Crooked Sister

Donate for a great Cause!

2012-02-07T04:49:00.000-08:00

Do you like Ira Glass? How about David Cross? Well, I kind of like both of these dudes, which is exactly why I decided to enter a poker game that they are participating in to help raise money for 826. Now, considering that us bloggers LOVE to write, we should all know about 826 and how it's an amazing nonprofit agency whose main goal is to provide unique writing programs for kids between the ages of 6 to 18.

So why not help a lady out by contributing to my fundraiser goal. All the money I raise is donated to the agency AND gives me better odds to play longer in the game and maybe even win! Every $1, $2, or $5 are a BIG help.

Go HERE to donate now! And then think happy thoughts for me between 1-6pm EST this Saturday. If I'm lucky, I'll win a trophy. But regardless of what happens, I'll be reporting back my amazing adventure next week.

Stuart & Wright Style

2012-01-19T18:31:00.000-08:00

Next month I get the chance to help out a super stylin' clothing store in Brooklyn with their sample sale. After looking at their stock, I'm most likely going to spend my earnings on a pretty piece of clothing. How could I not when they have such a chic selection to choose from?!

Cute

2012-01-17T21:02:00.000-08:00

My day job has me being creative on a variety of ways, but the best part has to be when I have a chance to hone my sewing skills. Recently, I made this adorable handbag out of Echino Kokka fabric from the Carry Me book. This cute little number is the project people will be working on in our Sewing 101 course. It really covers all the basics too!

For the most part, it's pretty easy to make. The book, however, did not have good instructions at all. At least not for this design. If you have experience sewing you can sort of figure it out but if you are a novice/beginner, you'll definitely need an expert's advice. Still totally worth the effort and very chic!

Love

2012-01-13T06:26:00.000-08:00

I've been fawning over Leah Goren's items since November. Maybe it's all the cat inspired clothing and accessories that won me over, or maybe it's the gorgeous, original design. Either way, I'd love to add one of her items to my wardrobe, particularly the cat dress. So adorable, n'est pas?

Tutorial: Lavender Sachets

2012-01-05T19:11:00.000-08:00

I love the scent of lavender. LOVE. And one of my favorite things to make are sachets. There are many ways to make a sachet. I made these little lovelies in less than an hour with a few scraps of fabric.

Visit my tutorial HERE at the Pins & Needles Blog to learn how to make your own scented sachets.
Here is a list of what to do with your sachets once you are done:

1) Throw them in the dryer with a non scented dryer sheet to add a nice scent
2) They make great bridesmaid gifts!
3) Keep that musty smell away by putting them in your drawers.
4) Add a little loop of string and hang it around your hanger in the closet.
5) I like to keep a sachet in my purse. It's add a nice scent and occasionally I'll take a little sniff to help me calm my nerves.

Love

2012-01-04T06:08:00.000-08:00

Loving Trina Dalziel's illustrations and hand painted jugs. These would look amazing in my imaginary kitchen cupboard.

2012-01-03T06:00:00.000-08:00

"Ideas dictate everything. You have to be true to that or you're dead."

Daily Insights by 3rd Ward are the best thing to wake up with in the morning next to coffee (which I actually don't drink). They only have one rather major fault; it's mostly significant quotes from men.
Sigh . . . .

Love

2012-01-02T20:54:00.000-08:00

Love these shoes by Rachel Comey available at Beklina's. Such a happy discovery and such an amazing online boutique. I love the whole "eco boutique" idea and their emphasis on handmade in the USA. It's one of those situations where a gal just wants about everything in the shop!

Pop

2011-12-04T06:40:00.000-08:00

Image from NY Times. Manifesto Bike Shop in Oakland.

My move to NYC seriously has disrupted me and all my business ventures. So I'm completely jealous (and a little bummed!) that I am missing out on this new "popuhood" in my old town of Oakland. By the looks of it, the space seems to have a great mix of retailers, including the amazing bike shop, Manifesto. It is only missing a vegan donut shop (seriously). Oakland is filled with inspiring people who are willing to support their neighbors and the creative community. Thumbs up to my ole 'hood and many wishes of success for all!

Article HERE
Popuhood HERE

New

2011-11-27T06:24:00.000-08:00

Just in time for the holidays . . . .
Shop HERE

Cat Scan

2011-11-22T05:49:00.000-08:00

Part 1
Bianca

Cute Paws

Eating/Playing

NYC

2011-11-21T06:19:00.000-08:00

St. Mark's Church, 11pm, Halloween Night 2011

Free

2011-11-21T06:11:00.000-08:00

There is no better time to start crafting than during the holiday season. And to keep you crafting all winter long, the store I work for is having a great giveaway over at their blog. Pins & Needles is giving away not one but 5 Martha Stewart Holiday Craft books.

It's so easy to enter! Go here to find out more info and you may just win a free book!

Love

2011-11-18T05:59:00.000-08:00

I love stitched designs but I love them even more when you can where them around your neck. So obviously stitched jewelry is on my holiday wish list. How about you?

1) Map of Texas Necklace by ilgattoselvatico

2) Golden Triangle Necklace by Gammafolk

3) Felt Embroidered Necklace by lovemaude

Wish

2011-11-17T05:49:00.000-08:00

Oh, how I wish I could teleport to Portland tomorrow night to attend the book launch party of Colette's new sewing book.

I remember when I first came across Colette patterns it was the sweet, unique and fresh pattern cover design that initially caught my eye. No tacky Butterick model photos here. Instead a soft color palette with a sketch of a curvy normal looking girl on the cover.

Colette's first sewing book came out just a couple weeks ago. Her patterns in the book continue to carry out her fresh take on classy vintage designs. But what really makes Colette amazing is her Blog and all the amazing free sewing tips and patterns she offers up to the public. In the cyber world, people are always on the hunt for not just good freebies but excellent ones and they can be hard to come by.

Colette's booth at Quilt Market

If you have ever had the itch to try and sew a garment, then I recommend heading over to her blog to not only be inspired but to pick up some great techniques you are sure to employ with your stitched creations.

Mini

2011-11-16T05:58:00.000-08:00

Fun times were had at the very cute MicroCrafts events held at the store I work for.
You can check out the full photo album of our fun shenanigans HERE.

We celebrated the launch of Quirk's MICROCRAFT book with some fun mini projects, like these adorable mini owl ornaments and mini bunting banners.

The book is so worth adding to your collection just for this one project. Plus you are sure to be prepped for your next mini craft party that you plan to have.

2011-10-31T06:22:00.000-07:00

Free Template below so you can make your own card!

Yum

2011-10-21T06:28:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday I stopped by the Chelsea Market and checked out the local food vendors. Me and my big sweet tooth couldn't help but stop by Fat Witch Bakery.

I picked up a few little brownie samples and also the Blonde Witch Brownie Mix which I made last night. It's basically like a big chocolate chip cookie but in brownie style. The mix wasn't too bad; easy to work with but took a little longer to cook, which may have been my oven's fault. They still turned out delicious and they taste pretty darn good with a tall glass of milk!

Finds

2011-10-20T06:51:00.000-07:00

My new vintage enamel metal kitty bowls have become very handy lately. They are the perfect size for holding all the fresh apples I picked in upstate NY last weekend. Now I just need to bake them! I'm very tempted to try an apple pie pocket recipe. If only I had these adorable apple pocket cutters from Williams and Sonoma to get me started!

