Pattern Impossible

A Tribute

2011-08-09T19:54:00.000-07:00

In Loving Memory of:

Finn (Finnigan) the Fish

Although we didn't know each other long... (12 days to be exact) I still loved you...

You weren't even around long enough for me to get a picture of you.

And even though I've had fish before, you will have a special place in my heart. Right there next to Snowy the Hermit Crab, and Gerald the Duck. I hope your ride on the great big Sewer Line Coaster was a blast!

Finnigan the Fish died today of unknown causes. He was a good fish and never jumped out of his bowl. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him. May his little spirit rest in peace.

Currently: I am. I want. I'm not.

2011-08-06T17:15:00.000-07:00

I enjoy doing absolutely nothing but no longer than an hour or two at a time... :)
I recently rediscovered my love for home grown string beans.
I can't work on one project longer than an hour at a time. I have crafting ADD.
I got a pet fish. His name is Finn. Finnigan for when he's in trouble.
I buy shoes too often to ever wear them out.
I constantly slip off into daydreams.
I love writing what I want. Not what I'm told to write.
I'm excited for football games and pep rallies and fall leaves and jackets and pumpkins.
I'm adventurous.

I want to travel. There's a very large part of me that wants to do nothing more than take off on a grand adventure.
I want a dog.
I want to witness a major historic event.
To play the cello.
Summer to never end.
To live in a grand old house in England.

I'm not a wonderfully good person. I'm not a horribly bad person. I'm me and there's pretty much no other way to describe it.
I'm not especially fond of unhappy people.
I'm not excited for tests and projects and deadlines and papers and teachers.
I won't do something I know is wrong, or stupid.
I positively do not, will not and never will like seafood.
I'm stubborn. I won't give in easily. Sometimes I won't give in at all.

That's what I am. That's what I want. That's what I'm not. How about you?

So Close...

2011-05-23T18:21:00.000-07:00

I have one more day of school.

O. N. E.

This little tidbit of information is better than the sun shining all day long for once (Which hasn't happened in a very long time.)

Since approximately five months ago, a lot has gone on. A lot.

Well, let see I:

Took my 1st AP Test. Ever. It sucked.
Went on my 1st date. Ever. It rocked.
Went on my 2nd date. It rocked too.
Passed all of my classes (And with a little persuasion of one or two teachers I'll have a 4.0!)
Became horribly addicted to naps.
Became even more of a procrastinator. :)
And more, but I can't exactly think about it right now... So onto pictures!

And since I'm lazy and I really don't want to scan a picture onto my computer, I've only got pictures from the second date. But it was a blast, so here ya go.

Meet Trevin. He's pretty Freaking Hilarious. And he makes a great date.

Meet my Morp (Backwards Prom) Group. We pretty much had a party.

Meet Bronwen, my AP Euro Textbook buddy. (P.S. This class is over!) We pretty much had a party there too. Oh, and Audrey's arm there in the left.

Well, that's it for probably another 5 months... Which might not be so much of an exaggeration...

E.L.E.V.E.N.

2011-01-01T17:19:00.000-07:00

Welcome to 2011. I hope you enjoy your stay here for the next 364 days. I know there will be tears and fears, joy and stress, hope and sorrow, meetings and partings, new friends and old. But hey, that's just life.

11 goals for '11

Wake up earlier on the weekends. Maybe this way I'll be able to actually accomplish something on Saturdays.
Stay more organized. I love having a clean room, but it's a struggle for me to keep it clean longer than a week. Let's try for at least two, yes? Yes.
Less computer time, more non-procrastinating time. This is a huge goal for me, seeing as how I am the biggest procrastinator on the planet. This list you're reading right now? Also procrastination. YUP!
Become better friends with my brother. Why the shocked face? I want a better relationship with my brother, and become better friends before he goes on his mission.
Write in my journal more. If you were to read my journal right now, you might see one entry for every month. Maybe.
Read 11 Classic novels. I'm not talking Pride and Prejudice or A Christmas Carol, real classics that I normally struggle to get through. Wish me luck!
Learn to play the accordion. Yes, you did read that correctly. The accordion. I've wanted to for a while, I just haven't actually done it. Just, you wait, by December I'll be serenading you with my inspiring talent.
Be optimistic. I'm not saying I'm the most pessimistic person on the planet, but I'm definitely not the most jubilant, that's for sure!
Save money. I'm definitely not good at saving money, so I'm going to save, not spend. I just have to remind myself of that every time I see a really cute pair of shoes or want a new book.
Be more daring and adventurous. No more quiet, scared fearful of what others think. I'm ready to take a chance on something and have a possibility of it not turning out so well.
Be satisfied with what I have. No lie, this one's going to be hard. Everyone I know wants something more than they've got, so my goal is to make the best of what I have.

So, that's my list for this year, how about yours?

Give Thanks

2010-11-21T21:29:00.000-07:00

Thanksgiving is on Thursday and we ALL know what that means... :) NO SCHOOL!!!! Well, really only 2 days of school this week. How wonderful.

Well, since it's the holiday of grateful-ness, here's what I'm thankful for:

A house
Great Friends
Warm Sweats and Hoodies
Christmas Music
Good Grades
An AWESOME Family
Procrastination :)
Sleep
Chocolate
Ponytails
Heaters
Snow
Slippers

And that's only a few! I've been greatly blessed with so many things, and I'm grateful we have a holiday to celebrate just that.

So, what are you grateful for???

Making a Difference

2010-10-25T14:26:00.004-07:00

Today I was asked the simple question of "What do I want to be when I grow up?" Every child at one point immediately will reply, "A Fireman!" or "A Teacher!" Perhaps the imaginative will give a creative idea such as "An Alien!" or "A Dog!" (Both of which came out of my mouth at some point in my life.)

