Archive for Personal - page 5

1st bunting project

This holiday season I made the handmade pledge. And while I didn’t make EVERYTHING (except for gifts to the hubs!) I made a valiant effort. I made potholders, partridge ornaments, an apron, bunting and a felt eyeglasses case among other things.

potholder and ornament

I stuck my fingers repeatedly with an embroidery needle, tangled the bobbin thread on my machine about every other time I set to sewing, glued my fingers together accidentally…. suffice it to say I had many crafting injuries.

And my holiday crafting stressed me the heck out! I was freaking about if I was going to get everything done, if people were going to be let down that they didn’t get a fancy new-fangled mall gift etc. My neurosis know no bounds!

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I always make New Year’s Resolutions, but to tell you the truth I don’t even remember what mine was last year. Goes to show you how much I resolved to meet my goal! I feel like this year has been a hard year for many reasons. We got married, got a puppy, moved and much MUCH more (I won’t bore you with all the details, but it’s a helluva lot). We’ve just been busy little bees this year and have had to take a step back and reevaluate some life decisions, feelings, approaches… pretty much everything. It’s been a year of change, to say the least.

So this year I’m taking a different stance on the whole New Year’s resolution tradition. I’ve found that in my flurry to be involved in a multitude of things and improve myself and my life position my life has lost a little of that “sumpin’ sumpin'” that I feel makes things exciting. I lose the big picture in the details… I stress over small things… I overload myself with tasks. I plan EVERYTHING. I haven’t been stepping out of the box and I surely haven’t been taking any chances. And I’m about to change all that…

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I was unsure how this Christmas would fare, it being just the hubby, dogs and I at home on glorious Christmas morning. In retrospect, I shouldn’t have thought twice about it. Brett, that ever-thoughtful husband of mine, did whatever he could to guarantee we would have a good Christmas together. Not only did he make me Ghirardelli hot cocoa with mini marshmallows, but he also got both dogs HUGE honkin’ Christmas bones AND……. (drumroll)….

my new machine!

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Baby's first Christmas!

I’m flying back to the great state of Texas tommorrow for a week to visit family. I feel Texas calling to me, and this trip is a long time coming. I miss my family and my friends and how fast people drive in Texas. I miss the sweet tea and how people wave at you when you drive by (okay, maybe that’s just in rural Texas, where I’m from).

Don’t miss me too much… I’ll be back before you know it.

I took this pic after we put up our lopsided Christmas tree. Iris was very curious, it being her first Christmas and all. Isn’t she cute in her little sweater?

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This year our gift-giving grand total will be much lower than last year’s. And from what I’ve seen and heard, that’s the norm this holiday season. People just aren’t spending as much, and they’re looking for unique and handmade gifts as opposed to over-priced store-bought items that hundreds of people ALSO bought for their loved ones. Ack!

So here’s my ode to you budget-friendly, handmade shoppers in need of some refreshing, and perhaps quirky, gifts for the loved ones. I wouldn’t turn away ANY of these fine items. Would you?

cutting board by Fine Little Shop - $32

These kitchen cutting boards are so decorative that I’m not sure I’d want to cut things on them! Hang them in the kitchen perhaps? I love the quirky cross-stitch-style design. Other fancy designy cutting boards can be found in Fine Little Shop’s Big Cartel shop.

Headphones Hand-printed Letterpress Poster by Roll and Tumble Press - $20

I’ve bought a couple of prints from Roll and Tumble Press and they are vibrant, good quality prints. Their letterpress prints are all handmade, and they have a variety of snarky and downright cute designs to fit anyone’s personality. I especially love this Read Between The Lines print and this Living In Sin sampler (we lived in sign for a LONG time!). Couple this with a vintage frame, or a clipboard to hang it from on the wall and you’ve got yourself an inexpensive, awesome art gift!
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I don’t require gifts at Christmas. I don’t believe in the push towards such commercialism during the holiday season, and we’re either making all our presents this year or buying them handmade from places like Etsy. So this wish list is compiled from my favorites that I’ve saved on Etsy. If you’re REALLY curious as to the other things I’m sinfully lusting over, sans handmade, then you’d be better off gazing at another wish list (it’s a lot of books!).

Farmhouse Patchwork Cushion by EmmaBeeTextileArts

Rufus and Rumsey Painting by mosie26

Quince Flower Stack by wireddesign

Hemp and Denim Market Tote by katherinehandmade

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I really try to make and give as many handmade items as possible, and this holiday season is no different. I’ve pledged to buy handmade this year for many reasons:

1) support artists and their handmade goods

2) you won’t see ANYONE walking around with the same shirt or hat on

3) as a crafter myself, it feels good to perpetuate the near-lost importance of making things with your hands.