Projects

2011-10-19T05:51:00.000-07:00

I always get a little anxious when I am away from the blogging universe for too long. I start to think about all the amazing things I have missed out on and feel such an overwhelming disconnection from a community that I enjoy so much.

Lucky for me, you generous bloggers are never short of amazing ideas so even though I feel like I've missed out on a bazillion one of a kind creations, I find a few new projects that make me smile in just a simple week review.

Here are my top fave of the past week. Each one makes me wish I could just skip sleeping all together and stay up all night crafting these delightful items.

Cute Retro Wall Paper Journals from Antelope Baby
Fabric/Paper Owl Notecards from Design Sponge

Simple Fat Quarter Tote from the ladies of Cloud Nine Fabric

Trends

2011-10-18T05:34:00.000-07:00

Ikat Card by Wild Ink Press

NYC is a place of makers and innovators. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't see something inspiring. Whether it be the city scape, someone's outfit, or an intimate moment caught in a public place.

There are always noticeable trends on the West Coast, but here on the East side of the states people don't hesitate to wear whatever tickles their fancy. You really can get away with wearing anything in this town. But along that note, there are trends that stand out and when you start to take notice, you begin to understand why NYC is the style capital of the world (with Paris not falling too far behind).

One thing that seems to have been particularly popular this summer, and even into this fall is Ikat.

Maybe it's because I spend my working hours on the UES, but this traditional pattern is rampant and not only looks good as a dress or a skirt, but also a bag, and most definitely in home decor accessories. In other words, it's accessible, and flattering on almost any figure. The colorways are diverse and it carries a sort of liberated feeling about it without the tackiness that is often found in hippie tie dyes.

I say jump on board, even in the fall. Or pick out an Ikat swatch you like for next spring. If you don't end up using it for a skirt, you can easily transform your swatch into a pillow for your couch.

Amazing Ikat dress by Brooklyn Designer, Wiksten

Stunning Ikat leggings from SF designer, Peeko. LOVE!

Outings

2011-10-17T06:12:00.000-07:00

The weekend was filled with a trip to the Chelsea Craft Market, amazing art, and some serious apple picking.


Adorable dish towels by Wicked Mint

Recycled sweater plushies by Sweatertoys


Soaps with the cutest labels ever! by Meow Meow Tweet

Vendors:

Soaps - Meow Meow Tweet
Printed Dish Towels/ Pillows - Wicked Mint
Adorable Recycled Plushies - SweaterToys

Threads

2011-10-13T05:55:00.000-07:00

Took a day trip last Saturday to the Hudson Valley. I stopped by Quadrille Fabric's warehouse which has a show room of discounted fabric. Got to take a little peek inside the warehouse and it was huge!! I have never seen so much fabric in one place in my whole life. This company mostly carries decorating fabric but some of the prints are so, so lovely. I picked up a few swatches myself. I'm thinking zipper pouches for all but the stripes. That fabric is going straight in the bow tie pile!

Words

2011-10-12T06:36:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite places to visit is the Kinokuniya Bookstore near Bryant Park. It caters to my undying obsession of Japanese culture perfectly. And guess where I spend most of my time? In the craft/sewing section of course! Japanese craft books are not only styled in the most stunning way possible but the ideas in them are just remarkable! I am always ready and willing to shell out a pretty penny to have a few of these inspirations on my crafting book shelf. My latest editions include the Japanese equivalent of the French Marie Claire Idees craft magazine and an amazing Embroidery Emblem book (also very french inspired!). So much creative cuteness it will make your head explode! Here is a little peek inside.

Friendship style bracelets taken to the next level!

And if you are ever in the area of one of these store, stop by! You don't have to know Japanese to enjoy perusing here, trust me.

Makings

2011-10-10T19:58:00.000-07:00

I mentioned quite some time ago how I had a growing interest in learning how to print by hand. One of the methods I was inspired to try was the stencil freezer paper trick. Well, last week I gave it a little shot and Voila! Something adorable was born!

This stencil printing technique is fun, but can be a little tedious too. I recommend working on a larger scale and improvising your shapes even. I believe it would make the project go a little faster.

Here is what you need to make it happen:

-Freezer paper available at your local grocery store
-Fabric paint- I used Jacquard which you can find at your local art and craft store like Blick.
-Sponge brush-Also available at your local craft store
- Cardboard scrap- To pour your paint on to
-Basic cotton fabric. I recommend muslin for simple projects and experiments. It's cheap & absorbs well.
-Simple positive/negative design
-Iron

Now just trace your design onto the freezer paper. Cut it away with scissors or an exacto knife.
Lay the rough side onto your fabric. Iron it on (No Steam!), and paint a couple of even layers over your design.
Let it dry, peel, and do whatever your heart desires to your new printed design. I decided to make mine into some sort of lop sided plushie with french knots in the middle.

2011-10-07T06:16:00.000-07:00

So moving to the 'Big City' really does involve leading a busier life. My commute to work each day is a 45 minute three train transfer. I'm on my feet being creative and cutting fabric for the next 7 hours. Then back home to eat at 8pm. If I'm lucky, I sit down and make something, but most nights I'm snuggling the dog and letting my brain rest. Then it's up at 7:30am and out the door for a half hour dog walk with Rupert at 8am. Back home to get ready and hop on the train hopefully before 10am. If I'm lucky, I squeeze in a shower and a quick breakfast. On a good day, I make myself some lunch.
All this blog neglect is making me a bit sad. Hopefully I'll get back in the swing of things soon.

On an up note, the spooky Halloween lanterns are back in the store! Stop by and pick one up.They are delightful and sure to make you smile!!

2011-09-07T05:49:00.000-07:00

The weekend consisted of:

Having brunch at places with odd decor & silly signs.

Going to the West Indian Day Parade!

Riding a LO-V subway car from the 1920's. So cool!

Time

2011-08-30T06:30:00.000-07:00

Clock designed by Leimone Design

I am having a serious case of blog deprivation!! My time is so limited now so the chance to just sit back, read, and hunt down amazing cute crafty things on the internet hasn't really been happening lately.

I'm just curious how other people do it. Do you have a desk job and just peruse your fave blogs during some down time at work? Or do you just obsess and stay up all night till you pass out in front of your computer screen? I have always enjoyed the community of bloggers out there and really miss commenting and making connections. I MUST figure out a way to keep up! Any tips is greatly appreciated! Or if someone wants to time manage my life, that'd be great too.

Skirt Fever

2011-08-29T05:46:00.000-07:00

I made my first skirt a few weekends ago using the Starboard skirt pattern over at UCreate. I must say that my skirt making wasn't without a few little flaws, but for someone just starting out with garment making, working with a skirt pattern is a perfect introduction. It allows you to learn some basic techniques and become familiar with how to work with different fabrics.

Now I have skirt fever! Lucky for me there are so many interesting and Free skirt patterns out there. But I have to say that UCreate has some of the best posts when it comes to skirt making. Check out my visual list of what I'd like to work on next.

Pinwheel skirt

I already have this skirt all planned out.
I'm thinking a dark navy blue fabric with this adorable
folk art heart ribbon as the trim. So cute!

Ruffle Skirt

Perfect skirt project for scrap fabric.
Imagine all the wonderful color schemes you can make with this design.
You can go neutral or take it to the next level and play with contrasting tones.

Scalloped Tulle Skirt


So this tulle is actually scalloped fabric that you can buy, but the link will show you how to make your own.

