Let There Be Light...

As I've recently mentioned, there's a lot of redesign going on around Foolsewoode...A whole lot.  It's not that I don't love the things I've spent a lifetime collecting, but some of the things have had to go to other parts and rooms, and some things have had to completely go and find new homes all together.

And my bedside lamps are no exception.

Which was kind of a surprise to me.

I always enjoyed my bedside lamps, one my father designed and made, and one I received as a gift many years ago.  The one that my father made has been relocated to the new boudoir as it makes more of a dramatic statement in there, and the other one doesn't really gel with my decorating style anymore...and that's when I found these cutie little vintage teapot lamps at the thrift.

They practically jumped into my hands, and at $3 a piece I figured it was a small investment to make in a little bit of the new bedroom style.  The only unfortunate thing was the shades that came with them.  While I'm assuming they're original, they're not the prettiest shades I've ever seen.

So, I started researching shades and found that the ones I really like are more money than I want to spend on new shades.  I also thought the original ones were not only a bit awkward, but a bit big...and then I had an idea.

I am reupholstering a chair cushion a chair that I am putting in the bedroom, and maybe I could use the same fabric on the lampshades that I use on the chair cushion?

I suppose this is a good time to mention that the material is a vintage damask pattern I'm using from a dress that I made into a skirt which I was never that fond of after I made it, and I was just thinking of junking the skirt all together...but that damask pattern is just so darned cute!

(which is why I hung onto it so long in the first place)

So, Sunday I made a pattern for the lampshade and started cutting out fabric.  I then applied the fabric to the existing shade with some glue and *poof!  A whole new look for the lampshades...

Which makes the shades look just the right size and a whole lot cuter...plus?  I still have more than enough fabric left over to remake the chair cushion eventually.

And I think it's a perfect solution for my new little lamp cuties to update them just enough for the room redoux.

I am still considering finding some cute black trim to finish the tops and the bottom of the shades, but for now they're working just fine.

Vintage Cowgirl Inspiration...

And here's what had me gluing my fingers and other parts of my hands to everything in Kari and Jay's studio...Totally vintage inspired necklaces.

These were Kari's original design using vintage Cowgirl photos with burned edges that were then attached to the rusted buckle charms (this is where it becomes dangerous for the fingers...well, my fingers in particular as everyone else seems to have a whole lot more experience with glue in this area than myself) and embellished with charms and bling, and all attached to the copper and silver ball chain necklaces.

I just helped out with the design execution in the end.

And right now they are a Prescott Snap Snap exclusive (and a Cheyenne exclusive if you happen to be in that area) and were lovingly arranged in the shop by yours truly just today.

We also made one Eight Ball charmed necklace and one Mini Flask necklace as well.  We also made a full sized flask, but that's still at the studio as we're perfecting the exact design on that little beauty.

Stop by and see them when you get a chance, as I don't normally make jewelry (being that I'm still biting the glue off of myself) but had a wonderfully inspired and fun time doing these little beauties with Kari, because I love me some sweet old cowgirl illustrations.

Can I get a Ye-Haw?

Or a Yippie-I-O?

Working With Metal...

 

For the last two days, which are usually my days off...I have had the pleasure of working with some good friends at their Metal Fabricating Shop.

And by working I mean I've been introduced to metal cutting machines, shocking metal (which is a process of almost instant rusting large sheets of metal) getting to know the lay of the land, filling orders, packing boxes, making jewelry, being creative, and generally getting down and dirty.

Working with metal can be a dirty job...but only in the best of ways.

My friends Kari and Jay own Universal Iron Works here up in the Northland of Arizona and it is awesome!

They supply metal to a whole lot of people in the world, including Snap Snap.  They can do anything you want, which I kind of already knew...but after having the pleasure of stepping into their world for the last couple of days, I have a whole new appreciation for their entire operation.

This is a true Made in America company where everyone rolls up their sleeves and dives in...and while it is a lot of fun and a well oiled machine, I am finding myself a bit exhausted from running around...but in a great way for sure.

Everyone is super creative and highly skilled at what they do at the shop mixed up with the whole element of being laid back and having fun...truly enjoying all their work.

Plus?  There's about a million and one things to do, and that work changes from moment to moment...which means that there's never a dull minute of the day and there's something exciting going on around every corner.

Lucky for me, I've been invited to join in the operation and will be heading out at least one day a week to lend a hand wherever they need it...

Though I'm not sure I'll be welding.

Or branding...

I'll be leaving that to Jay and his helper thankyouverymuch...welding and branding is hot work and looks a little more firey and scary to me than I'm use to.  I mean, I hardly ever use fire in my line of work, what with clothes being so flammable and whatnot.

