The Wind and The Sail

I'm stuck.

2011-09-22T17:32:00.000-04:00

I've had a creative jam lately.

I'm trying to overcome it with lots of blog reading, lots of bike riding and lots and lots of home projects. Like rearranging furniture and making new curtains. Soon, hopefully very soon, I'll be back in the swing of making.

Until then, you can find me in a few places:

CraftSanity just put out there fall issue! Inside you can find out how to make your own Jefferson Camel!

And! I'm over at MollieMakes today! MollieMakes is a craft lifestyle magazine from the UK! I absolutely adore it! I feel so privileged to be a part of their blog!

And keep on sewing! I'll be back at my machine in no time.

I really am alive.

2011-07-14T16:57:00.000-04:00

One quick update:

I'm alive. I'm working my fingers to the bone. I have been accepted into Detroit Handmade at Maker's Faire at the end of July. And Renegade Chicago, September 11 & 12. I'm SUPER BUSY! It's really, really fun. But also, really, really time consuming. I have thankfully been blessed with an intern who will be helping me in keeping my social media alive. I miss blogging and sharing and posting. I hope to get back to it soon! Until then, just envision me sitting at a long white work bench in front of a sewing machine late into the night watching doogie howser marathons and listening to npr news updates.

that's all I've been doing.
and secretly I love it!!

And one other thing: Meet Elsie. She's a new addition to the family. And AWESOME, if I do say so myself.

Today I: went to the greenhouse.

2011-06-12T16:39:00.001-04:00

After the Indieana Handicraft Exchange yesterday, I looked at my calendar and realized we are in the second week of June. Crafting has seriously gotten in the way of my outdoor adventures that happen once our frozen tundra thaws and begins to sprout new life.

I also realized that as of this glorious Sunday, I don't have anything planned for the rest of June. What's that you say? YES! My calendar is a variable smorgasbord of nothing. I have taken this as a sign to get all my spring stuff done even though it is almost officially summer. Like decorate my front porch and spruce up my bike. And my favorite of all favorite hot day activities, get my garden officially planted.

When I bought my house four years ago, I did so for three reasons: 1. it was cute! 2. it was cheap and 3. it had an ENORMOUS backyard. And this backyard quickly became an enormous vegetable garden. Some years have been successful, others not so much. (or at all, shame on me.)

So, today I got myself dressed, put on my gardening shoes and drove to the sweetest green house that I know of, Country Acres. It's located up the road from me off Hwy. 231. And every spring, right before mother's day, Kate has the place PACKED with flowers for what seems miles. The colors make the corners of your mouth turn up and there's such hot energy floating around every little bloom that it makes you feel invincible. Or, at least, just like Martha Stewart.

Even though spring has mostly passed, she still had flowers and (even more important) vegetables left. I bought some ornamental grass and flowers for my pots on the porch. And luscious rosemary. (oh, rosemary how you delight me.) On the vegetable end I bought; warm weather cabbage, tomatoes (yellow, pink, cherry and red), broccoli, and peppers. On the seed side, I came home with turnips, beets, corn, bush beans, parsnips and pumpkins.

This is the week of hard work. I'll let you know how it goes.

Oh! And isn't this impressive? Mum starts! Surely a sign I'm WAY behind. sigh.

Alligatorsssss

2011-06-10T19:19:00.000-04:00

Whilst I was standing in my perfect little spot in Philadelphia at the Art Star Craft Bazaar, a lady asked me, "do you have an alligator?"

And then I thought to myself, "Laura! Why DON'T you have an alligator???" So, I made one.

May I present to you, Mr. Alligator himself.

Of course, he had to be colorful. He had to have scary (but sweet) chomping teeth. And he just HAD to have movable legs.

So, so in love.

My Rennovated Craft Room: An Adventure

2011-05-24T17:12:00.001-04:00

Hi.

Craft Show Season has thrown me for a loop. But, I've been chomping at the bit to share with you my beautiful new crafting space. My darling Louis, who is a wonderful photographer (seriously, his pictures make my heart warm, just go look.), brought his camera with him on his last visit and stunningly captured my new space.

Some high points:

The $1 yard sale find ironing table. That would be the picture with shoe organizer filled with fabric and trinkets. The lady that sold it to me didn't even know what it was! I built a table frame to the perfect ironing height.
My sewing table (the top came from menards, the base I built myself.) has room for a cutting mat and two sewing machines.
Above the sewing table, there's some organizing tools that came from ikea. Plus my cool as hell thread holder that I've blogged about before.
My mustard colored crushed velvet vintage chair that I snagged at a thrift store. It perfectly hugs the shoulders and is so comfortable for long nights of sewing.

Some things you can't see in the pictures:

There's a HUGE chair in the corner that is perfect for cat naps and sitting and hand sewing. (it was a hand-me-down from a family friend)
There's a big box store 5-shelf unit that has fabric stacked to it's gills.
On the floor under the sewing table is a heavy duty power strip with a on/off push button on the front. When you touch it with your toe the radio, the light, the sewing machine all come on at once. It is brilliant. (I kind of stole the idea from Louis's darkroom set up.)
Under the ironing table, there are totes for storage that is covered up by skirt that I made from a vintage sheet.
My clothes closet is in this room as well. It's a walk-through to my bedroom. (My house is 110 years old. there's some odd architecture going on.) However, because I don't really care about clothes storage, I emptied half of it out to put up an industrial shelf that holds all my other miscellaneous craft supplies. Like stamps and paper and styrofoam and beads and glass melting equipment and shells.
I have one large window that faces north. There isn't much window light in the room, however, I do have a view of a bird feeder and I can open it and listen to the rain.

So, yeah. that's my new craft room. I love being in it. It's a haven.

Art Star Craft Bazaar!

2011-05-22T15:56:00.003-04:00

you may be wondering where I've been lately, and if I could accurately take a picture of my fingertips to show their calloused, thickened skin, you would understand. I spent weeks, late nights and days, borrowing time of dear friends and family members, to prepare for the six hundred mile journey to philadelphia to attend Art Star Craft Bazaar. I will tell you, I was nervous. While I truly believe in the things I make and design, I also know that my work doesn't really speak to everyone. I was worried about the acceptance of my vision and even more worried that I'd spend the money to make the trek only to find my money box empty.

but that didn't happen. in fact, my box runneth over. even after a saturday afternoon filled with rain.

my darling louis loaded me up in his car, drove me across state lines, enlisted the help of his sweet family and even helped me sell my wares to the waiting public.

and we got such good reviews! even this little guy loved it!

I was also overly excited to meet some of the crafters I've idolized over the years. particularly Jay McCarroll. he's been such an inspiration to me over the years. while his specialty is hip fabrics (CHECK THIS OUT!) and even hipper fashion, and I specialize in cute; his need to create has always made my heart hurt. I made him a cat. he was gracious to talk to another fan girl. he was also hilarious and I'm fairly certain tried to hit on louis. I bought a tote bag with some of my earnings. I sit and look at it a lot and smile that I got to meet him!

I also REALLY wanted to meet Jordan Elise. she is the creator of Horrible Adorables and I stalk her online on a weekly basis. her aesthetic is so different than anything I've seen on the crafting circuit and I just adore her. turns out, she's pretty fabulous to say the least. her sweetness fills the air around her and you just want to take a piece of her home. she let me take a picture of her. isn't she beautiful? sigh.

so, yeah. Philadelphia is filled with a WIDE range of fun, crafting types. Megan and Erin, who run Art Star, are a dream to work with! both very friendly and sweet (and SO organized!!).

oh! AND! four different stores want to sell my things! soon The Wind and The Sail will be in Art Star, Tall Cow, Hello Bluebird and Vix Emporium!

To sum up? Best. Weekend. Ever.

loot!

2011-04-21T20:43:00.001-04:00

loot!, originally uploaded by laurastantz.

