Register after finding alcohol in her 19 year-old son’s car: “OLDS 1999 Intrigue. Totally uncool parents who obviously don’t love teenage son, selling his car. Only driven for three weeks before snoopy mom who needs to get a life found booze under front seat. $3,700/offer. Call meanest mom on the planet.” Wow, this is all enough to make me wish I could get the Des Moines Register in Cincinnati. While the car has been sold, this woman is running the ad for another week because she likes all of the phone calls she gets from people congratulating her on being a responsible parent. Perhaps SHE should write that book Lynne Spears was thinking about authoring. However, I’d like to point out that continuing to run the ad after the car as been sold is technically false advertising, leave that part out of your book Jane.

Meanwhile, in more embarrassing news, some boy in Kentucky is trying desperately to become the most beat up boy in school. After being told he couldn’t join the cheerleading squad, his family filed a discrimination suit with the Kentucky Commission on Human Rights two years ago. Not being a boy cheerleader was devastating to the then 13 year old. He plans to try out again when he gets to high school. I hope enjoys the inside of a locker.

Now for news that isn’t news. 3.1 million young people are getting crazy on the grape! For those who haven’t read my previous blogs on this topic, it means kids are getting high on cough medicine. Drinking cough syrup is more popular than taking LSD. Big surprise, it’s more popular to get high on an over-the-counter, cheap, easily accessible drug than an illicit drug, which is more expensive and not nearly as easy get into your hot, stoned little hands. The federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration is apparently a brilliant use of tax payer money. I’m glad to be funding such geniuses. Anyone who has ever worked in a pharmacy, health & beauty department, or gone to college could’ve told you all of this 3 years ago.

Oh, and apparently some guy in Idaho saw the mark of the beast on his hand so he cut it off. Anyone ever read “I Know This Much Is True”? Seriously, copy cat. Although, he took it a step further, and cooked the severed hand in the microwave. Perhaps that Federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration should be spending their money to help THAT guy instead of a bunch of cracked out, cough syrup drinkers. Who can care about schizophrenics when kids are drinking Dimetap?