And as an added bonus, I get to help create new ideas (which is almost too easy, because we're working and throwing out new designs to each other all day) and also grab exciting metal goodies to put in Snap Snap...like a whole slew of new jewelry I helped design, or rather glue.  Which was kind of a hysterical mess at some point seeing as I started gluing my thumb to things and then to itself and at one point glued a pair of needle nose pliers to my person as well.

Sigh.

At least I'm good comic relief.

It's almost too enjoyable when I'm there to call it work...maybe it's just because it's a wonderful change of pace from what I do in my regular working day, which adds just the right amount of the inspiration I crave...

Valentine's Window...

The first window I've really put together in the new space...and one that's been on my mind tucked way in the back for a little while now.  That's how my creative process is...things hide in there and pop out every once in a while.

(I just hope they do it at the right time.  So far, so good)

This window has a rather large gold Cupid (I've been saving forever oddly enough) blowing glittering red hearts out of his horn...and even though you can't see it (because it's darned hard to take a picture of the entire window...from the outside I have too much glare, and from the inside I need to make myself into a contortionist!) The floor is lined with fluffy red and white crinolines...which kind of makes it look like our lady there is standing in clouds.

See?!

For everyone who secretly (and not so secretly) rolled their eyes at my insane crinoline buying binge this year...I did find something to do with them.

And heavens, when you stop to think about it...the possibilities are really endless.

(mostly because I still have about 12 that aren't being used...because they were too colorful for this particular window.  Whee Anyway!!)

We have two large windows at the shop, so it should be both challenging and fun to dress them up.  There's nothing more fantastic than creating a vignette that makes people stop and look...and yesterday, I noticed that both of the windows have little finger, hand, and forehead marks all over them.

Which is usually indicative of people stopping to lean and peer against the glass trying to see inside...

What a wonderful compliment!

And...

Changing the windows at Snap! Snap!

Incorporating:

Strings of Vintage wooden thread spools

Vintage wooden shoe forms

Vintage clothes and Current Fashions

Watching:

The rain pour down outside

The end of the week slip by

People come and go

Eating:

Not a darned thing, as I was totally going to run by Pangaeas this morning before work and grab a macaroon...and I totally ran out of time.  I'm somehow remembering that they close before I do, so I may just have to remain macaroonless.

Wondering:

If I accidentally left the cat out?

And about a hundred tiny little things I have no control over and...

and.

and.

...

Ink Complete...

Last night I went and got the rest of the design inked on my arm.  The completed design from last night is a Celtic Knot arm band, made of tree branches with apples and leaves.  It is both organic and structured, fits perfectly along with the owl from 6 weeks ago...and totally reminds me of Snow White.

Which is a bit surprising as Snow White was the farthest thing from my mind when I designed this tattoo.

The way Tony inked the knot almost looks like a flowing ribbon, with black and brown shading and leaving some of my skin without color at all...it's breathtakingly beautiful and was not at all what I had in my head.

He told me that it's what he had in his head...so at least one of us had something in their head.

I'm personally glad it was the artist in this case...

I had both Rich photo and DaNece come down during the beginning...as I was a bit more nervous for this part of the tattoo, seeing as it was wrapping around my arm and whatnot...but I'll let you in on a little secret if you promise not to tell anyone:

It didn't hurt as bad as everyone kept saying it would.

I mean, I could be tougher than I give myself credit for...even Tony was impressed as I only stretched once when he was changing colors.  But honestly?  The pain don't last forever, and if you breathe into the area, the pain kind of goes away...not to mention after a while, your endorphins kick in and make everything a bit more numb.

I'm feeling a little tender, swollen, and hot in that area today.

But I'm more bummed about keeping it covered up and sanitary because I can't sit and stare at it all day...but I will be able to soon.

Swollen, red, and hot are normal for a tattoo, as it is an open wound.  Tony has me concentrating on washing it several times a day with plain white soap and after a couple of days, I will be able to apply Lubriderm lotion.  Every tattoo artist has a different regimen, and this one worked very well with the owl, so I'm happy to stick with it.  Besides, after today the tattoo swelling will go down and it won't be quite as tender...this morning I was icing it, and it was already holding cold which I consider to be a very good sign.

I mean...that's a pretty happy face for someone who was a little internally shaky.

I'm so pleased that I'm done with this particular rite of passage/project/Birthday present to myself.  I love the way it turned out...because at first I questioned myself about the size of the Owl the morning after I got it...People besides myself love him though...I've had people walk up to me and give me compliments.  Then I further questioned myself about adding more to that design after I fell in love with him...but oh boy.  When he started and it went in the almost opposite direction I was thinking...I just fell in love.

Tony is an amazing artist, and has a very light touch to boot...he is very sweet and is excited for me to come in a couple of weeks from now to see how everything holds up.  He offers free touch-ups just in case.  Even Rich, who has an aversion to needles felt comfortable after we got started...as really, the needles are so small it more looks like Tony was drawing on my arm...Rich kept remarking, "He's so fast!"

