Year of Goals - #8

Make a summertime wreath.

I'm am kicking ass so far with that list I made!



This was easy and cheap. I used a $2 straw wreath from Hobby Lobby (shrink wrap still on) and wrapped it up with some houndtooth Christmas ribbon. I hot-glued on some Princess Lasertron inspired felt flowers, hung up with a piece of thin ribbon, and bam! A wreath! I already had the stuff for flowers so I think I invested a total of $6 into this project.

And it looks like it's worth at least $8.

Kelly's Bouquet

Check out Kelly's amazing bouquet!



I seriously love her wedding bouquet. It's so fun and whimsical. And the striped ruffle flowers just kill me. They're so adorable.

And the rose boutonnieres? What's cuter than these?

New Chair

I think I'm addicted to spray paint. Not in the bad, "huffing in an alley" kind of way. But in the good, "as intended by the manufacturer" kind of way.

My favorite paint to use has been Krylon Indoor/Outdoor Gloss. I've used it on metal, wood and ceramic so far and it's worked great every time. The colors are awesome and it does dry glossy and smooth, making it appear that it's the original paint.

I bought this stool at an antique store last weekend for $9. The paint was scratched and scuffed. It looked pretty haggard. I slapped a couple coats of paint on it and it looks as good as new.



I also used it to paint the two green chairs.

Upholstery Predicament II

I posted a couple weeks ago about a pair of chairs that I'm trying to recover. Here's a couple pictures of the bottom of the seats to better illustrate the issues I'm having with attaching the fabric.

Any advice will definitely be welcome!

Upholstery Predicament

I have a bit of a problem regarding a chair seat I'm trying to recover. I have these two awesome aluminum kitchen chairs, kind of like these but mine cost a whopping $2 apiece at a garage sale. Mine though have a detachable seat which is covered in a nasty red vinyl that has paint stains on it. I've been meaning to recover them and after five years of owning the chairs, I finally got around to it. I bought all the materials to rewrap the seats, took the first chair apart, and then realized that the chair seat is made out of some type of space age indestructible plastic and I can't use my upholstery stapler on it.

What do I do? How do you reupholster a seat if you can't staple or nail into it? The red vinyl is held on by little tabs that were cut into the chair seat and then the material was shoved under the tabs. Sort of like the back of a picture frame. (Did I mention that I'm terrible at describing things???) I don't think I can get my new materials under there with it because the tabs don't bend.

What to do.... any suggestions?

Robot Love

I mailed off a few scarves this morning to a co-op store in Des Moines. It felt good to cross that one off my list. I sent this one, this one and this one:



I didn't realize what I terrible picture I took until just now. It's too late to retake it though. It's in a box somewhere between here and Iowa.

Progress Report!

Let's recap a couple projects I've been working on:

1. Nursery Mural - No progress to report. Its in the same state now as when I last saw it Saturday. I didn't get a whole lot done that day so needless to say I'm a little behind. In my defense though, I was a little hungover that afternoon so it's amazing that I even made it to her house. I wouldn't have gotten as far as I did if my dad hadn't shown up with some Heineken's.

2. Scarf Orders - I'm still working on Elisabeth's scarf order for her shop. I took a peek at it on Facebook and it is darn cute. I can't wait to send these guys off to her. I'm also making her an additional scarf for a silent auction during a benefit concert. I still owe Matt and Kate each a scarf, as well as Cols asking for one. So in all, 3 scarves down, 6 to go.

3. Mastering the Art of Photography - I bought a couple books and signed up to take the first in a series of digital SLR workshops. So far I haven't mastered it, but I'm finally learning things I should have learned nine years ago but never did. The only problem is that now, I want tons of equipment and crap that I'm reading about. Lenses, filters, tripods, flashes. It makes me drool.

4. Stop Spending MONEY You Fool! - Aside from the huge salon bill and groceries I haven't paid for anything this week. Not bad actually. Not. Bad. At. All. But we're going out of town this weekend so I'm sure that's not going to last.

5. Rehab the Living Room - Going great! Everything has been ordered and most of it has arrived. We finally hung up the curtains. FINALLY!!! It only took two hours, one argument and countless utterances of the eff bomb. It's just about ready to be photographed and shared with the world.

At least I managed to do something right yesterday...

After the hair debacle yesterday, I sat down and finished Tam's scarves.

PHEW!

Thank god that's over!

