yesterday

Yesterday. Where to begin? It was all going so well. Like in that movie "City of Angels" where she's all happy she found love and is riding her bike all carefree, and then BAM! Semitruck.

Mine is slightly less dramatic I guess. Fine day at work. Evening massage from Sherri Smith of SmartMove massage, which was great. (I do really recommend her.) Pleasant grocery store outing for dinner goods.  Then my brain goes, "why not spice it up a bit and cut veggies carelessly and cut the shit out of your finger and bleed everywhere and almost pass out and have your poor husband rush you to the ER to get 10 stitches and a tetanus shot? How about that?" And so it was.

Needless to say, typing right now sucks. And my finger hurts!

My other obsession!

So other than my obvious love affair with fabric, I have another one:

BOOKS! Especially ones about sewing, crafting, detective-ing, holidays, food... so pretty much everything. I picked this one up used at local Old Firehouse Books. I wish they had a larger variety of used books, not so many new. I can get new books anywhere, but a good selection of gently loved pages? Harder to come by. But oh well. Books are books. I will take them! This book gave me some great ideas for making some holiday themed quilts, to use up and actually showcase my favorite Halloween and Christmas prints. The other book in this series is only holiday themed, but is equally adorable and accessible.

I also picked this one up off Amazon. That's like saying I shop at Walmart, huh? It's soo not hip or cool or local. But it was cheap and it was late and I wanted it. And now I have it. And one thing it does really, really well is make me feel better about my sometimes-not-perfect stitches. I thought I was the only one! So I really enjoyed this one. 

AND did you notice my single spacing? It's beautiful, isn't it?

Oops, I did it again!

NOW THAT SONG IS IN YOUR HEAD FOR DAYS! Ha. Also, I am trying to get used to the rule of putting only one space after a period. Remember in typing class how you were taught that everything had to have two spaces after it? I guess that's not a thing anymore. It's weird. Like how Pluto's not a planet. Change is hard.

And now for something completely (not) different, here's more fabric I bought this weekend :) I was even supervised. Top flower and square fabrics are going to be a new duffel bag, which I may or may not make and then keep for myself. The orange one is Halloween fabric! Very abstract though, might try making something fun with that. And I finally caved and bought some remainder Nancy Drew panels. Tote bag? Detective Kit? So many possibilities!

And the Xcel Energy person just scared the everloving single spaces out of me! I'm sitting right next to the glass door to the backyard and she just waltzes up to it, looks at the meter (RIGHT next to the door), out of nowhere! Stranger! In my yard! Announce yourself! Damnit, there go my double spaces again.

Veggie time!

My garden WAS doing pretty well.  One tomato plant was suffering from something that made the leaves brown and dry... too much water?  Too little?  Bugs?  Disease?  Any number of things.  But another ended up with weird ringspots, and according to the infallible internet's recommendation, we decided to pull it and the other one, just in case.  So now we're down to one tomato.  Sad face.  Husband had to pull them out b/c I just couldn't bring myself to do it.

Can't wait for things to be ripe and ready to eat!  The fry peppers are looking good, cucumber vines have taken off, and the jalapeños have potential.  We bought some pickling cucumbers at the farmer's market last week, so we pickled some as dill spears and some as bread and butter slices.  I wish it didn't take 3 weeks for them to be ready to eat.  Hopefully we'll get some good lemon cucumbers from our own garden, and try more pickling recipes!

. 

FABRIC!!!

Sooo sometimes I forget about things I buy.  Here is a prime example:

I bought myself all this fabric from Mama Said Sew for an early birthday gift to myself.  Almost two months ago.  Still nicely folded, with tags.  Maybe I should make something?  I'm in love with the Nancy Drew fabric and am having a really hard time deciding what precious thing I should make with it.  Ideas?

30th birthday! A few weeks ago. And I get link happy.