And DaNece...was fine and her only worry was that she was going to start looking at the design books and decide that she needed a tattoo as well.

They're not for everybody, but I love them.  However...I do have only one other tattoo, and it took me close to 20 years to really choose something that I knew I would love equally as well as my first one.  Yes, I'm a little slow...but it's totally worth the wait.

I will post pictures as soon as I'm not so red and swollen...

Tsunami on the Square 2010...

The Little Wave That Could...

And Did!

Well, the big Tsunami has hit The Square of Prescott Arizona at about 12:30 and receded for another year in the early morning hours of Sunday...And let me say that it was an amazing festival this year indeed.  There was a lot more local talent put on the stages and they didn't disappoint...everyone brought their big smiles and their hard work paid off...

We had a beautiful breezy day for it and the crowds ebbed and flowed all day long.

Kids Cove was positively packed during the day with lots of little happy faces, clapping, singing, and laughing...the children enjoyed special animal visitors from Out of Africa, The Supersiliest Band, and many other performers throughout the day.

One of my favorite groups to visit Tsunami again and again is Clan Tynker.  In fact, at one point, I noticed I'd missed a call from my Executive Directors wife (and may I stop to say at this point that thank goodness for cell phones.  It was so easy to keep in touch with each other all day via text or calls?!) She asked me where I was...I then had to admit that I was at The Kids Cove leaning against a tree after being sucked in by Clan Tynker.

They tend to do that to you.

Clan Tynker is a family performing group from New Mexico, who incorporate a lot of old and traditional magic, juggling, Diabolos, bubbles, you name it...and throw comedy in there and you have a recipe for total enjoyment no matter what your age.  I have been enjoying watching this family participate in Tsunami for the past 12 years and they have literally grown up in front of my eyes.

 Not to mention, I got to enjoy a bit of Tapas under the stars with them at dinner last night.  They truly embody the personalities of the performers that we have at Tsunami.  They are friendly and nice and enjoy getting to know you...Being a part of Tsunami is like being a part of a big family full of a whole lot of people with a whole lot of different talents...and no matter what your talents are, you have a place at the table.

This sweet girl (that would be me) arrived at The Square at 7am sharp to help set up...ran off The Square to meet my models at Snap Snap at 10am so we could be a moveable fashion show in the Tsunami Parade...marched in the parade and across The Stage, then I ran off The Square to change into my Tsunami Festival Outfit (including my white top hat) and ran back to Tsunami to help out all day long...and didn't walk off The Square to home until about 1:30am Sunday morning after clean-up and tear-down...

Since Snap! Snap! was a Parade Sponsor this year...I designed costumes for DaNece and I as kind of a conceptual Bird-Cage skirt...

Rich kindly let me lift this photo from his site because I didn't take any pictures of myself in this outfit...It was hard enough walking at a decent pace.  Behind me is our Executive Directors dog Zelda...she is wearing a fez I made her to match Andrew's fez.  She is also wearing a Hawaiian Shirt...because that's how they roll in this family.

For most of the day, I was running here and there helping as much as I could...at The Info Booth, The Sound Booth, Back Stage...at a couple of points you could find me ON stage with a collection bucket  and the bucket brigade and then running into the crowd for donations from our audience...Tsunami is a non-profit community supported event and we look for donations from the crowds that turn out to help cover our costs of running this festival.  We had a lovely crowd this Tsunami who were all smiles as they reached into their pockets and purses to help.  After all...they did get stickers (and glowing necklaces at one point)

In fact, I was mostly so busy that all I had time for were these handful of pictures...even though I wore my camera around my neck all day.  If you were lucky, you could snatch a few sentences of conversation from me here and there...The view of Troupe Salamat above was shot from where I stood to view most of the performances I got a chance to catch a few minutes of viewing time.  Our Tsunami team doesn't stand around idle a whole lot, but I did enjoy the view from here indeed in the sound booth.

It is staggering how much work goes into putting on a festival like this...both before and during.  I loved every minute of it and want to thank the exceptional people who came down to volunteer their time...some of them early in the morning climbing the scaffolding and then all day long and late into the night they worked shoulder to shoulder with the rest of us.  They did what was needed, no questions asked...and smiled at everyone to boot!

There were a million tiny moments I haven't even begun to process yet, stolen bits of time in which to have deep 10 minute conversations, people grabbing me as I walked by to tell me what a great job we were doing, smiles, big thank you's, people seeking me out to hand me money for the donation buckets, total amazement while watching everyone perform, finding inspiration and magic everywhere, watching both the adult and children audiences and their faces reflecting pure delight, smiles, yelling, and clapping...And finally a choking back a tear or two when The Tsunami Whale was led off the stage by Andrew flanked by Tiki-Torch Wielding escorts at the very end of the festival...until we see her again next year.