I've done nothing but sit in my craft room and sew. I have exactly 24 days until Art Star Craft Bazaar! Feeling both excited AND nervous.

celebrating my beauty mark.

2011-04-14T11:07:00.002-04:00

For as long as I can remember, I've had a mole right above my lip on the left hand side. I don't ever really think about it. I can tell you it doesn't even register in my mind when I look at myself in the mirror. It's just a part of my face. I even found a boyfriend with a matching one. When we kiss they line up like power ranger rings and we have special powers! However, my little sister finds it vastly amusing. Especially after Austin Powers 3 came out in 2002.

Remember? I do. because I've heard it in various forms for nine years. I've taken it lightly. We all have our blemishes and little quirks that make us different. I think I'm beautiful. So, when I made some pretty soft cats for my shop, I thought I'd pay tribute to my blemish and make these cute Beauty Mark Cats. They are available in my shop in case you'd like a beauty mark of your own.

On the Radio!!

2011-03-29T20:15:00.000-04:00

Yael Ksander from WFIU came to the Paper Crane Gallery to interview a few of the artists participating in the Bloomington Handmade Market! It was a TON of fun! I was super nervous and had NO idea what I was going to say. However, it seems to have turned out just fine.

If you'd like to hear the interview, you can visit the artworks link, here.

Sweet, Sleepy Rattles.

2011-03-20T16:20:00.000-04:00

Hi!

It's been a very warm and sunny Sunday here in my neck of the woods. The past couple of days have been really busy with things non-craft related, which has me itching to sit at my sewing machine again. However, between things, I've been sewing on faces and stitching up stuffing holes on these pretty handmade bunny and kitty rattles. They make the most pleasant sound. I love to give them a shake as I'm embroidering. They'll be on my table at the Bloomington Handmade Market coming up in just a few short weeks. (two to be exact!)

I'm headed out for a walk in this early spring weather!

Art Star Craft Bazaar!

2011-03-19T19:35:00.002-04:00

As a crafter, there are a few things I would like to accomplish in my lifetime. There are some outlandish ones. (I'd like to meet Martha Stewart) And some ambitious ones. (I'd like to be the author of a craft book.) And there are some that are just fun. (I'd like to have a completely handmade wardrobe of smocked sundresses.)

Then, sometimes, moments come along and you think to yourself, "all of these are absolutely possible."

One of those surprise moments came this week when I, just another crafter from a tiny town in Indiana, got accepted into a craft show in a big city. Yep! I'll be heading to Philadelphia for the amazing Art Star Craft Bazaar, May 14 &15!

I want to downgrade it and tell myself it is just a fluke. I'm just one tiny crafter in the big world of the handmade movement. But I can't help but be excited. Two years ago when it was just me and a stack of fabric in my living room, with no direction and no idea of what I really wanted to make, I never would have dreamed I'd be making plans to head to the city of brotherly love, with the love of my life, for a pretty important craft show. I'm really proud of myself. (even if that voice in the back of my head is telling me I shouldn't brag.)

I cannot wait to strut my stuff. I even have the fabric for a pretty smocked sundress to make.
And, fingers crossed, I can sneak a peak at that Jay McCarroll in all his wonderful glory. eek!

Today.

2011-03-17T19:26:00.000-04:00

listening: lots of motown.

eating: greek salad.

drinking: grape juice and lemon water.

wearing: my favorite blue cardigan.

feeling: ambitious.

outside: Sunny, warm and breezy. hello, spring!

wanting: to go for a swim.

needing: some money in the bank.

thinking: how lucky I am.

enjoying: making patterns.

wondering: about craft show applications.

Snakes!

2011-03-15T20:22:00.001-04:00

I've been working really hard on a new line of plush for my upcoming shows. (I'll be at the Bloomington Handmade Market on April 2nd and at the Art Star Craft Bazaar May 14-15!) I made these snakes this week. I like that even snakes can be cute. Their backs are all different colors and their face embroidery is color coordinated. Their tongues are made out of felt. It was brought to my attention that my snakes are poisonous due to their diamond shaped heads. However, I think they would only poison you with sweetness.They are so Monday to Friday.

Bloomington Handmade Market: Spring Edition

2011-03-10T19:31:00.002-05:00

I'm super excited about being in this show! It's put on by a great group of ladies and there's always so much happiness! I'll have a brand new line of plush available as well as some other sweet hand sewn treats! Come out and see us for more info: www.bloomingtonhandmademarket.com/

Craft Room!

2011-03-06T20:49:00.002-05:00

Remodeling Post: #2 This is my new ironing table!
I built it all by myself.

During a pretty great little yard sale trip last summer, I came across this enormous idea board at a church yard sale. The lady who sold it to me didn't even know what it was. When I told her, she looked at me funny and said, "why do you want it?" but want it I did! Two dollars later, I had in the back of the car, laughing all the way home. Because of it's cushion and wide flat space, I thought it would make the BEST ironing table in all the world. I made the frame from some left over wood and confidence in myself that I could use a circular saw without cutting off any extremities (I am positively the klutziest person in the entire world!). It turned out beautifully! It's a little taller than a normal table to make it easier to iron. I'm going to make a skirt for the bottom to store completed merchandise underneath. All in all, I couldn't be happier!

Craft Room!

2011-03-02T20:19:00.001-05:00

Holy Moses, Chief!

The past week has been exhausting. I have sorted, scraped, scrubbed, sanded and painted the room that used to be storage into a room just for sewing. I cannot wait to get everything in place and show you what I've been up to. But, until then, here's a picture of the perfect colors I didn't even chose. The green was left over from an ill conceived living room paint choice. White was just a perfect blank palette choice. I absolutely cannot wait to get everything put together.

Until then!

A-Frame Thread Holder

2011-02-25T16:52:00.003-05:00

When I was growing up, I had a best friend who lived across the street. Her name was Carly. We spent a TON of time together. We'd make up elaborate schemes, play dress up, and make silly games out of nothing. Carly had the coolest mom (who was best friends with my mom). She left npr on for her house plants. Her house smelled like coffee. She always had snacks. She smoked, which was a big deal only because my parents didn't. I thought she was awesome. As Carly and I grew older, we kind of grew apart, but there was always this tender spot for both her and her mother, Ruth. However, recently, my mother and Ruth have rekindled their friendship, and much to my enjoyment, so have Ruth and I. There is something rather special about being able to be friends with someone you looked up to as a child.

This past week, Ruth came to pick me up and we went thrifting together. I had spotted a massive pile of old quilt tops I knew she'd be interested in, and so off we went to our local junk store. It was on this trip that I spotted a lovely a-frame shadow box that was in need of some attention. (the love of my life wants to live in an a-frame house, which would make me happy as well.)

So, I brought it home, cleaned it up, gave it a coat of shiny, bright red paint. I also removed the back to replace the terrible red velvet fabric. And now, I have a pretty holder for thread and bobbins. Though, I could never find a house big enough to hold my entire collection! The best part? I bought this house for less than a dollar and used only what I hand on hand supply wise. So much goodness from a little trip with a dear friend.

Today.

2011-02-21T23:38:00.000-05:00

Jefferson Camel

listening: the go! team. he always gives great recommendations.

eating: homemade pizza of the cheese variety.

drinking: strong french coffee.

wearing: the pearl earrings.

feeling: focused.

outside: the cold wind is blowing the warmth away.

wanting: an organization coach.

needing: lots of hugs.

thinking: about pattern making.

enjoying: apple mango tango fabric softener.

wondering: if my new camel design will be a big hit.

New Classes!

2011-01-24T21:16:00.001-05:00

This new year brings new adventures! I will be teaching crafty classes at the Owen County Public Library this year! The first one starts at the end of February! Here is the flyer...

You need to come! If you need more info, just let me know! Are you not in the area? Let me know! I can send you class materials and instruction to follow along!

a bow.

2011-01-02T20:02:00.000-05:00

Of all the things I made this christmas, there's one thing that stands out in my mind: a bow.
Yep! I had run out of wrapping paper and needed something to make this package pretty! so, I cut up some strips of leftover newspaper and made a great bow.

And here is how I did it!

I started out by using a paper cutter to make one inch strips the length of the newspaper. I then cut those strips in half. I took the ends of each strip and matched them up, creating a loop at the end, and taping it to an eight inch circle I cut out of copier paper.

I kept going around in around, taping each looped strip next to one another. Be sure that each layer covers the layer beneath it.

After taping the loops as far as I could, I took two strips, made a cross and tape them into a circle to make a nice center. And there you have it! An easy and simple bow to make with materials you probably have on hand!

2011.

2010-12-26T10:12:00.000-05:00

Inside a sweet package I received in the mail, were three beautiful field notes books. The sender, just as sweet as the package, knows my love of the field notes because it was he who facilitated my addiction in the first place. Because I always carry one in my bag, I thought it only appropriate to put down my goals for the year 2011 in my brand spankin' new one.

create a pattern line
turn in a book proposal
make 50 walri
bulk up etsy to 100 listings
attend/vendor 8 craft shows
blog at least 1/wk, 4x if possible
remodel bathroom
paint kitchen floor
purchase new couch
have a gorgeous roommate i get to kiss a lo
see the ocean
learn swedish
ride my bike
learn to make croissants
be a better friend
write more letters/postcards
start zine

2010-12-14T17:54:00.002-05:00

I finally got my christmas tree put up. I somehow lost my holiday cheer, had to send some elves for it, they found it, shipped it usps, and of course, it took forever to get here! However, when I pulled it out of the box, my faith in the holiday season was restored, and here is my lovely, handmade christmas tree.

I started with a box of mismatched ribbon tied their ends together, and wrapped it around and around. Of course, I saved the pretty yellow satin bow for the top.

I made pretty house ornaments out of scrap fabric and buttons.

that mimicked the stuffed houses I've been making all year.

then I added pretty ginger girls and boys. with funky bows attached.

Oh! And snowflakes!

And here it is! The glow at night can wipe any holiday blues away.

2010-12-10T21:48:00.002-05:00

Amy Butler's In Stitches. Bike Basket! Cardboard Cat Scratcher.

Dandelion Dog Collar for the Pup. Eggplant Cowl. Lots and Lots of Felt from BenzieBazaar.

Garden Arbor. Holiday Parade Dress. Illustrated 2010 Calendar. Jean Jacket

Kitchen-Aid Stand Mixer. Lilac PomPom Poppy Seeds. My Wire Empire Print. Nebraska Land.

One Yard Wonders. Persuasion. Time to finish my Quilt. [fake] Rodinal.

Sofa. Trampoline of the exercise variety. Umbrella. Versace perfum.

Wooden French Rolling Pin. Xhilaration Leather Boots. Yashica 635. Zebra Print Tights.

Today.

2010-12-09T19:29:00.000-05:00

listening: to the hum of a furnace fan.

eating: too much toast.

drinking: mulled cider.

wearing: double layers of leggings.

feeling: crunched for time.

outside: cooooooooooooooold and white.

wanting: lots more mornings like today.

needing: dinner.

thinking: about decorating my tree.

enjoying: hand stitching and christmas present making.

wondering: how good I'd look in a sequined cocktail dress.

A peek into my creative space. Part 1.

2010-11-11T20:05:00.003-05:00

I have this small obsession with seeing other creator's workspaces. So, I thought I'd start a short series on what mine looks like. The first is the table by the couch. I do most of my finishing late night under a bright overhead light while watching whatever syrupy sweet romance that makes it into my dvd player. I keep most everything in big heavy bowls that I pick up at thrift stores and yard sales.

1. This bowl holds thread, rickrack, my hot glue gun, ribbons, findings, pin backs and the like. Pretty much everything you'd ever need to embellish or finish.
2. The best typewriter, ever. Did you know that if you heat set printer ink, it will stay permanently? I use this for labels and embellishing. Five dollars at a yard sale, even better!
3. Bowl of vintage buttons for embellishing. Sometimes, I like the cards that hold them more than the buttons. I'm a design geek, what can I say?
4. A pin cushion made by the lady who taught me paper piecing. I think I will love her forever.
5. Bowl of embroidery thread.
6. Big hole punch and the DVD remote. both vitally important.
7. This is a tic tac toe board my great grampa made. you twist the bottom and it opens to two long holes that hold the marbles that you play with. It's such a neat little design and it makes me insanely happy.
8. Jar of in the shell peanuts for a healthy snack. plus breaking the shells calms the nerves.
9. Scissors. I have a million pairs of scissors.
10. Lockable picnic basket to keep finished product away from the cats.
11. Fabric idea board for laying out patchwork. ONE DOLLAR AT A YARD SALE!
12. Dissected pillows. I buy pillows because they are cheaper than a bag of polyfill! I have found the quality is just about the same as well. smart, huh?
13. I love this little round table. I found it at a thrift store for five bucks. It is the perfect height for work at the couch. and it is pretty. What else could you ask for?

Sunday afternoon.

2010-11-07T17:32:00.001-05:00

listening: sunday football chatter.

eating: paper bag popcorn.

drinking: coffee. sugar. sprinkle of cinnamon.

wearing: big thick socks.

feeling: exhausted. too much craftiness.

outside: chilly and super sunny.

wanting: a wall to be built.

needing: a nap and a hug and someone to play with my hair.

thinking: I need a roommate.

enjoying: craft show success.

wondering: if I can sleep in in the morning.

Hello!

2010-10-21T14:28:00.000-04:00

August.

That was the last time I wrote anything. It seems very far away from where I'm standing at the end of October. I've had one terrible show and a mildly successful show. I have another one in two weeks time. Then, another two weeks after that.

It's exciting and scary. I went out in the middle of the night to shoot fall leaves in the dark, because my days are filled to the brim with creativity and organizing. hello, fall.

I've been creating new things. These baby rattles popped into my head and I couldn't get them out until I made them. And they were a hit! I sold out.

all in all things are brimming with excitement. Heading here on November 6th. and here November 27th. I'll be posting about both shows. As well as showing you just house messy I can make my workbench.

Today.

2010-08-21T01:44:00.001-04:00

sunflowers, originally uploaded by laurastantz.

listening: to noisy cicadas and The Sundays. because come on, the static and the silence is the best album ever.

eating: peaches. and bread and butter.

drinking: chai tea. by the gallon.

wearing: a men's blue oxford. (and have been for days. it's the perfect crafting shirt)

feeling: nervous and excited.

outside: electric. there is rain coming. there hasn't been rain for weeks.

wanting: kisses. and lots of them.

needing: more time.

thinking: about the collection.

enjoying: knowing I have tomorrow off.

wondering: how to become more organized in my creativity.

Fabric Swap Success

2010-08-17T18:02:00.001-04:00

Last week, I had a bunch of crafty types over for a little get together. I made a ton of ice cream, sat out all the toppings and we all dove right in. But after that, came the fun part.

Everyone was directed to bring 3 1/2 yard cuts of fabric and two fat quarters. We piled it all into the middle and drew numbers. Then we all took turns and picked from the pile. It was really interesting to see all the different styles and patterns everyone brought. So much fun to see everyone!

Now all I need is a bigger house. ha!

Blueberry Crumble for Breakfast

2010-08-05T12:12:00.002-04:00

I know my last post was about food. but so is this one. Last night I had the pleasure of having dinner at a friend's house. And in my ingrained teaching that came from my mother, I couldn't arrive empty handed. So, I took blueberry crumble. I'm a huge fan of the blueberry. (especially inexpensive frozen ones I can find at my local grocers.) What I didn't expect was how awesome it was going to be to have leftovers for the day's most important meal: breakfast.

I'm on vacation this week. Doing nothing but all the fun stuff I never have time for. Like rearranging my living room and going through my fabric stash and taking as many naps as I like without feeling guilty. So, whipping up this easy crumble recipe was a perfect part of that. Here's to eating dessert for breakfast.

Easy Blueberry Crumble

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

5 cups blueberries (fresh or frozen, thawed if frozen)
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup flour
1 tsp. ground ginger
1 tsp black pepper

Place all ingredients in a casserole dish and toss to coat

For Topping:
1 cup flour
1 1/2 cup oats
1 cup brown sugar
1 stick butter
1 Tbs. cinnamon
1 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. salt

Put all ingredients into a bowl and crumble with your fingers. Allow some of the butter clumps to stay pretty large to allow for a crispy crust. Spread generously over top of the prepared blueberries and bake for 40-50 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly.

Enjoy!

Lunch and Simplicity.

2010-07-27T18:32:00.000-04:00

I usually work nights at the job that pays the bills. So, I try to do most of my crafty work during the day before I go in. This usually means that I skip lunch or eat a sandwich on the way to work. But these hot and humid summer days here in Indiana take a lot out of you and I decided I needed a real sit down meal while working. I didn't want anything that took a lot of time. And I wanted something simple. So, I made a plate of my favorite things to eat and munched on them while working. Honey toast on oat bread, orange juice, colby cheese, pecans and bing cherries. It was so perfect and I couldn't help but smile the whole time I nibbled.

Also, a fun story about the pecans. I work at an inn and I always get to meet really interesting people. There was a gentleman checking out yesterday who was all the way up from Georgia visiting his brother. We got to talking and he was telling me about his pecan orchard. And he "just happened to have a few bags in the car." (a sly salesman to say the least.) I took the bait, I think it may have been his smooth Georgia accent, and he came in with a bag of the most golden pecans I've ever seen. And the price was awesome; six dollars for a pound! I love things like this. Just some older man driving around with a trunk full of pecans he labored over himself.

The moral of this long winded story is that sometimes it's good to remember to keep things simple. A boy I love tries to get me to understand this everyday. I like finding ways to incorporate it into my life. His gentle reminders are working.

here's to lunch.

new business cards.

2010-07-25T17:30:00.001-04:00

The other day I really needed a project to get my wheels turning. Do any of you ever do that? Just get stuck in a rut and need a good shovel to dig you out? Tedious projects are usually my shovel of choice. I find that something repetitive and creative greases my wheels and lets me work more freely. So, i sat in my living room watching a marathon of mad men and made these new business cards. They were really simple. I printed my business name, email and etsy store in a very simple font in light gray. I used the snap apart avery cards you can buy in a pack. Out of all the do-it-yourself business cards, I find these to be the brightest and heaviest. After that, I used wonder under on some fabric. (I don't even think it is called wonder under anymore. It's just called Heat Bond. but my grandma and mom have always called it wonder under and I will too!) I cut the fabric into one inch strips and ironed them directly onto the card. So each card is personalized with a different strip of fabric. It was a lot of fun. And now I have these really sweet business cards and greased wheels.

Penelope Fox

2010-07-04T20:25:00.000-04:00

I would like you to meet Penelope Fox.

Yesterday, there was a strange creature out of my window at work. When I looked closer I realized, "It's a FOX!!" She was eating the birdseed that drops from the feeders. Her slim limbs and her long snout made her look so dainty, but as she walked and pranced around, her grace and cunningness came out. That's when I knew her name had to be Penelope. She was dark brown on top with a line of red and then a white undercoat. She was just beautiful. I watched her for a good fifteen minutes. And I knew I had to go home and make a fox immediately. So I did!

I put the fox in the window at work because I thought maybe she'd be back tonight. She was. I snuck outside to watch her in the wild. It wasn't very long before she recognized my presence and stood at the edge of the wood to stare at me. We both just stood there waiting for the other one to move. Finally, she realized I was no threat to her and went about her day. I just stood there trying to memorize every color in her coat.

sewing tags

2010-06-12T17:44:00.000-04:00

Somewhere I read an article about how you could type on fabric and heat set it. If you wrote this, I thank you from the bottom of my heart! Last night I stayed up pretty late obsessing over such a thing. Love stories on the television, my typewriter in my lap, fabric ironed on to freezer paper and a thousand trial and errors. But it was so much fun, I couldn't give up. I finally got it down pat and now I have a baby food jar filled with sewing tags with my little business name on them! I'm so excited.

So, excited in fact that I stayed up and extra hour just to make something to sew such a tag in. Sleep be dammed, sometimes it is way more important to be creative!

After an etsy sale that went all the way from Indiana to Australia, I'm psyched to get making things again. I love these and I can't wait to add them to my products.

What were you doing at midnight last night?

2010-06-08T18:47:00.000-04:00

Well, let me tell you what I was doing.

I went to my favorite little greenhouse before I went to work at three. And then I looked at the weather forecast. And it said it was going to rain the next two days. (a brief side note here: it has yet to rain) So, I get off work at 9:30, zoom home and then it struck me, "get out the flood lights!"

So I did.

And I worked and worked and worked until I finally got everything planted around midnight. It was so amazing. All the houses around me had gone dark, there were lightning bugs everywhere, the only noise was a random passing car and a few crickets here and there. No heat, no mosquitoes, no interruptions. It was really amazing. And now my garden is all planted!

And! I got to play with my camera. A pretty great way to spend the night.

Catnip Happiness and New Additions.

2010-06-02T00:52:00.000-04:00

I would like you to meet Hal. Actually his name is Halak. After the Montreal Canadiens goalie Jaroslav Halak, who played his heart out this year during the nhl playoffs. (even though they didn't make it to the big game. sigh) However, with this new addition Sir Hank, named after the loveliest hockey player of all time Henrik Zetterberg, is a little jealous. For three days he didn't even sleep at the foot of the bed! So, today to make him feel extra special, I made him some catnip fishes and hearts. Hank loves catnip. He has a red catnip mouse he carries around the house with him. Sometimes he even brings it to bed.

So, here are Hank's special catnip toys. Hopefully he'll remember that I love him. He is such a sweet boy. (and yeah, I talk about my cats as though they were kids! what of it?)

I started with some plain duck cloth and made a cute little template. Traced and cut out.

I used some basic acrylic paints to paint, dab, flick and dot in different patterns to make bright and cheery fabric.

I then stacked two on top of one another and stuffed them with polyfill and organic catnip.

And LOOK! cute catnip toys for my precious little boy.

I think he likes them!

God, why are cats so cute?

Aluminum Can Planters: A Tutorial

2010-05-25T18:11:00.000-04:00

There is something you have to know about me: I AM CHEAP.
I hate spending money more than I hate doing the dishes. (unless it's money on crafting supplies or thrifting, there's always money for that!) But, I'm always trying to find a way to cut corners. Have you noticed how expensive planters are? C'MON! it's made out of plaster and painted, why is it that expensive? But I love flowers and happen to work at a place that has a kitchen. So I begged and pleaded with the dishwasher boys to save the industrial sized aluminum cans for me.

I brought them home and gave them a quick coat of spraypaint...

and drilled some holes in the bottom for drainage and then filled with rocks, dirt and plants.

I found these cute knives at a yard sale (20 of $3!!)

And wrote on them with a permanent marker to use as plant stakes!

It makes a very pretty presentation on my front porch steps.

Man, I love summer.

stitching a chicken.

2010-05-18T16:57:00.000-04:00

Today I started stitching this rooster. I plan to make it a part of a market bag I'm making for my big adventure on Saturday. This town a little ways south of me has a HUGE community yard sale. And I need a big, big bag with a comfortable handle to tote around. my wallet, my camera and all the good stuff I find? yes, put it in the bag. I found this vintage kitchen towel at my local thrift store this past week. And for two quarters, I couldn't resist bringing him home. I'm adding a few more colors. I'll post the finished bag before I set off into the wild in search of deals. I'M SO EXCITED!

Peonies and Carnations. A tutorial.

2010-05-15T17:06:00.000-04:00

I have to admit something. I love pink carnations. I know that carnations are the store brand flower of the florist world, but I swear; if any boy ever bought me an armload of pink carnations, I would probably hand him my heart in a little box.

My mom works at a local florist and I love to visit her there. Surrounded by flowers, how could you ever be unhappy? When they get shipments of carnations, they keep them in five gallon buckets at room temperature to settle and open. It's like a color wheel of carnations. I just love it. These pretty pink (leaning on peach) carnations asked me if they could come home with me and I said yes. With a boy who has an utter disdain for carnations, I'm perfectly happy buying them for myself and bringing them home in my bike basket. ha!

However, even with a mother who makes arrangements for a living, I'm absolutely terrible at putting together an arrangement. But I have found a way to do it with ease that even the least capable can make. You'll look like a pro.

The Supplies:

A vase or a tin can. This is a recycled tomato juice can.

Tape. I try to use something that will match the container. You can purchase florist tape at the craft store, but for this, I used mylar tape. It matches the can and I had it in the craft closet.

Scissors

Flowers. I brought home pink carnations and cut white peonies out of my yard.

Greenery. You can use anything! These are pieces of a bush in my front yard that is getting ready to bloom so it had nice buds on it. Greenery is a godsend. It will fill any holes that you miss and give you a nice base.

Step One:

Cut strips of tape to make a grid on top of your container. This is called a frog. You'll be poking the stems of your flowers through the square holes.

Step Two:

Begin placing your greenery around the base. I always start with greenery because it's easier to get around the bottom before you put your flowers in.

Step Three:

Begin placing your flowers. I started with the peonies because they are big and fluffy and take up a lot of space. It then allowed me to place my carnations so you could see them prominently. Here is a helpful tip! When cutting your flowers, place them next to your container and snip your stem level with the table. You will never cut a flower too long or short again! No more pulling a flower out a million times to snip just a little off!

Step Four:

After your flowers are in, you can take extra pieces of greenery and fill in any gaps you may see.

And there you have it! A beautiful arrangement that is super quick. (and no one will ever be the wiser!) I sat mine next to my sewing machine as I was making some curtains for my bedroom redo. (Super easy curtain tutorial forthcoming!) I wanted to be outside but had inside work to do. I'm glad I got to bring some flowers indoors.

I hope you are having a lovely weekend!

The Thimble Necklace Tutorial

2010-05-13T17:39:00.000-04:00

I've been thinking about this project for a very long time. Today it was sticky with heat and humidity and in the middle of trying to get my house clean, I just dropped everything and did it. I absolutely love it. I love it so much, that I want to show you how to make it.

Supplies:
Sewing Pins in with the color heads you like
Metal Thimble
Coordinating threads. (my thread came from the edge of some fraying fabric I adore.)
Hot Glue Gun
Tiny Drill bit and Drill

Step One:
Drill a small whole directly below the lip of the thimble. Watch your fingers and go slow!

Step Two:
Fill the thimble 1/4 of the way with hot glue. Let the glue cool slightly and start placing your pins however you wish. I'm very much into pink right now, so most of my pink pins were towards the front. You need to work quickly to get them placed how you like them as the glue will cool quickly. Adding little bits of glue at a time, move your pins around until you are satisfied. Be careful not to hold onto the thimble as it will get very hot as you squeeze in more and more glue.

Step Three:
When your thimble is 3/4 of the way full, ball your threads and place them into the glue. You can use an extra pin to arrange the threads and make sure they are attached to the glue.

Step Four:
If you would like to attach your thimble charm to a chain you will need to place a ring in the hole you drilled. I opted to attach mine to a length of colored hemp with a simple loop through the hole.

Step Five:
Wear it with pride!

I hope you enjoyed making this charm as much as I did! I guess now I have to get back to cleaning. sigh.

P.S. If you don't want to make one yourself because of the heat and humidity at your house you can buy one here
http://www.etsy.com/listing/46867034/thimble-and-pin-charm

stitches of the heart.

2010-04-26T14:05:00.000-04:00

The love and I have been bickering. Why can't he just learn to read my mind?

I stitched this today to try to get him to like me again. We like to drink tea together.

I don't know if it worked.
But I'm hoping.

Adventures in Plastic

2010-04-25T21:45:00.000-04:00

Nope. This isn't some awesome art project.
Sorry to say.

This is what happens when you are in a hurry and you have guests coming and not enough time to tidy up. And you ask your mom, "will you just slide these in the oven?" And she says, "sure. but will you remember to take them out before you preheat next time?" and you in your infinite snarkiness say, "duh."

and then. you don't.

And then this is what your oven rack looks like.Want to know what happens next? You spend an hour crying. Part from frustration, but mostly from the fumes that have saturated every inch of your house and you swear your cat is going to die from toxic shock. Then you leave it for two weeks because looking at it will just make you want to give up on life.

But I tackled it this morning. With a paint scraper, a putty knife, a fan and the highest setting my oven has. It is back together and cleaner than it's been since it came to the house. But good Lord. Why do we do these things? I will tell you what, though. Never will there ever be an inch of plastic in the oven. The guests can just look at my dirty dishes.

Seeds.

2010-04-24T16:17:00.000-04:00

I am completely obsessed with my garden. I have been working and pulling and hoeing and tilling until my arms hurt and I just want to fall asleep. I was sitting in the sun on my front porch, completely fascinated watching a pair of birds build a nest in my fern, when I started really looking at my seeds. They are such a beautiful array of colors. (I will admit I bought the big lima bean seeds there in the middle purely on the premises that it is beautiful and the pattern on it so perfect I couldn't stand the thought of not planting them.) It got me to thinking about the fact that what you put in is what you get out. That hard work will earn hard fought victories. That what you eat is what you become. That the beginning without a doubt will become an end. So, I took a picture of what's going into the ground before it gets covered in dirt and becomes beautiful green plants that I will eat the fruit off in mere months. My hard work and those cheering me on from the sidelines will indefinitely produce beautiful results. Also, it's just so much damn fun. You'll see more from my garden as soon as things start their sprouting. Until then, enjoy the beauty of the beginning.

My Rooster.

2010-04-23T01:15:00.000-04:00

My mom has always been such a force in my creative life. I think every creative girls says this. But really, it was my mom who painted. My mom who decorated our house growing up. My mom who kept saying, "why don't you just go to your room and paint?" (even though now, I think she was just trying to get me to stop talking.) Still into my twenty-seven years, she asks me what I've been working on. She calls when she's at the craft stores, just to make sure that I don't need anything. She'd give me anything to help me succeed. And not just in my creative endeavors, but in my crazy ideas I have for my life.

I've decided I need chickens. The bad part is, I live in a town that has an ordinance against keeping fowl within city limits. So, being the headstrong, determined girl that I am, I'm working on an appeal for my small town. A presentation on the positive side of turning over such an ordinance, what other cities have done, the processes of permits for chickens and so on. There's been a lot of research a lot of calling. Even a lady yelling at me about the ordinance that's already in place. But I'm determined. I think it could be a great change in my little town. And it will push me one step closer to self sufficiency. (and my ultimate dream of living on a farm. haha.)

My mom, in her infinite warmth, painted me this rooster the other day in her watercolor class. (Her paintings are beautiful. She never has the confidence to believe in herself. But she's absolutely amazing.) It's just another way she shows me her total support. I adore her. And my new rooster.

