Pens, Hooks and ROCKSTAR

Sometimes...

2013-02-07T17:28:00.001-08:00

Sometimes I just want to say I quit. Life's too hard. If you need me, I'll be in my couch fort coloring. Sometimes I want to go back to the days when I drank Kool-aid from a baby bottle and ran around outside like I didnt have a care in the world. Sometimes.

Well, This Is Awkward...

2013-01-29T17:41:00.000-08:00

A few days ago, I got an e-mail about my old blog, The Random Ramblings of a Teenage Girl. It has been forever since I thought about that blog. And someone had commented on an old post. Guess what the post was about? Breaking up with Jake. Yeah. Someone somewhere took the time to read through my archives and give me some inspiration. That person told me to stay strong. And you know what, I am strong.

I read through that old blog of mine. It chronicalized my relationship with Jake back then. We went through ups and downs and trials and heartaches. We went through a lot. And right there in black and white, I told myself I wouldn't let him break my heart again. Well you know what? He did. But I'm stronger for it. I'm realizing that I have to do things for myself, Not for him. I'm realizing that I have the strength to fight and to live my life the way that I want to. No matter what he says, or what anyone says.

I'm going to school now. I'm going for human services at Kaplan Univirsity. Its been about two weeks, and my grades are pretty good. I have another week in the trial period, just to see if I can do it. But you know what? I think I can. No matter what anyone else thinks. I know I can do this.

Work has been about the same. I have my up days and down days, but right now my main priority is School.

I'm going to try to blog more often. Somehow, I think it will help.

Life

2013-01-07T10:18:00.001-08:00

Its noon and while most people are on their lunch break, I'm going to bed. Why? because I work third shift.

Working third shift really screws with you. When you're awake, the world is asleep. The things that need to be done cant get done until 7 or 8 in the morning, such as going to the bank or even the grocery store. You feel like your life is on hold when you work 3rd, and even on your days off things dont get done properly because you stil need to conform to the sleep schedule.

Thought of the day, I suppose.

2013

2013-01-06T03:20:00.001-08:00

Lots and lots of things have happened since my last post. Though I highly doubt anyone even reads this blog, one of my resolutions is to start blogging again. So, here it goes.

Jake broke up with me. It was a couple of months after I lost my job at Tri-Mark. I was depressed, and I guess he just couldn't handle it anymore. So, I'm now living with Rolene and Paul and their son Sam. Rolene owns Mother of Purl, a yarn shop that opened up in town over the summer. I became fast firends and she was the one that I turned to when....everything happened.

I started working again. I work at Walmart now, as an over night associate stocking shelves. Its not ideal and the pay sucks, but its something for right now.

I also went and got myself a car. I took out a loan for 1100 and got a '99 Oldsmobile Allero. It runs great and we take it to work every day. I'm paying off the loan slowly, though that reminds me I need to talk to my bank.

Wow, Its Been Awhile....

2012-07-17T23:40:00.000-07:00

Well, it sure has been awhile since I posted. December? 7 months....lets see whats been going on....

Well, up until the end of April i had been working for Caseys General Store, a gas station/pizza place that I enjoyed. But, they wouldnt give me full time so on a whim I put in applications for both McDonalds and Trimark Corp. I got into both. With three jobs I wasnt really able to do much, so I quit McDonalds and Caseys in hopes that I would get hired on full time at Trimark.

See, I was employed through a temp agency to Trimark. I still worked 40+ hours per week, but I was not company so I didn't get the benefits, but I still worked like hell. Well, up until Monday morning, everything was hunky dory and I thought I was going to get hired on full time.

Yeah, right.

I got the phone call from the Labor Ready office at like 2pm on Monday, saying that Trimark did not want me to go back to work. I was floored. I had been working there for almost 4 months, and then suddenly they didnt want me back? Why?

Apparently, according to the big wigs, tey were doing 'cutbacks' and 'rethinking their temporary workers'. Which, in my opinion, was total and utter bullshit because just a month ago they had run a big campeign to get MORE workers into their factory.

So, I'm jobless. For now, at least. I'm sure that I'll find something, but its really hard not to sink into a depression worth writing about. For now, though, I've got spaghetti on the stove.