Feltie Review

2011-08-25T19:33:00.000-07:00

One of the up sides of living in one of the most amazing cities in the world is you have access to one of the biggest bookstores in the world. The Strand is such an amazing place to visit and it can be overwhelming if you don't know what you are looking for.

Whenever I make a trip to The Strand it's to appease my incredulous craft book addiction. And thank goodness, I am never let down! My most recent addition is the 'Stash Happy Felt' book by Amanda Caresita. There is a shortage of modern feltie craft books but 'Stash Happy' will not disappoint.

It is full of great felt projects that can be easily completed on a weekend or even a week night. One of the projects that won my heart was the felt whale pincushion.

Pretty easy to make and SO SO cute after you finish! Just look below!

Here's a little recap of the project:

Time Spent: About 3 hours
Supplies: 5 different colors of felt, stuffing, and a few extra round pins.
Check out Giant Dwarf for all of your felt supplies
Pattern: Simple and easy to use. You only need to blow up a copy of the gusset pattern.
Construction: Easy for the most part. I did have trouble sewing the gusset (the middle strap) on straight.
Recommended Sewing Soundtrack: A remix of Modest Mouse or Magnetic Fields
What I would do different:
*Cut out a little extra fabric on all the patterns so you some felt to trim off after sewing the pieces together.
*Sewing the gusset was a little tricky. So I would pin it to the sides, a check the length to make sure it right.
*When attaching the top and sides to the belly, start your seam at the center of the gusset to ensure it stays straight.
*Instead of stuffing from the bottom of the belly of the whale, I would actually sew the heart on the belly with the machine, sew the whale together and then leave a small opening near the base of the tail and stuff. I would then hand sew the gap shut with a ladder stitch.
*Sewing the pin templates of the fish and water spouts can be a little tricky so when you trace the pattern, trace it a little bit larger so they are easier to sew and cut out.

Besides a few little flaws, I LOVED the project and can't wait to make this little whale in a variety of colors. I'd love to take it to the next level and add a cute bow or even make a polka dot whale! How cute would that be?!?

Mollie Makes and Feltie Wonders

2011-08-23T06:22:00.000-07:00

I recently discovered the most amazing crafty culture magazine since, well, Adorned! Mollie Makes is sure to make your crafty heart explode with giddiness. The magazine is not filled with the most amazing cute projects ever, it also is just down right pretty! Unfortunately, this paper trade is out of the UK so publications here in the U.S. are hard to come by, but so worth hunting down!

In their most recent issue, they showed their readers how to make the way too adorable Lori Marie's Panty Flashers for pens. Cute beyond belief! Just take a peek at the video below to see just how darling these little ladies are.

And if you want to know how to make them, well, you are either going to have to hunt down a copy of Mollie Makes, or wait for my little tutorial review.

You can check out more amazing products by the lovely Lori Marie on her blog. You'll definitely be putting a few of her items on your wish list. I guarantee it.

ADORN=Amazing

2011-08-17T05:50:00.000-07:00

I love craft books. LOVE. But I also love crafty magazines as well. I was lucky enough to come across these old ADORN issues a few months back. This magazine is so amazing but unfortunately it went out of business a few years back. This is the only magazine I have come across that's specifically geared towards modern day crafting. It really covers everything from sewing, embroidery, home decor,and so much more.

One of my favorite projects is this fabric passport wallet. It's the perfect project for a fabric addict like me. Alas, the pattern for this purty little fabric wonder was only available online and I thought it was no longer available until last night! I happily discovered that the original designer of the wallet scanned the pattern and instructions for all to enjoy! Thanks Maia! Your wallet is amazing!

Instructions HERE

Pattern HERE

I know this is a passport wallet, but I also think it's the perfect accessory for fall!

Free Craft Book? Yes, Please!

2011-08-10T06:25:00.000-07:00

I'm sure you've heard me mention my fabulous friend Polly Conway from Pollyanna Cowgirl before. Well, my amazing crafty friend is up to more handmade goodness and is giving away this amazing book over at her blog!

This new Vintage Craft Workshop Book is beyond awesome. I mean look at that apron below. It's amazing!

Polly is also now creating Easy Craft videos for Wikia. You can check out her most recent one below. Now hop on over to her blog and enter her Giveaway!!
Go HERE.

Local fabric

2011-08-09T07:39:00.000-07:00

My new neighborhood is full of life and at certain moments I feel like I'm not just living in a different city but a different country all together. There is a little strip called Fulton Street near my new place that is bustling with commerce. Random, eclectic shops fill the streets; most of them run by a variety of Carribeans and Jamaicans. I recently spotted a few random wholesale fabric stores on the drag and decided to stop by and check them out this weekend.

The selection was pretty limited and consisted mostly of boring upholstery material but there was a little section of African wax print fabrics in each store. My oh-so-naughty fabric addiction just couldn't resist buying a couple pieces. I just had to have a few swatches of these vibrant designs.
I'm still not sure what exactly I am going to make from them. The fabric itself is a very stiff cotton that has a lot of body to it but no real drape. Despite that, I am tempted to make a skirt or even a long sort of maxi-inspired dress. The best part of the fabric; it was only $3 bucks a yard!

New Opportunities

2011-08-08T06:04:00.000-07:00

When moving to NYC, I was hoping to have a chance to explore new opportunities and possibly even work outside of the industry I had spent 11 years working in. It took me longer than I was hoping (or expecting) to find a job here. But I have to say it was all worth the wait. I am now spending my days doing a job that I truly love. I never thought in a million years that I'd get paid to help merchandise beautiful fabric, assist people with their crafty endeavors, and spend my days putting my all my Etsy experience to good use!

So what exactly am I doing now? Well, I am the new store manager at an amazing sewing studio and fabric/needlework supply store on the Upper East Side in Manhattan. It's called Pins & Needles NYC and it's a dream! It's also the reason why I've been m.i.a. from the blog lately. You can visit the store HERE.

And if you ever decide to visit the Big Apple, please, please come by and say hi!

Long Live McQueen

2011-08-05T06:18:00.000-07:00

One of the main reasons my beau and I relocated to NYC was to take advantage of all the amazing exhibits here. Seeing the McQueen show on Tuesday morning was a great reminder of just that. It was simply stunning! The show has already proven to be the most popular Costume Institute exhibit at the MET of all time. This past Sunday, it hit it's 582,000 visitor. The exhibit itself was broken up into several different rooms that explored some of the essential themes of McQueen's work; Romanticism, and Naturalism being the main two. One of the most stunning rooms was a sort of cabinet of curosity type space that exhibited specific accessories (shoes, hats, body like armour) and clothing from McQueen's show. Installed next to the shadow box cabinets were various video screens casting sequences from a variety of shows. (Photo below)

The exhibit itself was a little difficult to enjoy due to the large crowds inside. But still it was all worth it. McQueen was not just a designer, he was an artist and a philosopher who explore and expressed his thoughts and reflections on life through clothing and the female form through the most exquisite way possible.

Marvelous Marimekko

2011-07-19T06:44:00.000-07:00

If only I had $500 bucks so I can one of these amazing Marimekko dresses one of my own! You have to check out the spread that discusses all the history of the dresses HERE.

The Weekend: Renegade L.A.