I'm all late on stuff.  But I thought I'd share some cool things I did for my 30th.  My family came up for the weekend, so we spent the Saturday before my birthday walking the art district in Denver.  We went to some cool galleries:  SPARK Gallery had great pieces by Robert St. John and Tom Mazzullo, and Blake at Artwork Network was very welcoming and fun to chat with.  We went in a couple other places, but one of my favorites, of course, was Fabric Bliss.  And I bought stuff.  Duh.  I treated myself, like a 30 year old adult is allowed to.  A 30 year old with a serious fabric addiction.  I CAN QUIT IF I WANT TO!!  On Sunday, my birthday, we went to the Denver Art Museum.  Saw the Mark Rothko exhibit, which was very interesting.  It was strange to see a larger body of work than was shown in my art history classes in school.  His style changed so much over his lifetime.  Glad I saw it.

We also went to some amazing eateries:  Watercourse Foods and Root Down.  Watercourse is completely vegetarian, which my dad wasn't all about, but everyone else enjoyed.  Super cool art by Ravi Zupa on the walls, very hipster staff.  I had the Three Sisters Salad, all vegan, and it was delish.  We all split their vegan carrot cake for dessert, and it was very good as well.  Check it out if you can!

Root Down is not vegetarian or vegan exclusively, but it does rely on local and organic foods.  A very "foodie" place to go.  And one of the best experiences, our waiter truly made my birthday special.  I had the veggie sliders and the Pepper Bloom cocktail.  They have a mixologist on staff so you can custom order any drink.  Mine was heavenly: vodka, St. Germain, grapefruit, basil, jalapeño, and lemon.  You can be just like a Portlandia skit there!  Very unique menu, a little pricey, but absolutely worth it.  Some of the best food and customer service I've had in a long time.  We will be back!

I need to join FHA!

This is my fabric store haul.  WHAT AM I DOING WITH MY LIFE?!  I need to join a Fabric Hoarders Anonymous!  Seriously.  I cannot walk into a store that sells fabric and leave empty handed.  CANNOT.  Today I bought Halloween fabric and thread and a book. (I almost bought more, but had a tiny bit of self restraint.  The book is unintentionally ironic.  But super cool.)  Why?  BECAUSE I HAD TO.  It's a little laughable, but very honestly true.  I can't help myself.  I need a chaperone.  My fabric stash, which I had to buy storage especially for, is bursting at the seams.  And I haven't been making much lately.  I need to take some time off from work to just lock myself in the studio and make something, anything.  Before I can't get in there at all!

Still here! Sort of.

I can't believe how much I've neglected my little corner of the internets here.  On average, I probably think about blogging two, three times a week.  Obviously, without acting on it.  So here I am, actually doing something about it!  And what I'm mostly doing about it, is changing everything! *Applause*

In the last couple years, I've made a few personal changes.  My posts tend to be wordy anyway, so I won't go into too much detail, but I've gone back and forth, and now am permanently a VEGAN! *Confetti and sparkles and sunshine*  I'm also working out... more on that later.  And I'm trying my hand at gardening, again.  Still crafting, but less.  But for now the big change will be my focus here.  I'm going to join the ranks of vegan bloggers and try to focus on the Fort Collins and Denver areas, reporting (sounds so official) on places to eat, products to buy, things to do that are in the vegan spirit.  'Cause honestly folks, it's not hard, but it's not easy, either.  I want to help anybody in the area get a feel for their options.  I don't know if I'll be organized or motivated enough to have themed posts (aka Monday is vegan cookbooks, Tuesday is garden update, etc) but I feel like a schedule might keep me on track.  Might not.  I doubt anyone is still reading my blog anyway!  So really it's just for my own amusement until I make my big internet break.  Right.

I'm also up for any questions or suggestions for places to go and try.  Mostly what it boils down to is being open to new things, and not being swayed by your still-just-a-vegetarian husband ordering the cheesiest fried bread with ranch dipping sauce.  Sure, it smells good.  And looks good.  And I'm sure it tastes good.  But it won't feel good.  WILLPOWER.

