Double Score!

Today was just a great day. I have been searching for jobs, working on Etsy, tutoring, etc...and I was being really hard on myself about not having a job. I hate worrying about where my money is going to come from and what I can do to pay rent, etc...it gets stressful quick. I don't want to complain too much, though-because I know that people have had it much worse than I have, and for a longer period of time. I'm glad I experienced this, because it allows me to really appreciate a job and to take it seriously. It also shows me how much I really need to start saving and preparing for the unexpected.

Today, I got a job-and it's a perfect fit for me. I'm on a 90-day trial period to make sure I would be good in the position, but it's still a great opportunity. I'm really excited and I start Monday. I will let you know how it goes!

Rachel May

Score!

I left for two days and three nights, and there were still 6 uneaten generic(because we're poor, but they're just as good) oreos left. I've said it before and I'll say it again...that boy is a keeper!

Enjoying some fake-os with milk,
Rachel May

Lovely

Hello!

I thought I'd show you how beautiful the Valentine's lilies from the boy look now that they are blooming. Like my "vase?" It's a glass jar that used to have salsa in it :) Looks pretty nice with the lilies, though. Other than that, I'm on crane #11, or #12 actually (completed 11). Plugging away. Busy day today, so gotta run!

Rachel May

Life List Item No.1

I've been working on my life list. A list of things that I want to accomplish, things I like that I don't make enough time for, things that I want to learn, etc. I got the idea for doing a life list from the book "Dream It. List It. Do It." by http://www.43things.com/ . I need to work on the list more, but I need to start making progress on the items I have, so that they are accomplished. Your list should be anywhere from 20-43 items long, that way you have enough items to keep accomplishing, but enough to keep dreaming about as well. You should be constantly updating your list also. I will reveal my list when I feel it is ready. But for now, the first thing on my list:

Item No.1: 1,000 paper cranes. (pictured is my first one, made today) I want to make 1,000 paper cranes by 2010. That is my goal. Here is the first one, I made it today(only 999 to go!). I'm doing this for a number of reasons. In elementary school, we read the book "One Thousand Paper Cranes: The Story of Sadako and the Children's Peace Statue." It had a huge impact on me when I was little, but I've always wanted to try this huge feat.

According to Wikipedia: Thousand Origami Cranes is a group of one thousand origami paper cranes held together by strings.
An ancient Japanese legend promises that anyone who folds a thousand origami cranes will be granted a wish by a crane, such as long life or recovery from illness or injury.

If that is so, why not try it? I consider this an opportunity to attempt a tough challenge and try to succeed, when the only thing that is stopping me is motivation, a strength I have not had during these awful economic times. I also find it an opportunity to become more diverse, learn about other cultures, and evolve. Each crane allows me to think about what I do on Etsy, playing with paper, focusing on simple things like the folds, and using my hands to create. I have an idea for what to do with these once they are all done, but that's a surprise. I will share that in 2010, if I have reached my goal.

What's on your life list? I'm adding things like world travel, breakdancing, speaking fluent Spanish, taking business classes, doing yoga, etc.

After three posts, that's it for today....lots to do!

Rachel May

Love books? Check this out!

I was reading other blogs and somebody mentioned Swaptree. www.swaptree.com All you do is type in the ISBN number of the books that you have read already or no longer want, and it pops up with a bunch of options for trades. All you pay for is shipping and you can trade as much as you want. How cool is that? I'm totally there, because with the lack of abundant cashflow, it sure is nice to still get new-to-me stuff!
Rachel May

Proof!

Today, I have two wonderful things to share with you! First up, the socks I made for the boy, modeled by him. You will notice that the sock towards the front of the picture fits like a dream, but the toe is a little funny-that was my first sock. I'm not ashamed, I'm really proud. You will also notice that the sock toward the back is improved in the toe action, however fit's WAY looser.

I knit the second sock extremely fast in order to meet the deadline of Valentine's day, but as it was 3 months after the first sock was knit, apparently I knit looser now. I was SO upset when I noticed this, but the boy assured me that he didn't mind, he really liked his socks (this is why he's a keeper). However, he went on to saying that he didn't want to wear the socks, because he might wear a hole in them. I informed him that he would be in BIG trouble for not wearing the socks after all of the hours I put into them, and that I would try to fix anything that went wrong with them, and knit him new ones if he's really upset about it.

Even though this pair of socks took me eons to complete, I would really like to make more. I do think that sock knitting is addicting. I really want to try it on circs though, because I think that would be faster for me. I would love to have a drawer full of handknit socks one day, that sounds wonderful! However, I should start with a single pair of socks for myself first:)

Also, proof that I have a degree! I got it in the mail the other day and framed it this morning. You see it pictured here on top of all the jobs I've sent my resume in for and haven't got. The most expensive piece of paper I will ever own, this degree. I thought it would seem more...prestigous. Oh well. Oh, and I put it in a frame I already had (yay for free!).

