Craft on! Felt Coasters

I finally broke out of my little rut by being a tad productive the other night. When I felt sweaters to make my scarves, I often have left over scraps. I sometimes use bits and pieces for other adornment on the scarves or bags, but I still have a big bag of scraps. So to use some of them up I decided to make some felt coasters. Wool is great because it naturally resists moisture.
Here's a quick felting lesson if you've never done it, although you've probably done it accidentally. I do it in the washing machine. Take a wool sweater and wash it in hot water. It will shrink up. You may have to do it a few times. Here's a before and after photo of one of my sweaters:

To make the coasters I cut out 5 good sized circles from the felt. I also choose another cotton fabric to cut slightly smaller circles from. I had some fun diner fabric left over from making hotpads. Simply sew the cotton circle onto the felt circle. Then I did some decorative stitching too. If I were to do it again, I might use some interfacing in between the two. I though the felt would be pretty sturdy, but it could use the extra stability of the interfacing.

Self Portrait Tuesday

This is the last Tuesday for the "All of Me" challenge. I'm not sure this was the best challenge for February. It's just a horrible month for me. Despite being the shortest month of the year, it just drags and drags. I feel so stagnant during February. I'm glad today is the last day. March will certainly feel like a move forward.
I didn't love this "All of Me" challenge. Especially because I'm already hard on myself in February because I loose motivation and energy, I didn't really want to document those parts of myself I don't want to deal with and expose them to the internet. So I'm framing this challenge in a physical way. When I take photos I don't make sure they're perfect anyway. I don't wear makeup. I guess I feel like I'm pretty good at accepting myself, at least my outer, physical self. So this last photo is actually one that I was surprised that I liked. George took it last summer when we were on vacation for a week at the beach. I had only awoken from a nap a little earlier. And I was a little cranky, in fact, I think I'm mid whine. But I actually think it's a, dare I say, sexy photo.

In high school I was self conscious about my big arms. I've always had big bulky arms. I'm strong, but still, when trying on dresses to go to the Christmas dance with my gay friend, it was hard when both of the guys with me were like, "Oh my god, look at your arms!" But I'm fine with them now. They fit my body and I like being strong. I have no problem wearing sleeveless shirts. And while you might think I have some streaks in my hair from the sun, those are my grays. I started getting them in college. I inherited them directly from my dad who also grayed early. He always looked for gray hairs on my brothers, but I'm the one who got them. Thanks Dad!
So that completes the "All of Me" challenge. I hope those who have participated won't be so harsh on themselves. I'm looking forward to the next challenge about documenting time. I've already got an idea for next week. I need to start documenting tomorrow!

The Baltimore Fine Craft Show

Yesterday, George and I made our annual trip to the Craft Council's craft show in downtown Baltimore . Ever since we moved here, we've been helping George's mom's college roommate take down her display at the show. So we get in free to wander around for about an hour and then we take down Sally's whole set up. It doesn't take much time at all now that we have a routine.
Normally we just speed through the huge show. A lot of the work just isn't our cup of tea. I'm not saying these people don't love their craft and do fine work. It's just that a lot of it doesn't fit our aesthetic. Sometimes I find some things I'm interested in. This year I found the needle in the haystack again. Domestic Element: subtle sophisticated satire-- historic pattern design with a contemporary twist. Jessica hand and digitally prints her own fabrics putting a twist on toile and Americana. At this show she had pillows, shoulder bags, silk scarves, and some wall hangings. I was drawn in right away by the "Cars Go Beep" print.

There's a lot more on her website. I just love the sense of humor behind the designs. It makes you look a little more closely at the toile patterns.

Links in the shop for some cool finds

I've got a bird roasting in the oven. Mmmm, it smells so heavenly. So I got lots of time to update the blog. I the past few days I've added some new links to my shop. Nothing beats the feeling of finding and linking up with others who are creating amazing things. I like to offer some additional support my blogging about the shops too.
First up, dainty&dirty. This shop has a great little mix of limited edition, one-of-a-kind, and, coming soon, vintage pieces. I'm partial to this gorgeous obi belt:

I'm not sure I could pull it off myself. But it's just so pretty I want to try! And there's great pillow I also love:

It's the mix and juxtaposition between the dainty, old fashioned silhouette and the crazy, bright paisley on the trim and the back of the pillow that does it for me.
I also recently linked up with blend creations. Check out the clean and sleek necklaces that this husband and wife team make. This is a style I would certainly wear.

This next shop makes me long for some of my friends to start having babies. There are so many creative and cute things out there, like Turtle Papers It's just not fair! Can't this come in an adult sized tee?