I am left with the feeling of awe and gratitude and a huge push to run off to join the circus...or at least learn how to hula-hoop...

We did it Prescott!

Thank you for all of your support...

And the wave rolls on.

Tsunami on the Square Week Countdown :: Day 4

Last night I had the pleasure of attending The Big Brothers Big Sisters Pizza Party and Tsunami Parade Banner Making Party...phew, that was a mouth full.

Let me tell you, there was some serious creativeness flying around that room!  These kids were all geared up to do some very colorful and fun art, and they did not disappoint.

The Bigs and Littles here wanted so badly to be a part of Tsunami and contribute in some way, our fearless leader Andrew was able to include them in this way:  They were invited to make our banners and then carry them in the kick-off parade at Noon on Saturday before the Opening Ceremonies at Tsunami on the Square.

It was so fun to see how different and carefully they made each banner for every individual Parade Sponsor this year.

Up there you see Pangaea Bakery with a little heart that says "BBBS loves Pangaea!"  I concur...There's the Cortez St. Antique Row rolling along on the Tsunami waves (which they're totally doing this year) and Rich Charpentier Photography...who had a whole lot of glitter on his banner.

(someone discovered the glitter shortly before we left...thank heavens!)

Snap!  Snap! is a proud parade sponsor this year...and I'm totally digging my sign.  Look at that awesome border!  I mean, if you're a long-time shopper of Snap! Snap! you would remember that in addition to making all of my own signs I once used to use a border kind of like that...how did they know?!  Plus?  I got some pretty snazzy looking deco lettering...and I like that my Tsunami on the Square part of the poster actually includes a square...instead of just the word.

Love it!

But my very most favorite part of the sign?

This tiny little blond haired girl on the right hand corner with her hands in her pocket.

Seriously.

It totally reminds me of me when I was s child back when I personally had long blond hair.

Back when I used to pose for Parade Banners?

Purely I jest.

I just love this little girl...she seems so appropriately placed on my banner...and I believe I'm the only one with a person, so I feel very honored.

These kids are very very good.

So...I will be marching in the Tsunami Kick-Off Parade this Saturday at Noon if you would like to come down and give me a wave...I will be in a very special costume for the parade (that I will be making tonight after yoga...nothing like waiting till the last minute.  Ahem.)

Also?  If you live in town and have a few extra hours to spare, won't you consider checking in to the Big Brothers Big Sisters Program?  You can make a huge difference in a child's life.

Tsunami on the Square Week Countdown :: Day 1

Today starts the Official Tsunami on the Square week countdown here at Foolsewoode!

(it's because I'm on the board and we've all been working our tails off to bring the good people of Prescott an outstanding Festival)

(oh...and because I love my Tsunami!!)

I personally began the morning running a whole bunch of posters and lobby cards I'd made...along with some of my vintage umbrellas down to National Bank for the lobby display.  National Bank gave us Business of the Week this week...which is perfect, because it will lead right up to the day before Tsunami.

  So, if you're in the downtown area and want to start getting excited for Tsunami, visit National Bank on the corner of Gurley St. and Cortez St.

You will also want to swing by the Prescott Public Library and check out the Tsuami display in the large display case...I didn't personally have more to do with it than the loan of a couple more umbrellas...and when I went to put them in the case I was blown away!  It is an awesome display designed and installed by a couple more board members and I just adore it...It brings a ton of color to that corner of the library.

Today is also the official start of Circus Camp...Which is a much anticipated event here in Prescott for children and young adults.  The Camp runs for 4 days:  The 14th-17th from 9-12:30 and is an amazing deal at only $12 per day...and it happens to be right behind Snap! Snap! in the Middle School football field...so I had to run down there and take a picture of this fine group of children...because by the end of the week, most of them will be on stilts and juggling and in costume!

I actually have plans to go to Circus Camp on the last day, so I will try to remember to snap some pictures while I'm there.  A lot of my friends children have attended Circus Camp over the years, and many of them are down there today.  One of the best things about the camp besides learning really wonderful and unusual skills is the fact that the kids are all invited to participate in the Kick-Off Parade at Noon the day of Tsunami.

Also?

It's like we're training a whole group of home-grown talent for future festivals...how great would it be to see The Square filled with past and current participants of Circus Camp from Prescott?

I think that would be pretty awesome!

Please remember to set your watches and mark your calendars for Saturday June 19th at Noon and join us down on The Square for an amazingly magical day!

Memorial Weekend...

