Mariannes Motifs

Blaming Corporations for making money?

Blaming companies for using legal means to make money is like blaming animals for having natural urges. It is the job of a good government to regulate companies and industry. They don't tend to regulate themselves well - a strong and fair regulatory environment is important.

I don't feel like occupying Wall Street, I would rather ask the legislatures in the state capitals and Washington to keep up with stronger and sensible regulations. That way the corporations can produce, hire people, pay for employee benefits, and contribute to the economy without cutting corners in ethics, safety, or overly speculative investments.

Beading and Jewellery Making

When I was in college I went through a big jewellery making phase.  I had a whole bunch of beads and beading supplies from my grandmother, and I used to make bracelets, earrings, necklaces, etc. and sell them at school.

I spent a good part of one summer following the Grateful Dead and that's where I leaned how to do bead weaving from one of the girls I was travelling around with.  My friend Julie used to go to Goodwills and other thrift stores and pick up cool hippy style clothes that would be cool to dance in and we used to set out a "booth" in the parking lot village to sell our wares.

My neice just started college and she makes some pretty cool jewellery too.  Her mom and grandma had a bead and jewellery store and she takes the leftover merchandise from the store and makes them fresh again.  I told her about my experience and that she should set up shop in the college commons before Christmas break and make some extra money!

The hobby is really big right now, and a lot of the earring findings and supplies she has access to are quite expensive!

Who sells a plus size t-shirt extender?

I saw this really cool idea - the t short extender, or topless undershirt by Blush.  They recommend it for both pregnant ladies and people who just want to avoid flashing their muffin top. 

I am always looking for shirts that are long enough to cover up the midriff and I would love one of these.

I saw them on the this site that selles stylish maternity clothes but they are not in larger sizez...  Sounds like a money making opportunity for someone. 

Tomatoes still going strong!

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Tomato Haul

Here is today's tomato haul. I paid the kids to go out and pick them.  I don't think they got them all either, so I will have to motivate myself to crawl around and get the ones tangled up in the bushes.  Its quite a jungle back there.

With all this vitamin c I won't need any Wholesale Insurance.

Free Victorian Romance - Vanquished

I always check out the free Kindle books.  Sometimes they are good, sometimes you know why they are giving them away for free. 

This time I hit gold and a enjoying a Vicorian era historical called Vanquished.  This one is not your average - it touches on social issues such as prostitution, women's sufferage, and poverty.  I am about halfway through and am enjoying it.  The hero is in the middle of a dilema as he has been hired to ruin a lady, but finds himself very attracted to her.  He is a good person, but also very pragmatic due to his history as a poor orphan who makes good.  What will he do - how will he get out of the mess he is in and keep his morals intact?

The cover is a bit racy - I think its supposed to represent the art photography the hero has up in his photpgraphy shop.  I would redo the cover if I were the author.  It doesn't do the book justice.

 

Baby Gits - Complete

I made a hat and booties.  Both patterns are available free - the hat is called "Basic Baby Hat" from the Blog Mama's Stichery Projects.  It's really nice and simple. 

The booties are knit flat on two needles and sewed up.  I tried some other booties in the round but I didn't feel like picking up stitches or doing anything tricky so these were a nice easy pattern.  They are called "Bev's Stay on Knit Booties."

Both these ladies do a lot of charity knitting and I think these would be a very nice gift for preemies or newborns in NICU.  I think I still have enough of the yarn to make another set of these so if I get motivted I will make them up and keep them around for the next person that's having a baby.

Baby Gifts

One of my co-workers is about to go on maternity leave.  I decided to knit a hat and baby booties for when the baby gets here.

I bought some acrylic baby yarn - Bernat Baby Jacquards.  It's very soft and pretty.  And boy you get a lot for the cost.  I am going to be able to make some more hats and stuff.  I might make something for my neice's American Girl doll. 

Here is the hat.  Yes it is being modeled on a stuffed cat.  I am still working on the second bootie.  Fiddly little things!  But it's really fun knitting baby things.  Especially the hat which went so fast.  It makes more sense to knit baby accessories than bridal lingere.

HexiPuffs

I am still (slowly) making these addictive sock yarn double-sides hexagons. Tiny Owl Knits is the author of the pattern.
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Convertable Fun

Adam had the time of his life riding in the back of Melissa's convertable. He said "this is the life."  We took both boys out for frozen yogurt afterwards.  I have a new favorite at Yogi Mogli - original tart with fresh fruit.  Yummy!

If you want to get the perfect boyfriend gift personalized, check out Red Envelope.  They have the cutest pair of his and hers personalized sleep shorts - so cute!  They;ve even got a thing right now where if you go "Like" their Facebook page you get a 20% off coupon code.  It's http://www.facebook.com/RedEnvelope.