Modern Charm

What I did on my etsy vacation

2008-07-07T09:56:00.000-07:00

Well, not everything, but here are a couple of my projects I did in my "DIY fit."

I turned this...

into this! For my daughter's room.

I also got the chair below at a yard sale for $5 and sanded, painted, polyurethaned, and recovered into the swanky version you now see. Before it was light brown wood veneer with bad '80s sort of burgundy and green faux tapestry. I think it is much happier now.

I would put more pics up, but my camera is in sore need of batteries.

Tutorial: Fabric Labels

2008-07-04T09:21:00.000-07:00

As promised yesterday, here is the self-printed fabric label tutorial. Basically, it is a method to make your own bubble jet set for cheap. Gotta love that.

Here's what you need:

2 1/2 oz. Alum (found in the spices at grocery store - mine costs 89 cents per 1 1/4 oz.)
2 tablespoons Washing Soda (found with the laundry detergent)
1 teaspoon fabric softener
2 1/2 cups hot water

Freezer paper (found with the aluminum foil and such)

Mix first four ingredients together in a large bowl. It will bubble. Science!

Cut pieces of fabric in sizes that are slightly larger than a sheet of printer paper. My fabric is Kona cotton, prewashed to remove any sizing. 1 yard will yield about 8 sheets.

Starting with 3 of the sheets, soak in the solution for about 10 minutes. Make sure that the fabric is submerged as best you can. As you continue with the process and you have less of the solution in the bowl, you'll probably only want to put in 2 sheets at a time. You will have enough solution to do about 12 sheets.

After the 10 minute soak, remove and squeeze out excess solution gently. You don't want to wring it out completely, just enough that your sheet is no longer drippy. Hang to dry.

When the sheet is dry (you can use a blow dryer to speed up the process), cut a sheet of Freezer Paper to roughly the same size. The freezer paper will help the fabric sheet feed through your printer.

Using a press cloth, iron the fabric sheet to remove any wrinkles. Then put the freezer paper, shiny side to the fabric, and press gently. I usually do this with the paper side up. It will look wrinkly.

Cut the fabric (now fused to the freezer paper) to 8 1/2" x 11", to feed through your printer.
If the freezer paper comes unfused, just take it back to the iron and hit it again.

This part is a little more art than science. You want to make sure that the top of your sheet (that will be the part fed into the printer) is fused together well. But beware of insane wrinkles and scorching.

Using the label function (like for address labels) on your computer, make your label design. I have only used black ink for mine, and I don't have much experience using color. Print a sample sheet on printer paper just to make sure it looks good to you.
Feed your fabric sheet into your printer and PRINT! For best results, use the "Best" setting in your printer preferences.

Now, here is the hard part. Remove the freezer paper and let these set overnight. I know, but really, the longer the ink can set, the better.

The next morning, rinse the sheets quickly in cold water with just a touch of fabric softener. The fabric softener acts as a gentle detergent. I usually swish to the count of 15 and remove.

After rinsing, don't wring! Lay your sheets on a towel, fold the towel over and gently press out the excess water. Wringing at this point could redistribute the ink.

When the labels are just damp, I give them a good dousing with starch. I like the kind that you mix yourself rather than the spray, because I think it soaks into the fabric easier, but I'm sure either kind would work. Press well.

The starch makes the labels more crisp and easier to cut. I usually use a pressing cloth for this part, too, but if your iron doesn't have tons of gook on it, you may not need to.

Cut your labels! This is the fun part. I usually go with about 1/4" on all sides.

Ta-Da!!!!! You have made your very own label!

I usually apply mine with a strip of Stitch Witchery or Heat n Bond and then zigzag around the edges. I have also pinked the edges and then used a straight stitch just inside the border. Totally up to you.

Now, I certainly am not smart enough to have made this up. I found most of the info at craftster. A generous and talented crafter posted a formula for the bubble jet set (85% hot water, 10% alum, 4% washing soda, 1% fabric softener) and all I did was use my scale to figure out the amounts. You can find out tons more by going to craftster and searching "Homemade Bubble Jet Set." There is an extensive forum post about this. But I have done this now a few times, with great success, ever since my label maker on etsy decided to call it quits.

Enjoy!

Dipping that pinkie toe in the water...

2008-07-03T09:23:00.001-07:00

I'm back in my studio for the first time in a lonnnnnnng time today, and it feels a little bit weird. I keep feeling like I need to rearrange it or paint the walls or something to make it feel fresh, to get that new start going. I'm thinking a pale pale blue ceiling, but that's as far as I've gotten.

I'm also making some new labels today, and I promise to take pics and let everyone know the great method I've found of making your own fabric labels. Hint: everything that you need (other than your printer and the fabric) can be found at the grocery store.

Until then, how about some random pics of summer in small town Arkansas? Both of these were taken nearby.

The truth is overrated.

2008-06-30T10:39:00.000-07:00

My last post was on April 22nd. I should be ashamed! And I am.

I've had, well, let's just call them "issues" and leave it at that. I could go into all the boring details - and believe me, boring is a kind word - so why don't we just all agree to believe that I was either...
a) abducted by aliens
b) recruited by the CIA for a covert mission
c) selected as a designer for Season 5 of Project Runway and we just finished filming.

But, if you happen to want a speck of truth, my health issues returned (headaches, insomnia, and my special flavor of crazy) and I had to deal.

See? Isn't the Project Runway lie waaaaay more fun?

Modern Charm back on May 1st

2008-04-22T08:00:00.000-07:00

OK, I'm getting my act together - finally- and am planning to return to my etsy shop on May 1st.

So, Mendy, what gives? Sitting on the sofa eating bon bons?

I've certainly been away longer than I anticipated, but it seems it was a little bit necessary. I was having some health problems. Nothing scary going on, I promise, but I was having a lot of severe headaches and insomnia was kicking my ass. It became normal for me to Tivo things just so I would have something to watch at 2:30am other than informercials and Jonny Quest. I was taking a lot of OTC medicines, this to sleep, that for the headaches, etc... I felt awful. And less than creative.

So, I've seen my dentist (who pulled two wisdom teeth) and my doctor. I am finally getting some sleep and I haven't had a headache in a while. My husband was actually surprised when I began sleeping all they way through the night, it hadn't happened in so long.

I've also been on a DIY mission lately. I've refinished, repainted, and reupholstered three chairs. I've made pillows. I painted my kitchen table, my outdoor furniture, a bed, a bookcase, a mirror, planters, and picture frames. I've put a new landscaping bed in the back yard beside the deck. And I've got so much more to do.

I'm feeling refreshed, re-energized, and just all around good. And I'm appreciating every minute of it.

Workin' on it.

2008-04-16T06:54:00.000-07:00

I promise, I haven't fallen off the face of the earth. I'm so flattered that my blogging buddies are encouraging me to come back already. I feel so speshul.

Also, one small thing that I neeeeeed to get off my chest...

Dear Madonna,

I have seen your new video with Justin Timberlake. And your Vanity Fair cover. Yes, we all know that you do lots of yoga. But please, put on some pants.

Thnx!

Just taking a few days off...

2008-03-27T10:20:00.000-07:00

Modern Charm is contemplating a little makeover of sorts. Just looking into a little Botox and maybe a freshening chemical peel, but is totally drawing the line at leeches.

ONE DAY SALE

2008-03-20T09:11:00.000-07:00

All Market Totes, Makeup Bag Sets, and Zippered Wristlets are on sale today, and today only. Regularly $12, today they are just $8.

Egg-ceptional (sorry)

2008-03-13T19:36:00.000-07:00

I came across this through Whip Up - a great post about dyeing eggs using natural things to produce these gorgeous colors, as well as greens and blues and such.

And, of course, Martha has these stylish Botanical Eggs.

Just when I think I have Etsy figured out...

