Folk Craft!

I've officially moved...

2010-10-12T22:30:00.000-07:00

...so please come and visit the new blog! :)

Check out the continuation of my ramblings

This morning's musing...

2010-10-06T06:20:00.000-07:00

I'm thinking about starting a new blog. Possibly in addition to this one, probably instead of. I still feel like I'm not blogging to my full potential, hehe. Suuuure, I could simply change my ways here. But... I suppose that somehow, by starting fresh, I feel like I can have a better chance. Clean slate and all that.

Also thinking of other new endeavors which I won't mention yet...because, you know, if I can't seem to finish existing projects, starting a new undertaking is always the thing to do. ;)

I still have thinking to do. So we'll see.

"Beki's Barn Sale," or, "Maybe I should tell you about these things BEFORE they happen..."

2010-10-05T14:02:00.000-07:00

Saturday was the Barn Sale.

What Barn Sale?

As you, um, may be able to tell (though I hope it's not too apparent), I have not been the greatest blogger lately. Okay, ever. But I've been on one of my especially irresponsible non-blogging tangents so I didn't tell you about Beki's Barn Sale in Hesston, KS.

It was wonderful!! I didn't sell there because I was unable to make it for the entire day, but I wish I could have. I was, however, able to stop by for a little while and got some marvelous goodies from Shop Vintage Girl (who, by the way, is having a sale right now.)

There were some really great items and people there, and you should definitely go next year!

Shop Vintage Girl, aka Shelly (& mom)

Aid for Aidan: Help an extraordinary little boy!!

2010-10-01T10:07:00.000-07:00

The sad news: Aidan, the 5-year-old nephew of my friend, Mandi of Red Planet, was recently diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. It is 97% curable but he will have to go through 2-3 years of chemo.

Aidan, working on his art

The awesome news: Regretsy (and yes, I mean THE Regretsy) is going to be holding a fundraiser just for Aidan! If you're not familiar with it, Regretsy is a hilarious blog that showcases ugly, stupid, or just plain weird items from Etsy. (Be warned, it is often pretty crude and could be considered offensive...definitely not PG rated.) Contrary to what some believe, the intent is NOT to discourage sales of these items--being featured on the website has actually helped many artists make big sales. And most importantly, has become a routine thing for Regretsy to raise money for good causes, like Aidan. :)

A photo from Regretsy, originally from Meg Swansen

Info about the Regretsy fundraiser won't be officially announced until later on, but here's what you can do for now:

Follow Aidan's journey via this blog:

http://aidforaidan.wordpress.com/

Purchase items featuring Aidan's own artwork, via the Regretsy Zazzle store. (All proceeds from this will go to help with Aidan's medical bills):

http://www.zazzle.com/Regretsy

Check out his Etsy store, where you can purchase prints of his artwork (Again, proceeds go to Aidan):

http://www.etsy.com/shop/aidansmonsters

ANNNDDD..... if you cannot donate, you can still help by spreading the word!!! Aidan is an incredibly creative little boy with a spectacular personality and I would love to see him get as much support as possible.

Thank you for your time and help!

xoxo,

Leanne

Huh?

2010-09-29T14:32:00.001-07:00

Well, I'm (nearly) done with my cardigan and, as I thought, have done a completely awful job of tracking its progress. This is mostly due to the fact that as I was working on it, I was too excited to see it done and didn't want to take time to snap pictures, etc.

Now I'm in the middle of trying to type up the pattern, and was wondering...does anyone know what the heck this says? I sure don't. But once I decipher my own handwriting, I'll be sure to post pics of the finished sweater AND the pattern! :)

Music Monday: Leslie Hall!

2010-09-27T18:43:00.000-07:00

I've mentioned her a couple times, maybe posted a video or two, but I thought I should bring her up again. Because she's just that awesome. Well, really I should say she AND her band mates are awesome. I'm talkin' about Leslie.

Leslie (Hall) and the LY's are a small group out of Iowa. They started out as "cewebrities" and...well...I suppose they still are mainly that. But they also tour the country, and I am just waiting for the day they come here.

Just why do I love them so much? They are midwest girls and proud of it. Their overall aesthetic has a real '80s-neon-kitty-and-pink-bows-on-wicker-woven baskets kind of vibe. Leslie wears a LOT of spandex, gold usually...in fact I think spandex is all she ever wears. And they sing about crafts. And sequins. And snacks. And besides that, their music really is catchy.

Please look at her website and maybe even buy an album. I am also big on Leslie because she is not unlike any other independent crafter/artisan with a dream, working stitch by stitch to make that dream come true. Except her stitches are beats...well...and sometimes stitches. (She makes and sells spandex pants, too.)

My favorite new video of hers. Please be warned that it is what some might call "weird":

Bike Ride.

2010-09-22T17:35:00.000-07:00

I got a new bike...and wicker basket. Nothing fancy, but it soooo pretty! :)

Pictures from its maiden voyage....

Decisions, decisions....

2010-09-21T17:02:00.000-07:00

For the longest time, I have been wanting to have my own custom fabric printed up at Spoonflower. The reason I haven't yet is that 1.) it's a little pricey so I want to be sure about my design and 2.) designing decent looking fabric is not the easiest task in the world, at least not for me. :/ And since I have quite enough to do already, I've not even messed with it.

Over the last few days, though, I've started to seriously think about what I would want. And the more I think and experiment, the more I realize the possibilities are endless!! Here is just one design I came up with. I did a little collage in photoshop elements using some pictures I snapped at Botanica this summer. Which color combo do you like best?

(Note that the watermark isn't part of the design. I normally wouldn't worry about it but who knows, I might decide that this will become part of an exclusive collection!)

Music Monday: Natacha Atlas: "Ana Hina"

2010-09-20T19:37:00.000-07:00

Natacha Atlas is beautiful, dreamy, hypnotic. Her music is often categorized as "pop" but it's a far cry from Britney Spears. Natacha sings in English, French, and Arabic, and there is also a wide range of musics from different cultures that influence her style. And she is so very versatile--every one of her albums has a distinctly different feel, but all are excellent. The one I'm recommending to you today is Ana Hina, her latest release.

Ana Hina seems to be the least "poppish" of her works. It's elegant and smooth, and, well....you just have to hear it! There are so many great tracks, but one of my favorites is "La Vida Callada." It is an eerie duet with Clara Sanabras, the words being from a poem written by Frida Kahlo.

Slugs.

2010-09-19T20:49:00.001-07:00

Not too long ago, we had to take out some landscaping due to needing the underground water pipe to be replaced. This stump got unearthed, and was covered in slimy slugs! I think they're fascinating. This was from a few weeks ago, I just forgot to share. :)

Paper Ornaments: A Picture Tutorial

2010-09-17T09:09:00.000-07:00

Materials:

metal brads
yarn or string
scissors
paper - I used pages from a vintage (replica) flower book. You could use something similar or some lovely scrapbooking paper, or whatever strikes your fancy! The pages I used are approximately 4" x 6.75". Using this size or the same ratio should give you perfect circles!

Follow the pictures...

Etsy Finds: Bronzed

2010-09-13T21:13:00.000-07:00

Fall is upon us--

so close I can taste it...

I'm already wanting

autumn metallics.

Right now I've got bronze on the mind; rich but not too rich, muted and sophisticated.

vintage dress by PranceAndSwagger

hour glass neckalce by GwenDelicious

heels by lisunette

corsage brooch by TheBroochBoutique

woodland earrings by novella

liquid metal leggings by kellylynne

fingerless gloves by BellaBlueKnits

wrist wallet by WilmaWorld

tote by woodroots

silk/merino yarn by kangaroodyer

Music Monday: Beats Antique

2010-09-13T16:01:00.000-07:00

I haven't talked about it much on here, but I am in love with music. (Who isn't?) But I also like a lot of music that isn't quite mainstream, and figure there's no reason to keep the awesomeness all to myself!

