Almost

I am ALMOST finished with the class on tunisian crochet from craftsy.com. I have my yarn all ready. I am SOOOO eager to get started and start posting pictures!

Color Scheme 003

I have been working on different color schemes, for my crafting projects and learned a very cool trick from stitchdiva.com in a lesson on craftsy.com

Color Scheme 002

I have been working on different color schemes, for my crafting projects and learned a very cool trick from stitchdiva.com in a lesson on craftsy.com

Color Scheme 001

I have been working on different color schemes, for my crafting projects and learned a very cool trick from stitchdiva.com in a lesson on craftsy.com

Multi Garment as Poncho with peek-a-boo sleeves

Multi Garment as Poncho with peek-a-boo sleeves, a photo by stitchdiva on Flickr.

I just bought the pattern and class lesson and I can't wait to get started!

My Goals

After years of writing on a blog a whole lot of nothing, I have finally come up with a concept. This site is now going to be focusing of arts and crafts. The Arts and Crafting is a big part of my life, and I love nothing more than sharing with others the skills and tricks that I have learned along the way.
So without wasting any more time, the following sections will now be added to this site:

• General Crafts
• Clip Art
• Color Schemes
• Copycat Designs
• Craft Supplies
• Crochet Instruction
• Crochet Patterns
• Fonts
• Jewelry
• Knitting Instruction
• Knitting Patterns
• Photography
• Photoshop
• Photoshop Brushes
• Resources
• Scrapbooks
• Sewing
• Web Design

I welcome new ideas for topics, ALWAYS. And hope to have others contribute to make this site a success!
Here's to the NEW dani.c!!

Old Project Scrapbook

Three years. I have had a scrapbook for three years. It's for a friend's wedding. I have not finished it. I started it three years ago and I did finish it but I didn't like the way it turned out. So I started all over. I would understand if she is totally pissed at me. I would be pissed if I were her. Thing is, I want it to be perfect. I'm putting too much pressure on myself. So now that I have a fresh start and a new perspective on things (thanks to pinterest.com for ideas) I am ready to get going on it. I scanned all the pictures onto my computer. Now I need to do the following:

1. Edit them in photoshop
2. Make digital scrapbook
3. Find 12x12 layouts, sketches or templates
4. Find Embellishments, stamps, titles, journaling, quotations and poems
5. Ideas for titles
1. Mother of the Bride
2. Mother of the Groom
3. Father of the Bride
4. Friendship
5. Family
6. Bride
7. Groom
8. Love
9. Marriage
10. Smile
11. Happiness
12. Location
13. red Roses
14. Maid of Honor
15. Her last name
16. His last name
17. Girls night out
18. getting ready
19. ceremony
20. i do
21. reception
22. happily ever after

These are the links that I am finding most helpful for this project:
ishareprintables
capital b free printables
shabby blogs
the crativity exchange
thats what she said
the girl creative
sissyprint
shindig
digital scrapbook - Google Search
Free Digital Scrapbooking - Tutorials
3D Flowers SVG Kit - $6.99 SVG Files for Sure Cuts A Lot - SVGCuts.com
52 Sketches…52 Weeks 
advice for the bride - Yahoo! Search Results
Amy's SVGs and Other Scrap Stuff
Amys Collages and Other Scrap Stuff
Articles Creating Keepsakes
Brittany's SVG Files
Browsing Resources & Stock Images on deviantART
Brush Kits
CatScrap  Brushes and Stamps  Jack Brushset by NRJ
Collages - Picture Collage Ideas - Scrapbooks Etc.
Craft Edge • View forum - Flourishes
Craft Edge • View topic - BEAUTIFUL Borders & Frames ...
Crafty Things - prints
Cricut & SCAL FREE SVG FILES!!! « Eat, Sleep, Scrap…Repeat
Cricut Top 40 - Rankings - All Sites
designerdigitals.com-digital-scrapbooking-supplies-product_info.php-products_id-10925
Digital Scrapbooking Brushes from ScrapGirls Photoshop and Photoshop Elements
E. E. Cummings Poems and Poetry
einnej Free SVG Files
Embellishments and more at Better Homes and Gardens
Father Poems
Fonts For Peas Best Handwriting Fonts
Free designs » Create Your Heart Out
Free Digital Stamps
Free Dingbats, ScrappingTable.com, Sure Cuts A Lot software, SCAL
Free Scrapbook Fonts - Part 2
Free svg and scut files Downloads to use with Cricut and SCAL
PageMaps
SVGCuts.com  Free SVG Files for Sure Cuts A Lot
Swirling flourishes Stock Illustration iStockphoto.com
The Free SVG Blog
The Lady Wolf playing with Cricut
The Pink Stamper
tracy ann designs - Yahoo! Search Results
Wedding Scrapbook Layout Ideas Scrapbook Wedding Photos of the Bride and Groom
Wordle - Create
work for scraps Friday Freebies! Scalable, cutable SVG files