But today it was different. I once more gave the answer of Physical Therapist, automatically and with no brain activity whatsoever. But then I thought, I don't just want to be Physical Therapist, I want to change someone's life. But why stop there? Why be satisfied with only one life when I can change two? Four? One Hundred? One Thousand? How about the world? I don't want to be someone who sits around all day, waiting for something to come around that will change me. I don't want to sit on the sidelines, watching the players, I want to play the game. I want to be a World-Changer.

It's discouraging though, thinking about changing the lives of the billions of people on this earth single-handedly. So, I won't do it alone. I'm recruiting YOU. (Here's the part where you see a picture of Uncle Sam pointing at you, yeah you know the one)

YOUR MISSION: I want you to make a difference in someone's life. Make some cookies to take to a neighbor. Refrain from saying that biting remark, instead say something kind. Hold open a door for someone. Smile and say hello. Be that person in someone else's life that you wish to have in yours. (Have you ever heard of the saying, "What comes around, goes around? Well, that's what happens. I promise)

But, don't just do it today! Do a kind act for someone else everyday. And in a year, you'll already have changed the lives of 365 people. Now, imagine if each of those people you helped turned around and did the same for someone else. That's another 365 people. And it causes a chain reaction so large, it will never end. So, go and do something good, and I promise your day will become 18 billion times better. Guaranteed.

Autumn. Fall. Wonderful.

2010-10-04T16:06:00.000-07:00

Dear Fall,

Thank you for finally showing up. I missed you. I'm glad summer is over. Now we can get on with real excitement. I look forward to once again admiring your beauties and renewing our friendship.

Love,

Tacie

P.S. If you'll bring the gorgeous colors, I'll bring the pumpkin pie. Deal.

Maybe it's the temperature and the crisp autumn air, or the fact that it's hoodie season again. Perhaps it's the smell of fall, the sound of crunching leaves, or the promise of a pumpkin pie not too far ahead. October brings a certain pleasure to my senses no other month will ever be able to compare with. Pumpkin patches, corn mazes, carmel apples, halloween, I cannot think of one bad thing about fall.

Gorgeous. And much more appealing than the AP European History textbook that I really should be reading right now. Yup, sure is.

Say Hello to My Little Friend

2010-08-11T19:07:00.000-07:00

Currently known as quilt #1... (How horrible of a name is that? How about Fredrico? Reginald? Susanna? Stripes? Ziggy? Ziggy. Perfect. From now on, this quilt will be referred to as Ziggy.)

Enjoy it's loveliness.

Officially, this is my first finished quilt. Ever. And I have to admit that I am quite proud of my handiwork. Granted, in the near future I'll be sick of red and aqua, but I'll still be in love with this quilt.

It's based on the Anna Maria Horner quilt pattern Folk Dance (Free link on the sidebar of her blog) but I didn't like the direction of the zig zags, so I played around with it until it looked the way I wanted it to. And then I found out she had a pattern for it going the other way too. (Found Here.) Leave it to me to complicate things like that.

Call me crazy, but yes, I hand quilted the whole darn thing. It didn't take me that long, it's just the fact that I now have calluses and dead, dry skin on my right thumb and pointer finger. I didn't even know that was possible.

All in all, I'm really happy with this quilt and already have fabric picked out for another. But next time it will be all machine quilted. In fact, I may pay someone else to quilt it. That sounds quite nice.

DIY Vintage Goodies

2010-07-17T13:02:00.000-07:00

Lately I've been slightly obsessed with vintage everything. And Obsessed is putting it lightly. So, I'll share the goodness

{Left} Martha Stewart DIY Bottle Enameling {here}

{Right} DIY vintage tins {here}

And two amazing Flickr sets of vintage labels that you can print and use (non-commercial of course)

{Left here and Right here}

Now, go and enjoy that vintage-y goodness.

Guess Who Shops at IKEA???

2010-07-07T13:59:00.004-07:00

Only one of my favorite actors from one of my favorite movies... David Nibley! Aka Elder Johnson from the Best Two Years.

So, there we were, sitting at Ikea, eating delicious fettuccine with chicken, when this guy who I could've sworn looked exactly like David Nibley walked by. Turns out, that was him, and I got a picture with him! A blurry one, but none-the-less, a picture with him! (Do excuse the blurriness, it was a camera picture)

Yes, that's me! This was a very good day. Just saying!

My Soul is Happy

2010-06-30T16:01:00.002-07:00

I absolutely, positively, without a doubt love the rain. I absolutely, positively, without a doubt times about ten million love thunder and lightning with rain. There is just something about the smell, the looming dark clouds and the anticipation that builds before the first crack of lightning and as the storm progresses you become surrounded by the tempest and the thunder grows louder and louder, and, well you get it. I love it.

Yesterday, I told my mother that is should rain. Thunder and lightning included. She snorted at me and said, "That's not gonna happen!"

So when it started raining today, I was satisfied. I love it when she's wrong. (At least about things like that.) So, as earlier stated: My soul is happy.

How does Egypt Sound to You?

2010-06-28T21:09:00.001-07:00

Well, it sounds pretty amazing to me, that's why I'm going there. Just look at it:

Greece too:

And how about France?

Italy too:

How about some Colosseum?

And we'll round off our trip with Finland:

Okay, so maybe I'm not going anywhere right now. But let me tell you that I fully intend to travel the world. You name it, I'll go there. Egypt, France, South Africa, Mali, Spain, Germany, Poland, Greece, Guatemala, Costa Rica. Oh, and FYI: I'm going to be rich too. I have to be to go everywhere, don't I?

But until the money comes pouring in, if you happen to go on a vacation to some amazing place, actually, if you go anywhere that they sell postcards, pick me up one, will you? I'll even reimburse you for the cost of the postcard and the postage. I'm not joking. And if you do? You will win my undying gratitude and love. I really am serious. This serious:

Piano Lessons by Yours Truly

2010-06-21T17:59:00.000-07:00

Yes, that's right, you're in for a treat if you live in or near PROVO, UT!!! I'm teaching piano lessons now! If your child would like to take (beginner to intermediate) piano lessons, contact me! Leave a comment with your name and email address, or email me at

ducksgoquack3@hotmail.com

General Info:

One hour lesson- $10/hour
I have a pretty free schedule, so don't worry about the time.
I have been playing piano for about 9 years.
I LOVE kids. I try to make lessons fun and enjoyable, and your child will learn tons!

