A few thoughts and updatey things…

Another pic from our arboretum outing…

 

1. I really want to blog more.
2. I know I have said this a couple times already.
3. When I started my very first blog, I mainly did it because I thought it was the thing to do, that I needed it as a sort of companion to my Etsy biz.  But after doing it a bit, I really began enjoying it.  However, it has remained very–I don’t know, “coordinated?”–with my shop.  Not that that’s bad!  It makes sense, since both the shop and blog are both my personal artistic expressions.  However, I’ve always thought, even if subconsciously, that my posts must always follow a certain theme or style…I feel like I’ve been limiting myself.
4. Right here and now, I am giving myself permission to blog any which way I choose.  Will the change in posts be noticeable to anybody but myself?  Possibly not!  But this is important to me and will hopefully enable more frequent bloggery.
5. I’m not making any promises, but the blog change might, might perchance include a giveaway.
6. I’m going to start teaching a belly dance class soon…I am a bit nervous and very excited.
7. I am supposed to be working on a large order right now; what am I doing here?!

Okay, we’ll catch up more later.  Happy Tuesday!

Happy Easter.

I know that my Redeemer lives!
What comfort this sweet sentence gives!
He lives, he lives, who once was dead;
He lives, my ever living head!

[From I Know that My Redeemer Lives
by Samuel Medley]

(This guy didn’t want to hold still…)

Part of today’s ensemble, including my Thistledown Stole, and handmade necklace (a tutorial for which is coming soon!!)

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world.  Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” –Margaret Mead.

What a glorious day this has been!  Today we went out to Bartlett Arboretum for our yearly visit–and the weather couldn’t have been better.  Sunshine, no wind, and still cool (I don’t want 80 degrees just yet!)

It was perfect.  The Arboretum is amazing.  If you haven’t been yet, GO.  Next weekend is their annual Art at the Arb festival, a great event where you can not only enjoy the garden, but live music and shopping for art & handmade goods, as well.

Gimme gimme!!

I thought it was about time I shared some Etsy finds on here, and today I actually have two treasuries for you.   The first one was created last week, and features my favorite seller, Duke & June!  Have you seen her Who’s Your Daddy dolls?  They are soooo precious!

{click here to get to the treasury}

And this second one was create this morning–simply a collection of some of my favorite items.  I love these fresh colors; this treasury just seems so cheerful.

{click here to get to the treasury}

Scatterbrained…

…that’s what I am.  Not an unusual state for me, but I seem to be especially scattered of late.   Is it spring fever?

The weather has been absolutely gorgeous here, and buds are blooming.  Typically, it would still be fairly cool at this time.

While I enjoy it, I’m hoping this doesn’t mean we’re going to have a hot, hot summer…because we’re giving the garden another shot!

We have already planted onions, radishes, pak choy, turnips, and spinach, and that’s not even the half of it.  If the weather cooperates, it should be a bountiful harvest.

I also managed to finish up the Spring 2012 Issue of The Kansas Creative Quarterly last night!  I am so excited about this issue…I know, I always say that, but it’s always true.  There are some amazing artists in this state, and I am so glad to get to know so many of them.  Be sure to check it out when you have the time!

 

Bellydance Dreaming

I don’t know if I’ve mentioned it here before, but I used to bellydance.  Technically, I still do, at home and at the occasional event, but it’s been wayyyy too long since I’ve taken a dance class.

Lately–for a while, now, actually–I’ve been really, really missing it.  Really.  I need to get back into it.  Current circumstances make it hard for me to get a class in, but someday, soon, I hope I can…until then, I’ll just let Zoe show me how it’s done…

If you’ve ever thought about learning bellydance, I urge you to try it!!  And if you haven’t considered it, please do.  It is so very rewarding.

Meet Duke & June! And, a giveaway…

I often marvel at how blessed I am, and one of my wonderful blessings includes knowing and loving so many creative people!  My best friend, Mandi, who blogs at sewredplanet.blogspot.com, has just opened up a new shop called Duke & June, and I am completely in love with everything she has there!

Duke & June is a colorful, stylish shop for mommas and their little ones.  Currently it’s full of adorable plush toys, patchwork “taggies”, mini bunting and “Momma Go” clutches, which are fantastic for carrying around diapers, wipes, and your other essentials…but you don’t have to be a momma to use them.  (In fact, I have my eye on this one.)  Mandi also told me about another project she is working on for the shop, and I really wish I could share it, because I am super-excited about it.  But that will have to wait!

Oh, and that giveaway I mentioned?

To celebrate its grand opening, Duke & June is giving away a Mini Momma Go Clutch on the Duke & June fan page!  Just “like” them and comment on this profile picture, and you will be entered to win!  A winner will be drawn March 9th, so head over soon!

Wrist Pincushion: Tutorial!

Lately, I’ve been finding my ol’ regular tomato pincushion to be a bit inconvenient.  Don’t get me wrong–it’s useful and has its place, but I’ve been doing a lot of work where I need my pins to move with me.  So, I made a pincushion I can wear on my wrist!  Here’s how…

Gather your materials:

• Fabric: I used two kinds of linen (the Alice in Wonderland print was bought at Charlotte’s Sew Natural a few years back), but you can use just about any woven (non-stretch) material.  And some stretch material might work too!  The rectangle for your strap should be three inches wide, and the length should be that of your wrist circumference plus two and a half inches.  The circle for the cushion should measure approximately three times the diameter of your plastic lid.  The “topper” on the cushion should be the same size as your lid.
• Plastic lid: I wanted to put something hard at the bottom of the cushion, just in case I ever get too vigorous in the poking of my pins, hehe.   A juice or milk cap works great.
• Velcro: about one inch of it.
• Thread and embroidery floss
• Stuffing: (Not shown below) polyester fiberfill, natural cotton, or bamboo stuffing works well.

First, fold your strap in half lengthwise with right sides together, and stitch along the edge with seam allowance of about 3/8″.  Turn, then press.

Turn each end in about 1/2″, and press again.

Stitch your velcro to each end, catching the turned in end as you do so.  You may want to try it on as you do this to get the perfect fit.

Place the large fabric circle in the center, and stitch down securely.

Using your embroidery floss, hand baste close to the edge of the circle, gathering it up as you go.  Once you’ve made it all the way around, insert your lid, with the lip facing up like a cup.

Drawing the gathers up, stuff your cushion as tightly as you can, securing it with a knot.

Begin stitching on the topper, using any invisible or decorative stitch of your choice.

And there you have it!  Insert pins and enjoy!