My first real zipper.

2010-03-28T21:57:00.001-04:00

I made this cute little bag the other day after my mother recieved a hostess gift. It was a brush bag. And the moment she showed me, I turned it inside out to figure out how they put it together. I quilted some batik fabric and PUT IN MY FIRST REAL ZIPPER. I can't believe this intimidated me for so long. I'm offically going to be putting zippers into everything. cute, huh?

You love until you don't.

2010-03-27T21:36:00.001-04:00

This is how it works

You're young until you're not

You love until you don't

You try until you can't

You laugh until you cry

You cry until you laugh

And everyone must breathe

Until their dying breath

No, this is how it works
You peer inside yourself
You take the things you like
And try to love the things you took.

The Courthouse Steps Apron

2010-03-25T22:17:00.001-04:00

My living room is covered in fabric.

seriously...covered.

The newly found adult in me cringes, but that girl who likes to create and doesn't have time for anything else? She just giggles and makes a bigger mess. I think I like her the best. haha.

I've been working on an apron for almost two weeks now. I entered it into this little contest over at burdastyle.com. The task was to take an existing pattern from their collection and make into something of your own. Since my little obsession with paper piecing is still burning white hot, I integrated courthouse step blocks into the apron and accompanied it with black fabric. I like the result. Though more than anything, I like that I am finishing projects lately. I'm onto other things and other goals. (and patiently awaiting contest results.) But I thought I would share my Courthouse Steps Apron with you all.

She is rather pretty.

oh! also. my favorite part?

I turned one of the blocks into a pocket. You always need a perfect little pocket on an apron.

Paper Piecing.

2010-03-20T00:38:00.000-04:00

So, this is where i have been. well, mostly. our servers crashed at work. we lost two years of information in the blink of an eye. even our backup servers died. so, it's been a rough couple of weeks. I will tell you though, my job is pretty great. and at the end of february, I got to host a quilting retreat. our biggest meeting room was stuffed with ladies and sewing machines. It worries me that I am getting old, but holy shit! how much fun was that!

There were these two dear girls from ohio there to teach a little how-to on paper piecing.

IT MADE MY BRAIN EXPLODE.

Ever since then, I've been scouring the internet for patterns, looking up youtube videos and reading quilting blogs. And, I've been sitting at my sewing machine. I'm really happy with what I'm producing and the hum of my machine makes the corners of my mouth turn up. Fold, cut, line up, stitch, fold, cut, line up, stitch. over and over until something like this appears.

This pattern is called whirling dervish and its from a talented gal name jennifer over at sewhooked.org

More to come.

Happy Valentine's Day, 18 days early.

2010-01-28T20:16:00.000-05:00

I was browsing through my local thrift store the other day looking for fun things, when a light broke through the january clouds upon the front table by the window. And sitting there in that beam of light was the Singer 404. It's from 1958. It is a beauty. I asked the ladies behind the counter about how well it worked and where it came from. Aside from needing a good wipe down, the thing sparkles. However, it's sticker price and my budget for the week weren't jiving, so I walked out of the store and tempted fate that it would be there upon my return. The next day I was on the phone with my lovely mother who said, "you know, that would make someone a GREAT valentine's day present." I just laughed. In the growing up process, I really hate it when people spend money on me. I feel like I need to buy the things I want. But who can say no to their mother. A week went by without her saying another word. But this morning, she called and asked me if I was dressed, it was time to go to the thrift store. My reply? "I can put a hat on."

And so, here she is. Sitting beautifully on my living room desk. I spent most of the afternoon pre-work just learning it's buttons and levers. The fact that the bobbin winds by a lever that's attached to a rubber wheel, so that when you press the foot, the wheel winds the thread. HOW IMPRESSIVE! I'm in love.

I think Hank the cat is in love with it too! Or maybe just waiting for new fabric scraps to hit the floor. Either way, expect many great new projects from my new machine! What a great day.

Pretty dots and a history lesson.

2010-01-26T16:35:00.000-05:00

For christmas, I made my mom this set of plates and a pitcher. My mom has collected dishes for as long as I can remember. Nothing ever too fancy, mostly just the stuff that we saw at a sale or picked up at a flea market. Her newest find was a wonderful set of wheat dishes that you could actually collect stamps for in the 1950's at grocery stores and retailers all across the country. You would then redeem those stamps for a slew of household products. S&H green stamps was a huge company from the thirties into the early eighties. In fact, the S&H green stamps catalog was the most published catalog in the United States and the company sold THREE TIMES as many stamps as the US Postal Service. In my great grandmothers estate is a entire place setting of these wheat dishes, and when my mother inherits them, I will inherit her flea market find. Something inside me is giddy at the prospect of owning a piece of history that was S&H green stamps. So.

I made my mother dishes using Porcelaine 150, which is a food safe porcelain paint. When it is properly cured in your oven, it is even dishwasher safe! It was a pretty meticulous, time consuming project. But, I LOVE IT! So much so, that I decided to make my co-workers personalized mugs for their christmas presents. They were a big hit! The paint for this project is a little pricey, I suggest buying just the basic colors and mixing them to get your desired shades. Aside from the paint, which is water clean-up thank heavens, this project is pretty inexpensive. You can find cheap dishes at thrift stores or on clearance racks and dot paint away! You can get all the instructions from Martha here.

Little accomplishments.

2010-01-23T14:59:00.000-05:00

A few years ago, I had the privilege of meeting this wonderful photographer who changed my outlook on creative people. Most of the creative people I had ever met were eccentrics. But here was this normal guy. A guy's guy. Obsessed with sports and racing, over the moon about trains and learning everything he could about them. He spoke different languages and had a cool charm about him that made him instantly likable. He was just so interesting to talk to. But aside from his obsessions and likes and his ability to read and retain every book on his heaving shelves, was a talent that blew me away. He can look through a lens, find the light and pull feelings out of you that you didn't know you had. I swear to god, I'm not blowing smoke up your ass. His pictures epitomize all that is good about photography. The light and the shadows. The recording of a moment that made sense in his head. The sitting still and seeing, not just looking.

I've been spending time trying to pull my shit together. If you are a creative person, you know how hard this can be. Add that to the fact that I've never been the stable one. I'm the overly emotional, highs and lows, thinks too much one. But I have this vision in my head of what I can do. If I just find a way to sit and do it. There's this calendar on my wall these days. The kind you would make your for pre-teen to learn time management. And on it, every morning, is written breakfast. Because most days, I even skip the simple and easy parts. It's starting to help. For three weeks now, I've had something to eat within the first few hours of being awake. It's a tiny accomplishment that makes me proud of myself. (However small it may be.)

It seems a stretch to say that meeting this amazing photographer inspired me to eat breakfast. But it's true. I'm finding out its about tiny moments. The smell of the linoleum as you carve a block. The sweet sensation of sore fingertips because you've been working so hard. Finishing (finally finishing!) a project and gazing at it proudly. The feeling of inspiration because you know you can do something. I mean, c'mon, you tackled the daily task of eating breakfast. So here's to the people who inspire you. The people in your life who teach to you to be still and see the moment.

TUTORIAL: Wooden Disc Pendants

2010-01-06T19:47:00.000-05:00

This past fall, a friend of mine got married. For her reception place cards, I lovingly stood at my band saw and cut tiny discs of fallen branches to make holders for the cards. It was a lot of fun to use such a handy resource in such a way. However, it left me with a surplus of half dollar sized wooden discs. I decided to use some of them to make fun decoupaged pendants.

I first started with sanding the wood a bit to smooth any splinter of wood there may have been. I picked out my paper and cut a circle to go in the middle. Then using a little mod podge, I glued all the pieces to my design on. I made a sun using a newspaper my sister brought me from Japan and some other color bits of paper I had laying in my supply closet. (you can use any design you can come up with and cut out of paper.) I gave the pendant a finishing coat of glossy mod podge to seal everything in and left it to dry.

