You Amaze Me: Trees

I'm what some may call a tree hugger. Not only do I want to save the trees, I love to climb trees, lie under trees, or just see them from a distance. I find them very calming. They can be cool or warm. They sway in the breeze, provide shade, glow in the sun, and filter a beautiful dappled light. They are happily peaceful, and that is why I find them inspirational.

  

  

 

 

 (all my photos this time :))

You may have seen trees show up in my work in the past ;) I have several ideas for more projects that would involve them, but they're on hold until I have more time to devote to them. I hope you love trees, too!

Busy Bee

Woo! Here are my latest projects!

 

I finally got around to finishing Project #4 - the fabric pom-pom necklace....but I made it into a headband ^_^ The last thing I need is more volume below my neck :P (TMI?) Honestly, I didn't think I'd like this project at all, but once I got it on my head...I kinda love it. In fact, I may have to see if my sis will let me wear it to her wedding, because I think it would compliment my black dress wonderfully!

  

Project #11: Button earrings. As you can see, these are not earrings. I was on the fence, but after seeing how big they were on my ears (I'm a small jewelry kind of girl), I decided to go the alternate route and make magnets! You know I adore magnets, don't you? Anyway, they'll look adorable next to all the bottle cap magnets I made!

  

 Project #12: Handcarved Stamps. I made a whole bunch! This one is my favorite. I knew I wanted to make a tree, but couldn't decide how to do it. Then I looked up on my wall, saw my painting, and =duh= decided to make one like this :-) Oh, and you can check out the rest.

 

Project #14: Headbands. This is the secondary project (the real one will come soon!). I love love love this gray yarn! I also used it to wrap my wreath (which fell and :'( broke). I had been dying to make one of these for a while, so I'm glad I finally made myself do it! I learned how to crochet a couple weeks ago, but hadn't picked it up again. I still need to find time to learn how to make a granny square! Anyway, the yellow buttons are vintage, as is the gray thread I used to sew them on! How cool is that?

Oh, there is so much going on right now!
• The next Knit for a Cause will be February 16 :D Mark your calendars!
• Style School is half over, which means in 3 weeks I'll actually have tiiime ;)
• 2 of the 3 mini Huggles have sold! Sooo happy I'll have to make more!
• AND I'm making a custom Valentine's Huggle!!! It's gonna be soooo cute!
• Oh, and you know, working full-time, seeing family and friends, etc...;)

Feature!

Hey, all! Just a quick note to tell you to check out my feature on Emily Mae's blog Divine Chaos! I feel very luck to be her first "Friday Friend." She's such a sweet girl :) I met her in Style School (fun fun fun!) - you can check out her projects on her Flickr. Yay! And happy Friday!



PS: Stamp making and pom-pom projects coming soon!

i ♥ u pillow

Just finished Style School project #10! I had a lot of fun with this :-) It's my first time cross-stitching! Alex helped me think of the "quote," and I think it turned out really well. Because it's computerized text, I decided not to do any embellishments.

I can't wait to make another one! What to say, what to say...

Introducing MINI Huggles!

Welcome to the Huggle family :D

And yes, there is an evil huggle. Hello, little Grimmel. But don't blame him; he was actually born that way *sigh*
Anyway, feel free to buy them! They'll all be up in the shop by tomorrow :D

Austin, a little about my town

Austin is a city of music, art, and biking. We've got the state capitol, the University of Texas, the Greenbelt, and a love for small businesses ("Keep Austin Weird!"). I moved here when I was 18 to go to UT and I'm so glad I did. It's an active city that has a small town feel. It's my kinda town.

In December, the Zilker tree is lit - you can see it from many points around the city - and there's a little village set up underneath it.

Have you heard the music of Daniel Johnston? Austin petitioned to keep his graffiti mural from being torn down :)

The 360 Bridge. This is near where Alex proposed :) It's beautiful.

That's right! Someone hacked the signs and sent out Nazi zombie warnings!

(via weheartit)

It's just a fun place to live :-) Festivals all the time, great nightlife, comfy places to relax...There's always something to do! It's always moving, but laid back. The people are friendly and creative. Oh, and did I mention we have great food? So here's my little shoutout of love to my home :-)

You Amaze Me: Miyazaki

This Sunday I would like to share my amazement with Hayao Miyazaki's (or Studio Ghibli's) films. Not only are the breathtakingly beautiful, they have brilliant messages - frequently about our impact on the environment - that you don't find too often in films. He also focuses on pacifism and feminism (no "woe is me" damsels in distress, thankfully). The worlds he creates are simply wonderful...usually with elements of magic and flight...the kinds of things that leave you breathless, awed, and inspired. (Of course, they still manage to be adorable, too!)

