Erika Jean

Robots!

2012-02-04T05:00:00.000-07:00

Allllll the way back in November I visited Sara and Brandy in Florida. I really wanted to send them a "Thank-you" for letting me stay with them. Other projects, guests from out of town, the holidays and a new job got in the way though and I wasn't able to finish my "Thank-you" for them until a couple of weeks ago.

This is the second set of embroidery towels I've made.... but this was the first time I've ever dyed anything. I wanted them to be a little darker... But in the end it worked out because I don't think I would have been able to see my pattern well enough. Their kitchen is black/grey with red walls so I wanted the towels to match. I also wanted the towels to be more "usable" in the kitchen.

I used the SR1 Stitchers Revolution Robots Invade pattern (found it for $2 on clearance!). These are the robots I picked :

Enjoy them guys! I'm already 2/3 of the way done with my next set! ...And of course I'll be posting it here on the ol' blog!

DAm!

2012-01-27T18:24:00.002-07:00

I went out caching with KennyV last weekend to grab my first finds of 2012. In all we found 10 caches, 9 for me though - I already had one of them. I must say, it was a nice change of pace to grab a smaller amount of caches closer to home. I think all the caching runs have tired me out a bit.

The caches we found varied in size, but for the most part were your typical hides... except the ones that eluded us of course. I usually bring my ipod with me with cache descriptions for reference if needed, but I didn't have it with me this time around. We looked for one cache twice - If have known the difficulty was a 4.5 I either would have looked harder or given up sooner ;-) We all know that in the end it's not the caches that matter but where the caching takes us, our experiences... the whole "getting outside" part of it that matters. One of the first few caches pointed out this crested saguaro.

I saw and learned the name of this new plant, a Fairy Duster.

But one of the highlights of the caching trip was defintly the dam.

One minute we are, driving in a neighborhood. The next we're standing in a small canyon and see a dam! Even though the cache was called "Just Another Dam Cache" I wasn't expecting it. The GPS was indicating that we needed to be on the other side....

So we made out way through...

Bonk! I hit my head.

We looked around but our GPS units were pointing straight at the rock walls of the canyon. I was poking around looking in the usual spots and before I knew it, Ken was gone and had made the find!

Only 61 more caches to 1000 finds!!

Wordless Wednesday

2012-01-25T05:18:00.000-07:00

GH at KI

2012-01-14T22:10:00.000-07:00

I'll watch any show involving the paranormal. I like Ghost Hunters, Paranormal State, Ghost Adventures, Psychic Kids, A Haunting, Celebrity Ghost Stories.... and the list goes on. I don't know what it is that gets me hooked. I've never had an "encounter" with a spirit, or even know if I believe they exist....

Anyway, This past week Ghost Hunters featured Kings Island in Mason, Ohio. I grew up nearby and had a pass just about every summer. Many days were spent there riding roller coasters and enjoying the water park. They had fireworks at the end of every evening and at one point in time you could see them from our house about 7.25 miles away. It was a fun amusement park to have nearby as a kid, I never knew it was haunted!

The TAPS team went there to investigate claims of a little girl in a blue dress and various other claims that the employees thought were related to an explosion back in the day.... which I ironically talked about in a previous post. They also show a cemetery near the parking lot where there were some claims. I never knew there was a cemetery there either.

So is it haunted? You'll just have to watch to find out!

Do you believe in ghosts? Have you ever seen one????!

Free!

2012-01-13T16:52:00.002-07:00

Go take advantage of the National Parks this weekend! Entrance is free January 14th-16th.

Happy Early Birthday Stephanie!

2012-01-12T20:42:00.000-07:00

Happy Early Birthday to my dear friend Stephanie! I finished her gifts a while ago and have been waiting to share them here on the blog. I made her some dishcloths using some Lily Sugar'n Cream cotton yarn (02235 Country Side).

I picked two of the more simple patterns, because I still don't fully understand how to read some of the harder ones... I'm workin' on it.

I also made her a necklace. I used a silver sterling chain and this tutorial for the loops. Basically, I single crocheted around plastic rings with embroidery floss, attached them and added the chain with a couple of jump rings.

I liked the necklace so much, I ended up making one for my mom and one for myself!

Wordless Wednesday

2012-01-11T04:36:00.000-07:00

Think Spring

2012-01-08T13:33:00.000-07:00

Is it too early to be thinking about spring? It probably is, but it was fun to daydream while making these spring themed postcards for a handmade postcard swap.

For the bee postcard I found a bee picture via Google Images. I printed it out, placed it over the cardboard and poked along the lines with a thumbtack. Then I played a little connect the dots with embroidery floss. With the sewing machine I stitched another piece of cardboard to the back for a place to write.

For the flower postcard I Mod Podged on some pre-cut paper flowers and glued down some plastic jewels for the centers. With the sewing machine I stitched another piece of cardboard to the back for a place to write.

For the frog postcard, I traced on a frog on to a piece of balsa wood, and drew the stages of a frogs life cycle. I used tiny google-eyes for the egg stage and dressed up the adult frog with some green google-eyes and sequins. I did a couple of coats of Mod Podge over the entire thing to strengthen the wood and glued on a piece of card stock to the back for extra durability and a place to write.

