artsy-crafty babe

la-dee-dah

"La-dee-dah", that pretty much sums up how I feel at the moment.  Not too much going on, but too much going on all at the same time, does that make any sense?  Regardless, I'm moving right along.

I've been trying to do a little sewing to update the shop, remember, I used to have an etsy shop?  Way back at the beginning of the year I made a vow only to spend on fabric what I made by selling in the shop.  Boy, have I ever left that one behind!  I'm real excited about these new bags, made in the style of the daisy button bag, but it sure is taking me a long time.  Who knew the addition of a pleated pocket to the front would be so labor intensive.  Sheesh!  I had planned on starting out with 6 fall colored bags, but as of now I only have 3 partially finished.  I also have a few bags that I made earlier this spring/summer that I plan to list.  Two of them I made for myself, used for a very brief time, then decided that I didn't want them.  I threw those two in the wash (they washed beautifully), pressed them, and now they're as good as new.  Do you think that's weird - me listing those?  The other bag is a pleated purse that I made for a friend, but she never got back in touch with me to purchase it.  Oh well, her loss. 

I know, 6 measly purses isn't much of an update, but that's something.  I'm really not cut out to 'sew for sale'.  I much prefer to sew for myself or for gifts, but sometimes I get the urge to make something that I don't need, like 6 pleated pocket purses!  I'll let you know when I do update - it may be next week or next month, who knows.

Before I forget, I was tagged last week my Linda for the Craft Meme, so here it goes:

Four choices--list crafts that you are familiar with, in the categories you'd choose.

1. Love it! This is my thing.  Sewing, of course!  I really do love anything to do with fabric.  I like sewing for myself, my kids, my home, and accessories.
2. I do or have dabbled in it.  Crochet, knitting, embroidery, card making, stamping, painting, jewelry making, and quilting. Unfortunately, I don't have enough time to devote to any of them.  I can only do so much!
3. I'll give it a try.  Photography - this is something I have an interest in, but have never really explored.  I'd also like to try making pottery.  Oh yeah, there's also printing on fabric - I'm very interested on this, but have no idea where to even begin.
4. I've got absolutely no interest.  I'm afraid that I'm going to offend lots with this one, but scrapbooking is something that I really have no interest in.  I've tried it in the past, but I can't get into it.  I guess I'd have to lump collage into that category as well.  I do admire those who do scrapbook and make beautiful collages, but I don't have that talent.  But who knows, I used to have no interest in knitting, and look at me now!

I think I'm supposed to tag 4 people to do this, so the first 4 people to comment on this post, go for it, if you want to, that is.

ideas galore

We had a great time yesterday at the Cottage Living Idea Home.  *WARNING* photo overload!!  Upon entering this fabulous house, we promptly made ourselves right at home in the living room.

We looked in all the closets, flushed the toilets, took pictures of ourselves in strange places, and even enjoyed a cigar.  Hee hee!!

Seriously, we did have a good time checking out the house.  As you can see, pictures were welcomed.  I've created a while flickr set, if you're interested.  This house will be featured in the October 2007 issue, with much, much better photos than this, I'm sure.

One of my favorite rooms was the upstairs girl's room.  Isn't it cute?

Look at these curtains - brilliant!  These are made from felt.  The edges are pinked and yarn is sewn in a long running stitch along the edge.  The curtains are attached to the top of the windows with thumbtacks.  How easy is that?

And look at the coordinated bedding, that's two rows of rick-rack with pretty ribbon in the middle.  I think I need to fancy up some plain sheets and pillow cases like this.

My next favorite space (or a close tie) was the little crafting nook under the stairs.  Love it! 

Shelving love.

I can totally see myself crafting away in that little space, though I am kind of used to having a whole room to myself.  If this were my house I'd probably do away with the study full of dead ducks and cigars and make that my craft room.  Just sayin'.

I want this patio.  I need this patio. *sigh*

I also need a room like this, a parlor.  Can you ever have too many shelves?