Feel free to contact me, I'm usually pretty good at checking my email. I would love to hear from you!

Happy, Happy Birthday Jonathan, DEARRRRRR!

2010-06-21T17:46:00.002-07:00

Happy days will come to you all year!
If I had one wish then it would be....

A HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU FROM ME!

Happy birthday to the funny, smart, annoying, aggravating, creative, semi-mature, helpful, resourceful, jolly, insane, obnoxious, challenging, pyromaniac, original, interesting, wonderful brother of mine!

Papa Dearest:

2010-06-20T11:59:00.000-07:00

Thanks for being there EVERYTIME I need you.
Thanks for teaching me how to enjoy life, and for not letting be too serious at ALL times.
Thank you for teaching me how to work hard, to earn what I get and to always serve others with no thought of reward
Thank you for being the most amazing example I have in my life
Thank you for teaching me to put others in front of myself
Thank you for giving me shelter, food and a wonderful life
Thanks for being you dad. I love you

Happy Fathers Day Padre! You are Amazing!

(And quite attractive, if I do say so myself... :)

The End is in Sight

2010-05-22T20:49:00.002-07:00

One final paper left.

One test.

5 more days left of cleaning up after elementary school children.

Early Morning Seminary has FINISHED. (I get to sleep in!!!)

Three more days of school.

That is all. And I am so glad. This year has been awesome, but it's time for it to be done. So, I'll now stop procrastinating the writing of my paper. (I get to compare Lord of the Flies with The Hunger Games. Wish me luck!)

Happy Mother's Day!!!

2010-05-09T12:13:00.005-07:00

This is an automated message for you on mothers day. Scroll down to find the appropriate message.

If you are a mother: Happy Mother's Day! Sit down, take a break and rest. If you are anything like my mother, you never do and you definitly need it. You are amazing, never forget that.

If you are a father/husband: Never fear, your day is coming, it'll be here soon enough. Go cook dinner for you wife. Do something nice. You won't regret it.

If you are a woman with no children: You are still amazing. Even though you aren't a mother, there are hundreds of people that you have influenced at one point or other. You have been a mother in you own ways, and the people you influenced for good will never forget that.

If you are a child of a mother: Tell her that you love her. Are you going? No, seriously, I'm going to wait until you leave the computer, tell/call your mother you love her right now. Say thank you. Giver her a hug if possible. I'll wait.

Did you do it? Good.

To EVERYONE: Have a wonderful mother's day and have a great week!

Excitement. That's what I'm feeling.

2010-04-17T12:32:00.000-07:00

Because I'm about to order a pair of these beauties. Enjoy their lovliness. Enjoy.

But it's not just their awesomeness that caught my attention it's the story behind them. I'll just let you read the story for yourself:

If you happen to find yourself in Kampala, Uganda, make your way to the Old Taxi Park. From there, grab a taxi van to Matuga. Jump off at the end of the line, and hop on a boda boda to the Cornerstone Leadership Academy. After a (bumpy) ride along a dirt road, you will find yourself in the company of some of the most intelligent and committed young women in Uganda. These women are graduates of the Cornerstone Leadership Academy and employees of Sseko Designs.

Sseko \say-ko\ Designs was created to help these bright young women continue their education. The Ugandan school system is designed with a nine month gap between secondary school and university. These nine months are intended to allow time for students to earn money for tuition before continuing on to university. However, in an impoverished and male dominated society, many of these young women struggle to find fair work during this time.

Sseko Designs hires recent secondary school graduates for this nine month period to live and work together, while earning money that will go directly towards their university education. These women will not make sandals forever. They will go on to be doctors, lawyers, politicians, writers and teachers that will bring change and unification to a country divided and ravished by a 22 year-long war.

Sseko Designs is a not-just-for-profit enterprise that recognizes the power of business and responsible consumerism to support sustainable economic development, which in turn affects a country's educational, justice, and health care systems. The goal of Sseko Designs is two-fold: provide university tuition for these promising young women through a sustainable monthly income, while also contributing to the overall economic development of Uganda.

Although consumerism makes many empty promises, responsible and proactive consumerism has the ability to change lives. Like the lives of Mercy, Mary and Rebbecca.

Every sandal has a story. This story has only just begun, but with your help, it will be a story of hope, success and change. (Copied from the Sseko Designs website)

I love it. I love supporting these women in their efforts to become something more than the normal. So, although I don't normally buy forty dollar sandals, I'm going to this time. That's that much more towards the education of a doctor who may save someone's life, towards the education that may make a difference in the lives of hundreds. You want to as well? Go here.

Life is Crazy

2010-04-12T18:11:00.004-07:00

Yeah... Have you seen the date of my last post? I just barely did. That just proves that life is CUH-RAY-ZEE. CRAZY.

Well, besides that... I just got back from sunny California. Boy, oh boy did I love that place. OH, you want to see some pictures? Okay.

This is me and my best buddy Dale. Not to be confused with Chip.

I am just SOOO excited. Or crazy. You choose.

Our neighbors went with us to Disneyland. So to answer your question, no I do not take pictures of any random children at joyful places. That would be creepy.

Some cool tiki heads, or masks, whatever you would like to call them. I was bored while a few members of our party were relieving themselves, if you know what I mean... :)

Even the trash cans are cool at the Happiest Place on Earth. (And yes, I did take a picture of each different type of trash can they had. This was not the only one.)

This is where I get ALL of my Magic Carpets, brass and silk. Or brass silk. That's what I thought it was the first time I saw the sign. What would that even be????

And who can forget the Disneyland main train station??? Not me! It's so pretty...

