So, I found this old shelf that I have had for a long time, and I finally decided to put it to good use. Originally, the shelf was supposed to go in the kitchen so that we could hang jackets or scarves or keys. But, there is already a similar one hanging, so it occurred to me to use this shelf while cleaning up all of my accessories and other junk cluttering my bathroom counter. I crocheted a big piece of fabric that I can hook my earrings on and hung it on the hooks of the shelf.

I also hammered in a nail on the lower sides of the shelf to hang stud earrings. No need for a before picture, but trust me, it was a mess. Perpetually mateless earrings, tangled necklaces, bracelets that I haven’t seen in years.. Now it looks so much better!

Posted in: Crochet, Crafts, Daily
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I can’t believe I never even posted in 2010. There are a lot of reasons why not… most of all, I didn’t want to post entries just saying “I haven’t written in a while,” or “I don’t know what to write about”. However, I am currently overhauling everything and have sevvvveral new entries on the way! Also, I really this layout, but I’ll be changing it soon because I feel obligated to incorporate a panda, given the name of the website and all.

That’s all for now, but I will leave you with this:

Twins?

Posted in: Daily
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Yaaay, time to bring back the falling leaves layout

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I’ve started the new look, but I’ve been too busy to finish it up I might not even keep this, but I want to finish it as a saved theme anyway… I hope you’re all having a great summer!

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To celebrate Earth Day, I bought a new cloth bag to carry groceries home in. I love these bags for many reasons. First of all, I never have to grab a basket or a cart if I’m just getting a few things. Usually I will just fill the bag and go instead of buying more than what I need. Plus, all of the bags I use have long straps, so it is super easy to carry a tote of groceries on each shoulder instead of 10 plastic bags in hand. I try to keep several cloth bags in my car all the time so that I can just take one into any store. Here is some great information about getting rid of plastic bags!

Today I am going to share with you all how to make “yarn” from plastic bags.

Step 1: Lay your plastic bag out flat.
Step 2: Cut off the top (handles) and the bottom. You should have an open cylinder left.
Step 3: Fold this piece of plastic into a flat strip.
Step 4: Cut this strip leaving about 2 inches of space between each cut. You are left with some plastic circles!
Step 5: Lay one plastic circle strip on top of another.
Steps 6 & 7: Connect each piece together using the knots shown above.
Step 8: Pull the knot tight, but be careful not to tear the plastic or you will have to pull the broken plastic pieces out!

Step 9: Roll your “yarn” into a ball and it is ready to use!

Here are a few purses that I made to auction to benefit the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources in 2008:

Posted in: Go Green, Crochet, Artsy Fartsy, Photos, Crafts, Daily
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Finally, I made a brand spankin’ new look for www.sillylittlepanda.com! It’s very simple, but very different from what has been here before.

I decided to post something fun today: a picture survey! Let me know if you do this too so that I can see your answers too

Where you grew up:
*Trinity, NC

Where you live now:
*Raleigh, NC

Your name:
*Miranda

Age:
*21

Favorite band (s):
*The Avett Brothers and blink-182

Favorite tv show (s):
*Friends and House

Favorite movie (s):
*The Notebook and 10 Things I Hate About You

Dream vacation:
*Everywhere on this map

Dream car:
*Yellow beetle!

Favorite season:
*Autumn

Favorite dessert:
*Brownies

Favorite animal:
*Pandas

Pet’s name (s):
*Schroeder (cat), Beethoven (chameleon), Mozart (hamster)

First job:
*Pizza Inn

Current job:
*Gymboree Play and Music

Posted in: Photos, Just for fun, Daily
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I hope you all had a happy holiday season!

My website looks a little outdated, yes? The new layout is a work in progress.

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My dad won a game at the fair and let me pick out this lion. Schroeder seemed to like it; this morning I walked around the corner and caught him batting it around. He looked up and tried to let it go, shaking his paw because his claw was stuck. I said, “it’s OK. You can play with it,” and I smiled at him. Then he just pounced on it!

I had been planning to make him some toys anyway, so tonight I cut open the back and stuffed in some catnip. I stitched up the back and called kitty over. This video was taken shortly after!

Posted in: Photos, Just for fun, Daily
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Beethoven, my veiled chameleon, grabbing a quick bite (large cricket).

Here he is right up against the cage drinking the water as it is being sprayed.

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Today I want to make a post about something I thought I wouldn’t ever feel so strongly about: politics.

A few years ago, I would have considered myself completely apathetic about politics in general. Today I look back at my naïve attitude and realize that all too often this same apathy I felt is the same reason our country is currently in the shitter. Although I wasn’t old enough to vote in the 2000 election, I definitely didn’t ever support George W. Bush. Yes, that’s right, I disliked Bush before it was cool. Call me unpatriotic. Actually, according to the definition (dictionary.com says, “showing lack of love for your country”, I suppose that would not be true at all. In fact, I can’t see it as anything but showing love for my country.

Most Americans are so hungry for a change. In the past 8 years, our apathetic country has progressively become more aware of the corruption that we call The Bush Administration. I too am ready to focus on the future and what is in the best interest of the planet as a whole. I want all of the positive changes promised by our presidential candidates, but who is the “best” choice?

First of all, let’s all take a moment to be thankful for the fact that we even are able to vote. Imagine being brought up in a country than not only did not have your best interest at heart, but also you had no say in the matter, no opinion, and you better not show your opposition. Thank you, beautiful democracy. And I certainly would not describe myself as a total feminist, but it is so important to acknowledge the history of a woman’s voting rights. Women were not even allowed to vote until 1920. That really isn’t so long ago. Women that petitioned for their say near the White House were imprisoned and treated as less-than-scum to be “taught a lesson”. Here is a great article for more details about why it is important for women to exercise their voting rights.

Second of all, how do we decide who is the “right choice”? Between John McCain and Barak Obama, who can bring the best to the table? Which party can bring the best administration as a whole, from the individual supporters to the promises that they are making us? First, we must decide what is in the best interest of our country. We in fact need this positive change. Do you really want 4 to 8 MORE years of the Same Shit, Different Day Syndrome?

Discussing the candidates themselves would be another entry altogether. But, please, acknowledge the importance of voting and consider what matters to YOU. I encourage you to exercise and embrace your right to vote. It’s easy! (haha - can you tell we are on Letter E at Gymboree this week?)

The moral of the story is: if you don’t vote, I don’t want to hear any of your bitching!

And, just for giggles, here is a “Politically Correct Dictionary”.

Happy Friday!

Posted in: Links, Just for fun, Daily
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