Paddington Bear

Saturdays always tend to involve cartoons. I remember as a little girl watching the "Pound Puppies" cartoons and "Gem Rockers." I would get up before everyone and eat Cheerios and drink lemonade ( I still like that combo). My husband and I were remembering Paddington bear and how much he loved marmalade. So of course I had to find Paddington bear. I came across the most amazing piece of stop motion! I love the paper surroundings and how the the characters change their face in a one dimensional way, but the surroundings are real and Paddington. My love of miniatures and making little scenes got me excited when I watched this. Enjoy! And watch the other episodes too!

Floral Skirt Adventures

So I'm liking all these floral skirts I keep seeing everywhere. I'm loving the styles I see, and I'm getting excited about recreating them myself. I like to adjust the lenghth that best suits my heighth and the exact fabric I want. The styles are so easy to make. If you are a sewer or new to sewing clothes, skirts are about as easy as it gets. They are either zippers, buttons , or elastic (elastic being the easiest). The big trend I am seeing is a big band of elastic across the top. This is the most easy thing to recreate. It is simply gathering your fabric for the length of elastic you need for your waist and then attaching. Super easy!




This style I love with the bow on the front. I would love to this style with floral.
This is what I'm going for.


I love the colors in this one. This skirt would be one that you could find this style of print at the thriftstore, and then modify the skirt to look trendy. I just might do that!


Love the print! I could see this using a vintage floral sheet from the thriftstore. Some of the groovy prints you can find, would really look cute in this style.

Music Documentary Thursday!

If you haven't heard of the song "Falling Slowly" by artists Glen Hansard (singer of the band "The Frames") and Markéta Irglová (pianoist) it is a must see. It is featured in a beautiful film called "Once." It is a cute love story the has a realistic ending, put together with singing and music throughtout the film. The scenery in the film is beautiful , being filmed in Dublin, Ireland. The film shows alot of the gorgeous countryside. I am not usually a fan of films filled with singing, but you don't even think about the singing as not being dialogue.
Enjoy!

Re-ment Addict I am!

If you have never heard of Re-ment before, please indulge yourself for a few minutes. If you are easily addicted to things, maybe don't:) Okay, Re-ment are Japanese minatures that are small scale miniatures that have amazing detail. The realness of each item makes each piece look realistic! I have always loved minatures and dollhouses. I built my own dollhouse in eighth grade. Okay I'm a nerd. Re-ment sucked me in a little over a year ago. Each set cost anywhere from $4to even some of the rarest ones going for $50. You can find some of the best sets on ebay, or from Priscilla's Treaures (she has the kitchens, cabinets...) I bought the kitchen to showcase some of my food pieces. I also got the now retired brown refrigerator that I absolutely love. This weekend I decided to splurge and buy some sets that I have been eyeing for awhile! The jiffy pop one was the most exciting! It came with a two liter of soda! It reminded me so much of my childhood. If you want to see more of my re-ment pics you can check out this one , this one, or okay my last one, this one featuring my barbie dreamhouse that I found at the thriftstore for $12.


Korean Barbeque! I love the colors!


Jiffy pop, minature size, come on people!


This is the Re-ment bento box set with the thermos! I also love bento boxes!


How can you resist a minature plaid thermos!

So I did a little shopping this weekend

I always love to shop for shoes once the seasons change. It was an absolutely beautiful day on Sunday, almost sixty degrees, so what better day for a road trip. After living almost five years next to Zappos shoe headcourters we finally decided we wanted to check out their discount warehouse. If you have never heard of Zappos, it is a online shoe store. I have bought shoes from them in the past, because I get them in like a day because they are located 20 minutes away. Anyways, as I was saying we drove to the Zappos warehouse where they have discounted shoes they they may no longer be selling, or someone shipped back because it was the wrong size. It was nuts in there, but we were on the hunt for shoes. In the end I was so excited. Awhile back I posted about a pair of Steve Madden style shoes that I wanted. Well I came across a pair that is by "Dirty Laundry" that suited my fancy. By the way, the day we went they are doing half off the already marked down price (Excuse my excitedment, any deal gets me all excited). I got my boots , originally $69 dollars most places, for , get ready, drum roll $24.50. Ahhhh! I know this is how I felt. I also got a pair of Minnetonka moccasin shoes that are usually around $40 for $14. They are so comfortable. My family went in, a family of five by the way, bought five pairs of shoes, (the men got vans), and only spend $90. Sorry I sound like a crazy coupon lady, but if you ever have the chance to venture to Shepherdsville, Kentucky to visit Zappos, do it. You will have a blast. And the "Most Awesome Fleamarket in the world" is there.

