New Studio

We are finally all settled in our new home and I had my first full day in a very long time of just sewing! I have a very spacious room and it is light and warm. I need to get another table to put my ironing board on and shelves for my fabric. All my fabric is now in totes and I waste a lot of time digging through them. The room needs some more decorations but for the most part I am all set. I expect to be very productive!

Friday Find: Artist Nicaeli

Our featured artist is one of my favorite! Nicaeli is on Etsy and I first came across her when I was living in humboldt County. I needed a new wallet and wanted something unique. I found her by searching "Shop local" on Etsy and realized she lived right in Arcata. I loved the products as she makes them from recylced leather. My wallet was bright green (my favorite color!).

As December neared this year, I thought I might want a new wallet as the old one was getting worn out. Cerise told me it was fine and I didn't need new one. What she really did is order a new (upcycled!) wallet from Nicaeli, Nicael Leistikow. I love it! I love that Nicael hand makes these and that she uses recycled leather. She also make handbags and accessories as well as beautiful masks. Check out her shop at http://www.etsy.com/shop/nicaeli and her blog at http://gurglythings.blogspot.com.
Thanks Nicael!

Weekend of School

I'm taking a really dumb class to complete my degree. Unfortunately it's sucking away my whole weekend and has consumed a good chunk of my week. I'll be back with something gun next week!

Happy Studying!

Cerise : )

Cerise is right about keeping stuff that might be a great craft project in the future. We just moved so we were culling stuff before moving and I am still doing so. I have collected match book covers (a neat necklace box, mini-shrine??) tons of scrap paper (home made cards maybe), bottle caps (magnets?) old jeans (placemats, bags?) lots of scrap fabric, old maps and so much more! While I kept a few things, I finally recycled things that I didn't have a project in mind for. We do live in a bigger house, so I can start collecting more stuff!
Theresa, Ommama

New Favorite Knit!

The Big Book of Knitted Monsters and MochiMochi knits are really awesome and keeping me well entertained. But there is a knitter out there who needs to get her own book published. While browsing newly posted Ravelry patterns the other night I came across Dawn Finney's Big Knitted Moon!!! Her other space and science knits already had me tickled pink but I almost jumped off my couch and ran around squealing when this massive moon came into view. The craters randomly dispersed, the adorable little eyes, the wonderful mooniness of this guy just makes him so wonderful. I haven't knit any of these wonderful amigurumis but they are definitely on my list to knit. These will make great classroom props when I'm a teacher!! Ms. Finney, get yourself published!

Happy Pattern Searching,

Cerise : )

Cupcake Crazies

These cupcakes were supposed to be baked on Sunday. Half were to go to work on Valentine's Day and the other half to knit night the day after. However, since I didn't bake on Sunday night, I decided post-Valentine's cupcakes would have to do. Every time I make cupcakes (my favorite thing to bake since it's easy and frostable), I use Bob's Red Mill (BRM) Gluten-Free Chocolate Cake Mix. I panicked that I wouldn't have enough so I had my fiancé pick up some yellow cake mix. Alas, the Co-op didn't have BRM mix so Pamela's was the next choice. I'm familiar with BRM cake mix so I was a little worried about Pamela's mix. I was right in being worried. The mix was not as thick and fluffy and all the little mini muffin cups spilled over in the oven. This led to a massive cupcake chain that will be interesting to take apart and salvage into normal mini cupcakes. The flavor of Pamela's yellow cake mix is really good though and is making up for the runny, messy batter. The vanilla frosting and decorations have yet to come to check back tomorrow for more pictures!

Happy Baking,

Cerise : )

Happy Valentine's Day!

I got the awesome Big Book of Knitted Monsters from my sweetie for V-day and whipped up a little love monster last night! This book is GREAT! And it's a good way to use up leftover yarn scraps. More monsters to come and some MochiMochi too!!

Happy Hearts!

Cerise : )

And the Winners Are...

Congratulations to Wendy and SewzAllSquirrels for winning the Valentine giveaway. Each winner will be receiving a heart terrarium in the mail this week. Thanks for participating! Stay tuned for another giveaway the first week of March!

Happy Crafting,

Cerise : )

Yarn Yarn Yarn

When my grandpa died last summer I went into yarn thereapy mode and obsessed about Shibui's Staccato yarn in 50s Kitchen. Three skeins seemed enough to make a pair of socks. But after I started the knee-high button-up sock pattern (also from Shibui), there suddenly appeared to be a shortage of yarn in the yarn bag. So the wonderful ladies at Knit Purl in Portland let me buy it online and I'm off to pick it up this weekend. The socks are going to be amazing! Not only is this yarn divine and in a wonderful color scheme (wool and silk, so soft!), the stockings are going to be quite eye catching. They may be a bit too warm by the time they are done but I can knit like a maniac and the weather hasn't gotton much warmer here. The buttons will only go down a little ways on the thigh, which will hopefully help hold the stockings up. Unfortunately there looks to be some frogging in my future because the fit is very loose aroung the knee so far. Now that I know I won't be stuck with just three skiens I might fudge with the pattern a bit to get a nice legging fit. These are going to be so fun when they are done!!

Happy Knitting!

Cerise : )

Pretty Paper Pennants!

Now is the time of year to add something bright to your home. And why not get some pretty paper pennants? These were lovingly cut out (yes, each little pennant!) and pasted onto a delicate little cashmere rope. Pink and purple are up on Etsy with more wonderful colors to come. These are even customizable with names, dates, whatever you want! A perfect little addition to a birthday party, a mirror, or wherever you need a little cheer. Please request colors and personalization!

Happy Party Planning and Decorating!

Cerise : )

Late Winter Cleaning

The weekends are a cherished time of the week because it means no work. This Saturday was supposed to be filled with a crafty mess but there was such a mess in the craft hut there was no room to make more of a mess! So I finally got down to serious cleaning and organizing. It took me almost all day but it's done. And I even took some stuff to the thrift store. I know, right? Me get rid of something?? It's really unheard of as those who know me know that I am quite the pack rat when it comes to crafting stuff. I'm starting to realize that even though every little piece of junk can be turned into something, I don't actually have the want to make something with all those little bits of junk. And four yards of hideous furry fabric? What was I thinking? (There's a reason I'm pretty much cut off from the fabric store!) Now there is space for making glittery messes while still leaving room for sewing. If only it were warmer out there so it wasn't so uncomfortable to craft.

Happy Early Spring Cleaning!

Cerise : )

Valentine Giveaway!!!

Long time no post!! It's been a busy week over here. Unfortunately it's not due to being super crafty. Sometimes boring responsibilities get in the way of all the fun stuff. C'est la vie. But good news, we are coming back to you with a giveaway!! To celebrate the month of love, hearts, and all that other gushy sweet stuff we are giving away heart terrariums! Check out more pictures on Cerise's Etsy site (sorry, that awesome little gnome is not included).

You have two chances to be entered. You will get one entry for leaving a comment below and another entry by reposting this blog (please leave your link in the comments section). And it gets better! Two winners will be picked (at random of course!), one winner receiving a small heart terrarium and a second winner receiving a large heart terrarium. You have until Saturday so get those comments rolling!

Good Luck!
Cerise : )