Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Beret Update

Remember when I told you that I was on a search for the perfect beret? I found it at CraftyOma's etsy site. The beret fits perfectly and is soft and lovely. I just had to post a quick link to her lovely wares.

Sunday, December 16, 2007

I suck.

Two whole months without a post? Really? So, when I jumped on the whole crafty blog train, I had grand visions of just how easy keeping this thing updated would be. But, in between settling into Charlotte, traveling back and forth to PA so many times, starting a business (not the etsy one, which hasn't actually happened yet, but another) meeting people, etc. etc. I've let things go. And I apologize. So here are a bunch of things I've been up to lately.I've actually starting scrapbooking my wedding pictures. I thought I wouldn't do this, since I have a beautiful leather album from the incredible Leslie of Sullivan Studios, but I have found that I would like to do something else that includes my invitation, all the projects I did, the way I felt, and all of that. So, I'm trying to remember what I felt 18 months ago. That pic above? I was feeling blissful. Matt and I had just been announced at the reception to Beautiful Day by U2 (I love me some U2) and I was quite giddy. So there.This is Peanut from Last Minute Patchwork + Quilted Gifts (see review below) and his matching quilt. A gift for my beloved niece's first birthday. Peanut was a little hard for me. In fact, this is Peanut #2 because #1 had a dimple-y back and a small inexplicable hole beneath his trunk. Peanut was the source of many bad words from me and Peanut #1 was thrown across the room. But he ended up so darling that I forgive him for all the trouble he caused around here.
Did you know that Hallmark has a 2007 sewing ornament? Quite appropriate to commemorate The Year in Which I Rediscovered Sewing. Thanks, husband!And here is some Christmas crafting. Well the top isn't so much crafty as it is good eats. Chocolate Covered Pretzels. Sweet, salty and delish. Need I say more? I made a bunch of these for the couples in my small group at church. I packaged them in the most adorable (sorry, no pics) little red felt buckets from the dollar spot at Target. (I love me some Target dollar spot goodness!) The purse is a gift for a special someone that I just love (I love both the purse and the person). Seriously considered keeping this for myself. Both the outside and inside fabrics are Amy Butler and the pattern is from Amy Karol's Bend the Rules Sewing Book. (Which rocks.) The original pattern called for a velvet ribbon bow, but I think the grosgrain looks quite sweet with that fabric. Seriously, I love this bag. (By the way, these pictures are seriously blurry when you zoom in.)

And seriously, I will try to post more often.

Sunday, October 14, 2007

Fall is Here!

And I made some mini cupcakes to celebrate!

Sunday, October 7, 2007

I'm the last one on the train

I know pretty much everyone in the blog world has already gushed over these two, but I have just finished admiring Joelle Hoverson's Last Minute Patchwork + Quilted Gifts, as well as Amy Karol's Bend-the-Rules Sewing. I was completely blown away by both. Karol's down-to-earth writing style (which I've long admired at her blog) combined with detailed descriptions and illustrations makes BTRS a great read for seamstresses of any skill level. I have a habit of reading crafty-type books and skimming over the front sections, because I just assume it's stuff I already know. However, since I've recently returned to my sewing roots, I was pleased with and greatly appreciated Karol's first three sections. (To give you an idea of how thoroughly Karol explains sewing techniques and basics, the actual projects do not begin until page 49.) The book is delightfully written and the projects are great, even for more advanced sewers.

Hoverson's Last Minute Patchwork + Quilted Gifts presents a variety of projects, thoughtfully arranged by the time it should take to complete them. (Thank God for the person that suggested this arrangement!) I appreciated Hoverson's explanation of quilting techniques, especially since the projects in her book will be my first foray into quilting. While aimed at a more experienced sewer than BTRS, Last Minute Patchwork + Quilted Gifts is filled with accessible projects for the beginner who can then advance onto more complicated ones, like the color wheel quilt pictured above. (Which I am dying to make, by the way. FYI- Hoverson's shop, Purl Patchwork, is offering a color wheel fabric bundle which would make this quilt's construction much less stressful!) The book also includes a huge sheet of all the pattern pieces for the projects, which makes their construction so much easier. (Really. Enlarging and reproducing patterns is such a pain!)

If in need of a little crafty pick-me-up, you can't go wrong with either of these great books. Both would be great for handmade inspiration for the upcoming holidays as well.

Thursday, September 20, 2007

Torture


Oh Anthropologie, why do you torture me so? Why are your outfits so beautiful, yet so expensive? Why can't I find something this dang cute in my price range?

(Sorry for yet another post related to clothing. I'm purging my closet of all the too-small Levis from high school that I could never fit into ever again. And I want to replace them with beautiful things from Anthropologie. I have Anthropologie taste on a Target budget.)

Wednesday, September 19, 2007

Searching for a Perfect Beret


Such a silly topic for a post, I know, but there has been just the slightest twinge of a chill in the air when I take the dog out in the morning. And that little chill gives me hope that is does get cold here in the Carolinas, and perhaps people do have need of a slouchy beret to grace their chilly little heads. I want this one, but then I feel like I should buy the matching scarf, and that is more than I wanted to spend. I want a wool beret and a great big mug of warm chai tea. Of course, I could always run to Starbucks now, but I want the tea and the beret to be necessary. I want to see my breath in the air. What is the average fall temperature in North Carolina?

Tuesday, August 28, 2007

If You've Ever Wondered What A Poomba Berry Looks Like


Here is my pin cushion rendering.

Friday, August 17, 2007

Craft the Vote!



Please take the time to check out this hilarious Slate slideshow. The homeland security quilt and the gun cozy are just too funny.
(Image courtesy of Jessica Vitkus via Slate.com)

Cupcake Lovin'

If you love cupcakes as much as I do, you'll want to visit Martha Stewart's site with this darling slide show of cupcake designs. I love cupcakes. They are super easy to make, too much fun to decorate and a breeze to serve. I served mini cupcakes at a lunch this weekend with a little swirl of chocolate frosting piped onto each. They were adorable!

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

Daily Inspirations . . .

A great CD,
A beautiful mirror,

And these are gorgeous!

Wednesday, August 8, 2007

23 things to do before I turn 24

1. Buy a townhouse
2. Get adjusted to my new city
3. Read the Bible more
4. Make new friends in Charlotte
5. Post regularly on this blog
6. Go to Tennessee
7. Get my etsy store up and running
8. Do more scrapbooking layouts
9. Learn to sew
10. Paint more
11. Be more dedicated in my 9-5
12. Let my husband know how much I love him EVERY day
13. Make handmade Christmas gifts
14. Get a new hairstyle
15. Exercise more
16. Take a yoga class
17. Save for a big trip to *somewhere*
18. Call my gram more
19. Call my sister more
20. Learn how to make more complicated recipes
21. Take a cake decorating class
22. Make Becca and Travis a very special handmade wedding gift (whatever that may be!)
23. Learn to accept myself the way I am and not be so stinking hard on myself.