Rachel May

Valentine's Day

Sorry for the delay, here are the Valentines Day pics (will get a pic of the socks later today...the boy is still sleeping).

Enjoying cranberry tea (and playing video games)

Some milk and cookies (I made them from scratch!)
Our "romantic" dinner setup, plus lilies for me! (They're all blooming now-so pretty!)

Rachel May

Valentine's Update Coming Soon

Sorry I've been away from the blog. I did finish the socks in time, however there was a funny outcome...but I will show you the final product in a couple of days, for I am going out of town. Our Valentine's day went fantastic and I hope yours did, too. I made sure to take pictures, so I will post those later as well.

Hope all is well! And I will be back soon!
Rachel May

Preparation for Valentine's Day

I got this tea bag idea from Martha Stewart (not directly, she won't talk to me, but from the online database of craftiness). Being low on the funds, I am trying my hardest to use what I've got. I took regular black tea in tea bags, filled it with the boy's favorite loose leaf teas, and repackaged it. I put the entire thing in a paper bag that I made by reusing kraft paper and double stick tape. I tried to make it look like a huge tea bag by adding ribbon and a heart. I'm also REALLY close to being finished with the second sock, so it will definitely be done in time. I can't believe how fast the second one went, after I finished the ribbing it only took two days, but I'm trying to remember how I grafted the toe of the first sock so they match when I do sock two. Now I need to make an AMAZING Valentine card, but I need inspiration.

How will you be celebrating Valentine's Day?

Rachel May

Just Keep Knitting....

I'm making progress. I got to the heel yesterday and now I'm much further, and hope to get all of the plain knitting up to the toe done today, if not tomorrow. I'm really surprised by how fast this is going. I was worried that I wouldn't finish, but I can't believe how fast I got the plain knitting for the leg done. Anyhow, that's all I can post for now...I need to get back to work! Just keep knitting....

Rachel May

Valentine's Day Craft Project

I've been checking out a lot of blogs lately, and they have inspired me to do something crafty for Valentine's Day that I could share on the blogosphere. Here's what I came up with:

I love it and am going to hang mine on the bedroom door! All I did was take buttons and Zots(gluey dot things...you could use hot glue, but be careful) and attach them to some of my handmade paper. I ripped the edges of the paper to rough-it-up a bit, and glued that to a layered piece of cardstock (A white piece, slightly larger than the red piece on top so it shows the edges). I used double-stick tape to keep the cardstock together. I decided that it looked like craft-art and wanted to be able to hang it, so I punched two holes in the top with a plain-old hole punch and used some old ribbon that I had laying around. Voila!

I was thinking that you could really do this in any color, using a lot of different interesting colors of paper or heavy cardboard, even wood. This could get pretty cool, if I say so myself.

I hope you like this project. If you make one, please send me a link so I can check out your interpretation, I'd love to see it.

Enjoy!

Rachel May

P.S. This is the second one I made. I was going to photograph the first one, but it's a gift, and I had already put it in the envelope and sealed it before I realized that I forgot to take a picture first. Whoops! That goes to show, though, that this is a fast craft project.

No Job.

They didn't want me. It's been a rough day. I really miss working.
Rachel May

Why Interior Design?

With the economy in a poor state, and employment right there with it, I think now is a nice time for everyone to reflect. I thought I'd share why I decided to go into interior design, as a reminder to myself-to stay true to my values, and as a way to keep hopes up about what the future holds.

Growing up, my mother was always decorating and redecorating the home we lived in. My dad worked all day and my mom was a homemaker, and she always kept a beautiful home. My only issue with that, is that growing up, I lived in one of those museum houses....where you weren't supposed to touch anything. We also had white carpet, which with 4 kids and a dog, was never kept clean easily (I'm sure it drove my mom nuts). Anyhow, my mom was always rearranging furniture, and allowing us to switch bedrooms with our siblings. It was fun to be able to have a fresh space and to reinvent it as well.

I think this is where my interest for interior design came in at first. My mom passed away when I was 14 (another topic for another day), and after that it was just me, my brother and my dad living in the house. I think maybe I felt as though someone had to take on the responsibility to fill her shoes and keep up the house. I was also the only female left in the house, so living with two guys was definitely challenging.

Once my brother moved out of the house, I got to keep his room. I was in high school, with two bedrooms in my dad's house-the coolest thing ever (living in a one-bedroom apt now, I'm jealous of those times). I used one room as my sleeping and clothes space, and the other as my craft space and dance area. Being able to personalize both rooms, both to different styles, was probably what opened up the window for my interest in design.

After talking with a counselor, it was suggested that I look into design school. At first, I sort of shrugged off the idea. At the time, I wanted to own a bed and breakfast (even though I had never been to one before). After research, I decided interior design was exactly what I wanted to do, and off I went to college.

