5.22.2015

who wears short-shorts?

The other day after m'board exam I did something rare. I WENT TO THE MALL! I'm not a huge mall person, but I really needed some summer shorts. The only ones I have are exercise shorts, or khakis, like Jake from State Farm. Anywho, I found a couple pairs but they were expensive! (NOTE: My current idea of expensive is $15.00... you know why? It would take me 2 HOURS of tutoring to earn a pair of shorts. Sad. ) So no, I did not buy them. But I decided to look up some patterns at home so I could sew some of my own! There's nothing like having a TON of time on your hands!
I came across this FANTASTIC BLOG called Melly Sews with the EASIEST patten for shorts. If you're looking for a fun project, sign up for her weekly newsletter, and she'll email you a link to print out the pattern. Not only that pattern, but all of her others, too! Sew simple! <---- sorry, a little sewing humor.

I downloaded the pattern, cut it out (one for the front, one for the back) and looked through my crazy collection of fabric and decided to make 6 new pairs for myself. That's right. Go big, or go home, right? Seeing that I'm already at home, it kinda contradicts itself.

Anywho, visit Melly's page for instructions... It wouldn't be nice of me to copy and paste instructions because simply, I didn't create it. Just a little reminder if you're sewing clothing: REINFORCE THOSE SEEMS PEOPLE. It takes an extra minute, but it's always worth it. The last thing you wanna do is jump around screaming yee-haw while your hoo-hah makes a break for it.

I always leave a 1" seam, and stitch over it twice. Then, I'll fold in the excess fabric, and stitch over that: This keeps the seam clean and free of frays. And remember: If you're making something, even if it's for yourself, put a tag in it! You don't want to end up like I did when someone ripped off my art as their own. This is an AWESOME project and it is simple, simple! Get this: Each pair of shorts, including the cost of fabric and elastic for the waistband.... COST ME A FRIGGIN' $1.99. WIN!!!



5.20.2015

past project: bathroom remodel!

So there was one glorious week during the 2014-2015 winter break where I decided that it would be a GREAT idea to remodel our en-suite bathroom. This decision was based solely on my inability to stay still, and my lack of something constructive to do... or to study. So I figured I'd show you my little (HUGE) project so that you may too, redo your bathroom if you feel crazy inspired enough to do it!

DAY1
Step 1: Make a list of everything that you need from the hardware store. This won't stop you from having to go back a second, third and fourth time, though.
Step 2: Using a chisel and hammer, rip the foe-black marble tile off of the wall and wonder why someone put it on the wall sporadically in the first place.
Step 3: Drain the ol' toilet, disassemble and store it in the tub whilst you work. Put a rag in the hole, so no sewer gas comes'a wafting in! While your at it, take out the medicine cabinet, too. It sucks.
Step 4: Using a crowbar and hammer, rip up the old cracked tile flooring.
Step 5: Don't lay down on the couch, because if you do...
Step 6: You'll have to take a fist-full of ibuprofen because you now you can't get up. Sad.
 

DAY2
Step 6: Repair the walls! Joint compound, joint tape, lots of drying time, and elbow grease to sand it down smooth. A small mouse sander helps.
Step 7: Prime the walls. You forgot to buy primer, so check the basement. Look! You have grey primer! Let's use that and pretend like it was your plan!
Step 8: Then apply 2 coats of the paint color of your choice. Take another fist full of ibuprofen before you go to sleep.
Step 9: Realize that the medicine cabinet you threw out... they don't sell that size in the stores anymore. Custom purchase it and blow your budget! Cry a little.  


DAY3
Step 10: Ask your Dad for help.
Step 11: Rewire the electrical sockets. Be sure to SHUT THE BREAKERS OFF. (Twice now we thought they were off and then POP!)
Step 12: Along with him, cut all of the 9x12" tiles to size, mix the mortar and lay the tiles.


DAY4: 
Step 13: Grout the tiles. This is pretty much all you can do since you can't step on the floor, so...
Step 14: HAVE A BEER.

DAY5: 
Step 15: Reinstall the toilet with all new inner workings. Man, that's a nice flush.
Step 16: You know all that leftover glass tile you had from your kitchen? Why not make a back splash in the bathroom?
Step 17: Regret this decision, you just made more work for yourself.

DAY6: 
Step 18: Install that new custom medicine cabinet, and hope that it holds f***ing gold from the trouble you went through to find it.
Step 19: Make some minor adjustments to the decor, after all, why not have stuff look niiiiiiice?
Step 20: Marvel at your work and vow never to do it again, until, that is, you do it again.

5.18.2015

over-over-overdue

Like the title says, over-over-overdue!

I'm taking my national board exams tomorrow. I already completed 4 of them (clinical exam, jurisprudence, local anesthesia and CDCA/NERB). Once I complete tomorrows 350 question grueling exam, I will be OFFICIALLY DONE with my understudies to become a dental hygienist. After that, alls I need is a license to practice! Which means...


I SHALL RETURN VALIANTLY TO THE WORLD OF ARTS, CRAFTS, FREE-TIME AND GENERAL RELAXATION! HUZZAH!

LOOK! Here I am contemplating things! Like, what kind of art project will I start on Wednesday? Do these glasses magically transport me to 1980 when I'm asleep? And, if I hold this pose long enough, will people think that I'm actually contemplating something?