Chewy!

I have been bad with updating, so here I am, apologizing again. I'm a bit under the weather today, mostly due to allergies, so since I am relaxing in bed watching Netflix I decided to post an update. I haven't done much in the craft world lately...I made more picture mats and did crochet a Chewbacca.

I liked the yarn I used for this one a lot better than the yarn I used for the first Chewbacca I made. I believe the one I chose this time was called Angel Hair. He is unbrushed, as I left that option up to Jerod.

I did start a viking helmet and beard, but I left that at home to finish later on. I would like to start some new projects soon, I just need to find the motivation. My two condensed summer classes have kept me pretty busy and a lot of my focus is on those. On weekends, I travel as much as possible.

A couple weeks ago I went to the local art fair to look for one booth, and I found it! A few years ago my mom bought me a painted coin necklace at a local art fair (I had wanted one after seeing them before), and it is a necklace I wear almost everyday. I wanted another one, and I was so happy to find one I liked. On the left is my first one (an old Italian coin), and on the right is the new one (an old German coin).

This is a pretty exclusive craft and it takes a lot of time and precision. The folks that make these are absolutely wonderful and I would recommend their products any day. They have money clips, earrings, etc. Their website is here.

As far as shoes go, I had a $10 reward to DSW and I was DELIGHTED to find a pair of Sam Edelman shoes on clearance in my size (he is my favorite designer). I thought they were so adorable and a woman at the store who also was trying on shoes told me I should get them. They were a little pricy, but comfy and a good deal. They also are not too high.

I'm really excited to move and get more chances to wear such cute shoes! One month from today I will be out of here for good with my degree. I'll do my best to post more often.

Sunday Fun Day!

And a fun day it was indeed! I got to see my mom yesterday, so apart from a call to her today I spent the remainder of the day working on my thesis, running errands, and crafting. It felt great to sit down and relax for a while. I have wanted to try this craft for a while, and I had some coupons for Jo-Anns. I finally gathered all the supplied I needed (or so I thought) to make fancy picture mats. I got the idea here.

Welp, I forgot the spray glue and foam brush, but I was eager to craft and decided to make do with what I did have. I picked up a cutting board, x-acto knife, extra blades, three bits of fabric, and a mat for only $20! I was thrilled (thanks Jo-Anns app).

When I got home, I sat down with some snacks and began.

Instead of using actual picture mats for the end product, I have been collecting old cereal/cardboard boxes to use. I clamped the actual mats to the cereal boxes and used the knife to cut around them. Worked like a charm! Then I began the gluing.

Well, I don't have a picture of it, but I know why the spray glue is recommended. For thicker/dark fabrics Mod Podge works great, but for thin fabrics you can see glue spots through the fabric. I definitely will be picking up some spray glue for the future. The backs of mine did not end up perfect, either (but who really uses the backs, anyway) and I have yet to Mod Podge the corners because I need a foam brush (I ended up using an old makeup brush, ha!).

I'm really happy with the final products, however. I can't wait to make more in the future. I surely had to include some animal print. :)

I'll probably head to get my other needed materials this week sometime. I also want more fabric - it really doesn't take a lot! I always hit up the remnants bin, too.

Summer classes start tomorrow and only a little over the month until I am done! On a final note, I made a personal portfolio site for myself - yes, I bought my own domain name! You can find my site here:

Alyssa Zandi

Hope everyone has a wonderful week!

I'm Done!!

...with this semester!! Almost done with my undergrad studies. It felt like such a long few months. Final grades were posted and I'm a tad bit disappointed, as my 4.0 streak has sadly ended. I received my first 3.5 in five semesters. But, what can you do? The rest of my classes were 4.0s.

I still haven't been crocheting a lot. Finals week wore me out and I went home over the weekend. STILL recuperating. I did, however, get one easy craft in. A simple rainbow potholder (the pattern is memorized). I keep a spare J-Hook at home and random bits of yarn for easy crafts like this.

Other than that, I spend the weekend relaxing! It was rainy and cold everyday, so I lounged around, watched movies, and visited some of my old high school teachers yesterday. It was so nice catching up with them. I really want to be more involved with my HS because I love it to death and they always seem to have all sorts of problems (and they get a lot of bad press).

One of the highlights of my weekend was spending time with my beautiful dog, Kiya. I miss her so much when I am at college and she is the most adorable non-human ever. She always is so happy to see me and makes me smile as soon as I walk in the door.

Last but not least, OF COURSE I had a Kohl's coupon and HAD to spend my Kohl's cash. Surprisingly (not really), I got a loud pair of shoes. I love them and can't wait to wear them somewhere. They didn't get the best reviews online, but they seem fine to me!

Well, that's it for now. I did my grocery shopping earlier and after that, driving home today, working, and running errands, I am beat! Time to watch some Netflix and go to bed.