2011-07-15T07:15:00.000-07:00

So before the big moving plans ever occurred I was intending on selling at Renegade L.A. with my brillant crafty and oh-so-nice friend, Polly from PollyAnna Cowgirl. Alas, my plans to return to the west coast for a weekend of crafty delight didn't happen. But if you are in the area you MUST stop by and say hello to Polly for me! She is also selling a few Crooked Sister goods too! And remember if you are making the trek to LaLa land from an adjacent county, avoid the 405!! Carmageddon is on the horizon and I would recommend avoiding it at all costs!

Needlework News

2011-07-14T09:19:00.000-07:00

I am sure it's previous obvious by now that I am a big fan of needlework which means I am always on the look out for what is currently happening on the floss frontier. Here is what I've come across this week:

Family Portrait by DetroitMommy

It's always the most simple ideas that turn out to be the most beautiful. This stitched family portrait that I found via feeling stitchy is just that and such an easy project. Anyone can do this! Even the embroidery novice.

This is slightly old news but still I want to spread the word! Jenny Hart had two artworks stolen from her most recent show. Help spread the word and get these beautiful pieces back to their rightful owner!

Richard Saja's artwork has always intrigued me. So I was delighted to find out that he has an art show exhibiting his newest work in my neighborhood! I can't wait to see these pieces in person.

2011-07-13T08:09:00.000-07:00

I have a MASSIVE blog list and find myself adding at least 2 to 3 new blogs to that list every week! So the reader on blogger is just not cutting it anymore. I need a reader that is more friendly, easy to read, and has some sort of category system like twitter. So I decided to give bloglovin' a try.

How do you guys keep track of your blog roll? Do you use bloglovin' or another site?

You can also keep up to date on my blog via Bloglovin' now too. Just click on the icon on the right to follow!

Cross Country Drive

2011-07-13T07:17:00.000-07:00

It took me four days to make my way across the country from California to New York. The trip was more of a power drive than leisure. I was moving on a budget and didn't take too many detours because of driving with the moving truck. Regardless, the trek was wonderful and I realize I only got a glimpse of this amazing country I live in. If I had my way, I'd spend all my time on the road traveling from state to state.

Here are a few snapshots from I took while on the road.

I-80 East, Nevada

Passed the Weiner mobile in Wyoming

I-80 East, Nevada

Swatches: Folk Art

2011-07-12T07:41:00.000-07:00

There are so many things I love about folk art designs but I especially love them on fabric! The color combinations, the eclectic montage of farm and home inspired objects. What I'd really like to see is someone take some of these classic designs and add a modern spin to them. Not that there is anything wrong with these adorable vintage prints that I found on Etsy.

1) Novelty fabric from Thriftstore, 2) Blue cottage fabric from Thoroughbred Threads, 3) Country folk fabric from Poet Charms, 4) Blue folk fabric from Thoroughbred Threads.

2011-07-01T06:38:00.000-07:00

Rupert and I wish you all a happy Friday and Fourth of July weekend!
Don't drink too much otherwise you might end up making a face like this.

Designer Spotlight: Giulietta

2011-06-30T05:48:00.000-07:00

Looking for a job in this big, big city has proven to be more of a task than I imagine. There's no reason I should be surprised with how difficult it's been considering the way the economy currently is. But luckily NYC is a land where the opportunities are endless (though competitive) and in my course of looking for a job I have discovered some amazing creative companies.

Resort 2011 Collection

I decided, just for the hell of it, to apply to an up and coming fashion house called Giulietta. Boy was I happy that I did otherwise I would have never come across this amazing designer. Her dresses are simple and just down right adorable.

Resort 2011 Collection

This is what I imagine a young Audrey Hepburn would wear if she were alive today.

And these beauties are from the Fall 2011 collection. Love the sleeves!

Are you in love yet?
More images HERE.
**All images from Giulietta collections

Did you hear?!?

2011-06-29T06:07:00.000-07:00

Let's just come out and admit it, blogging is addictive and a great way to procrastinate. There, I said it. So I'm sure you can understand why I have been oh-so-diligent in avoiding perusing my fave blogs for the past couple months. When you are planning a cross-country move, you don't want to be distracted or procrastinate.

Well, I finally decided that today is the day that I return to the land of blogs and enjoy catching up on everything I've missed. Which is A LOT. And how I ironic and serendipitous is it that the first blog post I come across happens to be from Design Sponge and their new upcoming book! Book?!! A Design Book?!? Well, my little heart just skipped a beat!

I love this blog and more amazing, I just learned more about it than I have in the past two years of following it from the simple, cute promo video. I have a feeling folks that Grace Booney just might be our 21st century Martha Stewart.

Little Lovelies

2011-06-25T19:12:00.000-07:00

The man and I took a nice bike ride to Williamsburg and although I didn't like the neighborhood or the crowd that lives there very much, I did fall in love with these little lovelies.

This poster grabbed my attention from far away. But it wasn't until I started editing it that I began to really *SEE* the image. If you look closely you'll find several pieces of art made by famous artists hidden inside this mischievous print. Be sure to look closely at the ears . . . .

Love this little cart. Want it. Now. I'm thinking all I need is some cardboard, faux wood, and felt to muster up my own "wooden" rustic cart for a possible future craft fair display.

Still settling in . . . .

2011-06-21T14:44:00.000-07:00

I'm still trying to settle into the new place. We don't have a lot of furniture but I didn't let that stop me from setting up a make shift craft room. Unlike my last place, I actually have a small but decent size room to work in. No silly kitchenette anymore! It doesn't look like much now but I have dreams, boy, do I have dreams! I imagine a lovely little crafty/office/storage space where I can get all my work done. Hopefully, I'll have more luck with installing shelves in this room than the kitchen. That was complete fail and now involves some creative rethinking. Ah, New York and it's infamous small spaces. :)

Oh yeah, Bianca is happy to let you know that she is settling just fine. She is enjoying her new window sill that offers the perfect view and sun spot.

2011-06-07T06:31:00.000-07:00

View of NYC from the steps of the New York Public Library

My friends-

I have FINALLY made it to my new home in Brooklyn. I had no idea that moving across country would drag me away from my little blog for so long. It literally took a good month and a half to prep, pack, and say good bye to my west coast homies and town.

I'm still settling in and have yet to unpack boxes and find a new job but I am so excited that life is starting to get back to normal! I can't wait to blog again and catch up on what has been happening in the blog universe. I've missed it so much . . . .

May Cravings

2011-04-29T11:11:00.000-07:00

It seems only natural to add a few new fresh items to your wardrobe for spring. And the urge to spruce up my closet this year is so strong! Unfortunately, I must restrain from any fashion purchases for a little while but that doesn't mean I can't come up with a little "Look Inspiration"!

I recently thrifted an amazing navy blue polka dot Gap skirt, very much like the one below. So when I saw this skirt paired with this mustard colored blouse by Jaeger, my head exploded! Now I am on a quest for a mustard, possibly a burnt orange blouse. Must find!

For the most part, I steer away from wearing shoes that have any type of heel on them due to my height. But I just can't stop dreaming about platform sandals! I'm also thinking that maybe a heeled shoe isn't so bad and would possibly help flatter my curvy frame. I love it when shoes come in sort of unconventional colors, like teal. It really gets me in the mood for spring!

Heather Mid Heel by Miz Mooz

Peep Toe by Swedish Hasbeens

Vintage Adventures: Addison Endpapers Part II

2011-04-28T11:36:00.000-07:00

I came across these photos I took at Addison Endpapers a while back. I posted the first set back in March, which you can see HERE. Forgot that I had few more left to share. Enjoy!

