New banner!

I worked so hard on my new banner :D Do you like it?!?

And, for your amusement, the reason my coworkers now call me "Willy Wonka"

I ♥ cheesy glasses.

Felt Flowers

For Style School, we are supposed to make a photo garland to string up with embellishments. Truth be told, I'm not much of a garland girl. However, I have my awesome postcard wall:

 

Alex recently replaced my yarn with wire, so it looks even cleaner - straighter at least. (See the before here.) Eventually we'll probably replace the clothespins with silver binder clips. Then it'll be really slick!

Anyway, I decided to just embellish my postcard wall with the flowers like so:

I really enjoyed making these flowers. I like the creativity within the same canvas - They all started as a purple felt circle, then I added buttons and embroidery thread. And they're all different and fun! I made something similar before for hair clips. I may actually use these flowers to attach to a headband like this one! Wouldn't that be cute?

PS: More photos on Flickr.
PPS: WOW! I have 50 followers! Thanks for the support, everyone :D Just in time for an upcoming giveaway, too....;D

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...;)

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 ^_^

Wardrobe Inspiration

Here's my Style School homework: Wardrobe Inspiration!
First is coats, dresses, and outfits:

Then shoes and accessories!

Many of these are from etsy sellers ^_^
So I love layers, bright colors, really girly, and rather masculine clothes. Hmm..
What are your defining styles?

I ♥ Pandas

As you may or may not know, I love pandas. They are definitely on the "favorite animals" list. I even drew one today!

And I started making an embroidery pattern for it, so you may see it soon in the shop! *yay*  Today I also made a wishlist of panda items on Etsy!

Panda belt by craftaddictions

 Panda bear by seventytwostitches

This darling "Girl with Panda Eggs" print by meowza

Nerdy panda pin and panda bums ring (and lots of other adorables!) by steppie

Panda bear vinyl sticker by HouseHoldWords

 

Hellow Panda tee by PivotalClothing

This adorable panda pouch by Happybee

Pretty panda button set by wickedmoxie

I hope you enjoy all my panda droolings! All the more reason to buy handmade, yes? ;)

Paper Cutting and Handmade Fair

It has been a busy week! Lots of social calls and all my spare time has gone to wedding planning. I picked up my invitations yesterday!! They look wonderful. Don't worry, I'll share pics with you soon ;) Several projects are done and waiting to be shown off. For now you can see the paper cutting I did!

After an hour or so cutting on my midnight inspiration, I realized I could design it much better. The curlicues were extremely hard to cut out, and since I'm no expert, they didn't look as good. In the meantime, I spent a while in illustrator designing a piece of Alex and me together. He looks a little girly, but it was my first shot. Next time will be better! Though I do still love this one.

In other news, last night I went to the All Austin All Handmade Bash at the Beauty Bar. It was really fun! TheWonderCraft was there with tutorials (see photos!). I met the president of the Etsy Austin street team, who was very friendly. There were many cool vendors. Some complimented my bag, which made me feel really good. It's really great to be able to go out and actually meet other crafty Austinites!


(I made the flowers and the yellow cuff; Alex made the strappy cuff and a necklace, not pictured)

Crafty Summer Solstice!

Today I made some little flower hairclips and finished another huggle! I haven't decided yet whether I should wear two hairclips at once, or just one. What do you think? The next ones I make will be with little clippies instead of bobby pins...I think it'll work better.
Looking at these pictures...I must be having a blue day!