2008-03-13T16:23:00.000-07:00

they restart Alchemy. I guess I'm just going to have to sit down and read through all of the forum posts, otherwise I'm sure to miss some vital piece of info or etsy-quette.

Blah Blah Boring Blah...

2008-03-11T10:40:00.000-07:00

I promise, if I had something of interest to write about, I would do so. However... yeah, nothing.

Let's see, I painted a chair. My haircolor has been discontinued and I have to find a new one. I gave the cats a bath. I finally bought a curtain rod for my bedroom. I made a pan of brownies.

See? Nothing worth a blog post. Even the cat bath was, relatively speaking, uneventful. I mean, a madder-than-hell cat is not an unexpected scenario.

I promise, as soon as something remotely interesting happens, I'll be all over it with pictures and commentary.

Giveaways! Wheee!

2008-03-07T14:22:00.000-08:00

Check out The Downtown Boutique! She's participating in The Ultimate Blog Party and is having a giveaway for 9 different prizes (including a Modern Charm Makeup Bag set).

Project Runway: Congrats Christian!

2008-03-06T14:32:00.000-08:00

Tim Gunn resists the undignified urge to give Christian a noogie.

Oh my gosh, what an amazing show! All three collections had amazing pieces - Rami's antique lace gown and Jillian's kick-ass jacket - but Christian's show was stunning. Plus, the look on his face when it came time to announce the winner - priceless. He was either going to hurl, or cry, or pass out. Not sure which, but it clearly showed how important this was to him.

The minute that I saw his clothes on the models, I KNEW that Christian had an amazing stroke of luck with guest judge Posh. Lots of skinny pants? Check. Over-the-top dramatic details? Check. And MAJOR shoes.

And not only does he fit inside tote bags, supermodels can carry him while wearing 6 inch heels. (I'm not exactly sure if this helps him as a designer, but I guess it couldn't hurt.)

I confused am.

2008-03-04T10:03:00.000-08:00

On Sunday it was 74 degrees and sunny and spring-like and gorgeous. Monday, it rained and rained and rained. And this morning...

Whaaa?

In other news, introducing Large Market Totes! The big sister to the Market Tote.

These are just a touch bigger, just a tad wider, just a pinch taller, and the handles are just a wee bit longer.

Happy Leap Year Day!

2008-02-29T13:47:00.001-08:00

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...

2008-02-28T15:35:00.000-08:00

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

2008-02-26T06:15:00.000-08:00

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.

____________

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

2008-02-25T14:06:00.000-08:00

Assume a modern charm, if you have it not.

Which work of Shakespeare was the original quote from?

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

2008-02-20T11:37:00.000-08:00

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?

2008-02-19T15:04:00.000-08:00

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

2008-02-18T12:22:00.000-08:00

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!

2008-02-18T07:54:00.000-08:00

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

2008-02-16T07:11:00.000-08:00

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!

2008-02-14T06:18:00.000-08:00

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?

2008-02-13T06:09:00.000-08:00

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

2008-02-11T06:07:00.000-08:00

... 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.

2008-02-07T07:36:00.000-08:00

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

2008-02-05T09:52:00.000-08:00

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!

2008-02-04T11:39:00.000-08:00

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!

2008-02-01T14:16:00.000-08:00

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!

I CN HAZ SNO FLAYKZ?

2008-01-31T13:37:00.000-08:00

You know you live in the South when even the cats get excited about snow.

And, in case you were wondering, those are not leftover Christmas lights. I love twinkle lights and I keep them up in my sewing studio. They make me happy. I'm simple that way.

Random Project Runway Ramblings

2008-01-31T06:03:00.000-08:00

Something occurred to me yesterday while I watched the afternoon of Project Runway.

plus

equals...

Christian, the fierce whining Mango.

Just saying.

Also, PR Execs? WRESTLERS??? Seriously? Come on, what on earth is the point of this next challenge? Have you totally exhausted all other ideas, because this seems a little bit of a shark jump. I mean, I thought the Tiki Barber challenge was little bit off course, and the Hershey store challenge, well, but this?

And for those of you who are fans of Season 3...

Darlings, it's The Malan Show! Check out Malan Breton from Taiwan on his very own web show on Bravo. It's a little like Pee Wee Herman meets Tim Gunn meets Lucy Van Pelt. Well, you'll see... check it out here.

Chocolate AND craftiness! Score!!!

2008-01-30T10:25:00.000-08:00

I LOVE this idea! I'm totally using it this V-Day.

More Market Totes

2008-01-29T10:58:00.000-08:00

More Funky Patchwork Market Totes listed, this time with the longer handles.

project BIRTHDAY

2008-01-26T08:42:00.001-08:00

I needed a clever cake for my daughter's 12th birthday. She's a huge fan of Project Runway and has watched it with me since the first season, but I couldn't figure out a way to do the cake. Hmmm. Then it hit me...

I printed out models from her favorite designers over the past seasons. I tried to get her favorite designs, but sometimes they were only photographed from the knees up. I printed them on heavy paper, and then cut them out carefully. I used Stirrer Straws for the support. $1 bought me a lifetime supply.

Then I just taped them to back of the model.

I found a picture of the judges, and a picture of the designers, and printed them both. I printed a backdrop for the runway on the same heavy paper. I made a simple runway on the cake, put my models in place, and Voila!

My daughter... LOVED IT!

Baxter was a huge help during this process, and supervised carefully from his spot on the back of the sofa.

Etsy Treasury Love

2008-01-24T07:22:00.000-08:00

It's always such a lift when you find your own little gold star on etsy! I got in a treasury! A really cool one!

Dinner Challenge, Day Two

2008-01-23T16:05:00.000-08:00

On the 2nd night of the 5 Night Dinner Challenge issued by Carrie at Sommer Designs, I had planned a pasta dish. But poor hubs, who didn't get to have any pizza the previous night, asked if I would make him pizza. How could I refuse?

This time I actually did take a picture, but I am a terrible food photographer and everything came out the color of Velveeta. Ewww.

New Etsy Goods

2008-01-23T06:50:00.000-08:00

New Makeup Bags listed! And sweet heavens, I LOVE this fabric. The chandaliers look like something out of a Dr. Seuss book.

I would like them on a train.
I would like them in the rain.
I would like them in a box.
I would like them with a fox.

Other new fabrics will be popping up soon!

The Ice Cometh

2008-01-22T08:03:00.000-08:00

Carrie at Sommer Designs is having a 5 Night Dinner Challenge, to make dinner each night this week and then post a pic and the recipe. I love it.

So last night, I make pizza. This is hardly going to set the world on fire as unique or gourmet, but it's a fave around our house and I have some INSANELY picky eaters to work around. But, things sometimes don't go as planned.

_____________

4:30pm. Run to post office, only to realize that it is MLK day and they are not open. Repeatedly shove a $5 bill into the slot in the postage machine, as it repeatedly spits it back out. The Gods of Automation finally take pity on me and the machine takes the five. Get back change in Presidential series gold-ish dollars.

4:45pm. On the way home, remember Carrie's dinner challenge and decide on pizza. Pat myself on the back for being so on-the-ball.

4:50pm. Start the pizza sauce (recipe below). I like to start this ahead of time. The longer it cooks, the better, and if it can sit for a while, the flavors get an additional chance to blend.

6:30pm. Call hubs and see what time he thinks he will be home. He's on his way back from a meeting and seems to be behind some sort of accident or something, the traffic isn't moving. Oh, well, it should clear soon.

6:35pm. Start the pizza dough (recipe below). After all, it takes about 45 minutes from start to finish, and he should be home by then.

7:00pm. Hubs calls. He's still stuck. And now the traffic coming from the other direction is sporadic, and moving at about 30 mph on an interstate highway. Hmmmm.

