simpletruths

Etsy Find - Soapboxtheory

via www.etsy.com

*Etsy find*

This shirt makes me want to cut my locs off and start from scratch.
I want a silhouette like this for the bedroom wall.

Oooh look!

These just popped into my head over the weekend and ended up in the shop this evening.  So much fun.

 

 

 

When life gives you an orange tree

Make orange juice

 
 

And while you're at it you may as well scramble some eggs, bake some biscuts, and fry some plantains.

I love Saturday morning breakfast with my boys. 
 

Taking the lawnmower for a spin

The little guy is standing in our back yard,  in grass that's taller than he is (and, in some parts, taller than me too).

My dad came by this afternoon, I'm under no pretense that anyone comes over to see me anymore. I'll be 32 this May so it's been a while since I was shiny and new. 

Anyhow, my dad wanted to see your hour new lawn mower ran (I know, sounds random to me too) So he takes it out, runs through a strip of  shorter grass, tests it out on some of the taller stuff....

and a hour or so later:

 

I know!!! Thanks dad!

And all he requests is that he's invited over to dinner sometime soon - um yea!

I just want to add that he was out there in his work khakis, and a cashmere sweater.
 

Bitten

I've been bitten by the sewing bug.

I used to sew but I don’t think I’ve done more than hand stitch a few random tidbits here and there since I was “ordered” to partial bed rest about 5 months into my pregnancy with my now-toddler.  (I know, me, bed rest! It’s hard to even imagine that now.)

Anyhow it was suggested that I not spend extended periods sitting straight up in a chair (and the weekly needle in the butt surely helped to keep me more or less horizontal for at least the 36hours  immediately following).  In any case, that is how I ended up taking on more crochet projects – you can crochet with your feet up, and even laying on your side. It also didn’t require any of the bending, standing, or hunching I did when cutting, and measuring fabric.

 

yea...i know

So I crocheted a sad looking blanket from unbelievably cheap acrylic yarn I found stashed away from ages ago.  I made purses, scarves,  hats, and fingerless gloves (those were may favorite for a while)

 

None if it was ‘bad’ per say, but my skill and creativity have definitely increased over the last 2 years – far surpassing the chain and single stitch my mom showed me 20 years ago.

 

me, on the couch, very pregnant, making this hat:

 

But admittedly, after 3 years of all-yarn-all-the-time, I’m itching to play with the fabric I have stashed away. Some of it wonderful vintage finds from the monthly Alameda Antiques Market.

Admittedly, I still prefer crochet (or knitting) for their portability, but, well, look at these:
sailor pants pattern found on danslalune etsy shop.

fun burlap bucket/baskets from Maya* made

Pretty much any and everything in Sew Liberated

by Meg McElwee

And I know it seems silly - but I really like pin cushions.

from creative kismet

 

Flickr: discoverblackheritage's Photostream

via www.flickr.com

I just found this on Flickr. I'm beside myself with giddiness at these amazing photos. Will pictures of me and my folks look this cool in 100 years?

Big Red Bobbi Bear

via www.purlbee.com

OK - I already know what I want to knit my little guy for Christmas.

Envy

via www.designspongeonline.com

According to deadlysins.com, envy is the "desire for others' traits, status, abilities, or situation."
I'm not typically a person that truly envious another person's life.  I love seeing where the paths I choose take me in life and I continue to learn a lot about myself and that's more important to me than whatever might be happening on the other side of the fence. Plus, who knows what that person has gone through to get to where they are.

That said, I have a serious envy attack when I look at the house tour of Ryan and Emerson (of Emersonmade)

The picture of the pantry above is only the tip of the gorgeous iceberg (did you see the pendant lights, the floors?). Granted, the very real possibility of earthquakes make the exact layout a bit non-feasible (these folks live in New Hampshire ), but I'm sure there are adjustments that could be made to accommodate for the inevitable ground shaking.

 

Even the laundry room sink. Oh, if only I had the time and the money to scour the flea markets, garage sales and urban ore type places.

You must check out the full house tour over on design*sponge.

Yes. You must.

Spring has arrived

I decided not to be greedy. Variations of the ring I designed for myself will be in the shop shortly. I decided to keep them for myself and a few select friends/family :D

 

 


 

 

Just for me

sometimes it's nice to make something - just for youself.

 
 
 

Blue Dot crocheted garland

via www.etsy.com

The joy that garlands can bring.

This one was so much fun to make that I'm already working on a purple on, a red one and a sparkly one :)

What do you think, should I do a few in red, white, and blue for July 4th?

A wonderland of labyrinths and stories that never end.

via www.designspongeonline.com

A few days ago there was a post on Design Sponge about Alice in Wonderland. It was partly about Tim Burton's Alice that's out now (which looks quite creepy...not that the story isn't already plenty creepy with Burton).
Anyhow, the thing I love the most about the post was the flashback pictures to the 1972 Alice in Wonderland.

The pictures got me thinking about a few other movies that were in heavy rotation (on VHS - anyone remember those?)  while I was growing up. Most notably:

The Labyrinth

How did this movie NOT give me nightmares?

The Neverending Story

 

Everyone needs their own personal Luck Dragon.

I'm also going to need to watch the Secret of N.I.M.H again. I don't remember much more than the 'sparkly' and the bumbling bird but apparently NIMH is actually an acronym for National Institute of Mental Health?

What?

yea, I'm going to need to see that one again without the childhood filters.

What movies were in heavy rotation while you were growing up?

New Items - A Preview

Arriving in the shop tomorrow - just in time for weekend shopping.

adorable rosette earrings

cute places to put them (when they're not on your ears).

 

corkscrew earrings will be in the shop shortly also
 

And crocheted garlands - the earrings of your home

crocheted rounds from the sunshine garland 

Garlands galore

I've been in a garland mood lately.

 

From oncewed

Talk about using recycled materials - these are coffee filters

from pamela garrison

You can pick up this DIY garland kit

from mamaiwawaki etsy shop

This next one is spring on a string.

from the purl bee

I want to throw a party just to have an excuse to make these

from martha - but I can't find the link to her diy instructions

Since I still fancy projects that can travel, I won't be sewing garlands anytime soon, my garlands will be of the crocheted persuasion. Although I did see some great ideas using vintage and scrap paper, and my sewing machine is getting quite sad and lonely from neglect....hmmm

p.s. my dad lent me his camera so pictures will be coming soon :)

p.p.s. yes Morgan, I called it MY sewing machine :)

 

UPDATE: I even made my own little garland.  Take a look and here's one with hand felted balls

Violated

Our home was broken into while we were away.

Luckily we have awesome neighbors who spotted the suspicious character and called the police.

Another neighbor from across the street dropped off flowers this evening.

Broken glass has been fixed, insurance claims have been made, security persons have been contacted, life moves on - just with a lighter load than before.

We've got a few more loads of laundry to do before I'll feel OK about wearing anything that ended up on the floor (which seemed like everything).

We have great neighbors and amazing friends and family who've offered more than we would have ever thought to ask.

Do try to understand if the next to posts are sans-photos.

Suit Coat Clutch

via diaryofacraftaholic.blogspot.com

I want to make this for my sister as a graduation present. But, being realistic, I'll probably never get around to it, so I'm just posting it here. I mean, it's the thought that counts, right?