When I started bellydancing about 7 years ago, I got introduced to a whole new world (literally) of sound. At first I heard a lot of traditional song: Egyptian, Greek, Turkish, Spanish, etc. There was also world pop, and then some industrial/techno...and really all sorts of music.

Today I want to share one of my favorite modern bands, Beats Antique. They fall into the fusion/techno/instrumental category (though some of their newest songs have a few lyrics). True to their name, they mix some solid beats with older, more traditional ethnic sounds. The result is very rich, layered, soulful, and danceable. A lot of their songs also make for great "chill" music.

And--GASP!--upon checking out their website, I realize that their new album is due tomorrow! EEEEEeee! I'm going to go listen, and leave you with a couple of my favorite songs.

Beauty Beats...this one gives me chills!

A little slow at first, but it does pick up... LOVE it.

Sweater Adventure, Part 2

2010-09-12T08:06:00.001-07:00

Wow! Not much to say other than I got quite a lot done on my cardigan since Friday morning. A lot of stockinette stitch and a little bit of arm shaping. I was thinking the front and back would be knit as one piece, and seamed at the side, but I'm thinking about some things and may end up knitting the two fron pieces separately. I don't like more seams, but it may work out better...

Sweater Adventure, Part 1

2010-09-10T06:35:00.000-07:00

{very!} crude sketches of my idea...two sleeve lengths

I am going to knit my first cardigan. (Correction: first big person cardigan. I've made two for bebes.) I am calling this an adventure because I'm knitting it from my own half-baked "pattern," which isn't even written down completely. I'm mainly doing this because I couldn't find a pattern that was exactly what I wanted...so I'm taking my chances with my own construction skills! Eeeek!

Of course, I thought I would record its progress on here. I will try to keep you updated, even if it doesn't work out and I have to rip it all back (which I hope does not happen!)

But anyway, here's what I can tell you about it so far: the yarn is that lovely pink stuff I talked about last week. The style I'm envisioning is very simple but with a sort of vintage feel. Large buttons. Sort of a cropped length...or maybe not cropped, but definitely not long. Short or 3/4 length sleeves, depending on how much yarn I have--I may need to pick up more and pray they still have what I need at the yarn shop!

...and this is the bottom band of the back side

Giveaway Winner: iamthemandy

2010-09-07T12:15:00.000-07:00

CONGRATULATIONS

iamthemandy!!!

She is the winner of my first Scapper's Delight Giveaway!

I would also like to say "Thank You" to everyone else who entered, as well. I will be sure to have more of these, so please keep an eye out for the next one. :)

And, in the meantime, take a peek at iamthemandy's wonderful handmade wares; she creates truly beautiful and 100% unique jewelry pieces from recycled and reused items. Check out her website, www.iamthemandy.com, for more info about her and her art. (And why not treat yourself or a friend to some of her great jewelry?!)

I love these earrings!!

Giveaway Reminder and Pink Yarn.

2010-09-04T19:39:00.000-07:00

So yeah....don't forget to enter the GIVEAWAY! Win folds of fabulous fabric, lengths of lovely lace, and a bevy of beautiful buttons!! (I could go on all day with the alliterations, ya know, so you best enter!)

You have until Tuesday to enter, so go to the post and comment--Good luck!

And here's the pink yarn from my favorite LYS (local yarn shop), Twist! I really love Twist...I may have mentioned this before...but it's great thing, because while I do like other yarn shops in the area and in surrounding towns, the best one just happens to be closest to me. By far the best selection and the best people in south central Kansas. Heck, probably the world. :)

But back to the yarn--4 skeins of Berroco "Vintage" in the color "Fondant." This may or may not be enough to knit myself a fitted, short-sleeved sweater or cardigan. I don't know because, well--I'm making up the pattern myself! Ahhhh!! But I ain't scared. It's only yarn. I can always unravel it. :)

{ pretty pink yarn, on its way home...}

Barn Chick Meeting: I knew I wouldn't find any apples here...-

2010-09-03T05:50:00.000-07:00

...so I wore them.

And I am apologizing in advance, because this post isn't quite as thorough or fabulous as I'd like it to be. (I'm blaming it on not having much time for blogging right now due to trying to fill some orders, home-improvement emergencies, and other deadlines, AND the fact that my visit to this old family farmstead was unexpectedly cut short.) Blah blah.

Oh, and I should probably apologize for the pictures being gigantor...I can't seem to fix it. :(

Anyway, as I said, this barn and land belongs to the family. It was owned by my great uncle who passed away about a year ago, but it has been out of commission longer than that. So it's overgrown and falling down, but as you know, I appreciate that kind of stuff, too. :)

ALSO--just realized that I forgot to link to our lovely hostess, Karen, earlier. So, please be sure to check out Karen's blog, Brayton Homestead Interiors, where you will find lovely posts by her AND the entire list of Barn Chicks participating in this meeting. Be sure to visit them all!

My faaaaavvvorite vintage shell...I think I got it for maybe $3??

And sooooooo CORNY....but whatevs. :)

Giveaway No. 10: Scrapper's Delight

2010-08-31T07:13:00.000-07:00

(This Giveaway is now CLOSED. Congratulations to iamthemandy!)

It's giveaway time!! And this is a special edition, too: Scrapper's Delight is especially for crafters!

I hope to do a series of these kinds of giveaways...

I am calling this one . . .

Victorian

Blush

{sweetly feminine

fabrics, laces, and buttons.

shades of pink, peach,

beige, grey, & brown}

Included:

An assortment of buttons (mostly vintage, some new)
6 pieces of lace, from 18" to 30" long, in widths of 0.5" to 3.5"
6 pieces of fabric, measuring approximately 5.5" x 9", up to 8" x 14"

These are some of my favorite materials to work with. They would be great for small projects, or for embellishing larger sewing projects. Also wonderful for sweet rag dolls and could even be used for scrapbooking!

To enter once:

+follow this blog and leave a comment telling me what YOU would do with these lovely bits.

To enter a second time:

+tweet or blog about the giveaway, and be sure to come back here and comment again with the link to your tweet/post/etc.

A winner will be randomly drawn one week from now on Tuesday, September 7th.

Good luck!!

PS--I forgot to mention that I should be able to contact you in some way. If your blogger profile does not have any email or website listed, please let me know where to contact you should you win! I will have to choose another winner if you cannot be contacted directly.

Tutorial: Sewing Dulcina (the Doll)

2010-08-28T21:27:00.000-07:00

My first real tutorial....FINALLY! So....be gentle. And don't hate. :P And above all--if you have any questions, comments, concerns, or suggestions (or really anything at all to say,) leave a comment, for goodness sake!! :)

Dulcina the Doll

Materials needed:

Scrap fabric (I used muslin for the head, arms, and legs, and plaid from a vintage skirt for the body)
18 inches of 3.5"-wide lace
9 inches of 1.25"-wide lace
buttons for eyes and embellishment
thread or embroidery floss

Using the template (located here), cut out body pieces.
With wrong sides together, use a whipstitch to sew head to body piece. Repeat for back.
With wrong sides together, stitch around leg piece, starting at corner of the top, going around the toe, and stop about 1"-2" from toe. Put a bit of stuffing in. Sew a couple more inches, stuff again. Continue until you have worked up the leg. Repeat with other leg and arms.
Take one of the body/head pieces and lay it down, wrong side facing up. Arrange legs in desired position. Make sure they are overlapping the body by about 1/4" or 1/2". Baste to body. Repeat with arms.
Once you have basted arms and legs to the body piece, lay it in front of you, with the wrong side up and legs and arms sticking out. Lay the other body/head piece on top, right side facing up. begin stitching around the edge. leave a 3" hole for stuffing. Stuff and stitch closed.
Taking the wide lace, baste along the top, about 1/2" from the edge. Gather into a width that matches the doll's body circumference.
Wrap the "skirt" around the body of the doll, with the open edge in back. Use a running stitch to attach it to the body.
Take the smaller lace and cross ends as shown. Baste/gather in the center. Stitch to head, along with button.
Sew on other button adornments and eyes, and stitch a mouth.
You are DONE! :)

Odds and Ends

2010-08-24T19:13:00.001-07:00

This morning was rainy,

cool,

lovely.