For now, the garden:  3 tomato plants (2 of them lovely heirlooms!), a yellow bell pepper, a jalapeño, a sweet fry pepper, lemon cucumber (excited for this one especially), cilantro, and basil.  Last year the grasshoppers DECIMATED everything, so we'll see what happens this year.  So far I haven't seen a single hopper, so maybe that's good?

It's so cute!

Things I Collect

I collect a lot of things.  I collect keychains, Russian lacquer boxes, books, comics, and board games (it is pure Nerdtown in my house).  I also collect cookbooks, and currently have 39 of them.  I am looking to add to that number, making it at least a nice, round 40, and then continuing on until I am featured on the show "Hoarders."  Or "Biggest Loser," whichever my cookbook addiction leads me to first.  Here is where I am stuck.  There are so many beautiful cookbooks, and I am a sucker for food photography, so what cookbooks do you love, cherish, and find yourself going back to time and time again?  For the sake of space, I won't list what I have, but I'd love to hear what you do!

Ugh!

Sorry, again, for never having a new post.  I am the worst.  I have great blogging plans but other things always seem to come up and get in the way.  Thanksgiving and Christmas, for example.  Where did those things come from?

Trying to plan menus and do all the cooking, make lists and check them twice, buy presents and clean the house... it always sounds romantic up until the week of, when all hell breaks loose and I feel like a crazy person trying to run a marathon backwards with my legs tied together. 

Obviously, my Etsy shop is fairly empty.  I just haven't had the time (read: motivation) to sew and photograph and post and ship.  And I feel a little burned out, as well.  For a year I went full steam ahead on sewing, and I just need a little break.  Plus, my extreme Harry Potter obsession has me sidetracked on other various projects, many of which stemmed from the HP gift I made for my sister's Christmas gift.  Today I bought some Snitch-like beads, so hopefully I'll have some cute necklaces done before this time next year. 

My studio is also a disaster area (quite literally, there is thread EVERYWHERE, fabric scraps, packing peanuts, and paper pieces scattered wall to wall... I can't even vacuum) from the whirlwind of holiday craft shows I somehow thought would be a great idea seven months ago, and everytime I think I've worked up the courage to go in, clean it up, and get cracking on my next project, I stop dead in my tracks and rethink my plan.  Blargh.

Santa was at least good to me this year, several cookbooks, novels, board games, and candy... enough to last me through this humbug hibernation I've fallen into.  I'm thankful that the husband and I have simple plans for New Year's Eve, because I can't stand anymore celebration around here, and I'll be in no mood after working for eight hours that day.  Homemade sushi, football, and board games. 

So despite my holiday fatigue, I hope that you and your family had a truly wonderful holiday season and have a safe and happy New Year!

Just a little Halloween cheer!

I absolutely love love love Halloween, and anything retro has a special place in my heart.  So I just wanted to spread the spookiness, and share this classic poster with you.  Happy Halloween!

Another week gone!

I can't believe another week has flown by... seems like the more I have to do, the more I find other things to do instead.  I have a big show coming up in three weeks, and I have very, very little of it done.  I still feel like procrastinating, though, so here is my BEST feature of the week!

BlueForestJewellery is a festive shop based in the UK, and features stunning precious stone, glass, and bead jewelery, like this amazing autumn-inspired agate and leaf charm earrings:

Wouldn't this carnelian and quartz necklace be a beautiful addition to your fall wardrobe?

I just love the colors that BlueForestJewellery uses in her pieces!  Like this gorgeous carnelian, quartz, and pearl necklace... I'm sure it would be amazing wrapped as a bracelet, too!

This shop has some of the most amazing and creative jewelry I've seen in some time... beautiful color combinations, lovely stones and glass beads, and the shipping prices are really reasonable (being a American shopper, this is crucial!).  Fantastic shop!  Definitely on my holiday shopping list!

