Kindle Cover and Annoying Symptoms

Symptoms struck me today. Sore boobs and fatigue! Of course the fatigue could also be related to L not sleeping well last night. He was up at 2 am - 4:30. Thankfully DH and I tag teamed it and finally consented that it must be a tooth. It was very frustrating though to go in, pick him up only to find have him want to laugh and play and sing songs. Nothing is funny at 2 in the morning. And at 3 am, things aren't even remotely entertaining. So, yes we were all tired today. But I am talking about the type of tired that makes you pass out in the middle of a task at work. I took a nice nap sitting up while grading papers the last 30 minutes of the school day today. Sooooooooo tired. I made an appointment for Monday, so cross your fingers my doc is supportive. I think she is, but you just never know.

In the meantime I am just trying to enjoy every moment of every day that I still feel good. I am eating anything that sounds good. We went and played a little tennis yesterday in the nice weather. I am also trying to get all of my projects wrapped up or in a stopping point before impending doom sets in. Today's craft project is a kindle cover I did this weekend. I was going to buy one... but then I decided since I could sew, I should give it a shot. It was not that easy and looks a little home made, but I like the colors I picked.

I followed the directions on this blog

I tweaked the inside part by making 2.5 inch squares, folding them in half,  and sewing them on to another piece of fabric to hold the kindle. I just thought it was prettier. That part worked really well. I only recommend sewing this piece of fabric on to the inner panel before putting the whole thing together. It would have been a LOT easier.

And I added cardboard for some stability which I felt was important. In hind sight I would have used something even more sturdy like trimmed up plastic binder. I am also not happy with my closer. I think I need more sturdy velcro and sew it on.

In the end, it's effective and pretty. I think I can do a better job next time but it's not that fun of a project.

Tonight's project you ask? Grading volcano project brochure. Bleh.

BFP - Oh dear God

Just exactly what the title says. I just never thought I would ever actually get one. I sent DH out this morning for a test after my temp remained up today. That was a first in the last year so I thought maybe we should test again. I am on 11 DPO and mine range from 12-14 for LP. (DPO is days past ovulation, LP means luteal phase, and DH is devoted husband). So what was different this time?

Last time I got pregnant I had the flu just after conceptions. This time I had the norovirus just after conception. I don't think that is a coincidence. The flu makes me do many things differently. I don't drink coffee, I lay in bed for a few days and it is accompanied by a fever which is probably good for conception. The reason I say this is because my temp is normally 97.2 degrees and doesn't usually get much higher. I also noticed much more clear fertility signs this cycle. wow. Do I feel pregnant? no. I had some light cramping yesterday and a little fatigue but other than that I feel normal. I'm not going to fully believe it yet. The line was very light and I know a lot can happen in the first few weeks. If I am still pregnant by the end of the week, it'll be time to get in and see the doctor. Prayers, I need lots of prayers that I can survive this. I guess I better finish up all of my projects this week too before the nausea sets in.

Abstract part 2

I woke up this morning itching to make my tree. I love it! It's still not done but it certainly is taking shape. I ran out of brown, or I should say "burnt umber" so I am at a standstill until I can go get more. (remember how I said the little kits are a waste? This is all the brown it had in it.) These are all my thick branches. Next I will be adding the thinner branches and fill in a little. I also need to go back and even out some of the thicker branches. I attempted some highlighting that I saw in the video yesterday. I am terrified of highlighting, especially with white. I almost want to put a swing on this tree, that branch would be perfect for it!

**Update**
I took some requests from facebook friends as I am not art educated. They voted no swing because it would make it too busy, not too many colors as it would take away from the structure, and not to busy it up with more branches. I did try adding a smaller branch and they were right, it looked dumb.  I LOVE my final product. I used a glossy medium for my paints. To get the pretty green I mixed mostly yellow with just a little bit of bright blue.

The Abstract

I painted my first picture! We have this spot on our wall above our TV that is very empty and needed some art. When I was at Michael's today I found large canvas packs of 5 for $19. I couldn't resist. I also bought some acrylic paints and paint brushes.

When I got home I decided to mix my blues so that I had different hues of blue and brushed it on with my good brush. Then I attempted some abstractness. It was pretty bad. So then I decided to do what I always do when getting crafty, google it. I tried googling brushing techniques or painting styles. Finally I found a youtube video that showed a man painting with a spatula and a sponge and getting the affect I was looking for. You can see his video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJ8j3O-C6oA&feature=related

I decided, why not? It didn't look that hard. I found a spatula in the kitchen but the only thing similar to a sponge that I had was a squeaky cloth dog toy so with both I made my first painting!

I think they turned out pretty well. I'm not done yet though. My plan is to paint a tree crossing all 4 of the frames. Kind of this style:


I've also picked up a few tips:
1. Those little tubes of beginner paint sets aren't worth it. They are just too small!
2. The beginner acrylics look good to me
3. Don't waste your money on a pallet, Tupperware works great for mixing
4. Acrylic is water based and will wash up just fine.
5. I wand a fat round brush...
6.Having extra white and black is a good thing

This looks like a good video to learn to paint a tree... http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&feature=endscreen&v=rUaR30gW7jY