There are plenty of other great graphics for onesies and tees, baby tees--no adult tees.

I remembered Self-Portrait Tuesday!

That's a nice smile, right? This is supposed to be "all of me" and I like my smile itself just fine. But it's my teeth and jaw that give me problems. Let me start at the beginning, even though I'm not sure it it's all connected. I didn't start talking until I was three. My parents were afraid I had a hearing problem or some other problem. But when I needed to speak I did. It was mostly to defend myself from my brothers seeing as my first word was "no" and my second word was "stop." I was also a big thumb sucker. I still completely understand the comforting sensation of thumb sucking. I didn't stop until I was in Fourth grade.
But let me go back. Once I started talking, I needed speech therapy. At nursery school I got to meet with this great lady who played games with me and helped me pronounce lots of letters.
The bottom line is, my jaws never lined up right. I went through a tongue crib, braces twice, and jaw surgery when I was 13 years old. When the surgery was over and I started to recover I realized my teeth actually touched. They never had before.
And they don't now. My mouth is just a mess. I've learned to make the "s" sound very carefully against my bottom teeth, where I still have a glued in retainer. I'm afraid to have it taken out because it wouldn't feel the same and I might have problems making the "s" sound and that would just be embarrassing at my age.
I only go to one dentist who has been through all this with me. Once I had an appointment and his new partner checked in on me and was like, what is going on in here? I mumbled that I had surgery, but with all the stuff in my mouth he thought I said I was having surgery. No I HAD it--this is as good as it gets.
Luckily, everything looks pretty good to the untrained eye. Except for my receding gums. And can you tell which front tooth is mostly fake? In first grade I was fooling around in the car while saying goodbye to a friend my mom was dropping off. I knocked my teeth against the window and sheered the front off my new adult front tooth. My faithful dentist fixed me up and I've never need the fake part replaced. That's when I decided I loved that dentist. He even put the little tiny grooves in the front tooth.
I need to make a dentist appointment.

Scarf Sale! And I wish in were in Australia!

I wish winter were over, but it's not. The groundhog says we have six more weeks. And since most of the country just got tons of snow, I think he's serious. Check out the winter scarf sale in my shop. Keep warm!


Perhaps in an effort to forget about the cold weather outside, George and I visited the new Australia exhibit at the Baltimore aquarium. It feels like we've been watching the new building rise up from the ground for years. But once we were inside, it was kind of disappointing. The Australia exhibit only occupies the top part of this huge green house looking structure. If you want to learn more about the building go here. My favorite animal in that exhibit was the pig-nosed turtle. I already have a thing for turtles. And I do have to admit, the exhibit was full of them, and this guy was super cute.

The best part of the whole visit, however, was a special exhibit on frogs. I saw frogs I never could have imagined. Plus, it wasn't nearly as crowded in that exhibit, so I can get down and put my nose the glass without knocking over an kids. The Vietnamese frog was by far the craziest. It's like something out of Star Trek. Very cool.

Yeah, that's a frog, a moss frog.

The Week in Review and Some Cool Finds

I've been a bad blogger. I completely forgot about Self-portrait Tuesday on Tuesday. I remembered on Wednesday, but I just couldn't bring myself to post the photo I was thinking of--me in mid motion. It's just not right. I don't think I need to accept myself captured in such a way and I didn't want to inflict it on the web.
So next week I'll have to come up with a good self-portrait.
During the week I succumbed to some cute things that I had to have. That Pork Chop Girl did it again with an adorable black ruffled sweater. Here it is. I don't normally do ruffles, but I think the sweater will work on me. Hopefully I'll get it today!
I found this cute little guy through a comment on my blog:

He's a little pin cushion that comes with a card from Good Morning Sunshine's Etsy shop. I'm so glad Elizabeth left a comment here because I'm not sure I ever would have found her shop in the great wide sea of Etsy. I actually need a new pin cushion, but this little hooty is so cute, I'm not sure I'll be able to stick pins in him! Maybe he can just guard and watch over my pins in the old pin cushion I made.
In other news this week, George got an internship in graphic design. He's a professional artist but lately he's been making a transition to graphic design. He already has the eye and the ideas, he just has to learn all he programs, which he's been doing, and get some experience. Anyone out there need some freelance graphic design done, logos, etc, leave a comment for me or email me through the shop.
And what entry would be complete without an update about the cats. Mr. Pink got into the fireplace, which we keep sealed off from curious kitties. He did it in the middle of the night so I did see all the soot all over his pretty pink ears until I got out of the shower and he came to greet me. No photos. I just wanted to clean him up.
Lastly, some Bake Sale Designs news. If you don't already know about the Happily Handmade Giveaway, it's on! You can enter to win one of, I think about 80 gift baskets full of great stuff from indie and craft designers. I dontated some of my own things. You can enter at each sponsors site. Here's the Bake Sale Designs entry page. you can sign up for my newsletter at the same time. I usually use it to announce sales and other specials.
I was also surprised and extremely flattered this week when an editor of a web zine that's about to relaunch with a new look and direction contacted me to do an interview! It just feels good to be noticed out of so many small businesses that are doing great indie and craft work. No links yet. When the zine relaunches, I'll be posting more information here.

