Lovely Fresh Herbs

I happily admit that I’m one of those non-preservative, non-artificial, non-modified foods, organic, vegetarian, natural, recycling, environmental, Eastern medicine types.

For longer then I care to admit to, I’ve made herbal things: soaps, bath stuff, flavored oils and vinegars, lip balms; and embraced Acupuncture (my messed up shoulder and arm are very grateful), herbs, and natural supplements. Prescription medication is always a ‘choice of last result’ for me.

I drive my family nuts.

So anyway, I thought I’d take a few minutes and share a few recipes and resources for those of you that just might want to spoil yourselves…  but be forewarned, once you make these yourself, you’ll never be able to look at a store version again.

Herbal Bath Scrub – In a Bag!
There are two ways to make these, you get to decide which you like better.  Personally, I prefer the bag, but hey – it’s all good.

You Need:

• Either a 3″ x 5″ muslin bag with draw string (Dharma Trading sells these) or
• Cheesecloth about 5″ square (you’ll also need some string or crochet thread to tie it shut)
• Slow cooking oatmeal; 1/2 cup per herbal bag
• Soap flakes; grated natural soap such as Ivory or a nice glycerin; 1/2 cup per herbal bag
• Freshly dried herbs. Okay you can use older dried herbs… I just like drying my own (told you I drive my family nuts) You’ll need between 1-2 tablespoons of the herbs per bag depending on how full you make it.

Making It:
Now comes the difficult part. Mix together in a glass bowl the oatmeal, soap flakes and herbs. Transfer this mixture to your ‘bag’ or the center of your cheesecloth square. Snug the ties on the bag or pull up the corners of the cheesecloth and tie securely with the string.

To Use:
Wet your bundle while soaking or showering and gently rub over your body! It helps clean, removes icky dry/flaking/old skin, and smells wonderful. Just hang it up to dry between uses.

Herb Variations:

• Restful: chamomile, lavender, rose petals,
• Awake: peppermint, mint, orange, lemon, costmary
• Happy: lemon balm, mint, rosemary, basil

Of course you can always use what ever herbs you like – this is only a guideline. Another advantage of doing-it-yourself.

Muslin Bags with Drawstring

Variation on a Theme
Want a slight variation on those bags? Well, just leave out the soap flakes and oatmeal and add lots of herbs instead.

Now hang that herb bag under the faucet in your bathtub so the water hits it as the tub fills. You can also use it as a simple skin scrub.

Witch Hazel
Is there anyone that doesn’t have a bottle of witch hazel in their ‘fridge – especially during the summer? It feels so good smoothed over your face in the heat.

Be aware that there really is a difference in witch hazel – splurge and get the $4 bottle instead of the $1.75 one. You can get it from your local health food shop or favorite organic store. It seems silly I know, but you will notice a difference.

Get a couple of smaller empty bottles (with or without spray tops) – and divide up the witch hazel into them. Add 1 – 2 tablespoons of dried herbs to the bottles. Experiment! Neem, chamomile, calendula, lavender….  what ever you want to use. Let sit for a day in the ‘fridge before using, then spritz (or rub) and cool to your hearts desire!

Sources:
Muslin bags and other wonderful stuff – Dharma Trading. I’ve been buying from them for well over 23 years now. http://www.dharmatrading.com.

Herbs and essential oils – San Francisco Herb Co. I have almost as long a track record with these nice folks.  http://www.sfherb.com.

Well it’s time for me to play again – I just have to convince the fur-kids that the herbs are not catnip; they keep trying to steal everything…

–Annie

Christmas came for me very early that night.

I finally settled on a 6-yard Georgette fabric piece. Rich golds, reds, deep purple, emerald green with a color-matching embossed pattern. There was also a small design of loose, gold threads scattered over the main fabric piece. It has a crisp, very lightweight feel to it and I knew it was going to be a pain to sew – who cared!

