Silver Moon Creations

Sweater to Scarf Tutorial

2012-02-25T09:00:00.000-05:00

I always pick up 100% cashmere sweaters from my local thrift store. Even if it doesn't fit me...because...its cashmere!

So far I've found only one--and it is completely soft and wonderful. I decided to make it into a scarf!

Thus, the Sweater-to-Scarf (or, more accurately, cowl) tutorial was born.

Step one: Acquire Sweater. Cut in half under arm portion.

Step two: Zigzag stitch (or serge) around the hem so your scarf won't unravel.

Obligatory zigzag-stitch-is-completed photo

Step three: Grab some thread the same color as your cowl and blind hem this edge up, just like you would hem your favorite pair of pants

Step four: Wear!!

(p.s. I love my rainbow crochet chevron afghan!)

Button Giveaway

2012-02-23T09:25:00.000-05:00

Yeah...I need some buttons/links to spruce up the sides of my blog!

So, send me one of yours and I'll display it! Just e-mail me at moonofsilver@gmail.com.

Feel like returning the love? Here are some of mine to display on your blog or site. (Scroll down to the bottom to see how to install them in to your blog!)

How to install in Blogger:

1) Go to "Layout"
2) Click "Add a Gadget"
3) Click "HTML/Javascript"
4) Paste the html!

<a title='Silver Moon Creations' href='http://www.ruthography.blogspot.com'><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hfroQbrZ0io/TzssMp0XzVI/AAAAAAAACM4/1CqhUkZ5Eyw/s1600/DSC_0223.JPG" alt="Silver Moon" /></a>

5) Hit okay!

Here is what it will look like:

Hat

2012-02-21T09:00:00.000-05:00

I love my new hat!!

It's been awhile since I've posted any photography on here! So, when I got this new hat...I thought, yay! An excuse :)

I wanted to show you guys my new hat, as well as my hair. I straightened it! I seem to do this once a year just because I forget what it looks like.

So, happy vintage February!

My tripod is still broken (sad) so I balanced my camera on no less then a chair, the floor, a stack of books, and a tissue box.

What was/is the weirdest thing you've used as a tripod??

Heart Pouch

2012-02-20T09:00:00.000-05:00

I made this tiny heart pouch for my chap stick and other various loose purse items. Can you see the little hearts knitted into the pattern?

If you want to know how to make these little hearts, here is the pattern (its easy!)

Cast on 21 stitches

Row 1: k3, (p1, k1) 8 times, k2

Row 2: k3, p15, k3

Row 3: k3, (p1, k6) 2 times, p1, k3

Row 4: k3 (p6, k3) 2 times

Row 5: k3, p1, k4, p2, k1, p2, k4, p1, k3

Row 6: k3, p4, k2, p3, k2, p4, k3

Row 7: k3, p1, k2, p2, k5, p2, k2, p1, k3

Row 8: k3, p2, k2, (p3, k1) 2 times k1, p2, k3

Row 9: k3, p1, k1, p2, k2, p3, k2, p2, k1, p1, k3

Row 10: k3, p3, k4, p1, k4, p3, k3

Row 11: k3, p1, k3, p2, k3, p2, k3, p1, k3

Row 12: k3, p15, k3

repeat from row 1 if you want more then 1 heart! :)

Realism

2012-02-17T09:00:00.000-05:00

Two little drawings I did.

My attempt at some realism :) I really have never tried anything like hands before.

Doodling and art has been very soothing these past few days. ^_^

Awareness

2012-02-16T09:27:00.001-05:00

As I was browsing the net last night, I came across this picture that I wanted to share with you guys.

Underneath the picture, the girl posted this "This is from the slut walk. One of the arguments is that girls ask for rape because they wear slutty clothes, short skirts, tight, low-cut tops. This girl is an example of the fact that rape victims can look like anyone, you, me, this girl. Rapists. Dont. Discriminate."

I just wanted to share today to pass on the awareness. Say a prayer for all those who have been hurt today, male or female, child or adult.

Lighthouse

2012-02-15T09:00:00.000-05:00

I did this short watercolor at work the other day. I really think (aside from sewing) that I have one of the most amazing jobs in the world.

I never realized how much I've missed painting.

Does anyone else watercolor? I taught myself with a tiny palette of dry colors and about three brushes. I'm still learning--but I am amazed by how wonderfully forgiving and blend-able watercolors are. If you have never tried them, you should; you just might surprise yourself. I love them.

For you

2012-02-14T09:43:00.002-05:00

Happy Valentines day, (or singles awareness day, or consumerism-bump-between-Christmas-and-Easter day...) Whatever you are celebrating, give all your blessings to God!

Here is one of my favorite love songs. This is how my Savior loves me, and this is how He loves you. Never forget that!

Wherever you are, be blessed. You are never far from my heart or my prayers.

Felted Slippers

2012-02-13T09:00:00.000-05:00

A lonely prince made me some magic slippers.

I never realized how easy and soothing felting. The whole process is completely beautiful, amazing, and unique.

These slippers have inspired me to give felting a try. I am already searching over Ebay and Etsy looking for destashed lots of roving, dreaming of inspiring and intimate moments of me, felt, and bluegrass music.

Felting is like magic.

Tea-Dying Tutorial

2012-02-11T09:00:00.000-05:00

Anyone who is everyone can dye something with tea. Its so simple and the effect it gives your garment is really wonderful.

I decided my little cream-and-lace tank needed a vintage makeover! Here is what I did, step by step.

1) Fill a large pot 3/4 full with water. Set on low heat (you don't want it to boil) and let it warm up.

2) (Optional) Tie your garment into sections. This will "fade" the aging effect (making it look even more vintage) If you don't tie it up the color will not fluctuate as much, and will be a more over all sepia when finished.

3) When your pot is warm (warm enough that it almost burns you to touch it, but not quite) add 6-8 tea bags. Adding less will make the color less, and more will make it stronger (just like tea! lol)

4) Let the tea sit for 5-10 minutes. Then squeeze all the tea out of your bags, making sure not to burn yourself!

5) Add your twisty tied garment or fabric. (tell your man dinner is almost ready harrharr)

6) Let it sit in there (I poked mine with a stick) on warm for 5-10 minutes. Really, its up to you. Just make sure to leave it in for at least 5, so the color stays

Make sure to lay it flat to dry (if you hang it before drying, the color might run downward).

And thats it! Have fun tea dying yourself, your house, your friends and your socks. :)

And the winner is...

2012-02-10T00:01:00.000-05:00

Straight from random.org...NUMBER THREE, who is....

.Tif!