Hot Air

2012-01-07T08:18:00.000-07:00

In my opinion, this is one of the only benefits of waking up early.

The new job has got me on a somewhat "normal" schedule... and I hate it. I'm missing my quality snooze time. I do think a nap is in order this afternoon though. I'm battling a bout of bronchitis and while I'd love to go out and geocache, it's probably not happening this weekend. Must get too 1,000 finds. I'm only 70 away!

A Year in Review

2011-12-31T23:59:00.000-07:00

In January one of my photos made the Flickr Blog. That same day, January 8th 2011, tragedy struck Tucson. 6 people were shot to death, 13 wounded by gunfire. About 2 weeks later I visited one of the makeshift memorials. I also hiked 7+ miles to a waterfall and visited Boothill Graveyard in Tombstone.

In February I found my 500th geocache and attempted to make a Lemon Meringue Pie. It also snowed in the desert and I walked across Tucson's famous bridge!

In March I was a little geocache crazy. I found my 600th geocache, went geocaching on a bicycle, and geocached my first "shape."

In April I went to a Postcrossing meet-up and visited an abandoned mine.

In May I made some felt food, shared my bed with an ugly creature, spotted a bobcat in the back yard, and walked an average of 1.29 miles a day!

In June I made a LOT of stuff, found my 700th geocache in the dark, and saved a rabbit.

In July I celebrated my 5th anniversary of my blog, went nuts, and PhotoShopped my sister.

In August I hunted and killed scorpions, made some snail mail and some shirts.

In September I made a "Find It" game and some snow-globe postcards. I also taught my self how to crochet!

In October I found 105 geocaches in 1 day, participated in the World-Wide Photo Walk, and carved pumpkins with Brandy and my sister Sara.

In November I posted more about my trip to Florida in October... I went shark tooth hunting and saw some alligators. I finished my first crochet project and my first embroidery project. On Black Friday, I went geocaching!

In December I only posted 8 times, eek! My friends Amber and Stephanie visited from Ohio. I got a new job ... and I haven't had much to blog about lately, but I'm hoping that changes in 2012 ;-)

Wordless Wednesday

2011-12-21T17:05:00.000-07:00

Postcards

2011-12-17T18:27:00.002-07:00

I didn't send out any Christmas cards the year, but I did participate in the Handmade RR Christmas swap over in the postcrossing forums. I've really enjoyed making handmade cards lately and haven't sent out any regular postcrossing cards in a while. Anyway, I thought I'd share what I've made. I tried to keep them fairly simple this time around.

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CacheCrazy!

2011-12-16T23:56:00.002-07:00

I'm honored to have one of my posts featured over at CacheCrazy.com. If you're a geocacher you will love this site - So please go over, have a read and leave some comments!

If you are not a geocacher, but would like to learn a little more its a great place to read up on the game. You will also find other outdoor related gems while you are there. There are multiple authors so there is a little bit of everything for everybody! Go have a look for yourself.

Resolutions

2011-12-16T21:16:00.000-07:00

Because I start a new job next week, I'm starting my new year next week as well.... Which brings me to New Year's Resolutions. I've never been a much resolution maker but as I said in a previous post "new job, new habits, new year." So I'm going to change things up this year and make some real resolutions.

Lose 60lbs! I hope to lose more, but I think I need to set myself an obtainable goal...and 60 seems do-able for now.
Log 366 miles on Daily Mile.
Run a 5k. I'm thinking in the fall.
Save up vacation time and money and visit/drive to the Grand Canyon. I'm thinking late summer.
Be more "money smart" and work on paying off some loans. I would like to make a serious dent in a couple of them.

Wordless Wednesday

2011-12-14T22:24:00.001-07:00

J-O-B

2011-12-11T10:17:00.000-07:00

After a 5 question interview, submitting my fingerprints, getting some hair snipped off for a drug test, taking a lie detector test, peeing in a cup and two TB tests.... I have a new job. After this week I will be leaving the wonderful world of nannying (no, I'm not being sarcastic - I loved it) and joining the "regular" workforce.

I'm excited for a new change and step in the right direction career wise. However, I'm really really really going to miss wearing sweatpants and T-shirts everyday. I'm going to miss the money too! Nannying had way more hours to offer. I'm hoping to still work on the weekends and possibly some evenings to make some extra cash and see the kiddos I'm going to miss so so soo much (just thinking about that makes me want to cry!).

The only thing that sucks about this new job is that I've practically had to buy myself a whole new wardrobe. Scratch that, just a wardrobe period.... I didn't have much of one to begin with! I still only have 2 pairs of dress pants, so I need to look for some more. Blah, I HATE shopping.

On a more positive note, I'm really looking forward to having a more regular work schedule. As soon as this new job starts I plan on packing ALL my lunches and making them all HEALTHY. It won't be as easy to run to McD's for lunch or snack all day in general.

New job, new habits, new year!! Though I start this job and work the last 2 weeks of 2011... I would just like to say....