I have a soft spot for old worn out stuffed animals.

This pack of Egyptian cigarettes was full and completely untouched.

See. Untouched and only slightly stained with age.

I was so tempted to buy one of these swan letter opener's.

2011-04-27T16:02:00.000-07:00

I have yet to use a piece of this folk art inspired velvet ribbon that I bought from my favorite place on earth (The East Bay Creative Reuse Store). It's just busy sitting on my shelf, making me happy and looking pretty.
Perfect little decoration for springtime, n'est pas?

Design Shout Out

2011-04-22T09:48:00.000-07:00

My friend, Flora, recently entered the Apartment Therapy Smallest/Coolest Home competition. Her pad looks so great! You can vote for her pad HERE and then spend many hours looking at all the other small/cool abodes that other people live in and get all jealous about their chic designed apartments.

Good bye Poppies! Hello big city!

2011-04-19T15:01:00.000-07:00

Print by Bumblebellydesigns

So, you may have noticed that I have been missing in action lately. Really missing in action! And for good reason. My man and I have been spending the past few weeks discussing and plotting what is sure to be one of the biggest change in our lives. No, there's no marriage or small bundles of joy in the near future but there is a big MOVE!

We're talking relocating across the country all the way from Cali to Brooklyn, NY. I'm so thrilled to be sharing this news finally! I've had to keep a lid on these plans for the past couple weeks while we sorted things out to see if our dream really could come true. I would say it is pretty official now too. I gave notice at my job yesterday and am now sharing the news with family and friends. To say the least, we are both very excited and extremely nervous. There have already been a few minor anxiety attacks and sleeping at night hasn't proven to be too successful lately.

Lucky for us, my man's family lives in Brooklyn and have offered to help us with this giant task ahead. We really are sort of risking it all (going out there with no jobs, leasing a place to live virtually, etc) but we know the pay off is going to be huge.

So, yes, blogging and my shop will not be a priority for a few months. I hope to post occasionally before the end of May rolls around. Once I get settled, I look forward to sharing my moving adventures and new place with all of you. :)

Doilies for spring.

2011-04-05T10:53:00.000-07:00

I love how these items have taken doilies from frumpy, granny decor to modern cuteness.

Doily tea towel by Dottie Angel

Sewn doily garland

Doily paper cones. So easy to make.

Love these little floral doilies bursting with color

Simple doily lanterns

Doily imprinted ceramic plate

Prints, prints, and more prints!

2011-04-01T10:48:00.000-07:00

I am busy prepping and researching for what I hope to be a new found love.

Printing by Hand by Lena Corwin. Arrived this week!

The Printed Pattern by mother-daughter duo - Miss Print. Just released a couple of weeks ago.
Must order this today!

Lotta Prints: How to Print with Anything. I get this book for free thanks to my boyfriend. Yeah!

I can't think of a better springtime project to work on this weekend! To say the least, I have sooo many ideas brewing in my head about what to print. I have a tendency to want to go really big when learning a new project which isn't always the best idea. So I have to remind myself to start small. I'm thinking journals and cards.
Wish me luck!

For the Twin Peaks Fanatic

2011-03-29T13:48:00.000-07:00

Print by David Lynch. I want it so bad!!

My boyfriend came across this Twin Peaks inspired art show last night. It is amazing for obvious reasons, plus some. On top of a variety of Twin Peaks inspired art, the show also included prints & patches designed by David Lynch himself.

"Concentrating on the J's" by Scott Campbell

The gallery also has some amazing Twin Peaks inspired merchandise, like these two mugs that I desperately want!

But my favorite part has to be the newly released production photos by Richard Beymer. I love how candid and gritty they are. It's a nice reminder that even though digital photography is convenient, it can't evoke the same sensation/experience that shooting with film does.

Bob is so scary!!

Wanna see more? Go HERE.

Pretty, pretty prints

2011-03-22T11:24:00.000-07:00

I'm loving the prints from Eloise Renouf's store. The shapes and colors are so simple and lovely. The one above captures these March storms we are having here in the Bay Area perfectly.
I would love to see some of these prints on fabric or even wallpaper! How amazing would that be.

A dreamy art show

2011-03-18T16:09:00.000-07:00

I completely forgot that I took photos of this student group art show a while back. Unfortunately I don't recall the name of the show or the participating artists' names. But the work was so lovely and dreamy. I really, really enjoyed it. So kudos to the ladies that put this eclectic show together.

How lovely is this? I want it for my house.

I loved these little disintegrating mini paper people.

A repurposed shelf that had hidden cabinets inside with little vignette scenarios.

The inside of the cabinet had the most amazing curtains which were actually photographs printed on silk.

Tropical Stitching

2011-03-17T11:33:00.000-07:00

I happened across the Prelinger video archives today just by chance. While browsing the massive collection available to the public, I found an amazing historic video of embroidery workers from the Philippines. The video is a little long but the captions are great and the work is amazing. It's hard to believe that these women sat outside in the humid weather among palm trees and river banks embroidering everyday.

If you don't feel like watching the whole video, at least skip ahead to 9:05 to see the amazing finished work. It is simply stunning.

If you ever . . .

2011-03-16T11:40:00.000-07:00

If you ever happen to take a drive down Highway 1 in Southern California, you are going to want to make a little stop in the coastal town, Encinitas. It is a nice little neighborhood filled with sunkissed women and children, wet suit clad surfers, and cute boutiques to boot.

Here are a few of my fave places:

For amazing local handmade goods, stop by the mom & daughter shop M*O*M
This amazing little store occupies the cutest garage space I have ever seen. I love the fact that it is an active studio/shop space. The goods are cute and these ladies are experts at repurposing all their scraps. They also have amazing clothes for kids.

Looking for a divine smoothie? Well, Swami's Cafe is the place to go. You can sit down on their deck on a warm summer day and have brunch or pop on in and grab their Nirvana Nectar bee pollen dusted smoothie and take it to the beach. So fresh and so delish!

No worries if your smoothie doesn't take you to another transcendental state. Just cross the street and take stroll through the (semi) public Self Realization Fellowship Hermitage & Meditation Gardens. Beautiful, serene, and amazing cliff side views. You are sure to feel at peace. It is open limited hours to the public, including certain weekends.

Sometimes I see the unmistakable yellow Lou's Records stickers on cars in the Bay Area and I get so excited! Lou's is one of those rare record shops still in business. If you are inclined to buy vinyl or feeling the need to stage a revolt against Itunes, then stop by this store. You are sure to find what you are looking for and then some. New and used merchandise offered.

Other great spots:

Home Store -Vintage, consignment clothing store for men & women

La Paloma Theater- Classic theater that's been around since 1928!

Angelo's Burgers-Greasy, greasy food that is sure to give you heartburn. Yummy onion rings.

The Beach!

Simple stencils

2011-03-15T11:05:00.000-07:00

I have had the itch to learn how to create my own textiles designs via screenprinting lately. But in my effort to cut down on my creative distractions, I have put off on taking a course.

Of course I'm still daydreaming about it and enviously watching screenprinting diy videos across the web. Luckily I came across a simple tutorial that will give me a chance to experiment in a quick and easy way. So Jessica Jones, from How About Oranges, stenciled scarf tutorial isn't exactly screenprinting but it's close!