Tif, let me know what pair of Toms you want from the classic prints! :)

Anyone have an idea of what kind of giveaway I should do next month??

Shop Update

2012-02-08T09:00:00.000-05:00

A lovely little shop update for Silver Moon Creations!

Don't forget! Only two more days for my TOMs shoe giveaway!!

Doodles

2012-02-06T09:00:00.000-05:00

Just some cute pencil doodles that I did last week.

I really love drawing! Abstracts are my favorite, because every person sees something else, and every time you look you see something different. Does anyone else doodle in their spare time to relax and unwind?

My favorite animal is an owl! I have an owl shirt, an owl necklace...and now a cute little owl picture to hang above my window.

What is your favorite animal, and how do you incorperate it into your wardrobe? Don't forget to check out my giveaway! Only four more days!!

Knitting for Him--Tutorial!

2012-02-04T09:00:00.000-05:00

So, I knit *two* chunky scarfs! I tried to make them short, because a long scarf will get in the way if you are trying to work or move around. One is a regular wind-around-your-neck scarf, and the other has a convenient pull-through space on the end, that you can feed the other end through. :)

Do these scarfs look a little...bland? Did I mention these scarfs were experiments for a boy? Yes a boy. ^_^ They were supposed to be for Christmas, but valentines day is just as well, yes?

So, if you are at a loss of what to get your guy for valentines, here is the pattern for these two scarfs. They knit up quick, so don't worry! You still have time!

I used chunky yarn and size 13 knitting needles for my experiment.

The first scarf is just a knit knit, purl purl pattern, with a little bit of cable about half way up on each side.

Cast on 10 stitches
First row: Knit all the way accross
Back: P2, K2, P2, K2, P2

Front: K2, P2, K2, P2, K2

continue until desired length, then bind off--OR

If you want to add the little cables:
Row 1: move first stitch to cable needle (front), K1, K1 (from cable needle), P2, move next stitch to cable needle (front), K1, K1 (from cable needle), P2, move first stitch to cable needle (front), K1, K1 (from cable needle)
Row 2 (back) : P2, K2, P2, K2, P2
Row 3 (front): K2, P2, K2, P2, K2
Row 4 (back): P2, K2, P2, K2, P2
Row 5 (front): move first stitch to cable needle (front), K1, K1 (from cable needle), P2, move next stitch to cable needle (front), K1, K1 (from cable needle), P2, move first stitch to cable needle (front), K1, K1 (from cable needle)

Row 6 (back) : P2, K2, P2, K2, P2

Row 7 (front): K2, P2, K2, P2, K2

Row 8 (back): P2, K2, P2, K2, P2

Row 9 (front): move first stitch to cable needle (front), K1, K1 (from cable needle), P2, move next stitch to cable needle (front), K1, K1 (from cable needle), P2, move first stitch to cable needle (front), K1, K1 (from cable needle)
Row 10 (back): P2, K2, P2, K2, P2

I only cabled three times on the front, the cables won't appear on the back because they are purl stitches. (cool, huh?)

After row 10, resume

Back: P2, K2, P2, K2, P2

Front: K2, P2, K2, P2, K2

until you reach the other side, and then cable in the same place on the other end of your scarf, so when your significant other wears your handmade beauty, both cables will lay symmetrically.

----------

The other scarf is more of a neck deal, with a cast-off part to pull the end through.

Cast on 10 stitches

Row 1: K2, P2, K2, P2, K2

Row 2: P2, K2, P2, K2, P2

just repeat rows one and two...

After knitting 12 or so rows (just eyeball it) you are going to make the slit. How do you do that? Well, its simple!

Make sure you just finished a P2, K2, P2, K2, P2 cycle (row 2)

Then.... K3, and cast off last knitted stitch, so you now have two stitches on your needle. Continue casting off each stitch until you have only two stitches left on your left needle and two stitches on your right needle. Knit the last two stitches normally (do not cast off).

Next row, P2, and cast on 6 stitches, and then P2 the two at the end.

Resume from Row one. Congratulations, you have created a hole in your scarf :P

Row 1: K2, P2, K2, P2, K2

Row 2: P2, K2, P2, K2, P2

Just repeat rows one and two until your scarf achieves desired length. Then, bind off, weave in ends, and rest easy that you don't have to worry about what to get your man this year for valentines :)

Little Things

2012-02-02T21:43:00.002-05:00

I made these three cute little bracelets in less then an hour! They fit a 5.2-6.2 inch wrist.

They are so simple yet fun to create.

The first person to leave a comment on this post can have their choice of one out of these three bracelets mailed to them! Just make sure to leave your e-mail in the comment, so I know how to get in contact with you. xoxo

Yellow Flower Rainbow Purse

2012-01-31T09:42:00.001-05:00

Wow, that name is a mouthful.

Yesterday I finished one of my colorful satchel purses, complete with a rainbow scrappy flower pin!

What do you guys think? Would you like a tutorial for how I create this particular bag?

Stay tuned next week, I'm going to be doing a week of 5 frugal date ideas for the budge minded couple!

How To: Jewelry Hanger!

2012-01-28T10:29:00.002-05:00

You will need:

One wooden pole 25.5 inches long, and 1 inch in diameter
1 pack adhesive wall hooks (like these but buy them from your local store, not online)
One ribbon, 50 inches long

Step One

Mount your wall hooks 19 inches apart.

*if using a smaller pole, just estimate, making sure to leave about 2 inches of wood on either side

Step Two

Cut your ribbon in half, and tie both in double knots around the two ends of your pole.

Make a small loop (using a pen to secure) then make two more double knots on top, finishing off with a bow

Step Three

Hang your new jewelry hanger by the ribbons on your wall! Cute and efficient!

Step Four

Use and admire!

I'd love to see a picture of your finished product! Also, only 10 more days to enter my TOMs shoe giveaway!

Tribal Cuff

2012-01-27T09:00:00.000-05:00

I made this awesome geometric "tribal" cuff the other day.

Another feat: I made my first buttonhole! I started out really scared of making a buttonhole...but it was a lot easier then I thought it would be! I don't have an automatic buttonhole setting on my 1970's machine, so I was really nervous going into it. I was wrong! Don't be afraid to try it, no matter what machine you have!

I love the shapes and colors. Tribal Button Cuff is in the shop, of course!

Rainbow Cuffs

2012-01-21T21:00:00.000-05:00

Welcome to sunshine cuffs! I tried to mix and meld a lot of bright colors into these handmade beauties.

This one is reversible!

Cuffs are really, really easy to make. And you can design them almost any way possible!