7:30pm. He is at a standstill on a bridge. That is now frozen. Sand and salt trucks have been driving by them on the shoulder. I call the highway department and they are reporting no road problems due to weather at this time.

7:45pm. Hubs is still stuck. And he needs to pee. I am starving and decide to make a small pizza for myself, and I will make another one for him when he comes home.

8:00pm. Watch Deal or No Deal with daugher and enjoy my pizza. Scream at the man playing to just take the deal already, you only have one large amount left on the board, are you crazy?

8:15pm. Still stuck. In the exact same place. Still needs to pee. I call the Highway Department again and they are reporting no road problems due to weather at this time.

8:30pm. Finally find a news report. The road has been CLOSED due to icing and a kajillion accidents.

9:00pm. Still stuck.

10:00pm. Still stuck.

11:00pm. Moving! But slowly. Like, 10mph.

12:00pm. Hubs finally gets home! He pees and then inhales a PB&J.

He left at 4:30, so it took him 7 1/2 hours to drive what normally would be an hour.

____________

So, I have no picture for my pizza, but here's the recipe.

Pizza Sauce

1 Large can of Pureed or Crushed tomatoes
1 can tomato paste
1 tbsp. italian seasoning
A few shakes of crushed red pepper
salt
pepper

Let simmer on med-low for at least 15 minutes, longer if you have time. Remove from heat, and add in about 1 Tbsp. of sugar (reduces the acidity). The extra will keep in the fridge for at least a week and is great for bagel or french bread pizzas.

Pizza Dough

(I make this in a bread machine on the manual setting, but I'm sure that you could make this by hand.)

1/2 Tbsp. yeast
3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 Tsp. salt
1 Tbsp. olive oil
1 1/4 to 1 1/2 cups water

Makes enough for two pizzas. Bake pizzas at 450 degrees on the bottom rack of your oven for 12-15 minutes, or until cheese is golden. You can also use this dough for calzones.

Wii-idiot

2008-01-19T08:11:00.000-08:00

Last night, I was playing tennis with my hubs. On the Wii.

I was behind, but making a valiant comeback. The Fisher-Price-Little-People in the stands were chanting my name. It was epic. The stuff of legends.

My husband returned my blinding serve and I made a move to return the ball.

And somehow, hit myself in the eye with my own controller.

I. AM. AWESOME.

Perspective

2008-01-16T09:49:00.000-08:00

I prefer not to think of these as 99-cents-a-bag-sale-after-season-Christmas M&M's, but rather a festive Valentine/St. Patrick's Day mix.

The Cobbler has no oven mitts.

2008-01-15T11:26:00.000-08:00

Every once in a while, I realize that I am in need of a few things. Things that I can sew. I won't even show you my old oven mitts, they were so sad. But look!

Something for me! That I sewed! For myself! Wheeeee! The towels are microfiber waffle weave, which is new to me, but supposedly crazy-absorbent and strong. And now pretty!

I also took some time to make some things that I've needed in my sewing studio - a craft apron, a wrist pincushion, a new cover for my extra-wide ironing board, and I've also done some painting...

I promise to show pictures soon. Oh my heavens, I LOVE this paint color.

Dove - The Oprah Chocolate

2008-01-11T12:00:00.000-08:00

This just feels like a lot of pressure from a chocolate wrapper, don't you think?

Funky Fabulous Patchwork

2008-01-05T12:01:00.000-08:00

I just can't bear the throw away beautiful pieces of fabric, small though they may be.

But I think that they are gorgeous as a patchwork band on these new Market Totes.

More coming soon!

Random Things I Learned in '07

2008-01-04T05:41:00.000-08:00

A postal scale is a good thing.

Not all consignment stores are created equal.

If the post office closes in 20 minutes, I will most likely have 30 minutes of work left to do.

Etsy trading has been very, very good to me.

The little buttons and icons on my camera actually do have purpose, and when used correctly, are mightly helpful.

E 6000 Adhesive is just awesome.

No matter how many address labels you print, it is not enough.

Magnets can be tricky.

No matter how many headbands you give to your model, she will still complain about modeling.

Etsy rocks!

Etsy Picks du Jour

2008-01-03T08:12:00.000-08:00

For the fur babies...
Funky Dog Organic Shampoo Bar by TheModernPet.

See Spot Custom Dog Collar by YuppiePuppie.

Catnip Fortune Cookies by JackandMicah.

Etsy Picks du Jour

2008-01-02T05:57:00.000-08:00

Forget Me Not Clips by SusyJack.

For all those holiday thank yous, Red Poppies on Blue Notecards from thecraftpantry. Love those colors!

To help out with the New Year's resolution to read more, The Perfect Bookmark from gurlygirl. And truly, I think it IS the perfect bookmark, don't you?

Return of the Etsy Picks du Jour

2008-01-01T13:35:00.000-08:00

I'm bringing back the Etsy Picks du Jour for 2008! Woot!

And since it's the new year, let's get organized...

Complete Office Chic - set of magnets, pushpins, and paperclips by BellaBludesigns.

Fabulous Fonts Wood Tray by CarolinaCottage.

Living Steel Jewelry Display by TimothyAdamDesigns.

Happy New Year!

2007-12-31T06:25:00.000-08:00

I've been reflecting on the past year and the many things that I have learned. On Jan. 1, 2007, I'm pretty sure that I didn't really understand what an "indie crafter" was. I had never heard of Etsy.

Exactly one year ago tonight, on New Years Eve 2006, my cousin called me. She was having some friends over and she recognized a tote bag that one of her friends was carrying. Her friend told her that she had bought it on ebay when she and her husband were stationed in Germany with the military two years ago. It turns out, she bought it from me, in my previous ebay life. It was a very "hey, small world!" type of moment.

But Jan. 1, 2007, I woke up and this remarkable coincidence was the first thing that entered my mind. I had been looking for a way to get back into making and selling, and if this wasn't a sign to do so, I didn't know what was. At the next available opportunity, I took some Christmas money and bought fabric and supplies. Who am I to argue with the Universe?

But, even with a fresh head of steam and pretty new fabrics, I wasn't exactly sure how I wanted to proceed. "Feebay" was cost prohibitive. I thought about selling to local boutiques, but didn't want to do only wholesale. I floundered for a few months.

But thanks to the craft blog world, I started seeing references to Etsy. After checking it out, I knew it was a good fit for me. Actually, I was thrilled to find it! I WAS HOME!!!

But now I needed a name. I tried a zillion combinations and such, but when I stumbled upon "Modern Charm", I knew it was right for me. To me the word "charm" has almost a vintage feel to it. Charm School. Charm Bracelet. Pretty, feminine, well heeled. Adding "modern" to the mix gave it an updated twist. Clean lines. Clever designs. The combination of the two gave me free reign to do everything I wanted to do with my shop.

I began selling in April 2007. My very first listing was a Ginkgo leaf tote and makeup bag. Despite all my pretty new fabrics, I made this set using white duck cotton and machine stitching ginkgo leaves in pale green thread.

It didn't sell, but it did get me some attention. Which in turn, helped to sell my headbands. I had been making headbands for my daughter and began putting them in my shop. They were my first real etsy success.

I've learned a ton this year. I've been inspired every single day when I look at the other crafters on etsy. It's such a generous thing, this craft world, and crafters' blogs are a seemingly unending source of inspiration and information and encouragement and warmth.

So now it's time to look forward, take a deep breath, set new goals, and imagine what changes 2008 will bring.

Merry Christmas to ME!!!

2007-12-28T14:26:00.000-08:00

Betz White, crafty rock star, recently came out with a new book on using felted wool. Of course, you probably all know this.

Did you know that if you purchase a book from her etsy shop, she will sign it for you?

This is going to be my first project to tackle. After all, I have a tween, and she has a head and a neck and could use a scoodie.

Come to think of it, I also have a head and a neck.