Lastly, an image from the beach. Sorry about the horrible quality, but there were a lot of weird people standing close to the sign, this was as close as I dared to get (and I was on the closest zoom my camera had.) I just thought it was a funny sign.

Well, that's just about it. Except for I have a few videos which I cannot figure out how to upload.

Does anyone know how to upload videos on the new blogger layout? I cannot for the life of me figure out.

Well, Toodles! And here's to hoping I'll blog more in the future!

HDR Photos. A.K.A. Gorgeous.

2010-03-17T20:16:00.002-07:00

My amazing, wonderful, astonishing photographer of a brother and I went on a photo taking excursion, and these lovelies were the result. The ones without me in it, I took. The ones with me, are the ones he took.

Only me...

2010-03-17T16:55:00.001-07:00

What kind of loser puts finds the PERFECT green shirt the night before Saint Patrick's Day just to forget to wear it the next day? Apparently I would.

Then, I get to school only to be that lame person who claims to have a bracelet, or hair tie or eyes (really, eyes?) to protect them from about 4 dozen bruises showing up the next day. Yeah, that's me.

Let's just pretend that says: "The Folks at Pattern Impossible" instead of "Our Accounting Department"

A Poem

2010-03-07T21:13:00.001-07:00

This is a poem I wrote a while ago. I don't know exactly why I'm sharing this with you. I just felt like it. Comment if you want, I don't care. But thanks for reading it! (P.S. I KNOW it doesn't rhyme.)

In Kindergarten, we played tag,
Swung on the swings and
simply enjoyed each other's presence.

Now you've moved on
Made new friends, so have I.
But I miss your smile,
Your constant cheerfulness
And the way you could always make me laugh.

Last night I saw you again.
It made me wonder, had we still been
Best of friends, where would we be?
Would I have felt more in place last night
With your friends? Or would you have fit in with mine?

But I still have hope,
For when I left, you were standing there.
I saw a glimpse of our past
Our old friendship returned for only a moment,
And I began to think it wasn't all lost.

So, here's to what once was,
Perhaps what might be,
Perhaps what is only a dream.

Shrinky Dinks

2010-02-28T18:39:00.001-07:00

I {heart} Shrinky Dinks! (If you don't know what a Shrinky Dink is, click on the link and view the awesomeness!)

Well, for a Chemistry project, we had to make something out of a Shrinky Dink. My genius idea was to make a ring. I'm sure there are plenty of people who came up with this very same idea, and I'm sorry, you can take the credit for my inspiration if you would like it. I doubt I was the first!

What? You want to see pictures? Okay!

Yes, I do know these aren't rings, but I made these too, out of polymer clay.

Oh, and once I get some more shrinky dinks, I'll be posting my 1st tutorial! :) I sound kinda stupid saying that... And I guess I could do a tute for the earrings too. Leave a comment if you want one!

Well, I'm going to go study for chemistry, so have a wonderful day!

Look!! I feel all techie!

2010-02-15T20:41:00.001-07:00

I finally made a button for my blog! -------------------------------------------------->

So, if you want to show your support, and help more people find out about my blog, put it on yours!

All you have to do is:

Highlight the code in the box and copy it (Click file, then Copy)
Open the 'customize' page of your blog
Click: 'add a gadget'
Then paste the copied code into the text box
Click Save and enjoy my button's presence on your blog!

If you want to make your own button, check out theses links:

For the image: here

For the scroll box: here

To alter your code: here or here (The first link is why you do it, the second will do it for you)

FYI: It's really helpful if you read the instructions first. I know from experience.

Possibly the coolest thing I have ever seen.

2010-02-15T14:13:00.000-07:00

Check it out! The awesome creation of the folks at the 'something's hiding in here' etsy shop have the coolest random thing (for lack of better adjective)- Mustaches on a Stick! Go check it out right now, and I promise your day will become about ten times better. Seriously.

(Pictures via Something's Hiding in Here Etsy Shop)

A little expensive at 36 bucks per stache, so none for me, but hey, if you get one, let me borrow it, kay?

While we're on the topic of Mustaches, check out these other cool finds:

(Jack Spade's Mustache Gloves)

(Coffee mug from Bread and Badger)

I {heart}

2010-02-13T17:20:00.004-07:00

How amazingly gorgeous is this little rose barrett? I know Valentine's day is TOMORROW but these would still be darling on a little girl (or yourself) any time of the year.

Go here for the tutorial.

Stay here for pretty pictures...

I'll take two of each.

What Color Are You?

2010-02-13T17:03:00.005-07:00

Check out what color matches your personality. I know you're just dying to find out what color I am...

Take the quiz here. Then come back and leave a comment telling me what your personality is like.

Share a Little Love

2010-01-28T21:20:00.003-07:00

I'm guessing that in the past week every person who reads this post will have had a terrible day. If not terrible, you've had a day that could've been better. Am I right?

Well, yesterday was one of those days. Until about 12:43, that is. On my way to Spanish, I happened to glance at the wall as I passed. There was a small Sticky-note stuck to the wall and I, being the curious person that I am, took a small step towards the bright yellow message.

Only you can make today the best day of your life.

Hello! I swear someone had been watching me all day, and put that note exactly where I would see it, so that I would stop acting as if the world hated me, and to choose for myself how my own day would be.

I walked on, leaving the note behind for someone else to be inspired by, but that one note stuck with me through the rest of the day. I would have a great day today, I thought to myself. And I did.

That note turned out to be a fantastic idea from whoever put it there, and I am certainly happy they did.

NOW, I have a challenge for everyone that reads this blog. Write a note, it doesn't have to be long, it just has to be sincere. Leave it on a co-workers desk. Put it in a random locker on your way to your next class. Stick it on a wall. Leave it anywhere people wouldn't expect to find something like that. And I PROMISE that you will make someone's day. Isn't that worth it?

Adorable!!!!

2010-01-27T18:38:00.002-07:00

Is it just me or is this little number not the cutest valentine's day decor you've ever laid your eyes on???