I'm thinking of giving it a try this weekend. I have a few flawed tote bags lying around that I need to repurpose. I'm thinking cutting up some freezer paper while sipping some chai and watching Twin Peaks is a good way to enjoy these gloomy rainy March days.

You can find the scarf tutorial HERE.

Recent Musings

2011-03-14T11:35:00.000-07:00

I have been spending the past couple months quietly rethinking my business and the items I create. Reflecting back on my first couple years in business, I realize it was a time of experimentation, scatter brained creativity, and learning from the handmade community.

It was the past holiday season that really put my creative business in perspective for me and I realized a couple of important things: along the way:

1) I love the handmade market and community. It is a lot of hardwork but extremely fulfilling and a place I can see myself working in for a long time.
2) I can't do it all and that's okay. I love blogging. I love the blog universe and understand the immense advantage of social media when it comes to promoting my business online but staring at a computer screen for 8 hours each day and then some doesn't really appeal to me. And I'm okay with that.
3) I offer too many products! My desire to manifest new items and work in different fields is a great and keeps things exciting. But guess what? It can actually work against you if you are trying to build a creative business.
4) I am ready to start planning the next big step. For me, this entails lots of quiet musings, reorganization, and executing some serious discipline with my business. It also requires patience. A lot of it.

All of these thoughts have lead me back to pursuing what I love most, embroidery. I really neglected it the past year which is a pity considering I had initially planned on it being my primary medium when I first started my business. This weekend I took the first step towards returning to this medium that I love. Above is a sneak peek of one of my new creations which is a more detailed version of my "Married Hands" greeting card.

What about you? Do you have any new commitments/directions with your creative business?

Stay classy with a bow tie

2011-03-10T10:34:00.000-08:00

Cheerful calico prints, polka dots galore, and a few stripes are making up this spring's bow tie fabric selection.

Mini bow tie necklaces are now available and they are pretty cute.

New necklaces are being added to the shop everyday so be sure to stop by and visit. SHOP HERE!

Vintage Finds

2011-03-09T10:00:00.000-08:00

San Francisco candy tin from the Addison Endpaper vintage sale

Beautiful beaded necklace also from Addison Endpapers. I broke it about two hours later after I bought it. Luckily, it is an easy fix.

Unusual art piece from the Oakland Museum White Elephant Sale. I love how the dots are painted directly onto the glass

So obviously I have a growing passion for collecting an assortment of vintage items and well, for shopping in general. Since this desire of mine doesn't seem to be waning any time soon I am considering opening up a vintage store on Etsy. More thoughts on this soon . . . .

The Man with the Camera: Bill Cunningham

2011-03-03T14:14:00.000-08:00

Although I have my issues with the NYTimes, I love the cultural experience it provides me everyday. My favorite part of the paper would have to be the curated Bill Cunningham "On the Streets" articles. I see this man as a sort of unintentional fashion historian of sorts so I was very excited to learn that a film is being released about him very soon.

If you have a passion for fashion (or NYC for that matter), especially street fashion you need to see this film! Go HERE to find out if it is coming to a theater near you.

Vintage Adventures: Addison Endpapers Part 1

2011-03-01T20:45:00.000-08:00

I went on a little vintage adventure to Addison Endpapers this weekend. There was such an amazing selection of unique, and very old, goods to peruse.

I was so close to buying that little weird bear doll.

The little kitty is holding a spool in its mouth!

I was sort of baffled and scared of this pill packet.

Never seen anything like it.

2011-02-25T22:16:00.000-08:00

I'm doing a little construction on the blog this weekend so it may look a little funky from time to time.
If all goes well, a new simple design will be in place soon!

New Goodies for me!

2011-02-25T14:52:00.000-08:00

I picked up this super cute ice cream coffee cozie a couple of weeks ago at a trunk show I did.
This little yummy number was hand crocheted by the amazing Twinkie Chan.

She has so many other goodies that I want, including this pizza scarf and ice cream sundae hair piece.

SUNO: Bright and Bold

2011-02-24T10:20:00.000-08:00

I can't recall how I came across SUNO but I am so happy that I did. I absolutely love this new fashion team. Not only are their designs fresh, vibrant, and edgy but so is their business model. The creator, Max, has used his business not only to fabricate new textiles but also jobs in Kenya. The design and samples are made in NYC and then 70% of the fabrication takes place in Kenya. Essentially, Suno was Max's response the post election turmoil that occurred in Kenya a while back. How awesome is that.

Good Bye Adorable Rosettes!

2011-02-23T12:54:00.000-08:00

I just happen to check Giant Dwarf's Blog today and learned that their adorable Rosette Fascinators are going into retirement! Boo. So now I have to get myself an early birthday present because I have been wanting one of these for so long.

Being my usual indecisive self, I am having trouble deciding between which color to choose. It's either going to be the The Canary and The Oceanic Decisions, decisions . . . .

Weekend

2011-02-22T09:56:00.000-08:00

What's the best way to relax and get over a cold during the weekend? I recommend a little bit of baking and sewing.

Blueberry muffins with a lemon zest sugar topping

The beginning of Rupert's raincoat

The finished product. Not perfect, but it will do.

2011-02-18T09:23:00.000-08:00

I did a Valentine's Craft Swap a while back through the adorable Strumpet's Crumpets blog. I was fortunate enough to get paired up with Kristin from Florida. She made me this lovely quilted heart pad for my mug. I can't even begin to tell you how delighted I was to receive it. It's my first quilted item ever! Thanks again Kristin!

You can see what I sent her over at her blog, Threaded Stitches.

2011-02-10T11:02:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite new blogs, You Sentimental Idiot, is having a little Giveaway for this print.

You should 1) Stop by and participate in the giveaway (it's about inspiration) and 2) Take the time to browse her blog and follow if you want.

She is always sharing so many lovely things.

I'm so happy I happened upon it when Poppy Talk posted a link to her old family autograph books.

Why yes, I would like to take a vacation . . . .

2011-02-08T11:40:00.000-08:00

It's never too early to start planning a nice sunny vacation to a warm state, right?
I'm thinking a little weekend getaway to the Shady Dell would be nice. How amazing would it be to bunk yourself in their tiki hut and then sip homemade dark n' stormies at night while gazing at the starry sky?

photo by lynn andrews

photo by william flood

Or maybe something more remote would be better? Like the El Cosmico in Texas. I think I could handle the desert for a few days in a shiny tin can or a yurt.

Upcoming Trunk Shows

2011-02-07T10:49:00.000-08:00

Lots of unforeseen circumstances have occurred at my day job lately causing my stress level to jump way up.
Luckily I have two wonderful small trunk shows I'll be taking part of in SF this weekend. This is a very welcomed distraction and I can't even begin to express how much I am looking forward to meeting and socializing with new locals and vendors.

If you are in the area and need some last minute Valentine's gifts, stop by one of these events and say hi. I have a feeling this coming weekend will be just as nice and warm as the last one.

Saturday Night, Feb. 12th:

Sunday Night, Feb. 13th:

Button Heaven

2011-01-31T12:22:00.000-08:00

I went to a magical place a couple weekends ago with my wonderful friend Polly. We decided to take a little trip and visit the legendary Exclusive Button store in Albany. This place is a true diamond in the rough. It also has any button you can imagine and if you are looking for vintage buttons, this is the place to go fo' sure. So if you are in the Bay Area, make a trip. You won't regret it I promise you.