Actually, there are tons of great projects in this book! There is a messenger bag that I want to make, and of course I want to try a cupcake pincushion, and the list goes on. And, high on my list, so many of them are functional items. Things to use, things you need, things that you didn't know you needed until you cracked the binding on this book! Gorgeous pics, lots of eye candy, lots of great instruction!

A couple of months ago, I tried to felt some thrifted sweaters. I put them in the machine on SCALD for about an hour. Maybe two. Then I overdried them. And killed them. They should make excellent scouring pads to use on those stubborn pots and pans.

But I did have some pale pink wool coating that I didn't over-felt TOO much, and I saw a stuffie-type-tree, and tried to make one of my own.

(So sorry for the terrible picture of my little pink tree. This project is not in Betz's book. If it were, it would be much cuter. It would have garland and other cute things. I started this before I received Betz's book.)

The buttons are mostly vintage Mother-of-Pearl. I'm almost happy with it. I think if I have several more in varying sizes, it will be a much better display.

I'm going to start the hunt for materials for the scoodie immediately! Wheee!

Lesson Learned #45,587

2007-12-28T08:38:00.000-08:00

Gee, my shop is looking very... Christmas-y. Still. Hmmmm....

It seemed like a good idea at the time to photograph everything with candy canes hanging all over them. Festive! Pretty! Minty! But now, I'm wondering why I didn't bother to take a few pics WITHOUT the candy canes, you know, just in case customers didn't swarm in like locusts and pick my store clean by Dec. 24th.

Note to self: For Easter, when you get the great idea to photograph everything with pastel colored eggs or marshmallow Peeps? Take a few without. Just in case.

You're either In or You're Out

2007-12-27T12:28:00.001-08:00

So, I was all excited and such about the new season of Project Runway. And it's been... well, um... yeah. This season has been more irritating than entertaining.

Jillian darling? Please speak up. You are beginning to remind me of the low-talker on Seinfeld that made Jerry wear the Puffy Shirt on the Today show.

Ricky? Sweetie? Please, please, PLEASE stop crying. Seriously. I know Andre. Andre is a friend of mine. You are no Andre.

Kevin, we get it. You are straight. You know who Tiki Barber is. Because you are straight.

Christian, I don't hate you as much as I thought I would. And aside from the puffy sleeves, I really like your clothes.

Also, I have learned one very important aspect to the judging. Crazy trumps Boring every time. If your outfit is the fashion equivalent of Valium and is standing beside the fashion equivalent of a bag lady pushing a shopping cart full of aluminum foil hats? Buh-bye.

Turning the corner

2007-12-26T10:08:00.000-08:00

Christmas is over. Long, exhausted exhale.........

I would love to say that Christmas is my favorite time of the year and full of wonder and sparkle and all that good stuff. Unfortunately, I find as I get older that it seems to be more stressful and the magic has been completely wrung out of the season. Never enough time, never enough money. Maybe that is just part of being a grown up. I hope not. I would love to rediscover the warm feelings that I used to enjoy.

It's 12:15pm on Dec. 26th and my tree is already down. I used to leave my tree up until after New Years, but for some reason now, it just makes me sad to see the tree after Christmas.

I am proud to say that while I did not strictly adhere to the Handmade Christmas pledge, almost everyone on my list did get something handmade, whether it was something I purchased on Etsy (my daughter adored the Mario buttons in her stocking, and my hubby got a smile from his Guinness soap) or something from my own shop, or a photo that I took of my daughter that I framed for the grandparents, or cookies for the neighbors.

So, now it's time to get back to work. New designs for Spring. New twists on existing products. Today is a Project Runway marathon (always good "sew along" tv) and my daughter has more new stuff to keep her busy than she can wrap her mind around. (The only grandkid on one side of the family + only one of three on the other side = SPOILED ROTTEN.)

The best news is that New Years is just a few days away. Without a doubt, this is my favorite day of the year. New year, new possibilities, new beginnings, new goals. And lots of football on TV.

Who knew I was part of something so cutting edge and cool?

2007-12-22T06:33:00.000-08:00

Excellent article in the NYTimes about Etsy!

Insert Clever Title Here

2007-12-19T07:40:00.000-08:00

Today is baking day. Crazy, gotta-do-it-all-today baking day. So instead of an actual post, how about a Christmas-y recipe and some Christmas-y pics?

Peppermint Bark

12 oz. semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/3 cup heavy cream
1/2 tsp. peppermint extract
12 oz. white chocolate chips
6 oz. crushed peppermint candies (about 3/4 cup)

In a double boiler, melt semi-sweet chocolate chips with heavy cream and peppermint extract. When melted, pour onto a cookie sheet lined with foil or parchment paper. Sprinkle with about half of the crushed peppermints. Chill in fridge for 20 minutes.
In a double boiler, melt white chocolate chips. When melted, pour and smooth over the chilled semi-sweet chocolate mixture. Sprinkle with remaining peppermint candies. Chill for at least an hour. Break apart into pieces. Enjoy!

Every year, each person in our family chooses an ornament to add to our collection. I always pick houses or buildings. This is mine this year.

This is my daughter's. Actually, she got two. Each year she chooses an angel, but we couldn't resist the Clara ornament, so we got both.

This is my big project from last year. I made about a kazillion felt poinsettias for package toppers. When I had waaaaay too many, I decided to do a new tree skirt. They have jingle bells in the centers. I'm told it also makes a nice cat bed.

Christmas Goodies

2007-12-17T00:17:00.000-08:00

From Angry Chicken, gift tags to print.

My labor of love...and insanity.

2007-12-15T12:47:00.000-08:00

Holy freakin' cow, what on earth was I thinking?

This was by far the most ambitious gingerbread structure I have ever undertaken, complete with obese snowman. I'm happy with how it turned out, but it took sooooo much longer than I anticipated, simply due to the more complicated construction. More pieces, many many more pieces.

A teeny little Baxter with his own Snoopy-esque house and Santa hat (my daughter's brilliant idea).

Merry Christmas!

Gift Certificates!

2007-12-12T11:03:00.000-08:00

Gift Certificates in several denominations are available in my etsy shop.

Want me to ship directly to the lucky recipient? Sure! No problem. Just let me know where, who, and what you would like to say on the enclosure, and it's as good as done.

More Market Totes

2007-12-10T07:09:00.001-08:00

A brand new batch of Market Totes have been added to my etsy shop.

Mmmmm.... Amy Butler fabrics!

Lavender Filled Sachets

2007-12-07T14:18:00.000-08:00

My sewing studio smells sooooooo good right now. I am calm and peaceful and destressed and I'm pretty sure that this stuff is keeping away evil spirits, too, but that may be stretching the powers of the lavender just a wee bit.

A set of three sachets, tied with a satin ribbon, is just $10 in my etsy shop. More fabric choices will be added soon.

Oh, this could come in handy on so many other occasions...

2007-12-06T08:26:00.000-08:00

The Holiday Party Excuse Generator.

Once again, How About Orange finds all the best stuff.

Yes, I realize that I sound about 107 years old.

2007-12-04T14:23:00.000-08:00

Last night we watched Merry Christmas Charlie Brown. I always get some serious warm fuzzies when Linus recites the Christmas story on stage. I adore when the whole gang decorates Charlie Brown's sad little tree, and then they "oooooh, ooooooh, ooooh" to Hark the Herald Angels sing, and inhale all together between oooohs.

My daughter loves Christmas shows, too, but she doesn't know what it was like when her dad and I were kids. There was no Tivo. There was no such thing as a VCR even. Or Disney Channel, Nickelodeon, ABC Family, blah, blah, blah...

When the Christmas specials came on TV, it was a BIG DEAL. You talked about it at school that day. You were sitting smack dab in front of the set when it came on. (Remember the spinning "Special Program" graphic that came on just before??? Crazy-good!) During Charlie Brown, almost all of the commercials were for Dolly Madison snack cakes. "Good Golly, it's a Dolly!"