I am, of course, speaking of our thank you notes from the wedding. We did about ten a couple weeks ago and then never mailed them, never finished the stack. Just pushed it aside and forgot about it. Last night I cracked down and finished them while watching election coverage.

I was so happy to be done with it! (the cards and the election) Now all of our friends and family won't think we're ungrateful jerks. Eight weeks isn't completely obscene to get out thank you notes... is it? I was so worried about finishing the notes that I forgot to get stamps. I had exactly thirteen at home. So, a lucky thirteen will be getting their thank you cards in the next day or two. The others will have to wait a few days longer until I drag myself to the post office.

I put off working on some scarves to finish those thankyas, so I will be returning to that tonight along with praying for the band rehearsal in the basement to stop. It is sooooo loud in the house when they play. I need to find my ear plugs...

Come here it for yourselves:

Tam's Scarf - #2

I've finished the stitching on another scarf that Tam ordered from me, but I don't know how I feel about it.



I think it's missing something, but I'm not sure what...

Cupcake Scarf

Phew! I finished a second scarf today. I also smashed my finger with a hammer putting on a grommet. Word of advice: Don't try to watch a trashy MTV show while hammering something you're holding on to with your bare hands. It will not end well. Take it from me.

Here it is:





Does that cupcake look familiar?

It's almost gross it's so cute.

I've seen lots of people doing cupcakes lately. Like this person. And her too. So I joined in.

Makes me hungry...

Scarf #1 Done!

I finished putting together the first scarf for Elisabeth's co-op store thingy. I really like it. I really got down with those French knots. They took ages and ages to do. But, the effect is worth it. They look like little suckers...

Murals and Templates

I spent last night drawing on Cat's walls and trying repeatedly to print on some stickers.

First, the walls. I'm doing a mural in her nursery for the new baby. I'm a little terrified of this task. I've never done anything like this before and I'm afraid it's going to look like crap. Also, there is a LOT of space to cover. (It's cool though, Cat. No worries.) I'm obviously on a deadline since she can't stay pregnant for the rest of eternity, so I gotta get cracking on this. The theme is trains. The mural is going to be about 18 inches high and wrap around all four walls at the top. One wall is a city, one is a countryside, one is mountains and the last is a lake or something. There will be trains running through every scene. Sounds easy enough, right? No, I don't think so either.

Then, the stickers. I got some ink jet labels to cover up the crazy printer's logo on the cards I got. I figured I'd whip up a little sticker design, print off a sheet and bam. Done. Didn't work like that though. The template I downloaded for the labels doesn't print correctly. Everything is off. I tried six different times and never got the designs and the paper to line up. What's up with that? I thought the template was a... well, a template? I can screw things up on my own, I don't need a template to help me do that. I'm fairly confident in my home printing abilities though, so I'm not taking the blame for the jacked printing attempts. (Although it probably is my fault.)

Although, out of my failure to print a tiny sticker correctly, I got an idea. I'm thinking about forgetting the whole sticker idea and ordering a new batch of cards from a different printer. That's got to save me several hours of more frustration. Then, I can save the first batch for Christmas and give them out in little baskets of homemade goodies. Some cards, peanut brittle, an ornament. Cute idea or no? I think it's a pretty good one. I always struggle to think of good gifts to give to friends. Last year we gave out bottles of wine and tins of cookies. I'd like to come up with something new this year. Although who's going to complain about another year of wine and cookies?

Thursday. Too bad you're not Friday.

Something cool happened today. Elisabeth of the Pink Owl Scarf asked me today if I wanted to make a bunch of scarves for a small retail space for handmade/rockin goods. Who's going to say no to that? Not this girl.

So that's on the agenda. Also, my 21 day process notecards have already shipped. Bastards. I knew the rush charges were a scam. I ordered some awesome bright yellow envelopes for them so hopefully I can put those in the store soon so I can become a millionaire, $1.99 at a time.

Moses Prey had a rehearsal at the house tonight. I'm thinking it might be worth the money to invest in some sound proofing for the basement. Lots of folks came over so I played Hostess for the night and provided lots of snack food - including the best chocolate chip cookies I've ever made. Unfortunately, I'm now suffering post pig-out. I swear I will never break a bone even when I'm 90 because of all the Tums I consume. Horrible, awful acid problems? Yes. Broken hip? No.

Oh yeah, and our wedding photos are done and online but the login code they gave me doesn't work so I still can't see them.

Sweet.