If you don’t take my word for it, and want to learn more, here is some information and inspiration to step outside of big-box stores and go handmade this year.

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When you live across the country from your family, days like Thanksgiving have a different meaning than they normally would. While families are traveling today to meet up with various family members, dreading the interactions and the misuderstandings, I’m pining for my family. They have faults like anyone else’s and they’re annoying like anyone else’s, but a day like Thanksgiving is just a little lonelier without them around.

So just like million of families have probably done in the past, and will do tomorrow, I want to tell you all what I’M thankful for.

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Clementine at work with Mom

 

Clem is my buddy dog.. my first born son. He’s at work with me today and I couldn’t be happier.

He’s been suffering from some pretty bad allergies and is currently on Benadryl, thus the sleepy-eyed look.

Clem is almost six years old, and I’m almost positive he’s enjoying the peace and quiet of today, away from his hellion of a little sister, Iris.

We love our animals… can you tell?

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Organization often eludes even the most put-together and efficient. As I get older the need to be more organized is very apparent… I mean I actually surf the internet for tools to help me stay organized and in-check!

One of the trouble areas in our home is the entryway. The hubs likes to throw everything down wherever, and after some cajoling, we created a quasi-entry way area for his and my things. We situated an old JC Penney TV with a bowling pin lamp and record bowl on top and orange vintage shell chair in an area near our door. The record bowl serves as a key receptacle (so the TV doesn’t get anymore scratched up) and the lamp is a welcome beacon at night. We eventually hope to add an old wood coat rack and some vintage metal hooks to the mix.

While our system is working pretty good, I can’t help but pine for this dandy little organizational number. It would be great for a small apartment or condo, or a more modern abode. Not only can you write on the front, but you can deposit mail and hang your keys as well! Now only if it came with a sturdy purse hook…

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My blogging has dropped off for a couple of reasons. I shut down my Etsy shop temporarily to concentrate on moving, and since this blog is directly related to the content of my Etsy shop it made sense to put a temporary kabosh on it.

And we moved, from the beautiful small suburban town of Issaquah to the bustling neighborhood of Columbia City, oft-referred to as the “ghetto” of Seattle. This supposed ghetto has a strong sense of community, a dog park within a 1/2 mile, a small little bar/restaurant strip, has kick-ass Ethiopian, Vietnamese and Mexican taco truck establishments and is a mere bus ride away from downtown.

Take that, Issaquah!

So my new ghetto = the most exciting and fun neighborhood I’ve ever lived in. Just when I get sick of the boxes and seemingly unfinished nature of our new house, I sneak a glance at things that make me happy. Things that are a sign to me that our style is finally emerging, our sense of home is finally settling.

Here are a few superb furniture finds we snagged off Craigslist.

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I was inspired by Betsy Makes Things to take this little quiz. I realized there are a lot of things on there I have yet to do, and certainly want to. Thanks for the inspiration, and a chance to clear my mind of gunk, Betsy!

I took the 43 Things Personality Quiz and found out I’m an

Extroverted Self-Improving Tree Hugger

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My creative energy has been a whir of indecision drowned in a bucket of lofty ideas. I have grand notions and undiscovered talent in these hands, but lack the time (focus?) to complete my vision.

Along with my full-time job, getting married in Texas in March, our four crazy pets, trying to find a house to move into in a month, my Etsy shop, my writing for OffbeatBride.com (which has been scarce unfortunately) and my music writing for ThreeImaginaryGirls.com, I’ve barely had time to sit on my tush for a second.

My focus needs to be on my Etsy shop, on freelancing my writing and on finding a new job that will give me some good experience on paper. Ideally I want to run my own business someday, so my thoughts are moving in that direction.

What would be a good business to run from the internet?
What skills/crafts do I have to offer?
Is it realistic to make a career this way?
Do I opt for crafty/artsy or businessy/marketing?

Thoughts are swirling in my head and I need to hone in on some real plans, a light at the end of the tunnel per say, a goal to be reached. I’m goal-driven and not comfortable with no planning, though I’m trying to live on the edge a bit more these days. I think in the coming days I’ll use this blog to outline my ideas and flesh out my thoughts in regards the my Etsy shop and career path.

I don’t want this blog to only be about crafting and design. I want my readers to be able to view me as a person, struggles and all. Plus, as a list-maker and organizer, it’s imperative for me to get these thoughts out of my head and into my ever-evolving day-dreaming daily thought processes.

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