Happy Halloween, Cowboy.

It doesn't get any better than this.


Love you, little man.

Halloween Frenzy

Cutting, Measuring. Stitching, Fixing. Printing, Buying. Cutting, Sewing. Stringing, Singing. Looking, Liking. Wanting, Trying. Hoping, Borrowing. Running, Scrambling. Thinking, Drinking. Snipping, Sighing.


That's me. Getting ready for Halloween. Our little (big) party. Making Jack's cowboy costume (who knew chaps would be such a labor of love?)

Anyhow, I'm all about & easy & free & last minute right now.


So here ya' g0 ;)


Pumpkin Lanterns- Downloadable Template from Martha Stewart Tons more cute & creepy things to be found on her site for sure.

Halloween Stencil Templates for Tote Bags (or other things!) from The Long Thread

Paper Skeleton made by How About Orange. Templates for him & *gobs* of other Halloweeny stuff on the Canon website. (seriously, there is TONS over at Canon, who knew?!)


Sweet Downloadable Halloween Card from Inside a Black Apple


::Also: Bat Doll Template from Heather Bailey


{{All image credits to the respective sites}}

My Favorite Designer

Sure, there are lots of designers to choose from. But I'm a little partial to one in particular. I just adore his work. I'd spend my last penny on one of his designs. I anticipate his new pieces & techniques. I'm especially lucky to watch his creative process unfold firsthand and am intrigued by his seriousness yet flair for the unexpected. His use of color is downright avant garde. Each masterpiece inspires & shows a penchant for juxtaposing circles and lines. Oh, and his ability to think outside the box, or um, off the paper is clearly a sign of genius!


Getting that little brown swirl just right


Surveying the work.....

Such a burst of intensity & concentration!

Fini! Finito! Terminado! Flar! Finite!


Necessary yoga techniques complete this exhausting creative release

Fabric Scrap Mania - Tutorials

My cup runneth over.
My cup o' fabric scraps that is.

Seems like I've had it in my mind lately to find projects & use up those scraps. I've made some patchwork journals. A stacking coin quilt (what? I haven't taken a photo yet?!), ruffle zipper pouches, and my lovely little garland. I've sent some over to Cindy from Live A Colorful Life for her pin cushions. And now, I've got a few more projects on my list!

The fantastic fabric/inspiration/tutorial resting place, SewMamaSew asked for (and got!) Scrap Buster projects from their readers this month. Well, the result is a fantastic list of tutorials that use up those bits & pieces of fabric.

Here's a few that really caught my eye (Hello, Christmas gifts!)-


Plush Alphabet Set from Chez Bebe

Patchwork Star from LinaLoo

PinWheel Bobby Pin by Little Jenny Wren

CD Holder by Puking Pastilles

My Photography Journey. Tips from a Non-Expert

So yesterday was spent in a glorious frenzy of taking and retaking photographs. Jack slept an unusually long time which of course helped this process along (and gives me just enough anxiety that he'll wake at any moment!) As of late, some of my photographs have not been so great. Dull. Over exposed. Or dark. Boring.

But they're a heck of lot better than when I first started out. I remember a moment- a month after opening an Etsy shop- after considerable photography research & after building a make-shift light box in which I sat in our bathroom & bawled. WHY! Why did these darned things come up with a pink hue?! Why a blurry mess?!

So then my Etsy photography journey began. Ah, the struggle. But- I must admit, I've come to enjoy the little photography sessions...it's like a creation of my creation.

Here's the batch of photos I took this past week & some of the tips I've used to improve my photos. Though, everywhere I look people seem to have gorgeous pics, so maybe no one needs these! But just in case! Just in case, there is a discouraged housewife out there crying in her bathroom next to a wobbly lightbox.

TIPS (for reference I use a Canon Power Shot):

• Read your camera manual! This helped me immensely. I grabbed a coffee & spent an afternoon with Jack napping to figure out *many* of the modes & tricks. Don't know where your manual is? No worries, it's probably available online for free...check here with this website.
• Find the light. You DO NOT need sunlight, in fact sunlight can make photos look too bright & leave too many shadows. This is probably the biggest thing I've learned. ALL of the photos below were taken on a table near a window sill on very dreary & rainy Oregon afternoons. But since I account for the white balance (see below) it works!
• Manual Mode. I almost always use this. It can be found on the little dial on top of the camera. It allows you to adjust for white balance (to get rid of that pink hue. Or the blue or gray or whatever it may be) the link above gives great explanation on modes. *This discovery was the second most important thing I did to improve photos. Auto mode doesn't cut it. This blog post at Digital Photography School is extremely informative about modes. (click here)
• Macro Mode: This lets you get super duper close without your photos turning up blurry. I also use it with almost every photo I take of my products since I'm generally fairly close to them & they are small. It's the little tulip (usually) on your camera. Love it!
• No Flash! Of course, if you're using manual mode then you probably won't have a flash. But I've found that not using that flash even in auto mode gives nice photos- if you're near light. Flash can give things a kind of red-ish, halo-ish, deep effect- the opposite of lightness & true colors.
• Angles: Just like I learned from Tyra on America's Next Top Model, there are very few things that can be photographed straight on. Even more importantly, items can be so much more interesting when taken from an angle or different perspective.
• Nifty Tricks: I also use the "vivid color" setting and the "AWB" or "day light" mode- all found under the ISO setting feature. Look for these in your manual ;) sometimes makes all the difference!
• Background: I love me a white background. There's a bunch of fuss about this. Some folks think it's boring. Fine. Do something else. But I think it gives a natural effect with some very subtle shading. However, I do use different backgrounds to mix it up (see journal below) or to contrast white fabric (see bib set). I have also started using some context (like cups & blocks & pencils) to add interest & to also discourage folks from stealing my photos. I know, I know it's a nasty little aspect of this online thing isn't it? Well, it did happen to me with a very basic photo with a white background. I was able to prove it was mine but Ithe thief even mentioned "well, anyone can get a white background..." And she was right. Anyone can! Here I've used my son's large artist drawing pad. Though the large card stock pieces from Target, or wherever is my usual preference.

There you have it! My thoughts on photography! Now, no more crying over photo session.

This last photo shows just where I take my photos & just what kind of weather we have when I do it! In the corner is my tall black table & the (sun)light comes in from the left. But notice, it is NOT sunny but gray & dreary & rainy- so while this may cause grief in other aspects of my life, it can certainly make for great photos!

Have some tips of your own? Share them here in this Etsy thread!

Sliding Doors- My Analysis of Small Things

I found this amazingly perfect little pinecone bundle in our yard. But not before almost stepping on it & presumably crushing it to bits.

It struck me. Isn't this how life is? Don't we often miss the little things?

At less than 5'2" I kind of always felt like this was me. Small & getting missed. I mean being short is torture in elementary school when you line up by height- I was always the last in line. Or for athletic teams- I was always the last picked. It's not great for nicknames either- I answered to Runt, Weezer, Baby Allisa, Peeroy, and Sprout.

Somewhere at some point I began to embrace smallness- maybe it's when my future husband began calling me "per square centimeter," (short for the strongest person per sq. cm) or when I realized I could save a buck buying clothes & shoes in the kids department. Either way, I finally accepted that I would never ever be referred to as "tall & lanky."

Now that I'm 30 and of course much wiser, I've looked back on my life to take stock. I found that in addition to all the huge, magnificent events I've experienced- there are hundreds of little, tiny choices/moments/flickers in time that undoubtedly set me on the course I've taken.

So, like my own smallness, I've come to really appreciate the very teensy- at the time perhaps unnoticeable- things that can alter life's course of events.

Here's my truncated little story:

senior in college. surprised to find myself even that far. not much in the way of dreams. get married soon? probably. attended a super bowl party in the small town i spent part of my childhood. surrounded by professional rodeo cowboys. sitting on a saddle. thought to myself, 'holy hell- this is as good as it will ever get for me.' went home. cried. and cried. called my friend. said i lost faith in cowboys. he said, "well, put your faith back where it belongs."

that's it. all i needed to hear. woke up next morning on a mission. mission to make something of my life. at campus coffee shop saw an acquaintance. what are you going to do with your life? i asked. he told me. said you should apply too. when is deadline? tomorrow. oh. so i skipped classes. completed application. convinced professor to speed write recommendation. 4 months later accepted to Teach for America.

more than I ever thought I'd achieve in life. trained in texas. moved to california. became a teacher. found my calling. met my husband.

put my faith back where it belongs.

{{{ it's the small things, really.}}}

What are you small things? I'd love to hear!

Halloween Mania- Meet Bonaparte

So not only did we just move into this new place but we're planning a little Halloween *bash* for Jack & his pals. What does this mean? Well besides the obvious- that I'm crazy- it also means we've gotten a good kick in the rear to get the house ship shape AND are in full Halloween mode....scarecrows, orangy lites, chocolaty recipes, and dozens of fun little crafts like this oh-so-adorable skeleton, who I've since named Bonaparte.

I found him (or her, if you like) on SewingStars & immediately printed out half a dozen to try out. It's super cute & cinchy and Jack thinks that the little moveable body is the funniest thing he's seen since me rolling around on the floor. We've hung him up in our window & plan on making more friends.
My other project? Chaps for Jack's Halloween costume. Oh boy, is this an adventure, keep you posted on how that ends up! (ps. googling the word "chaps" heeds results that might make you blush)


{{Image Credit for first photo: Sewing Stars}}

Tidbits

Happy Saturday! What a lovely week it's been- Jack is back to taking naps, I've seen some old friends (all the way back to 4th grade!), I discovered the TV show Glee, and I've guiltlessly indulged in pizza (twice), soy lattes, and chocolate ice-cream. Also, I'm very excitedly planning for our Halloween party- we're not usual party throwers, so I hope I don't muck things up & end up disappointing a bunch of 1 1/2 year olds.

I'm also in love with my sewing room & it's turned into such a stress-free zone I almost look forward to waking up before dawn to get straight to work!

Saturdays are meant to be carefree & relaxed right? Great. So here's just some random bits from this week:


I've been on a kick using scraps lately. I found bits of fabric can make lovely little designs when stitched on journals. This one I made for my friend's birthday. I loved it so much I might have to make one for myself! Can't beat blue & orange.

Me admiring Jack admiring the rain. I also am proudly capturing his ability (and desire!) to organize those blocks so well.

Recently obsessed with gray. Started these gray zipper pouches with bursts of ruffly color.


Ahh, my spa day. Finally redeemed my mother's day gift and enjoyed a body scrub, facial, & manicure. Though I'll admit, just being alone in this quiet lovely place with thick towels rolled up so neatly was soothing in itself...and that was before all the fun began!

The World According To Jack...

... as shown through my Etsy favorites.

Last night, before we drifted off to sleep, my husband said, "I don't want him to get bigger. I want it to stay like this forever."

I know what he means. This is so cool. Having a toddler. He walks & thinks & plays & talks....and I wonder what the heck I did before having a child. One of the best parts, I think, is seeing what amazes him- what little bits of the world he's drawn to.

I chose a few of his common words & interests and showed them through my Etsy faves:


TRUCK
Truck Print by AlderTree


DADA
Fathers Day Card from AbleandGame {{loved this so much bought it last father's day!}}


"BOBO" (MONKEY)
Sock Monkey by I am Sunshine



TREE
Tree Pendant by Block Party Press



WAFFLE
Felt Breakfast Food- Waffle- by Gulf Coast Cottage

BIRD
Seymour the Sparrow by MiChiMa

MAMA
Mother & Child Leaf Embroidery by Ohsoretro


BOOK
Vintage Cowboy Book Pages by MyVintageBackyard


{{All Image Credits to the Respective Shops}}

Halloween Fabric Scrap Garland- TUTORIAL

Here's the How To for my fabric scrap garland. This is the first tutorial I've really ever done so bear with me!

Materials: Gobs of fabric scraps & long length of rope, string or yarn ( I used natural jute).

1. cut fabric scraps into strips approx 1/2" width & various lengths (at least 6" works best) total number depends on the length of desired *
handy note: about 10 ties (with two fabric strips each) for every 7" . do the math for your garland :) (seems like a lot, but it goes fast!)

2. lay out strips by color/prints

3. choose two colors/prints. place one on top of the other- print facing down


4. make cow hitch knot around string (rope, jute, yarn) and pull taut


5. works best to create loop in same fashion each time since there will be a natural "front" - looks like a man's work tie


6.keep on loopin' until desired length is reached
Voila! Happy Halloween!


I was inspired to make this tutorial by the Sew Mama Sew Scrap Buster contest!

Halloween Fabric Scrap Garland

I woke up this morning with total anxiety. I thought oh my gosh, it's almost Halloween. Which means it's almost Thanksgiving. Which means it's almost Christmas. Which means it's almost Jack's second birthday!

Ok, whew. One at a time. First, Halloween:

1. Finish Jack's costume. Make cowboy chaps.
2. Plan Halloween party. Decide: cupcakes with sprinkles or powdered sugar.
3. Make luminaries. Buy LED lights so the house doesn't catch on fire.
4. Buy candy. Spend the next week challenging my willpower.
5. Take pictures of Jack & his pals. Enjoy this moment in particular.


As part of my Halloween planning mode, I whipped up this fabric scrap garland (yes, you may have noticed I can't get enough of garlands). I love how it turned out & it was a lovely, fast, & easy way to use up mountains of scraps. It was easy to do- an especially good craft while watching the tube or daydreaming. I made my first tutorial here!