The UBE

I recently found out, a change is on the horizon. Nebraska will adopt the UBE (Universal Bar Exam) starting in 2013. Well luckily for me, I graduate in May 2013 (hopefully!) and will be the first class to experience the exam.

Why is this good? Well other states have adopted the UBE as well- these states according to wikipedia (Yes, I'm a law student, trained in legal research, and wiki is still my best friend)

Alabama (July 2011)

Arizona (July 2012)

Colorado (February 2012)

Idaho (February 2012)

Missouri (February 2011)

Montana (conditional approval)

Nebraska (conditional approval)

North Dakota (February 2011)

Washington (July 2013)

Normally if you take the bar exam in Nebraska....you can just practice in....Nebraska (downer) Yes, you can jump through hoops to be able to be certified to practice law in another state, but that all sounds like a mess.

The pros: There is now flexibility! That is, assuming I get a high enough score, to pass in Nebraska, and the score required in the other states to practice there as well!

The cons: The Nebraska test wasn't as difficult as some bar exams before, (but I really had very little intention on taking it here) so now it will be more difficult.

*if any of this information is incorrect, I apologize. This is from my very limited knowledge, research, and short questioning of our dean on the matter*

Sweater Legwarmers

I love legwarmers....and I've been seeing these sweater legwarmers (examples here and here) And got super excited when I walked into Salvation Army to find out it was 5 for $5 last week! (5 articles of clothing for $5) So here is the finished product:

I picked out 4 sweaters (and a little something else for later) that had sleeves I would love to have as legwarmers. First find sweaters that have sleeves that you like.

Next, cut sleeves off- some are angled like this. And you will want to cut it straight.

For the more Jersey knit sweaters- that's it! You can put them on immediately and start wearing them! You shouldn't have a problem with them fraying.

For the more sweatery sweaters (yes...I said it) when they cut, they will fray, and not only that but they are probably MUCH too big. There are a couple of other steps you will need.

Cut out the bottom of the sweater- assuming it has a ribbed look on the bottom.

You will want to do 2 steps:

1. make the sleeve thinner at the top

2. attach the ribbed bottom of the sweater, to the top of the sleeve that is frayed.

First, cut the ribbed piece to fit around your calf pretty snugly. If you're like me, you want them to smoosh down on your leg for a slouchy look.

Next, break out that sewing machine! You want to angle your stitch from mid way of the sweater sleeve, up to the frayed top, making the top of the sleeve to match the ribbed piece you just cut for your calf. Make sure your stitch is on the wrong side.

Trim that off, then sew your ribbed piece into a loop.

Attach the loop to the wrong side of your sleeve. Match up the seams like so:

Sew around your sleeve to attach your ribbed top to your frayed piece!

Flip rightside out, fold down your new top of the legwarmer, and show it off!

Now show them off!

Oh and did I mention I got new glasses?

No-Sew Fabric Watchband

A few things about me:

1. I am a fossil addict

2.  I always wear a watch

3.  I only wear fossil watches

4. I break watches a lot (which is why I buy fossil….lifetime warranty)

I have 4 fossil watches, one of which has the changeable band. The one with the changeable band is perfect for this craft! I saw the project here and got excited. Then saw it required sewing, and a button snap kit. I had the flu this week when I worked on this, and was NOT in the mood to get into sewing, or go out to the store to get a snap kit. This is a basic rendition! I many end up sewing it next week, but so far, it works great!

Grab a long strip of fabric, about 3 times as wide as you would like your strap to be. 

Iron 1/3 of it over. Iron the other 1/3 side over

Iron it in half.

Now is when you would sew a stitch down it to keep it together…but I decided it was unnecessary... simply because I did not want to leave the confines of my bedroom.

And that’s it! Just string on your watch band, and tie it around your wrist!

This is so cute, and functional! You can also twist it, add other fabric strips, tie it in front or in back, tuck in the tie, or make it a bow:

I’m sure I will have many more of these to come!

Postage Stamp Heart

Since I'm on a stamp kick, the lot of stamps left over from my grandfather. I saw a version of this here and thought I would redo a canvas, and make it my own.

This was from an old canvas, that I mod podged papers from a dictionary over. Then collected some red postage stamps, and made a heart! Next time, I’ll draw the heart out first, so it isn’t off center- but it turned out great despite of my mistake!

Bailee's New Home

I built a little home for Bailee yesterday! I stopped by the grocery store to pick up a few boxes, before heading home from work. I can tell she loves it :)

At first, I thought I'd made the door too small, but she managed to squeeze in (maybe she is just fluffy, and not fat like grandma says!)

She played with me for a while in it, until she got bored.

I found her last night just sitting in there for multiple hours....maybe this act of love will make her a little more friendly towards me in the future

Vintage Book Box

Crafts with old books are some of my favorites! Especially crafts that don't cost anything!

 I'm sure you have old books lying around- my favorite are these reader digest books. They are a great size, and have neat designs on them. If you don't have one, most goodwills will have them for $1!

Next you need a small box- Now technically these post office boxes are not supposed to be used for crafts. (whoops) but I always have them lying around my room for shipping purposes. I just couldn't help it.  You can pick up these boxes outside the post office for free!

First use an exacto knife to cut out the book pages. Them measure the box inside the book.

Since it didn't fit, I did have to cut it down to size a bit!

After getting it the right size, hot glue everything together.  You don't need the top portion of the box, since it will fit inside the book. But make sure its hot glued nicely. I even used packing tape to reinforce the corners. Don't worry about how it looks! You will cover it with fabric next!

Next, grab a piece of scrap fabric, and felt. The felt is just used to make the bottom more plush, to not feel like a box. Measure the fabric out, to make sure it will cover the box.

Then hot glue the fabric to the bottom corners of the box.

Make sure it is secure, by going back around and adding more glue where needed.

Next fold the fabric around the box, like you are covering a canvas or gift wrapping a box. Add glue where needed. For me, I did the sides first, and the corners last

Once its all covered, Glue the box to the bottom of the book!

Next glue it to the spine.

And you're done!  Fun little storage box- or a great way to give a present to someone.