Saturday, January 29, 2011

A studio needs...

Good, sturdy, functional pieces of furniture. 


Not just metal shelves, mind you.  I was beginning to get frustrated with my storage in the studio room... The shelves were functional, but not pretty, not inspiring. The bags and baskets my yarn lived in weren't conducive to finding things easily.  The crap was literally piling up on the other shelves.  I wish I had taken a before photo, but trust me, it wasn't pretty! 


May I now introduce to you, in his shining glory, 
Gustav, the curio cabinet of yarny wonder. 

 Now, when I want to start something new, I need only to walk into the studio, open the doors and breath in the warm sent of wool. Ah, yes, this makes me quite happy! Though I now realize I need a new pretty shelf to go with him.  And Dearie DEAR does this poor room need to be repainted!!!  

Any suggestions? What colors inspire you?



Isn't he glorious?  (In case you're wondering, no, I don't usually name furniture, but this is a special piece who demanded extra accolades.)

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Secret project time!

It is time to tell you ALL about  that mysterious yarn that's been popping up on the blog the past few months. 


I work at a yarn shop on certain weekends, Charlotte Yarn to be exact. And pretty much the entire time I've worked here, the owner, Remi and I have talked about having me dye custom colors for the shop.


AND WE FINALLY DID IT! She ordered the yarn, and I got to business.  It's now on sale at Charlotte Yarn and I can't be more pleased!  We fashioned this line around the empolyees that make CY what it is. It has taken us two years to get here, and it has been well worth the wait!



Without further ado, I give you "The Girls"


 I cannot express how thrilling this project has been.  I never expected to be dying this MUCH yarn in my wee kitchen. I dreamed of it, certainly. I wish you had been there to see everyone's face when I unveiled the yarn! That was the best part. 
Thank you Remi, for this wonderful opportunity!!!

The stats:
100% Merino Wool (so SOFT and Squishy!)
I love working on my scarf and can not wait for it to be done!
250 yds
17sts x 21 rows = 4" on a US 8 knitting needle



 Ravelry Link is HERE... photos to be added as soon as I have the yarn hooked to my profile!

 If you’d like a skein of your own, stop by or call Charlotte Yarn at 704-373-7442 during store hours. You can leave a message if you call outside of hours but quantities are limited! I am only one woman with lots of crafting to do! (oh, and the "regular" job...boo) EEEEP!  So exciting!!!

If you miss out, you can always put your name on the list for a skein from the next batch, which I hope will have to come soon!



It’s $14.95 a skein (that is important thing to mention, isn't it?)


 
And thanks to Cristi for the great photos she took while in the shop!

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

I needed something...

And so I made it.  



Actually went home, on the same night, and altered this once failed bracelet into the perfect zipper pull for my yoga bag. (thanks for that mom!) 


The little pocket is super handy, but the zipper pull was so small compared to the fabric tab that covered it.  


Now, it's time for me to go to a yummy scrummy Deeeeeep stretch class!!! YAY!


I may have to make more of these. I can see them getting a bit addictive; sweet and tangy.. thoughts??

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Practical Craft

I have realized lately, once again, that I don't use things unless I can see them. This includes my modest jewelry collection, which I adore.  I'm a sucker for original, quirky things, and have been expanding my bauble horizon since I realized how much fun big, dangling earrings and huge rings are.  




I found this former utensil organizer at one of our thrift stores, added hooks, a few more shelves (2 layers of balsa wood) and spray painted it a glossy white.  It looks quite peachy against the teal of our bedroom.  In all, it cost less than $15 for sure, probably more like 10, but I can't remember how much the hooks & paint were. 


Extra bonus, Fidgit can't get to it!


Monday, January 10, 2011

Snow day!

Snow has been coming down steadily in Charlotte since early early this morning.  It's stopped for now, but I wouldn't be surprised if it started back up again before the night is done. I took a break from office work (the drag of technology is that I don't have to miss a day, but then I get stuck inside looking at all the lovely snow. boo le hoo) to wander outside.

I love the snow. 


 It makes our house even more cozy looking.

 



 Jillian, these remind me of your dangling bits of beads and coral. I wish I had the supplies to make miles in imitations of this plant.



 Sweet little acorn cups.


oh, oh so much.

Sunday, January 9, 2011

Sneaky Pete!

Nearly done with this awesome project!  I can't wait to tell you all about it; I can hardly believe that it is finally happening. 

xoxoxox

Saturday, January 8, 2011

Time to come out!

I've been hiding away these past few weeks, resting and working.  I just wrote a letter to a dear friend telling her how I have imagined writing to her for weeks.  It's been the same for you readers too.  I keep imagining sitting down, typing out my thoughts and showing my photos.  If I would have written as much as I imagined, you would have had a post a day!  Sometimes two!  So.  I'm going to try to buckle down.  Every time I think of blogging, I'm going to try my best to actually DO it.  I like sharing my thoughts, I love sharing may work. You all offer such wonderful encouragement, I know I will feel better for sharing! There's nothing to fear here, it's a happy place!


With that said, I've just updated the shop with four of my newest pieces... They are all headbands, a project I've been working on since just before Christmas.  My brilliant yoga instructor asked if I made headbands, and she helped push me on to this branch of leather work that is simply inspiring!



The bands have a base piece, which is where the tooled flowers, etc are located.  I then weave a thinner piece of leather through the appropriate holes along the base piece.  This allows you to move the focal point to any part of your head.  Feel like having flowers at the tippity top of your head? Done. Rather have them tucked above your ear? Done!  All have adjustable elastic around the back of the head.


I'm rather in love with them all.





hope you are having a wonderful start to the new year!