25 Ornaments Of Christmas 4

2011-12-05T01:45:00.000-08:00

All right, so after a hellish day at work (about 105 pizzas, 25 subs, and lots of short tempers) I come home and colapsed on the couch. The computer decided that it was going to be picky and evil, so for about 2 hours I had to baby it through a few steps of rebuts and try to find where my crafty stuff went. Then I finally realized: I still have to make an ornament! -.- Crafgawker, here I come!

I found this wounferful tutorial on ow to make a woven paper ball. Just yesterday I had run out of work early in order to make it to Pamida to get cardstock and clear bulbs. Still not too sure what to do with the bulbs, but i think I'll figure it out sooner rather than later ;)

Anyway, back to the ball.

Sorry for the bad lighting, I didn't use the good camera because well I'm lazy and I grabbed the nearest one to me. I think I'm going to have to attempt this one again sometime. The Cheese Thief made some amazing videos and a really easy to follow tutorial. My ball, however, is rather deformed because 1. I cut paper that was WAAAAY too wide 2. Its almost 4 am and I'm really tierd and 3. My paitence is running rather thin and I dont feel like trying to figure this out AGAIN.

Anyway, I think I'm going to go colapse into bed. Night all!

So

My New Projects

2011-12-04T02:13:00.000-08:00

Tis the season for overspending, undereating, long road trips, and snow. Oh, and decorations. Which is what brings me to this post

I have decided that for this year ( mostly because we're broke) I am going to craft the decorations for my tree. We got the tree itself from a little shop called the Treasure Chest for $4 and the previous tennents left a bunch of lights and decorations in the basement. I have utalized a bunch of them but I refuse to color code my tree in blue. So, as a result, the 25 days of Ornaments has been born.

Days 1, 2, and 3 are all smashed together. So, without further adu, here we go.

1. My very first Sculpy project, Christmas Kitty. I used a whole block of black clay (well except for like 3 pieces) and got my idea from Youtube. I may attempt the actual tutorial for my next project, but for now I like it. For the most part it turned out well.

2.This was my second attempt with polymer clay, otherwise known as Sculpy. Mostly I just used remanents from the kitty and made a spiral. The white dyed itself pink-ish from my fingers but it turned out ok. This may be one that i might want to attempt later on with the proper tools, but for now it looks nice just where it is.

3. Last but not least, a lazy charm. I call it lazy because all I did was take some of the wool that I had laying around and made a yarn ball. I think it acutally looks really nice because of the color combos. I got the idea from this tutorial, which called for a Styrofoam core. I of course dont have any styrofoam, but I do have lots of yarn that I really dont mind using for a ball or two.

So there we have it, the first of many DIY holiday ornaments. I'm going to try to post them every day, but if I miss a couple I dont think anyone will mind. Its not like anyone actually reads this thing anyway....(yeah, I'm feeling a bit down)

At Some Point You Have To Say 'Really?'

2011-11-29T21:48:00.000-08:00

First off, though I doubt anyone really cares, sorry for my absence. I'm now working part time at Casey's in New Hampton and I work night shift, while Jake just moved to nights at Bay Valley. So our sleeping scheules are a bit off right now, but at least things are working out for the most part.

The reason why I became compelled to post this is because of a facebook feed. I was brousing around after work mindlessly when something cought my attention. 'Milwakee Ads Wake Up Parents To Dangers of Co-Sleeping' which you can find the link to the article here. I read through the article, and went 'Really? Is that what they have to pick on NOW?' because I am a product of parent co-sleeping. Now admitedly, my situation was much different. My younger brother and I slept with our grandmother on a queen sized bed until my older brother moved out of the house (I was about 11) because we didn't have room to have each of us have our own rooms. I remember those days as being fitful and restful because I had my family around me and I felt very safe. I have been told (and have glimpses of) memories of sleeping on my mother's chest when she got home from work. No one ever suffocated me, nor did any harm befall me when I was sleeping with my grandmother or mother.

But now, appaerently, this is a huge issue. Just take a look at the add that they have circulating.

...for fuck's sake. This is just people being stupid and paranoid. Reason 1: the kid is sleeping on its tummy, on a bed with sheets and blankets and pillows galore on what looks to be a feather pillow. 2. When a parent is (usually from my experience) sleeping with a baby, the child ends up cacooned within the parent's arms. Tell me, when your cat/dog is sleeping in your arms (or on them) do you roll over and crush them in your sleep? And finally reason 3. I truely believe that Milwakee is just trying to blame the high infant mortality rate on something just to cause an uproar.