Check out BlueForestJewellery on Etsy, Twitter, and her blog!

BEST feature of the week!

So I'm doing a bit of catching up here, and am posting two BEST features in one day.  Better late than never, right?  Hope so.  A few months ago I featured CK Silver, and get the pleasure of doing so once again.  There are so many more fantastic jewelry pieces in the shop now, too!  I'm getting excited about holiday shopping!

And how could you not be, with gorgeous earrings like this Autumn Wind pair: 

They would be stunning to wear to any holiday party!  And this Southwest Autumn Necklace would be a stunning gift:

And how about the matching Southwest Autumn Bracelet? 

I'd have to say, I'm still a fan of the Jewelry of the Month Club that CK Silver offers.  It's a great deal, and how fun to get a present in the mail each month!  You pick your favorites, and get a beautiful set of earrings a month. 

Check out CK Silver if you're also looking for custom and birthstone jewelry... they love working with customers to make something beautiful!

And I'm back! Again...

So I am still trying to get organized around here.  I started a new job as a barista last week (I have no prior experience, so it's a bit overwhelming!), and I'm less than a month away from my biggest show of the year, for which I am nowhere near prepared for.  And I rejoined the Etsy BEST team, and am already behind in features!  So I apologize to Alyssabeths for not having my post ready last week!  It's late, but this is a shop that everyone needs to check out!

Alyssabeths features really fun, graphic vintage chic jewelry, decor, and all sorts of great holiday goodies!  Such as this fun set of Halloween Bat gift tags: 

I'm a huge Edgar Allen Poe fan, so I love these Raven gift tags... I think I'd have a hard time giving them away!

This great little shop also has beautiful jewelry, like this black cat Halloween rosary:

I'm a really big Halloween fan, so this shop is fantastic!  There are so many beautiful shabby chic and Christmas themed items, and several estate sale goodies, too!  And this is even better:

From now until October 19th, Alyssabeths is offering 10% off your total purchase (except for shipping)!!!  So now is the perfect time to start shopping for holiday gifts and decorations!

My First Treasury

So I just figured out how to make an Etsy Treasury... I just might be addicted!  Here's my first attempt.  Still trying to figure out how I can show it with pictures here...

And we're back!

Sorry everyone... I know it's been two months and two days since I wrote my last blog post.  I've been a bit busy since then, but I have lots to report, so I promise that from now on posts will be more regular!  Quick summary of events that led to massive blog neglect:
*I was laid off from my "real" job
*My husband was in the hospital
*I was diagnosed with all sorts of lovely ailments (hypothyroidism, high cholesterol, early signs of arthritis in the knees)
So you would think that with all this time on my hands, I would be doing nothing but blogging and crafting.  But I've been doing a lot of stressing instead.  The job market here is brutal!  But enough whining!  I've done a little bit of Halloween preparation:

| Festive Halloween Medium Zippered Pouch |

 

AND!!!  My Swing Station Studio pieces are now going to be shown in TWO shops!  They'll still be at Mama Said Sew here in Fort Collins, CO, and now at the Fuller Lodge Art Center in Los Alamos, NM!  I'll have lots of little pouches and box purses at the FLAC for their upcoming Fall Fiber and Fashion show, and then continuing through their Affordable Arts show in November.

And as if I haven't spread myself thin there, since I still have my shop on Etsy, I am also in a show in Broomfield, CO, Nov. 13th.  It's called Santa Cellar, and it's a fun holiday themed show, that I am really excited to be a part of.  Except for the fact that I have a tiny inventory now and need to make so much more!  Yikes.

I've also got new designs, recipes, and so much more to share with you!  I've got a newsletter coming out soon, so if you'd like to be on the list, sign up here!  It will give you access to sales, discounts, updates, and maybe a giveaway or two!

| Bright Orange Pumpkin Small Zippered Pouch |

I wish I had invented sticky notes.

