Happy Leap Year Day!

Spring is just around the corner, and I'm loving these latest Market Totes with a patchwork of cool spring colors.

Project Runway: Just a hair creepy...

Au revoir, Queen Chris! We will miss you!


However, when you proudly announced to Tim Gunn that you had trimmed your garments with human hair, I threw up in my mouth just a little bit.

Human. HAIR.

Gee, couldn't find any fingernail trimmings to use as buttons? I'm sorry, Chris, but you crossed a line, baby.


In other news, Christian lives in a closet! Literally. I had always assumed that he lived in a hollow tree.


Jillian was wearing a bulky sweater tucked into tiny shorts. TUCKED IN. Does she have internal organs?

I am soooooo excited to see the final collections next week! I've fought against the desire to look at the photos of the final show online. I want to see them in action.

7 Things

I've been tagged! by Ann of Beadiful Things.

The Rules

1. Link to your tagger and post these rules on your blog.
2. Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.
3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs.
4. Let them know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

______________

7 Things

1) I hate pictures of myself, or having my picture taken. My husband recently asked for some pictures of the family to put on his desk at his new work. I gave him pictures of daughter, and Baxter, and a lovely framed photo of Catherine Zeta-Jones signed, "Merry Christmas Darling! Love, Your Wife".

2) I would love to learn how to silkscreen. If it weren't so messy looking.

3) Starbucks scares the bejezus out of me. It's intimidating. I only drink coffee occassionally, and going in there and looking at that huge board written in... what? What language is that? The last time I was there (there is one in our bookstore), I ordered a cappucino. Easy enough, right? Then I 'm waiting for my order only to be asked if I want it dry or wet? I don't know what that means in relation to COFFEE. Sorry, I'm just not one of the cool kids.

4) I was once on a jury on a murder trial. An ax murder. I'm not kidding.

5) My newest favorite show is The Universe on the History Channel. It's like astronomy and physics for Dummies! Dummies who are visual learners and like pretty pictures and graphic metaphors! I totally feel like I understand dark energy and neutrinos and black holes and our ever expanding universe.

6) My favorite quote is by William Blake. "Use what talents you possess; the woods would be very silent if no birds sang except those that sang best."

7) I make my 7's backwards. I begin at the bottom and go up and then left. This freaks many people out.

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OK, here's the deal. IF you want to continue this, leave a comment that links back to your 7 things post on your blog. I will happily send anyone who does so a free headband of their choice.

Fun with Bill the Bard

Assume a modern charm, if you have it not.

Which work of Shakespeare was the original quote from?

Get your own quotes:

Well, it's way better than "Beware the modern charm of March!" Ominous.

Get your own here.

Sort of a Tutorial? Mosaic Hurricane Candle Holders

I have a hard time calling this an actual tutorial, because all I basically did was glue, but I glued with pictures! So here goes.

It all began with this sad, tired candle thing that I did a couple of years ago. It has been moved from place to place to place, and I'm just sick to death of it. But, I wanted to do something with the sea glass pieces. (Not actual sea glass. Just the stuff in the floral section in little bags for a buck called sea glass. But still, pretty colors!)

While shopping at the Evil Empire this morning, I found these vases, left over from Valentine's Day, for only $1.20 each. (Shut up! I know!) I also got a small tube of clear silicone adhesive (found in the hardware section with the caulk and liquid nails). Less than $3.

I decided the use the not-sea-glass pieces as a mosaic on the bottom of the vases.

Although this project can be completed without the Cadbury Mini Eggs, why would you want to?

The short version? Just start gluing the pieces of glass on the vase! Easy peasy.

I stole the basic technique from Betz White, who has a great tutorial on her site about making cake plates with glass plates and glasses. (Go there! I can't explain, but it is genius!)

"Your silly craft project bores me. "

This is about halfway finished. The silicone is substantial enough that it holds the pieces of glass in place.

Almost there!

I'm going to use these on my deck this summer. I'm so happy with them, and I think it was a great way to use the not-really-sea-glass. I think I may also put about a cup of sand inside each one to hold the candle, to really push home the beach idea.

Old Navy, why hast thou forsaken me?

I am big fan of Old Navy. Cute! Cheap! Fun! Cheap! Not exactly where I would go for an interview suit or an LBD, but for the stuff that I live in (and will ultimately stain with pizza sauce or craft paint), they rock.

Well, rocked.

First of all, they changed their store. They no longer play groovy music that you haven't heard in 20 years and oh-my-gosh-I-used-to-love-this-song. My daughter, though now she is way cooler and more mature, used to dance UNCONTROLLABLY in the aisles. It was retail hilarity. Now Old Navy has watered down their choices to grocery store muzak. Radio Top 40. Bleh.

Second, what is the deal with the new jeans styles? The Flirt? The Diva? Can't you just say "mid-rise boot cut" and go with it? I now have to decipher a code?

Third, it appears that Old Navy is going for the "Banana Republic" lite look. Right now, there are tons of safari-inspired things. None of which I can/would wear.

The safari romper? (which begins the description with "Him Tarzan. You sexy!") Who the hell over the age of 3 wears rompers???

Can I get an Urban Sombrero to go with that?

OK, there is one thing that I like. These shoes... (oh, and they have also messed up their website, too, so if you want to see them, you have to move your cursor around the gray box. It bites.)