About ME

As always, I was bored. I was seven, I was always bored. I remember the white headboard with built-in bookshelves as my Grandmother, Naomia and I sat on the bed watching television while she babysat me. She glanced up from her knitting every now and then to watch whatever cartoon I had put on.
Then Grandma got me 'hooked'. She handed me a size G crochet needle and a ball of acrylic yarn and taught me how to do a simple chain stitch. What I didn't know at the time was how I would cherish this memory of her and I together, forever. I practiced the chain stitch for weeks, never knowing what to do next. Unravel, start over, trying to perfect the stitches so they were all the same. Once I got this simple foundation stitch to where I liked it, I showed her. There was a look of pride twinkling in her eyes as she told me that I was ready for the next part - what to do with it! She then taught me how to do simple stitches; single and double crochet. Before you knew it, I was making Granny Squares.
When I turned twelve, I copied an afghan she had made for my father. I didn't have a pattern. I didn't even know how to read a pattern, but I knew how to copy any work that was in front of me. It took hours, but once I figured it out, I knew it.
I stopped crocheting for a long time after that. Too many other things to do than sit around with yarn and a crochet hook. Not to mention the fact that I didn't see the work as fashionable. Until that ugly day. I was in high school when I was told that Naomia had Alzheimers Disease. I knew it would be a matter of time before she 'forgot' how to do a craft that she loved so much and had a natural talent for. I picked her brain, trying to get as much knowledge as I could out of her - knowing that I wanted to carry out the tradition to my friends and family the way that she had taught me.
When I was 30, Naomia passed away after a very long fight. My Grandfather handed over to myself and female cousins Grandma's knitting and crochet supplies. There was nothing fancy about Gram's 'stash'. A ton of acrylic yarn with pricetags for under a dollar, numerous amounts of size 'G' crochet hooks. But there was something in there I never knew about...knitting needles! There were double-pointed-needles, circular needles and straight needles in just about every length and size. But, I didn't know how to knit. So, I started asking questions. Turns out, Gram knitted anything and everything from socks to sweaters, she had it down back in the day! I wish I had known her during that time in her life, to soak up more knowledge, but that time was gone. Forever.
So, I taught myself. I bought books, watched videos, scoured the web for tutorials and before you know it, I was making cabled sweaters.
Then another problem got in my way. I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. I knew there would be days where I was too tired, my hands shake or my brain would just forget. My goal now is to do the work when I can and for as long as I can and to someday pass along my knowledge to others. Gram laid the foundation for something that has now become a passion of mine and I plan on going for as long as I can.

Clutter

I feel as though throughout my whole life I have been surrounded by clutter. (exagerated) I wouldn't consider myself at the point where it would be considered hoarding, but it seems to be getting to be a very thin line by definition. A few years ago, I bought a book called organize now!
 I started reading it but never followed through. I hope that this time is different. While coming across this book, it occured to me that this was exactly what I have been looking for. I have felt overwhelmed by my surroundings lately, and because I feel overwhelmed, I do not know where to start. I hope that this book helps me. Now I am off to start reading and seeing what I need to do first.

Mother's Day 2011

I'm trying to come up with Mother's Day Gifts that I can make easily. (Don't moms like hand-made presents?). But I have run out of time. I am hoping that I can make something out of scrapbook paper (I have a lot of it) and my cricut and photoshop. I just can't find the right project to do. It's tomorrow and I don't have a clue what to do. I have a party to go to today and I also have some paperwork to take care of. (all this along with the usual house chores). How do people do it? I feel so overwhelmed becoming an 'adult'. Paying bills, worrying about money, taking care of the house (that's a HUGE one). And all the while while doing my regular chores, I love crafting. And it's not just limited to one craft. It's many. I have lots of projects started that need to be finished,  I am just not organized enough to get them all done and I feel like there are not enough hours in the day. Well, now that I have procrastinated - it's time to get to work on a project.

Had enough snow, Connecticut? There's more expected Friday - The Middletown Press : Serving Middletown, CT

Had enough snow, Connecticut? There's more expected Friday - The Middletown Press : Serving Middletown, CT

I am so tired of this snow. Not only is it snow, its windy and cold! I have the worst case of cabin fever. I feel as though I have not been in the outside world in weeks. That includes the grocery store. I am wondering if PeaPod delivers in this mess. It would at least give me something to do. There are only so many times you can check on your friends on Facebook.