I know EVERYONE is blogging about it right now, but I couldn't help. It's just too awesome!

Found here

Letterpress

2010-01-20T19:41:00.004-07:00

As you can tell from my insanely original title, this post is all about Letterpress. The do it at home kind too. But I'm having a bit of a dilemma. For Christmas, a wonderfully nice person (my mother) gave me a letterpress machine, the kind from Lifestyle Crafts. I was insanely excited to play with my new toy, but then the ink got everywhere. (I do not, I repeat, do NOT exaggerate)

Anyone else out there who has one of these, is it just me, or do our tries NEVER turn out like this?

The ink ends up everywhere on the paper, the adhesive sticky sheet thingy doesn't stick well, and every time I go to the store to get some cleaning wipes, they are always out. Well wasn't that fun to clean up?? :)

I don't mean to sound like I hate the machine, I mean I would LOVE to be able to do it right, and to have fun doing it, I just need some guidance in the right direction.

I didn't even take a picture of my attempts, I was so put out. BUT- Tomorrow is another day, right? And they do say practice makes perfect.

(But your comments will help oh so much more that practice.)

So, have you had any failures like mine? Any amazing successes? (And what is your secret?)

Well, have a lovely night and I hope to hear from you soon!

Pictures from the Lifestyle Crafts Blog

Button, Button

2010-01-09T22:02:00.003-07:00

My wonderful Grandmother has this rad old mustard jar (it was like a gallon jar... in my opinion: Awesome that ANYONE would have that much) full of buttons. I swear, it was full to the max. Well, I needed one button for a small project I'm working on and I ended up taking a few more than planned. Only a small handful but I can see many more trips to acquire more buttons there.

The button with the buildings on it (very front) is my favorite. I love it and the intricate details worked into the small space.

Like I said, only a few, but still amazing in my opinion. I can see many projects coming up which will have one of these beauties on it. :)

Merry Christmas {Eve}!

2009-12-24T12:06:00.003-07:00

Sorry I've been MIA... Christmas is the best time of the year, but also the most stressful. With crafts galore, presents, and of course waiting until last minute to get everything done, it takes a lot out of you!

But rather than talking about Santa and presents I have a question for YOU. Yes you. Have you sat back during this busy holiday season to remember the real reason for the bows and trees, the stockings and presents? Have you looked at the miracle that Christmas truly is? Christmas is a season of hope, joy, love and peace. A season of such magnitude, no other holiday could possibly hope to measure up to.

Have you gotten caught up in the tinsel and tags? Have you been a Scrooge this year? Did you remember the reason of the season?

My message to you this Holiday season is to enjoy yourself. To laugh and love. To believe that everything will work out. I know many of us are caught by the recession and feel as if we need to give more to everyone, but FYI: it's the thought that counts. So share a friendly word, a smile to a lonely person, forgiveness to someone who has hurt you, and you will gain the happiness and love we all wish to have during the holidays

Merry Christmas!

Much love this holiday season,

Tacie

Novice Design Work

2009-12-11T17:14:00.007-07:00

Well, I've officially designed my first blog header for someone else. Wow. You wanna see it? Here it is:

To see it in action go to her blog: Here (if it's not up yet, it should be at most, up in a couple of days.)

Yay? Nay? If anyone who reads this is a professional designer, I would love any advice, criticism or what not you have. I really have no idea what I'm doing here. I just play around until it looks nice.

And for those of you who don't design at all... You want a personalized blog header? For free? I would love if you gave me another chance to expound on my design skills.

You know what? If you want one- The first 10 commenters will get one! Leave a comment on this post with your email and I'll get back to you asap!

OH, and this is just a little Christmas tree thingy I made last night... How you likey???

Thanks for commenting! ;)

P.S. These are all my designs. Please don't copy, use these designs without my permission or claim these as your own work. I spent a while working on these and I would hate to have all that go to waste. Thank you!

And the Winner is...

2009-12-05T22:41:00.004-07:00

After tallying up all the extra entries, and making a trip over to random.org we now have a winner of the custom banner!

Congratulations Greta!

Email me at ducksgoquack3@hotmail.com with your favorite colors, whether you would like a holiday banner, or regular, and whatever ideas you have in mind for your banner.

Congrats! And for all of you that didn't win, keep checking back, if this goes well, I just might do a similar giveaway to this one!

You Want One of These?

2009-11-27T19:37:00.009-07:00

[Look UP...]

Hey, if you want a custom blog header, leave a comment...(Thanks Crystal for the idea!) One lucky commenter will receive a personalized somethin, somethin for their own blog.

Oh, and do you like my new one? If you compliment it in your comment and you'll get an extra entry.

So, yeah I know I'm not a pro at this, but I try... (And I'm real humble too!)

Giveaway ends Friday, December 4 12:00 MST

Winner will be announced Saturday, December 5

Remember to tell your friends! You want another entry? Tell who referred you to this giveaway and you both get an extra one!

Want another entry? Become a follower of my blog!

Make sure you leave a comment for EVERY entry, or they won't be counted!

P.S. I got some really great stuff at the thrift store... I'll post pics and maybe a tutorial soon!

A Time of Thanks

2009-11-24T17:58:00.005-07:00

Well, Thanksgiving is this THURSDAY! Oh, goodness, I cannot wait for all that delicious food, and the friends and family to get together, but most of all the food!

But, more importantly than food (That shows how important this is) I would like to give a shout out to one awesome lady.

This is my Grandma. Aka the friendliest person you will ever know. Unless you are a sales person, then she probably won't be so friendly...

Upon first meeting her she'll give you a hug. Not the creepy, stalker-ish kind, but the kind that gives you warm fuzzies, and can make your day go from horrible to wonderful in the blink of an eye.

She's also been through so much that it's hard to imagine how she stayed the way she is. I'm not going to go into details, but lets just say she hasn't had the easiest life ever. But she loves life all the same, and I'm especially glad that I am able to call her Grandma.