Things to do when snowed in

Baltimore got some snow last night. Compared to many other parts of the area nearby as well as the rest of the country, we didn't get much at all. But it's certainly enough to slow down the city. So today I stayed in.
I wanted to see what my cats would do when faced with snow. I've seen Moco's response before, but this is my first snowfall with Mr. Pink. I captured their little snow adventure.

They're only allowed on our deck to go outside. That's what they were faced with. I loved their different reactions. Moco, true to form, tried to eat the snow. Then he was done with it all. Mr. Pink was much more curious. He stepped his paws into the snow numerous times but didn't like what happened. Still he tried to get out a little bit.

After their attempts trying to play outside were thwarted by the snow, they got all riled up and did some wrestling. See below for the action:

It's disturbing to see tufts of black fur standing out against Mr. Pink's white mouth. Same goes for white fur sticking out of Moco's paws. For the most part they're just having fun. When Moco doesn't want to play anymore, we all know it by his diva like screams.
So what else did I do today beside take way too many photos of my cats? I made some cookies! In honor of valentine's day I made heart shaped cocoa fudge cookies. Usually these are just round cookies, but I carefully shaped them into hearts. I have never done that before, but I think it worked out fairly well. The cold, black hearts...

Surprises and V-day

I got up this morning with the goal of making Valentine's day cards. I already had an idea, I just had to get everything together and do it. And I finished! But Mr. Pink did not make it easy. Every couple of minutes he would come up and want to mess with all my supplies.
Here's the finished product:

On the inside it says, "MWAH! Somebody loves you!" I adore the photo of this little boy. I found it at a yard sale years ago. He's just so ebullient. I hope to have plain cards featuring him in my shop sometime soon. All the Valentine's went out today. Hopefully they'll get there on time, but now there's the snow to contend with.

I also got a suprise today. George got me my very own Jay McCarroll, of Porject Runway fame, bag. It's so cute! George actually ordered it for Christmas but it didn't come until a few days ago. I'll use it as my work bag. Check it out:

I got some new fabric pins up in the shop. Two of them are made of some great Marimekko fabric. The one below I named Sherbert because it reminds me of it. It has a gentle gradation of pink to orange.

Calling all NY-ers: Rock Shop Love!

I wanted to post this for a friend of mine. In fact, Amelia is my oldest friend--we've known each other since we were wee. She put this whole shin dig together.

I ( Heart) CraftGranza
Rock. Shop. Love.
A designers' market featuring shopping, music, and Valentine'’s mayhem!


Where: Scenic - 25 Ave B( between 2nd and 3rd St.), NY, NY

When: Thursday, February 9, 2006 6 pm -???

Who: 17 Fabulous Designers

Timbuktu, Swedish rap sensations

Bastard Jazz DJs

For complete information go to Scenic NYC.

Self Portrait Tuesday AND Cuties

Time for the first real submision for the "all of me" self-portrait challenge. I jumped the gun last Tuesday. Below is my self-portrait. It really is a photo I took of myself after a day at the beach. My bathing suit top broke and I was stuck wearing the top in the picture. So there's no make-up, but I don't normally wear makeup. The angle isn't so flattering. It's after a day in the sun and sand. But I guess I'm just not too picky. It's a good photo. Just wait until next week. It's not the angle and lighting that get me. It's mid-sentence. I can get caught in some might horrible split second facial expressions. I'm glad I don't have to watch myself talking in slow motion!


Have you seen the mascots of the winter olympics in Torino? I just saw them today and they're kinda cute.
One is supposed to be an ice cube and the other a snowball. Hee. They actually reminded me of the all great plushies and stuffies out there in the craft community. For some really great examples of what I mean, check out the Plush Rush Gallery.

Here are some other examples of the cuties I mean.
This guy's at Plain Mabel.

The super cute Valentine fat kitty can be found at Copacetique.

