almost ready for take off

I've tried to be a little smarter the second time around making these owls, but there is no quick and easy way to make plush. Making multiples takes some of the fun out of creating, but I still find enjoyment in picking out the fabrics and choosing the different color combinations. For this second round, I've found some new colors to add to my palette, including rich brown, burnt orange, kelly green, navy blue, aquamarine and powder blue. Each owl is completely unique.

The downside of making multiples is the amount of time spent sewing when I could be painting, designing, exercising, cooking or reading. I prefer to listen to music and podcasts when I sew, but I've gotten in the habit of rolling our portable TV into the room with me. Which means I got sucked into Dancing with the Stars. The horror. But I tell you, that Julianne can really move ;)

Since I'm on this tangent, I find network TV so depressing but there are a few shows that shine, like Pushing Daisies, the Office, and 30 Rock. Does anyone else watch Pushing Daisies? It's sooooo kooky and good!

Back to the original topic, I'll be sending out an email the day before updating the etsy shop to everyone who signed my mailing list. Amanda and Amber have been kind enough to give me pointers regarding using etsy and have made this process so much easier. See, the Craft Mafia workshops are worth their weight in gold.

schmack friday

While everyone else spent the day shopping, I spent the day indoors nursing a sore throat and purging our house of a few unnecessary items, such as seven years of Metropolitan Home and two years worth of Domino, MS Living, BH&Gardens, and Elle Decor. I found for them a new home in our recycling bin and it felt incredibly liberating.


We had a handful of friends visiting from out of town, which gave us an excuse have a few people over and light up the ol' chiminea.

phew - it's all over!


Yesterday was the Handmade Parade and I'd like to thank everyone who stopped by to say hello. Also a BIG thank you to Eric, Drew, Matt, Julie, Maria, Britta, and two other people I didn't know who cleaned me out of my items before noon.


There was so many awesome, hand-crafted items there - it was almost overwhelming. And the turnout was very successful, partly due to the Virginian-Pilot article (another topic altogether) released yesterday morning, and to all the hard work Amber and Amanda put into this show. Thank you!

I think I've been bitten by the craft show bug b/c I can't wait to participate in more. I really enjoyed the whole process of creating the table display, bags/tags and of course the items.

Right after I catch up on a couple other projects, I'm going to start a new batch of owls for ye old etsy shoppe that's been hanging around in my side bar for the last 6 months alone and vacant.

supadupa (beth)

I took a boat load of pictures documenting the show, but sadly, I didn't get a pic of everyone's booth. I get easily distracted and mostly took pics of booths of people I know. So, for a heavily biased view of the show, click HERE for more pictures.

don't forget...

Handmade Parade is tomorrow from 10-5 at the Masonic Temple on Granby Street (near DePaul Hospital). Stop by and say hello!

when did i start looking so old?


That's me on the right.

8 owls, 2 quail, 2 typography pillows, and a couple other quilted pillows

It's what I foresee myself completing before the craft show next Saturday. I still have some pieces to finish and some tummies to sew up, but I'm starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Tags, bags, and display signs have yet to be tackled, but I'm vowing to keep it simple.

I attended the monthly Craft Mafia roundup last night and we were visited by a newspaper reporter and photographer. I have a habit of saying the most inarticulate, stupid phrases when asked about my work, and so it was no surprise when asked why I was making the owls, I responded "because they're simple." What the hell? What I meant was the mere suggestion of an owl from a V-shape and two round eyes (no beak, no real feathers), such simple shapes are graphically appealing. From now on, I'm going to bring a stack of index cards of possible answers and just hand out written statements to reporters.

asheville, part 2: the river arts district
brought to you by: the half-ass reporter

After a long absence, I have managed to regain enough energy to finish reporting on our trip to Asheville, NC. Admittedly, the NY Times article bummed me out because it featured everything I was going to talk about, but there are a few areas I bet the reporter didn't tread. Like...

The River Arts District. Okay, so everyone knows about the warehouse-turned-art-district, but I bet the reporter didn't explore the surrounding area by the railroad tracks.


Bobby and I always manage to find ourselves in the seediest area of town when visiting a new city. We were looking for a park by the river, as Bobby has to investigate every stupid park on a map, and found a gravel parking lot under the interstate with just a couple of cars with the occupants inside their vehicles. We returned the next day - same vehicles, same shady dudes. So, we skipped the "park" and walked to this charming little spot. I thought we had found a homeless community, but the spot was abandoned except for a few broken recliners, spare tires, and dry-rotted sneakers.

Take that, NY Times reporter! I've one-upped you!

Graffiti artists living in the Bible Belt have a harder time with their work being accepted. A bit freaky, don't ya think?

As far as the River Arts District is concerned, we actually didn't go inside any of the studios or gallery spaces, but from what I could see, were mostly housing ceramic artists and welders. We did stumble upon this beautiful little garden made from welded scrap metal parts. The way the light shown through the translucent bones and bounced off the golden rust was breathtaking.


So, I can't tell you exactly where the garden is located. I didn't bother writing down street names or saving maps - that's how I roll. Just find your way to the River Arts District and look for Wedge Studios. It's so large, you can't miss it. The garden is tucked in beside the warehouse.


Next time: Downtown - I promise!
Part 1: the Biltmore - if you missed it.

happy belated halloween

I didn't really celebrate Halloween this year. We missed Nick's annual costume party in order to attend a work-related event and once again, I ignored the trick or treaters. What's the Halloween related phrase for "bah humbug?" Boo humbugs?

But...Maria came over and we watched Rosemary's Baby, my all-time favorite scary movie.

And, I got to visit this little monkey, which made the neglected holiday all the more fun. I can't wait to have a child and dress her in costume! Every day of the year wouldn't be strange, would it?