Gosh, I could go on and on - just go check out the flickr set, I tried to photo the details and added a little description/commentary to my photos. Enjoy!!

gratitude friday

It's been a while since I've done one of these.  I let them go because I felt like a broken record every Friday, grateful for family, faith, home, health, love - what else is there, really?  Even though I haven't said it recently, I am so very grateful for all those things, especially that group of goons above.  That's the photo I took of them at the airport before I left for California.  Those 4 people are my everything, and I am so, so very grateful that I have them in my life.

It's been stressful getting back into the groove of things with the start of school, football practice, and Matt's graduate classes two nights a week, but we're surviving.  It feels good to get back into a routine.  I find comfort in the rhythm of our day, though it can be a struggle getting everything to fall into place.  We're all experiencing some difficulties with this new transition, but we'll get used to it.  I can't wait. 

At the end of this busy week I am grateful for the weekend, grateful for some time to relax and reconnect.  This weekend I'm putting those darned cabinets on the back burner because I feel the need to craft.  Hopefully I'll have something to show for it by the end of the weekend.  I'm most excited about a little date with Matt on Sunday afternoon.  We're going down to New Orleans to tour the Cottage Living Idea Home.  I'm so excited!  If I can take pictures, I will, believe me!!

I guess that's all folks, have a great weekend and enjoy life!!

little pink house

Okay, so I haven't been working on my house projects, but I did work on a house.  A cute little pink house on a pouch.

When the idea popped into my head I had to make it.  My pouch is mighty wonky, but I think that adds to the charm.  If I had taken my time, I could have done it better, but I was in too much of a rush - a common theme of my life at the moment.

Now that I got that out of my system it's back to working on my house.  Next on the agenda - priming my kitchen cabinets for painting.  What fun (not).  Wanna take a bet on how long I'll last with that before I get tempted by another craft project?  Not long, I'm sure!  It may be YEARS before I'm done with those cabinets.

quickie thrifting

Yesterday I made a quick run to the thrift store.  The stock was low, but I was lucky enough to find some goodies.

2 pieces of fabric + 4 sheets + 4 pillowcases = $10, not bad.

These are my favorites.  The coloring is off in the photo, but I think you get the idea.  I would have taken a better picture using daylight, but they were still in the wash.   Isn't that one in the middle fabulous?  As usual, I have no plans for these, but they sure are pretty to look at!

i *heart* japanese craft books

Can you stand the cuteness?  I sure can't, which is why I had to break my craft/blog break.  Whatever.

When I saw this little pouch, I had to make one.  Immediately.  My cutie polka dot flower is made from a vintage yo-yo from a thrift store score.  Perfect.  Polka dots + yo-yo's + ric-rack + buttons, can you go wrong?  I think not.

Now I have the urge to make a dozen of these.  It's a sickness, I tell ya!

h-o-t

So, what do you do when it's 104 degrees outside?

Attend a birthday party with a melted birthday cake (no, it wasn't an ice cream cake).

Thankfully, the party was at a water park.

There were lots of opportunities to cool off!

still hanging in there

I'm still around, trying to catch up on all of you.  My crafting/blog down time has been productive - last night I actually cleaned out my sewing studio.  Boy, was that a chore!  Once I got things cleaned up the ideas started flowing.  Thankfully right there at my sewing table was the notebook from Beth.  I love writing on a fresh sheet of paper! 

I'm slowly but surely cleaning out and clearing out my home.  It feels good.  There is still a long way to go, but as long as I'm making progress, I'm happy. 

These pictures have  nothing to do with this entry, I just like them.  I took them earlier this spring.  These are from a little touristy area near home.  I love being a tourist close to home.

bad blogger

Yeah, yeah, yeah, I said I was going into "blogger lite" mode.  This is why I didn't officially declare a break, I can't do it.  I can't stay away!  As soon as I say that I'm not going to post I end up posting 15 times in a row.  Okay, enough of that.

Before one more day goes by, I MUST give thanks to all the lovely things I've received over the last few months.  I have such a guilty conscience, that I couldn't even bring myself to use some of these things until I've blogged about them.

MONTHS ago Beth from Write, Mama. Write. sent me this package of goodies as a thank-you for sending her some goodies.  She included one of her oilcloth covered notebooks, some fabric scraps, and vintage trim.  Love it all!  Thanks, Beth!!