Pants

2012-01-19T18:40:00.000-05:00

I made some amazing colorful pants today :) I just let my emotions and thoughts flow when coloring and shaping the swirls.

To make these, I used a mixture of prismacolor markers, hilighters, and sharpies! Super fun. Anyone can do it. Really!

For the next pair, I tried a less abstract, more fantasy method. What do you think?

I have some ideas for stripes on the next pair!! Can't wait to try it out.

Amazing pants and crazy pants now in the shop!

Toms Shoe Giveaway

2012-01-18T19:35:00.001-05:00

This month I am giving away a free pair of TOM shoes! GIVEAWAY CLOSED

The giveaway will include one pair of shoes in any of the classic prints! (male or female)

To enter, you must be a follower of this blog. This entitles you to ONE comment below!

Want extra comments? Complete any of the following to receive an extra comment for the drawing!

1) Friend my Facebook page.

2) Put one of my items on etsy in a treasury! Make sure to put the link to that treasury in your comment!

3) Write a blog post on your blog with a link to mine! Make sure to put this link next to your comment.

*this post is not endorsed by TOMs shoes
Giveaway closes February 10th.

Bohemian Jacket

2012-01-16T09:00:00.000-05:00

I really enjoy wearing this bohemian jacket EVERYWHERE.

I love this green wool dress even more.

Happy January!

Joyful Rainbow Cuff

2012-01-14T09:00:00.000-05:00

Flower cuff, with leaf trim.

And yes, I had to painstakingly sew that trim on, backtracking over every leaf.

I loovvvve this cuff.

New Room!

2012-01-13T09:00:00.000-05:00

I love my new room.

I got rid of A TON of things when I was moving. Everything in my room has a place: If I didn't use it, I threw it out or sold it.

I'll do a tutorial on how I made this jewelry hanger! I love it.

My favorite thing in the room is this old armoire. My parents bought it originally for my sister, but she didn't like it so I am now using it! It really is beautiful.

I have this tiny nook space for my computer, as well as a small table for letter writing, painting, or other crafts.

Thats my room!

I have a separate space for my sewing things, I'll show you that in a another post!

Joyful Purse

2012-01-11T11:51:00.000-05:00

Whenever I look at this purse, I can't help but smile! I love the bright colors, the contrasting stripes and of course, the umbrella print fabric.

Two pockets on the inside.

I've made so many things, but every time I try to go out and take pictures--its either raining, or freezing! I'll hopefully get everything posted and caught up with soon!

Odd Jobs

2012-01-06T09:00:00.000-05:00

So, I've been "jobless" for about a month now.

Strangely I've never felt less stressed about money.

I've been doing odd jobs here and there, and selling off a ~~few~~ many of the things I own but never use.

Also, my little shop has picked up business, and I've been sewing like crazy! I can't wait to show you some of the new things I have made. I've really improved on sewing, and have been making less and less mistakes in thread, composition and spacing.

But I did get hired to create a web site for a new bridal shop that is opening in lynchburg. The "Bridal and Formal Warehouse" opens next week, and is offering gently used special occasion dressware, shoes, veils, and other accessories at affordable prices.

Check it out! (all my work!)

The Bridal and Formal Warehouse

This is my first try at creating a webspace other then my own--so if it is terrible, please let me know! I took many of the pictures but a few are stock pictures from deviant art used with permission.

The Dragonflies Daughter

2012-01-05T09:00:00.000-05:00

When I was a little girl, my mother said she saw a dragonfly at my birth. Since that day it seems they follow me everywhere. When I was younger I used to shirk my chores and take my favorite book to the elm behind our house. Safely tucked somewhere beneath the boughs and limbs I could read for hours and the dragonflies would nest my hair and flutter around my floral print dress.

When I was fifteen I once stuck into town and spied on a gentleman who was staying at the pastors parish. He had a dragonfly pin on his lapel. Oh, how I longed run my hands over that gemlike surface!

The next time he caught me watching him, he offered me some of the orange he was eating. I remember that his eyes shone like opals as my bare feet soaked up the juices that dripped from my chin.

That night I had a dream--a dream of dragonflies. I rose from my bed, nightgown clad and dewy eyed from slumber, and ambled outside, down the small path that led behind our little home to the well. Inside its deep surface I saw a face--the most beautiful face I have ever seen. She was pale, and dark haired, with little rosy cheeks and a purple gown that shimmered like the sunset on a rainy day.

"I am the dragonfly pin" She said. "Please help me, for I am a captive! Natine is my father, and my mother was a dragonfly, as was your father. My mother loved Natine, but he wanted only her beauty and her wings."

When I awoke in my bed the next morning, I walked down to town and peeked into the traveler's room. There was the dragonfly pin, on the table! I scrambled through the window, and snatched the pin from his bed side, my feet already turning to dash back from where I came.

But when I turned, I found only fog, and Natine.

"Dear heart," He said, "Thank you for freeing my daughter"

And that is when I understood that I had been deceived.

For only a dragonflies daughter can take the place of a true dragonfly in Otherwhere.

And the only reason a dragonfly man would love a human women is to create such a child.

Now I am here, in this world of fog and mist and mirrors.

All the while, dragonflies still follow me.

Dragonfly Pin, Innvogue.

Meandering Thoughts for You

2012-01-04T09:00:00.000-05:00

Guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.

I had this idea for a photo shoot after buying this lovely heart from Etsy seller Iro Iro crafts.

Many people think of love as a day to day thing--here one moment, gone the next. God's love is forever. We humans must love as He. Thats what this heart reminds me of. God's great love for me!

Christian Art

2012-01-03T09:00:00.000-05:00

I am saddened by the lack of decent Christian art wallpapers available on the internet.
So I made my own.

This verse speaks to my own struggles.

Summer Shirt

2012-01-02T09:00:00.000-05:00

A sneak peak of my summer line, set to premier this March.

I love bright colors!!

The Fairy Bottle

2012-01-01T09:00:00.000-05:00

For Innvouge, The Fairy Bottle.

In the moonlight, Fae waited. The damp grass tickled her feet as she crouched underneath the old elm, her back to the barn and her fingers curled. She watched as tendrils of mist, in curious shades of blue and purple, curled and seethed in the distance, deepening the night with their foggy fingers.

A damp chill crept between her shoulder blades, draping a shivery itch down her spine. Fae willed herself not to move. She tightened her teeth and held her breath.

Slowly, as if the darkness had breathed her, a winged girl rose from a thatch of four-leaf clovers at Fae's feet. Her wings glistened in the moonlight, like perfect transparent drops of dew against the shimmering horizon.