Anyway, that's my rant for now, later on I may post about my crochet. Feel free to comment (if anyone reads this) and let me know what you think.

Zombi Kitty

2011-11-09T10:03:00.000-08:00

So, after almost a year in the making, my Zombie Kitteh has been born! She's looking for snuggles, scritches and BRAAAAAAAINNNNSSS....then a saucer of warm milk and a nice long nap. ^.^

And then there's me, messing around with Jake's Jayne hat. I was actually watching the episode on Firefly when Jayne got the hat when I took the pictures. There is a pom pom on top, which mystified Jake when I was making it. I made some adjustments to the pattern and made it a bit bigger than it was called for, but it fits him nice which is what I wanted.

So, back to hooking...and writing out a pattern....

First Snow

2011-11-09T05:28:00.000-08:00

So Jake gets up like ten minuites before he's suposed to be at work and leaves ALL the lights on in the house. I get up and shut them off, then go back to lay down for awhile. I couldn't fall back to sleep. It was so bright out, I couldn't figure out why. So I look out the window, and this is what greeted me.

Snow. The very first snow of the season, and the very first snow in Iowa. Yep, its still cold. And yes, it is still super soggy wet. Ah, just like home -.-

ANGRY EYES!

2011-10-25T15:34:00.000-07:00

So, yet again another day sitting home alone waiting for the mail to come because my phone still hasn't shown up. I filled out a few more applications, then set myself down to watch movies. I finished another 2 potholders before I got sick of them, and decided to try this pattern. Its actually an amazing pattern by Karla and it worked up a lot quicker than I thought. Only took me about 3 hours, if that. I really enjoyed working on it and look forward to making another, if not the whole gang!

Pot Roast and a Potholder

2011-10-25T09:34:00.000-07:00

So yesterday was eventful. I decided that I was going to cook supper, and had to make a run to Fairway to get some Onion Soup. We chopped potatoes, carrots and celery, tossed some mushroom soup on top, and threw it all in the oven for about 3 hours. Meanwhile, I made some potholders (since we didn't have any) and made these. I made the very first one out of Red Heart SS, but then after doing some reacearch I found out that some WW yarns that don't have cotton in them melt. So I went and grabbed 2 small balls of Sugar n' Cream, and set to work. I made a very small one first and the second one was a bit bigger, so we'll see how they work.

Later, when supper was finally finished, we invited the neighbors up and had that delicious looling pot roast. It turned out really well! I am so proud of myself i could just burst ^.^ Anyway, today is another slow day so I think I might work on one of my other zillion projects. Happy Hooking and Blessed Be!

Random Blarg

2011-10-22T16:02:00.000-07:00

So today was a really loooong day. Jake had to work at 3am, and I couldn't fall back to sleep, so I ended up wandering around the apartment and I decided that we were going to have chicken tenders for supper, home made. I looked up a recipe earlier that I thought would be good. If you're brave you can try the recipe here. Overall, they were pretty good. The only thing that I could have done differently is maybe leave them in longer or add some egg to the batter to make it crunchier. Either way, Jake sure loved them!

Later on I'm hoping to make some cookies, then pop in Young Frankenstein and chill out. The neighbors are having a party downstairs, but neither one of us are really interested it, so staying in seems to be a good idea.

Also, no dice on the job frounteer yet, but hopefully I'll get something soon. I've only been here a couple of weeks, but its already feeling like home.

I've Never....

2011-10-21T07:55:00.000-07:00

I'm stealing this idea from Jenna, whom I've just started folloing. You can find her blog here.

I'm 20 years old, and I've never...

1. Traveled outside of the country
2. Been to a art gallery
3. Seen a musical in person
4. Fully defeated Mario on the original Nintendo

5. Hurt an animal out of anger
6. Owned a car
7. Been to a really fancy resturant
8. Been Pregnant (thank the Goddess)
9. Played in a sandbox
10. Been to a haunted house.

Some of the answers you come up with may surprise you, when you sit and think about them!

Candy Wrappers!

2011-10-20T08:54:00.000-07:00

Lookie! My next crafty blarg bracelet. I took a picture of the pattern and then as well as the clasp. I made it from Star Burst Tropical candy wrappers, and it turned out pretty cool! the hardest part was probably the clasp, but really it wasnt THAT hard.

