March 5th, 2010
I am not usually into travel souvenirs in the traditional sense - no trinkets or postcards because they just end up collecting dust somewhere. I like to think of photos as the best way to memorialize a trip. But we were on the beach and kept picking up cool shells and pieces of coral that washed up at low tide. At first I just picked them up to look and tossed them back, but then I thought keeping a few couldn’t hurt and soon I had a whole pocketful. I think they’ll look nice in a jar on my desk, and they also make good objects to fiddle with because of all the textures.


I’ve uploaded the new craft soundtrack for March - there’s some cool new stuff this month and all legal mp3 downloads for your listening enjoyment!
Filed in Photos
-
3 Comments
March 2nd, 2010
Filed in Photos
-
2 Comments
March 1st, 2010
Filed in Photos
-
0 Comments
February 15th, 2010
We are off on vacation shortly, by this time tomorrow I hope to be sitting on a beach in Costa Rica. I’ll be back in a week with photos of all kind of flora and fauna, I’m sure! In the meantime while I’m away, here’s some fun new reading suggestions for you…
Filed in Books, Magzines, etc.
-
0 Comments
February 11th, 2010
I used to have this lovely little travel jewelry case that my sister made for me when we were teenagers. She used to make a lot of them and sell them at craft fairs, and they were a great design that kept all your necklaces tangle free in your luggage. I lost that original one somewhere along the way, so I thought I’d try to make a replacement for an upcoming trip.

And it turned out so well that I thought I’d share with you how to make your own!

What you’ll need is:
One twelve inch square and one nine inch square each of two different fabrics
One of each same sized muslin or pattern paper
Two pieces of 18 inch ribbon
To start, measure your pattern circles. You could do this directly onto your main fabrics, but I felt better having a template to work from. Fold the square into a triangle, and then fold over on itself two more times. Using a measuring tape, mark out a 6 inch arc from the tip of your triangle. This will give you a 12 inch circle.

travel jewelry organizer tutorial continued »
Filed in Tutorials/Project Ideas, Sewing, Finished Projects
-
9 Comments
February 8th, 2010
I’m so excited to have a copy of Built by Wendy Dresses in my hot little hands. I was a big fan of the original Sew U, and a book all about dresses is a great addition to the series.

Particularly because I recently made a vow to wear more dresses. For some reason I’m just not a dress person - even though I love looking at them and seeing other people wear them, I just don’t wear them often myself. But last summer I bought a dress that I absolutely loved and wore fairly often, so I think I’m on the right track. I’m hoping with the help of this book to come up with some comfortable, custom style dresses that I love to increase my dress wardrobe selection for the spring.

The book comes with three basic patterns for a sheath, shift and drindl dress and about eight specific project instructions for each. But then, like all the Built by Wendy books there’s a whole set of instructions on how to customize the basic patterns by adjusting the collar, sleeves and embellishments


And of course there’s tons of great information about creating the right fit for your body and her overall inspirational attitude that makes you feel like sewing your own clothes is the easiest and funnest thing you could ever do. I’m still a bit skeptical, but I like the motivational pep talk anyways!

Filed in Books, Magzines, etc.
-
4 Comments
February 7th, 2010

1. [presépio 03, 2. A Masqueradeing Tiny Squirrel Plush, 3. Fawn, 4. Theegwart Pugwash, a pirate Jacabobbaloo
5. Block printing + embroidery / Estampado + bordado, 6. Feltidermy hair clips, 7. Winter Fairy Ring, 8. Red Snouts
9. wounded bear/forest queen, 10. handmade zakka for baby, 11. The Cherrybomb Family, 12. 2 more on the way
13. 090411a, 14. IMG_9736, 15. Shy guy, 16. Suitcases
Filed in Photos
-
1 Comments
February 5th, 2010

A very nice friend of mine brought me this pot of daffodils - just what’s needed to bring a bit of spring time into the house, even if it is a bit premature. I had read elsewhere that forced bulbs won’t bloom again because they’re so confused, but my friend said if you plant them in the garden they might come up again in the fall. Thoughts?

Also, Ian’s made us a new craft soundtrack which I’ve just put up (all legal mp3 downloads). There’s some good stuff there to keep you rockin out through the February blahs.
Filed in Garden
-
4 Comments
February 2nd, 2010
We’ve been doing some cross-country skiing on the weekends. It’s been pretty fun (aching muscles and bruised behinds apres ski notwithstanding). The first time we went up it was beautiful and sunny, but a bit too warm on the trails.

This weekend was grayer, but with lovely fresh snow. Makes the whole winter thing somewhat more tolerable to be outdoors doing something fun.


Filed in Photos
-
2 Comments
January 30th, 2010

Although I am glad to say goodbye to January and it’s bone-chillingly cold weather, I have been enjoying this page of my calendar. My very lovely and generous aunt got it for me for Christmas - the art is by Amy Rice, who’ve I’ve mentioned before. Although I think this print is pretty sweet, I’ll look forward to flipping the page to the next one because I haven’t even peeked at what it is yet!
Filed in Inspiration
-
3 Comments