Things to keep in mind if you decide to visit this little store. It is only opened on Friday and Saturday for about 4 to 5 hours each day. Mary is the wonderful lady behind this establishment and it is a true blessing that she keeps this store open. Her husband was the one who originally got into the button business by trading with an assortment of people and building connections to start a massive button collection. He passed away a year ago and now Mary is the lady keeping the buttons flowing. And she knows her stuff too.

They also only take cash and personal checks. No plastic here so bring the green. Prices are totally reasonable. I got my stash for $20 which is great considering that the majority of these buttons are vintage jewels you will have a hard time finding at commercial stores.

Cutest little old sign.

A cabinet full of rare vintage buttons from pretty much everywhere.

Polly looking in one of many drawers filled with buttons!

Love these brown buttons with little floral details. Perfect for a dress.

My button stash. I think the orange buttons with the little stars in the middle are my fave.

New Items

2011-01-28T10:28:00.000-08:00

New paper garlands in the Shop. Guaranteed to make your winter days more cheerful!

Recently Thrifted

2011-01-24T16:16:00.000-08:00

I'm loving my new vintage hand embroidered table runner. I tend to look over embroidered linens but this one stood out to me. The stitching is so wonderful and it will be in near perfect condition after a few little repair stitches.

My favorite part is the fact that the lady did a running stitch on the edges instead of sewing the seams with a machine. Look really closely in the photo above and you can see her brilliant handiwork.

One things leads to another . . . .

2011-01-21T11:46:00.000-08:00

This week, I stopped by my favorite embroidery blog Feeling Stitchy and discovered a mourning embroidery; something I had never heard of before.

This of course provoked a google image search of mourning embroidery, which led me to discover this image.

Which in turn reminded me of this new embroidery show opening in Seattle this week called Dwelling in the Past.

embroidery by Dixie Darling

I started to peruse the artists participating and discovered Dixie Darling who crafts some amazing sculptures/jewelry.

photo by Dixie Darling

2011-01-20T14:45:00.000-08:00

I nabbed this awesome old electrician book out of a box on the streets. It has definitely seen better days but the diagrams inside and the front cover are pretty amazing.

Bulls look better in pink camo

2011-01-14T15:15:00.000-08:00

On Christmas eve 2010, at 2am in 20 Degree weather, the astounding crochet artist, Olek, took on a bull. An inanimate bull that is.

I was so sad to hear that Olek's crocheted bull outfit for the Charging Bull sculpture in NYC was torn off only two hours after she completed it. Guess the wallstreet giants can't handle a good dose of pink yarn. So yeah, covering a bull in yarn is technically illegal but so is all that purty graffiti you can find on the Lower East Side.

She said it was her christmas present to NYC. How awesome is that.

More about Olek and her crochet art and installations HERE.

One things leads to another . . . .

2011-01-13T10:50:00.000-08:00

We all know how distracting the internet can be. What I find even more interesting is how one distraction can lead to another and another and another. Often times I lose track of where an idea or a new discovery came from so I decided to create this post to help me remember where one creative journey began.

Yesterday, I wanted to know how people, like Giant Dwarf, created their own felt, which lead me to a pretty image of her rosette hair piece.

Image from Mark Wagoner Productions

which lead me to a delightful blog called Charming Ink.

Image from Charming Ink

which lead me to DecoyLab's Etsy Shop where you can find the cutest wooden pins.

Image from DecoyLab

which reminded me of my mom and her love of hedgehogs.

Image from Scherenschnitte

Vivian Maier: The Invisible Woman

2011-01-12T14:08:00.000-08:00

I was so delighted to learn about the recently discovered street photographer Vivian Maier from Chicago. Who knew a young nanny from the 1950's spent all her weekends capturing some of the most amazing street photography seen in decades! It's a shame that her talent went unrecognized for so long and that she can't enjoy the credit she so highly deserves. At least the young man who bought her work from a storage locker is making sure she gets the credit she is due.

Photo Blog HERE

Great news clip HERE

V-Day

2011-01-11T11:17:00.000-08:00

It's hard to believe that V-day is just around the corner.
Which is why I stitched up these cards so quickly. I decided to keep it simple and sweet this year.

Buy cards HERE.
Lovely paper heart garlands to decorate your abode will be arriving shortly.

2011-01-03T14:30:00.000-08:00

After a nice long two week hibernation, I am ready to spring back to life! I was hoping to use the two weeks I had off from my day job to do some necessary work and start new projects. Didn't happen and that's okay. The holiday fairs were great but more taxing than I expected. A break was due. I am refreshed with new ideas and can't wait to share all the new projects and products I have swirling around in my little head.

Also, a big thanks to Marianne for sharing a fan photo of her gingerbread man ornament.
I was so busy that I didn't take a single photo of these ornaments or my table at the fairs.
I still can't believe that I sold 60 of these eaten gingerbread characters this past month. Whew!

2010-12-21T11:10:00.000-08:00

The holiday rush is finally over. I have never worked so hard in my entire life. I have to say I am not sure I would recommend doing two large holiday shows back to back, especially if you have a full time job. Mainly cuz sleep deprivation does strange things to your mind and body.

Now it is time to rest, spend a little time with the family, and try to return to a normal sleeping/eating schedule. I hope everyone has a happy and safe holiday.

Time for Giving

2010-12-06T08:49:00.000-08:00

About 2 years ago I lost a close friend of mine to leukamia lymphoma. At the time, myself and other people didn't think it was too serious. We knew our friend Sean was having a tough battle, but being the amazing person he was, we thought he would beat it. So to wake up one morning and find out he was gone was quite a shock, especially considering he was so young.

I have many regrets about my friend passing away, many of them being that I never had a chance to see him before he passed on. His death was a very big shock and a reminder that life can come and go too quickly and too early.

I was reminded of this again this morning when I came across The Fiercegrrl Fund. Nicole is a 27- year old craftster who has recently been diagnosed with Stage 3 ovarian cancer. She can no longer work and must now pay for all of her expenses out of pocket. You can help this fantastic lady out by purchasing one of the adorable ornaments that are for sale on the website. And why not go a step further and repost this story on YOUR BLOG? Help a lady out. Spread some cheer and REPOST. Plus the ornaments are all super cute! Lookie lookie.

SHOP HERE!
READ NICOLE'S STORY

Pretty Birdie

2010-12-02T15:33:00.000-08:00

These lovely cards now live in a wonderful shop in Brooklyn called Homebody Boutique. The owner, Kate, asked me to whip up a few custom cards of her store logo a few weeks ago. I don't know why, but I had a really hard time trying to find the right color combos but I think they ended up pretty darn cute!

You can also pick up my "Awesome" cards as well as few others at her shop now. So send your Brooklynite friends over to buy one!

The holiday goodies have begun . . . .

2010-11-27T10:20:00.000-08:00

Where have I been?What I have been doing? Making stuff!!

Including these adorable eaten gingerbread men ornaments, which will be available tomorrow at the Petaluma Downtown Craft Mart's Holiday Crafterino!

Oh yeah, these unique upcycled stockings made from sewing patterns will be available too!
Don't worry they won't tear when you pack them with treats cuz they've been fused to vinyl!

New: Detachable Collars

2010-11-23T16:27:00.000-08:00

Remember all those wonderful Detachable Collars I spotlighted awhile back? Well, I decided to try and sew up a few on my own and they didn't turn out too bad. Here is a little sneak peek.

Happy Friday!