In one fluid motion, Fae spring. There was a flurry of wings, and a small indigent squeak--and the faint scent of lilac--but the creature was captured. Fae raised her mothers perfume bottle slowly upwards, breathing in the leftover lilac sent from the long-discarded reservoir, her toes tingling with excitement and anticipation.

Nothing but pixie dust coated the bottle.

Every few years Faelynn Robyn Emery opens the top of her antiquated perfume bottle to let her senses linger in the smell of lilic and...sage? chamomile? Or was it rhubarb...

The elusive scent of otherwhere she never placed, all 110 years of her life.

Schedule

2011-12-27T10:31:00.003-05:00

Tentative Schedule

Monday:Cut all Patterns

Tuesday:Sew

Wednesday:Sew / Photograph

Thursday: Photograph

Friday: Etsy, Blogger, Facebook and other Marketing Options

Saterday:Plan, and Get-Ahead Day

Sunday:Rest

A new Idea

2011-12-24T00:41:00.001-05:00

So, I lost my minimum wage, on-your-feet-for-8-hours, no respect job.

I couldn't be happier.

I have a small on-call job that I work about 1-2 days a week. I also have Innvogue, but that is sort of on-call to.

Today I went job-shopping and I was so depressed when I thought about returning to any positions where my boss would only see me as a company robot and customers (with few exceptions) would treat me like their hired slave. And of course, where I would not be using or honing my skills, passions, and desires.

I can't do it.

I want to start Silver Moon Creations full time.

I know, I'm crazy. Right? Right. I know I have the creativity to do this--the desire and the need--but do I have the skills? Do I have the motivation?

I've only thought of this as some sort of half-put-together hobby--I've only been sewing for two years. I have no prior experience and have taught myself everything.

I think I can do this.

I've given myself a 6 month leeway to explore this option!

I'll let you know. I'm excited, scared, and apprehensive!

A lot of things are going to change around here!

Three things that need to change:

1) Offer a flawless product (I sew fast and sometimes make mistakes)
2) Blog everything
3) Never forget my God and Savior

Thats really it.

I'm going to focus on purses and cuffs first.

If you asked me...

2011-12-21T07:40:00.000-05:00

If you asked me I would leave with you

If you asked me I would go

Far away to the sea with you

To find a place called home

If you wished it I would sing for you

If you wished it I would play

Us over the hills and vales and years

Sing our time away

If you called me I would come to you

If you whispered just my name

My feet would run away with you

On that hill, today

---

What would you do if I showed up with tickets to Europe? What would you do if I wore my heart on my sleeve? Would you go with me?

God is my strength and my redeemer. Every day I love Him more when I see more of the worlds ugliness. I known God is calling my name. And He is curing my bitterness. Because, in a world where God loves me, what do I have to be bitter about, anyway?

Innvogue Update

2011-12-20T09:00:00.000-05:00

A nice little update for Innvogue.

My favorite is the geode ring.

How I feel

2011-12-19T16:56:00.000-05:00

She is only 15. I love her voice.

I want to do a photo-shoot right about now, but it is dark outside and I broke my tripod.

Life is foggy. I trying to love the small things and trust in God, but my heart feels like it was put through a blender, even if I did turn it on.

Dear God, do you break blenders?

Extra

2011-12-17T09:00:00.000-05:00

Remember my Bohemian Braids Hair Tutorial? I made a cascading how-two from the steps! :)

Be sure to check out the full tutorial here if you are interested =)

Blue Raindrop Ring

2011-12-15T09:00:00.000-05:00

One day, when the world was new and humankind not yet a forethought--there lived two little old grumpy gnomes beneath the knoll at Edmond's Steading. They were wizards, both of them masters in the ancient arts of flame, spirit, water and dust. To pass the time it amused them greatly to dabble with the elements of nature, and prank the other--to see who could unweave the other's weaving.

The stouter wizard, (he had forgotten his name thrice over, but currently called himself Ryniomlosu) was mixing a potion over his stove when he heard a loud explosion down the tunnel.

A great cloud of dust soon followed, but Ryniomlsu was not interested. He was crafting a ring--a water ring that would allow the wearer to control the essence of water he was nearest too. There were 19 rivers this side of the Isles--and those 19 rivers were the rivers he hoped to relocate to his fellow gnome's study this evening, hopefully accompanied by a surplus of very bewildered fish, and an angry selkie or two.

The ring had 18 stones of crystalized water already attached, and Ryniomlsu could feel the keening of the water coursing through the ring, a powerful summoning that sounded almost like a siren's song. He readied his soldering tool--holding the last bead in place. The earth shook again, as Ryniomlsu bonded that last node into the ring, holding it up triumphantly towards the light.

And that is how the desert was born, Maria. Are you ready for bed now?

No? You want to know what happened next?

Well, my dear, a quest was begun--a quest by elf and fae and nymph alike--the quest for the ring, to save the water and the lake creatures that Rynimlsu had unknowingly trapped inside his bauble. It is said that when the rock walls shook in response to the wizards immense spell that little bit of dust fell into his caldron, and his spell was altered, my dear, locking all that water and trapping all those poor souls forever beneath the glass.

But don't fret, love! Everything will work out in the end. Lets get some sleep. Yes, tomorrow I will sing you the lullaby of the Shadowmere, the legendary horse princess, who turned all her suiters into frogs.

For Innvogue, Blue Raindrop Ring.

Little Pouch

2011-12-13T09:00:00.000-05:00

This is a little touch of spring time for your winter blues.

I made this pouch with thrifted sheets and flower scraps, complete with a vintage doily and metal zipper. =)

I love how bright and flowery it is!

Hiatus

2011-12-12T00:20:00.000-05:00

The holidays have put a temporary lee in my artful posting! I shall hopefully return after the season is over with some delightful sewing and crafting tutorials, as the internet allows.

Here is a picture of my breakfast:

-Egg Sandwich
-Toast
-Cottage Cheese
-Raspberries

Very yummy, and healthy.

I have been sewing a lot and knitting (a not yet completed) scarf. I hope to share these with you guys soon!

My family is traveling to visit my grandmother and grandfather this Christmas! Please keep us in your prayers.

The Little Butterfly Hair Comb

2011-12-04T17:30:00.001-05:00

I wrote this for a Innvogue post =)

A little princess was playing by an old pool. She wore an emerald green frock, covered by a mossy brown apron, and there were butterflies embroidered on her little silk slippers. At the top of the hill, her nursemaid was asleep under an old oak tree, her bonnet rising and falling as she slumbered, a pile of discarded knitting balanced, half-finished, upon her lap.