Later I sat on the floor in the middle of the sewing room grinning like a idiot, with yards of fabric wrapped on and over me. What to do, what to do….  I’d been wanting to make another Keshy jacket, and this would be perfect… but…  let’s play!

I decided to modify the lower front of the pattern with only 1 simple change – but the end result was amazing. Here is the journey with step-by-step photos. Some are quite large to show more detail.

Laying out the prepared front pattern piece for the Keshy jacket.

The pattern piece is cut apart at the dividing line, and seam allowances added to both sides. I use 1/2" seam allowances on all main seams.

Divide the lower front section into three equal parts. Mark it only.

Now cut on the dividing lines up to - but not through the edge of the added seam allowance. Spread the pieces as wide as you like.

Place tracing paper, tissue paper, or pattern drafting media under the pattern and tape all open areas together securely.

Decide on the design, and even up your bottom edge. I didn't want a completely curved edge, so it has a bit sharper angles.

Modified pattern piece has been cut out of that gorgeous fabric and I'm apply a decorate double facing to the front, center section.

The decorative facing on the front 'skirting' - I don't know what else to call it, it looks like a skirt to me

And here's a close up of the edge. I took the piece from another section of the Sari fabric. It was perfect for this placement.

Now for the upper front piece and a different decorative facing. Again, a beautiful panel from the Sari fabric that was tailor made for this usage.

Close up view of the band/facing section attached and the second strip cut and ready for the other front panel.

Here is one of the fronts – both top and skirt attached using a French seam. What I didn’t do – because it really was a design choice for me – was not re-true or straighten the front panels before attaching the front facings and/or band pieces.

The original Keshy jacket has a straight line front, this version as you can see, angles back in after the seam join.

It’s strictly a design choice. I could have straightened it when I opened the ’skirt’, I chose not to. You can choose to! 

Upper and 'skirt' sections of Keshy front attached using a French seam.

Here is the piece of fabric I used to center the back of the jacket on. Did I mention that this Sari fabric was gorgeous?

Added the interfaced, neck facing with the help of my assistant Molly. I used a lightweight fusible tricot for any interfacing.

The front and back joined at the shoulders with a French seam, and the facing tacked into place. All seams were French seams - it's a clean, finished look.

A closeup of the finished shoulder seam and facing placement.

Note: I did not sew the sides together until the last step. Because the front bottom has a separate facing/finish and the back bottom a different one, the sides had to be left to the end.

Bias-cut facing for the bottom of the 'skirt' - pinned with lots and lot of pins to hold everything still for sewing. The fabric slid everywhere!

Another view with my able assistant helping.

Closeup of the front bottom facing on its final stage: pin, sew, remove pins, press, turn, press, pin, sew, remove pins, press. Repeat for other side!

After this I did a simple facing/binding on the sleeve area – or lack of sleeve actually – then finished the side seams. It’s gorgeous!

Here's a full front view of the finished Keshy variation jacket. A completely different look!

Closeup of the front - apologies to cropped out model Sally. Yes my mannequin has a name.

The back with the same edging on the bottom as I used for the 'skirt' center facing.

Up close with the sleeve binding. I didn't bother with any real sleeve, a binding was all that I felt it needed.

Tighter detail of the joined fronts; I added two decorate buttons and a hair elastic to hold the fronts closed.

And that’s it! One simple change – and stunning fabric of course – and we have a completely different look for our Keshy jacket. I really, really, really love to play!

PS: I used mono-filament thread for the entire jacket – I need new glasses now, but it was soooo worth it!

[ Back to Wildly Wonderful Wearables ]

The statistics on pesticides in conventional cotton are almost unbelievable. The USDAs Agricultural Chemical Usage report from 2008, states that there are 10.2 million acres of cotton in 11 major cotton-producing states, and these acres received 52.25 million pounds of pesticides.

Let’s say that again:  52.25 MILLION POUNDS of PESTICIDES, on 10.2 million acres of cotton.

