Music I'm digging right now

I have been a fan of the Icelandic band " Sigor Ros" for a few years now. In their documentary "Heima" (the best documentary I have ever seen by they way!!) they feature a quartet of artist called " Amiina". Four Icelandic girls that make the most beautiful music with strings, bells, and a saw, yes I said a saw. If you have never heard a saw played before it is like nothing you have ever heard. You may think it is a violin at first, but once you know you can hear the distinction, absolutely beautiful. The music is so soothing and relaxing. It helps me to relax.
Check them out as well as "Sigor Ros."

Vintage Finds

I am a collector of all things vintage. I love things that tell a story. I have a bit of a obsession with old phones and old typewriters. I like things with numbers and dials. I shop at thriftstores, garage sales, and flea markets. I have to say my best bet is the thriftstore. Usually they don't want something that is rusty or old. A recent find of my was the old toy cash register I found at a flea market. It cost me just $12. I thought that was a find. Once again keys and buttons. My house is filled with rusty old adding machines, childrens typwriters, cash register, dial phones, and old children's toys. I love going to a garage sale to find a box of old toys thrown about that someone just wants to get rid of because they are taking up space. I imagine the shelf or table that they would perfectly accent. I have three little ones so old things with buttons are very appealing. I do let them fiddle with the buttons. They were onced played with or used but have since been discarded and unneeded as technology has progressed. As you can imagine I love shows like "Antiques Roadshow" and of recent "Pawn Stars." I love seeing where the person found something or how it was passed down. I always think though, "Don't get rid of it, it is a piece of history." But if I found an old vase I wasn't attached to and it was worth 20 grand, I may reconsider. I have a little toy that sits next to me as I write that many people may wonder why I keep. It is a little girl made of plastic with a broken off hand. But when you flip her over and take a peak you can see the metal mechanism that moves her arms, legs, and makes her eyes blink all at the same time. I can't get over how she works, even if she is missing a hand. The way she was crafted is much more fascinating.

My Christmas Gift

My very thoughtful husband surprised me with "My Double" by Dritz . He loves to add to my hobby. Well various hobbies. But I do love to sew. I love to make my own shirts and customize them to my size, the exact material I want to use, and make it my own. I love how you can change the frame to your size. So cool. I have a shirt that I have pinned to my bulletin board, its McCalls 5929. I have a thing for ruffles and when I found this pattern this year I knew that this would be my next to make. I have been busy this winter but I planning on getting to work on this one shortly. Hancock Fabric has some killer after Christmas sales this week which I plan on hitting up today. I love to stock up for the future. It definitly pays off. I know the types of fabrics I like to sew with as I have matured in my sewing skills so I head for those sales quickly. I love plaids. I always have, and am even more excited since they have become more popular recently. I love to make skirts but I have learned since I have three children that I very rarely wear skirts so I have turned to make shirts, which I find much more satisfying. The shirt is the basic staple of your outfits, and when you make to your exact specifications, it is all the more gratifying.

Where Have I Been?

Sorry my fellow crafters I have been majorly slacking on my blog. Christmas has called and I have gingerbread houses to make, stockings to sew, and well everyday mommy life calls. I made my first gingerbread house and it was so much fun. It was a couple of day process. Baking, glueing, and then, the best part decorating, and eat tons of candy. The kids would glue a piece, eat a piece. Our gingerbread house is vegan as well so I make it from scratch. I am not vegan regularly but my daughter has many allergies so we have to cater to her allergies. No nuts, dairy, or eggs. You would think this would be hard to do, but not really, and the icing is super delicious. I mix "Earth's Balance" butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and soymilk, and it turns out super delicious like a butter cream. "Try it, you'll like it" (yo gabba gabba quote) I didn't realize that my stockings would be so successful in my shop. It started with my Lab Rats Team challenge and it took off from there. Thank you lab rats. They were alot of fun to make though. In the process I pulled a muscle in my neck , but no pain, no gain. I always order craft books for Christmas and I got mine in the mail last week. So excited. The first book is "Patchwork Style", by Suzoko Koseki. The photos are just beautiful. I want to start working on a quilt as soon as I look at this. The colors are very inspiring. The second book I am so excited about is " Carefree Clothes For Girls," by Junko Okawa. The clothing really makes you think outside the box when making clothes for little girls. Having two of my own, I have made shirts and skirts for them in the past, and they seem to always be missing something, and I haven't quite got it. Either they end up looking very homely and too handmade, or quite boring. I haven't made them clothes in a little while. I usually have much success when making my own somehow, and really love to. Carefree clothes is getting my excited to start sewing for the girls more. I was recently asked to create a piece of artwork for a art center to raise money for their programs. I was quite honored and decided that I would create a embroidery piece. With my neck out this has been quite a feet, and I am not nearly done, but I have until January 20th. I created a piece that will be a part of me. I have put three childeren in it to represent my family. I will take pictures as the process goes forth and the end result. I have been amping up my embroidery techniques and trying to get that darn french knot successfully. I think I got it. It wants to pull through the fabric, ugh! I want to do beautiful flowers and streams and a pretty tree. Well describing it won't do any good until it's completed. I must work on it. I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!