 

 

(all from Google images)

If you haven't seen any of his films, I encourage you to do so. Ponyo is the latest released, I think Spirited Away is most popular, and my favorite so far was probably Princess Mononoke. Aside from those, I've also just seen Howl's Moving Castle, and Castle in the Sky. What can I say? They're all amazing. Which is your favorite?

And you thought the holidays were over...

Which holiday are you most looking forward to?

Valentine's Day...

(find it here)

Or Mardi Gras?

 (find it here)

I love love love V-Day and all its ridiculous cheesiness. It's wonderful. I get to make silly cards and gifts for my friends. And I get to eat lots of candy. (PS: The heart was partly inspired by Dexter ^_^)

The closest I've gotten to Mardi Gras is the Brazilian Carnaval celebration in Austin, Texas, which really is a lot of fun. However, I'll be going to New Orleans for the first time ever in two weeks!!! I'm so excited :D (I'm going for a soccer tournament, but the team takes New Orleans more seriously than the soccer ;) hehe)

I'm not going to choose which I like better. I just love having a reason to celebrate! And there are so many coming up :) Valentine's Day, the hubby's birthday (we're having a beer party :P), my birthday (also our 6mo anniversary :D)....and maybe a giveaway in there. Whatcha think? ;D

Panda Cosmetic Bag ^_^

eeeheheheeee.....panda ^_^ (I might as well add "panda" as one of my tags, haha)
Here is Project #8! I wasn't sure how much I'd like this project to be honest, but I'm so happy with the result! I'm glad I decided to go with one of my favorite animals :-)

(Don't be fooled. The colors are actually gray and a very dark navy blue!)

Sketchbook Cover (and some more)

Style School Project #5! My sketchbook cover with pockets in my fav colors :D
I may add some more embroidery later. I love it the way it is though too! It has my favorite colors, so I think I'll still like it in the future. It's a verrry snug fit, so I actually left the back flap open on the bottom. I'm glad I'll be able to reuse it once this sketchbook is full.

The front pocket is divided for pencils and pens. The back pocket goes all the way across, which will be perfect if I just want to grab my phone and go sketch somewhere!

And here's what my hubby did while I was at work today!

He hung up my inspiration clipboards and new jewelry "box!" So exciting ^_^ Now I'll have more room on my dresser. Alex and I designed the jewelry holder together, and I think it works really well. Necklaces and bracelets hang down from S-hooks; rings fit inside the channel; earrings can either hang by the hooks or by the channel! And this way I can see all my jewelry when I'm getting dressed (so I'll actually wear it!). Wonderful :)

We're thinking about selling it in my shop. What do you think?

Inspiration Clipboards

Style School Project #6! Yes, I skipped #4-5 for now. I'll catch up this week ;) I was just really motivated to do this project tonight :D

Hubby has offered to hang them up for me tomorrow while I'm at work. How sweet!

And in case that's not enough for you, check out my Flickr ^_^

Studio Apron

Style School Project #3!
I used a yellow denim for the main material (and small pocket), a black and white patterned cotton for the big pocket, blue ribbed ribbon for the ribbon holder, and a bright green for the tie! I thought about doing some embellishment, but I feel that it's bright and bold enough already ;)

I love that this class is motivating me to do both new projects and projects that have been in the pipeline for a while. I had an apron pattern waiting, but never really got around to it. Now I have one, and my hubby's requested one, too! :-)

I'm a couple days behind in Style School, but I hope to get projects #4 and #5 done tomorrow! Need to go pick up some more supplies...

PS: You can also see project photos on my Flickr ^_^

Life Inspiration

Back home in Austin, and ready to get back to Style School! I'm a little behind, but I expect to catch up on projects tonight. Caaaan't wait ^_^ Oh, and I'm almost done with a new huggle, too :D I'll upload pics once his ears are on ;)

Finally, here is my Style School homework: Life Inspiration!

I need to make some more life pages, probably, but I feel that this is the one in which I'm most secure about my style. Pretty much everyone I meet knows that I'm creative, optimistic, and maybe a little silly! I love doing stuff (hate being lazy) and making people smile =)

You Amaze Me: Lovely Words

I keep thinking about Valentine's Day...♥ Here are some LOVEly words to get you in the mood (a month early, haha)