Cotton uses more pesticides than any other crop; more than 16% of the worlds pesticides.

Many of these chemicals are considered carcinogens. Think about that for a second – we’re sewing clothing from fabric that can cause cancer.

Organic cotton avoids conventional pesticides, and that means we also help prevent the included water, land, air, and worker exposure problems.

And the conventional cotton industry relies on a high level of forced child labor – not necessarily applicable in the US, but in other countries.

Organic cotton is cotton that is grown without chemical fertilizers or pesticides from plants which are not genetically modified. As of 2007, 265,517 bales of organic cotton were produced in 24 countries and worldwide production was growing at a rate of more than 50% per year. Naturally colored cotton has also been grown successfully with organic methods.

Organic cotton production in Africa takes place in at least 8-countries. The earliest producer (1990) was the SEKEM organization in Egypt; the farmers involved later convinced the Egyptian government to convert 400,000 hectares of conventional cotton production to integrated methods, achieving a 90% reduction in the use of synthetic pesticides in Egypt and a 30% increase in yields.

Those are amazing numbers!  90% less pesticides, 30% increase in usable cotton, and it’s safer. So why isn’t everyone doing this? Oh yeah, it costs more in the beginning.. silly Annie – money is more important then our lives.

Here – in no particular order, are places you can buy organic cotton online. Or course you’ll find other goodies on these sites too…

Mother Earth says thank you.

• Ambatalia Fabric – ambataliafabrics.com
• Chandler & Greene, Inc.  – chandlergreene.com
• The Moonbath Shop – moonbathshop.com
• Dream Designs Co. Ltd. – dreamdesigns.ca
• Earth Friendly Goods  – earthfriendlygoods.com
• Dharma Trading – dharmatrading.com
• Greenfibres  – greenfibres.com
• Wildrose Farm Organics – wildrosefarm.com
• Green Mountain Spinnery  – spinnery.com
• Harmony Art – harmonyart.com
• NearSea Naturals, Incorporated – nearseanaturals.com
• Mod Green Pod – modgreenpod.com
• Organic Cotton Plus  – ocpstore.com
• Heart of Vermont – heartofvermont.com
• Organic Weddings – organicweddings.com

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Initially creative-artsy software was designed for the Mac and more business-style software for the Windows systems. Over time the two have merged and there is relatively little difference in available software; most companies provide version for both OS’s – and Linux also.

Unfortunately this split is still obvious in some fields – pattern drafting software is one of the casualties. There are a number of programs out there that you can run on your Mac using Virtual PC, Parallels, Boot Camp etc., but you cannot run it as a real Mac program. Why don’t these companies design versions for both, especially considering the Mac is still a major choice for the creative field, I wish I knew!

I did try a few of these programs over the years, and still on occasion try a demo version just to see what they’re like.

Let me put it this way, if I wanted to run a windows based piece of software I’d use a true PC. I’m sure there are a great many folks very happy with their PC, and that’s perfectly okay… I simply don’t like them.

Now, where was I before going off on that Mac vs PC tangent?  Oh yeah, the best pattern drafting software I’ve ever used: Cochenelle. They have versions for both Mac (built from the ground up for the Mac OS) and Windows. The company has just celebrated its 20th year!

I’ve been using their software since far before Apple/Mac moved to the OS X operating system (it’s been a long time), and from the start I was blown away. The improvements and upgrades have been stunning. A lot of the newer Windows software is now implementing the same features we’ve been using for a number of years now. Here’s a PDF flyer you can download talking about all the features.

The innovator behind this is Susan Lazear: Professor of Fashion at Mesa College, oversees the Fashion Computer Lab (designs the courses too), author of several books – an amazing woman!

I started using the Garment Styler software and moved to the Garment Designer program; both are extremely affordable. The also have add-on modules, Stitch Painter software, books, design aides, videos… classes, support groups.