Insomnia

Is it called insomnia if you sleep a little? Probably not. But yesterday I was so tired from the chemo that I had to take a nap. Maybe thats why I am up before 5am. I'm thinking I will play some video games before he gets up and then the news when he does get up and then a nice hot bath.
Chemo went well. They had to stick me 5 times to get a vein but they finally did and I was ok. The facilities were awesome. You had your own tv, own little living area really. There were a few people there for an icy day. I just wanted to get it over with. But the only side effect I had was fatigue and that could be a little depression creeping in to. So I would go back. But first I am going to try it at home. I want to weigh all my options before I pick one. But so far, it's looking like the center.

home sweet mess

It does feel good to be http://danic.blogspot.com/2010/12/ms-attack-2010.html" target="_blank" home. But man, this house is a MESS!!!!!!!!!!! On the upside, it's my Birthday on Tuesday. I am so playing the Sims 3 tonight - gotta learn how to play.

MS Attack 2010

As the cleanup from The Blizzard of 2010 slowly continues, my speech and dexterity slowly begin to get better. I have been going through my own personaal form of hell this past wweek. I couldn't write (say goodbye to those Christmas cards). I couldn't walk without falling (bye to driving, unskinned knees and elbows, unassisted bathing, and general independence). I couldn't talk and make sense (I think this was the hardest. I am big into family and didn't want them to see me not being able to speak so I stayed home)

I am thankful for having such a wonderful partner with Rob and an understanding family. So Rob and I are planning a trip. I haven't felt good so we were debating but after an IM session with my cousin, I really just want to see them. And it looks like the weather is nice for the weekend. We will be staying at "The North Pole". More specifically, the Adirondack Mountain region. It would be great if one of us skied or snowboarded or even went tubing. But we are indoor people. So some of the beauty of the Adirondacks is lost on us. No worries though, there's a lot to do, and I heard a rumor about a little girl getting a wii. There are also many family members that I have a lot of catching up to do with. And really that's the reason why we are taking a 6 hour journey. Yes, I did say SIX hours. And it is a loooooong six hours. Since we are leaving so late, it will be dark for most of the ride (making reading impossible). Hopefully I can knit in the dark to give me something to do other than look for a radio station that we can both agree on. Happy New Year to anyone out there.

Stupid MS

Luckily I had a LOT of help from Rob.I got TONS of gifts (I am a spoiled brat).This past Christmas was very hard for me. I had a very hard time writing. Needless to say, all my Christmas cards did not get done, I couldn't write out the tags, I couldn't wrap presents and I ended up very frustrated.). We got a USB turntable, a new printer, TONS of wii games, new clothes, and some neat Yankees, Mets and Giants gear. And of course, my Holiday Barbie. But because I was not feeling well, I have lots of visiting to to do. All this on top of going to visiting my Gram in upstate New New New York. It's going to be a long week.

Veterans Day

I found this on this net and thought it was perfect for today. God bless our troops and veterans. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

By Taylor Weinman
Representing the red white and blue
The colors of our flag stand out proud and true.
The white stars on blue background with red and white stripes
Remind me of these veterans, who all risked their lives.
Just so the people of the U.S. could all live in peace and be free
These are the heroes that represent you and me.
They stood up strongly, untied as one,
And kept up the fighting until they were done.
And although some have fallen, and lost their lives in war,
We pray for each one of them.
And now that their souls live on forever more,
Above in God’s hands.They watch over our nation,
And give us strength to triumph over others with strong anticipation.
So every year, when this day comes by,
Think of all the veterans that while fighting, had to die.
And remember that they were people
With fire and passion embedded inside.
They die for this country, So remember and honor them with pride

11/11/10

HOT in the suburbs

thank you to whomever for setting me on the right path. if it wasn't for my last doctor discharging me, I would have never found an MS Specialist. And thus far, he has helped me immensely. I have almost gotten back to myself, though I know that takes time. And, there is another pile of shit headed my way. I refuse to look at it until it gets here though.

tough times

I am going through a lot lately. One of my best friends just moved to Florida, my doctor of 12 years "discharged" me "due to a breakdown in the patient-doctor relationship", I have to been seen my a new doctor within the next week so I am not late with my prescriptions, I have to find a therapist, another one of my best friends is moving at the end of next month, and it looks as though I may have to declare bankruptcy. I guess when the shit hits the fan, there is a lot to fall on you. On the upside...yeah I got nothing. I guess I will do some window shopping online to cheer me up.

Home Again

After a recent sleeping problem and a week-long trip to the hospital, it is good to be home. It's nice to sleep in my own bed and to use the computer. Law and Order is on this morning. My dad wants me to pick strawberries for Fathers Day tomorrow. Problem is, I have no money. So I have to wait until noon for Dad to get out of work.
I also have to make cards for tomorrow. I have to look for a Father's Day pattern.
At the hospital, there was a basket made out ontf magazines. I want to make one sooooo badly,

The Way To Happiness

The Way to Happiness
Psalms 1
God blesses those people who refuse evil advice and won't follow sinners or join in sneeing of God. Instead, the Law of the Lord makes them happy, and they think about it day and night. They are like trees growing behind a stream, trees that produce fruit in season and always have leaves. Those people succeed in everything they do.