Because my house, my phone, my desk, my car, everything is covered with them.  They float around like little colorful bits of a broken rainbow, I find them in every pile of books, trash, laundry, dishes...  And it would be cool to look at them and think, "I made that," instead of "Oh crap, I forgot to do that... and that... and that..."  Also, I'd be rich.  I think the majority of my sticky notes say the same thing, reminding myself of new designs I want to make, new tags I want to label my items with, etc., etc.  So I'm going to save myself a sticky note today, and instead of reminding myself to blog, I'm going to just do it.  Look at me go!

Ok, so I've had a little sugar.

But I'm being productive!  Look, today I'm featuring Omni Presents! 

Omni Presents makes handmade, beautiful new age and spiritual jewelry.  Like this unique colorful czech glass necklace.  Omni Presents has a great selection of jewelry options, including earrings, bracelets, and necklaces, including this stunning summer turquoise butterfly necklace.  And the pieces are very affordable, as well.

Another perfect summer necklace:  the seaside confetti shell necklace.  This is so understated and sophisticated.  And that's no stone... that's a handpainted shell!  I love it!

I love the positive energy surrounding this shop!  Each lovely item is gift-wrapped, with a little hand charm that reads "handmade," so you or your lucky friend knows they are supporting a real artist.  Who could resist?

This piece feels so earthy.  This necklace features a lingam stone, which is found only in the Narmada River.  Very unique!  And what's great about this store, is the jewelry is sorted into five different categories, such as "Bliss Baubles" and "Goddess Gear," with each collection designed to inspire the wearer to feel happiness or balance. 

An avid jewelry maker and adorer, Omni Presents states:  "I am...passionate about new age techniques such as meditation, color therapy, and crystal healing. Therefore, I decided to combine my...passions and create a collection of handcrafted regalia for adults that is not only beautiful but also serves to increase energy and enhance the spiritual health and well-being of the wearer through the materials used."  I really enjoy pieces of art that represent something to the artist, and especially when that sentiment is reflected in their art.  Enjoy!

Omni Presents can be found on Etsy, Twitter, and Facebook.  She's also got a great blog!

Staycation!

So I've been incredibly lazy this week.  Wednesday was my birthday, so my husband and I took Wed-Sun off from work to have an extended staycation at home.  And it has been awesome!  And not very productive.  I have been ignoring everything except laundry, which had been ignored too much before this week and left me with no clean clothes.  I also had a duplicate assignment for my BEST feature this week, and that took a couple days to get sorted out, and BAM!  It's Saturday.  We're hiking Dinosaur Ridge in Denver tomorrow, so I better get something done today! 

So now that I've made the lamest excuses for not getting my blog written on time (too much free time??), here's a big apology to Alexander's Designs... so sorry this is so late!!!

I guess we share something... Alexander's Designs is also on vacation this week!  I think they're actually at a festival, and probably being productive... So here's a look at a few items they've sold (not to tease you with things you can't have :) ):

This is sooo pretty!  This spectrolite (blue laboradite) bracelet is gorgeous!  I also love this little birdie glass pendant!  Very cool.

This is my favorite!  A vintage key (so mysterious), and a beautiful Czech glass bead make this a treasured piece:

So now that you have seen the variety that Alexander's Designs offers, a little bit about Jenny and Skip Alexander!  A husband and wife team, the Alexanders specialize in "Ugly Glass," which they make (!), and jewelry featuring glass, sterling silver and precious metals, lamp beads (which they also make), Swarovski beads, and gemstones.  Completely self-employed, the Alexanders get to focus on honing their glass and jewelry craft and state: "We hope everyone enjoys wearing our creations as much as we have enjoyed creating them."  I look forward to visiting their shop when it's open again!