What have I done with it? Well it was used to help create, size, and draft out Coloring Blocks, Celtic Dreams, and Keshy. I’ve done a lot with it, but those other garments were just for me, after all, I’m worth a few custom outfits.

Below are some screenshots (reduced in size to fit, but still give you a pretty good idea of what the interface and working area is like.)

This is where you enter very personalized measurements to help you get the correct sizing and fit.

This shows you how much control you have over all the curves, angles, lines and shape of your garment in the interface; it’s a true CAD style interface.

Control such as this is a key factor in truly being able to customize and modify your design(s).

Without features such as this, you are extremely limited in what you can and cannot accomplish.

Here’s a screenshot of a working sloper in the Mac interface.

And this is an example of a working screen: front, back and sleeve of the garment, darts, measurements, all numbers diagrammed, points, seam allowances, facings – and above the pattern pieces themselves, you can see some of the built in drop-down menu options.

This is a thumbnail view – click on it to see the larger image, though still reduced a bit in size for online viewing. Click your browser back-button after viewing to get back to this page.

The image towards the beginning of this post, is of a ready-to-go completed top design as you’d see on your screen – without all the diagramming numbers.

Here are some of the high-points of the Garment Designer software:

• Fit Control: Standard sizes – misses, women, petite, junior, men, children, toddles, infants and dolls.
• Simple and Refined Fit: up to 36 custom measurements
• Adjustments: dart width, angle, length
• Armhole: built-in armhole and sleeve cap intelligent adjustments (it does the work for you)
• CAD: pattern points, curves, line adjustments – click-and-drag control
• Finishing: personalized seam allowance width, hems, extensions, facings, bands
• Symmetry: built-in symmetry function to ensure all changes are made to all necessary pieces
• 1000 of pattern combination’s! Body, neckline, shoulder, armhole, sleeve, skirt, and pants
• Control: over what pieces you see, how you see them, what dimensions you use (decimal, fraction, metric)
• Storage: save and store all your customs sizing, designs, etc.
• Styles include: tops – contoured, a-line, straight; skirts – a-line, gored, wrap, slits; pants – straight, tapered, bell bottom; and an incredible amount more!

Again, this is just a few of the high points to entice you to learn more about Cochenille.

These are good people – a very small, dedicated group of people that care; they are not owned or a division of any of the big companies out there.

Yes, I’m completely enamored with this software and love the people behind it. As a disclaimer let me state that I do not work for or with Cochenille, never have.

Take 15 minutes and check them out, you won’t be sorry you did.

Annie

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Here are a few ideas to get you started on different ways to use them.

Most of the presents or little-somethings I give are handmade – and here’s a perfect example. The picture below is a lace bag holding a special blend of potpourri I created. After adding a couple of ribbons to close the bag, I tied on four of the Flutter By colorful charms.

Isn’t it just great looking!  I am so happy with the way it turned out.

A Wedding Favor

For something a bit more elegant, here’s a Wedding favor created for a Maid-of-Honor and Bridesmaids.

The bag was made from a mid-weight silk and I created the outer-lace layer with a very delicate beaded lace panel I’ve been holding on to forever.

A gorgeous satin beaded bag holding a “thank you for being a part of out day” gift, tied with a silk ribbon and embellished with one of the A Wedding Colorful Charms. Simply lovely.

 A Baby Shower Gift from the New Almost Grandma!

As much as I’d like to, I simply cannot take credit for this incredible Diaper Cake!  A good friend spent a weekend creating it for her daughter’s baby shower; it will be her first grandchild.

Nancy used 115 disposable diapers, washcloths, bibs, small stuffed animals, pacifiers, picture frames, ribbons, diaper pins, booties, some of our baby buttons and the Baby Time colorful charms. And she has the nerve to say she isn’t creative! WOW – I was just blown away…. and so was everyone else at the shower.

Fun Pre-Teen Project (actually it’s for anyone)

How about a quick and easy-to-do project for a pre-teen or young teen birthday party or sleep over?