Anyway, right now I'm just waiting for Jake to get going so that he can run to the store to get me some cinamon as well as a few other things. I'm FINALLY tring to make that banana bread, but of course we dont have all the ingredients -.- so I got his butt out of bead to go get them. Aint I sweet? :D

Today I'm just going to clean and watch movies with the neighbor down stairs, Kylie. She's really cool and we've become fast friends. Later, I'll post my haul from Hobby Lobby (Which is a very dangerous store, never take me in there without proper supervision) and ya. Squee!

Bored Crafting

2011-10-18T11:25:00.000-07:00

Lookie what I made! A Pop-tab bracelet! lol I was super board for the past few days and so I decided to brouse youtube. I found a tutorial to make pop tab bracelets, and so I immediatly set down to make one. I closed it with a paper clip for the clasp and its loose enough that it wont strangle my wryst but tight enough that it wont slide off my hand. I'm super proud of it :D

Anyway, not much else going on really. The neighbor and I figured that we'd go for a walk uptown, and after that I HAVE to do the dishes. Before Jake comes home. Because I've been procrastinating on doing them for 4 days and we are out of glasses. -.- sadness. But either way, today is going to be a good day even though its flipping FREZING outside. Time to pull out my awesome hat and scarf!

knock knock Are You Still There?

2011-10-16T09:20:00.000-07:00

Hi hi! Yes, it is me, your lovely little pest again. So much has changed since my last blog post, and I figured it was about time to post again.

Well, first off, I'm not suicidal anymore. Yey me! Second, I don't live in Wisconsin anymore. Again with the Yey! Jake and I got an appartment togeather and we are living in Iowa now. We got here about a week ago and I am busying myself with making the appartment a home and finding a new job, as well as getting back into my crafts. Its nice, being able to wake up in the morning and see my lover off to work, then busy myself with dishes and laundry, like I was home. Like I had made myself a home, with Jake. Squee!

I don't know how often I'll be able to post, but I'll try to make it at least once a week, or maybe once a day. I'm not sure yet. For right now, True Blood calls my name. Tootles!

Stalkerish Tendancies

2011-06-05T17:01:00.001-07:00

All right, I’ve been depressed. So much so, I’ve seriously been contemplating suicide. Grandma’s in the hospital, soon to be going to a nursing home, I cant seem to do anything right in my own home, even though work seems to be going well enough. A few things have stuck in my head from my conversations with Aunt Diane, and one that I think I may try.

I’ve come to realize that I do truly hate myself, and I told her that. She told me that I should try yelling at myself in the mirror, to which I responded that I cant even look in the mirror to comb my hair, let alone yell at myself. But the idea still stuck in my head. I started thinking about myself in an ‘objective’ way. Then I thought ‘Why not write a letter to my selves?’ because I have come to realize that there are-were-is?- many different ascpects to myself that I can clearly name. Nikki, Nikka, Nicole, and Crystalina. Past, rebellion, present, and future. And then I thought about what I may write to each of them. (still havnt gotten past the ‘Dear’ part for most) and I figured since I havnt posted in my blog for forever, I’d share some of my thoughts. After all, its my blog right?

Each name represents a different part of me. Nikki is a carefree, child-like girl still trying to get mommy and daddy’s attention for more than a few seconds, running around in the grass barefoot or talking incessantly with anyone and everyone who would listen. Nikka is a darker side, whom doesn’t want to do anything but sit in her dark corner and read, or write. Nicole is my present self, trying very hard to understand herself and where she has come from and where she will be in the future. Crystalina is my future. She is confident in herself, her abilities, her appearance. She knows that no matter what everything will work out and that she just has to stay positive in who she is and what she wants. She does not shun the past like Nicole, but embraces it like a part of herself.

That’s kinda what I’m thinking, at least. Its just sort of an idea that I’ve been trying to toss around to try to help me achive something.

Work is going well, I’ve been ‘promoted’ for lack of a better word to a head nightstaff. I’m working with the only other person in the office that gives a rats ass about me and we are doing well. We’re getting everything done and still have time to do what we missed out during the time we had to try to get manifests out. While paychecks have yet to reflect the work we have done, we are hopeful.