I like to give my decoupage goo a good drying time so that I can make sure it is good and hardened. I then used a small drill bit to make a hole for my jump ring and then attached it to a length of silver chain. And voila! A pretty wooden pendant to wear around my neck.

I made three other pendants while I was at it. One using a cut out leaf from a scrap piece of colorful paper and the other using a button sticker from Martha Stewart Crafts. I like how the wood grain matched the wood pendant. I even wrapped its center with some yellow thread.

A Cookie Gun.

2009-12-17T22:05:00.000-05:00

When I moved into my house, lots of people unloaded their unwanted goods on me. Lots of "oh, honey, believe me you will need this." And I most certainly never did. But there seems to be some sort of bond between those who can pass down and those who now have the space. Most of these things I politely accepted and put towards the back of my cabinet. I mean, who doesn't need fourteen colanders? When my aunt passed along this pretty pink box, she said she just thought it would look good sitting on my cabinets. I never even opened the box. She was right! It did look pretty on my cabinet.

However, the other day (and after three years of living here!) I got curious about that pretty pink box and climbed up to pull it down off the shelf. Only to dust if off, open it up and find a perfectly functioning cookies press and decorator! All the pieces still in their proper places. The thing is absolutely spotless!

Tomorrow is my day off and I plan on squeezing out some spritz cookies in the spirit of the holidays. But I couldn't help but share the wonderful design on the box. The perfect L.S. Ayers price tag. And my wonderful find on top of my own cabinet.

It is a true christmas miracle.

Apple Crisp for the Cranky

2009-11-18T16:00:00.000-05:00

For the past couple of days I've been....not my self. haha. Actually, I've been kind of cranky. Work is weighing heavily on my brain, I haven't been spending much time with the love, I have a show coming up that makes me shrink into a loathsome pool of worry. After cups of tea, reading a book and kissing the face of that pretty boy, I'm feeling quite better.

Oh, and this.
Yep, that's apple crisp. But not the kind you'd normally find on my mom's table after Sunday dinner. This actually turns into a big bowl of oatmeal with juicy chunks of apple and enough cinnamon to make you think of Thanksgiving dinner. Oh, and it has healthy things. Like apples and oats and whole wheat flour. I think I'm just making a case for its healthiness because I ate the whole bowl. But I cut way back on the sugar and butter and it was warm. And now I'm happy. Kisses, crafting and Apple Crisp. Today is a total ten.

Oh. are you hungry now? Here's the recipe.

Apple Crisp a la Laura

2 apples cored, peeled and sliced. Keep them chunky.
a sprinkle of sugar. Maybe two teaspoons.
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp allspice

Put all this in a microwave save bowl and stir to coat.

2 cups oats. (I use the have to cook them kind. They are nutty and fabulous and I like that I can buy them in the bulk section. Who doesn't love a good bulk section of the market?)
3 TBS butter, cold.
2 tsp cinnamon.
3 TBS brown sugar
3 TBS whole wheat flour

Mix it all together with your fingers until it looks crumbly. Then spread it over your apples in your bowl. Into the microwave for ten minutes. When it comes out it will be bubbly and gooey and so good that you'll have to smile. Enjoy!

You should do this too.

2009-11-09T22:51:00.000-05:00

Ornament exchanges make me really happy.

Goodbye, garden.

2009-10-21T19:18:00.001-04:00

While I should have been inside working on product, I decided today was best spent outside. Seventy degree days just don't happen much at the end of October and I just needed to feel the breeze and smell that musty autumn smell.

All summer I keep a garden. It's all I can think about from February until May. I spend a good amount of time thumbing through seed catalogs, searching through gardening sites and mapping out what my garden will look like. This year was no different. Though, I should be terribly truthful, when the humidity of July sets in, I turn to my other obsessions and the garden does its thing and just grows and grows. However, I love to watch it. I love that I turn the ground and feel so connected when I feel the heat of the soil on the bottoms of my feet. It turns out that my garden ends up being one of my best friends. I can go out and unload frustration. I nurture it and spend so much time thinking about it that it becomes this living breathing thing I can relate to.

So, today, I picked the last of the produce. An enormous amount of bell peppers and brussels sprouts that are awaiting a date with the freezer and the frying pan. But there was a surprise amongst the weeds, one last watermelon. It wasn't a great growing season for late watermelons this year. It was wet and the heat never stayed around for long. It produced a watermelon that was waterlogged, but I didn't care. I sat on the embankment at the end of my garden with a knife and a watermelon, looking over a summer's worth of labor and the sun hitting the now orange maple trees at the front of the house and thought about this great summer.

And it has been a great summer. I learned that I can fix things on my own, that I really truly am good at my job. I learned to love better and to take care of myself. I saw trains and the ocean. I made new friends. So, I cut that last water logged melon open and said goodbye to one of my best friends for a season. I felt the now cold soil beneath me and knew it was time to go. Next week, the whole thing will be tilled under and my garden will go to sleep. Its such a feeling of finality that is both enjoyable and terribly sad. That watermelon was terrible, but I ate half of it in celebration of a job well done.

It is all a lesson in change and acceptance. By the time I was done feasting, the next round of cold rainy days could be seen headed for my little house. As the clouds covered up the sun, I knew it was time to go in and start winterizing. A little piece inside of me will just be waiting for spring. When I get cold this winter, I'll just close my eyes and think about my feet in the dirt.

Be patient and wait.

The Need to Organize

2009-10-18T17:13:00.000-04:00

In three weeks I have another show coming up. It is small and hometown and I'm not entirely worried about getting a massive amount of things done for it. Though, I'm quite certain when the day comes, I'll have a whole list compiled in my head of things that I wish I would have brought with me. There will be a lady there who would have been the perfect purchaser of a sketch in my book. But it will still be a sketch in my book. Sigh, why do I procrastinate?

Lately, I've felt this huge need to organize. Everything needs a place. It is like I am nesting. Maybe it is the beginning of the cold and the approaching days of grey and snow, or just a feeling that I'm finally ready to begin with fervor. Every room in my house has been rearranged, properly put together. I still need curtains in the living room and back porch, but with a deadline quickly approaching, they are going to have to wait. I am feeling frustrated. I'll post pictures of my newly organized house soon. But, until then, have a look at my fantasy life:

Laura Normandin of Wren Handmade

atelierpompadour

Hitomi Kimura at Kalla Designs

Sarah Neuburger at The Small Object

Heather Ross

I just need to get to work.

The first weekend in October.

2009-10-05T13:52:00.000-04:00

It is officially fall here in the Indiana heartland. Part of me rejoices in the sweet earthy smell of falling leaves and the ability to once again wear layers and sleep under blankets. The other part of me dreads the upcoming snow drifts, holiday hustle and gas bills. However, one thing gets me so excited about fall: The Cataract Bean Dinner and Flea Market.

Yes, every year the Cataract Fire Department cooks 700 pounds of beans over a wood fire in these enormous cast iron pots. They begin way before the sun comes up and most times the night before. Someone guarding the pots all through the night. People show up in droves to an otherwise backwoods, if you blink you will miss it, sleepy sleepy town. All along the road people set up their wares and hawk old tools and try to get you to buy a winter's worth of china made socks for the low, low price of 5 dollars.

It thrills me.

I always eat a big bowl of ham and beans and sip on a glass of tea. We walk past the general store that has been there since the beginning of time and then walk back to the car stopping to pick up a bowl of pumpkin ice cream. Every year, it's always the same. The same old ladies are making the cornbread, the same old men are sitting by the general store.