"I am the princess of the butterflies," Nyniue told a passing frog, as she leapt from stone to stone around the rim of the old pond. She was practicing dancing for her eighth birthday party next week, where she would wear a gown of pale lavender and her thin silver crown.

She stopped to peer into the murky water at her refection, frowning at her freckles. The glint of her little butterfly pin caught her eye, shimmering there in the pool, it's ruddy refection distorted by the movement of the water. She touched where it rested at the crown of her head, then playfully splashed her refection.

As she straightened to resume her dancing, her heel caught on the hem of her long skirts. For a moment she teetered, caught somewhere between the pond and the sky--then SPLASH, headlong into the pool.

When the nurse woke, languidly stretching from her afternoon nap, all she found at the edge of the pool was the little butterfly pin and a mud-laden silk slipper, balanced half in and half out of the water.

Ambiance

2011-12-02T21:35:00.001-05:00

For when you are feeling lost.

Wall Art V. 2

2011-12-01T19:23:00.001-05:00

Happy December 1st, dear friends! I have been neglecting the blog lately...in favor of brainstorming!

I am working on a summer/spring line that will "come out" March 1st. This will be my first sewing line, and will include tops, accessories, skirts, and other odd assortments! I'm super excited.

But I'll still be posting a thing or two here, don't worry =)

Last week, I painted more of the room...

I am trying to make use of my *wonderful* pasty yellow walls (<_<) tee hee. I am enjoying the freedom of illuminating my own space, a freedom I have never experienced before!

Yes, I know I have a problem with clutter! I hope to get it all worked soon (>_>) I have to much fabric! I have to much yarn! And to many dresses....

Hope you all had a great November and Thanksgiving!

Bohemian Braids Hair Tutorial

2011-11-28T10:27:00.001-05:00

Happy Holidays! Here is a great hair tutorial for medium, long, or extra long hair. I did this with my hair wet, but you can use dry hair just as well. =)

1) First part your hair down the middle. We are going to do three small braids on each side of your head. Secure off one side with a clip and take a small section of hair from your forehead.

2) Braid about half way down. You don't want to go all the way to the bottom, because we are going to braid the bottom section--doing this will make the top braids look like they "meld" with the bottom braids.

3) I used hair pins to secure the bottoms of these small braids because we won't be leaving any pins or bands in. Take another small piece of hair right next to the braid you just made and make another braid about half way down. Then do this a third time, until you have three small braids that start at the top of your head and go halfway the length of your hair.

3. Now, secure your hair with your favorite color of hair band. I used black, because it matched my outfit. Remove the bobby pins, and part this ponytail into two sections.

4) You want to braid each section of hair, and secure with small bands.

Thats it! Enjoy your bohemian braids! Wear them everywhere =) Love them, rock them, and above all else share them with others =)

Quick edit--the next day when I shook my boho braids loose after sleeping on them, my hair was super super curly!

Update for Fall

2011-11-18T09:00:00.000-05:00

Innvogue update =)

The End of Fall

2011-11-17T09:00:00.000-05:00

Some pictures from the end of fall.

Of course I had to include a shoe shot. I love these shoes! 2.50 at my local thrift store =)

Vintage Shopping

2011-11-16T09:00:00.001-05:00

This is the story I wrote about these earrings for Innvogue.

Maria loves vintage. She and Dan go consignment shopping every night after dinner, where Maria buys fax pearls and evening gowns lined with lace and satin, to wear to next week's outing with her fur-lined pumps and midnight-black cloche. After dinner at the diner this afternoon, Maria spotted these lovelies, and could not resist snatching them up. She wore them at her wedding, and that night Dan removed them from her ears as he passionately kissed her for the first time. He called them her dinner-earrings, for when she wore them he would sweep her away to that little diner once again, for a night of vintage shopping and bayside eating. He loved to watch her scour the shelves, her fingers hovering, poised like the arc of a conductors wand, moving to and fro, her long slender form weaving in and around the overstuffed boutique isles.

When she died Dan passed these earrings onto their youngest daughter Paula, who loved them for a while. She wore them to school plays and pinned them on her dolls and bears. She traipsed around in them by the bay, where Dan used to take her when she was a little girl. She hung them on her bedroom mirror when she was all grown up, a silent reminder of the women who fingers were everywhere in the house--who had left all these discard pieces of other peoples lives, picked up like notes out of various songs, and forced together into some kind of symphony; a sound that might have been pleasant, if it hadn't remained always in a state of unfinish.

Thus it came as no surprise to Dan that the day Paula moved to Chicago with her boyfriend Mauv that the earrings stayed fixed to her bedroom mirror, immoveable and dangling like the end of some forgotten crescendo. He left them there, until he was old and frail and ready.

Early the next morning, he took one last walk, down to the pier. He had eggs and toast with tea at the diner. He drifted awhile, ending up in the little consignment shop, wandering the isles, looking for glimpses of Maria. There was none, she was gone. Here he saw only things, discarded and old and used up, wrinkled and alone.

He left the earrings there, beside a seaside shell, under the little table lamp that he remembered Maria pausing at for countless moments.

And there they sit, waiting for someone to love them again.

Haircut

2011-11-14T17:18:00.001-05:00

I cut my hair this past week. I decided to cut it because it was giving me terrible headaches! But I couldn't decide what at ALL to do with it. So, I e-mailed Rubi from She Lets Her Hair Down about what I should do with my long locks. She is the one that suggested this cut, and I love it. I also have to thank Zen Salon in downtown lynchburg, because they are the ones that actually cut my hair.

Before:

After:

This is exactly what the hairdresser did:
(These are the instructions Rubi emailed to me that I relayed to my hairdresser with a picture)

Cut 4 inches off the bottom, then cut long layers with weight removal - don't let your hairdresser use thinning shears, they should do the weight removal with scissors. I would also cut long bangs, they should fall at about your lip area, that way as they curl up they'll hit your cheekbones and if you ever straighten your hair they will hit your lips. That would be very flattering with your face shape.

If you get that haircut then you should be able to style it so much easier, you'll also be able to just let it air dry and have it look good too. I think your hair is great long but it needs some shape to it, I can tell you've been trying to change it up a bit and this cut will make is so much easier for you to play with different styles.

So, what do you guys think? Like the before, or the after? =) I like them both--but my hair no longer gives me headaches and is much more manageable! I can also do all sorts of new hairstyles because my hair is not 5ft long! =P

Key to the Forest Necklace

2011-11-11T09:00:00.000-05:00

Legend tells of the lost forests of Adún. The trees once covered the hills of Oudundúr, running deep into the Spineland, and beyond into the Great Sea. My favorite part of the forest (for our own little homestead bordered it, in part) was not the towering trees of elven lore or their green sisters, the moss--but the delicate white flowers that grew in the recesses of the oaks, beneath the hidden valleys and shadowed places of Adún.