Tonight is Rudolph. My daughter doesn't get why the doll is on the Island of Misfit Toys, and I've got to admit, neither do I.

Seems perfectly fine to me.

More Zippered Wristlets

2007-12-02T14:13:00.000-08:00

In Alexander Henry's Pavo fabric - so cool! Love this stuff.

And also in red corduroy (baby wale - so very soft!) with some freehand stitching in black and white thread that has been embellished with buttons.

The closeup pics are terrible, because we had absolutely NO sunlight today. I'll have to retake those when we have some natural light, so that you can better see the sweet mother-of-pearl buttons, particularly the little flower.

I'm really pretty pleased with how this one turned out, and my daughter has given me the color scheme for the next one.

Stocking Stuffers for Girls!

2007-11-30T16:40:00.000-08:00

New Skinny Headband Sets for Girls - in sizes from Toddlers to Tweens.

Christmas Cheer

Alphabet Soup

Chocolate Dots

Chocolate Lollipop

Lessons Learned

2007-11-28T11:29:00.001-08:00

When you are a seamstress and the iron dies? So does your productivity.

When I grow up, I want to be Anna Maria

2007-11-28T06:44:00.000-08:00

"Beautiful things come from failed plans I do believe."

This is a snippet from Anna Maria Horner's wise post about going with Plan B. (If you don't already read her blog, you absolutely should add it to your list.)

I love it that this post came along right before the Christmas season ramps up, because sometimes - I think especially with we creative folk - we have such a clear picture of how things are going to be, that we have a hard time just letting things "be."

Enjoy! And, if you get a little misty-eyed while reading, that's OK.

New for the Christmas Season!

2007-11-27T14:58:00.000-08:00

New Zippered Wristlets from Modern Charm! Small enough to fit in a stocking, but cool enough to be an excellent gift on their own. Great gift for teachers, babysitters, etc...

Right now, I only have this one listed, but in the coming days, more will magically appear!

*Zu Zu Zu Zu Zu Zu!

2007-11-26T08:57:00.000-08:00

How is it that I didn't know about CraftyPod? Podcasts! About crafts!

Shut up!

No, for reals! Even a series on crafty 'preneurs, and an interview with Amy Karol of Angry Chicken and the book Bend the Rules Sewing.

*I dare you to listen and not do a little do a little sixties twist to the music. Sort of very "Down with Love."

Words of Thanks

2007-11-22T06:48:00.000-08:00

Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.
- William Arthur Ward

Reflect on your present blessings, of which every man has many; not on your past misfortunes of which all men have some.
- Charles Dickens

Gratitude is the most exquisite form of courtesy.
- Jacques Maritain

Happy Thanksgiving!

To feed my insatiable need for tutorials...

2007-11-20T08:48:00.000-08:00

I've hit the motherload at Cotton Spice Blog . Lots of spankin' fresh tutorials for gift ideas.

Also, tons of more great ideas and tutorials at the Sew, Mama, Sew! Blog, where they are doing 30 Days of Gifts to Sew.

Craft on!

Time to Make the Gingerbread

2007-11-18T09:37:00.000-08:00

Ever since my daughter's first Christmas, we have made a gingerbread house. When she was little, we even had a few Gingerbread House decorating parties. I would make small houses and tubs and tubs of icing for her little friends and they would each bring a bag of candy to decorate with and to share.

When she was four I was crazy enough to do this for her preschool's Christmas party, and made 12 small gingerbread houses and gobs of icing. (I'm sure that the other parents were thrilled when their kids came home that day, hopped up on sugar and carrying a completely edible house dripping with icing and covered in candy.)

(Picture taken long ago, before Mommy knew how to use a camera, apparently.)

Last year, we made this house based on a picture of a cottage that Emily had seen and loved. And while it was not an exact replica, it was close enough. I melted butterscotch candies on parchment paper for the windows, and I put a string of lights inside the house for a cozy glow. Emily added the jelly bean string of lights on the roof, and I think it was the perfect touch!

Our snowman, with tiny bits of black jelly bean for eyes and buttons, and a shard of broken butterscotch for a nose.

And now it's that time of year again. Usually, the weekend after Thanksgiving, I start making the gingerbread dough. I always use this Martha Stewart recipe from her "Martha Stewart's Christmas" book that I bought ages ago. I couldn't find the recipe on her website, but here it is:

Gingerbread for Houses

1/2 cup margarine, room temperature
1/2 cup loosely packed brown sugar
1/2 cup unsulphured molasses
3 1/2 cups sifted all purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. cloves
1/3 cup water

Cream together the margarine and sugar. Add the molasses and continue mixing until well incorporated. Sift the dry ingredients together. With the mixer on low speed, add the dry ingredients alternating with water. If the dough becomes too stiff, add the last bit of flour by hand.

Work the dough with your hands until it becomes smooth in consistency. Turn our onto plastic wrap, form into a neat rectangle, wrap well, and chill thoroughly.

After all the pieces have been cut out, bake at 350 for 10-15 minutes, or until firm but not browned.

Mmmm.... I can smell it already.

Tutorial: Marbled Glass Ornaments

2007-11-11T10:22:00.000-08:00

This is one of my favorite ways to make ornaments, and it's even easy enough for kids to enjoy. One year we did this as an activity after Thanksgiving dinner and it went great. This is also a great way to get a custom ornament color if you have a tree that needs a turquoise or hot pink or chocolate brown and can't find it.

You need: clear glass craft ornaments, craft paints (I used leaf green, metallic copper, metallic silver, metallic gold), disposable bathroom cups. That's really all.

Gee, Mendy, looks like you've got some glitter and glue in the picture. What is that for?

Well, I tried to use the glue and glitter and it turned out bad. Really, really bad. Ignore.

Here's how you do it!

1. Take the little top off of the glass ornament.

2. Squirt craft paint inside the ornament. Use any colors that you wish. I would warn against using too many colors inside one ornament, but it's totally up to you.

3. Swirl around a little bit, and then turn the ornament upside down and rest in the disposable bathroom cup, to allow the paint to cover the inside and drain.

The left one is leaf green and silver metallic. The right one is copper metallic and gold metallic.

After the paints have drained, turn the ornaments right side up (in the original box is great) and allow to dry overnight. Replace the tops and voila!

Uh, yeah. Looks like you started with 12 ornaments. ?????

Three of them fell victim to my glue/glitter idea (BAD! ICKY!) and one fell victim to Max.

Enjoy!

Good Stuff

2007-11-06T07:42:00.000-08:00

I was over at Future Girl and read this post and thought it was so on point, I had to pass it on. Here's a part...

"Too often we seem to peel off into opposing cliques: the champions of natural fibers vs the thrifty users of acrylics, knitters vs crocheters, crafters vs artists, granny crafters vs craft punks ... it's so silly. We should always acknowledge the value of making, no matter what people make or what they materials they are using, even if it's silently to ourselves."

Creativity, by definition it seems, should be inclusive, not exclusive. Art vs. Craft, quality vs. quaint, can't we all just get along?

I choose to blame this all on the Daylight Savings time change.

2007-11-05T18:23:00.000-08:00

Ever have one of those days? Welcome to mine.

So far today I've made 2 handbags based on a new, but not complicated, design. The first was just not right. Close, very close, but no cigar.

I had extremely high hopes for the second one, which came out worst than the first. I tweaked the initial issue, only to discover that I had made an error elsewhere. A math error.

No real surprise there.

So now I'm working on the third bag. It's showing great potential, but I don't want to get crazy or anything, especially since I'm toying with the idea of tweaking the closure.

(Will I never learn?)

Meanwhile, I decided to do a simple, wintery banner for my shop for the holiday season. Wouldn't that be nice and festive? 45 minutes and one ugly, pixilated, utterly unfixable banner later, I was ready to scream.