I recently earned my Bachelor's of Art degree in Interior Design from the Art Institute of Colorado. If you ask me why I went into design, it's because I feel as though everyone deserves to live in a place they love, and that I feel like a functional home can bring families closer. I want to make sure as I go through life, that I keep my ideas and values in mind through all that I do. With the economy in the state it is, the need for interior design is minimal, and design jobs are scarcely available. I want to keep in mind to have integrity for whatever work I do, whether it be interior design or not, and to try my best to do things that will impact others positively.


That's my two cents for today.
Rachel May

Counting Sheep

Didn't sleep well again last night, but once I finally got to sleep, I slept in late. If this persists, I will definitely try the Benadryl suggestion. The funny thing is that in college, the issue was always needing to stay up...now it's opposite. My body is just confused by it all, I think. I'm hoping that after I find out either way on the job stuff tomorrow that I will be able to sleep. I sure hope so.

Hope everyone is doing well, I'm checking my email religiously...in case they decide earlier than expected:)

Rachel May

Insomniac

I can't sleep. I had an interview today for a job that I really want, and I feel like I bombed it. Instead of sleeping, I've been calculating, writing down ideas, writing thank-yous, etc. I hate that I can't sleep. I won't find out about the job until Sunday. Sunday seems so far away, especially if there is no sleep between now and then.

I have that nervous butterflies, aching stomach feeling and I'm slightly nauseous. The more I think about the job, the more I want it. I should know better than to get my hopes up, but it's what I do. I keep going over every question and scoffing at my answers...geez....and I even practiced! Let's hope they check my references, that'd help me.

If I get the job, I will share more...then again, if I don't get it, I will probably tell you anyways. I can't keep this from the blog. But right now, it will be a mystery as far as what company and details. I don't want to jinx it. However, it may be too late...

Urg!
Rachel May

Office Shopping List

Office Shopping List, originally uploaded by rachel may designs.

Here's an interior design-y thing for you all. I hope you like it. I will post pics soon of my office space. This is my "Office Shopping List" of things that I would like to get to improve my little office area.

Everything is labeled in case you are interested in it. I can't get enough of the Shy Pig mousepad-I based the whole color scheme around it's cuteness!

With my office, or office area, rather- I want a space that is clean and functional, but fun too. I chose the mousepad and funky-colored wastebasket(I would only get one...but I like all of the colors) for a fun flare. I chose the magnetic and bulletin board for function and because they go well with my desk, and I chose that cool white chair from Target because it rocks. Blue file folders would be awesome to have, and the price is right (they're on sale). But that could be a cool DIY thing, too. I also chose those cubes at the top because they are great for storage, and good sizes, too.

I realized through taking pics of my office area, that it is not so awesome right now. So I will wow you all with this part first, then show you what I'm working with.

Hopefully I will be able to make this happen. It's all rather affordable, besides the chair. Office chairs are spendy!
Let me know what you think about this, and if you have ideas, questions, comments, etc.

Enjoy!

Rachel May

Flickr

This is a test post from , a fancy photo sharing thing.

Multipurpose

I just added www.decoratedlife.blogspot.com to my blogs to follow, and realized that with my Bachelor's degree in interior design, I should probably start sharing the skinny with the blog. Among all the craft stuff I do, and Etsy, and my other hobbies and such, I'm sort of into interior stuff...a lot.

Do you want to see some of my stuff? I will start posting it anyways...and I will post some stuff of the work I've done in the apartment. This will be much funner when income is in the picture, but possibly more creative without:)

Better get to sketching!
Rachel May

Sock Number 2

Back by popular demand, sock number 2! I'm working on it, trying to get it done for Valentine's Day. I finished the 2x2 ribbing today and am on to plain old knitting now.

Rachel May

Blonde Jokes

I got this joke in an email forward this morning:)

A highway patrolman pulled alongside a speeding car on the freeway. Glancing at the car, he was astounded to see that the blonde behind the wheel was knitting!

Realizing that she was oblivious to his flashing lights and siren, the trooper cranked down his window, turned on his bullhorn and yelled, 'PULL OVER!'
'NO!' the blonde yelled back, 'IT'S A SCARF!'

My Favorite Car is a MiNi

I've made something new for Etsy in order to allow my EcoBooks to reach a lot of people (I'm hoping). I made an EcoBook MiNi version, where you get to test out a MiNi EcoBook which will give you the feel for materials and the quality of work that I put into the pieces.

The EcoBook MiNi has 20 pages of 35% recycled regular weight blank white paper, and 10 pages of heavy-duty cardstock as well. Having the mix allows you to see if you need a lighter writing paper or a heavier drawing paper. I'm really excited about these, I was making them all day yesterday and they were a lot of fun. If you are interested in them, they are for sale in my Etsy shop (and there are a few different colors too) at http://www.rachelmaydesigns.etsy.com/

Oh and one day, I will own a Mini Cooper-I hope:)

Enjoy!
Rachel May