Don't forget to see this on Saturday if you're not busy:

Tam's Owl Scarf

I finished Tam's owl scarf last night. It turned out great. I've made six scarves now and each time they get a little better. There's a definite progression to it.





I also started on making some holiday gift tags. I was informed though that I need to stop what I'm doing and make my husband a scarf next. So, that's on the agenda for tonight. That and laundry. Project Runway is over so I have to find a new filler for Wednesday nights.

Owl Scarf Part Deux

I worked on Tam's owl scarf last night and I was so happy with it this morning I wanted to share it, even though it isn't done yet. Pardon the camera phone picture. I wanted a photo as I was running out the door and this was all I had time for.



I really like this one! I'm sad to see it go. The color combination she picked out is great. It looks so retro! I might have to consider making one of these for myself one day... I also have an idea for a woven fleece scarf, all sewn together with pretty stitches.

I went to the fabric store yesterday and discovered something incredible: remnant tables. Fleece remnants are $1.99 a yard! They're the perfect sizes for what I need. The lady at the store was so happy to see me cleaning the table off. Now I just have to find a cheap place to get grommets. Those things are kinda expensive but I really like using them. I did find someone on ebay who was selling 500 for $68 but that seems like a little more than I need at this point.

I'm loving working with felt. It's easy and adorable and if I mess up I'm out a whole 20 cents. Miss Violinjello said it best on her blog yesterday:

"As a medium, I adore felt. It's so versatile, kiddy and kitsch, but can be dressed up to look so beautiful too."

So very true.

Crafty McCrafterson

I have a million ideas in my head right now. I've had a massive creative burst the last few days and I'm mentally trying to keep track of everything I want to make.

01. I ordered some little greeting cards with a really cute photo on them that I took in San Francisco. (The heart truck on the bridge.) I want to line the envelopes with heart paper and turn them into little love notes. I opted for cheapo shipping on my order so they should be here in 21 working days. (WHAT!?!) How can printing take that long? I cry foul! They're just trying to jack up rush costs to make more money since their printing fees are so low. I'm not biting.

02. I found my two boxes of yarn and knitting needles. There's lots of pretty colors and fluffy, soft yarns in there. Perhaps I shall put them to use? They've only been sitting around for the last 4-6 years. Bout time I did something with them. The last time I used any of it was to make a scarf for my ex-boyfriend's sister when she was a senior in high school. I believe she has since graduated from Creighton, it's been that long.

03. Gift tags! The holidays are coming up. I'm a big fan of pretty wrapping and tags. This year I'm going old school and using butcher paper to wrap everything. It's kind of charming in an understated sort of way. And it's cheap. You can buy a 1000 foot roll for $40. (But why would you? That's a lot of paper.) The best way to snazz up boring paper is with a nice tag. I want to sew some trees and various Christmas crap on paper tags. Super cute!

04. I had an idea for some cute little coin purses. I don't know if my sewing skills are up to par for it though. It involves sewing in a circle. Humm. Might take some practice.

05. I'm obsessed with screen printing right now. I might pick up a couple cheap little kits from Dick Blick.

06. At some point between now and January 15th I have to paint a mural in my soon-to-be nephew's nursery. That can't take more than 50 or 80 hours for me to finish so it shouldn't be a problem...

07. Make a couple more owl scarves because they appear to be kind of a hit.

Broken Heart Scarf

I finished another scarf today.



It's for sale on etsy. My shop link is: littlechrince.etsy.com. Etsy is my new addiction. I've already had someone contact me on etsy about ordering an owl scarf, and I've been working today on making some note cards and greeting cards to sell.

I'm hooked.

Owl Scarf

A friend saw the groomsmen scarves that I made for the wedding and asked me to make her one. I was more than happy to do so! I finished it up and decided that now is as good of time as any to open an etsy store. So, I did. We'll see how it goes.



I thought it would be cute to give him a little button eye.



I embroidered her initial into the heart. It only took me... Oh... 25 minutes to do that.

What to Get a Groomsman?

I had no idea what to get the groomsmen for the wedding. I'd had an idea a while ago to make a Green Day scarf for Eric (one of the groomsmen) for his birthday. It occurred to me that instead of giving it to him for his birthday, I could make it a groomsman gift for him. And thus the idea was born to make the three boys in the wedding scarves within a week of the wedding. So far I have two finished...

Here's the Green Day scarf modeled by my soon to be legal partner in life, Matt:



And here is a close up of the Foo Fighters scarf, not modeled by Matt because it was taken super early in the morning: