Winter Wonderland

 

Look at how cute that tiny little fox head is.  I just love it.

I was trying to create an ornament last year that incorporated a fox, and I just couldn't make it work so no one got any ornaments last year.  Sad face.  A few weeks ago I was messing around with some designs and it hit me- why not just stitch the head and put a cute wreath around it?  So I did and here it is- this year's ornament! 

It is available for sale in my Etsy shop and don't forget- everything (including my necklaces) is 10% off through Monday!  Use the code STITCHY at checkout. 

 

 

Internet Magic



 

Remember how things were before the Internet?  Boring and factless and you had no idea if anyone out there liked the same things you did?  I know people talk a lot of crap about how everyone should "unplug" and take time away from things but personally, I love being connected to others in such a creative way. 

Recently, one of my instagram friends emailed me and asked if she could do a feature on the cross stitch necklaces I make and sell.  Uh, yes!  Could she ever!  So go check it out Annika's blog, All The Live Long Day.  She lives in London and offers a unique perspective on life there, as well as interesting travel destinations, crafts, chummy food, and music. 

Thanks Annika!

NEW

Hey guys!  I listed some new necklaces in the 'ol Etsy shop this weekend.  I'm especially excited about the new glitter polka dot design- polka dots are so cute!  Please take a look and spread the word! 

What Is A Weekend?

Good weekend y'all, good weekend.

My friend Polly was in town to sell at the Patchwork Craft Fair (read her recap here) and we got to hang out and have tons of fun together.  We ate yummy chilaquiles & cinnamon-tinged coffee, went shopping, got pedis, watched lots of trashy tv (Duck Dynasty anyone?) and topped it all off with a lot of really inspiring girl talk.  Friends are the best aren't they?

Modern Macrame

 

After thinking about it for several months, I finally got around to making some macrame plant hangers.  Even though I kept having visions of ugly 70's scratchy brown monstrosities, I soldiered on.  Sticking with a clean color palette and a simple, non-fussy silhouette helped, as did eliminating large wooden beads.  

For the top plant, I used a Josephine knot tutorial from the book "Vintage Craft Workshop" by Cathy Callahan.  For the plant below, I went even easier, just tying simple knots around a glossy black pot and pointy succulent.  I love how they turned out!   

Knitted Hudson Bay Blanket

 

Isn't this blanket amazing?!?!

My  friend Lauren knitted it using this pattern from the Purl Bee website.  She did a great job on it and it turned out beautifully!  It's such a great take on the classic Hudson Bay Four Point Blanket, that it almost almost makes me want to take up knitting.

Chevron Time

I added some new necklace designs to my Etsy shop!

These lovely chevrons are available in a variety of colors and are housed in a bronze and glass frame.

Check them out here!

New Pieces!

 I added some new styles to the Etsy shop today....

you should go check them out!!!

Cover Up

White Cross Stitch case on Amazon

Brass Frame case from EXOvault

Black & White Rilakkuma Cat cases on Ebay

I finally got a new iPhone! I'm not usually up to speed on all the new electronics, it's never been an interest of mine and I just don't care much. But when your old iPhone freezes at every turn and won't let you download any new apps because you "aren't compatible", you know it's time for a change. But I will tell you what I am obsessed with- the iPhone case. Now that is one topic I can get behind. I always judge a book by it's cover dontcha know? These are three styles I fell in love with.

Cyber Monday Sale!

Hey friends!  

I'm having a Cyber Monday sale today in my Etsy shop.

Enter coupon code "Blend" for 20% off!

Etsy- Hanging Things

I've been stuck inside with a terrible cold for the last couple of days so I have been spending lots of time on the internet, blowing up my Pinterest and stalking Etsy like it was a full time job.  I'm so obsessed with hanging plants lately- here are a few of my favorites!

1.  Minimalist Plant Hangers by The Scarf Tree $10

Just how I like my macrame- simple and bead free!

2.  Golden Delicious Hanging Air Plant Pod by mudpuppy.  $32

I like the beautiful silhouette this creates.

3.  Faceted Hanging Tray by Pigeon Toe Ceramics.  $76

True love.  I could marry this piece.

4.  White Hanging Planter by TW Pottery.  $60

Casual and just the right colors with a Southern Cali vibe!

Crafty Season

I went to Michael's Crafts yesterday- literally my favorite thing ever, ever is going to a craft store.  I had so much fun wandering around and remembering all these things I needed to buy and discovering new things I didn't know I needed.  Did you know that Martha Stewart sells a specific cloth for cleaning up glitter?  Genius.

So you may have noticed that fall -and the holidays- are upon us.  This is the season for being extra crafty in my opinion.  Making fun things for decorating your home, and then making x-mas gifts when you realize you have no money to buy any!  Haha. 