For the necklace I took three different colors of 1/8″ satin ribbon ( you can use 1/16″ too) – cut the lengths at least twice the diameter of your neck; measure to be sure..

Tie one or more of our Ladies Night colorful charms to the ribbon – add knots evenly spaced along the length of the ribbon. Simply tie loosely behind your neck to secure.

To make the earrings we used two colorful charms, two fishhook earwires and two jump rings. Attach one jump ring to each charm; then attached the same jumpring to each fishhook earwire. Close the jump ring.

That’s all it takes!

I bet you can come up with a whole bunch of other ideas on how to use these great embellishment charms…. we’d love to see pictures – email us at emily@wwwearables.com and we’ll add them here!

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This year was an exercise in extreme stress for me, so I really, really needed to unwind and do something I simply love.

I succeeded too.

Rather then blather on here, I’m going to give you the short story and just post the photos.

These are satin/silk scarves with fringes, the patterns were created with a devore’ or burnout process, the dyeing was done with a new dye (I’m still researching it to see if I can offer it here), that allowed me to created a two-color effect without losing my mind.

There are 12 scarves, each draped over a mannequin to better see the effect.  I cannot tell you how happy I am with them!

If you want to learn more about this ridiculously simple process just visit our Fiber Etch section – and if you want a jump-start into creating your first scarf, we have a great satin/silk scarf kit that even includes the Fiber Etch.

These scarfs really did make terrific Christmas gifts this year.. and sometime I’m even going to remember to make one for myself!

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Happy Solstice, Happy Hanukkah, De Christmas akhtar de bakhtawar au newai kal de mubarak sha,Gézuar Krishlindjet, Mboni Chrismen, La Maunia Le Kilisimasi,Felices Pasquas, Hristos Razdajetsja, Shnorhavor Sourp Dzunount, Bon Pasco, Bon Anja, Frohe Weihnachten, Tezze Iliniz Yahsi Olsun, Mboni Chrismen.

Shuvo Baro Din, Winshuyu sa Svyatkami, Zalig Kerstfeest, krist Yesu Ko Shuva Janma Utsav Ko Upalaxhma Hardik Shuva, Sretam Bozic, Hristos se rodi, Feliz Natal, Selamat Hari Natal, Vessela Koleda, Noeli Nziza, Selamat Hari Natal, Mboni Chrismen, Feliz Navidad China Sheng Tan Kuai Loh, Mboni Chrismen.

Kia orana e kia manuia rava i teia Kiritime, Sretan Bozic, Eftihismena Christougenna, Noeliniz kutlu olsun ve yeni yili, Vesele Vanoce, Sung Tan Chuk Ha, Glaedelig Jul, Mboni Chrismen, Mboni Chrismen, Melkam Yelidet Beaal, Poket Kristmet, Haid Joule, Rôômsaid Jôule, Melkam Yelidet Beaal.

Poket Kristmet, Gledhilig jol, Hauskaa Joulua, La ora i te Noera, Gilotsavt Krist’es Shobas, Frohliche Weihnachten, Afishapa, Eftihismena Christougenna, Glædelig Jul, Juullimi Ukiortaassamilu Pilluarit, Felis Pasgua, Boas Festas, Jwaye Nwel, Sing dan fiy loc, Boldog Karácsonyt, Gleðileg Jól,  Shub Naya Baras, a Salamet Hari Natal.

Idah Saidan Wasanah Jadidah, Nollaig Shona dhuit, Mo’adim Lesimkha, Buon Natale, Merii Kurisumasu, Mboni Chrismen, Hristos Razdajetsja, Rozdjestvom Hristovim, Mboni Chrismen, Hristos Razdajetsja, Priecigus ziemassvetkus!, Milad Majeed, Mboni Chrismen, Buon Natale, Frohliche Weihnachten.

