Lazy Sunday: Bellydancing from Friday!

WOW, I am lazy today.  But that was not the case Friday!  This weekend was Final Friday, and I danced in Old Town with Safira's gang.  Unfortunately, I don't have any pictures of myself yet, but here are some things I did capture!  

{One-Man-Band!}

{Sassy cane dance!}

{Skirt dance}

{Safira harasses some rowdy boys....}

{Safira messin' with the photographer!!}

{Lovely Wichita skyline.  And yes, I said LOVELY.}  :)

Looong Weekend Revue

Started my basket on Thursday, finished it...Friday? Or Saturday? I can't remember!! The days sort of ran together. Anyway, it does fit nicely on the head, but is sitting on the floor, filled with embroidery stuff, current knitting projects, and things to be mended.

Went to the Mosley Street Market on Saturday! It's a weekend thing, and has been going on for 3 weeks now, so it is just getting started. However, found an absolutely dreamy, handmade soy candle from Good Stuff Inc., and an adorable, handmade horse wallet from a lady who I don't think had a card or anything, and I'm sorry to say I couldn't tell you her name. :( Her prices were ridiculously low, though. She sat there and sewed while watching her booth...look for her!

Worked on a goat fence and took goat pictures for a friend...while the horse and little goats "helped."

Took a deep breath.

Goat in the Flowers

What's more lovely than a goat?  Goat in the flowers!  :P

Painted this today.  May have to keep it...

Also blogged at the Wichita Handmade blog.  

Finished my wallets.... (see previous post.)

Tutorial on fusing plastic: soon!!!  I promise.

Potpourri

I think this blog is long overdue for some ramblin's.  So here's a bit of a summary for today's adventures/thoughts.

First off--I am trying to make some changes.  Actually, I shouldn't say I'm trying, I'm actually doing it.  Baby steps, of course; this ain't no braggery.  I'm not going to talk about the biggest change, because then I'd have to get into some very personal and boring stuff, so for simplicity's sake, let's just say I let go of a big grudge.  Really, truly, completely.  I am hoping this major change will allow for the good juju to flow throughout the other aspects of my life as well..

And I'm drinking more water. 

AND, tiny bit by tiny bit, I'm organizing, everything from the kitchen cupboards to my craft space.  Isn't it incredible how you can find, you know, stuff you own?!  So, instead of not knowing if I have something or not and just buying more, I can actually use what I already have.  Ingenious.

This is one of my favorite recycling/repurposing projects: the fused plastic bag.  Right now I'm making wallets with them.  (Hopefully I can get a tutorial up soon.)  I've made myself more than a few grocery totes from the fused plastic, and they are a wonderful alternative to not only the plastic bags, but also to the new reusable bags stores try to get you to buy.  

These lovely shorts will hopefully be up on my etsy store tomorrow!  I LOVE them.  I don't wear shorts because I never like the way they fit; but these, I love.  I'm going to make a pair of them for myself, shortly....(no pun intended, WINK!)  Oh, and they're made from hemp!  Awesome.

New toy: sewing awl from Harbor Freight.  I have no idea if it will be any good, but hey, it was only $2.99!  :)

This last little project is a baby sweater I'm making for a friend...and I'm afraid it's going to be the wrong size!  The pattern is for a 9 month old, which would be about right, but the yarn is just slightly larger than called for...also, I've never made a sweater before--stay tuned!

Color Love, Part 1 <3

Color by COLOURlovers


Color by COLOURlovers


Color by COLOURlovers


Color by COLOURlovers


Color by COLOURlovers


Color by COLOURlovers

One From the Vaults...

Okay...there are no vaults.  Just stuff I forget about.  Here's one of them!:

I love this scarf and wore it pretty much every time I went out in the winter (except for at the farm...I didn't want goat poo on it.)  Anyway, it couldn't be simpler--a stockinette stitch rectangle with garter stitch edging, with irregular stripes of cheap gray wool stuff from Joann, and some light tan yarn I spun myself on my little drop spindle!  It's from a lovely, un-dyed rambouilette wool from a LOCAL source!!  Bought at my Local Yarn Shop!!  YAY!  Hope you like it!

Tagged!

I've been tagged!!!  By Red Planet, no less, which is pretty darn rad!!  Check out her awesome shop, if you haven't already.  It is full of high-fashion, handmade awesomeness, and a couple of vintage finds, too.

