Etsy Finds: Bronzed

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

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

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

{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

CONGRATULATIONS

to

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.

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...-

...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. :)