Fun with Knits

Saturday, November 28, 2009

Today the in-laws left. I loved having them visit. We had a good time and did a lot of eating. When they got here on Thursday, we put together our new table and immediately sat down to eat. We didn't do a turkey, but went with a leg of lamb, collards and a host of other yummy treats.

Friday we went out to dinner to Savoy, the restaurant where George works a few nights a week. Its fine dining and was super good as always. They really enjoyed themselves which was nice. This morning we hit up IHOP (I had the pumpkin pancakes... SO GOOD!) and then sent them on their way back to New Jersey. It was perfect timing because George and I were just reaching our limit for company. Our house is perfect for the two of us, but when we have company it can get a little cramped and we both like having our space. Anyway, it was a good visit. Here they are at dinner at Savoy.


Today after all of that hooplah, I just wanted to do some mindless crafting. I just got an order of knits in the mail the other day and was excited to play with them. I've never really worked with knits and have always been a little scared, but I'm so glad I did it! The fabric I ordered is a cotton/bamboo blend so its SUPER soft. I also wanted to play around with elastic thread so I started out to make a scarf but was just kind of going along and ended up doubling it up, putting a button hole in and making it an elizabethian/scarflette/ ruffle thing! I think I'll play with it some more (like sew straight so the sides are ruffled even for instance!) but these may be fun to attach my flower brooches to! Who knows!

Hot and Not

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

I'm joining the bandwagon over at Lobbylu...


HOT:

Best Friends!- How amazing is my best friend, Jasmine? Amazing. I asked her to help me design something for my mini business cards I want to make and look what she came up with! I LOVE it!(The side with the words is the back)



BUYING HANDMADE!- I'm so excited to be making as much as I possibly can for my friends and family for Christmas. Each year as my crafting confidence grows, the list of people I make for gets longer and longer. I have some good ideas in the works... and even though they're just ideas at this point (well, I've purchased materials!) I'm excited.

Etsy black friday/cyber monday sales!- I'm having one! (If you use the word "blog" in the message to seller I'll give you an extra 10% off any item in my store! Most items are already 15% off so that's llike 25% off! Woohoo!) If there is something I don't think I can make or something I'm just not going to get to in time, I'll be searching black friday sales on etsy for them! I'm excited!

Starting Traditions!- This year is the first year we're doing our own little Thanksgiving. George's parents are driving down from NJ to spend it with us! I don't eat turkey, and they're Greek, so we're doing a leg of lamb. It's not going to be all Greek though, I have to throw some of my southern flair in there so we're also having my famous collard greens! I don't know if they technically go together, but its going to be yummy! I'm all about the sides, so there will be lots of other goodies too. His parents are also bringing us a kitchen table from Ikea which leads me to my next HOT thing...

Ikea!- I'm so excited about my table! It'll be nice to be able to eat like normal people!


NOT:

Grocery Stores- The day before Thanksgiving.... yuck. How come I ALWAYS forget something? ugh.

New Project

Monday, November 23, 2009

So tonight I came home from work and got started on my latest project, a light tent. I found some great tutorials online on how to make cheap versions of them and thought I'd give it a go. I've been trying to come up with some studio options for photographing my hair clips since going outside to shoot won't work because of the crappy weather we've had lately. Here are some before and after pictures. I'm really happy with how it turned out! I still have some tweaking to do, like putting some white paper draping from the top down (think of the backdrop you sit on when you go to glamour shots!) to cover that sloppy seam I ripped at the bottom, but as for the lighting results I'm happy! I cut out the top too so that I could put downward light in if I needed it. These shots are only with two side lights. Oh! Here is a link to the tutorial I used LINK


Before: (With the same two lights pointed at the sides as in the after picture)



After:


My Lightbox


The pictures are a little foggy because my lens was dirty. Oops. It was just a practice shoot anyway!

The Holidays - The Horror

Sunday, November 15, 2009

I am a procrastinator by nature. I put everything off for as long as possible, unless its something I really, really want to do... and then it has to happen NOW. I hate the holidays for this reason. It gives me a stress filled deadline. I am trying to work on new pieces for my etsy store, but that is taking away the little time I have for crafting for friends and family. Ugh. Its a tough call. As you can imagine, its the busiest time of the year on etsy and I've been slacking. I haven't sold anything in over a month and since I'm still racking up relisting dues, that just won't...well... do.
All of this leads me to the photos below. These are a few sneak peeks at my new brooches I've been working on! I've cut them all from fabric myself and assembled them. They are super cute and fun and I've got tons of ideas for more.

Also, if you, like me, are a procrastinator, then I HIGHLY suggest you check out Jodi's Big Cartel site. She takes amazing photos and I'm lucky enough to call her a friend. She lives in Wisconsin and loves winter and gardening and roasting vegetables. You can also find her over at The Women's Colony where she writes. She is also nice enough to give out a discount code through November (WOMENSCOLONY11) that will get you 10% off any print! Now go shop!







Super Hero 5K

Sunday, November 8, 2009

I was so happy to be (on the sidelines!) at the Super Hero 5K this year, cheering on one of my best friends, Natalie and her husband Sutton. This is an annual race put on by the Asheville Pizza and Brewing Company where the racers run around downtown in super hero costumes! How fun! The race is followed by free pizza and beer. I had the pleasure of watching Lydia as her mommy and daddy raced. A good time was had by all (just look at Natalie's face in that group shot!)





Recent Creation: Where the Wild Things Are Costume!

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Just a quick update. I made Julian's Halloween costume this year... well, part of it. I suggested he go as Max from Where the Wild Things Are and thus earned myself a project. The white onesie was purchased as was the crown and tail (from etsy). I created the hood (which he didn't wear... they were in LA and it was too hot!), sewed on the (crooked- very handmade!) buttons and the tail and made and sewed on the claws onto the hands and feet. I think he looked super cute and really wished he had gotten to wear the hood. It took a LONG time to make. Oh well. I've thrown in a picture of Sara as a 'pretty princess' because, well, she's cute.


 
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