Seeking Sense

Moving Back to Wordpress & Fabric Flower Pins

I decided it isn't worth paying for a blog site that doesn't have much to offer me, so I'm moving back to wordpress.com - please make sure you update your bookmarks and readers.  This will be my last post here on typepad.com - I'll be working on Dawn Christ {Seeking Sense} for a bit until I get used to wordpress again.  Please excuse any wackiness in the interim.

On top of moving my blog I've been keeping busy with various projects including these Fabric Flower Pins for Blessings in a Basket.  Ashley has been so patient with me.  I was originally going to make her bracelets - let's just say I didn't like them.  These pins came out so well.  I love them.  Well, I love them now that I figured out how to make them properly.  I think my husband thought I had set the house on fire a couple nights in a row.  It is amazing (and scary) how easily synthetics will flame up.

 {Fabric Flower Pins for BIB}

If you want to make them there are some very good tutorials online at Simply Vintagegirl, Stuffed Duck, and Mad Mim.  There are many different ways to make them, so experiment with sizes and shapes.  A few things I would like to add - please keep a fire extinguisher handy - flame happens.  Wear a multi-purpose respirator for the fumes if you are not in a well ventilated area (even if you are.)  If you don't have a flame proof work surface work on a baking sheet.  Be safe!

Artist Trading Cards (ATCs)

 {What my workspace looks like lately}

I like to have projects that go fairly quickly and still turn out rather nicely.  I was brainstorming ideas on how to let people know what I do if I see them in person.  I thought it would be a good idea to start carrying around Artist Trading Cards (ATCs) to use in lieu of business cards when I'm asked about the mixed media.  It's not that I'm tired of explaining it to people - visuals are way better and more interesting!  This way they have a little simple piece of what I do, which also has my contact information on the back of it. 

 
{Go where the peace is...}

Tonight I'm off to spend a Girls Night In with some awesome family and some of their friends, so I wanted to bring some ATCs because my cousin, Susan, was recently introduced to them in February and I thought it would make a nice hostess gift.  Not to mention I decided I like them so much I'll be sending them out as my Pay It Forward Handmade Craft Swap instead of the pins I've been making - I'm donating those instead to Blessings in a Basket.

I cannot wait to make more.

 {Go where the peace is...  - I made thirteen}

Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria and Dermatographic Urticaria

One of the first and very strange symptoms of my particular entry into perimenopause was hives or Urticaria, specifically two types: Chronic Idiopathic (CIU) and Dermatographic (sometimes called Skin Writing or Artificial.)

 {Dermatographic or Skin Writing or Artificial Urticaria}

It has been a joy, not.  The worst part for me is when the CIU flares up at night when I'm trying to sleep.  It is maddening.  Try falling asleep with what feels like a million mosquito bites.  Sometimes I'll cause the Dermatographic to flare up simply by brushing against something with a blunt edge or pressing my clothes into my skin when I lean into or sit on a piece of furniture - MADDENING.  I don't have photos of the CIU because some of the places they pop up are inappropriate to post and that's where they're appearing today.  I'll try to remember next time my face, neck, arms, or legs happen to have them, which shouldn't be too long.  The photo above was done with a blunt ended pick-up stick, pressing very lightly... all that red around the raised skin is not from pressing hard or aggressively.  Amazing, huh?

Basically my body is confused... it's sending out histamines for no reason - maybe it's bored.  I'm considering going to a naturopath because it is starting to affect me emotionally as well as physically.  I cannot explain how distracting and frustrating it is to constantly itch, feeling the heat of the welts, and not flip out.  Don't get me wrong, I'm super grateful it isn't something life threatening.  It still makes me cry on days when a simple antihistamine is ineffective.