A Yarn Good Time

I've been getting my knit on lately (a highly technical term). I still love crochet, but I decided to whip out the needles and re-learn to use them properly. This is the first project I created, destined to become a Christmas or Hanukkah gift:

It's just a basic knit stitch throughout. I then added a fun, sorta ruffly crocheted edge. The yarn is Sensations Angel Hair, which is ridiculously soft, especially for something you can find at any basic craft store. Here I am modeling it, just because, with my newly rebrowned hair:

I should admit that the true inspiration for this scarf was the prospect of learning to knit a hat -- yep, in the round! Though I learned to knit and purl seven years ago, I've never been able to do more than just a basic scarf. Andrea, our talented STICKS leader, told us what to buy (which I screwed up, of course) and then patiently showed us the steps. It's actually pretty easy once you get the hang of it. Here's what I've finished so far:

Do you see those three, double-pointed needles? The process actually involves FOUR! See here:

What have I gotten myself into? But seriously, I'm having a good time rediscovering and expanding my knowledge of knitting. Since I'm doing 90% handmade this holiday season, look for more soon.

Thankful Thursday

It's a drizzly mess outside, but I'm in a great mood. Here's why:

1. Black bean soup. I'm not sure there's a more satisfying, cold-weather, vegetarian food out there.

2. Yarn. My fellow crafters know what I mean. There's nothing like making something cozy and warm while the rain falls outside.

3. My Little Purple Nano. It makes today's glorified data-entry project much, much more bearable.

What's keeping you happy on icky fall days?

Hand Embroidery Class

Because it's my never-ending goal to have too many hobbies and way too much crap in my apartment, I just signed up for a hand embroidery class in Oklahoma City next month!

Taught by Amy of Early Bird Special and Dana of Crafty Minx, the class is going to cover everything a beginner like me needs to know. I can't even tell you how excited I am. French knots, here I come!

I believe about half the spots are still open, so join me. Click the picture above to go to the link. It's going to be a blast. Then you can take part in the Oklahoma Stitch Along, which is my next project. So much fun, so little time!

A Great Impression

Last night, my love and I attended the Breast Impressions gala to support the cause and, of course, to see how much my lovingly adorned torso brought in for Tulsa Project Woman. I'm very pleased to say that the cast, called Sewn with Love and Affection, went to the high bid of $400! The woman who purchased it said it, along with another she won, will be displayed at the Saint Francis Breast Center. I'm doubly excited that my little contribution brought in so much money for this great cause AND that it will be used to continue raising awareness of breast cancer. In all, the bust cast auction brought in $10,715, surpassing its goal. The number will rise once they calculate the calendar sales, raffle tickets and sales of the decorated bras that served as centerpieces.

I hope to have pictures to share soon. Look for them as soon as I do!

Friday randoms

I'm very excited to be taking a hand embroidery class in OKC next month. The class will be taught by two very cool, crafty ladies. Space is limited, so if you want to join me, go here.

The one I love has been in a funk the last few days. I'm a major extrovert, so when others around me are feeling down, all I want to do is cheer them up. It isn't always possible, but today I tried by sending him surprise flowers at work. They seem to have helped some. Here's the picture he sent me of them:

And this weekend, I'm gearing up for some creative fun. I have a meeting with my theatre friends to plan the rest of the group's season. That evening, we have the symphony. On Sunday, we're attending the Breast Impressions gala to see how much money my beautiful bust cast sells for. Somewhere in there, we need to squeeze groceries and a trip to Goodwill for our Halloween costumes. Did I mention we're going as characters from Twin Peaks? I'm Audrey Horne, he's Agent Dale Cooper. Yes, we're goofy.

What does the weekend hold for you?

Thankful Thursday

It's that time of the week again. Here's what I'm thankful for today:

1. My 365 Days of Italy calendar. Every day is something else beautiful and inspirational. It does make me sad I'm not there, though.

2. Chap stick. My lips exploded into a big, swollen, throbbing mess this week. Blistex medicated lip ointment made everything better.

3. Projects. My list is so long, and I can't wait to tackle it! I wish I was more excited about the cool weather, but it just isn't my thing. I have decided to make the best of it, though, by making lots of scarves.

What are you thankful for today?

Deluxe!

I will officially be selling at the Deluxe Indie Craft Bazaar in Oklahoma City on December 12. Woo hoo! Check out my side bar for the cutie-patootie graphic featuring the awesome work of Fried Okra. :)

My kingdom for an afghan hook

There's nothing quite so frustrating as having a great, creative idea and not being able to work on it. I've been to two different craft stores today, and neither had an afghan hooks at all, let alone the size I need. I'm jonesing to try out a pattern I found in a vintage crocheting and knitting book I purchased yesterday for a buck at the Saturday Flea Market. I would have settled for another size and made the proper adjustments, but there was nothing! Oy! I'll have to wait until a free lunch break this week to run out to Hobby Lobby.

I'm off to walk the dog now before our Tulsa Craft Mafia meeting and then a fun evening of cooking. At least my need to make something shall be satisfied one way or another.

Two hours in the tub

It's been an active Saturday between the trip to the flea market, an oversized lunch, a trip to Owasso to play with puppies (Mom and I are both pining for French bulldogs now), dog walking, grocery shopping, and ice cream at Maggie Moo's (a big splurge, but I've been so healthy all week). When I picked up my latest issue of Self magazine from my tiny mailbox, I knew what I needed tonight: a long, hot bath.

