Tortoise Hell!

They're not happy. Not at all. It is supposed to be getting warmer. The rain is supposed to be gone by now. All they can do is huddle together underneath their fake sun and dream of the day they will be out in the garden again romping through the weeds and eating dandelions. Poor little friends. I feel like I should knit them both a sweater, scarf, and hat. They are so depressed they won't even eat the special treat of grapes I gave them. Come back soon, sunny warm weather!

The Wasps Have Gone Bye-Bye!

Well for now, thank goodness. I watched one start a nest yesterday, actually very fascinating to watch. It broke my heart to pull it down and spray our eaves with yucky stinky stuff to deter them but I have no choice. I am very likely allergic to their stings and can't take the chance on getting stung or my little guy for that matter. He seems to be much more like his dad where these things go, but why take a chance. I just wish I had gotten a picture of the queen wasp and the start of the nest before they were both gone. The wasp was HUGE and lovely and the nest was just this beautiful delicate paper flower looking thing. Amazing creatures they truly are! I still only want to admire them from afar though.

So now it's back to hand washing my winter sweaters, finishing up some overdue projects, cutting out and sewing some maternity clothes, and experimenting with new cuffs and collars. Which feels good, since now I have a little extra energy to do it all! Yay!

It's Disgusting and I LOVE IT!

I am wearing the grubbiest, dustiest, old sweater there ever was and I LOVE IT! It is warm, it is comfortable, it just came out of the dryer so it smells nice, and it goes with my grubby old wool socks that I love too. I think I may wear this outfit straight through the holidays. Nothing like hanging around the house on a rainy day making cool stuff in a worn out old sweater. With all these super cold storms coming our way, I see no sense in changing into real clothes, it is pointless when I will not be leaving the house at all today......well.........maybe to go up the street to get chips and salsa, but I am not changing, not showering, and not even brushing my teeth. Because it is Saturday, and I am feeling really lazy.

Back to Work

So the Design Collective is over, I took the day yesterday to clean-up a little bit and improve some designs and now I am back to work. I have started listing some new wallets and I am making more day by day. I love the color combination in this one the bright raspberry pink with black and pumpkin orange. It stands out! I have decided to make my travel wallets just a smidgen bigger to fit a check book and more cash! I think it will go over well. I just want to design and make things that are pretty and practical. I think I am on the right track.

I am trying a new pouch design in sage green, lavender, and black that I think will look wonderful when done. I am going to be adding two zipper pockets, and a lot more slip pockets to the design to make it super usable. I am excited! I love the process of creating, you never do know what you'll end up with but the learning experience from the process is the key. That to me is worth it. Even if the project doesn't work out and you have to scrap the whole thing, at least you have learned what will or won't work.

Today we head downtown for a few errands. The weather seems to have changed into its more Autumn like appearance. Overcast and colder, with a tease of sun at the very end of the afternoon. I love it, but it definitely bugs a lot of the people around here, they so wanted more of a Summer. I can't say I blame them, but I still like the idea of bundling up in a nice warm sweater, hot cocoa, coffee, and a nice long walk. No more sandals, I guess I have to wear real shoes and socks. Not my favorite thing to do, but, I will give in for the sake of my poor chilly feet.

So back to work I go, hopefully I will have some good sewing karma and some amazing stuff will come out of that. No holding breath or crossing fingers though, it will be what it will be, no flipsy-changos!

Friday Blahhhh!!!!!!!

Feeling kind of blah today. Luckily it is one of those hang out and watch the clouds move kind of days. I will utilize the time by working on some of my various projects. I am working on a lime green and purple travel wallet and another men's billfold wallet, so those also get some love today. Then we head downtown to the post office and another thrift store for more treasure, and then on to the fabric/yarn store for some emerald green yarn. I have decided what I want to do with my latest sweater and I need some green yarn to finish it up. I think it will make a great layering piece. I am hoping so anyways. I will post a picture when it is all done. I don't know what I am going to do with all of my sweater creations. I must not get too carried away!

This weekend we bottle the applewine. I can't wait! It is already so tasty. Then our closet will be full of beer and applewine. Pretty soon we are going to have to look for a place with another bedroom just for our growing collection of beer and everything else Mark has his himself set on making. It is amazing how much room all these wonderful things we do take up. I really love that we each have such wonderful interests. It makes for a very happy and interesting life. Well off I go to do my yoga workout then it is back to work.

I Did It!

I went treasure hunting yesterday and found not only a grey suede jacket that would be perfect for my wallet making but also a merino wool sweater for my first upcycled clothing project. So I brought it home and sat down and started cutting. I thought at first I would make a cardigan that fastened at the top but ended up with something a little different, I can't wait to wear it, I even used a couple of leather covered buttons from a jacket I had cut up already. Check it out. I put my red t-shirt inside because all I kept getting on film was a black blob. I don't know if this is any better but It seems really weird to talk about something I am working on but not show a picture.

So today Ciaran and I are off to do more treasure hunting, package mailing, and dinner getting. I wonder what treasures I will come across today?

Off to Hunt for Treasure!

That is the plan for today. I am off to our biggest thrift store to search for more leather and some wool sweaters for various projects. I also need to find Ciaran a high chair so we can transition from his baby seat to a more distinctive toddler seat. Actually, he is just to darn big for that little seat anymore so he needs something that is a bit more roomy. I am sure he will appreciate having a bit more elbow room when he is refusing every single little bit of food we offer him. Last night he refused his dinner of chicken, carrots, and cheerios so the cats got most of it.

I was really inspired to make some fall/winter clothing the other day. I was looking through a clothing catalog that had it's selection of new and inspired fall and winter wear. All of which was super over priced but some really great ideas for easy, comfortable, and warm clothing. Lots of big bulky vests and things. I have been searching for a way to utilize old sweaters to make some nice outerwear for myself for my chilly day walks. (I can't believe I am already thinking about the fall and winter) I keep finding great wool sweaters when I am searching for treasure at the local thrift stores but they are usually too small, or worn in certain areas, so I plan to play around with some deconstruction and reconstruction to see what happens. I think I have found my inner fourteen year old, thrift store searching, used clothes wearing, punk rock self. I now prefer a do it yourself outfit to anything brand new. I kind of like it that way.