Laimingu Kaledu,Schéi Krëschtdeeg, Boas Festas, Sing dan fiy loc, Arahaba tratry ny Krismasy, Moni Wa Chikondwelero Cha X’mas, Selamat Hari Krimas, Il-Milied it-Tajjeb, Il-Festi t-Tajba, Monono ilo raaneoan Nejin, Krismas Njema Na Heri Za Mwaka Mpya, Mboni Chrismen, Boas Festas, Geseende Kersfees.

krist Yesu Ko Shuva Janma Utsav Ko Upalaxhma Hardik Shuva, Prettige Kerstdagen, Bon Pasco, Bon Anja, Filis Pasgua, Gledelig Jul, Mboni Chrismen, Bara Din Mubarrak Ho, Bikpela hamamas blong dispela Krismas, Maligayang Pasko, Boze Narodzenie, Boas Festas, Felices Pascuas, Felicidades, Mboni Chrismen. Sungtan Chukha, Craciun fericit si un An Nou fericit!, Sarbatori vesele.

Hristos Razdajetsja, Rozdjestvom Hristovim, Noheli Nziza, Manuia Le Kirisimasi, Buon Natale, Boas Festas, Mboni Chrismen, Sheng Tan Kuai Loh, Nathar Puthu Varuda Valthukkal,  Vesele Vianoce, Srecen Bozic, Geseënde Kersfees, Subha nath thalak Vewa, Nathar Puthu Varuda Valthukkal, Wilujeng Natal.

Zalig Kersfeest, Wang swietie Kresnetie, Hristos Razdajetsja, Gledelig Jul, God Jul, Fröhlichi Wiehnacht, Mboni Chrismen, Kung His Hsin Nien bing Chu Shen Tan,  Ewadee Pe-e Mai, Streken Bozhik, Kilisimasi Fiefi, Mboni Chrismen, Mutlu Noeller, Webale Krismasi, Veseloho Vam Rizdva.

I’d miilad said oua sana saida, Nadolig Llawen, Krismas Njema Na Heri Za Mwaka Mpya, Happy Holidays, Season’s Greetings, Feliz Navidad, Chuc mung Giang Sinh, Merry Christmas, Joyeux Noel, Mboni Chrismen, Cestitamo Bozic, Happy Christmas.

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I actually found Christmas decorations being put out for sale at a national craft store before Halloween. And to think, I use to complain about hearing holiday music before Turkey Day.

Silly Annie.

If I didn’t make a holiday present, I mail-ordered them; anything to avoid dealing with crowds, traffic, parking, and the whole stress-filled experience. I send a solemn thank you every day for the Internet – especially during this time of the year.

So I was looking for a present for my nephew Conner, when Mike sent me a link for a terrific wooden train set. Yes, it was for a little older child, but this way it would last more then a year or two. It was perfect.

I had a wonderful metal train set as a kid – set of dual controls, smoke, lots of tracks, train station – I loved that train set.

Anyway… the wooden set was at a very good price, but what clinched the deal was the addition of a free train station. I mean how seriously cool is this set for a kid?!

Smoke was coming off my keyboard I was ordering so fast…

The downside was I don’t live near my nephew to play with it (about 1240 miles away), but I can still pretend.

I received an order confirmation immediately, and later that evening a notice that it had shipped! Come on UPS.

12-hours later I get another email, this one telling me the train station is out-of-stock and not part of my order; they included a $10 discount coupon for any purchase in the next 90-days.

Pausing for a second to explain our customer service efforts. We don’t run a database for our patterns or notions – if something goes out of stock we manually make the change on the Web sites. Sometimes we miss a page that had the item on it, and you place an order for it.

Now it doesn’t matter if that’s the way it happened, or if we only have 6 and you wanted 8 – the customer (you) are immediately emailed about the situation and we ask how you would like it handled.

Do you want a back order? Would you like us to ship what we have an cancel the rest? We ask you right away.

Maybe it’s going to take us more then a day to ship – we let you know via our thank you email the exact day of shipping. Normally any order received before 11:30 CST is mailed same day, otherwise next day.