On the crafter’s side, I can honestly say that I have not done much with my crochet. I’ve been trying (Gods have I been trying) but no profit seems to have come out of it. I think that I need to get rid of some of this ‘negativity’ before I can focus on it again.

If anyone has any suggestions as to what I can do to help myself (or anything they think that may help period) please let me know. I’m going to post this not only on my blog but also on my deviantART because I feel that those of you who are waiting to see the creations that are currently on my hook deserve to know what is getting in the way. (side note: the fox IS complete, I just need to get up the umph to get pictures taken to be posted)

The Last Unicorn

2011-04-10T19:52:00.000-07:00

Ok, first off, this picture was drawn by an AMAZING artist by the name of Migg. You can find her deviantART profile here. She has been kind enough to start working on some comissions for me in exchange for a Richu plushie, which I still need to get the yarn for, but I'll begin working on it as soon as I can! This is her impression of a Unicorn, as seen in 'The Last Unicorn', which was one of my favorite childhood movies. I wish I had the talent to draw! the only thing is, drawing has never been my strong suit. I'm happy with my hooks, thank you very much.

Right now, I'm just feeling lonely here at work. I'm the only one in the office, and at 9:45pm on a Sunday night I havn't had a call in over 2 hours. I finished my book, 'Wild Rain' by Christine Feehan, and wishing that I had brought another to devour. Reading has always been a form of escape for me, putting me in another time and another place while my life swirls ultimatly out of control. Writing used to do the same thing, but I have found that my creativity has died down so much that every time I do pick up a pen, the drivel that spews forth is not worth the public eye. I used to be fairly decent at it though, and I'm hoping that with practice I can get back into it. For now though, I'm content with sharing my life with those who may sometimes take a peak at my blog.

I'm thinking about the things I would like to make. My first thing that I absolutly need to finish is Link from Legend of Zelda for my boyfriend. I've been working on it on and off for quite awhile, and I need to have it done before I see him again, so that I can suprise him (although, every time I do post something on here he reads it anyway, so it wont really be a suprise). I also need to finish a few more Mario Mushrooms to send out to Jake, my best friend and former boyfriend. But when I get home I dont want to pick up a hook anymore. I either write in my journal, read, or try to fall asleep, because of the fact that I'm so depressed its hard to function. I cant wake up any earler than I absolutly have to, so my laundry pile and chore list streach beyond my knees, and still all I can think about is sleep. Sleep and food. And even then, most of the foods that I crave are either out of reach or need to be made, and I just dont have the energy. I dont have the energy to do much ov anything. I just feel so out of control and useless. I dont know why, when everything in my life is going fine. I dont know, now I'm rambling.

Sandra Jean Anderson, RIP March 29th, 2001

2011-04-08T16:50:00.000-07:00

This is a letter I wrote to my mother on the 10 year anaversary of her death.

Mom,

Wow, it’s been 10 years? Ten years since I gave you a hug, since I smelled your perfume, since you kissed me on the cheek and said “I love you, Rugrat.” Ten years. And a lot has happened. I’ve been at rock bottom so many times, I don’t even know if can see the light. But I’m getting there. I’m getting there because I know that’s what you would want.

I’m living with Aunt Diane now, and she has been amazing to me. I love her so much, I don’t know if I could be where I am today without her. she is amazing. I’m finding out things from her that I don’t remember from that first year you were gone. She’s been there for me though it all. And I should have just come to her sooner. But I’m just like you, mom. Thickheaded, thinking I can to this on my own. But she’s given me the kick I need, and now I’m going to be starting college soon. Can you believe it mom? College.

I’ll be doing what I’ve always loved: helping people. I can remember many times when we took road trips in your vehicle, rescuing people from ditches and providing food and transportation to the nearest gas station so that they could give loved ones a call. And I would be right beside you, even though some of the people were kind of creepy. But your heart was always too big to let anyone stay out in the could.

I miss you mom. I miss you so much I weep sometimes. But I know you’re still there, watching over me, giving me those little nudges in the right direction, making me feel better when I need it. I can feel you around me; sometimes even see you in my dreams. It makes me feel better, but its not the same. Even now you are still a big part of my life. I think of you often, and always wonder if you would approve.

Looking back on some of the things I’ve done, I know you wouldn’t have approved. But again, you know me. I’ll offer help before I can ask for it. I’m learning, though.

