Day at the Museum

Last Saturday, Jeff and I decided to do something new and different. While I have been to a variety of museums over the years having grown up so close to Washington D.C. and all of the Smithsonian museums, I had never been to any art museums. We made the trek up to Pittsburgh to go the Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History. We spent about 3 hours just wandering around and taking it all in. We got to see Monet's Waterlilies, which was huge. We saw some drawings by Picasso, a Gustav Klimt, and I found a new painting that I really by Signac shown above. I have always loved Georges Seurat and this reminded me a lot of his "Sunday Afternoon". It wasn't all intellectual though. We did goof off a little in the natural history side. I froze off my tatas in a fake igloo. And Jeff had to fend off a polar bear who thought I looked like a tasty 'lil Eskimo.

My New Monster Friends!

I've finished up some original designs for a couple of Halloween cuties this week for my Etsy shop. I'm really pleased with the way they turned out....so I'd like to introduce to you Grace the Goofy Spider and Frankie the Frightful Bat. They've both had a rough start in life and are hoping to find their way to stardom. More Halloween is being planned...how I just have to get crackin'!

Candy Corn Crazy!!!

Once again I have started to be creative. I never really stopped, just took about a 6-week vacation from it. Now I have so many cool ideas, I can't keep up with myself! My 3 latest creations were all candy corn themed. Now here's the weird part...I hate candy corn! Love the look of it, hate the taste of it. But alas, I know that it is a well-loved Halloween tradition and that was enough to inspire me. I know that someone out there who is in love with candy corn will also love these adorable little creations!

80s Nostalgia

For some reason, I have been terribly nostalgic lately. I'm not one for the overly sentimental, so I'm quite perplexed as to what is going on to make me feel this way. I have been searching for images of childhood cartoons and toys that I remember on the internet. I felt sad that I hadn't held onto more of these "collector's items". It's not that I have a desire to have them to sell for a profit. I think about wanting them to pass along to any future child or just for my own selfish comfort of knowing that there are around still. Maybe it has something to do with seeing my friend after 11 years. Maybe it's my birthday looming with the big 3-0 ahead. Maybe it's not having any children yet when I thought that surely I would have children at this point in my life. Who knows? I do know that if anyone has a white popple (with the yellow hair that looks like a furry boiled egg when it's all rolled up) that I'd love to talk to you about a lucrative deal.

Paper Bag Scrapbook Project

Back in May I blogged about working on my first paper bag scrapbook project. I finished it a few weeks back, but couldn't post the pics due to the fact that it was a gift for my sister's graduation. I almost forgot that I had given it to her, and that I can now share the pictures with everyone! I was really pleased with the results. I just hope she enjoys it and turns it into something even more special. You should be able to click on the pics if you need a closer view. All the papers used were from Cosmo Cricket's "Wanted" and "Love Notes" lines and the embellishments came from various sources.

On a totally separate note, I am so in love with Cold Play's new song Viva la Vida. Their album comes out on Tuesday, and I can't wait!


#1 This is the front cover of the book. The little metal tag says "explore." #2 Pages 1 and 2 #3 Pages 3 and 4 #4 Pages 5 and 6 #5 Pages 7 and 8 #6 Pages 9 and 10 #7 Pages 11 and 12 #8 Pages 13 and 14 #9 Back cover of book

It's A Bird, It's A Plane...No It's A Bird Mobile!

While searching for even more cool projects, I rediscovered this one that I had seen a few weeks back and forgotten about. I really want to make this Bird Mobile by Spool. It has a free pattern.

Inspiring Projects

In a continued effort to get inspired for creating more items for my etsy shop, I have been perusing the internet to find fantastic projects. These aren't really things that I plan to make and sell, just things that I think may put a little spark back underneath me. Hopefully you will find something exciting and useful as well. The first are these fantastic Mason Jar Lights from a Design*Sponge reader Whitney Gaylord. Against my husband's desire for a super modern decor, I just can't help myself from being enamored with the primitive style. These simple lights fit the bill perfectly. It is a project that is a bit more geared for someone who has some handy-man skills, but as nice as these look, it will definitely be worth the effort.



Next, is this very cute Tape Measure Pouch that Jodie of ricracsews has created. The instructions look a bit daunting at first, but after reading through them it appears that anyone that is slightly more advanced than just a beginning seamstress should be able to figure it out as they go. I don't consider myself much further than maybe slightly more than beginner when it comes to machine sewing. I have found that pattern instructions always look like Greek until you actually start putting the project together. Having the pieces in front of you and being able to play with them makes all the difference in making heads or tails of the instructions.

Etsy Eye Candy

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade 15PiecesofFlair.etsy.com

I could not think of anything profound to post today, and I really need to start feeling my creative side again, so I thought posting some prettys from Etsy might help. These are just some of the things I had saved in my favorites or items from my favorite sellers. I really want to buy the pink dress, but alas, it is too small and would not fit at any point in the near future. I hope that someone loves it and buys it soon, to take away the torture of knowing that it will never be mine. I did actually get out some fabric and start planning my next "from scratch" project. I seem to like those the best, but they take a lot of planning. I find it easy to dream things up and difficult to make them come to life. I'm sure I'm not alone in that habit. I always seem to find that once I get started it doesn't end up being as hard as I had imagined it to be. That initial step is just a doozy!