I love presents in the mail

I love getting packages in the mail--who doesn't? It's especially nice when UPS doesn't mess up delivery. I actually trust my USPS lady more than the other delivery methods. But back on topic--presents!
Over at Craftster I joined in a swap a little while ago, the Craft Crap Swap 3. It allowed me to clean out some of my crafts stuff, lots of fabric and, well, other crap. And today I got my big box from my partner. It was lots of fun and I needed it this Monday. I think everyone should get presents every Monday to start the week off right.
My cats were really into the box--new smells and all. Moco did some sniffing and then left me to it. But Pinky couldn't get enough and would hardly let me see what was inside.

So I made him a little cape from some fabric in the box. It looks so good on him! He's so dashing. That's the only photo I snapped that didn't have him clawing and biting at the knot.

On to my loot! There was some gorgeous Asian inspired brocade fabric. My photography skills really didn't capture the colors well at all. And there's lots of other fabrics, including one that has a golfer on it. I like it!
There was also a pattern for a stuffed animal, lots of bottle caps, buttons (I haven't even looked at them all), some great paper and stickers--I was immediately inspired to make some Valentines. My partner also included some illustrations and other cut outs from magazines. I don't do much with paper, but with some of the work already done for me, I think I can have some fun. And I've never done much with bottle caps, so now I get to search for some good projects on Craftster.

And here's a close up of the golfer fabric. It's so funny. I love it!

There's another swap, The Chocolate Swap, that I'm thinking of signing up for at Craftster as well.

And to top it all off, I also got another package in the mail today--lots of promo goodies from other business and crafty ladies. There's some seriously good stuff in there! But it's not for me. It's for my customers. Each order in my shop gets a little baggie of goodies and coupons.

What a Super Sunday

I don't really "do" the superbowl, but I also don't want to miss out on all he finger foods that other people get to eat at those parties. So today, George and I made soft pretzels. We didn't make any "Mick Jager" lip pretzels this time. That usually happens when George gets fed up with trying to roll the dough. We've got pretzel initials for everyone, R for me, G for George, which I think came out very well. An M for moco and a P for Mr. Pink. I didn't want to have two Ms. I just used a recipe I found on the web. I'd post it, but I don't really like the directions. It says to mix the yeast in with the flour rather than letting it sit and do it's thing in warm water first. But if you want to have a go at it, just search for "90 Minute Soft Pretzels" on Google.

I mixed up a double batch so we have lots to nibble on. I already ate quite a few. And now I'm eyeing the gooey brownies that are cooling on the stove top.

I've added a few more links to my shops link page. And two are people that contacted me to swap links! It's a first for me. And since I may not be the only one who needs something else to do rather than watch the superbowl, how about another great American past time? Shopping?
Here are some of my new link partners:
Andrea over at Pretty raccoon Clothing sells spectacular silk screened tops. I wish I knew how to silk screen. Her tops are very cool though, no?


Handmade Julz makes some mighty cool jewelry. It kinda takes the idea of marble jewelry but really makes it more sophisticated. You can choose from tons of images to make yourself a bracelet, ring or necklace.


I really need some more stationery and cards. Mayhemm makes cards that you might not be able to send to your Grandma--unless you have one heck of a cool Grandma--but you need cards like this in your collection.


Finally there's Pillows for the People. If ever there was a reason for smell-o-internet it's these handmade pillows filled with either Lavender, Geranium Rose or Chamomile Peppermint.

Shop Updates

A couple shop updates for you. First, I finally got around to setting up gift certificates in the shop. It looks like pretty good system. I'm offering $25 and $50 gift certificates. You can add a personal message to them and either email them right away to someone or print it up and give it to them. I personally like gift certificates because it lets me shop, which can be fun, and I get what I want. I always know what I'm going to get from my brother for Christmas. If he doesn't give me a Borders gift card, I don't know what I'd do!
Bake Sale Designs gift certificates are here!


For any fans of the O and Ovals bags. I have a whole new batch in a great online shop, MYMY. There are some fabric patterns I don't have up in my own shop yet, so check them out at MYMY.


Lastly, if you don't know about Grechen's Closet, now is a perfect time to check it out. Grechen just relaunched with a new design. To help celebrate she's giving away a gift basket to one lucky winner who signs up for her newsletter. And you could get my super cute butterscotch fabric flower pin. Check out all the loot you can get here!

I often don't have time to do much of my own personal crafting, but this past weekend, I did make a cute little tie choker from a vintage tie. Picture soon. And I just a got a surprise package of marimekko fabrics from a shop that was having a good deal. Lot of pieces are small. I see many cute little wrist clutches in my future!