Featured Artist Friday : Elliott Smith

If you have never had the pleasure of listening to artist Elliott Smith, he is a must listen. He took his life a few years back unfortunately, and is truly an amazing talent lost. My husband and I were able to see one of his last few shows in Los Angeles in the same neighborhood he lived. It was truly an amazing show. We waited in line for nearly three hours hoping we would get in, and were able to buy tickets from people at the last minute. It was a small little venue in the heart of Echo Park. The show was way worth the wait. His most famous song which brought him out into the mainstream was featured in the movie "Good Will Hunting." The song was "Miss Misery," another amazing song. Elliott loved the Beatles, and you can hear their influence throughout his albums. Enjoy.

"Squeal with excitement!"

Yeah! I finally got my "Built by Wendy Dresses" book. After much delay with the snow and Presidents day, it is finally here! I cannot even tell you how excited I am to get to work on some of these dresses. Wendy gives so much inspiration for 25 different styles of dresses. They are for all different seasons as well, and even if their not, you can modify the sleeves, length , and collars. Wendy gives all different styles of sleeves, collars, neck shapes, and so much more to modify each dress type to make it your own. I just can't wait. I'm not a everyday dress wearer but these will look great with leggings, tights, and so many summer combos. This book is not for the beginner but if your have sewn and read patterns I think you could figure it out. Wendy's book "Sew U" as I have said before is the perfect book for beginnners, and is packed full of patterns and inspiration. I found my paints last night and did some test runs. I painted on a heavy muslin, and I love love the effect the paints have on the fabric. The fabric is not thick when you let it dry. They really are not paint but rather dye. So they can be lightened up like a watercolor but are longlasting like dye. The name is Dye-Na-Flow. I can't wait to show my finished fabric pallet. I want to do a little bit more practice and perfecting the effect I want. Such a fun new discovery.

Watercolors on the brain

So I am working a big project right now. I will reveal more details here soon. But the project I hope will involve watercolors. Not just watercolors on paper, but on fabric. I guess to be exactly correct I want to use Dye-Na-Flow dyes that when put on fabric make a watercolor effect. The thing with acrylic paints it that they always come off more plasticy than I would prefer, and really hardens up the fabric. I want something that is going to come off vibrant yet delicate to the fabric. I don't know if I have written about Amy Karol from one of my fave blogs "Angry Chicken." She wrote a book I believe sometime last year called "bend the rules with fabric." Amy's book goes into detail of how to alter you fabric through many different methods such as painting, screen printing, and appliquing. Amy goes into great detail of all the products that she has tried and tested. Such a great resource for altering your fabric. She has a chapter on painting on fabric and I am so excited to try this method. I am planning on making a trip to our local Artist and Craftsman supply store for the Dye-Na-Flow dyes. The little bottles are as cheap as 2.79 each. I am super excited to try this out. I will post pics of my trials and probably many errors.

My first of fave etsy finds

One of the cutest finds from shop KCQ is the adorable plaid pug coat. I don't have one myself but the picture is just too cute to not share!



I can't wait to plant in my garden and grow fresh flowers and vegetables. This little bunny would brighten up anyone's day from pretty random objects



I absolutely love these little creations and the colors from ememem's



I love Emily Martins prints from the black apple

A Happy Valentines Day!

I woke up this morning to a delicious breafast in bed. I even got to sleep in. With three little ones running around the house my husband had quite the challenge keeping them quiet. It was so nice and delicious. My husband can make a mean breakfast. Then I did a little baking. I made Vegan Chocolate Rasberry chocolate chip cookies. I am not personally vegan, but my daughter has alot of allergies, so vegan is the way desserts go. They are actually cheaper to make, and I have found better for us all around. I found the recipe from one of my flickr friends "veganmichele". The recipe can be found here They are to die for. Soft and chewy and the rasberry perserves just add a delicious touch. I love, love rasberrys ecspecially with chocolate. I will be baking these many more times! Have a Happy Valentines Day!

Thriftstore Finds

We have been snowed in for days it seems like and I'm afraid it doesn't seem to be the last of it. Darn you groundhog! So we wanted to get out and check out a bunch of thriftstores and that we did. I think I found something at everyone! First I found the crewel kit that I just fell in love with it was $4.95. I thought maybe a bit much for a thriftstore, but I just loved it so much. Then we traveled over to another thrift shop and I found some metal embroidery hoops. I love how they look tarnished. Then at the next shop I found the sweet woodgrain thermos. It doesn't look like anyone used it. I will probably just use it for the decoration. I just love vintage woodgrain stuff. This made me happy. I think my most favorite find was the the Seven-Up Dot guy! It brought back so many memories of commercials when I was a kid! He is even a magnet. Best of all he was only 50 cents. You can't beat that little bit of enjoyment and all for 50 cents. I love thriftstores so much.

I Heart Cross Stitch and A Tutorial

Okay, so Mr. Groundhog has predicted six more weeks of winter. So I might as well have some fun with these sweaters that are sticking around. I love to cross stitch. I have been wanting to cross stitch on my sweaters for awhile now, and what better of a time than an extended winter. Here's what you need to do:
1. Find a pic that you want to cross stitch on you sweater. I used a skull with a bow from my fave book, " Hop, Stitch, Jump." I ordered my from my fave store in Seattle " Kinokuniya Bookstores." Plan it by using graph paper or the book as suggested.
2. You will need stabilizer, embroidery thread, embroidery needle, sweater, image to cross stitch.
3. Place the stabilzer inside the sweater where you want to put the image. You can keep this stationary by doing a hand stitch roughly to hold it on and you can clip this off later.
4. Use each knit section as your grid. The part that looks like an arrow. I have a close up pic to see this.
5. Cross stitch away. (I seperated a six strand embroidery thread to only three, six is too bulky).
6. Finished.
I hope this is helpful. If you have any questions be sure to ask. It adds a nice touch to sweaters, jackets, pants, bags, just about anything.

My Favorite Doll

I found this girl at a garage sale, and even though she was missing a hand, I couldn't get over how she looked. The metal mechanisms that make her arms and legs move are just a wonder to me. I have no idea of how old she is , but I can't remember the last time they made plastic toys that moved with metal mechanisms. She always sits next to my laptop everytime I type. The details on her dress always amazes me, the detail. Just thought I would share this little joy. I was running this morning (yes I finally am getting back on track) and I always listen to Pandora when I run and for the first time I heard the band "The Meemies." I love the girls voice. The song is "Porch Song." The video is really cute as well. Okay and I am so getting Wendy Mullins new book, "Built By Wendy Dresses." If you are learning to sew and want to know more, she is the girl to go to. She gives so many step by step instructions. Her books really helped me to learn how to sew my own wardrobe. If you are a beginner please get her book, " Sew U" a guide to making your own wardrobe. A beginner must. The best, I mean the best part is all the patterns that come with them too. She shows how to make modifications to make each piece your own. She gives shirt, skirts, and pant patterns with this one. I cannot wait to get the dresses! I cannot tell you how satisfying it is to make your own clothes. They fit better, they are the exact colors, and materials you want. It truly is an enjoyable hobby.

A Case of the Mondays

Okay, I know you all are getting just a little sick of my videos but this just made my Monday morning. I just don't like Mondays. I get a case of the Mondays. But if their wasn't such a thing as Mondays, it would be the Tuesdays. We got hit with some snow again this weekend. It wasn't too bad. I can't wait for the spring. I want to start my garden up again. I am dying to plant some peppers this year. I could eat peppers every day, red, green, yellow, orange. There is nothing like going into your backyard and making a meal with something that you grew. I have always wanted to learn how to can as well. I remember as a little girl going into my grandmother's backyard and picking apples with her and my cousins. We would fill big buckets full of green apples, and take bites out of them fresh from the tree. Then she would make her world famous apple butter (canning it). Mmmmm.... I can still taste it.
If you have never had apple butter, you can buy it at the grocery. Then you need to make an apple butter sandwich. Butter your bread like you would a grilled cheese sandwich, but instead of the cheese in the middle put apple butter, a good amount, and grill it up just like a grilled cheese. Oh I wish I had some now. I will have to get that now later at the grocery. I have no idea why I just told you about apple butter sandwichs, but I think I need some warm weather to come my way. I have been thinking about all the things I want to do once warm weather appears, such as camping, gardening, feeding the ducks, garage sales, and even cutting the grass ( I like that too). What things do you like to do in warm weather?

Mopedin'

My husband took video of me mopedin' away. I am staring at the camera for a long time, but nonetheless here I am zooming away. It is so much fun. I can even go top speeds of 25mph. You can hear my youngest say " Thats mommy." I need to make a sticker for my helmet that says " Mopedin Momma." Oh and my husband loves this song and the guys moped is sweet, and the song is sweet. The video is done in an 80's style. How can you not dance to the beat! Have a great weekend.

I love this!

Watch Rain Song - Check out Domonation.com in Animation  |  View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com

This little Domo short is one of my all time favorites. I love the bunnies horn rimmed glasses. Another short note, before I need to mop my floor. I found these boots at the mall the other night, and I would love to have them. They are Axee by Steve Madden, and I love these so much. They would look so cute with so many different styles. I would love to have these, now where can I find $100 dollars?

I Heart McCalls 5929

I have to say I have been making shirts for a few years now and McCalls 5929 is my all time favorite. Okay its got so many things going for it. #1. It has ruffles #2. It has plaid. And #3 It has ruffles! I have never been more proud of one of my shirts. I plan on making this for a summer shirt in a lighter cotton plaid. I embroidered a little turqoise heart on the right side of the bottom of the shirt. I wanted to add that little extra personal touch. I have been wanting to embroider and cross stitch on some of my shirts and sweaters forever now. I love love the book "Hop Stitch Jump!" The author gives so many amazing ideas to cross stitch everywhere. I have a sweater that has been dying to get a a bow, or heart, or a skull. I just washed it and its hanging dry to be cross stitched on. I am anxiously awaiting my yellow and blue tights I ordered. I want to put a combo of my new shirt with the yellow tights. I need to get all spiffied up for my date with my amazing husband on friday.

Balentimes Day (Incorrect Spelling Intentional)

Well I have been wanting to make a wreath for a long time now. I drool after Etsy seller Knock Knockings for awhile now. Seriously, check out this one and this one She is just so super talented. I love! So I made one yesterday. I have to admit, I went a little pom pom crazy! But I had so much fun doing it. I am not a crazy valentines day person, but I do like to decorate for every holiday. If you don't have a pom pom maker, run out to your nearest hobby/craft store and purchase a clover pom pom maker. They are so much fun, and such an enjoyable creation. I just love the funky beats of the band "The Blow." I am not a fan of all of their songs but their are those few that I could listen to over and over. One such song is "Hey Boy." The beat is just so catchy!
I am so excited as well! I sold my first official piece of art. I sold one of my "Illustated Dreams" embroidery pieces. I need to get cranking on more. I have so many more ideas up my sleeve.

So I think I want to get some 80's glasses

I have been surfing the web lately and I think I'm pretty close to wanting pair of big 80's glasses, as I call them. The plastic type! I came across a few on Etsy that I like. The first pair is sold by VintageOpticalFrames They have an amazing selection of vintage frames. I particularly love the grey frames. I have clear dark blue one's now that I love, but I would love to have these grey frames. The other pair, a pair of sunglasses, remind me of the big Gloria Vanderbelt glasses, and the ones Ellen Page wore in Juno. I was saying I wanted a pair of this, and I just love this pair from Etsy seller AandOGarcia's She has so many more cute vintage items as well. I have been wearing glasses since I could walk ( and I was walking into walls so my mom thought something was up). LOL. When glasses are a part of your face for you whole life, buying glasses is so much fun. I love to get new styles all the time. It seems like right when I buy a pair that I just love, I see another pair right after that, that I absolutely love. I will keep you updated if the 80's frames make an appearance.