She is so giving. SO giving. Not just with materialistic stuff either. She gives her time to help anyone in need... especially a distressed granddaughter. Yeah, she's that cool.

So my grandma pretty much rocks, and I love her. If you ever meet her, I bet you'll know, she's the one who will hug you before she knows your name. :) Good luck getting out of that one!

Happy, Happy Birthday to ME!

2009-11-13T17:06:00.004-07:00

Hey! Guess what? Tomorrow's my birthday. I love birthdays, they just rock! Oh, and you wanna know what I got for an early b-day present??? Contacts! No more glasses, no fogging up in the winter, no wet glasses when it's raining... that's heaven to me!

So, I was thinking about hosting a giveaway, but I have no idea what to giveaway. If you've got any suggestions, or you would like to sponsor a giveaway on this blog, I would love you forever. As a friend, of course!

So leave a comment w/ your email, so I can contact you if you have a brilliant idea. If the idea is good enough, there just might be a few lucky winners. Oh JOY!

Well, have an awesome day, and I'll be waiting for your comments! :)

Where, Oh Where Could My Cam-er-a be?

2009-10-26T18:22:00.003-07:00

I lost it! Oh goodness, my trusty friend has always enjoyed a good game of hide-and-seek (who doesn't???) but this game has gone on long enough!

Well, he looks like this:

With a red case, and a few scratches here and there... it makes him look rugged, okay???

So, my dear old camera is missing crafts, joy, love and happiness, but then again, they're all pretty much the same, right?

But, we're carving pumpkins tonight, so I gotsta' go find him, so toodles!

Heaven in the Form of a Pint

2009-10-26T18:16:00.002-07:00

Oh. My. Goodness. I lie to you not. This loverly creation from Ben and Jerry's is my new favorite. You should go and buy a pint of it right now. I'm not kidding, it's seriously that good.

Oh, and my pint has received its fair share of loving, I'll be out to get some more soon.

Oh Joy

2009-10-19T15:52:00.002-07:00

What is joy? Happiness? Enthusiasm? Jubilation, Euphoria The list could go on forever you know.

So, are you full of JOY?

Are you ENTHUSIASTIC about life?

Well, I hope you are. And if you aren't I bet you could do something to get better. Drink a cup of hot Cocoa. Go buy a small present for yourself. Listen to some 'happy' music. Talk to that special someone. Jump around for no reason. Laugh. Yeah, laugh. Out loud, right now. It'll make your day about ten times better, guaranteed.

So, now that I've expressed my erratic thoughts for the day, on to the fun stuff.

SO... I made this awesome scarf over the weekend, unfortunately I have no pictures. But! the tutorial is here. Enjoy, and be enthralled with the simple craft.

I'll leave you with that, and this:

:) OH JOY!!!!

I'm in love

2009-10-12T17:20:00.003-07:00

with my new blog header... aren't you? It's so pretty, and fall colored, and wonderful! I can't wait until winter! (Although it does feel like it's already the chilly season here in good ol' Provo!

So, enjoy the header and I'll enjoy my sewing, and show you what I did later on. Let me just tell you, it's great! (But really bad at the same time too!)

And yes, I know you are going to ask, I did do this on my own! Aren't you so proud of me???

Prepare yourself...

2009-10-04T18:50:00.011-07:00

I've been kinda picture happy the last few days, so enjoy, or just scroll past really fast. They both work.

Hey! How'd that get in there? Oh, well!

So, this past weekend I took a visit with my brother to the Springville Art Museum (there was hardly anyone there!) And I have to admit there there were some amazing paintings there, like this one:

And this one, it was crazy, examine it, then think about it. Notice anything slightly heartbreaking here? Yeah, me too.

And I started on my quilt! (Finally!)

I love this fabric... really I do.

I told you I was picture happy!

And these are the final blocks: (You can get a lot done through three sessions of General Conference)

And here's a little contest of sorts. I took all three of these pictures. Which do you like the best?

Picture A

Picture B

Or Picture C?

Yeah, I know they aren't the best pictures in the world, I blame it on my camera. That's why I'm getting a new one... got any good suggestions? I'm looking for an awesome camera. That's all you need to focus on. (In other words, don't worry about the cost, or size. It just needs to be awesome!)

So leave a comment, about your favorite picture, your favorite camera or your favorite childhood pet. :)

Let's go on a Picnik!

2009-10-02T17:13:00.006-07:00

Sorry about the annoying spot on this one, I didn't notice it when I took the picture... Darn it.

There's this awesome website called Picnik, also known as the coolest picture editing website known to man. Well, at least known to me. (You are entitled to your own opinion.)

So, this amazing website lets you do tons of stuff, so much I could never hope to write it all down. Best part is: it's FREE! (There are only a few things you can't do with a free account, but still, it's free.)

Take a look at these. Not something I could do by myself, seeing as how I don't own any form of Photoshop, nor do I know how to work it if I did own said program.

So, go check it out! I know you want to!

One last thing, do you like the new font, or should I just stick with the old one?

Procrastination...

2009-09-25T16:11:00.003-07:00

Is not a good thing. I promise you that! Now, I know I promised to do better at blogging, and I know I haven't. Well, with homework, work, crafting, everything that's going on in my hectic life right now, what do you expect? I would love to sit and write a post everyday. But I can't. I'm bad enough watching a few t.v. shows without adding blogging on top of it.

SO... until life settles down some more, I guess you'll just have to settle for the occasional post. How many faithful readers actually read this, though? Does anyone itch for a new post to read, or is it just so so? I would love a comment on that (I sound like a broken record. But... no one ever does leave a comment.) I promise I don't bite! Maybe I'll just make it mandatory for there to be a comment for another post... nah, I'm not that mean!

Yeah, I know this post is random, and it's just been one of those days. You know, the days you feel like biting everyone's head off for looking at you, more like, you don't feel like socializing with anyone. At all.