I saw this little guy on the window...

And I spent most of the morning organizing/de-tangling my yarn stash. It feels great to get that done. Now I have at least some idea of what I...well...have. I certainly don't NEED to buy any yarn for a while. (Needless to say, that doesn't mean I won't buy any yarn for a while.)

In addition to the usable balls and skeins (or the ones with enough on them that I can at least make a pair of small wristwarmers or something), I found these little odds and ends.

I'm not quite sure what to do with them yet. I made a shawl from bits like these once. Does anyone else have any ideas?

Annnnddd... I also listened to CraftyPod, a podcast I recently discovered. It isn't new, but it's new to me, and I found it to be quite entertaining and very worth while! If you're into crafts (and, since you're reading this, you probably are) you should definitely check it out. And if you're into crafts AND you are interested in crafting for business, you MUST check it out!!

The episode I listened to today was about how to be a better blogger. So now want to be a better blogger. And I better follow through after announcing that in public.... ;)

Sooooo....

What do YOU, the reader, want to see more of??? I'm thinking about some tutorials in edition to the regular things on here. But is there anything else?

Let me know!

2010-08-20T08:42:00.000-07:00

Hello Autumn....are you here yet?? No? You're on your way? Okay....I'll just wait here then.

LOL Craft Fair!

2010-08-09T13:47:00.000-07:00

Saturday, August 7th was the end-of-summer LOL Craft Fair. Which, in this case, means Lord of Life, as in the church, as in the church who always puts on an awesome fair. :) I would have told y'all about it but I kept forgetting myself! But I wasn't vending at this craft fair, I was SHOPPING! And did pretty well, if I do say so...

Alpaca Spinning Fiber from JP Alpaca Haven...so pretty! I couldn't capture the colors with my camera, though. :( It is a lovely natural mix on the right, and some pinkish/orchid on the left.

Beautiful, hand-embroidered dish towels from a local crafter.

FABULOUS linen and cotton bracelet from Tayla B Designs! Her blog is located here, where you can see better pictures of these adorable flowers.

Awesome, thick crocheted cotton pot holder from the same awesome lady with the dishtowels.

And this sweeeeet flower made from a zipper! The coolest part--wear it as a brooch OR hair clip! Handmade by Ryleigh's Room.

Handmade with Heart Clothing Drive

2010-08-08T19:54:00.000-07:00

I am very excited to announce that my local Etsy team, Wichita Handmade, is hosting a handmade clothing drive! Here are the details:

We will be donating new, handmade clothing to benefit victims of abuse. The clothing will go to a local shelter whose mission is to break the cycle of violence against women and their children by providing a safe place to stay and support services such as counseling, education and referrals to community resources.

All items are welcome but we especially could use:

-Sweatpants / Sweatshirts
-House Shoes / Slippers
-Jackets / Coats
-Underwear
-Blankets
-Pajamas
-T-shirts
-Socks
-Tennis Shoes
-Mittens / Gloves
-Hats
-Scarves
...and other clean, new, handmade clothing items!

Sizes needed: infants up to women's plus size.

Donations will be accepted through Friday, November 5th. Give your donation to a Wichita Handmade member, or drop off at any of these locations:

Wichita Pottery
300 N. Meridian

Twist Yarn Shop
607 W. Douglas Ave.

The Onion Tree
120 n Hillside

For patterns, ideas, and updates, please check out the official Handmade with Heart blog.

It's here, it's HERE!!!

2010-08-02T17:44:00.000-07:00

Finally! C & T Publishing has released Lunch Bags!: 25 Handmade Sacks & Wraps to Sew Today. And why is this so exciting for me?

Because I'm in it!! Oh, and um, one of my projects is in there, too. :P

Oh, and aside from the fact that I'm actually a part of this project, it's also exciting because it's a darn good book!! It has great projects, beautiful pictures, and I especially like the way the cover feels. (Hey, that's pretty important.)

I suggest you add this to your crafty book reading list today!

{Cover}

{My project!}

Knitting a Scarf. And Stuff.

2010-07-26T08:48:00.000-07:00

While I finish my Cap'n Crunch--yes, I know it's almost 11:00am, and yes, I know I'm not 5 years old--I thought I'd begin with the sharing some of the knit projects I'm working on.

This scarf is made with some cheap boucle from Joann's. It was only $2, what was I supposed to do? And just because it's not some fancy brand doesn't mean it's not just as soft and BEAUTIFULLY colored. It reminds me of the inside of an oyster shell, so it has that mermaid-y thing going on. I'm using the same lace pattern that I used for a shawl last year, because I like it, plus it's easy to remember and makes for good mindless knitting. It is a wide scarf. I'm not sure how long, but I won't stop until I run out of string.

This second picture is just a mini-swatch to see if I want to make some mittens out of some wool I spun myself. I plan on leaving them the natural off-white color and doing some floral embroidery for a whimsical, rustic folk look. I think they'll be adorable! (Of course I usually think that.)

Absinthe Phosphorescence?

2010-07-22T11:57:00.000-07:00

Today is July 22nd. Do you know what that means? Folk turns two today!! And in honor of this anniversary....I have nothing planned. :( It completely snuck up on me. Normally I would have a sale, but it's too late for that now, right? Right?? Okay, maybe sometime soon.

I do have SOME news to share, though. I have recently become a member of the Midwest Treasury Team on Etsy--check out some treasuries created by its members!

Also, I have been getting into YARN again. For months I did not allow myself to buy any new yarn, as I have more than any one person really needs. I thought I would try to use some of the old stuff before acquiring new. (Though incidentally, I didn't knit much during the yarn fast.) But anyway, one day, there was this clearance on yarn, and...well...everything sort of wend downhill from there. But on the bright side, I'm knitting a lot!

And recently I bought some fiber. This is yarn I handspun using wool purchased from a Kansas seller, theblushingewe.etsy.com. The color is breathtaking!! It is so bold and vivid. I haven't decided exactly what to call it. Green Ecstasy? The Verdant Vixen? Absinthe Phosphorescence?? Anyway, the mint green is really something against the kelly and chartreuse.

As for knitting, I've already completed a lovely beret using Vintage, a yarn that has been out on the market for a little while but I just recently discovered and fell in love with it. (I'll try to get a good pic ASAP.)

Currently on the needles, I have a lovely scarf of a pretty boucle, and a just cast on a shawl for my mom using some soft, chunky variegated gray yarn. And I have a plan for mittens...and...well, this is quite enough for one post! I just need to write more often so I don't overwhelm anyone at one time. More craft adventures coming soon, along with some exciting news about a charity drive! Don't miss it!

Giveaway No. 9 (A "Fan Page" Exclusive!): Mushroom Patch Pouch

2010-07-14T07:03:00.000-07:00

Hello all and good Wednesday to you! Just wanted to let you know I am having my 9th Giveaway. However, there is a catch--you must go to my folk {on etsy} fan page to enter!! This is my "facebook presence," so if you're on facebook, all you have to do to enter is comment on the photo located at this link: Mushroom Patch Pouch

Same rules, basically, as all my other giveaways that I've held here at the blog, except it's, well, on facebook! Also, if you are unable to comment, you may have to log in and click the "like" button at the top of my page first.