2010-11-19T11:09:00.000-08:00

Rupert and I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. Don't let the yucky weather stop you from going out and playing a little bit, or prevent you from seeing the new Harry Potter movie.

Too busy to dream? Never!

2010-11-17T10:45:00.000-08:00

I am busy. That's pretty much it. Super busy. And the work is not going to stop until after December 18th (if I'm lucky). So yes, the blog is taking a backseat for a little while. Trust me, there will be a surge of postings after the 18th of December.

But while you wait I'd thought I'd share with you what I have been dreaming about lately. Airstreams. And not just any old airstreams. Converted airstreams into mini portable pop up shops/craft mobiles. I would LOVE to do this someday. So big kudos to these folks below for making it happen. You are my heroes.

Fashion Designer Stacey Bendet of Alice+Olivia went on tour with a whole design/styling crew. They set up shop at a couple of music festivals and offer make-overs/style sessions. They also raised money for flood victims in the south, which is pretty awesome. You can check out their tour over at her blog HERE

In Texas, a group of craft ladies pitched in, bought a old trailer, named her Stella and created The WonderCraft. This lovely silver bullet caters to the local community and offers them the opportunity to bring a little crafty creativity into their lives. Their mobile is also a shop carrying local handmade goods. Want to know more? Go HERE.

The newest mobile creation to pop up is Wanderlust. This very quaint yet cute retail cart carries lovely vintage goodies. The creators Vanessa and Dan Lurie were inspired by the many food carts scattered across the Portland area and thought to themselves, "Why not take this to the next level? Why not a retail shop?" And what better place to make something like this happen than Portland. Want to know more? Check out their events HERE.

2010-11-08T11:02:00.000-08:00

The weekend was filled with:

-Staying up late to finish some delightful new items (photos coming soon!)
-Conquering my first ever rainy day craft fair.
-Enjoying an artichoke mozzarella panini
-Meeting a dog that catches bottlecaps and spits them back at you to throw into his mouth again.
-Watching a weird documentary about Cropsey (a child abductor from Long Island)
-Enjoying the second episode of The Walking Dead (one of my new favorite shows)

Now I am trying to battle a possible cold and am perusing the Home & Garden section of NY Times. I discovered this rather lovely story about a woman and her husband who buy "ghost town" property throughout the west. The slideshow of their property is pretty stunning. It makes me wish I had a job that would allow me to live out of an airstream and travel like a (very) modern hobo.

Article HERE.

Slideshow HERE.

Halloween Part 2

2010-11-02T15:21:00.000-07:00

My Halloween weekend involved finishing my costume just in time for the roller derby bout, and wondering the streets Sunday night looking at cool costumes, and fun decorated houses.

Some of my favorite costumes were this weird monster toy costume with a giant zipper and the Totorro couple (so cute!).

These girls had the best group costume.

They were a shark, dead seagull, octopus, and my favorite, a shrimp.

Photo by Smokey's Tangle

The roller derby referees dressed up like superheroes.

We saw some great decorations including Wizard of Oz statues, a graveyard dedicated to recently deceased celebrities, and Little Shop of Horrors.

Halloween!

2010-11-01T14:21:00.000-07:00

Bianca in a gnome hat and beard. She didn't really like it too much.

I'm always sad when Halloween is over. I really wish it was a 3-day holiday vs. just one day. Luckily I had the weekend to celebrate and I really felt like I made the most of it!

After changing my costume idea 3 times (remember, I said this might happen) I came up with a wonderful costume that I had a great time making. I rushed out of work on Friday, stopped by the Creative Reuse store and found most of my supplies. With my sister's help and incredible design skills, we were able to start my costume Friday night and finish it Saturday afternoon.

So what was I? A russian nesting doll! Also known as a Matryoshka Doll. I was hoping to have some extra time to make a set of stacked nesting dolls to hide underneath my apron but alas I didn't. But that's okay cuz I loved my costume.

My sister's costume was pretty amazing too. She was a drowned swimmer and all it took were a couple of felt sea creatures to really bring her costume to life.

She took my 1930's vintage bathing suit, put the cutest felt crab in her hair, made herself paler than pale, and then draped some "seaweed" with dead fishes, shells and sand dollars tangled in between onto her shoulders. It was pretty awesome. More on our Halloween adventures tomorrow . . . . .

Floating gowns

2010-10-28T09:33:00.000-07:00

Last year, the New York City Opera allowed artist E.V. Day(one of my favorite artists) to scrounge through their collection and transform some of their most amazing gowns into sculptural displays in the Lincoln Center lobby. I love the way the dresses are suspended in mid air. The outfits give off such an eerie feeling that I believe reminds the viewer of how theater is a sort of means of raising the dead.

Fun facts:

-The artist ended up using 22 miles of fishing line to hang up her installation.
-E.V. Day's "Mummified Barbie" series helped put her on the map in the artworld. She is mostly known for her integration and use of deconstructed textiles and suspension in her sculptural pieces.

You can read the past NYTimes article HERE and check out a full slideshow of the installation HERE.

Absolutely LOVE these turbans with hair extensions!

Halloween Decorations

2010-10-27T09:16:00.000-07:00

My former co-worker and friend loves Halloween just as much as I do. So when it came to decorating the office we went all out. Lucky for us, our efforts were rewarded since the college we work for holds an annual Halloween decoration competition. The first year we one first place, last year we won second.

Believe it or not, it really doesn't take too much to make great decorations. All you really need is some cardboard, paint, plastic trash bags, and voila! You can transform your stifling office into a scary office dungeon or even the devil's bakery!

The first year we went for an office"dungeon" theme.

The black walls were made with large garbage bags that we stretched.

We copied our hands and used them to create macabre sconces.

We used basic office tools, like hole punchers and made them into torture devices.

The second year we created a Devil's Bakery, which gave us an excuse to make tons of fun Halloween treats. The outside of the office looked like a nice pink bakery . . .

But the inside was filled with flames! A giant cauldron painted onto cardboard was used to block off a doorway.

We also have an old defunct fireplace in our office and we covered it with black vinyl shelf liner and made it into an oven.

I made some shrunken head cider

And some little vampire cookies from oreos.

Free Halloween Pattern!

2010-10-22T12:13:00.000-07:00

Can you believe that Halloween is less than 9 days away?!? Are you busy finishing your costume? Will you be carving pumpkins this weekend? Well, just in case you don't have any spooky crafts planned here is a simple free embroidery pattern for you to trace and stitch away while watching your favorite scary movie.

You can choose from the basic embroidery pattern or try printing out the greeting card embroidery pattern and send a creepy card to your friend! Enjoy!

Mustache Bags

2010-10-21T12:56:00.000-07:00

I did a little applique fun for the mustache festival I participated in a few weeks ago.
Now these new bags are slowly trickling into the Shop.
Who knew mustaches could look so good in calico print?!?
More to come soon . . . .

Maniacal Minatures

2010-10-20T10:09:00.000-07:00

Nutshell Studies of Unexplained Deaths has been on my bookworm wish list for quite some time now. So naturally, I was quite delighted to discover that a documentary about Frances Glessner Lee's famous miniatures was being made. And who better to narrate this exploration of odd forensic masterpieces than Mr. John Waters.

It's astonishing to think that this woman's work is still having an impact on not only the forensic world today but Hollywood as well. Her miniatures were the inspiration behind the Miniature Killer from the classic crime show, CSI. A short trailer for the film is below.