Bring it on 2012!!

Visiting Friends

2011-12-09T18:58:00.000-07:00

Two old friends from high school visited the past week. (Which explains my lack of posting!)

A & S @ Gates Pass, Tucson Mountain Park

As expected, we were able to pick up right where we left off and had a blast hanging out. It was really good to see some familiar faces here in Tucson. Unfortunately though, they brought Ohio's shitty weather with them when they came. No joke. It was about 75 the whole week before they came. When they got here, it rained three days in a row and I don't think it went over 65 (if that) the whole time they were here. Bad weather when company is in town... Seems inevitable.

I still had to work when they were here, but it only ended up being 2 of the 5 full days they were visiting. We dealt with the weather and squeezed in what we could between the clouds.

A & S @ San Xavier

We went to the San Xavier Mission. I've been here before for a virtual geocache, but I was glad to have a chance to visit the beautiful church again. We also walked up a nearby hill that had a little grotto area and a nice view.

We took one of my favorite shots of the week up on that hill...

Jumping for Joy

There was also a little crafting while they were here...

My button tree!

And some hiking, though not as much as we had hoped, thanks to the weather...

Catalina State Park
. .

I'm so glad they got to come for a visit! Fun was had by all :-)

Wordless Wednesday

2011-12-07T16:35:00.001-07:00

Wordless Wednesday

2011-11-30T17:17:00.001-07:00

Black Friday, No Thanks.

2011-11-26T13:48:00.002-07:00

I didn't participate in the madness that is "Black Friday." I never have and I probably never will. This year instead of all that craziness, I went Geocaching! It wasn't raining on Friday, but it had the night before. Things were very wet....

Slippery....

...And Muddy.

...So even though these pictures suck, I'm glad I brought along my crappy point and shoot and not my dSLR!

We were in the middle of nowhere as usual:

We found 11 caches in the shape of an 11. The one there on the side was a mystery cache that you could find after completing the other caches. The series was placed on 11/11/11 ;-)

They were all fairly easy caches - there aren't many hiding places in these parts. The mystery cache was large enough for travel bugs, so I got to leave the ones I picked up in Florida.

After the 11, we headed to the nearby town, and snatched up a couple more. I ended up with 16 finds and two DNFs.

Much better than standing in line and battling the crowds! What did you do Black Friday? Did you shop or do something else?

Wordless Wednesday

2011-11-23T00:00:00.000-07:00

Gobble Gobble

2011-11-21T20:38:00.003-07:00

In addition to the pilgrim hat shirt, I also made a turkey shirt...

I love this one. You can find the easy Template/pattern/instructions here. The only change I made was using 9 feathers instead of 11.

My turkey's butt is a bit lopsided... it gives it character though, don't you think? I'm not to great at curves with the sewing machine - so don't look too closely (made you look!). I used batik fabrics for the feathers. They're my favorite, my mom made me a whole quilt out of them! Actually the two bottom/side feathers and the middle yellowish one are from the scraps. The other batiks were from some fat quarters from Hancock's. ;-)

El Tour de Tucson

2011-11-20T13:17:00.001-07:00

Every year on the Saturday before Thanksgiving the Tour de Tucson takes place here in and around Tucson. 9,000 bicyclists ride their bikes around town for fundraising purposes. All skill levels participate and they had the choice of doing a 111, 85, 60 or 42 mile ride. The 111mile ride runs through our neighborhood, and for the first time in the few years I've been here, I went out to catch a glimpse.

I really wanted to see the leaders of the race, so we walked out to where they would be passing by, put up our lawn chairs and waited. After about 30 minutes or so they cam zooming by. The guy in the blue, Eric Marcotte, ended up winning the race for the second time in a row.

We hung around for a while and watched other groups of people go by, and the occasional lone rider. I'd hate to be out riding alone. It think it'd be a lot easier to keep pace and motivation within a pack of other riders...

Three and four hours later we were still seeing people ride by while we were out and about for luch and running other errands. The more "serious" riders in the front had police escorts and could pass through the intersections with ease. Even though there were police officers directing traffic, the later riders had to stop at the intersections when instructed.

It was neat to go out and see some of the riders f the Tour de Tucson. I'll probably have to go out an see them every year now!

I Cannot Tell a Lie

2011-11-18T15:21:00.001-07:00

I got to do something interesting today. Even though I had no reason to be, I was super nervous.

Don't worry, I passed! :-)

Wordless Wednesday

2011-11-16T04:11:00.001-07:00

Erika Jean

Robots!

DAm!

Wordless Wednesday

GH at KI

Free!

Happy *Early* Birthday Stephanie!

Wordless Wednesday

Think Spring

Hot Air

A Year in Review

Wordless Wednesday

Postcards

CacheCrazy!

Resolutions

Wordless Wednesday

J-O-B

Visiting Friends

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

Black Friday, No Thanks.

Wordless Wednesday

Gobble Gobble

El Tour de Tucson

I Cannot Tell a Lie

Wordless Wednesday

Happy Early Birthday Stephanie!