Playing Catch Up

Having lost several days to the flu, I have been playing quite a bit of catch up. So instead of some well thought-out post, I would like to provide this picture instead since it always makes me laugh. I snapped it when my husband and I were in San Diego about 2 years ago.

Billy Goat's Gruff

After being inspired to use fabric panels as wall hangings, I was able to purchase some great new fabric from Ikea, perfect to use as art. Then, as fate would have it, one of my favorite co-crafty friends, Leslie (check her out here: Printed Press) sent me a tutorial, so it was time to get started on my project. The tutorial, found on Bella Dia, was so easy to do, I would be willing to try the "quilted hanging fabric project" highlighted on her site as a faux-headboard.

First, I purchased a piece of poster board, as well as double sided poster tape. After applying the double sided tape on the back of the poster board, it was as easy as wrapping a Christmas present (the job usually designated to me by my father when I was younger). The most difficult part was cutting & centering the fabric, but since nothing is permanent in this project, it was easy to move around to your liking. Finally, I hung it with wall putty, just in case I need to move it around. The end product was so satisfying that I'm ready to start my next project.

Any ideas for a neo-crafter?

Glee-ful

Not only do I love Glee because it takes me back to my show choir days in high school, I love it because part of me wishes I was allowed to sing "Golddigger" in choral format. Their mashups from this week's show are fabulous, I was lucky to find the links on Songza:

Boy's Song: It's My Life/Confessions
Girl's Song: Halo/Walking on Sunshine

But even more so than those things, I would really like to have Emma's (Jayma Mays) full wardrobe. Here are some shots of her outfits on Glee that I would like to replicate:




Glee is certainly my new favorite show, until 30Rock comes back next week, of course.

Sewing Inspiration

I would like to share the story of my favorite new addition to my craft room, a vintage Singer sewing machine, from my great-grandmother.

You'll have to understand that I come from a family that are expert sewers. Here's a photo of one of my recent trips home, complete with three sewing machines: mine, my mom's, and my sister's.
We succeeded on that trip creating three fabulous aprons (completed with adult supervision) that I am so proud to hang in my home, and I use as inspiration to think about my next project.
You'll no doubt assume that the bar has been set high for a novice sewer like myself based on my mother's superior sewing skills. After getting the sewing machine, I've been scouring the internet for the best first project. I finally found a good one, on a sewing blog, an iPhone Cozy that will keep my phone safe on walks with Tank. I think I like forming the idea in my head best, so I had a great time picking out fabric at Ikea on a recent trip to California. Two of the fabrics I chose (blue one & black one with small pattern)...

Now all I need is the time (and patience) to complete it! The fallback is that my mom promised we could make one at Christmastime, so I will consider my first attempt a practice round and will be fully ready to perfect the pattern later this year.

Let it go

A good reminder. Thanks to creator: i can read.

Button Bouquet

After following Princess Lasertron's Blog for several months, I have been wanting to do something more with my collection of buttons. The button bouquet seemed like the perfect option! It took me about an hour, but will provide lots of color on my nightstand, and is a perfect way to use a vintage perfume bottle from my Grandma.

Step One:
Collect tools - Needle Nose Pliers, 26 Gauge Floral Wire (I chose silver and I think it might have been good to get a larger gauge, buttons can be heavy!), Buttons, and a Vase.
Step Two:
Collect about 30 of your favorite buttons, and begin placing them how you'd like them to look. This is the best part!
Step Three:
Take the floral wire, cut it to the desired length with the needle nose pliers (I cut mine about 8-10 inches) put the buttons on there in the order you'd like, string through a loop, and twist about an inch of wire right below the base of your "flower." This will secure the buttons and now you can arrange! However you arrange, they end up looking colorful and whimsical, exactly how I had hoped. Now my flower arrangement sits next to my cocker spaniel on my nightstand and is a great way to think of my Grandma! This would be a great housewarming gift, or even baby girl gift as it would be easy to customize the colors of buttons you use. Excited for my next project!

Just look for love in it...

The best place to start is probably the title of my blog, which comes from one of my very favorite songs, "Pig" by Dave Matthews Band. It encompasses lots of things that I believe.

This love will open our world
From the dark side we can see a glow of something bright
Oh, there's much more than we see here
Don't burn the day away

Love, love, love, what more is there?
'Cause we need the light of love in here
Don't beat your head
Dry your eyes
Let the love in there
There're bad times
But that's okay
Just look for love in it

So for the first post of my first blog, I will share some of the things I love:



You'll be sure to hear about Andrew and Tank more in the future, and in the meantime, I hope to share some of my thoughts about how I'd like to add to the beauty.