Welcome to my two days off in a row:

• Cleaning the bathroom, making room (...and then discovering the shelves you're wiping down are not coming clean.  Fine.  I will paint them instead) Painting shelves in bathroom and reorganizing items in said bathroom (wondering why in heavens name I own so much soap and product?!  I should be the youngest, prettiest, and best smelling person you know) Packing away items I'm not currently using, but will in the future.  Putting large bin in basement.
• Cleaning sinks, toilet, bathtub, little organizer things buy new organizer things...realize the silver plated items I use to put hand soap and toothpaste in need to be wiped down Completely Polished...Figure since I'm standing there doing it, I might as well polish the silver tray the cat's bowls are on.  Silver polished.  Bathroom clean, and organized stuff put back in good perfect acceptable order.
• Realize I'm going to Megan's for a bar-b-q on Sunday and I will attempt to drag out the material the I acquired for a commissioned flag banner she sweetly asked me to do for her porch...oh, about a year ago.  Yeah that sounds right...Ahem.  So I can stare at it before probably putting it away again.  Decide it wouldn't hurt to just start cutting some of the triangles out to get ready to maybe sew it before I go, because I have a meeting for Tsunami Sponsors in about 2 hours...so there's no way I can get started on the banner now.
• Cut out triangles and arrange them in order I'd like to see them in when I sew them to their respective rick-rack...decide I can pile them up and at least iron them to get them ready...and look at the freshly ironed pile and think, well...I can at least pin them to the rick-rack to get them ready...Sew the entire banner in less than 15 minutes and then wonder why it took me so long to start and complete this project in the first place?!
• Went to Tsunami meeting and had a coconut Italian soda...met My Pal Amy after and went to Snap Snap so she could shop, wherein I ran around straightening things before I hit the tired wall.
• Went home to collapse on the couch with the fourth Percy Jackson and The Olympians book.
• Sunday I did a facial and pedicure at home...
• Went to visit my friend Wendy at The Silver Elephant in the St. Michael Alley of Shops so she could re-do the little Thai wraps she put in my hair a month ago...they're like little thin strands of tinsel she ties onto individual hair on your head that then look like very sparkly highlights, only better.  People stop me everywhere I go...Wendy matched them as red, magenta, and maroon to my hair and they're subtle and fun.  I have washed, blow dried, styled with an iron, cut and dyed my hair and they stayed in for well over a month...fun fun fun!
• Cleaned the outside and inside of the car and got gas.
• Picked up My Pal Amy and went to Megan's for a lot of fantastic food and relaxation and the hanging of the banner...which probably almost made her faint.  The baby kept looking at it, and while she certainly approved I had to whisper into her ear that it may seem impressive, but in all reality I'd been asked to sew this before we even knew she was going to come into our lives...and it doesn't quite stretch around the whole porch, so I need to get back to cutting and sewing again.  Hopefully I'll get it completed the next time I lope over there for a good time.

So there you go...Now I'm at Snap Snap for the day to see if I can get things organized here and greet all the tourists and locals who are out wandering around on their days off...I hope your weekend was full of fun and you are enjoying remembering those who have passed on before you.

The Art of Wearing Hankies...

I decided to wear my new skirt, even though the weather report showed cool air hanging around outside...I figured if I paired it with a pink cardigan and my sparkly pink Chucks I'd indeed be warm...

Pink sparkles do that to a girl you know.

I want you to know, even though I didn't take a picture, the hankie pattern in the back of the skirt showcases a whole other set of different US hankies in almost the opposite colors (even though they somehow all go together) making me think that if I turned completely around and walked backwards I could totally wear a whole different color scheme and get away with it.

Or...

I could turn the skirt completely around and walk like a normal person.

Probably though, being normal is overrated.

(somewhere a teenage version of myself who is desperately trying to fit in by blending it, just cringed)

And.  Since the vintage red rick-rack as a hemline trim was just enough whipped cream for the skirt...I thought I'd dig out my sweet silver Illinois charm bracelet to further compliment all the states that are represented by this hankie print and whip cream up my wrist as well...and mostly because Illinois is not on my skirt.

Arizona oddly enough, is not on here either, but since I happen to be standing in Arizona at the moment, I think that counts for something, don't you?

Creativity Rick-Rack Whipped Cream on Top...

Starting the one day weekend with some very thoughtful dessert love from DaNece, whom joined me on when my weekend would usually begin.

I just happened to be a day late for two-full days off.

Meh, I tell you...after getting into the rhythm, I could probably keep working 6-days in a row...it's a busy-rhythm thing.  In fact, when checking my horoscope this morning (this is the one that I'm was going to toss because it usually makes me to stressed out to have a good day, and I forgot and looked anyway, and really...who needs that pressure?) said that I need to hit the ground running and it's not about what I accomplish, but it's about the crazy pace I need to keep up...

Yeah.

I got news for you on that one.