So here are the rules...

The tag is ALWAYS & NEVERS • list "5 fashion always-es"• {things you always like or cannot do without}• for you personally• conversely, list "5 fashion nevers"• {things you would not be caught dead in}• for you personally• then tag 3 bloggers

A L W A Y S

1. High heels!  Nothing uncomfortably high or hooker-ish, but something like kitty heels, or some nice Victorian-esque boots.
   
2. I wear a skirt when I can, all shapes and sizes (and if it's too short leggings must be worn with.)
   
3. Scarves, or any knitwear accessory for that matter.  I'm not a summer scarf wearer, but in chilly weather it is a MUST!
   
4. Lip gloss--no particular brand, but I do favor anything Burts Bees.    
5. I quit wearing jewelry, but I'm trying to get into it again, because I DO love it!!  I like to always make an effort to wear at least one piece of handmade jewelry, whether it's a necklace, hair clip, etc.

N E V E R

1. Glitter.
2. Fake nails.
3. Fake tan.
4. Shorts so short that your cheeks are hanging out.
5. Anything with the name brand plastered all over it.  

I am tagging:  ShellyStout, BeckyKay, and......Joel Pfannenstiel.  (hehe)

A Little Something...

Yay for Lace!!  Yards and yards and YARDS of it!!  A very kind woman at my church gave me tons of the stuff a while after her mother, a seamstress, passed away. The woman who so generously donated it to me sews as well, but apparently there was sooo much that she knew she wouldn't get around to using it all.  And I really appreciate it, especially given my (sort of) new obsession with lace.  The lovely lengths pictured are just a tiny fraction of what was in that bag of wonder...

COLOUR Rediscovered

A while back I found a neat little website called COLOURlovers.com.  I played around on it a little bit, but it has since been forgotten like a...well, something forgotten.  Anyway, thanks to those great facebook "Top 5" things (what would we do without them?), I have remembered my long-lost friend.  But unfortunately couldn't remember my password, or the email address I used at the time, for that matter.  So, without further ramblings, I present to you my COLOURlovers profile,

http://www.colourlovers.com/lover/folkCRAFT

There is no activity on it as of yet, but soon I hope to have some pretty palettes created for you!

"Afuera" by juanjosecastillejo

Gorgeous Finds from The Sale!

Firstly-- I want to say THANK YOU to everyone who showed up--to buy, sell, or just visit--at Wichita Handmade's 1st Craft Extravaganza!!  Your support is truly appreciated, and we are so glad you came out.  We want to spread the word about handmade in our community!  (You will most likely be able to read more about the sale later this week in our group's blog.)

Now, time for show and tell!  I bought some lovely goods there that are too good to keep to myself.

The first item is a fabulous and completely unique necklace from Cindy of ItsAllAboutVintage.etsy.com.  What's better than something handmade?  What's better than something vintage?  Why, it's something that's handmade from vintage pieces!  I just can't get over how much I love this concept, and the gorgeous art Cindy creates using it.  This birdcage necklace is simply charming.  

Next, I had to buy some handmade beads from Emily of EmilyHoutz.etsy.com.  They're awesome and also an unbelievable bargain.  I can't wait to make something with them!

I also brought home this adorable little guy, created by Jill of JillHoutz.etsy.com, who also let us use her lovely studio parking lot for this event.  Who knew a skull and crossbones could be so precious?   :)

CRAFT EXTRAVAGANZA! This Saturday! BE THERE!!!!!

Yay!  I am so excited.  I haven't been blogging much because I'm getting ready for Wichita Handmade's very first Craft Sale, which I have entitled CRAFT EXTRAVAGANZA!  (It just makes it seem so glamorous....hehe.)  Anyway, if you happen to be in the Wichita, KS area on Saturday, May 9th, come see us!  We'll be in the parking lot (or inside if it happens to rain) of the Secret Gallery at 2nd and Meridian.  Some fabulous craftspeople will be there selling their handmade goodness.

As for myself, I will have items from both SugarPickle and Folk.  I plan on bringing hand-knit coasters, plush toys, barrettes, purses and pouches, wrist cuffs, and possibly some one-of-a-kind clothing!  I will be sharing a booth with Puff of Justpuff.etsy.com--who also happens to be my mom. :)  She will be selling her beautiful, hand-sculpted clay wares! 

Hope to see you there!