So, it's 8:30pm. Should I call it a night and watch some TV? Work on the third bag and try and make something positive and productive out of this day?

The jury is still out.

LEAF WATCH 2007!

2007-11-05T11:37:00.001-08:00

Oct. 19th...

Today!

Finally, a little bit of color!

Meet Louise Trimble

2007-11-01T07:23:00.001-07:00

I would like to introduce you to Miss Louise Trimble, heiress to the Trimble Chocolate Truffle Company fortune.

Louise was unfortunately murdered for her vast millions.

Louise, being a spirited girl (no pun intended), decides that haunting her killer is the only answer.

Her ghost can be seen in various places on the Trimble Estate, dressed in white (as was her usual preference) and looking quite put out.

And sometimes, you might notice that your chocolate has disappeared.

The Cat and the Bags

2007-10-29T17:29:00.000-07:00

The last couple of weeks have been a huge blur of busyness and deadlines and canvas... lots of canvas. I've made lists only to scrap them for newer lists, and then scratch them out because of the other thing. There is fabric... everywhere.

I'm maybe not so good at the scheduling thing, but I ROCK at the overscheduling thing. Apparently, there is a difference. (Somewhere, my husband is slapping his forehead.)

This holiday shopping season came upon me like a freight train on crack. Suddenly, everything in the world has to be done by Nov. 1st. Everything.

And although I've been very good at starting things early (seriously!), I've been extremely bad at estimating exactly how looonnnnnng something can take to complete. Also good to know is that I can't sew for 14 hours a day for a week straight. My body begins to send little signs that this little arrangement "just isn't working."

So, let's recap, Mendy! Plan better, give yourself more time, don't overschedule, don't forget sleep. Yeah, I guess that pretty much covers it.

In other news, I thought I would let everyone know that Max, the yard sale kitty, is still surviving and thriving in his new home.

Before...

After!
Man, that kitten chow stuff really works! He really is a sweetie, and gives kisses on your nose if you pick him up and he likes you and such. He and Baxter get along like brothers that sort of play together and sort of annoy each other but basically like each other.

I've got several etsy things to show you, but that will have to wait for another day. I hear that after Nov. 1st, I should have a little bit of free time.

The Best Part of Halloween

2007-10-24T09:21:00.001-07:00

The Child's Play bag. The ridiculously-oversized conglomeration of chocolately, chewy goodness. 4 1/2 pounds! That I buy, of course, for the children.

It's all just a freefall of sugar, carbs, and fat from now till Christmas.

Lessons learned?

2007-10-20T17:15:00.000-07:00

I'm making promo magnets again... wish me luck.

The Unbearable Greeness of Late October

2007-10-19T19:14:00.000-07:00

What is going on? I took this photo from my back door today. October 19th.

THE GREEN! So very, very much green. Normally this hill is gorgeous with color at this time of year. This year, the only fall color is on door wreaths.

Project Runway Season 2 Marathon Today on Bravo!!!

2007-10-18T08:04:00.000-07:00

Santino and his insane lingerie line!
Crying on the Runway!
Tim Gunn on ice skates!
Nina is bored! Michael is underwhelmed!

What happened to Andre?

I LOVES me some PR!

It's good to be home.

2007-10-15T09:32:00.000-07:00

Hello interweb! I've missed you!

The evil computer virus that I've been fighting (OK, my husband had been doing most of the heavy lifting on this one. My contribution consisted mostly of whining and complaining.) finally took down my poor little 'puter in a sleeper hold.

Truly, it is challenging to run an online business without the "online" part.

While my only solution was to douse the CPU in gasoline and light a match, my valiant husband worked and Googled and downloaded and rebooted and Googled some more, and finally, emerged victorious!

Thanks to my customers for your patience! I'm heading over to etsy to go through my convos right now.

It's that time of year again...

2007-10-10T07:46:00.000-07:00

Time when a young girl's fancies turn to thoughts of Halloween costumes. Last year, she was a Roman Goddess.

The year before that, a stylish witch.

This year, she decided that she wanted to be a ghost. Of course, it couldn't be a Charlie Brown ghost with eyes cut into a bedsheet. So we got the idea for a ghost of a Victorian era woman, very sort-of Gibson Girl, but of course, very much other worldly.

So the plan at the moment is to do a Victorian era style dress all in white, and then make her hair and skin very white and ghostly as well. We are also planning to sort of shred the bottom of her skirt, just above the ankles. With her wearing a gray or black shoe/stocking, the hope is that it will have a "floating" effect. (My hope is that it looks ethereal, and not hillbilly.)

Baxter is just kinda hoping that we forget about his costume entirely this year.

My Perfect Day...

2007-10-08T08:40:00.000-07:00

Today, it's raining, and I've got the window open just enough to hear it and feel a touch of breeze. There is a Project Runway marathon on Bravo. I've got new fabrics. There's a plate of chocolate chip cookies downstairs.

Yep, pretty much my perfect day.

And Now for the Winner!

2007-10-05T10:34:00.000-07:00

Thanks so much to everyone who checked out my blog and my shop!

And the Winner of the 100th Blog Post Giveaway is.....................

Yes, Ann! You, you!

Congrats!!! Just convo me and let me know which fabric you would like.

Dear clever computer virus evil person,

2007-10-04T18:28:00.000-07:00

Kudos to you for finding a way to infect my computer with your nasty little virus that didn't seem to ever want to go away. After all, I go to such risky places like craft blogs and sewing sites, I simply should have expected it!

Thanks to you and your darling little computer-virus-trojan-something-or-other, most of my day has been yelling to my husband, "hey, I rebooted and it's still doing it" and "yes, I already ran the anti-virus stuff" and such. The dog was able to hear some choice phrases that I only use for very special ocassions, such as burning myself with the glue gun. (Thankfully, my daughter was at school.)

The pop-ups that I fought like I was playing Whack-a-Mole were very, very thoughtful, however, I'm not sure that you should be concerned that I might need Hoodia so that I will "look better naked" and, well, thanks for the offer to see Britney's boobies, but really, haven't we all seen enough of Brit? AND Anna Nicole? Thanks, but no. Oh, and I'm perfectly happy with my ringtone. No need to offer again.

If only you would use your power for Good.

100th Post Giveaway!!!

2007-10-03T13:56:00.000-07:00

This is the 100th post on my blog! Wheee!!!

(Edited to add: The Contest is now over. Thanks so much to all who participated!)

To celebrate the fact that I was able to click the "Publish Post" button 100 times, I've decided to give away a Makeup Bag and Skinny Headband Set. Just post a comment on this thread, and on Friday I will choose a name at random. The winner will receive a new Makeup Bag in your choice of fabric.

Like this one...

Or this one...

Or perhaps something like this.

Good luck to everyone!

TCB, Baby.

2007-10-02T12:20:00.000-07:00

When you are running a home business, you fill every shoe - VP of Marketing, IT Guy, Research and Development, Administrative Assistant, and skaterpunk in the mail room. Did I even mention production??? We all need a little help now and then, sometimes just to keep on track and not let something obvious slip through the cracks.

That's why I LOVE this idea. Christina Perdue is running a daily series this month on her blog, "30 Days to a Better Shop" with ideas taken from the etsy forums. She's only on day 2 (duh, Mendy!), so if you want to join in, you can easily be on track. I've already written out my goals AND tweaked my shop info (just a touch - still needs some love).

Also, I found the coolest little thing on etsy. Ever wonder exactly how much profit you are making, or even IF? Sabine at Blue Water Studio has the neatest little profit calculators for only $1.11 that you can download and use with excell. They are even pretty! I got one last night, and I'm dying to try it out. (My hubby will be oh-so-pleased with me for being so bean-counter-y.)