I'm an Aries, I got crazy pace down to an art, and sometimes...just sometimes, we do crazy here very well indeed.

Also on my one day weekend, my friend Ken and I were able to get together and hike.  Hike all over the glory that happens to be Springtime in Prescott...

Green and lush, flowers and water...

And wind.

This wind.

Blowing like crazy...it actually blew cold weather in.  I mean, my heat kicked on at Foolsewoode last night and scared me to death.

We decided that this may indeed be a good day in which to learn to fly.

This wind.

As it was, Ken swept us up one of the hillsides in Groom Creek where it seemed to be a little more protected from all the blustery-ness.  As we hiked up the hillside stopping to search among the trees and seek out all the beautiful green, I half expected to see Pooh Bear and his companions go flying by on this blustery day.  I didn't see them, but I did spot an Owl's nest way high in the pines...which actually looked quite dreamy as the tree was gently rocking back and forth.

And?

I only fell once.

I know.  That's good for me!

I usually fall at least one time when I'm hiking...and this time it was on flat ground (which more often than not is when I do it)  I guess maybe I'm more careful on the rough patches when I keep telling myself in my head that I'm going to fall, and then when I'm least expecting it?

Whee!!

I also crossed a fallen log that was suspended over moving water...conquered both fears on that one:  Heights and running water.  Actually it was more of my standing there raising my left eye-brow while saying, "if you think I'm crossing that, you've got another thing coming..."  Which prompted Ken to hold out a hand, he's very good like that.  I'm getting a wee bit better about asking for help when I'm out hiking...and thank heavens I usually get it.

Although, I kind of wonder what my hiking companions think?

And we found waterfalls...and swimming holes...and more than a few Ziploc bags full of water hanging from trees.

Yeah.

The natural landscape of the forest.

Honestly...it was so weird for us to keep spotting them.  Perplexing even.  I should have taken pictures of the confused faces we were making...

To tell the truth, I honestly couldn't believe there weren't goldfish swimming in them...

Surreal.

And off we went after all that silliness to visit my mother and have some Mexican Crack at Sanch.

I picked up this bit of really great cotton fabric that looks like vintage hankies at one of my mother's shops and had to quick whip it into a skirt when I got home.

Yeah.

I was shocked too...probably not as shocked as my sewing machine, but there you go.

Now I have a sweet summer skirt to wear when it finally gets warm (seeing at it was in the 30's when I hauled tush to the gym this morning...sigh) made totally complete with the addition of some of my vintage red rick-rack on the hem-line.

So, I started the weekend strawberry with whipped cream on top and ended with creativity rick-rack whipped cream on top...

Word...

Megan's having a girls night tonight at her house.

It will be her first one since having Ms. Edythe...and while I don't normally post gifties here before I gift them...I couldn't resist.

(Megan...if you don't want a spoiler, stop reading now)

I decided that this first girls night needed to be commemorated for our newest girlie with a little baby bling...

Yesterday while thrifting, I picked up a very cute pink onsie with birds and trees and the sweetest pair of jeans I've ever seen.  The jeans are lined with jersey and sport quite a few pockets...

Which is good, because babies usually have a lot of accessories and they totally need pockets.

Seriously.

Also?  There's a pocket for change.  I can't tell you how many times I've been out with a baby and they expect you to pay for things for them.  Well, no more of that!  Edythe will have absolutely no more excuses to stick us with her share of the bill...that little wink and nod that suggests she'll pay us back?

Uh-huh.

...And of course, what every baby needs.  A shirt that says, "S'UP"

Cause' babies are cool like that.

And they don't talk much, so I think this pretty much says it all for her...

Well, that and a flick of the head.

S'UP?

Yeah...

Edythe can totally rock this look.

After nabbing these little goodies, I found the perfect gangsta font (which I think is Olde English...go figure) drew it out and then hand painted it on a piece of jersey I snagged from a t-shirt that is no longer in use around here...jumped into the studio, blew the dust off the sewing machine, ahem...and stitched it right on.  And all in time to still relax, eat Chinese food, and watch The Olympics.

It was a great reminder of how much I love to sew (oh yeah...) and create (double, oh yeah...) and I have a whole lot of ideas up in here (sorry, I'm pretty much all gansta now after this) for some more additions to Edythe's wardrobe...

Now we need a rap name for this lil' gal...so we can address her properly while she's hangin' in her crib.  After visiting a Rap Name Generator I came up with:

P Love

Precious Mix

Magic Edythe Angel a.k.a Lady Velvet

Lady E Brat a.k.a. Tasty Cheeks

and my personal favorite:

Furious Precious Cakes a.k.a. Lethal Tickle

Which is the perfect rap name for a baby...!

(while there I had to also do mine.  Obviously.  The best one it came up with was:  Mad Sadira Trip a.k.a. Tenacious Cash...hmmm)

Word up y'all...