The man I’m with right now is amazing. A real teddy bear. His name is tom, he’s 23, and he spoils me rotten. He already owns his own house! I’m really beginning to fall in love with him. I’m not going to say that he’s ‘the one’ yet, but he could be.

Well, is suppose, back to work I go. I miss you, and I love you with all my heart.

Love your Daughter,

Nikki

Ami Cactus

2011-04-07T16:59:00.000-07:00

Something else i crocheted for my boyfriend...this time I can actually find who to credit!~
K & J Dolls, you can find her blog here She is amazing at what she does, and I love her patterns! I again made this using Read Heart SS and an I hook. I omited the bow because it was for my boyfriend and well, that makes it look girly, but if I ever make one for myself I'll use it!

Crocheted Fox

2011-04-07T16:25:00.000-07:00

This is a shot of the crocheted Fox I made for my boyfriend. He's in love with foxes, and I gave it to him before I could snap a pic, so I had him snap one. Its made from Red Heart SS and using an I hook. Once I find the author of the pattern *i know its on my blogroll, somewhere...* I'll post it as well. AND, I'll take a few better pictures when I go over to my BF's place. (sorry hunni, but your photogrophy lacks...)

HA FOUND IT: http://greatamigurumi.blogspot.com/2010/04/little-fox.html i knew i had it somewhere... anyway, thanks!

A B C of Me

2011-04-03T14:52:00.000-07:00

I thought I'd go and revive this prompt from one of my old blogs. It gave me something to do for about 5 min, at least...

A - Age: 20
B - Bed size: Full
C - Chore you hate: Mopping, sweeping and cleaning out bird cages…
D - Dog's name: the most recent one is Rosco
E - Essential start your day item: A cigarette...though I'm trying to quit!
F - Favorite color: Pink, like, hot bright omg pink
G - Gold or Silver: SILVER
H - Height: five foot seven inches
I - I am: An extraordinary crocheter and writer, hard worker, lover, fighter, and ultimately my own person. Let’s not forget cute, too! =^.^=
J - Job: Abby Vans Inc.
K - Kids: none, thank the good goddess!
L - Living arrangements: With my wonderful Godparents, whom I love very very much!
M - Mom's name: Sandra Jean Anderson (RIP March 29, 2001)
N - Nicknames: Nikka, Nikki, Pixie, Crystal, Pinky

O - Overnight hospital stay other than birth: Honestly? I can’t remember….
P - Pet Peeve: People who take advantage of others!
Q - Quote from a movie: And so the Lion fell in love with the lamb...Edward Cullen, Twilight

R - Right or left handed: I can use both
T - Time you wake up: 10:30am ish, depending on if I’m working that day or not..
U- Underwear: Yep
V - Vegetable you dislike: Beats, BLECH
W - Ways you run late: Not waking up on time
X - X-rays you've had: back, lungs, heart, teeth, leg, foot, and hips O.o

Y - Yummy food you make: everyone seems to like my meat loaf...
Z - Zoo favorite: Umm…well, any big cat really. Tigers are my absolute fave, but I still go ‘squee’ over any large cat.

Tom and I

2011-04-03T14:24:00.000-07:00

Better, hun? XD I'm posting this picture of my boyfriend Tom and I because he's been giving me crap about it. I still love him though, he's the best!

Randomness

2011-04-03T14:05:00.000-07:00

So this is me, the most recent picture of me at least, at my work station (which becomes cluttered as all hell when i get there, and this pic was taken shortly after arrival today). I got my hair chopped, so its UBER short and a lot easier to mannage for the upcoming spring/summer months. Now, if only I could cure the cowlick....

Anywyay, thought I'd update my blog a bit as the phones are not ringing (I get a total of maybe a call an hour, and thats if its super busy on weekends) and I have nothing better to do. I updated some of my previous posts with the promised pics, as well.

Me with longer, more unruly hair, wearing the only green bay packer thing i had- A pom pom headband I made! Yes, i did geek out when the packers won, but like I said, I was still poor at that time.

And last but not least, a crocheted item! A Sansa Fuze cozy I made because I was sick of the damn thing getting all scratched up all the time, and because I lost the other one -.- Anyway, I made this using Red heart Sock yarn in 2 different colors. If anyone wants the pattern, let me know, and I can write it up. Its fairly simple. The heart was made using Red Heart's free 'heart' pattern.