The ultimate heartbreak of these shoes is that I love them, but feel ridiculous when I have tried them on. Like I'm trying to be Jessica Simpson with the huge platform. I keep imagining these with a cute wrap dress in the summer (NOT the Safari Romper)... but I'm (gulp) 40.

Will I look like a big idiot?

Please be kind. My ego bruises like a peach.

The Random Post of Vagueness

First things first. The Winner of the Market Tote Giveaway is...

Congrats craftymamamia! (You should have heard my daughter saying your name when she pulled your name out of the bag! ) I hope you enjoy it!

Look what I got for Valentine's Day!

Aren't they gorgeous? I love tulips and I can't believe that my hubby was so sweet!

I made some chocolate kisses and hugs cupcakes (and a heart shaped pizza, which photographed so horridly that I couldn't think of posting it).

In other news, I recently painted my guest bathroom. I love the blue!

Then, I decided that I liked the color so much (and I had a good amount left), I would paint my shipping table...

and then a border around my studio mirror...

and my bookshelf.

Thank heavens the cat wasn't around, or he probably would have been painted, too.

I've got some new Market Totes and Headbands to list this afternoon, and the tulips came in handy as props.

Last Chance to Win!

If you haven't already, check out this post and comment to be eligible to win a Market Tote!

An offer you can't refuse

I have a tween, which means that I've watched countless hours of Spongebob.


The following is a video of classic movie scenes that have been overdubbed (is that the right word?) by the Spongebob voice talent.


Enjoy!

Giveaway!

Wouldn't you like a Funky Patchwork Market Tote? Like this one?


I'm giving it away! Just comment and you will be entered to win. Made with pretty new spring fabrics and colors.


Want to triple your chances? Post a link on your blog back to this post and I'll put your name in THREE times.


The backside of your new bag.


A winner will be chosen first thing Monday morning, Feb. 18th.

Some cheese with that Whine?

Last week, as those good readers who take notes on the minutae of my thrilling life know, I had some dental work. It was one of those wake-up-oh-my-heavens-my-tooth-hurrrrrrrts-call-the-dentist-and-beg-for-HELP things. Luckily, she was able to see me.

So, the next day, I'm taking my adorable red pills AND antibiotics AND pudding and I think I'm on the mend. Then I start to feel... not so great. Achey. Cold. Blech. I'm running a fever. I call my dentist, who says that since my tooth is not throbbing and such, probably this fever is related to something else.

She was right.

So, for the last week, I've been a big, whiney mess. I've coughed, sniffled, complained, ached, complained some more, complained about all the complaining, cursed my stupid tooth for still making eating normal food a challenge, complained that my ears are stopped up, whined that I'm achey, whined that my stomach is icky from the antibiotics, whined that I can't sleep, blah, blah, freakin' blah......

Oh, the JOY I've been to live with! It's a miracle that I haven't been propelled off a cliff by my loving family.

Thankfully, I think the worst is over (knocking on.. well, I'm looking around and there is no wood in my sewing studio. Hm.. Oh! The trim on the window! Crisis averted!).

Today will be the first day of the rest of my life as a less whiney person!

(I know! I'm so motivational, I should have a book.)

I'll bet that Tina Turner doesn't get sick. Virus bugs probably look at her and say, "I'm not going near that! She'll kick my ass" and turn tail and go and infect someone less fierce.

My new hero

... is Tina Turner. Did you see the Grammys last night?


When you are 68 and can hold your own in silver spandex standing next to BEYONCE? You are FIERCE!

Project Runway and toofs dat hurt.

Bye to Ricky. My daughter and I were waiting for the wailing to begin on his exit, but he held it together. Actually, he almost seemed relieved. Maybe this type of thing just wasn't for him. I KNOW it wouldn't be for me.

So, we have Sweet P., Rami, Jillian, Christian, and Chris. Jillian is my daughter's clear favorite since day one. She choose Austin on Season one, Chloe on Season two, Uli on Season three, and now Jillian, so she feels that in the law of averages is on her side.

I think this is the first time that I haven't had a clear, bite-my-nails-through-every-elimination favorite at this point. My prediction for the final three is Rami, Jillian, and Christian. All three of them have a distinct style. Winner? Christian. As much as I hate to admit it, the kid is crazy-talented. Ridiculously, amazingly talented.

I had some dental work done yesterday, and so I am spending today eating soft foods (chocolate pudding!) and enjoying the magical lights and ponies that are flashing before my eyes. You don't see the ponies? Hmmm..., maybe they come from these adorable and delicious red pills that my dentist gave me for pain. Look! a rainbow!

(Thunk! zzzzzzzzzzzz..........................)

New batch of Market Totes

including my newest favorite fabric...

(Note: Favorite fabric designation is subject to change without notice, and ususally coincides with UPS or mail delivery.)

Blog Love!

My Market Totes got the nicest mention from jewelry designer Floralee on her blog, included in her post about the importance of using reusable bags when shopping.

Also, check out her jewelry, including this owl necklace.

Oh, the cute!

New Product!

New tissue packet covers! Alert the media!

I've actually been working on this little design for a while. I gave a prototype to my mother-in-law for Christmas, and when she visited recently, she commented on how much she liked it. So my focus group of 1 has declared it ready for prime time.

The thing that I do love about this little sweetie is the overlapping, envelope style that keeps the tissues enclosed and clean, but still easy to access.

Lots more fabric choices are coming soon! I'm thinking about combining these with a makeup bag for a set of some sort. Any consumer feedback is welcomed!