Good Luck!!

A Peachy Pie

2010-07-12T10:02:00.000-07:00

Last week I baked my first pie ever, and it was DEEEEE-LICIOUS!! (If I do say so myself!)

It was fairly easy, but you definitely need exact measurements for the crust. Here is my mom's trusty crust recipe (this makes 2.):

1 1/2 cup flour

1/2 cup shortening

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup cold water

Mix flour and salt, then cut in shortening until it's mixed really well--there should be nothing but tiny little granules. Then, pour the water in all at once, and mix with your hands until you form a smooth ball of dough. Divide it roughly in half, with one of the halves a tiny bit bigger than the other. First, roll out the bigger half until it's large enough to cover the entire inside of the pan, including the top edges. To get it in the pan without breaking up, fold it in half and place it on one half of the pan, then unfold it. Press it against the inside, and against the top. Then trim by scraping the outer edge of the pan with the back of a knife. Roll out your other piece so that it's large enough to cover the pie to the edges. Set aside until after you fill the pie.

And here is the filling!

6 cups peaches

3/4 cup sugar

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

1/3 cup flour

1 tablespoon lemon juice

I used fresh peaches from Beck's Farm, which is located in between Newton and Wichita. To get the skins off, boil the whole peaches for 2 minutes, then submerge them in cold, cold water. The skins should slide off easily. Go around the peach with a knife, take out the pit, and slice them into small-medium sized pieces.

Then, mix the peaches with the rest of the ingredients, and pour into your pie crust. Place the other crust on top, and flute the edges, making sure that it is sealed all the way around. Also, be sure to cut some vents in the top!

Bake at 425 degrees for about 45 to 50 minutes. Take out and let cool before eating. (I like my pie best when it's been refrigerated!)

Tomorrow.

2010-07-11T20:51:00.001-07:00

Tomorrow...

I will list new items in the shop, both handmade and vintage.

I will begin on the facebook giveaway I've been talking about forever...

I will answer your convos.

I will start or finish your orders (whichever applies!)

I will bake that second peach pie...maybe.

But tonight--I'm relaxing! I am happy to say that this week, I have no other obligations that will take my attention away from work. Well, except for the Wichita Handmade meeting and yoga class...but other than that...it's time to get down to biz-nass!!!!

Midway at the Sedgwick County Fair, July 10, 2010

Opera Dreams

2010-07-09T22:12:00.000-07:00

Two days ago, for no apparent reason, I was struck by the sudden and strong urge to see the opera. I really can't say what brought this about. I've never been to one but have decided that I will definitely will once the season opens. I know everything is more casual these days, but I do love dressing up, so this will be a great excuse. My special personal project--one of them, anyway--for the next couple months will be to put together a fancy opera-seein' getup. Hehe. But until then...enjoy this treasury!

Gown by SagasAndSteamCo

Earrings by StJoshua

Perfume Oil by ForStrangeWomen

Clip by LovMely

Gloves by estylissimo

Shrug by lovechildboudoir

Necklace by plasticouture

Capelet by TickledPinkKnits

Bracelet by TheBrassGarden

Belt by ContrivedtoCharm

Big Ol' CLEARANCE SALE!!!

2010-06-30T19:47:00.001-07:00

Out with the old, in with the new! I need to make room for new inventory, so I have reduced the price of many items in the shop to half-price. So come on over to folk.etsy.com and pick up some sweet deals. ;)

SALE HERE!

Another Great FACEBOOK Giveaway from WH!

2010-06-30T12:04:00.000-07:00

Got Kids?

Hop on over to Wichita Handmade's Facebook Fan Page to enter!

Stroller Strap!

Keeps kids close, but not too close.

Perfect for attaching to strollers, grocery carts, diaper bags, it even fits on your arm comfortably.

Tiny Vials

2010-06-29T11:20:00.000-07:00

These were soooo darling....I had to get them. They're tiny, about 1" tall. Now here's the big question:

What do I put in them?

Making Everyday Handmade.

2010-06-22T11:29:00.000-07:00

For those of you who don't follow the Wichita Handmade blog, here is what I posted there today. :)

......

In hopes of helping those who still may be in possession of this mindset, I am going to admit to once having thought in this way:

Sure, it's great to support handmade and local sellers, but I don't always need and/or have the money for those little "extras." After I go to the store to pick up my everyday essentials for living, I don't always want to buy some cute little handmade trinket.

Solution: be sure your everyday things are handmade (or vinage!) things!!

Sometimes people (including myself) forget that buying handmade doesn't have to be a luxury, it can be a lifestyle. You may not need a mustache on a stick, but everyone needs an ink pen! And you may find fingerless gloves impractical on a winter day in Kansas, but real gloves and mittens are always great!

So please check out these fabulous, functional items from Kansas Etsians!

Kitchen & Bathroom Sink Soap by woodenfencesoaps, $4

2 CC's Pillow by whitneywest, $35

Gunpowder and Rosebuds Handmade Tea Pouches by teasandtapestries, $6

Strawberry Scoops Sparkle Book Cover by annebvinyl, $14

UNCONVENTIONAL OLIVE hand dyed kitchen towels by StirAtHome, $22

Vintage Round Samsonite Green Marbled Suitcase by SarahAnntiques, $55

Country Quilt Coasters (Set of 4) by Folk, $12

Mesquite Twist Pen by WoodAndGlass, $19

White German Shepherd Magnet Set by blennox , $8.99

Oak Leaves Business Card Holder by JustPuff, $10

Recycled Handmade Paper Pack in Toasted Peach by SimplyInvitingCards, $13.50

Book Shelf by BuckCreekFurnishings, $84

Say Hello to The Onion Tree: Wichita's Latest Handmade Treasure

2010-06-14T19:54:00.000-07:00

Yesssss!!! I am pleased to present to you Wichita's very first ALL HANDMADE store--The Onion Tree. This is...awesome. In my midwest world of Wal-Marts and mass-produced imports, this is the stuff that dreams are made of....all handmade. All quality, all beautiful!! Located at 120 N. Hillside in Wichita, this lovely boutique features many artists from Kansas and some from other states, as well. Some of my Kansas favorites include the funky, eco-friendly jewelry of iamthemandy, Madame Scodioli's (the bearded lady's) goat soap, and some great glam threads by Mountainscreamer.

But truly, there are so many fabulous handmade things to choose from. (And boy was I disappointed that I didn't have any cash to spend that day! Next time....)

ALSO, once I get some other projects taken care of, I plan to take my own items down to The Onion Tree! Stay tuned.

Giveaway Tuesday: But you have to go to facebook!! :)

2010-06-08T10:46:00.000-07:00

The awesome and incomparable Wichita Handmade is hosting a fabulous giveaway for the next two weeks!! It begins today and a winner will be drawn on Saturday, June 19th. The prize is a lovely, summer-inspired lemonade, linen, and lace wristlet created by yours truly. It really is a little cutie!

All you need to do to enter is head on over to Wichita Handmade's facebook fan page, become a fan (or "like," as they're calling it these days), and leave a comment on the giveaway status!

I am providing a direct link to the status right HERE.

Garden Progress Report

2010-06-07T19:08:00.000-07:00

Thank you, Becky's Buttons!

2010-06-04T08:27:00.000-07:00

Folk has been featured at the fabulous Becky's Buttons blog!! Please check out my interview here and feel free to leave a little comment. :) Also, check out the Etsy shop, beckysbuttons.etsy.com, where you can find some positively adorable buttons and accessories! There are so many cute things to choose from, but this is one of my favorites:

Security Envelope Silhouette Heart Buttons, $6

Have a Happy Weekend!

