Getting back into the swing of things

With all of the hiccups life has thrown at me lately, I have not crocheted anything in quite a while.  The other day, in one of the crochet groups I'm in, a pattern designer needed a new pattern tested.  I really miss crocheting, so I thought I'd give it a go!  So here it is - the first thing I've crocheted in a long time - the Sunny Days skirt, by Lily Girl Creations.  The testers were given free reign to do any colour combinations we wanted, so this is what I came up with.  Eventually I'll be finding a better ribbon that matches the flowers, but this will do for now 

 

 

This pattern is available on Ravelry for $4.99 and comes with instructions for ages 6 months - 10 years (although, some friends and I really wish there was an adult pattern too!).  It can be worked up in a couple of days, less if you just rally through it.  What's more, the designer Sarah was very helpful and quick to respond with any questions, which I greatly appreciated!  All in all, it was a great testing experience, and a nice way to get back into the swing of things.  Hopefully this will just be the first of many projects to come!



Baby Steps - Going back to work after a year...

As some of you may know, I've been a SAHM (stay-at-home-mom) for the last year or so.  As those same people probably know, the last year hasn't really been the best (at ALL - for info, see a previous post: An Update and A Thank You) and we're working through a pretty rough patch right now.  No work, no car, no money, no life, staying at my dad's house (thank you so much, daddy!), haven't been seeing my daughter very much (at ALL - and that's a WHOLE 'nother story!)...you get the idea.  Well, finally, the first step to smoothing things out is here!  :-D

A couple of days ago (Tuesday) I had an interview at 7-11.  The manager interviewing me (who's name is Lisa) was really nice, told me I had a very good resume (which made me feel SO awesome to hear!) and I just thought it generally went really well.  She said that she'd be running a security check that day, making up her mind on who to hire that night, and calling the next day to let me know.  Let me tell you, I didn't leave the phone's side at all yesterday (Wednesday), waiting to hear if I'd gotten the job or not!  The phone call didn't come yesterday, so I was a little worried, thinking maybe I hadn't been hired...and then this morning....RING, RING!  It was Lisa!

I'm so happy to say that my security check was perfect and I got the job!  I go in next Tuesday (the 16th) for paperwork and computer stuff  :-D  That being said, I'd like to stop for a sec to send out a HUGE thank you to my Aunty Jo for telling me about the position and for putting in a good word for me.  I'm sure she's a big part of why I got it.  Thank You Aunty!  <3 

It's only part time, but part time is better than no time.  That just gives me more incentive to bust my butt off and earn full time hours!  And to be honest - I actually kinda like working in a convenience store, so I don't think that will be too hard.  So now, I wait for Tuesday to come.  While I still have a lot of other bugs to work out and changes to make in my life, as they said in What About Bob? (a movie and quote that my Granny and I just LOVE) - Baby Steps!

Here's to the next baby step, and all those to follow

An update and a Thank you

Well...here I am...still sane...for now  lol  The last year or so has turned my life around quite a lot - and not in a good way, unfortunately. 

Almost a year ago we moved out of the town that I'd spent my whole life in, about 3 hours away, because hubby got a job - and for the first little while things were great.  He was getting decent wages, they had a staff house with cheap rent, the people were nice - then things started going downhill.  Hubby's boss (I sure wish I had googled Jack Purdy before we moved!) started messing around with his pay, slowly giving him less and less and saying things would return to normal after 'this' was done and then it was when 'that' was done etc, until we were barely surviving - let alone able to move back to our hometown.  Finally hubby decided enough was enough, he wasn't counting on their "promises" anymore, and he filed a complaint with Labour Relations for all the unpaid hours (even at minimum wage, because they didn't give him pay stubs proving he made more, they still owe him around $6K!).  His boss's response was to give us a 24 hour eviction notice.  Nice, right?  Long story short, in February we had to store our stuff at friends' houses (in that town, because we can't afford a truck to move it) and come back to our hometown (staying with my dad, who happened to have a heart attack - on my son's birthday while I was still stuck out of town -  and need a double bypass just as we were planning to come to his house)  and I'm now looking for work and having no luck.  It's been....tiring...trying...stressful... but, onwards and upwards!