When the silence came, they wilted first. I remember, because I had just been betrothed to Ador, the Miller's son, and I had wanted a bouquet of the white blossoms for my wedding garnish.

They were nowhere to be found.

I searched and searched far and wide over our lands for many years. One year, after the birth of our second daughter, I saw these growing under the eve of the lean-to where Ador stored his tools. They had just bloomed, and the fresh scent like honey and lavender sent me back to days of languor, perched in a tree, reading a book and munching on green apples stolen from Gweeny's farm.

I plucked them gingery. The petals were soft in my upturned palm, warm with spring. My feet sprang from the loch to inside our pantry, where I took the blossoms and covered them in honey, firing them in the kiln where I baked our pottery. I will pass it onto my daughter when she is old enough. Or, maybe my son, if he has a dream of adventuring, and not one of farming, or fields.

Perhaps then, something can be done about the forests and the flowers of my home.

Innvogue Update

2011-11-10T09:00:00.000-05:00

More things for Innvogue. I love photographing jewelry.

It is so much fun to amble though other peoples treasures and find stories, ideas, and beautiful trinkets. They inspire me so much! I'll post a story tomorrow that the little amber necklace dreamed up...

The Brine Child

2011-11-09T08:49:00.000-05:00

forlorn I meander through the flowers and the fields
feasting on the willows when the air is dim with night

towards the moon, the path makes its weary way
and I with legs of dew and frost
amble with the shadows, playing in the dark

elbows in the thicket, tangled in the brier
my hair weaves the starlight, glimmers of tomorrow

the sea is at my feet,
and to my left, the sand
I am counting time
making measures in my hands

with magic thick
and foamy waves
I sing oceans into madness
spin the brine from in the wind

with a voice like mellow winter
a hint breath beneath my lips
I mutter to the starlight

"You are my forever
You are my End.
please take me away
to never ever ever land"

but my voice shatters
and ice crashes to the ground
the sand is only glass
a lonely child in the rain
unfound among the ashes
of this dying place.

----
I want to write the Brine Child's book.
She sounds sad.

Picture credit: http://LunarShore.deviantart.com/art/Lagoon-117599777
Poem by me.

Room update

2011-11-08T09:00:00.000-05:00

I did some more stress relieving wall art!

This time with paint =)

What do you think?

Its the first thing I see when I go to sleep, and also when I wake.

Helps remind me of why I am really here and who I owe my life to.

The Orient Dress

2011-11-07T09:00:00.000-05:00

I modeled and shot the pictures for this Innvogue dress the other day.

I love the empire waist buttons and sweeping hem.

Happy vintage hunting!

Scrappy Flower Tutorial!

2011-11-05T09:00:00.000-04:00

This is the scrappy flower tutorial! =) Great way to use scraps and other small pieces in your fabric stash.

Okay, so here is all I do to create these:

1) Cut out a circle

2) Pinch fabric scraps of about the same size around the circle! Just keep adding as you sew, and watch your fingers!

3) Sew another circle on top of the scraps

4) Add a few more plaid pieces and a button!

5) These can go on anything. I put mine on this bag for my friend Beth=)

Bits of Fall

2011-11-04T09:00:00.000-04:00

Little bits of fall outside my door =)

I think my favorite thing about fall is the color. And that taste in the air...

Tote Out of Pants

2011-11-03T09:00:00.000-04:00

So, when my friend Beth pinned this super cute pants-to-bag picture on pintrest, I just knew I had to try to make one for her.

This is the picture she posted:

I thought--this looks easy! And So I tromped down to my local goodwill and picked up a huge pair of men's corduroy pants--I couldn't find brown tweed, or whatever that particular material is.

I also picked up an oversized shirt that I thought I would end up using for a lining, but didn't.

Here is how mine turned out. Nothing like the original, but still cute!

I love the inside.

I hope my friend Beth likes it =) I mailed it to her a few days ago.

Hair post!

2011-11-02T09:00:00.000-04:00

So, I have long hair.
I have super long, thick, curly hair.

What do I do with my hair, you ask? How did I grow it this long? Are there any special things I put in my hair?

First off, I was born with hair like this.

Second, I really didn't start taking care of my hair until about six months ago. I mostly just let it grow and ignored it, except for when it was tangled in my seat belt or stuck on something I happened to inadvertently walk to close to.

Now, there are some steps I follow to try and make sure my hair stays healthy as I transition from a 20-something into a 30-something, and beyond. (I'm 25)

1) I never put heat on my hair. Ever. I have naturally wavy hair and no problem letting my hair air dry. Heat is bad for you hair. I don't care what they say, or what product you smear on it before you dry or straighten it. =P

2) I wash my hair in cold water. I just started doing this one last week after a lot of research on how to wash my hair.

This site says:
"Cold water makes your hair look healthier and shinier. As a matter of fact, cool air makes your hair shinier too (that’s why there is a cool air button on your hair dryer). What the cold water does is that it closes the cuticle which makes the hair stronger and prevents dirt from easily accumulating within your scalp. Basically, the same principle with how it closes the pores of your skin as mentioned above. Stronger hair, of course, prevents hair from being easily pulled out when you are combing, and it helps in slowing down overall hair loss. "

I don't take a full cold shower, I just make sure that I rinse my hair in cold water for 1-2 minutes before getting out.

3) I use 100% natural shampoo. Right now I am using Petal Fresh Organics, which is paraben, sulfate and phthalate free. I use their Tea Tree scent--smells like peppermint. Wakes me up!

4) Once a week I put coconut oil in my hair. And also sometimes I put in castor oil. I started doing this two weeks ago, and I like the way it feels and makes my hair smell. I buy mine from this etsy shop.

5) Last but not least, I only wash my hair once every four days. That doesn't mean I only shower once every four days, it only means I don't wash my hair every time I shower. This is best for the natural oils of your scalp =)

Happy hair day! =)

Scrappy Flower Pins

2011-11-01T09:00:00.000-04:00

Today I made some scrappy flower pins out of plaid pieces and an old pair of corduroy pants.

What do you think? I love them. I can think of a million things they will go on. I want to make more, in all colors!

Also, they are really helping me scale down on my scrap pile...

Tutorial later this week! =) They are so easy to make...

A post on Stuff.

