wonderland5

round-up of randomness

I bought Lotta Jansdotter's new book the other night:

  It is really beautifully designed, clean and lovely, just like her stuff.  Most of the projects are fairly simple and ordinarily I wouldn't have bought it but there is this tote pattern that I was immediately smitten with completely.  Made out of denim, it has all these outside pockets--for a water bottle, a magazine, etc--and I love pockets!  Since I have these two pairs of jeans that ripped beyond repair this spring (both ripped in the same spot within 6 weeks of purchase:  boo to old navy denim), I am thinking that this is my next project.  Lined with that apple corduroy I have been hording?  yes yes yes.

In other news, there has been a veritable baby boom this year in my extended circle.  I guess we are just at that age now--a few years ago we were attending 8-10 weddings a summer.  Now it's all babies, all the time.  I decided to get a jump on things and make up a batch of baby blankets.  Enough for all that I know are coming and a few extra to put in my etsy shop, which has been so badly neglected for months.

And lastly, check out this cool travel pouch that a friend thrifted for me:

Isn't that beautiful handwork?  Someone spent some serious time on it.  I think it is for jewelry but maybe I can convert it to carrying some type of craft supply?  Right now it is pinned to the wall in my studio for inspiration.  love it.

that's all for today.

A little of this, a little of that

I really wanted to get a WIP up here this week, but I haven't managed to, so here's a little something I was making last year at this time.

This *was* hanging over the changing table, until Mr. Wonderful started using it to pull himself to an inappropriate and highly dangerous sitting position.  In the process, he managed to rip off two of the ribbons holding the bottom stretcher, a problem I have yet to correct.  It is made of 100 percent wool felt, which had the unexpected side benefit of being water (or *other* liquid)-proof.  I reccommend this material to anyone wanting to make a wall hanging for a baby boy.

Here's a nifty little number I picked up at the thrift recently:

Isn't this the best?  someone crocheted the prettiest flower trim, sash, ties, and pocket and sewed them onto a dish cloth.  I think it is awesome.  It is in pristine condition, obviously never worn.  I have it up on the wall in the kitchen and I think it is inspiring me to try to learn to crochet.

Quick update on the handmade holidays project:  I have been using this project as an excuse to spend far too much time cruising Etsy and other craft boutiques and I have already seen some amazing, amazing wares.  A lot of them are very reasonably priced and well presented, so I could totally see ordering them as gifts, no problems...except...these are things that *I* would love to receive as gifts.  I can't really picture my dad unwrapping an adorable handbag or felt brooch or cupcake pincushion on Christmas morning.  I think I may have to broaden the scope of my *handmade* mindset to accommodate all players.  In the meantime, I am creating *quite* a wish list of my own!

My big sis is cruising into town tomorrow for the weekend.  No girls this time, just mama.  I am so looking forward to hanging with her, I probably won't post again until Monday or so.  good weekend to all.

birthday booty

I turned 34 while we were on vacation.  I have some really great artistic, vintage loving and awesome friends and relations so I am always excited to see what they will come up with.

First up is the mod salt and pepper shakers that my honey got at the retro mart in Charleston.

Here they are paired with a tin I got at a Habitat for Humanity Home Store in Charleston ( I *always* visit these stores, wherever I am--they have awesome stuff and my big bro runs the one here in Asheville so I like to be able to give him a report.)  and behind those things you can spy the amazing turquoise vintage canister set I got at my wedding shower.    Anyway, aren't they the coolest?  I love orange and also chartreuse and so people often give me gifts in these colors. 

The next item of vintage goodness I received was this little item:

Can you believe how cute and clever this it?  I love it and it looks great in the dining room (let's hope the cats don't discover it.)

And lastly, here is something my mum whipped up for me:

This is not a great pic, sorry.  It really doesn't do justice to this cool babe made on a styrofoam cone.  I made one of these for her birthday a few months back and she loved it and thought it looked like fun so she made one.  That is awesome to me.  I feel really lucky that my mom and I are into the same things--different takes on them, but still.

Here is a detail of the skirt made of paper and fabric and ribbons and lace and beads:

Tell me that is not cool, I dare you.

The only saddness of the birthday was that my brother broke the amazing vintage Heller ashtray he had scored for me--it is chartreuse and has the symbols of the zodiac around the sides...so very very cool.  He was crushed that it broke--I think I can fix it if I can find the right glue.  Any one have any suggestions on the right glue for ceramics?

more later...

funky new curtain

My dear dear friend Dina, Queen of the amazing finds, gave me this pristine vintage dishcloth with the *tag* still on a while back.

I have been moving it around, trying to find the very best way to highlight it--and now I have made my decision--cafe curtain for the kitchen window.  I have some nice turq fabric left over from the turq, brown, lime pillow making frenzy in May, so I think I am going to use that to extend the panels and make the whole thing long enough.  Oh yes I am so very excited about this.  Long live Queen Dina!