The story of a good idea gone bad...

So, I was snooping around on Anthropologie's site looking for a little purse inspiration. Such gorgeous bags out there, by the way. But this is the one that inspired me...

Click the link to see the side detail if you're interested. Here is my sad attempt.

Somewhere along the way I got distracted and came up with more of an hourglass shaped purse. I wish it would have turned out a little slouchier. I absolutely love this fabric. I got it on a shopping expedition with Amanda Jean and have been hoarding it for a while. It is a really heavy canvas, which for most bags would be wonderful. I think it might have been a bit too heavy for what I wanted this one to do.

Obviously the problem with an hourglass shaped purse is that you can't find anything in there! See the deep dark hole? Next time this will be shorter and wider.

I do really like the side detail though. And the handles are from a belt I got for 50 cents at the thrift store. (Not only did I make 2 handles from that, but I still have some left and cut 2 D rings off of it!).

Well, anyway, I tried. Not a complete failure, but not a complete success. Better luck next time I guess, right?

Trick or Treat!!

I have been on an embroidery kick lately! I started this while we were at the lake and finished it Monday night when we got home.

I think it would make a great trick or treat bag - or a great tote bag for someone who loves Halloween! I listed this one on etsy and am working on a couple more. Also working on a couple pendants that I want to list, but I'm having trouble deciding how to do the jump ring. Just can't seem to get it quite right.

Summer Finale

We had a great weekend at the lake. A perfect finale to a great summer. I love fall and the changing of the seasons, so as long as the snow isn't flying around here we are happy.

Here's a little recap in pictures of our weekend...

Lots of playing in the sand

Admiring the work of other lake-goers

Checking out the interesting wildlife

Watching the sunset on the lake

Tomorrow I plan to show off my adventures in embroidery! See ya then!

A Real Simple Rant

Any of you out there subscribe/buy Real Simple magazine? I have for several years and have enjoyed it thoroughly. Until today. I was catching up on reading the August 07 issue before I cracked open the new Sept. issue I received in the mail. On page 69 is an article titled "Confessions of a Former Crafter" by Jacquelyn Mitchard. As Real Simple's index puts it..."Writer Jacquelyn Mitchard confesses that when it comes to crafting, she’s all thumbs." Well, yeah, sort of. She does admit that she isn't good at all things crafty, but then continues on to degrade and poke fun at various forms of craft. By the time I finished the article, my blood was boiling. It's fine if you can't craft, it's fine if you don't want to craft, it's even fine if you don't like crafters. But it seems rather immature to me to say that since I can't do it, its dumb. For example Ms. Mitschard writes...

"Before we go further, let me make a distinction between crafts and actual art - a distinction that's wholly my own and redolent of the bias born from my ineptitude. I don't put original photography or fine woodworking in the same category as say, creating note cards with stamps I've carved myself from raw potato pieces. (That would be crafts.) An elegant stool or wooden box is a time treasured artisan form; a beautifully made picture is a historical document as well as a pleasure to the eye. These are the works of artists. But a newly baked loaf of bread coated with shellac and tied with a ribbon is something else. As I see it, that's the work of someone young enough to be forgiven, old enough to be forgiven, or with way, way too much time on her hands."

Honestly, just typing that right now has made me even more mad. And trust me, it gets worse from there. I googled the article, hoping I could link you to the exact thing. I found a fellow blogger with the same feelings...check out her opinion as well. And, if you get a chance, check this article out at the bookstore. Then put it back on the shelf and walk away.

P.S. Okay, I just have to say that this is one of those times when I am so happy I have a blog!! Otherwise I would just be sitting here yelling at my husband about something he really couldn't care less about! Thanks for listening.

sneak a peak at my stitches...

Here's a sneak peak at my take-along project for the lake! It's going to be a gift for a special friend of mine, so that's all I can show you for now.

This is my first attempt at embroidery and I am loving it so far! I am always looking for a good "on the road project" and this is perfect. I don't know any fancy stitches yet, but so far I am managing to follow the lines of this vintage sheet. (Hey Sarah, I think I got this piece from you! Thanks!!)