So, onto crafting (since this is a crafting blog) I've been rocking out to Christmas music (don't hate me, I just feel like joy, and Christmas is about joy. Period.) as I've been working on my quilt, but I'm not at my house, so I don't have any pictures on this computer right now, so I'll have to show you later.

So, I hope you have a fantastic day, and you guys rock! (That was thanks in advance for commenting...)

I'm sorry.

2009-09-20T19:26:00.003-07:00

I really am. I haven't been constantly blogging and I'm sure that I'm not that interesting when I don't blog at all.

So I'll give you a taste of my next project. I just need to run to the fabric store once more for some more fabric.

So, here it is:

Picture from Cluck Cluck Sew

This little beauty, the Double Hourglass Quilt is my next attempt at craftyness.

Allison from Cluck Cluck Sew has an awesome tutorial for this quilt on her blog. It is the easiest pattern ever and I'm stoked to try it out.

I have some really cute fabric I plan on using for the quilt, it's Recess by American Jane

So, this is technically my first quilt, and to be honest, I'm kind of scared. Any tips?

OH! And I promise that I'll be better at blogging in the future... possibly more giveaways?

Well... three people... WHOO HOO!

2009-09-15T12:59:00.005-07:00

So, now that we've had such a great turn out on the givaway :), it's time to announce the winner!

Thanks to the help of RANDOM.ORG

And the winner is:

Numero 3! Who was Jordan! (After taking into account the extra entries...)

Jordan, you'll soon be getting an email from me, and I hope you have fun shopping in the shop!

Tacie

Giveaway!!!

2009-09-07T15:20:00.003-07:00

Have any of you been to the shop lately? Well, if you haven't, go on, check it out! Oh, and did I mention that I'm having a giveaway? It's for a free 5 bucks to the shop, and if I get more than, oh we'll say 50 comments, I'll up it to 3 different winners.

THE RULES:

* 1 Free Entry: just enter your name and your email address for your 1st chance.

* 1 Entry for every person you get to enter: leave the name of the person who told you about this giveaway and you both get another entry.

* 1 Entry if you become a follower: It's pretty simple, just become a follower, if you already are, then leave another comment saying so.

* 1 Entry for your favorite item from the shop: go to the shop, and leave a comment saying your favorite thing there.

* 1 Entry for your thoughts or ideas on how to improve the shop and blog!

Make sure to leave your email address on each entry so I can contact you if you've won!

Thanks for entering, and I hope you all have a great Labor Day! (If you live in an area where it applies!)

I'm back!

2009-08-28T16:38:00.004-07:00

Back from being lazy, non-motivated (how do you really say that?) and back from neglecting my poor little blog. What, you ask pushed me back into the vibe?

A newly opened etsy shop, that's what! Go on, check it out! It's at this link right here, or here, or here. They're all the same. If they don't work for you though go to: tailfeathersinc.etsy.com. You know you want to!

I bet you also want to know what loverly items are being sold at said store? Well, here's a little peak, for those of you who wish to be lazy. I get it, no hard feelings, I myself am being quite lazy also at this particular moment.

Leave a comment with your favorite item and there may be a free somethin, somethin involved, if you know what I mean... but then there may not. Depends on how I'm feeling

Monday Munchies

2009-08-17T19:45:00.002-07:00

Today's munchie is: CAKE BALLS!!!

This delicious treat is as good as it looks! Mmmm Mmmm Mmmm!

I would love it if you guys commented and told me whether you like these recipes, or if you would prefer something else, even if you have ideas for it! As we all know, I love comments... what? You didn't know that? Well, now you do! Good luck!

Tacie

P.S. I finally joined the world of ipod touch users, and I'm addicted! (Doodlejump is a very addicting game. Don't say I didn't warn you) Maybe I'll try doing a post from that, I'll tell you if I do!

It's Still Monday!

2009-08-10T20:53:00.006-07:00

I have a post for this Monday Munchies, part 4... I think. Aren't you so happy that it's on an actual Monday this week?

Well, since I'm still a slacker, and It'll take a while for me to get out of that, I only have a link to another blog, so here it is.

(Picture from Brownies for Dinner)

Oh, my! Doesn't that look delicious? MMMMM!

And in Crafty Blogland, over at Red Bird Crafts, Emily has an amazing idea. They're called Story Stones, and they are adorable. Here's some insructions on how to make them, and she has a bunch of different one's at her blog. She also sells them in her Etsy shop, so go take a look there too!

(All Pictures from Red Bird Crafts)

Seriously, you can't tell me those aren't amazing!

Help me Rhonda, help help me Rhonda...

2009-08-08T15:31:00.003-07:00

The Beach Boys, :), they make me wanna dance. Just the beat of Do You Wanna Dance, or Fun, Fun, Fun makes me wanna jump up and dance! Shimmy, Jump and Jive right in front of that open window, right as your next door neighbors walk past! Whoo hoo! Okay, maybe not that much, but you get the picture right?

Now, I know there are those who don't like them, but I forgive you. And hopefully you can forgive me for liking the Beach Boys. I am done now.

Oh, and if you were wondering, I am in the crafty mood once more. It's a secret right now, but my newest project involves, 5 points, a craft knife and pretty paper, now aren't you excited! More to come in the future!

Oh, I give up!

2009-08-06T15:04:00.004-07:00

Now we all know that I'm a procrastinator. So I give up... maybe next week I'll type up one of MY recipes... and I'm giving you a link to Life as I Know it... Cake for Breakfast YUM!

Now go make some *healthy* cake for tomorrow's breakfast. And I'll try not to put it off as much next week... Notice the key word was TRY! :)

Tacie

Shame on me!

2009-08-04T16:36:00.002-07:00

I didn't do a Monday Munchies post yesterday... darn! I guess it'll have to be Tuesday Tasties, or something like that... but I was thinking about doing a recipe for lightning cake... any objections? Keep an eye out, I'll post the recipe soon!

Tacie

Monday Munchies

2009-07-27T18:14:00.003-07:00

Duh duh duh duh! (Imagine trumpets flaring, and royal, rich looking people standing around.)

it's Peanut butter play dough time!