This year's obsession is old linens. And I hit the jackpot. This really sweet lady had a drying rack full of precious and absolutely beautiful linens that she had hand washed and ironed for this special event. I picked up a whole bag for the low price of 14 dollars. Could I be ANY HAPPIER? I think not.
I'm obsessed with the loop stitch right now that creates the flowers. So this find of an embroidered table runner nearly brought me to tears. It is inspiring in its simplicity and detail.

There are hankies and wall hangings and tablecloths. I can't wait to find a purpose for them all. I need to get back to my sewing machine.

I have to say that as inconsequential as it seems, this little tiny festival way, way off the main road is my perfect idea of a great Sunday afternoon. My dad spilling beans down the front of his shirt and getting to meet his first bus driver. Seeing people I'd met a million years ago and wondering how they got so old. Only realizing I myself am getting older. The smell of woodsmoke when you first park and your mouth salivating. The pure glee of getting warm in the sun after poking around some one's treasure stash in the shade. I don't think I would want to be doing anything else the first weekend in October.

cutting floor necklaces

2009-09-25T16:54:00.000-04:00

After a couple of days break, due to the overwhelming cramming of crafting for the festival, I have re-emerged from underneath a pile of fabric and creative goo.

I'm back. The love says I am hitting on everything lately, and while I try not to brag on myself, I think he may be right.

I had a day off on wednesday and I didn't really feel like doing anything. The weather was rainy, my dishes were dirty, the pup needed a bath. But all I really wanted to do was watch an entirely too depressing movie and craft something.

So with windows open, kitten purring by my head, I grabbed my scrap fabric basket and went to work watching revolutionary road and making these snazzy new necklaces. Its a fashion trend, I am sure. I love them, anyway.

P.S. Don't watch Revolutionary Road if you are even slightly contemplating the direction of your life. It will make you want to die. Just sayin'.

Saturday Static (on Sunday)

2009-09-20T20:20:00.000-04:00

louis capwell

Saturday Static is a day late this week due to my being at a festival this weekend (post to come soon!) It was a two day adventure, but today got rained out for the most part. ah, shucks.

But here is what I'm obsessed with at the moment:

1. I have a feeling that this store is going to get a lot of my paycheck. sigh. I love the way Ornamentea is just set up. And the fact that when I look at it, I'm just inspired to go do something. Anything really. My first purchase with be the Amazing Glaze. Yep, yep, yep.

2. I made this Tomato Tart when The Love and his mother came to lunch last month. And I think I may have made it forty times since then. Its the absolute perfect meal. Tasty, pretty, makes your house smell like you have a perfectly warm Italian grandmother. Oh, and its easy. The lady at Ezrapoundcake makes me laugh all the time too. Her sarcasm and love of food is just the tits.

3. I need a pair of red boots for the fall. I think I would wear them with everything I owned. No matter if they matched or not. I'm kind of excited about boot season. I really want these boots from the Toast catalog. I can't afford them. but I want them.

4. I'm a little in love with Laura Normandin. Her designs and creations at Wren Handmade make me want to go dress shopping with her, bake her cookies and live in the sunlight. She's just really fabulous. You should love her too.

5. I'm back on screen printing my own fabric. happiness. Its time for my mesh. WHO KNEW ORIENTAL TRADING CARRIED ART SUPPLIES??? gotta love crafty on the cheap.

The Wrist Pincushion

2009-09-16T16:51:00.000-04:00

I've been obsessing over wrist pincushions for some time now. It brings up visions of being a "real" sewist. My hair in a ponytail, threads stuck to my shirt, scissors in hand, and....

whaa.....

no pins in my mouth!
Hark! Such a dream.

I'll be rolling a pin head around in my mouth and realize how unsafe that is. And wonder why I can't just put them in the pincushion. And the answer I usually come up with is because every time I move to a new spot, the pincushion doesn't follow me. So, here is the answer. A pincushion that I wear.
C'mon! Isn't it almost as cute as a fashion accessory as it is a practical tool? I barely want to take it off when I leave the house.

I looked around for different ideas for this one. But I found an odd similarity in most of them. When using a wrist pincushion, what stops you from pushing the pins in too far and poking your wrist to bits? Most would say just pay attention. But, I mean, we've all been in craftzoneland. Who pays attention? So, I decided to cut a square of mat board and fuse it to the bottom square of fabric, and voila! A pin stopper for sure. No pricked wrists.

The Scarf Obsession.

2009-09-13T19:25:00.000-04:00

A lot of my childhood was spent visiting my great grandmother in a place filled with proper southern ladies. They had tea. They talked....gossiped, though none of them would ever fess up to it.

In her bedroom in her beautiful house in the middle of a cornfield there was an armoire. A big beautiful mirror she always hung her pink straw hat on. In the middle was a mirror bottomed tray that kept her beautiful bottles of perfume.

The treasure however was in the bottom two drawers. That's where she kept her scarves. Glorious colors and patterns of scarves. My cousins and I would put together beautiful gowns and Sunday outfits by safety pinning scarves together, only to make the rest of the family suffer through a fashion show at the end of dinner. It is my single favorite memory of being a kid in that house. Well, maybe a close second to her to die for cheese cake that tasted like a cream cheese cloud.

That's what started my scarf obsession. It has continued into my adulthood which is evident by the stacks of scarves in my closet. I've passed that obsession onto my five year old niece. She popped out of her front door the other day in an outfit that can only be contrived in a five year old's head. And simply stated, "Aunt Laura wears scarves, I can too!"

Today I made a fabric scarf I woke up thinking about. I'm going to make a million more. I kind of dig it. Go, Me.

Saturday Static

2009-09-12T20:02:00.000-04:00

Saturday Static will be a list of things that are keeping me awake at night. Not just things crafty. But just things that make me tick.

On with it.

1. BIAS TAPE MAKERS! Oh, manna from heaven. I'm innocently watching a pbs quilting show, and what! In half a minute, there are yards and yards of lovely bias tape. My life has officially changed. Here is a great tutorial by Nicole Mallalieu of You Sew, Girl! You can buy a bias tape maker for next to nothing. And you will be addicted. Just don't say I didn't warn you.
2. Speaking of addicted. I can't stop staring at this etsy shop. Mountain of the Dragon, I love you. (and your pretty shop header.) Thank you for filling my boredom with dreams of swimming in a sea of fabric.
3. Hugh Laurie as Mr. Palmer. Watching it makes me laugh hysterically. And then fall in love.
4. Wet Plate Collodion Photography. Fascinating! Robert Szabo seems to be a real character. I want to hang out with him.
5. I'm planning a trip. Who knew something like this existed. A convention. for hobos. And its serious stuff. You need to read what the new king of the hobos had to say. He'd make a good politician.

The World of Linen.

2009-09-12T18:59:00.000-04:00

I made something out of linen for the first time today. I was trying to explain using really good linen to my best friend. He understood.

It's like using roseart crayons because they are cheap and they work and you are just coloring someone else's picture in. But then, on your 8th birthday your favorite aunt buys you a real drawing pad and your first box of 96 crayons with the sharpener in the back.

Yeah, its exactly like that.

Putting the rotary cutter down on that first cut was like cutting butter. And then the sewing machine. Oh! the sewing machine...

You lay the foot down on that first line of stitches and you fall in love. I'm in love.

This is my first linen tote. And I'm super happy.

things I wanted you to see.

2009-05-16T21:04:00.000-04:00

you missed the pink dogwood blooming. it was pretty.

the plowing of the back yard.

The elephant ear bulb.

I have a very alien plant growing in my yard.

very alien, very weird, very awesome.

things that inspire me.

2009-04-02T16:37:00.000-04:00

I want to be like her. Just printing and living for it. How do you make that transition that this one thing is what I'm going to live for? Confusing. I really want this book. -the sail.

New Stuff

2009-04-02T00:06:00.000-04:00

This is where we shall post awesome things.
Like a visual journal of our awesome.
totally.