We certainly aren’t perfect and mess up too, but we like to think that 99% of the time we do pretty darn good.

I was staring at this email in disbelief and brought up the ‘it’s shipped’ confirmation email.

No where on that email did it say that the train station wasn’t included. Na-da. As far as it was concerned the order was filled as originally purchased; I had thought so to.

I was not a happy person and called customer service. The gentleman I spoke with couldn’t understand why I was upset. He kept asking what I didn’t understand.

Okkaayyyy, what I didn’t understand was:

• I ordered from an active product page that did not state partial product availability
• I received an order confirmation for all pieces
• I received an shipping confirmation for all pieces
• 12-hours later I received a notice that I wasn’t getting all pieces

After several rounds of this, I requested the call be escalated. The supervisor requested I send her the last email – no problem. I was put on hold for a while and told again, that I could refuse delivery.

No one seems to understand my frustration here. Why would I get a notice that the train station was no longer available 12-hours AFTER my order shipped? You’d think that was pretty obvious when the order was being processed.

I should have been notified immediately about the situation and asked if I still wanted my order processed. Instead I’m told I can refuse delivery – if I’m around when they try to deliver the package of course.

If you guessed that I’m not going to be dealing with this company again, you’re right. I fully understand when something sells out – that’s not a problem at all.

I don’t understand not notifying the customer about a situation and allowing them to make a decision. I would have been very appreciative of that; it would have cemented my business. Looks like I go to a local store instead of eToys from now on.

< Back to Wearables >

Back on September 13th my right shoulder dislocated – again. Dislocated is such a simple, benign word that in no way whatsoever describes the pain or long-term effects of such an event.

A bit of history: this first happened back in 1986 thanks to my ex-husband moving my bike and not telling me. Dark room… bike in the way… over you go! Hospital time and a brand new experience to add to the diary.

Over the years it’s happened probably 12 times (though it feels like a lot more), and all but four of those times, I’ve managed to ‘relax’ enough to get the shoulder back where it belongs. Mind you, that usually takes hours, but I’ve been able to do it.

Not this last time, it was like one of those believe-it-or-not situations or the you-have-got-to-be-kidding me ones.

I live alone with the three fur-kids, in a two-story house. I had just finished my shower and was wringing my hair out… when…a moment of really awful pain, the knowledge that I was in deep do-do, and there was nothing I could do to stop what was happening.

My right arm ended up at a 90-degree angle over my head. I had to hold on to it with my other arm to stop any movement. Abject terror was the immediate feeling. Did I mention my front door was locked too?

So there I stood, in the bathtub, doing deep breathing exercises to force myself to relax. It took a long time, but eventually I made it out of the tub, down the hall to the office… knocked the phone off the receiver… and after a lot of angling and false starts, balanced my hand on my head and very, very, very carefully moved my other arm to dial Mike for help. I then managed (do not ask me how, I have no earthly idea), to get through my rolodex and call a neighbor that teaches nursing; told her to bring a knife to cut through the door to get to me.

Fast-forward two hours.

My arm is now back at my side, but won’t fully go back where it belongs. Boy am I beaten up at this point. I would have kept trying, but was pretty much told you’re going to the hospital. See I didn’t want to do that as I have no medical insurance (can’t get any).

They got some clothes on me (Modesty? You’re kidding right?) and down the stairs (no, you really don’t want to know) and into the car.

First stop was a Doc-in-the-Box a few blocks away. Not only couldn’t they help, the receptionist didn’t even know how to get to the nearest hospital; another patient very kindly provided that information.

Did I mention that this was the night of Hurricane Ike?  If you’re going to do it, do it all out!

An eternity later we got there…. Finally got into a room and they hooked me up with: an I.V, heart monitor, constant blood pressure monitor and oxygen. I am not kidding. No pain medication, but all this other stuff.

Two x-rays and over 2-hours later I was ready to crawl into the hallway and start screaming for help. Mind you, the emergency room was empty, this wasn’t a busy time – and still no pain medication.