These crafty jewelers have a blog and a website, are on Facebook, and have several other shops, as well!  Check them out!
Alexander's Designs

Beadery Destash
Classically Simple
Ugly Glass
Jenny Alexander

Boo, weather, boo.

I am not a fan of the heat.  Despite being fortunate enough to live in a climate with very limited humidity, Colorado is still too hot for me right now.  Makes me lazy, sleepy, and uncomfortable.  I desperately need to buy an AC unit for my studio... I sweat just sitting in there!  Does not make for a productive day, I'll tell you that.  But enough of my whining!

I'm going to blame the heat on my late post featuring the talented Ardent Reverie.  Just go with it.

I absolutely love this Message in a Bottle necklace!  Such a sweet, memorable, personal gift!  Perfect to commemorate birthdays, anniversaries, as bridesmaids gifts... so many great uses!  Delicate and feminine... so perfect.

Other than obvious style and flair this cute crocheted beanie has, and the hundreds of occasions it would be perfect to wear to, it is such a steal: $8!!!  I'm still in shock.  And quite possibly must have it.  Obviously, Ardent Reverie has quite a selection of accessories:  crocheted hats, feathered hair clips (check out the pic below), necklaces, scarves, and paintings! 

This Faitytale Romance feather clip is so fancy and festive... those feathers are such a gorgeous range of greens and blues!  And I know I listed paintings earlier.  These are not what you'd expect...

This painting is fabulous, no?  "Lurie" is stunning.  But what if she glowed in the dark, too?

Seriously cool.  Ardent Reverie is the collaboration of two crazy sisters (their words, not mine!) living in San Diego, and is a great collection of fun accessories for you and your home.  I'll leave you with a great summer accessory:  the Not So Scarf!

 
I love the tassel, the braid... such a perfect, classy summer scarf.  Want more Ardent Reverie?  Need more?  Then check them out on their blog!!

So little time... to shop!

I can't believe we're half way through June already.  This is bound to be my busiest month this year (hopefully... I can't handle much more!), so naturally I also have a very determined cold... that I got at my last show.  So I'm a little behind with blogging and whatnot.  I know I promised cookies and pictures... maybe next month.  I am literally booked until then.  So to keep your mind off the delicious recipes I keep promising and not sharing, I'll give you a little eye-candy instead:

CK Silver!  (This shop name really makes me want to yell, "Hi ho Silver, away!"  I'm such a nerd.)  Anyway, CK Silver is an amazing jewelry shop on Etsy, and is a serious distraction to my busy schedule :)  Featuring collaborative jewelry from the mother-daughter team of Marilyn and Cindy, CK Silver specializes in sterling silver, pearls, semi-precious stones, and Swarovski crystals.  Inspired by the beauty of nature, CK Silver sells earrings, necklaces, bracelets, rings, and has a great "Jewelry of the Month Club" -- now THAT'S something I'd love to get in the mail!

Enough talk!  Gaze...

I love these Spring Bouquet earrings!  So pretty and carefree, yet so classy with rose quartz and freshwater pearls.  If you've read any of my posts about jewelry, you'll know I have a thing for pearls...  like this gorgeous freshwater pearl bracelet:

Did I mention the jewelry arrives in a beautiful gift box?  So you can treat yourself, or your friend, or your mom, or me...

So this is seriously the best idea ever.  This alone makes CK Silver a fabulous shop:  the Pearl Jewelry of the Month Club!!!  Yes, I'm excited.

This is just so great.  They also have a Gemstone Jewelry of the Month Club!  So what's so great about the Jewelry of the Month Club, you ask?  I'll tell you what!  You get to pick the earrings you want!  See the little numbers in the picture above?  You pick your favorite three sets, and once a month, they send you one!  How fun is that?  These Washington ladies have a great thing going here! 

I will leave you with some earrings that remind me perfectly of summer:  refreshing cool ocean blue icicles... enjoy your weekend (and don't forget to check out CK Silver's blog)!