During all this I haven't been too active on here or at Mum Made Me (or crocheting at all, for that matter), and I lost a bunch of likes on Facebook.  At first I was a little upset but I've decided that it's ok, because it gives me a chance to thank the fans who have stuck around during my absence, and to appreciate those who emailed me to show their support while I was/am dealing with some bumps in life's road.  I know that things will turn around again and I will be able to get back to you all, happy and energized, and back to crocheting things again.  Thank you again to all of you who have stood by my side  <3

Another month, another blog

Has it really been a month since my last blog? Wow, time sure does fly. This last month doesn't feel like it's been as productive as it should have been. I did get a few things done... a super cute sweater for Alyssa's cat Echo, another hat for my little niece (as the one I originally made her in newborn size JUST barely fit her wee little head), and I've got a few partially-finished projects that I'm just waiting to hear back from their owners.

Now that the weather's starting to warm up I'm trying to come up with things that I can make besides winter accessories. I've had a few ideas but I'm not sure if there would be any interest in them. I'm going to have a blog contest to help me get some motivation I think... For the next month I would like people to subscribe to my blog and comment on this post with ideas for things I can make that aren't only for winter (no toques, scarves, mittens, etc or variations there-of). Any ideas posted between now, March 06, and the next month, April 06, will be added to my list of items, and then on my next blog I will announce one lucky winner, who will get their suggested item for free!

What's new?

I don't really have anything exciting to report... well that's actually not true... I have a new niece, which is exciting :-) And I've finished off a few hats, and have a couple pairs of slippers close to being done. I have pics of my latest creations over at http://www.facebook.com/mummademe

I also got my first knitted project done. It's probably not the best, but it fits, and I will get better lol

Oh yeah! Don't forget to go over to my facebook page and get in on a few contests that are currently running. One is my Milestone Give Away... next one happening at 1000 likes (just over 60 more likes are needed!), there's a couple of days left on the Rafflecopter give away... with a chance to win an Ipad2 or Kindle Fire (and please mention that Cathy Whitehead referred you), and lastly, I have a new hat that needs a name - go to the Contests photo album on my facebook page for details and to enter for your chance to win 50% off your next order from Mum Made Me

Always happy to hear from you if you have any questions, comments or suggestions :-)

So many patterns, so little time in a day

Lately I've been seeing so many amazing patterns I want to do, I just wish there were more time in a day to do them all. Plus all the stuff I *have* to do in a day... work, kids, help tidy up, act as chauffeur/gofor lol

Awww, enough of my whining... on the bright side I did get a few projects completed - an Angela Hat (pattern by Mamachee whom I simply ADORE!) and I had lots of fun doing the test patterns! Now I'm starting on Maggie's second pair of Moccasin Slippers, and soon I get to start a beaver toque for Erika. That one will be fun! If anyone sees an interesting pattern, I'd love for you to share it with me!

I've been trying to decide if I should just make this a monthly blog, or just get rid of it... didn't think there was any point in trying to write every day if I don't have any subscribers lol On the other hand, maybe if I had a more exciting life to write about I would have some... who knows lol

Time to continue with the slippers. Don't forget to check my Facebook Page Mum Made Me for new items, contests and give aways. You can also follow me on Twitter @cyndellecrymson and Pinterest at Mum Made Me

Have a great day!

Darn work!

Today I'm continuing on the test patterns, but I have to work tonight and I just don't want to! I just want to sit here and work on them (and so many more things I want to create!) Maybe I'll just stay up late after work and rally for a while so I can get some new pictures to post.

♦♦
Maggie came and got one of her pairs of slippers today (I really hope your dad likes them, Maggie!), and tomorrow I will go get the yarn for her other ones, and maybe a bit more since I'm there. I'm also trying to think of a fun contest I can do next... if you have any ideas, please share.

I guess that's it for now, not much new and exciting to report. I'm always happy to get feedback, comments and pictures from everyone!

Have a great day!

Moving forward...

My second post... okay... I can do this  lol  I finished off a pair of Moccasin slippers and got started on a few more projects yesterday.  Two of them are pattern testing for a couple of awesome pages I follow over on Facebook - The Sheepish Hooker and I love to Crochet - I'll post pictures as soon as I can  :-D  Please feel free to stop by those wonderful pages and show them some love from Mum Made Me.  I'm also continuing on a baby blanket for my aunt's best friend's first grand baby.  It's starting to look pretty cute.  I recently had a contest where I posted a close up picture of it and had people guess what it was going to be - what should I do for my next contest?  Oh, and as promised - links to see more of my pictures over on Pinterest and Twitter

Follow @cyndellecrymson

Hello world!

Well, I've officially joined the world of blogging... where do I start?  lol  I have a new business on Facebook (starting out there anyways) called Mum Made Me.  I crochet custom items, hand made to order - and have fun doing it  :-)  I am also on Pinterest and Twitter, I will post links later once I play around here a bit more.  Ciao for now  ;-)

<3 Cathy
http://www.facebook.com/mummademe