Hope you all have a great weekend! Even though school starting really doesn't affect our family, it still feels like summer is ending. Silly, isn't it?

A Practical Project

My project from this afternoon. Not exciting or beautiful, but very practical. I love it when I can make something that I typically would have just run out and bought. So, today it was a lingerie bag for the laundry. I've needed one for a while and was hoping I had some fabric in my stash that would be appropriate. Believe it or not, I didn't!! But, I did find this lovely green stuff at a garage sale.

Not the best color, but the perfect fabric. I bleached it three times hoping to kill the green. I did tame it a little, and at least won't have to worry about it bleeding onto other colors.

The bag came together in minutes! So fast in fact that I whipped up a larger laundry bag. We are heading to the lake again this weekend (different lake than last time...you know they have 10,000 of them over in Minnesota!). I hate having dirty clothes mixed up with clean in my suitcase, so this will be perfect. Also great for wet towels or swimsuits. Anyway, there you have it, purely practical but done!!

Logo Stamping!

Okay, I must have tried to write this post a dozen times yesterday! But, finally I think blogger is going to actually allow me to share it with you today. Makes me very angry, I tell ya. But today is a new day and I shall choose to just move on.

So, I mentioned on Monday that I ordered a stamp of my logo. I ordered it online from Simon Stamps. Supposedly you can upload your graphic to their site and make the stamp from it. I wasn't smart enough to get that to work, but I was able to "recreate" my logo with the fonts and publishing tools they have available. It's not exactly the same, but it works. I've played around with it a little bit. Nothing too great yet, but I see lots of potential for cute tags, notecards, etc. Feel free to share your ideas (please)!! The cost of the stamp was about $13 with shipping, which I didn't think was too bad. There are lots of site that have cheaper stamps (Vista Print) but they are usually the self-inking type, which is not what I wanted. Anyway, check it out...sorry for the poor lighting - it was late!

Having major blogger issues....hopefully be back soon.

bad blogger, very bad

Okay, I'm a bad blogger. I had big plans to make it all better this afternoon, but my husband took my camera so I can't share any new pictures with you. So, instead here is one I took to post with some fabric on etsy. I absolutely love how it turned out, and it seemed like a waste to only put it on etsy, so here it is. My fabric has been selling really well out there, which is exciting. I'm hoping to actually sell something I've made very soon!

On that subject, I ordered a stamp of my logo last week and received it this weekend. It's been a lot of fun to play with and I can't wait to show you some of my ideas....but I guess that will have to wait too.

So, all in all a rather boring post. But I am here, and I promise I will be here more this week. Enjoy your Monday!!

Another new favorite...

Side 1

Side 2

For some reason my brain is fried this week. Probably all the polyurethane I've been inhaling to work on wooden pendants! (Just kidding, it's acrylic. It doesn't even smell.) Which reminds me...I've been trying to make a point lately to buy locally. We've been making weekly trips to the farmers market - which Sydney loves. She can now say words like zuchinni and cucumber, well sort of! Anyway, I also bought my polyurethane from a local paint supply store...not the gigantic home store. I expected some snickers when Sydney and I went in, but they were very helpful and not nearly as expensive as I expected. And the product was WAY better than the junk I've gotten at Home Depot. Seriously - we are talking about needed half as many coats of poly to get the same results. So, I've learned my lesson. Support the little guy and they will support you. Okay, that's enough for today.

Birthday Recap

Okay, I'm sure your sick of kid pictures, but I had to share a little birthday party recap.

Appetizers - all of Sydney's favorites

Martha Stewart style pom-poms - I plan to move these to Sydney's room for some fun decoration.

Sorry this is blurry...it's supposed to say happy birthday (duh.)

And I just couldn't resist posting this...too cute! Try to ignore the messy closet!

2 Years Old Today...

My baby girl turns two today. It blows my mind that 2 years have gone by. And that she is hardly a baby anymore. Anyway, no need to cry about that here. I'll shed my tears in private, thank you. I thought I would show you some pictures from her 1st birthday (pre-blogging).