I got in at 8:00. I got out at 10 'til 10:00. Oh yeah.

With a few dashes of Epsom salts and drops of peppermint essential oil in the water, a Virgil's Cola perched precariously on the side of the tub and my periodical in my damp hands, I soaked my evening away. I don't read a ton of magazines each month, so I like to dedicate times to the ones I do peruse. Self is my favorite, and it's a perfect bathtime read. I don't consider a bath complete until I've done a cover-to-cover reading of my chosen magazine, and all the page corners must be properly dampened.

After sealing in all the moisture with lotion, I'm feeling relaxed, smooth and full of creative energy. I'm off to make a list of projects to tackle in the coming week.

Do you take baths to unwind? If so, do you put anything in the water (salts, bubbles, oils, etc.)?

Thankful Thursdays

Here's what I'm thankful for today:

1. Nasal spray. My allergies have gone crazy!

2. Organic, fair-trade tea in my handmade mug. I bought the latter from Forever Tuesday at Indie Emporium. (The tea is Choice Green Moroccan Mint.)

3. Re-learning to knit. I had forgotten how much fun it can be.

Indie Emporium recap

I had a huge-a-mongous blast at Indie Emporium. This was actually my first year selling there, but I can't wait until the time rolls around again in 2010!

Here is my lovely booth before we opened the doors on Friday night:

And a close-up of my new products (Charming Memory bracelets and Whimsy rings) on their displays:

Oh my gosh, look at the crowd! (If you look carefully, you might spy me in my fuchsia sweater.)

Here are two of my shoppers, the cutest little two-year-old boy and his nervous dad:
Day 2 didn't have the previous night's insane onslaught of people, but it was a lot of fun and profitable, too. Here I am at my booth:

If you look, you can see some carnage. My hooks didn't want to stay on the picture-frame displays, and look how quickly I sold out of one of my scrubs. I ended up selling the sample one, too! I guess I'll know to make more Orange Spice ones next time. Look at this close-up of some of my bargain jewelry:

Hey, look, more shoppers!

Later that evening, I modeled in the fashion show, but I don't have any photos to share yet. When I do, I'll certainly post them.

As always, the best part was chatting with customers and other crafters. These shows give great feedback on what products people like and which displays draw in the eye. The #1 highlight, though, was the young lady who came to my booth and told me she'd bought one of my Wonderland rings from The Felt Bird -- and she was wearing it! That filled me with such joy.

Though it's tempting to continue basking in the glow of a successful venture, now I have some serious crafting to do!

Why I Love Mondays

Liking Mondays is definitely not cool. They mark the beginning of the work week for most folks, and that brings with it the dread of the 40-hour grind.

Maybe it's because I like my job, or maybe I'm just a nut, but I love Mondays. Yes, they have me rising early after two days of fun. However, they also mark another new beginning. I measure time in weeks for the most part, so I consider each Monday morning to be another chance to start again. I feel more creative and productive on Monday mornings than pretty much any other time. My head is filled with ideas and projects, generally dreamed up the night before, and I can really dive into my writing assignments for the week. At the beginning of the week, I make a mental or physical list of everything I want to do or try over the next seven days. This includes craft projects, work tasks, and health stuff (recipes, exercises, etc.).

I think of each new week as a chance to do better than the week before. My life is a constant effort to be the best person I can be. I want to be smarter, healthier, more creative, a better partner, and an involved citizen of the world. There are a million ways to make strides in all these areas, and I make a concerted effort to accomplish all I can throughout the week. I know I'll never be perfect, but that just makes me try even harder!

The way I approach Monday morning sets the tone for my entire week. I know if I can get up to hit the gym at 6 a.m. on Monday, I can do it again throughout the week. If not, it's probably not going to happen at all. Likewise, if I can start the work week with a smile on my face, I can keep up the positivity the next four days. So while the rest of the world is begrudgingly rising and dragging themselves into work, I'm already around with a smile and a cup of fair-trade tea in my handmade mug.

What do you think about Mondays? Am I the only crazy who loves them?

It's here!

Indie Emporium starts tonight! Come one and all! I hope to see you there. :)

Indie Emporium 2009

I will be selling jewelry and a few other things at Indie Emporium TOMORROW and SATURDAY! Already have plans? Cancel them!


Stick around for the fashion show Saturday night to see me walk the runway, too.

You can also tune into OklaTravelNews tomorrow around 12:40 to see me promote the show.

There will be a ton of other amazing crafters at IE, too, so come on out and see us! The first 50 shoppers in the door Friday night get a bag full of amazing goodies, including a coupon to my store. OoooOoooO! Be there, folks!

Catching up

I've been no fun lately, and for that I apologize. Things have been crazy between all the stuff on my plate and then a nice big helping of mono scooped on top. Yep, that's what I've been doing. I always seem to get childhood illnesses a few years later than most folks. I caught chicken pox at 7 -- two years after my kindergarten class' epidemic -- and strep throat for the first time at age 15. I guess it was about time mono found me.

So anyway, I'm making tons of fun stuff for Indie Emporium, which I'm sure you all remember is this weekend (!!). I'll have lots of fun rings, memory wire bracelets and a whole slew of one-of-a-kind pieces you won't want to miss. I'll have more details soon.