SALE SALE SALE!!

2010-06-02T21:35:00.000-07:00

Check out folk.etsy.com for some fabulous deals!! ;) I have put some items on sale; just use the search term "SALE" in the store, or follow the link here.

Also.... New Items are up! I love them all but this is one of my favorites...

Unhinged...A Pair of Circus Couture Gauntlets, $30.

Summertime...

2010-06-01T11:32:00.000-07:00

...and the livin' is easy...

It's not technically summer yet, but it is hot enough to be. I'm sure I'll tire of the heat eventually, but right now, I don't mind it so much. In fact, I find myself welcoming it right now. There is change in the heavy air, something I can't quite put my finger on, but it feels like it's for the best.

I also cleaned my studio--partially, anyway--which feels so great! (Sewing is much more pleasant when I don't have to spend half of my time digging through piles of fabric just to see what I have.) This was something that definitely needed to get done in order for me to start renovating the shop. Because a shop renovation is loooong overdue. I am not planning on making huge changes, in fact, they may not even be noticeable to anyone but me. BUT, changes WILL be made! And along those lines, I hope to have a big sale sometime in the near future, so I will be sure to let you know when that happens!!

Homemade Tortillas...YUM!!!!!!

2010-05-23T21:16:00.000-07:00

I have found myself becoming, over the last year or so, very interested in cooking. Baking in particular. I'm in love with pretty much anything whose main ingredient is flour. I still certainly consider myself a beginner. However, after making and eating these beauties, I was pretty sure that I was a GENIUS!! They are incredible!!! (Even with the slightly burnt spots....wait, no, they're not burnt, they just have what you call "character.")

But really, I should thank the Homesick Texan and her fabulous post, which included a recipe from The Border Cookbook by Cheryl Alters Jamison and Bill Jamison.

I strongly recommend that you make these soon!

Glue Guns and Cardboard

2010-05-20T19:55:00.000-07:00

I am currently in a frenzy getting costumes ready for an Art Pride Parade. It's next Saturday. I still have a LOT to do....ahhhh!! I'm not panicking, though, because I'm finally finding some direction and feel like I'll get it all done. I wanted to share todays project, which is going to actually sit on my head:

A cardboard sewing machine.

Yep.

I'd like to say it looks better in person, but honestly, it looks better in the picture. But, like mom says, "Who's gonna see it on a dancing girl?"

La PerLaA: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

2010-05-18T20:32:00.000-07:00

I am sorry to neglect my poor little blog, but between working on "work" and other projects, and my more frequent fits of doing absolutely nothing, I have not had the time. ;) But tonight, I simply MUST take the time to gush about an Etsy seller that I've recently purchased from, La PerLaA! She is an Italian artist who creates lovely beaded jewelry. My favorite items of hers are the bits of sea glass that have been transformed into pendants by creating a tapestry of tiny beads around the edges.

I could go on and on and ON about this fabulous lady, because she is just that great, but I'll keep it short and to the point.

Here's why you should definitely consider checking out her shop and then--yes!--making a purchase!

The most obvious reason to shop La PerLaA would be the beauty and quality of her items. This lovely specimen {above} is what I purchased, for my mother's birthday next month. (Don't tell!!!) And this is even more beautiful in person.
The price is unbeatable. This was $24. Yes, $24 United States Dollars. And that includes shipping. From Italy!
Now allow me to follow the previous statement with this: shipping is FAST! It took exactly 7 days to arrive in my mailbox after clicking the "Pay Now" button.
The artist is very sweet and so great to work with.

Go. Now. Buy!!

(and check out her blog, too.)

Bits and Pieces...

2010-05-05T17:19:00.000-07:00

I am sooooo unmotivated to blog right now. I've been busy with so many other things that some priorities got pushed aside completely and this happened to be one of them. But it's been so long!! I thought I would just stop by and share a few things that may be of interest.

Way, way, back on April 17th, I set up shop at the Wichita Handmade craft sale. It was a gorgeous day! Here's the humble little booth (and no, that is not me being modest):

And then...I've been playing around a little bit on chictopia. At first it seemed positively fascinating, and I'd still like to explore it more, but it's another one of those things I will probably end up slacking on.

I'd like to say I've been working in the garden, but mom has been doing most of that work while I'm off galavanting. I am super excited though about having our own homegrown vegetables! And, I am trying to cook more. This is one of my favorites, homemade pasta with tomato and zucchini, and cheese breadsticks from scratch. Simple but YUMMY!

At the sewing end of things...I have fallen in love with the simple but effective method of piecing long strips together to create some really circus-esque stripes.

I'm gonna be in a book!!

2010-04-27T08:58:00.000-07:00

Yessssss!!! I am pretty excited about this and am finally allowed to tell you all about it!

This July, C&T Publishing will be releasing Lunch Bags!: 25 Handmade Sacks & Wraps to Sew Today. And, as I am sure you have guessed, I have a project in this book. This is my first time being published in a book, so, like I said....I'm pretty excited. :)

You can pre-order on Amazon now!

Bartlett Arboretum: 100 Years

2010-04-15T19:11:00.000-07:00

This past weekend, I took a little bit of time to check out the Bartlett Arboretum Centennial Celebration, and was it worth it!! I had never been to the arboretum before but was glad I went on the short trip to Belle Plaine, Kansas, to see it. It was incredibly beautiful. The weather here has been perfect for quite some time now, and everything was in full bloom. Even with the huge crowd--I don't care much for huge crowds--it was a very tranquil experience. Not only was there the gorgeous scenery, which would have been enough reason for me to look around, but there was also live music and artists' booths. These are only a few of the hundred or so pictures I took...I'm sure there were a million snapped that weekend. Enjoy!!

I'm an (Unofficially) Featured Seller!

2010-04-10T08:16:00.001-07:00

Check out my interview! :)

Unofficial Etsy Featured Seller: Folk

Spring has sprung....actually, it's been sprung for a while now.

2010-04-07T11:20:00.001-07:00

You know, I don't think I ever posted an official welcome-back-spring post. Maybe because I've been too distracted with enjoy this positively awesome weather we've been having, among other things. BUT, today is cloudy and a little cold!! Well, I suppose 3 months ago I wouldn't be saying it's "cold"....but I've been spoiled by the spring warmth.

I am happy to say that part of our garden has been planted, but disappointed that we don't even have half of it in yet! So much for starting from seed this year... :( So far, we've planted all the potatoes (there were quite a few for our relatively small garden space), the brussels sprouts, the rhubarb was already in the ground, and we have a few of the onions in. Hopefully, this weekend...

Also, I want to "pre-announce" a giveaway!! I don't even know what I'm giving away yet, but I'm sure it will be a doosy. ;) There is ONE catch, though. This giveaway will be held over at my facebook fan page!! If you're on facebook and not a fan already, whattaya waitin' for???

Check out the link over to the side, or just click --> HERE.

Etsy Finds: Bows, Part 1

2010-04-04T14:42:00.000-07:00

I have been completely obsessed with bows for a while now, and can't see it changing any time soon... (hence the title, Bows, Part 1....I am sure there will be another bow entry...or possibly more...)

Enjoy these playfully creative finds!

Bowtie Pocket Tee by steppie

Forget Me Knot Ring by PaupersBounty

Zipper Bow Headband by bandsbybay

Houndstooth and Pink Ruffle Dress by imyourpresent

Pastel Banana Bow Heels 8 by closethabitvintage

Oh-so-retro Earrings by lovenestdesign

Bow Necklace by chinacherie

BLUE BOW by junkprints

Not.Your.Granny's.Carpet.Bag by peacelovenpolkadots

Gold Fancypack by carrotcake

Good Enough.

