Morning

Canon Powershot SD 750   1/160   f/8.0   5.8mm

Contender for the Empty Frame

Lucy Ann, born January 16, 2010

Your move, Gracie the Westie.

Sometimes I Miss My Latte Bowls

Several months ago I moved and I’m now basically living in one room. Since I got rid of my desk in the move, I’ve been using my buffet as a desk/multimedia command center:

I started out just having the clipboards on the wall, but have gradually added other items. Now I like the idea of having a multi-faceted “art wall”

The only other thing hanging up in my room is this amazing calendar:

A Christmas gift from my sister. On the back of each page are oragami templates to turn the page into boxes, cards, etc. I lurve it.

I haven’t been knitting or crafting much at all since Christmas. Needed the detox, I suppose. I did, however, find the energy to make these sweet things for my niece:

Can’t leave the hospital without booties, it’s practically a rule. She’ll have to do without the scratch mitts for a while, since I ran out of yarn and……she’s going to be born tomorrow!!! Ok, maybe not actually tomorrow, but definitely in the next day or two!

Craft Hope

Have you heard of Craft Hope?  

“Craft Hope is a faith-based, love inspired project designed to share handmade crafts with those less fortunate.  It is our hope to combine our love for crafting and desire to help others into a project to make a difference around the world.”

Basically, they post different craft projects that will benefit particular charities and anyone who wants to participate makes an item and sends it in.  The current project is The Orphan Foundation of America’s Red Scarf Project.  Make a red scarf, send it in, the scarf will be included in Valentine’s care packages sent to foster care teens.  (Click on the link above for more info and instructions).  Deadline for completion is February 14.

So go ahead, make a red scarf.  What else are you doing?  Christmas knitting should really be done by now!

Merry Craftmas

That’s right.  I made that.

And Ashley made that.  (She was my secret santa in the craft exchange!)  Etched glass is v. impressive.

Meet Ella

This is Ella the Elephant.  She has crazy eyes and enjoys the writing of David Sedaris.  She will soon be going to live with her new pal Lucy.

Scaling Back

image courtesy Petite Paperie

This is the point in the holiday season when I scale back my grand plans to something more manageable.  Sometimes this involves cutting people from my gift list.  I know, I’m ruthless.  Don’t worry, it’s usually coworkers and aquaintances who I had planned to give perfectly delectable boxes of Christmas cookies and treats. 

I am still planning to make my own wrapping paper, though, so I don’t feel like a failure or anything (I know you were worried).  I bought the tags pictured above from Petite Paperie just yesterday.  It still counts as handmade even if someone else made it!

My Hands are Numb

done

done

done

will be done by tomorrow

making good progress (that’s my Christmas sweater!!!)

done

*warning – the fumes from this pen may make you vomit, or at least spend thirty minutes in the stock room breathing deeply and trying not to vomit

1/3 done (yes, this is what I read for fun, I was a history major, ok?)

I’m ready for a nap

Holiday Heist

This weekend Ashley and I (and Lou and Phil!) attended the Holiday Heist craft show put on my DC Craft Mafia.  It was a small show held at The Soundry, which is a studio and rehearsal space for artists and musicians.

I bought one of these ornaments:

*image courtesy Space Moderne

They are made by Space Moderne, and she has a bunch of other designs as well. 

I also bought a postcard painting that depicts a giant octopus devouring a boat.  It was made by Jaime Zollars, whose work I am now in love with. 

*image courtesy Jaime Zollars

 So creepy.  I love it.

Oh…my…advent…

*image courtesy inchmark.squarespace.com

Is this not the cutest flippin’ advent calendar you’ve ever seen?  It’s all handstitched from felt.

*image courtesy inchmark.squarespace.com

*image courtesy inchmark.squarespace.com

Love, love, LOVE!  This is definitely going on my “to make” list for 2010.  More information here.