March 2010

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So Lucky!

Just had to share what came in the mail today. Just over a week ago I was browsing my reader and came across this awesome wreath at Lucky Star Lane. Erin happened to mention if you knew what book she was using for the pages, you’d get a prize. Well, being an English major, I just happened to know the book (although I had to double check which one of the two I thought it was from).

I thought the prize would be confirmation that I’m a little bit of a loser, knowing the obscure book and all. But no, my prize was this:

prize1

It was wrapped up inside a pretty houndstooth wrapped box… but I didn’t take any pictures of that because I was too excited to rip it open and see what was inside.

prize2

And if this beautiful personalized pin wasn’t enough, there were two extra monogrammed buttons inside too!

prize3

Such a generous prize! I’ve admired these flowers for a while now. I’m so glad to have one of my own! Run over and check out Erin & Heather’s blog. It’s great fun, and they are super nice!

Thanks for the great prize. It made opening my mailbox today such a joy.

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I’ve seen a lot about being inspired by Anthropologie lately. I have to admit, until a few months ago, I couldn’t even tell you the store existed. I am not really a shopper. But, how could you not fall in love with a store that gives you eye candy like this when you land on their website?

via www.anthropologie.com

via www.anthropologie.com

I just want to feel all the textures… the pillows, the fabulous throws, I even want to get close enough to that sheet music and see if I can play it!

So, since I am falling in love with everything on their website, and can’t afford a thing there, I decided to make me something instead. A while ago I saw a tutorial here to make this:

Bonheur necklace via www.anthropologie.com

Bonheur necklace via www.anthropologie.com

So I did. Here’s my version:

bonheur

As I was browsing through their other accessories, I fell in love with this one too:

via www.anthropologie.com

via www.anthropologie.com

And I decided I could make my own:

anthropologie necklace

I took pictures along the way, and I’ll post a tutorial so you can make your own too.

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I’m linking up with

Blue Cricket Design’s Show and Tell

No? Is that because you have better things to do than ponder new bags I have been working on since January? That’s right, way back on January 9th I said I’d introduce you to Penny “sometime next week.”

Well, I didn’t forget Penny. She just needed a little refinement before being brought out into society. But she’s ready now.

May I present:

Pennypenny5

She’s a cross-shoulder “mail bag.” Which is why I could only think of the name Newman way back when I was picturing her in my head. {You know, Newman from Seinfeld?} Yeah, this bag is way too classy for that. She can be worn across the shoulder, but she’s not too tall to drape on one:

penny4

She’s casual enough to go everywhere with you… from the laundromat to the movies… and classy enough to go out at night. A button closure keeps all your belongings secure in style.

penny3

With an extra wide strap, she’ll be comfortable even when you fill her up! And she’s got plenty of room inside to pack her full of stuff.

penny

Big enough you can even carry several books… with pockets to keep your cell phone, keys and a pen handy at all times. And of course, a zippered pocket to contain anything you may want to keep secret!

penny2

This particular version, in black and white with a touch of pink, was created especially for Kate, who named Penny. She may be the only one who jumped up and yelled “YES” when I asked if anyone remembered Penny. She picked the fabrics about two months ago, and has been so patient while Penny was perfected. I can’t wait to get this bag to her and see what she thinks!

Penny will be listed for sale soon in my shop, along with a few other goodies I’ve been working on today. More on those soon.

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P.S. – I hope you can appreciate the crispness of the seams on Penny. I learned that everything looks better when you press the seams. Although my foot does not thank me for learning that lesson. Today my foot learned the lesson that hot irons leave a mark…

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New Fabric

I just picked up a full box of new fabric from the post office this morning! Check out the fabrics page to view the fabric options.

This is what my mom and I did yesterday (while I was pouting about the snow… which has all melted btw).

notes

pins

clothespins

We painted these for a friend of my mom’s who lives in Seattle. We’ve got about two dozen to do for ourselves now. I can’t wait to do one with the word recipe and clip up the recipe card I’m using while I cook. That way it won’t get all dirty sitting on my counter getting splashed with ingredients.

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Waiting

I do not like to be cold. This is really not a secret. So I’ve been very happy with our weather lately… starting to warm up… nice spring rain… wearing flip flops (this is a big one for me).

In celebration, yesterday I took this off my door:

olddoor

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And replaced it with this:

newdoor

Oh Happy Day!!

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Until I woke up this morning to this:

snow

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And I am all sadness again. So what’s a girl to do? Go to her mom’s house and paint of course! She’s got a project she hopes to finish today. I think I’ll pack up the girls and go help her. I’ll share pictures tomorrow. And I will keep waiting for Spring…

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While I was at the DI the other day (the DI is my local version of Goodwill) I picked up a few other frames, because when they’re $1 each, I’m sure I will find something to do with them. I already had an idea for one.

The Creative Crate is one of those blogs I look to lots for inspiration. Usually when I see someone’s idea, it really is just inspiration -  I use it to spark my own imagination and let my creativity flow like with the menu board.

However, this time I just plain made what she did. Almost exactly the same way. So, here’s my version of her dry-erase calendar made from an old frame.

Before:

calendar frame before

I painted it black, traced lines for my calendar on the glass, cut out little circles with my cricut, and hung it on the wall. Stacie has great directions over at her site, so check them out if you have questions and want to make your own. Warning… you’ll probably be there for a while exploring all the other fun things she has!

After:

frame calendar after

I’m pretty happy with it. Although, my frame is just 11 x 14… I may have to try it again with a bigger frame so I have more room to write. Of course, I need more things to fill up my calendar with before I really need more room.

I think then I might make something like this to hang pens right next to it.

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Ooh…

I love presents.  I love giving them, wrapping them up, waiting with anticipation to see if the recipient loves it as much as I hope they will. Of course, I also love being the receiver. Piles of beautifully wrapped presents make me giddy. On Christmas, my sister said I’m the only person she knows who hasn’t changed since we were kids… that I act like a kid on Christmas. I took that as a compliment.

My mother-in-law wraps beautiful packages. It’s a skill I’m working on developing. Imagine my joy when I encountered this:

Lovely Package ExchangeYou find out about the things that make a complete stranger happy, wrap up a beautiful package, and send it in its way. Click the image above for more details.

I signed up immediately. Now March 14th seems so very far away… I can hardly wait to make a new friend and make her happy with a lovely package.

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