2010-04-01T21:44:00.000-07:00

So I'm up late after a goofy week, (yeah, I know, it's still only Thursday,) trying to crank out a blog post for my much-neglected blog, a little bit punchy, and I go to Etsy to retrieve my faves and post 'em here for you. And what do I see but my mug on the front page? That made my night. So, I'll just post my finds tomorrow...or maybe later. ;)

Happy April Fool's and Blessed Maundy Thursday!

Although...it's technically Friday where I am now. Le sigh..........

Bows: Brooches & Barrettes

2010-03-24T20:05:00.001-07:00

Here is what I did with most of my afternoon! I don't usually ask, but...what do you think?? Which one is your favorite? Or not-so-favorite? What do you like/dislike about them? I think they're a lot of fun, to make AND wear! Some are hair clips, some have pins on the back. But this is my first batch of this particular style, and I think I could improve possibly...

Collage No. 3

2010-03-23T14:11:00.000-07:00

Cootie catcher madness! I am loving cootie catchers lately. Don't know why. It just seems appropriate. This is part 1 of Miss Mandi's small housewarming package.
Owl fabric cuff, with a JustPuff button and loop closure.
Lace and pretty printed Japanese linens, tied together with a bit of handspun. Part 2 of Mandi's package! (Sadly...I forgot to photograph part 3.)
Pink hyacinth...getting too big for its little container! We are behind on gardening this year.
So I realized that the yeast in the fridge is about to expire...and have decided to get baking. Pictured is my favorite, easy bread. It's super yummy too!!
Fuchsia sock yarn from Twist...I'm calling it unicorn yarn. I am just savoring it for a while in hank form. Perhaps I'll start knitting it before the weekend...or not.

Buttons by JustPuff

2010-03-18T07:23:00.000-07:00

These gorgeous, large, ancient-looking buttons were made for me by JustPuff! I was going to use them in some items for the shop, but I might end up keeping them!! I just love the way they look.

Made from earthenware clay, and then glazed. I don't think there are any buttons in her shop currently, but just send her a convo and she will be more than happy to try and accommodate you with a custom order. :)

St. Patty's Day Parade Snippets

2010-03-17T09:41:00.000-07:00

The only bad thing about being in a parade is that you can't actually watch the parade, or at least you'll miss out on most of it. Our group was pretty much smack dab in the middle of this one, so once we rounded the block we dashed back to Douglas Street to see the rest.

Here are a few of the pics I managed to get (except the first one, which is courtesy of Shelly!) I hope to get a better shot of my costume...although I'm not sure if anyone has one! :(

Trust me, I'm Irish...

2010-03-14T12:37:00.000-07:00

The St. Patrick's Day festivities began yesterday here in Wichita, with the 4th Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in Historic Delano. Wichita Handmade marched along with the fun, making it their second parade. (I will try to get some pics up later.)

In honor of this fun holiday, I bring you my St. Patrick's Day Etsy finds. Enjoy!

Silk Bolero from bonzie

Clover Charm Necklace from BlueDoveStudio

Hand-carved Shillelagh from Wadescarvings

Irish Elf Hat by RagamuffinDesign

Fiber Batt by LHogan

Butterfly Necklace by Balanced

Lil' Pot O' Gold from Starnightly

iPhone/iPod Cozy by pomella

Shamrock Shake Soap from LuckyGirlBoutique

Recycled Shirt Tote from clairebabydesigns

Saint Patrick Pendant from oliviamoon

Give Beets a Chance

2010-03-09T20:53:00.000-08:00

I know, I've been a bit lax where blogging is concerned. Between getting ready for the big parade, trying to whip up some clothing to sell at Lucinda's, and the every day hustle and bustle--that phrase make me giggle--I haven't had time to do more than a few quick posts.

So I'm going to take a break and blog...

About beets.

I touched briefly on my love of beets not too long ago, and thought I'd expand here.

Some people think they're gross, which I simply cannot fathom because they are heavenly to me!!! I hadn't had any for months, so I recently bought a jar of pickled beets (pickled is my favorite way to have them), and it was like...it was like...well...words escape me. But it was pretty awesome.

Store-bought beets are great, but as with everything else, homegrown are the BEST. So how do you grow beets?

In Kansas, beets should be planted at the end of March or in April for a June or July harvest (they take about 55 to 60 days), or you can plant them in July or August to be harvested in September/October. The seeds are planted in rows, with each seed 4" apart.

(Of course, some of this information may vary depending on your climate and seed variety. It's always a good idea to check your seed packet for the most accurate info.)

And, if you don't want to grow them yourself, take a trip to the farmer's market! KS Farmers' Market is a great resource for Kansans; you can use it to search for farmers' markets near you.

But how to pickle? Well...sadly enough...I don't remember which recipe we liked the best. (Very informative of me, I know!)

However, I can give you a few pointers for pickled beets that can be stored in the refrigerator for a week (not canned):

Scrub your beets well, and cut off the tops. But don't cut off the entire top!! Leave about 1" to 2" of the stem/leaves, or they'll bleed like crazy.
Boil for 50 to 60 minutes.
After they're cooked, you can cut off the rest of the tops, slip their skin off, and slice them. Once you're through with this, put them in whatever container you'll be storing them in. We use a glass bowl.
Here is the part that I forget: the recipe for the juice. Water, vinegar, sugar, and pickling spices are all you'll need for this. The amounts of each ingredient can be varied, depending on how sweet, spicy, or bland you like your beets. This concoction is simmered for 15 minutes before it's poured over the sliced beets. After this, just put it in the fridge!

When I find that recipe again, I will be sure to post it.

If you haven't already, give them a try!!

Catch Some Cooties!

2010-03-09T07:17:00.000-08:00

MMMkay, so for my friend Shelly's 30th birthday, I went all out and made her something really special...

A cootie catcher!!! And it was a doozy, let me tell ya.

However, it seems that I have inspired her to make some cootie catchers with class!! Go over to the I Didn't Sign Up For This blog and enter to WIN!! There are three individual cootie catchers, all made with love, so there will be 3 winners! I love things like this. They are super fun if not a little nostalgic.

Check it out!

Folk at Lucinda's

2010-03-06T11:14:00.000-08:00

To all my Wichita/Kansas peeps--check out what's new at Lucinda's!!

I am so very pleased to announce that one of my FAVORITE local stores, Lucinda's in Old Town, is currently carrying original, one-of-a-kind accessories made by me! All of the items below are currently available for sale. Buy local, buy handmade! :D

And even if you don't think you need any of my items below, visit the store anyway--it is truly fabulous. Lucinda's is a great place for unique and beautiful clothing, bags, wallets, jewelry, shoes, stationary and much more. I am proud to say that they carry A LOT of handmade things from local artists. Visit their website HERE. (It is currently under construction, but you can see their hours and address on the home page.)

Beautiful Blogger Award!

2010-03-04T18:14:00.000-08:00

Today I was tagged in this blog post by the lovely Mandi of Red Planet! She has presented me with this beautiful blogger award, for which I am very grateful--not just because it's swell to win such a nice award from someone with an awesome blog, but also because it makes me get my butt in blogging gear, if only for this evening!

The object here is for me to give seven facts about myself...a seemingly easy task, but we'll see about that. So check out the trivia and then have a look at Mandi's blog if you haven't already (and if you already have, check it out again, it's definitely worth following!) She also has a great shop, Red Planet, which is currently in vacation mode due to her moving soon, but sign up to get the notification for when it re-opens!

*deep breath....*

uh....

*blank stare*

um....okay:

1. Closet stats: I would say about 75% of my clothes are handmade. 8% are second-hand/goodwill finds...and the predominating colors are green, red, brown, and yellow. (Yes, I happen to be sitting in front my closet right now!)