Robyn of ...that silly girl sent me these wonderful goodies for winning a drawing on her blog.  There were scraps (love scraps!), fabric, a cute zippered pouch filled with candies (which I totally needed), some ribbon and some adorable baby clothes for Ava that belonged to her sweet baby.  How thoughtful was that?  Thank-you, Robyn!

Right before I left for CA I received this lovely little package from Zoe of Fresh Preserves.  I couldn't believe it - two vintage hankies and a lavender thingy (sorry, I didn't know what to call it).  This was totally unexpected.  All I did was send her a little fabric that she commented on.  Thanks, Zoe!

I'm including a combined picture here - both Claire of little lovelies and Mary Ann of a very mary design sent me a little something for no reason of all.  How sweet!  Claire made the needlebook on the left (how did she know I needed one of those?) and Mary Ann made those adorable tags on the right.  I love them all!  I love surprises like that!!

Last but not least I must show off the wonderful package of goodies I received from Kristen of Taylor Made designs.  WOW!  I won a drawing on her blog last month.  Boy, I was totally blown away when I got this one.  Look at all that stuff:

There are note cards, little cards, little tags, wine tags, a notebook (love it - perfect for my purse), and chocolates.  She really out did herself on this one.

Thank you Kristen, I love it all, really I do!

Thanks, girls!  Y'all are too much!!!  Crafty bloggers are the BEST, most generous bloggers, EVER!! Oh yeah, most of these lovely ladies have etsy shops, so click on their links and go check them out :)

to be continued...

Ah, back home again!  My little adventure out to Southern California was nice, but I'm glad to be back home.  It sucked that I was in class all day the whole time I was there, but the evenings did allow me a little fun.  The best part of the whole trip was getting to meet up with some online friends.  Shhh, don't tell my mother-in-law, she'd FREAK.  Meeting up with someone I met over the internet?  The HORROR!!  The fact that I'm writing this post and made it back home in one piece is testament that my online friends aren't ax murderers.  They were real people, who were all genuinely nice and a joy to be around.

First I got to meet Judi, who was super sweet.  I've known Judi for years.  We met on a parenting message board eons ago.  Meeting her wasn't weird at all, more like meeting up with an old friend.  We hung out in my hotel room and took goofy pictures of ourselves.  There was much laughing involved.  Did I mention she brought her two kids with her, who were absolute angels the whole time?  I wish my kids behaved like that.

Tuesday evening I had my first blogger meet up.  Carrie of Sommer Designs picked me up from class, then we went out to dinner.  What fun that was!  Of course the first thing we did besides hug, was inspect each other's bags.  There was non-stop talking the whole time about all sorts of topics.  She was so sweet and nice!  She even gifted me one of her lavender liners, which was totally unexpected.  Thank you Carrie, for taking the time out of your busy life to spend an evening with me.

Last, but not least, was dinner on Thursday evening with Judi along with Stacy, another long time online friend from the parenting board.  We had such a blast.  We ate, drank, talked, laughed, then ate some more.  I only wish we had more time to spend together, as our evening ended too quickly.  Stacy is into crochet.  She said that if we had more time she would have taken me to a special little yarn shop she visits.  Oh dear, I think I would have been in trouble there!  Next time, it's a date!!

After the real-life meet ups, the next best part of my trip to CA was going to a Japanese book store.  Holy moly, I was in heaven!  I could have spent hours looking through the craft books, but I only had about 10 minutes.  One of my classmates was nice enough to bring me there during lunch one day.  I quickly chose three books, all of which are great.  I even had the chance to get a little head start on a new bag in my hotel room one night.

Now, about the title of this post - I've decided to continue my blog/craft break through the month of August.  I know from experience that when I declare a blog break I end up posting the next day, so I'm not going to officially call it a break, but more of a "blogging lite"  mode.  I'm sure I'll pop in from time to time.  I'll definitely still be reading blogs, as I have about a gazillion posts to catch up on.  Instead of crafting I'll be spending my time focusing on household projects.  I tend to get like this at this time every year.  I have the urge to paint every room, make new curtains, and totally give my house an overhaul.  I doubt I'll do all that, but I will be making some changes (they will be blogged about, don't worry!). 

Later, gator - enjoy the rest of summer!!