2011-10-29T10:54:00.000-04:00

You ever know the feeling that you have too much stuff? I realized I spend so much time
1) Looking for stuff
2) Admiring other people's stuff
3) Find new and creative ways to store my stuff
4) Thinking I don't have enough stuff.

Sometimes I think I spend so much time focusing on STUFF that I miss out on the joy and experience of life.

So, I think I'm going to try and un-clutter my life. Wish me luck! I'm thinking about either
a) Giving away some stuff

b) Listing my stuff on etsy.

For now I'm just going to do both =) More free stuff and listed stuff to come!!

Friends and Fun

2011-10-26T09:00:00.000-04:00

I made this cute collage for my awesome roommates =)

They made awesome homemade hot cinnamon-apple-spice tea.
I redid some photos from our breakfast photo-shoot at well

I hope to do more sewing. I have been working a lot and knitting recently! =) How is your October panned out? Did you get everything you wanted done?

Vintage Wear =)

2011-10-24T11:04:00.001-04:00

Five Strand Braid

2011-10-20T16:19:00.002-04:00

Another try at a video.

This is a five strand braiding tutorial video.

My first try at a video tutorial...

You can see the video here!

=)

Red Hair

2011-10-17T18:43:00.001-04:00

Yes. I dyed my hair red. What do you think?

I love it! =)
More pics soon, these were the best three!

My thoughts on the 99% movement

2011-10-16T16:32:00.001-04:00

I'm no scholar or theologian, but here is what I think =)

Knitted Cuff

2011-10-12T09:00:00.000-04:00

A knitted cuff in lavender.

I am learning so much.

Autumn Wanderings

2011-10-11T09:00:00.000-04:00

Fun with old and new friends =)

Fall and Friends

2011-10-10T16:34:00.000-04:00

I am loving this beautiful fall weather.

I made some small watercolors for a calender I am making

And later on had Panera with a wonderful friend of mine.

How are you enjoying your fall weather?

Poetic Nonsense

2011-10-04T14:46:00.000-04:00

Nowhere is the path thatburns bright green and blue

leading anywhere it twistsand turns and spits in two

folding inward upon itself,like mirrors of the past

we are left with nothing,nothing at it's best

so see tangible reality fade

into darkness, into judgmentwith

that look upon your face

and I can view no end todiscontentment

for enchanted rhyme isendless-

so;

the path leads on and

bleeds black

like opaque cylinders theytwist and lead back

to begin anew at tomorrowsend

so sorrowful a find, sotarnished a sin

meander 'round once moreagain

to stare and settle

seethe and wreathe

with airs of mettlesomequalities

I see the circle

I see the path

When sorrows end comesrambling back

beneath the mire, stone andwire

i wish to say what mythoughts whisper

but formulated sentences informulated phase

hold none of the meaning iwish to convey.

and thus i wisp, i wan, ibleed

out among the floor, for noneto see.

beneath the stars

unearths the sea

i was you

and you were me.

Fairy Dress

2011-10-03T12:26:00.000-04:00

I love this pink fairy vintage dress! For INNVOUGE.

Blue Tote

2011-10-02T09:00:00.000-04:00

I made this blue tote today. I love the dreamy fabric and bright cross-body strap.

Has four pockets, two inside and two out.

Vivacious

2011-09-30T09:00:00.000-04:00

Thats how I felt in this top: vivacious.

Photo taken for INNVOUGE. I really am enjoying my job over there. I get to play with some super cool vintage items...

Dainty Spring Purse

2011-09-29T19:36:00.002-04:00

I made myself a new purse because my old one didn't have any pockets (I made that purse when I didn't really know how to make pockets yet <_< )

Here is my new one.

I love it.

The back has two pockets and the inside has two (umbrella PRINT fabric!!) pockets.

Does anyone else have a favorite purse? I have, it least, five. Or six. And three I made myself =)

Thyme

2011-09-26T09:00:00.000-04:00

to the World i wish a tree
for all else is empty and void
like the eyes of a hungry child

Dream with me
lonesome, like a raindrop
solitary among the stars

i miss you
but you never were
only a wish to be forgotten

follow down
among the roses
with the briars and the thorns

a lingering duet
river deep
fathomless

dear immaculate clock
necessity
meanders onward
a tulips thyme
in the garden

to carry me home
to carry me away.

Milkmaid Braids

2011-09-25T10:01:00.000-04:00

I tried out this hair tutorial from Keiko Lynn the other day for Milkmaid Braids.

It was super fun and I think it turned out cute =)

I didn't do the poof part of her tutorial, because I have too much hair. I just braided it. =)

I want to try some more things with my super long hair, as well as make some tutorials for people with thick hair like me.

Larkin's Purse

2011-09-24T06:00:00.000-04:00

My best friend Larkin's birthday was yesterday! I love her so much I made her this awesome patchwork purse for her special day =)

This tote has two inside pockets,

and three outside pockets with a zipper pocket on the back.

I really like it and want to make one for myself now too =) I didn't really try very hard on the pictures, since I'm not selling it...(okay, I was lazy =P)

Lawrence and Abigail Ford

2011-09-23T16:00:00.000-04:00

My best friend Abby was married last weekend to her wonderful beau. They both moved to texas after the honeymoon...

The wedding was simply gorgeous and wonderful. I didn't take many pictures, but I shall miss my friend so much. I am happy she is with her love, but I wish they lived closer =).

I wore this fabulous vintage green dress:

And here is a picture of me and my date =)

I Love Thrift Stores

2011-09-22T13:39:00.002-04:00

I LOVE thrift stores. I can't possibly recall all the lovely gems I've discovered--all for a few dollars--while shopping in local thrift stores. My town has plenty, from Goodwill to DMV to more expensive second hand shops like Shopaholic or other consignment business.

I wanted to show you this HUGE bag of miscellaneous fabric I found at my local Goodwill the other week.

And it was 5 dollars. Seriously.

I freaked.

Then I went though everything.

And freaked out some more =)

My fabric section is now overflowing, because I ran out of places to put everything...

Sweater Weather

2011-09-18T15:43:00.001-04:00

I don't know about you, but I am loving this fall weather in my area.

I pulled out all my vintage sweaters and had some fun!

Does anyone else have a love affair with vintage sweaters? <3

Two of these will be available in the shop on Tuesday =)

All are 100% wool. The third one (last pictured) is my teddy bear. I would only trade it for your firstborn child.

Banner Choice

2011-09-16T11:46:00.002-04:00

So, I made some new banners to highlight INNVOUGE. I like them all, but don't know what one I should use on their etsy shop.

Anyone have any ideas? What one is your favorite?