2. I love beets, particularly when they're pickled. Apparently, this makes most people gag, but I think they are delicious!!! (Don't hate!)

3. I also think I Lady Gaga, which also makes some people gag. I might be completely in love with her if I wasn't so torn; on one hand, she is a little too crude for my taste...to put it nicely. But on the other hand, I think she's a real artist and knows how to put on performance. I think there's more to her than just dressing up "weird"...and I can't believe I just wrote that much about Lady GaGa. Wow.

4. I have bad handwriting. There have been different times in my life when I have tried to change it. I used to do "writing exercises" which I never kept up for too long. Now I just try to make sure it's legible.

5. I'm going gray. Sort of. I have dark brown/almost black hair, and when I was about 18 or so (I'm 26 now) I began getting a couple white hairs on the top of my head. I keep getting them, and in the last year or two it has become very noticeable. I am hoping it becomes a solid white streak someday soon!

6. I love bellydancing. I don't think I've blogged about this, but it's in my profile info, so maybe this doesn't count as an unknown fact!! But I'll elaborate anyway. Really, I like just about any kind of dancing. I haven't been taking classes now for a number of reasons which I won't go into right now, but I can't go too long without dancing, so a lot of it's done in my room. Hehe. But I think bellydance is particularly fun. Especially the costumes and music.

7. I have a lot of OCD-ish tendancies--some make sense, some don't. One that doesn't make sense is that water on the faucet or countertop creeps me out! If the bathroom counter has water on it and I touch it, I have to wipe it off of myself as soon as possible. Even when I know it's clean water. (But I also used to know a girl who couldn't touch used tape, so this isn't so bad, right? Right???)

And now I shall bequeath this award to:

Red Planet

I Didn't Sign Up For This

Perry Jayne Handmade

Who Said Mermaids Can't Tango?

Tayla B. Design

Pumpkinhaus

Natalie Maed

(I know some of you've already received this, but heck, you deserve it again!)

Some Things.

2010-03-01T08:37:00.000-08:00

I thought I was going to get A LOT done this weekend!! Well...I was busy, but I still haven't done everything I wanted to do. I still have a parade costume to complete, a zine to make, seeds to plant, and the list goes on...here are a few pics from this last weekend's (mis)adventures. I didn't get nearly as many good pics as I had hoped I would.

Fabrics!!! I am in love with these Japanese linen prints (of which I will have better pictures in the future.) We went on another visit to Charlotte's Sew Natural in Newton.

Plants!! We visited Atwoods on the way back.

Awww...

Awww!

Run down old motel.

This is not a great idea; I do not know why the owners tied her up here...it will kill the tree and I am not sure how good it is for the horse, either!! But it was still cute. Cute and stupid.

It may have been just a *teeny tiny* bit wet for tilling, but it was a gorgeous day and we can't wait for spring!

Rhubarb number 1...

Rhubarb number 2!

Pretty pod.

An unexpected sight in rural Kansas...a Buddhist temple, I think? I believe this building is new.

Nataliemae Rocks!!!

2010-02-25T21:52:00.000-08:00

My Etsy finds for this past Sunday were mainly inspired by this happy eggplant; he really was just sooo happy, I fell in love with him! And so naturally, when nataliemae.etsy.com, the creator/seller of the this fine plush friend offered to do a trade, there was no way I could say no!

I want to share this because am so impressed with Natalie's work. This experience embodies everything I love about buying handmade. She is super-friendly but also sincere. The packaging was lovely, the item itself is lovely (not to mention eco-friendly). And there were some awesome handmade extras included in the package! It definitely had that personal touch.

This has really inspired me, as a seller, to go that extra mile. (It is something I will be working on!)

Please enjoy this short photo documentary, entitled,

"Unwrapping the Eggplant"

(creative name, eh?)

"hello, there!"

fin.

A Gardening Primer for Mandi, Issue No. 1

2010-02-25T19:06:00.000-08:00

This is a special "series" of gardening instruction/tips especially for my friend, but hopefully they might be of use to others as well! The down side is that I really don't know what I'm talking about, but that doesn't mean it won't be helpful! Right?

(I may not actually have to tell you much, because a lot of information is included with the link to the planting schedule that I found for you! However, I am sure questions will arise later on and you will need my expertise then.)

First: Decided exactly what you plant so you know how much room you'll need. (Spacing & etc. is also included with the chart.)

Second: Make the husband till up your garden space. Iffin you ain't got access to a tiller, you (meaning he) can just turn it over with a shovel. It takes a little while but it's not so bad. But don't till if the ground's wet. Also, make sure it's in an area that will get a lot of sunshine!!

Also: I am guessing you'll want to be as organic as possible, which is good. I don't think most gardens really need a lot of fertilizer, the most we ever use is animal poo, and some manner of plant food when we transplant. (But we might get a soil test, in case we happen to be lacking something, which I'm not too worried about.) But once you get your ground worked up, get some sheep or goat poop!

{My mom thinks that because of baby and whatnot, a smaller container garden might be easier for you. I don't know! I told her that was up to you, you just need the facts.}

Here is the link to planting times, etc, for your zone (5): CHART

Okay, that's it for now. I don't know if that was terribly helpful, but it's the kind of stuff you should be thinking about now.

And if I said something COMPLETELY STUPID, please let me know!! It is a possibility. :)

Gypsy Lace

2010-02-23T20:42:00.000-08:00

I have enough sewing supplies to last me for quite some time. Why is it that I always find myself getting more?

{Some lace from a $2 remnant

bag at Needle Nook Fabrics. There

was a ton of lace, it was a

HUGE bargain!! :D}

Finished Baby Sweater & Then Some

2010-02-21T14:11:00.000-08:00

FAIL: I never made the fry bread. I will, it's just that I didn't happen to do it when I said I would. It was soooo dreadfully dreary on the weekend. I cannot be held responsible for such weather, and I cannot be expected to do anything other than nap and dine upon frozen pizza and similar delicacies during such weather!

However, I DID finish baby's sweater!!! Yay! I think it is adorable. Now I just need to begin my next baby project...(although I won't be posting anything about it until after mom receives it.)

In other knitting news...well, there's not much more. I realized I did something really stupid on my second sock, so I just had to quit working on it for a while. But now I've fixed everything and am ready to go on. Also, I have been messing with the pink yarn I finished recently. It has a nice squishy feel. It may become a scarf.

And...I love this combination! Today I made this simple little round pouch (you'll be able to see more views once I list it in the shop). But anyway, I really like the burlap together with the lace-printed vinyl. It seems very "gardenish," like it would be a nice fancy place to store your seed packs.

Etsy Finds: Still Waiting...

2010-02-21T13:24:00.000-08:00

I am OBSESSED with spring!! And summer for that matter. I don't want to hurry the seasons, but a little sunshine would be nice! It is still dreary and drizzly and there's ice hanging off of the dead, brown leaves. Honest, I'm not complaining.....just giving the reason for today's finds. :)

A Happy Eggplant by nataliemae

Heirloom Carrots with Personality by utilitarianfranchise

Baby Socks Photo by brownrose

Organic Zucchini Seeds by Thebearfootshaman

Concrete Fairy Cottage by blithegardens

Prairie Dress by BeezeNeeze

Bubble Gum Pink Hair Bows by shellystout

Paper Pot Maker by WoodElements

Sun Hero Fiber Batt by pumpkinhaus

Green Striped Pillow Case by TaylaBDesign

Sweet New Stuff

2010-02-20T21:57:00.000-08:00

New at Folk:

Tea Party Accoutrements Coasters - $12

New at Sugarpickle:

Bubble Gum Lotus Breath Bracelet - $12

I thought I had something more to post but I was WRONG!! I wanted to take a picture of my finished Easter dress (yay!) but it has been so dreary and drizzly that all I could do was shop a little and eat and nap. :/

Come on, spring!