Window Shopping For Love...

This morning I found a really great bird cage.

I'm not sure why this particular cage jumped out at me (except that it's cute and distressed and is topped by a wonderful tin roof and hearts cut into it the frame of it) but I found myself thinking that it would look good in a Valentine's Day display for Snap Snap.

I'm sure if we pop open my head to examine my psyche close enough, that  there's some deep seeded meaning about why I associate love with a cage.

And your love being caged...and how you need to set it free...

Or sometimes looking at our pasts, we should have put some of our lovers in cages?

Whatever the case may be...I decided that this cage would probably fit well in the window.  Also?  I love bird cages with or without the love association...so what the heck!

I decided that I would enjoy it if there were little hearts flying around in the cage...like butterflies, hearts to me look like wings...and birds have wings...and sometimes they live in cages?

Maybe I feel repressed with Valentine's Day looming in the distance?  Which is strange because I totally believe in love and romance...

Methinks my quick association with Love in a Cage is bothering me.
(I'll be happy to entertain your theories in the comments)

I purchased some wonderful rose paper not too long ago in eager anticipation of my handmade Valentines that usually roll out this time of year...but I have put these off to the absolute last minute.  Making me cringe because I think this year I may forgo the making of Valentines all together.

What?!?

I know.

The image as me of Superwoman probably just slipped a bit in your mind just then, didn't it?  Well...join the club, the image started slipping for me when I thought about running around in public in a leotard.

You know?  I can handle the cape and tiara...but the leotard?

I don't think so.

Cutting up paper hearts and putting them in a cage and then putting that on display in the window of Snap Snap is like one giant handmade Valentine...and really, when you think about it?  It reaches a much larger audience.

So Happy Valentines Day!

All I'm saying is, at least it's a prettier display than my pedicure.  And of course, all those little paper hearts flying around are much prettier than the place where I pushed a thumb tack through the top of my thumb when I was attaching little flying hearts to the inside of said cage...Leaving me with the very accurate observation that all thumbtacks are not created equal, and the fancier colorful ones aren't as strong and tend to bend easily...

(especially when they hit bone...I'm just sayin')

Valentine's Day Pedicure...ish...

 

I gave myself a pedicure this weekend, and I thought it would be a fun idea if I did it more Valentine's Day theme...so I got out a toothpick and painted little pink hearts on the nails of my big toes.

Um.

Now.

It may be that I'm totally delirious from battling The Winter Cold/Flu:  Part Deux...the chest cough years.

Or that it's hard to paint anything with a toothpick as a brush...and onto your toenails.

Or it may be that I was channeling Lord Voldemort (only because I was watching Harry Potter:  The Sorcerer's Stone...)  cause I'm telling you?  Upon further scrutiny while said toenails were drying...the heart on my right toe?  Looks like Voldemort's head when it was on the back of that other guys' head under the turban?  Which was ick in the movie...

And even further ick on one's toe.

Specially since my toes were meant to be all romantic this week.

Drat.

I just hope this doesn't bode for a scary Valentine's Day later this week.

And then...when I decided to finally break out the Digital Elph today to take these pictures?  I was all concerned about the flash ruining them...because usually I don't use a flash if I don't have to.  But, I think flash on the toes seemed to be the only way I could get the full Voldemort Peducure feeling.  And then I thought, of course the flash would be fine...my toes don't have eyes.

Mostly.

This was after I had to redo the photo shoot because although the first pictures were dim...they were still useable.  Only, there was something weird all over my toes when I was editing them in iPhoto.

It was sock fuzz.  Seriously.  From a pair of socks I am continually worried that the heel is going to wear out of, so where all this extra sock fuzz was coming from is a total mystery.

This has been a very trying pedicure.

Fresh Starts *or* I Can't Believe It Took Me That Long To Finish A Project...

Well...good-bye total surprise 3-day weekend and hello to the rest of it.

I thought after such a romantic and dramatic start to 2010 on the blog (that would be the photo of myself that I am totally in love with from January first and the addition of a somewhat zombie looking New Year Baby photo in the header...Really?  What was I thinking?) I decided to carry through with all the drama and fantasticness and let it spill over into my home.

Not too long ago (going on 2 years now, ahem) I noticed that the black metal clip curtain rings that hold up my curtains in the living room were kind of loosing their mojo.  More in the form of, whenever I tried to open and close my curtains (twice a day to be more specific) some of the clips would either fall off their wire and just the clips would be left on the tops of the curtains not connected to anything curtain ringish, or loose their grips on the curtains all together.

This had me scrambling up and down chairs and stretching my full short body length quite a bit trying to fix them...with all sorts of nasty thoughts going through my head about curtain clips and rings the whole time.  So, it was only natural that when I was down visiting Claudine before the holidays that I pick up 2 new sets of rings while at Ikea.