So far the things I am excited about are Sharpie Paint Pens- I want to try this project with them.  And my crafty guru Polly has brought puff paint back into my life in the best way imaginable- these pumpkin decorating ideas are amazing!

Also- a special shout out to Polly and Lauren for talking my new Etsy shop up on their blogs- love ya ladies!!!

Cross Stitch Necklaces

I am so happy to announce my new line of cross stitch necklaces, available for sale on Etsy!

A few months back, I had just finished a large scale cross stitch project and was looking for something new and exciting to pique my interest and also present a challenge.  I began stitching tiny cross stitch patterns, seeing how much detail and color I could fit into a small space. 

At the same time, I had been looking for necklaces that were very long in length and I couldn't find any.  One day inspiration struck and I decided to put the two ideas together.  I'm so pleased with how they turned out and I hope you like them too.  Please check out my shop on Etsy and help spread the word!



X Stitch

There is the cutest cross stitch story in this month's Martha Stewart Living magazine!

It's about creating a family portrait using graph paper and counted cross stitch material, and is geared toward being easy enough for children.  I did cross stitch for Christmas presents when I was a kid and it was pretty easy so I think this would be a great idea for a family project.

I just love seeing my favorite craft featured in one of my favorite magazines!

Paint Chip Art

I saw this paint chip craft tutorial over on How About Orange, one of my fav crafty blogs, and I was instantly smitten.  It took me a few weeks, but I finally stopped by Home Depot yesterday to relieve them of some paint chips (I also bought two plants to feel less guilty!) and we were in business.  I decided to go with a coral/orange/gray theme.  First, you make a triangle template from some cardboard, then trace it onto the paint chips and cut them out.  This part took forever and made me bored and angry at the same time!  A break and eating frosting from a can were required.

Then I started arranging the triangles into a pattern.  I didn't like the first one I made so I started over and loved it the second time around.

On to the next step!

I grabbed some glue and a paint sponge and started gluing the triangles down onto another piece of cardboard.  Then I let dry for an hour or so while I watched old episodes of Parks & Recreation.  Yes, again.

I trimmed the edges and put into this adorable bamboo frame I picked up at the thrifts*.  I love it!

*I tend to buy any frame I like at thrift stores, even if I don't have an immediate use for it, I will use it at some point.

Renegade Craft Fair - Los Angeles

I finally made it to the Renegade Craft Fair this year, and it was excellent!

I was expecting a lot of great stuff and people, but it was even more amazing than I could have predicted.  I just kept walking and walking and looking at beautiful and creative things.  I definitely left feeling inspired.  Here are some of the things I saw, ate, & bought!

There were some great food trucks at the fair but I had to go for the one I had heard so much about- the fried chicken Ludo Truck.  It was flavorful, super crunchy, and I am still craving more today!  Read more about the crazy 3 day process that it takes to make this chicken here.

My first purchase was this amazing bright orange cat/mouse print from Strawberry Luna.

Then I got my very own copy of Vintage Craft Workshop, signed by Cathy of California herself!

I was charmed by this bat illustration by Ryan Berkley.

Sadly, I was in such a rush to get to work that I forgot to take a picture of my dear friend Polly in her booth, selling her wares.  Sad face.  Next year for sure!

Butcher Paper Birthday

Recently I had a birthday present to wrap and no time to drive to a fancy card store and spend lots of money on something.  So I stopped by my local dollar store and picked up some butcher paper and this 80's-esque, slightly hipster rainbow ribbon.  I like the way it turned out, it's simple but fun!

Another thing I love to do (when I have more time) is take a potato, cut it in half, carve out a design or a person's initials, and then dip in paint and stamp it all over plain paper to make my own homemade wrapping paper.  Personalization shows you care!

Terrariums

I have been trying to make some terrariums lately for my space but with mixed results.  I don't think I'm particularly good at designing them.  I even threw a "terrarium making party" and even though I had a great time, I wasn't super pleased with how mine turned out.  Have I mentioned that I'm a perfectionist Virgo and don't even want to try and do something if I don't think it will be perfect? 

Anyway, I made another last night and liked it a little more but am still not completely happy!  I think I need to find a much larger container and look at some photos online of terrariums I like.  Eventually I'll get there, with some help and inspiration.

Day 18 Drawing Challenge- Doodle

Whenever I aimlessly doodle, I always seem to draw these diamond and square and round things that I fill in with their own shape.  What do you doodle?

Day 17 Drawing Challenge- Favorite Plant

Today was favorite plant.  Right now I am loving the Jacaranda trees that bloom in the spring here in LA.  They are gorgeous.  Sort of like a cherry tree but larger and a lovely light violet color.  They are all over the city and every time I see them they make me so happy!

Tomorrow is "draw a doodle".  I can definitely do that.