OH and I almost forgot-- the winner of the Unicorn Promenade pincushion is

MELISSA!!!!

Melissa has a lovely Etsy shop, PerryJayne.etsy.com, where she sells ADORABLY embellished children's clothing!! Please check it out, if you have little ones you will have a hard time not finding something you have to have.

Also, take a peek at her sweet blog!

Soap Bubbles

2010-02-19T21:05:00.001-08:00

I have been finding hearts everywhere.

I'm going to try to make fry bread.

2010-02-18T19:37:00.001-08:00

First--y'all need to check out the awesome UNICORN PROMENADE Pincushion Giveaway before Saturday! Enter to win! Plz?

Second-- I wanted to take a second to write down a fry bread recipe my friend, Connie, just gave me over the phone. I thought I should write it out legibly before I am unable to decipher the scrawl in my notebook. And I thought my readers might like to see the recipe, so here it is! Or part of it, anyway. I believe Connie has such a feeling for it that she doesn't even bother measuring out the ingredients! So she gave me the approximate proportions. I think I'll be experimenting this weekend. Try it with me and let me know how it goes!

Connie's Traditional Native American Fry Bread

2 cups flour

1/4 to 1/2 cup shortening (lard is said to be best, but I'll use Crisco!)

2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

warm (not hot) water

Mix ingredients together; add enough water so that the mixture is a stiff dough, thicker than biscuit dough. Form it into a ball and let it sit about 15 minutes. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out very thin, about 1/8" to 1/4" thick. Cut into strips, about 2" to 3" wide. Use your finger to poke a hole in the center.

A cast iron skillet works best for cooking. Fill it 1" deep with oil. The oil should be very hot. Drop your strips in to brown. They will brown up quickly, in about 40 seconds. Flip to cook the other side.

Connie recommends that you eat them with honey, stew (highly recommended), or use as a taco shell with meat, lettuce, etc.

{ I can't wait to try it! }

photo courtesy of the queen of subtle on flickr

Giveaway No. 8: Unicorn Promenade Pincushion!

2010-02-16T07:00:00.000-08:00

Good morning and happy Tuesday! I am pleased to present my latest giveaway, in honor of the re-re-opening of my other Etsy shop, SugarPickle!

Because SugarPickle has a slightly wilder style than Folk, I thought I should create a giveaway that reflects that, hence the Unicorn Promenade Pincushion with a pink & magenta flannel top and gold bling bottom. Ten new, unused, coordinating straight pins will also be included.

Here's how to enter:

1st entry= To enter once, simply follow the blog, but make sure you leave a comment here to let me know you're following!

2nd entry= visit the shop, folk.etsy.com , have a look around, and come back here to let me know which item (or items!) is your favorite.

3rd entry= mention me in your blog, twitter, etc. Be sure to let me know in a comment. ;)

Basically, each comment is an entry, so if you're doing all three of these things, be sure to leave three comments! :) The winner will be drawn sometime on Saturday, February 20th, using a random number generator, and I will contact the winner via email, their etsy shop, etc, to let them know they've won. GOOD LUCK!

Strawberries N Cream

2010-02-15T14:55:00.000-08:00

Spun from wool purchased at my visit to Mid States Wool, on my drop spindle--since that's all I have at the moment!

I tried another amateur Kool Aid dye job, with grape. It looked like this and made me think of squid guts (I've never really seen squid guts):

I figured I'd get a grayish purple........

...then I rinsed it. The blue came out, the red stayed--sort of!

This is such a lovely, delicate, sugary pink.

Not bubble gum sugar, but more like

strawberries n cream. I love it.

Sugar Pickle Sneak Peek

2010-02-12T13:11:00.000-08:00

Sometimes you just feel like you're spinning your wheels. At least, that's how I've been feeling lately! It seems like I'm busy and working but not seeing any real results. I know they'll come eventually, but I hate that fruitless feeling in the meantime!

Here is just a tiny preview of some of the things I've been working on--new items for SUGARPICKLE! I think I'll "re-launch" next week.

And speaking of next week, next Tuesday I plan on having another giveaway!! Stay tuned!

Happy weekend!

I have a box of pony beads...HOLLA!

2010-02-10T09:17:00.001-08:00

WOW...there is still snow on the ground.

I can't wait for

S P R I N G !

Until then, I'll just have to make due with the color from my new box of Pony Bead Extravaganza! What am I going to do with a box full of matte rainbow pony beads? What can't I do is the question. The best part is that they are indeed made in the good ol' US of A.

I wanted to bring you some Etsy finds today but I am so excited about so many things and have so much to do and can't seem to get anything accomplished, so I must be brief for now! Enjoy the rainbow!

Currently On the Needles...

2010-02-08T16:09:00.000-08:00

I wish I could remember what kind of yarn this is. I think it has bamboo in it. It is on its way to becoming another pair of wrist warmers!

This is going to be a baby sweater (I hope!) for a special little someone!! I couldn't resist this fun little kit from Plymouth Yarn. (And it's okay if mama sees this because I am going to be sure to make many other surprises for her little bean that will actually be surprises!)

This acrylic mess on size 50 needles is part of an experiment of sorts for my zine I plan on publishing soon..hehe.

And of course this is sock number two. I had feared second sock syndrome, but fortunately haven't been experiencing it this time!

Midnight Snow

2010-02-07T22:19:00.000-08:00

Another late night for me...

Just when I had gotten

used to the snow being gone,

I look out the window

and realize the trees and ground are

covered with it!!

But it looks so incredible falling in the streetlight.

If only my little camera could have

captured the way it really looks!

Help Me Make 400!

2010-02-07T18:44:00.001-08:00

Show your love and help me make my 400th sale at Folk.etsy.com by Sunday, February 14th! (Valentine's Day, or, International Quirkyalone Day, if you prefer!) :)

Selected items are on SALE now!!! ALSO--is there something you like that isn't on sale? If you purchase it and include a note to the seller that tells me you heard about my sale here on the blog, I will give you 10% off that item via PayPal refund.

♥ Click { h e r e } to find the sales. ♥

photo courtesy of

JustPuff.etsy.com,

your source for adorable,

original ceramic art!

Cropped Cuties: Pattern Available Now!

2010-02-05T20:03:00.001-08:00

I am getting crazy with the blog posts, I know. Averaging 2 a day now. But I just wanted to share my latest item: instructions on how to knit these!

Now Available at Folk for $3.

Inspired

2010-02-05T10:42:00.000-08:00

Dishtowels like this almost make doing the dishes fun!! Keep in mind, I said almost...

I actually found this cutie at a local craft sale. All hand-embroidered, $3. Yep, just $3. Some little ol' ladies made these to benefit their church. Incredible. I wish I would have bought more. (But I did buy some crocheted scrubbers at the same time, which I also LOVE.)

But anyway...I've been surprisingly productive this morning! I'm feeling pretty good. It almost looks like spring outside. Not that anything's blooming or warm or sunny, but there's just this feel. Maybe because I know it's coming. I dunno.

Also, I feel inspired today. This week has been long. Yesterday I felt completely drained of all creativity. I couldn't even think straight. Last night, I couldn't bring myself to do anything remotely constructive, so I sat in front of the computer and browsed at some craft blogs (something I don't keep up with enough.)

And now, miraculously...I feel like some life has been pumped back into me! One of my particular favorite sites that I've (re)discovered is Dooky Blog. It is the blog of the genius behind Junkprints. I don't know what it was, but it really got me going. She talks about fashion and craft, but also about life, too. I just love her attitude. Check it out.