Baxter's New Couture

2007-10-01T12:22:00.001-07:00

Hey Baxter! How 'bout we try on your new coat! I'll take pictures!

Am sleeping. Very sleepy. Try again later. zzzzzzzzz..................

Oh, come on! I made it special-weshul just for you! Besides, Momma needs a blog post. Look at the handsome boy!

Totally lame. If you think I'm going to walk in the neighborhood wearing this piece of precious, you've got another thing coming.

It's black and white HOUNDSTOOTH! How much more dog appropriate could it get? You're just lucky I'm not making you model headbands.

No one understands me, except you, volley ball.

Seriously, I can't be seen like this. The Great Dane across the street will be laughing his ass off.

A Random Act of Kindness

2007-09-26T14:18:00.000-07:00

Lately, as both of my readers (Hi Mom!) realize, I've been very lazy about posting on my blog. Well, laziness seasoned with a splash of blah. Really, nothing terribly interesting to report.

Until today, when I received a package in the mail that made me all warm and fuzzy and awwwwwww!! and fan my watery eyes with my hands. One of my favorite repeat customers, Anna, sent me a package of homemade cookies and a note with the sweetest compliments.

JUST BECAUSE! Seriously!

They are chocolately and oatmealy and toffee-y and just delish! (As you can see from the missing part of the cookie in the picture, because really, how could I be expected to go upstairs and fetch my camera on a empty stomach?)

Anna, you absolutely made my week! It was so incredibly thoughtful, and unexpected (which is a killer combination in a gift) and I'm absolutely dumbstruck that I was the recipient of such kindness, not to mention yumminess.

(OK, I'm totally fanning my eyes again.)

The Elvis Experiment

2007-08-29T20:45:00.000-07:00

On the Etsy forum tonight, someone was asking for ideas for a project to do for a social research methods class they are taking, with the assignment to violate a common custom and then record others' reaction to it. My suggestion was to sing loudly in line at the grocery store or sitting at a restaurant table, something random such as the National Anthem, My Heart Will Go On, or Kung Fu Fighting. And this reminded me of something.

Years ago, I was in the grocery store in West Memphis, Arkansas (just across the river from Memphis, TN) on a Saturday afternoon. Just a typical day, buying typical groceries.

When I walked in, I thought it was odd to see a large karaoke machine at the front by the carts, but whatever. Probably it was just used as a makeshift PA system for some reason. Ho-hum.

I had been shopping for about 10 minutes when the music began to swell. Much louder than the typical Muzak. Then someone began singing "The Battle Hymn of the Republic", ala "Elvis." I began looking around to make sure that I wasn't the only one hearing this (because if I was, it was time for my meds).

I wasn't.

Turns out, this particular grocery store had an Elvis impersonator who worked in the meat department, and they decided to let him sing for the customers. Not something fun and peppy like "Blue Suede Shoes" or "Jailhouse Rock." No, we lucky customers got a powerful, lengthy, intensely-overly-dramatic rendition of a song designed to bring tears to your eyes and the Lord into your heart.

While shopping for groceries.

Now unfortunately, I had the opposite reaction than what I'm certain the singer was hoping to illicit. I got me some serious church-giggles. The louder and more dramatic he sang, the more I had put my hands over my mouth while my entire being shook with unreleased laughter. By the time he finished his "Glory, glory, haleluia"s, I had tears rolling down my cheeks.

I wasn't the only one.

At the end of the song, I'm sure he was expecting a thunderous roar of applause from the lucky patrons. However, it came out more like a golf clap. Between giggles and snorts, people were looking at each other like, "Should we clap? Yeah? Really? Seems weird, you know, to applaud in the Kroger, but OK. Not really sure about this."

I had to hang out in the frozen foods for a while, until I could compose myself. I did not want to go up to check out and let him see me. I knew I would bust out laughing, and I was helpless to control it. So avoidance was the only answer.

The emotions were a combination of confusion, a complete sense of inappropriateness on my part, and pity for the singer. Frankly, I don't even know if he was good or not. The oddness of the entire situation made everything fuzzy.

But maybe this guy was taking a social research methods class and this was his assignment. In which case, bravo! I'm sure he got an A.

The Easiest Blog Post Ever!

2007-08-21T08:52:00.000-07:00

Stolen from Beadiful Things. Feel free to take it and do your own. One word answers only, please!

1. Where is your cellphone? Purse
2. Relationship? Married
3. Your Hair? Colored
4. Work? Worrisome
5. Your sister? Non-existent
6. Your favorite thing? Horseback-riding
7. Your dream last night? Icky
8. Your favorite drink? Tea
9. Your dream car? Meh.
10. The room you’re in? Studio
11. Your shoes? Beloved
12. Your fears? Excessive
13. What do you want to be in 10 years? Peaceful
14. Who did you hang out with this weekend? Family
15. What are you not good at? Math
16. Muffin? Chocolate
17. One of your wish list items? Manolos
18. Where you grew up? Arkansas
19. Last thing you did? Photograph
20. What are you wearing? Denim
21. What aren’t you wearing? Make-up
22. Your pet? Baxter
23. Your computer? Sllllllooooowwwwwwwwwwwwww
24. Your life? Complicated
25. Your mood? Swings
26. Missing? Sunglasses
27. What are you thinking about right now? Cappuccino
28. Your car? Pathfinder
29. Your kitchen? Underutilized
30. Your summer? Heartbreaking
31. Your favorite color? Impossible
32. Last time you laughed? Yesterday
33. Last time you cried?
34. School? Daughter
35. Love? Family

The Odd Couple, New Stuff, and a Sale

2007-08-20T19:19:00.000-07:00

I wish I had a funny line about the above picture, or even a reason for posting it other than, "awwwwwww!!!", but seriously! HOW CUTE IS THAT???

In Etsy related news, I do have a few new fabrics! I love these two, and I also have them in a red colorway and a royal blue colorway. Coming soon, I promise!

Also, I've marked down several of my summer fabrics, so now is a great time to find some deals on headbands and a few wristlets. And, if you live anywhere near my part of the country, there is a lot of summer left to be had.

Only 6?

2007-08-16T09:20:00.000-07:00

(Freebie opportunity at bottom of post! Wheee!)

I've been tagged! I'm totally like an official blogger type now!

I've been tagged by Ann at Beadiful Things. The rules of the game: list 6 weird things about yourself and then tag a further 6 bloggers (by going to their blog and telling them to check out your blog post related to this) to keep the momentum going. List your 6 tagged bloggers at the bottom of your post.

1) I love Star Trek The Next Generation. I will watch it anytime it's on. It always makes me giggle that Captain Riker has to forcefully yank down the bottom of his uniform jacket everytime he stands up. You would think that by Stardate 85632.9 that someone would have tweaked this little design flaw. Or maybe Captain Riker just needs to lay off the Taralian Chocolate Mousse and is too vain to get his uniform in the next size up.

2) I keep walking by the new Harry Potter book in the store and wondering if I should just go open it up, look at the last few pages, and see how it ends. I'm not going to buy the book, and I really don't want to know this information before I see the movie, but it's so prevalent in pop culture, I'm sure a spoiler is going to cross my path someday soon. So I'm wondering if a pre-emptive spoil is in order?

3) I have a fortune cookie fortune taped to the front of my computer monitor. It says, "Art is your fate: Don't debate."

4) I am terrible at math. REALLY AWFUL. (Not sure if this is weird, or just sad.)

5) I've never seen a single episode of American Idol. (Although I have seen a few episodes of "Hey Paula" on Bravo, the Paula Abdul reality show, and chica? is crazy.)

6) This morning, I made cat toys. ??????

OK, now to find some willing victims... If you would like to challenge yourself AND win a FREE HEADBAND, just comment with a link to your 6 Weird Things post and I will send you a Free Headband of your choice! First Six only, please.

As soon as your post is up at your blog, I'll link back to it here.