2008...Here's a Stink Eye in Your Honor!

2007 was a rough year for sure, but I held out hope that 2008 had great things in store for me. Let me tell you, 2008 must hold a grudge for me bad-mouthing its' buddy '07. My computer, David Bowie, officially died on May 2nd and the hassle-free, (ahem...), fantastical extended warranty that was purchased through Circuit City has been anything but. It's June 10th and I still have no functioning computer or suitable replacement. Both cable boxes decided to take a vacation together leaving one TV unwatchable and the other with a naked DVR list (tragic, I know). My car, Ron Burgandy, aka. Ron the Tucson, decided he needed some medical attention. Problem is, I can't be without a car, so it involved procuring a rental. Enterprise Rent-A-Car was less than prepared to provide me the car I reserved, trying to get me to drive a Toyota Tundra. I am petite. I do not drive monstrous trucks! 2 hours later I was 20 miles down the road at the next closest Enterprise providing all my info again to be put into a lovely, (ahem...), Dodge Caliber. In the midst of the brutal heat-wave at an uncharacteristically early time of year, our trusty AC unit decided that it wanted to crap out at 1:30 in the morning. Of course, heating and cooling specialists have been inundated with calls and the earliest appointment we can get is a mere 4 days away. I just keep seeing precious dollars fly out the door at an alarming rate. Every time I think, "Now what?" I am sure to find out. I'm sorry 2007 and 2008. I love you both and hope that you will forgive me! And Friday the 13th...I love you too!

Old friends, Great Times

After 11 years, I finally met up with a great friend from high school this weekend. We spent countless hours on the phone, laughing and sharing stories of our teenage angst, traveled to far away places (Phoenix, AZ, and Montreal, Canada are far away when you're only 16 or 17 years old!) partaking in musical adventures, and went to senior prom together. Definitely times that are not easily forgotten. Even though we had talked sporadically throughout the years, we had, like many people, lost touch and really did not know much of what the other was doing in life. It's easy to talk about getting together and a whole other story to actually do so. I have to say that I was more than a little nervous to see this person that I felt I knew so well after all this time. I discovered that it only takes a few short moment to get over those "Oh my God, I haven't seen you in so long" jitters and merely hours to catch up on what is most important to each of us before we felt like we were right back where we had been all those years ago. Makes me wonder why we waited so long to meet up again. I know one thing for certain. I won't be waiting another 11 years to meet up with my friend again. It's really important to take a break from the everyday "stuff" we get caught up in and enjoy our friends and family.

New and Cute Towels

Good morning and happy June everyone! Hard to believe that much of the year has flown by already. I was actually crafty yesterday and got a few items ready for my shop. I wanted to share them. I think I am done doing the towels for now until some start selling. Today I will be working on a custom order for some cool, funky bandanas, and I'd like to get started on my aprons. I have material picked out to do 2, so hopefully I'll have those done in the next week or so to get them up. I had an idea for a really cute bunny toy this week, but it's going to take a lot of work to plan and actually get a pattern done. I'm starting to see holiday fabric in all the fabric shops I frequent online. I think they're trying to give me that nudge to start planning some of my holiday items. I know that it's necessary. It just doesn't feel right to be thinking about Christmas on June 1st! I am still anxiously awaiting my first sale in my shop. I've had 1 trade and 2 orders through Alchemy that I bid on and won, but none that truly came from people browsing my shop. I'm getting a little antsy since it's been about 6 weeks now. I feel that it's coming soon though with the addition of more items. I'm hoping by the end of June to have enough to be over onto page 2 of my shop. Okay, enough shop talk. Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

The Death Of David Bowie

One of the first shops I stumbled upon and hearted on Etsy was Whipped Creamations by seller pinkkrystals. I was drawn in initally by her "Say Cheeseburger" Purse, but once I entered the shop, I discovered that the cute factor was insane! In addition to specially made ice cream sundaes, there were food-inspired wristlet purses, and adorable crocheted play food for your little ones to enjoy. I seem to be fascinated with faux food and it seems that a lot of other Etsians are sharing that same fascination. I hope you enjoy perusing Whipped Creamations as much as I have!

On a personal note, my computer was pronounced dead last night by our repair tech. RIP David Bowie 2006-2008. Yeah, I'm weird. I named my computer. Anyway, today I call the warranty company to request replacement since they have been unable to repair it since the 2nd of May with 3 repair attempts. I could not believe my ears when they informed me that my computer had to be "down" 30 days (it's now been 27) in order for them to approve replacement. Now mind you, there is nothing else they can do to attempt to repair it, but they are making me wait an additional 3 days until they even start to consider replacing it. When I told them this was simply unacceptable, I was told in a courteous and professional manner that it didn't matter that I was unhappy, I just had to suck it! When I inquired how long it would take after my additional 3-day waiting period to be approved, they told me it usually takes 5 days to find a comparable replacement and then another 5 to arrange for shipping. So essentially, I'm out for at least another 2 weeks....6 weeks total since it fell ill. I am happy that I don't have to pay to buy a new computer, but very unhappy with the promptness of repair provided by the policy that I paid sweet, sweet dollars to purchase to protect myself! Aaarrrgh!