OK.

Not so natural as it was astounding that I actually remembered that I needed them (and it was only when I was standing directly in front of them or I would have never even thought of buying them at all)  It was more natural that I bought them and then put them somewhere in the house when I got home...and then stumbled upon them several more times before moving them to a place I could not possibly forget and then loosing them again...only to realize when I was looking for them on Sunday, that they were on the floor of my bedroom quite near the door way and I effectively have been tripping over them for 3 weeks.

Give or take.

So, after all the PJ Relaxing Guitar Hero competitions You'd better take down all the Christmas decorations before they get dusty New Years Day while packing away all my decorations, I decided to do something about the curtain and it's rings...because with half the clips either not working or totally disconnected, the curtains let in a lot of light...especially in the morning, when the sun rises from that direction and shoots me in the eye with its electrifying beams.

Oh.

And possibly because when I made the curtains, I lined them (so they'd be darker and they wouldn't fade...cause' I spent $200. on the fabric, and that was after it was 50% off at the fabric store) Now, You may think lining your curtains is a great idea...

Thank you.

I thought so too...

Unfortunately, due to my Aries nature...I am your go-to gal when starting something and then I mostly loose interest towards the end...or half-ass my way through to the end.  (and no, this doesn't ring through on everything in my life, only mostly creative projects.  And cleaning...definitely cleaning)  So, it was to my utter shock and horror after I lined the enormously large curtains that hang in the front widows (I had to patch two pieces of lining on each one because they were so big...which tired me out so much that I still haven't lined the other 4 curtain panels in the room, but I figure they don't mostly get direct sunlight anyway so who cares?) that the way the curtains hung meant that I most probably and definitely should have sewn up the middle of the lining on each curtain to hold them together better.  Cause' they have some serious gapping...

Which, as you can imagine, still lets in light.

A lot of light to be exact.

I decided this weekend since I was changing out the curtain rings and clips and I had to take the whole rod down anyway, that I would finally fix the lining by sewing it together up the middle (and yes, I actually thought of duct taping them at one point, but decided that the silver would seriously clash with the paint job)  So, I wrestled everything down and sewed up the middle of each lining (one the right way and one the wrong way, but who really cares?  You only see them when they're closed and if you were standing outside looking in my windows.  And would you please stop doing that?  Because it's totally freaking me out!) totally attaching the linings to to each other once and for all.

It took me longer to take the curtains down and into the studio than it did to sew them.

And don't you know that I used whatever thread was on the sewing machine because I felt so hastled about the whole ordeal (that's my excuse) even though someone's voice in my head was saying, "A job worth doing is worth doing well."  While I rolled my eyes, and said, "Hey.  At least I'm finally doing something about this...and if you don't like it, you can move out because I have a sneaking suspicion that you're not paying rent anyway..."

The thread was black, in case you were wondering.

The curtain lining is white.

After I got done, I popped the whole mess into the dryer with some smell good sheets to get off the dust and whatnot, and hung them back up.

They are perfect.

They hang beautifully, are much easier to open and close, and let almost no light in.

I wish I would have done this years ago.

How many years, you ask?

Oh.

Well.

About 8...give or take.

Fine.

Eight.

Sheesh, OK?

Now...I wonder how long it will be before I decide to sew on the green pom-pom trim that is decorating the tops of the curtains and hanging there in a rather haphazard way instead of letting the curtain ring clips do all the work?

Frosty The Orangeman...

Look what I made this morning when I was making my breakfast!

No, your eyes do not deceive you...that is, in fact, a snowman made out of oranges!

I figured with winter in full swing and the holidays right around the corner that you probably totally got that...but I thought I'd state the obvious, as I couldn't for the life of me think of anything edible to put on him for eyes, nose, buttons and a hat...I was hungry and obviously creating on the fly, but I didn't want anyone to feel bad if they couldn't figure out that those three oranges were no ordinary stack of oranges.  And then I ate him (what?  He was my breakfast...and he is a very healthy holiday snack sent to me from my family up North in California.) before I thought to get out my little flags on toothpicks and make him more patriotic.  I'm kind of regretting that now, truth be told.

Hold your applause please.

Other than assembling my Christmas cards, this may be the only thing I actually make this holiday season.

It's been grim lately.

But really, after making this I think things are definitely looking up.

Either that or I'm going to need to go somewhere very quiet soon.

Post...

I love real mail...things that come through the post...something I can lay my hands on.

Who doesn't?

I have just assembled this years Christmas Cards...

It would be my pleasure to make your mail dreams come true this season.

If you would like a special post surprise...please leave me a comment on this post, with an email or your address so I can make sure you get a card.

Happy

Holidays!