We finally got some action (and let me tell you, if I had the name of the nurse that was so rough in moving me and my dislocated shoulder, I would be filing a complaint), I was knocked out for about 2 minutes while arm was man-handled back into place.

The doctor wasn’t happy with it sliding-back instead of popping-back.  The tendons and ligament are so stretched out, that they simply can’t hold the arm in.

Oh yeah, the inside of the shoulder bone is dented from my arm snapping back into place. I’ve developed a really high pain tolerance.

How much did this little jaunt cost me? Well paying the ‘room’ fee immediately meant a 40% discount; only $950 paid at that moment….  reach for the credit card in the purse. The doctor bill came later: $1141… radiology for four x-rays was a truly bargain price of only $72.

Six or so weeks later, I can’t move the arm even shoulder high. Between the pain and the risk of slippage, it’s a pretty scary situation.

Getting dressed is an experience (try putting a bra on with only one arm); loose, button, or stretch tops only. I have long hair – can’t use a hair dryer and using electric curlers is a real interesting adventure.

You lift with one arm, shift the car using two hands, even putting a seat belt on is a problem. Up until last week, I had a jerry-rigged board so that my mouse was in front of my keyboard because I couldn’t move my arm to the right.

I’m not even going to get into sleeping, showering or washing my hair. The cell phone goes everywhere with me now. Everywhere.

There are some new surgical techniques that are much less invasive – out patient, home same day in fact! Unfortunately I really don’t have an option anymore with this stupid shoulder of mine.

Anyone know of a nice program in the Dallas area that works with people that can’t get medical insurance? If you do, please don’t keep it to yourself…

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All I could think was: HALLOWEEN!

First let me share a picture of a ‘witch’ we helped create using these buttons…. she is just too cute (and one really patient kid too).

Just put the buttons in the sun – or under a lamp – for even as short as 10-minutes and they’ll glow for you. If you keep them in the light for an hour or more, you can expect 5 or 6 hours of glow time. Perfect for trick-or-treating or that Halloween party.

Yes, all us adults are going to use them too!

Glow-in-the-Dark Button Bracelet

I used two packages of the buttons – you can use less or more, completely personal preference – and some round, black elastic.

I cut a piece of the round, black elastic a little more then double my wrist measurement and opened up the two packages of buttons.

Taking one of the buttons in hand, I threaded it on the piece of elastic. It made more sense to me to move it to the middle and work from side-to-side, then starting on one end.

Because I did want this to be the middle point, I stacked two button – the 5/8″ and then the 3/8″ on top of it. Thread the elastic from the bottom of the 5/8″, then through the 3/8″ – back down the other hole in the 3/8″, and the 5/8″.

I scooted them until they’re were pretty much centered. The elastic stretched (well duh, Ann), but the buttons aren’t going to be moving unless you manually drag them along it.

Since this was my starting point – and the middle – I tied a double slip-knot underneath the larger button. Trust me, that knot is not coming out!

With two sizes to play with, I alternated singles, doubles, and both sizes; don’t like the way it looks – just slide the button off the elastic and try again. Child’s play!

Okay, I was pretty happy with the amount of buttons on the elastic here…. and it was a good mix of highs-and-lows for variety too.

It was time for one more double slip-knot. I tied it firmly behind the last large button. This is the only other time I knotted anything. The round elastic is very durable and the buttons weren’t moving once threaded into place.

Clip the ends close to the knot. I daubed on a little Fray-Check: the just because factor. You can use a dot of glue on the knot if you like too.

And here it is being worn – and glowing great!  This is a super fast and easy project that would be perfect for a group of kids to do. No mess, no fuss, inexpensive and fun to do. I think we have a winner….

Glow-in-the-Dark buttons can be found right here.

And in anticipation of Halloween – how about a little Cat Bowling game? No cats were harmed, they were all ‘Spared’!

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