I (yes, I) love to make and play with Peanut Butter Play dough. Seriously, it's peanut butter and play dough combined! Edible Play dough!

So before I babble on for too long, here's the recipe:

1 C. Creamy Peanut Butter

2 C. Powdered sugar (some recipes use dry milk, but this tastes SO much better!)

1/2 C. Honey

Then: Mix, mix, mix, mix, mix some more, make your children mix, and finally mix the mixture. (Have you ever said a word so many times it loses it's meaning? Well, that's what just happened to me!) Or you can use an electric mixer (like a kitchen aid thinger...)

Last: ENJOY!

(Picture from Ourbestbites.com because MY camera is uncooperative.)

Tacie

Time to Share the Wealth

2009-07-22T20:48:00.004-07:00

I thought sharing with you guys all the really cute bag patterns I've found will get me back into the crafting spirit... but maybe not.

First up...

The Blossie Bag from Bloom and Blossom

And there's the Pleated Purse Pattern from My Spare Time

And some more:

A cute tote bag from J Caroline Creative

The Diana Hobo from Elizabeth Carrol

The Market Bag from A Film in the Fridge

The 32 Minute Messenger bag from The Qulting Diaries

The Mama Backpack from Happy Things

The Buttercup Bag from Made by Rae

Well, good luck sorting through these patterns and I would love to know which of these are your favorite!

Tacie

Wow... It's been awhile!

2009-07-20T16:32:00.006-07:00

Hello all you! I'm back! Well, technically I was back on Saturday but haven't had any computer time since! That also means I haven't had any time to upload any photos, so I guess you don't get any pictures either... :)

And now, Introducing:

MONDAY MUNCHIES!!!

Disclaimer: This picture isn't todays recipe. I'm sorry, and yes I DO know that they look delicious.

A new part of the Pattern Impossible blog family. Every Monday I'll have a new recipe, from the web, or a family tradition, or somewhere. Maybe I'll even make it up on the spot. BUT! Let me warn you now... it will not taste good unless a miracle is involved. So we'll stick to pre-made recipes. :)

Well, todays is over at The Thrifty Chick blog. This recipe looks delicious. (Notice how I say looks not is... I haven't tried it yet.) But maybe I will. Tonight looks pretty free.

I'm not feeling very crafty lately though, as I bet you can tell. When you feel that way, how do you get back into the mood? I really need help. My sewing machine hasn't been touched in weeks. Pathetic, I know. :(

Well, I will see you tomorrow or next week or whenever I feel like it, so until then, Enjoy your LIfe!

Tacie

And we're off!

2009-07-14T10:19:00.003-07:00

To camp Mia Shalom, a.k.a. Girls camp! I won't be thinking about this blog for the next 6 days, so... I leave you with one final

FAREWELL!

Is it just me...

2009-07-11T20:53:00.009-07:00

or does anyone else wish they lived in the time of barn-raising, greased pig wrangling, small town living, Little House on the Prairie time period?

WARNING: In case you haven't guessed by now, this isn't a craft related post

Maybe it's just Reading too many Marcia Lynn McClure romances (oh gosh, how I love those books!) or watching too many reruns of Little House while sewing, or even visiting the Bar J Wranglers (I'm talking laugh your head off funny) but oh how I wish I lived then!

And those cowboys! Stop me now!

(Yeah, I know that's John Wayne, but boy does he make one good cowboy!)

Now, I'll go back to dreaming, and you can surf some more blogs, but hey! I got you thinking about it, huh?

Tacie

Wanna enter a giveaway?

2009-07-09T10:02:00.003-07:00

Over at Make it and Love it there's a giveaway for a chance to win some adorable watches from Kendee Watches. Okay, I admit it, I'm posting about this for another entry to win, but you should too! Aren't these adorable?

Go on! Check it out!

Pictures. Beautiful Pictures.

2009-07-08T17:17:00.003-07:00

So, lately my brother has been on this photo taking kick, and he's pretty good if I do say so myself. Here's a few of my favorites. Check out some more of them here.

This one he entered in a contest... and he won something for it. That much I do know. Go on, check it out, you know you want to!

Work Hard!

2009-06-27T16:41:00.003-07:00

The little neighbor girl occasionally visits my house, and today was one of those occasions. She was told to make me work hard, and followed this request as follows:

Corie: "Tacie, you have to work hard, okay?"

Me: "Okay, Corie. I'll work hard."

Corie: "I always try to work hard."

Me: "That's really good Corie."

Corie: "When my brothers are in the room. Well, at least in my mind."

I was biting my tongue to keep from laughing at her absolutely serious remark. She's the type that gets offended at these types of things, but, hey! You gotta love it!

Tacie

Moda Bakeshop... tasty and trendy!

2009-06-22T20:35:00.007-07:00

So I just found the Moda Bakeshop blog, and wow! There are so many awesome patterns forFREE! Some of my favorites you can see here, here, and here.

One of my favorite things about it is that everything is made from their stuff (Jelly rolls, Honey Buns, Charms Squares, etc...) And some projects only take about 1/2 a roll or pack so you can make more than one project from each.

Well, have fun wasting time and enjoying the lovely bakeshop delight!

Tacie

Welcome!

2009-06-20T21:20:00.004-07:00

This is a blog to document my progress of quilting, from the very first (which hasn't been started yet) on to, well however far I get.

Yes, it'll have bags, and clothes, and other whatnots to do with sewing, so I guess it's mostly a craft site. I will include quilts though. Just you wait and see!

So, first up on the list to make is this quilt. Sounds pretty good for my first quilt! (And better, it's easy with pictures!)

BUT! Before I even start, does anyone have any tips on what works for them, how to make things easier or something you wish you knew when you started out?

So, maybe no one will read this blog, but it's there for my future reference, and if you do read it, enjoy! OH! and if you like it, refer your friends because you know that would be pretty awesome!

Tacie