Winners:

Nicole at Filed Fingers
Shannon at Anodyne Design
Bamabelle
Designs by Sabreena

Give Peace a Chance

2007-08-09T18:48:00.000-07:00

Although I'm sure that Baxter wouldn't want all the neighborhood dogs to see this photo - it might ruin his street cred as a bad ass - I couldn't resist posting it here. That little grey thing snuggled up beside him? It's MAX! And on Baxter's favorite blanket, no less.

After some intense negotiations and sensitivity training, Baxter and Max have come to an agreement. Baxter has agreed not to eat Max. Or step on him. Max has in turn agreed not to slice Baxter to ribbons with his razor sharp claws, or make him yelp by biting his nose with his needle-like milk teeth.

In honor of Baxter being a good doggie and playing nice with the twee widdle kitty, I'm posting a recipe for his favorite treats, Baxter's Bacon Bites.

3 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 cup milk
1 egg
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 tsp. garlic powder
1/4 cup crumbled bacon (I use Bacon Bits that you find in the salad section - inexpensive, and they keep forever in the fridge)
1/2+ cup cold water

Directions: Mix ingredients together thoroughly. Roll out on a floured surface to 1/4" to 1/2" thickness. Cut with cookie cutter or slice with a knife into treat sized rectangles. Bake at 325 degrees for 35-40 minutes.

I'm not sure how I got so lucky...

2007-08-01T08:29:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite customers and fellow etsy sellers, Angie at Just Bead It, has just featured me on her blog! Angie was one of my very first customers when I started on etsy, and was so gracious after she received her bag to request that I send her business cards so that she could give them to her friends. Not long ago, I did a custom bag for her someone in her family.

Not only is she a dream customer, she has gorgeous jewelry! Check her out!

Random Acts of Blogging

2007-07-31T08:36:00.000-07:00

It's good to be related to people who are married to people who work with people who are married to people who write books. Really wonderful books.

This came in the mail to my daughter by way of my Aunt Sally...

And look! Signed by the Author! How cool is that?

It really is starting out to be a great book. Emily decided that she and I should read it together, which is great. We haven't done that since I read The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe to her. It was my favorite book when I was young, but I had forgotten how gruesome the scene at the Stone Table was (much more so than in the movie), and she cried and cried and cried. Then she cried some more. Not mild little wipe-away-a-tear-here-and-there crying. This was sobbing. (I kept saying "Wait! Listen! Good parts are coming up! It's not as bad as it seems, I promise!) I'm surprised that she is trusting me to read another book with her.

In other news, new Market Totes have been listed! Whee!!

Some of them have a longer, shoulder-length handle. So, if you see one with a short handle, but would prefer a longer one, you can request it and voila!

The Tour de France is over, and the winner is Alberto Contador! (Say it with me.... it just rrrrrrrolllss off the tounge. Alberrrrrrrto!)

Things seen during this year's Tour:

Two riders with their buttocks showing due to crashes which tore their bike shorts. (Yes, I'm a total adolescent.)

Two dogs that ran out into the street and caused wrecks. (As far as I know, both dogs are OK.)

One man, completely NEKKID, who ran along side the riders for a good 10 seconds, while the race announcers acted as though nothing was happening.

Thank heaven for Tivo.

The word of the day is "Peloton"

2007-07-17T07:37:00.000-07:00

Several years ago in July, I walked in the living room and sat down by my husband.
"Whatcha watching?"
"The Tour de France."
"Seriously? A bike race? What is there to watch?"

I got hooked! Gorgeous scenery! Amazing feats of strength and endurance! Crazy European fans who dress up like Elvis and run along side the riders. Spectacular crashes! Because when you flip over a guard rail while descending in the Alps wearing nothing but a helmet and 2 oz. of lycra, you are toast.

And where else but France would the winner be given a flute of Champagne to sip while pedaling laps around the Champs Elysee on the final day? Even the winners ceremony at the end of each day is great to watch, as stylish women in chic clothes give kisses on each cheek to the winners.

So, in honor of the Tour, here are my Etsy Picks du Jour...

Seeing Stars by vintagemuse.

Earrings made using recycled bicycle parts by doowop.

And for the wee ones, a Tour de France Baby Blanket by bamboobaby.

Luckily, I won't have to sent out "Change of Address" cards

2007-07-14T19:58:00.000-07:00

I've moved!

Well, not really. I've moved my office (which used to be in a spare bedroom) and sewing stuff (which used to be in my bedroom) and shipping area (which used to be my kitchen table) into our upstairs bonus room. This used to be my daughter's hang-out space, but she rarely used it, so I kicked her out. Don't feel too sorry for her, she got a kitten out of the deal.

Basically, this was my husband's idea. Although I'm quite certain that he only had my best interests at heart, he was really getting tired of all of my stuff. I laid down my terms. I needed my computer upstairs. I needed a TV. I needed assorted tables and such moved. He agreed. Happily. (I should have asked for a new laptop, too.)

Check it out!

Space! Neatness!

Something that closely resembles organization!

This was over three days worth of work. First, we had to get all of my daughter's stuff out. Then to get all of my stuff up here, and organized. Computer cables to hook up, shelves to move, fabric to sort, and fold, and fold, and fold.

There are pros and cons of the new arrangement.

Pro: It is upstairs, which means that I will get additional exercise. Go me!

Con: It is upstairs, which means that I have to drag myself up and down stairs to go to the bathroom. Which, since I drink an embarrassing amount of Diet Coke and tea, is often.

Pro: My computer is now in my workspace, and I can check my email and etsy more frequently.

Con: My computer is now in my workspace, and I can check my email and etsy more frequently.

Pro: My shipping table will be way more efficient, leaving my kitchen table for charming family dinners lovingly prepared by me.

Con: Who am I kidding? The newly cleared kitchen table will be the perfect place to try the new stencil technique I saw online.

And now for some gratuitous kitten pictures!

No completely adorable kittens were harmed in the making of this blog post.

Look what I got at a yard sale yesterday...

2007-07-08T06:15:00.000-07:00

Apparently, P.T. Barnum was talking about me.

I was coming back from the Post Office, minding my own business, when I spied a yard sale on the way home. Now, I loves me a yard sale! So, while I'm contemplating cutting down a $2 size 14 tiered white cotton eyelet skirt to a size for my daughter (I can cut off the top band, cut out some width, add elastic, yeah, this will work...), I hear mewing. Lots of mewing.

Oh, how sweet! They must have a kitten. Maybe I'll give it a little scratch on the head as I pay for my skirt and leave. You know, kittenless.

It's in a box. Drinking milk (really bad for kittens, I've been told by my vet). The woman said that the mother cat showed up in their tool shed, had a litter of 3, and was killed with two of the kittens when she tried to move them across the highway. This little guy was left. All alone. They didn't even realize that he was still in their shed for a couple of days after the mother cat was run over.

They called the Humane Society, but they didn't have any room to take him and could only put them on a waiting list. They called local vets, but none of them would take him.

(Can you hear the violins?)

I picked him up, and he began purring. Loudly. Damn it!

Needless to say, my soft little heart couldn't take it, and I agreed to take him home. I was a HERO! Everyone at the yard sale was singing my praises! Well done, citizen!

Until I got home. And my husband was not nearly as impressed with my generosity of spirit to help those in need.

Then I showed him to my daughter! AM! HERO! of highest order! worthy of parades and ticker tape and a trip to Disney.

Baxter, however, did not fall as in love with the kitten as I did. And, you know, in the interest of keeping the kitten alive, the kitten will be staying in my daughter's room.

Once again, a HERO! WHEEE!

He is a teeny widdle guy, probably around 6 weeks, if that. His name is Max. He purrs loudly and curls up under your neck and is just completely adorable and sweet.

Oh, and I'm completely banned from going to any more yard sales.