Her cake:

Eating her cake:

Part of the decorations...pictures from every month she had been alive.

This year we are going much more low key. Just grandmas and grandpas and family that is close by. Pizza and a Dairy Queen cake among other snacks. Pretty sad I know. But, we will have Martha tissue pom-poms, not to worry! I'll share pictures soon. In the meantime, here's my big 2 year old with her first fish at the lake last weekend.

Hope you all have a great weekend!

One more checked off the list!

Okay, Breanna - don't read this if you want to be surprised by your gift. I finished Breanna's purse this morning and shipped it off this afternoon. She won the giveaway for my 100th post. She requested something in black and white and not too big. Here's what I came up with...






Sorry the picture stinks. I actually had to unwrap the whole package because I forgot to take a picture. I was in a hurry and I guess it shows! Hopefully it looks better in person!!

I was so thrilled that my fabric sold on etsy yesterday that I decided to list some more! These beauties have now joined the party. I got all of these fabrics at a very old woman's garage sale - the best kind in my opinion!!

EDIT: Only the middle fabric is left! There are some fabric lovers out there! So glad I'm not alone!!

Vintage Offers on Etsy...

So, I've been thrifting a lot lately, and getting some awesome bargains. While I simply cannot resist a good deal, sometimes I get home and realize I just have no need/room for the item. I decided I would try and share some of these things with all of you on etsy for a reasonable price. If you can't live without some of these treasures click on over to Etsy!!

Set of 3 Japanese Mugs - - SOLD

Vintage "House" Fabric - - SOLD

Vintage "Houndstooth" Fabric - - SOLD

One down...

I decided on a skirt for the birthday girl! It's made from a vintage sheet (of course!), which means that I didn't have to hem the bottom. It's got elastic in the back and ties in the front. It's very full and twirly - everything a birthday skirt should be, right? Pair it up with a white t-shirt on clearance from Target and I'm crossing it off my list!

Fabric, How I Love Thee

Spent the weekend here...



But managed to find some time to visit the Bay Window Quilt Shop in Perham, MN. Oh my. I walked in the door and the first thing I see are the best of the best in fabric...Amy Butler, Heather Bailey, Moda, Alexander Henry...all right there calling my name! I have drooled over them online, but there is just something about seeing them in person. Touching them. Oh, to touch them. But the price! I am soooo cheap!! I managed to squeeze $20 out of my pocket to get these favorites...


Mostly fat quarters, and one 1/2 yard piece. I am really anxious to get into them, but have way too much other stuff to do first. Lots of projects to finish...like a bag for Breanna that is really close, a tutorial for you that is also really close, thank you's to get out to some awesome bloggers (LeeAnn and Teresa), birthday party plans (my baby turns 2 on Friday), hopefully a new dress for said birthday girl, not to mention cleaning my house for lots of company. I'm tired just reading that list! Better get at it. Happy Monday!!

New Stuff

My new favorite thing to do is to make these...

Paper collage on a wooden pendant. With a gagillion coats of poly. This is one of my favorites so far...
Front

Back

Lots more to come! My mind is racing with ideas.

Have a great weekend! We're off to the lake for some R&R. Take care!

Last Night...

Last night Sydney and I were settling in for a relaxing evening. My husband was working late. I actually cooked a meal, see?

I used a recipe for zucchini orzo I got from Katherine's blog. With some minor adjustments, of course. I skipped the grating and just chopped the zucchini into large chunks. Also added some fresh Roma tomatoes as garnish. Extremely yummy and super easy.

We had enjoyed our supper and were playing with the TV on in the background. Everything was just normal, and then we saw the news of the bridge collapse in Minneapolis. It's amazing to me just how quickly life can stop you in your tracks. The images are horrific. I can't imagine all the emotion and heartache that is being felt right now...pain for the lost, pain for the injured and pain for the unknown. My prayers go out to them all. So, today I hug my family a little closer and thank God for another beautiful day he has given me. For no reason in fact. There is nothing that I did differently to ensure my today will go about normally while all those affected have watched the sunrise on a sleepless night that will turn into a chaotic day of questions with few answers. Please pray.