I'm using the second from the top right now. I think I am just dissatisfied with them all, and might return to the drawing board!

New Job

2011-09-15T11:40:00.003-04:00

I've gotten a new, very creative and cool job. I approached a local thrift store called Shopaholic about starting an etsy shop with some of their wares. At first I was just chatting with them, but then they got interested and I got involved. They are letting me set up an etsy shop for them, and take pictures of their items and run their shop. I make a percentage of what they sell.

Isn't that cool?

Shopaholic is run by a couple, for fun (its actually her passion, she has a full time day job elsewhere) and I am really excited to work for them. I love etsy. I love photography. They have some AMAZING vintage items and I will get to handle and process them, and do fun photo-shoots with them. It's like having my own amazing closest, for free, only it doesn't belong to me, but I get to play dress up and share their items with others.

Kinda close to my dream job =)

I'm only doing jewelry right now, but I plan on branching out to all the vintage merchandise that shopaholic offers.

Check it out if you are interested: we named their etsy shop INNVOGUE.

September Giveaway Winner!

2011-09-11T22:18:00.002-04:00

The winner of my giveaway for the month of September is Megan C who said:

"You made 2 purses in one day? You must have a grade A attention span, lol. Anyway, they're both lovely, I'd love to win."

I'll be sending you an e-mail shortly, Megan, and I hope you enjoy your new purse.

Stay tuned for my November giveaway where I'll be giving away a free pair of Tom shoes! =)

Lynchburg Farmers/Crafter's Market

2011-09-09T06:00:00.000-04:00

Today I went and visited my local farmers market--where local businesses and farmers sell their organic/homegrown products! I thought I would share some pictures from my day!

Here is the outside market, where farm vendors sell all sorts of yummy food.

Inside is the crafters space, mixed with even more food vendors because they were overflowing the outside square.

I went there with my friend Beth, and her friend Brian! They are super cool and we had a ton and fun hanging out. (Afterwards we went vintage shopping! Yay!)

The best part were the Gypsies.

Oh, and these....

And that was my Saturday morning! How was yours? =)

More Scrappy Cuffs

2011-09-08T06:00:00.000-04:00

I made two more scrappy cuffs using the same method outlined in my monday tutorial. =)

What do you think? Did anyone make one?

Don't forget about the giveaway! Only four more days!

Photo-shoot

2011-09-07T06:00:00.000-04:00

I've been loving this almost-fall weather...

Today was humid, but bearable.
Great time for a lovely picnic and a photo shoot at the civil war graveyard =)

I made up this hair-do! I'll be posting a tutorial later on this week, can't wait to show you guys! I've never seen this particular one before, it just came to me when playing with my hair.

I think this shot is my favorite.

Skirt and shirt both thrifted, and soon to be available in the shop =)
---
Only a few more days left for the giveaway! =) I'll be announcing the winner on the 11th so be sure to enter soon!

How to make a Scrappy Gypsy Cuff--Tutorial!

2011-09-06T06:00:00.000-04:00

Wow, I amazed at how many new blog followers have added me because of my giveaway post! You guys don't know how much that means to me =) I can't wait to check out everyones blog and leave you guys some comment love! I'll be announcing the winner for my pink purse on the 11th, and plan on doing a giveaway on the first of every month from now on.

This week is refurbished shirt week! Today I'll be showing you how to create a boho gypsy cuff. . You can create so many things with old shirts, especially one that your guy has outgrown. I picked a purple plaid button down from my Goodwill, but any old button down you have laying around will do just as well, as long as it has a button cuff on the sleeve.

The idea is simple:

Just CUT the cuffs off your shirt, leaving about 2 inches of the sleeve attached.

ARRANGE lace, scraps, or even beads or feathers on the cuff

SEW everything on. Remember, this is a scrappy cuff. Your sewing doesn't have to be neat!

WEAR your wonderful new, handmade design!

(And tell all your friends!)

--------

I'd love to see the cuffs you guy make! Leave me some link love if you try this out. I'm sure this idea has been used before, its so easy and fun!

Stay tuned for thursday, where I'll show you how to create a boho scrappy skirt with the remainder of your shirt! And don't forget to enter the giveaway!

Happy Labor Day =) =)

2011-09-05T06:00:00.000-04:00

Hat Update for the Shop.

GIVEAWAY =)

2011-09-01T15:40:00.001-04:00

Giveaway is NOW CLOSED =)

I made these two pink purses today =)

One I gave to my sister, but the other one...it needs a home!

So, does anyone want this one? It's pink and the inside has two pockets! Just follow my blog and comment here and I'll do a random number drawing and mail it to you =)

Natural Beauty...Ideas

2011-09-01T09:00:00.003-04:00

So, I've thought long and hard recently about chemicals and my skin, and I've come to the conclusion that they are not for me. I want to slowly weed out any unnatural products and replace them with a 100% natural way of life.

I've already done this with my shampoo. I'm using Petal Fresh Organics. They are paraben, color, sulfate and phthalate free. I am using soap from the organic section of krogers, I don't remember what kind I bought, but it smells like peppermint and I like it.

I want to encompass "natural" into other areas of my life--I have some plans for organic make-up (I need to research this more, I don't really like the idea of putting mica on my face...) and I want to make a pledge to only buy handmade and thrifted clothes (this will take some dedication, I have a soft spot for...uh, things...). I also want to use cloth pads for my menstrual cycle and discontinue using store bought ones that contain chemicals and even sometimes plastics.

I also want start eating healthier.

This idea of mine is going to take a long time to implement. Does anyone use natural products in their daily life and can give me some good tips?

I desire to care better for my body, since it belongs to the Lord. I also want to be safe and make informed decisions about the things I put in and on myself. Any advice you can give would be wonderful!

Revisiting my 50 in 1001 =)

2011-08-31T09:00:00.078-04:00

I've got about a year and 3 months left for my 50 in 1001! I should be halfway done...but I don't think I'm even close >_<

I started this here...And I've been very slow on keeping up with it!

This idea is basically a list of dreams and ideas I have challenged myself to finish in a two and a half years.
Here are my 50 things I want to do in my 1001 days. I have until November 13, 2012.

1) Write a Book
~~2) Make a photography portfolio~~ (its here)
~~3) Take sewing lessons~~ (took a week class in july from here)
4) Sew 5 items for friends (One two
5) Sew 5 items for my etsy shop (I have over 50 now in the shop)

~~6) Learn to watercolor~~ (I'm "adequate", still need to learn more tho!)

7) Watercolor 5 things for family (one
8) watercolor 5 things for my etsy shop
~~9) start my own business~~ (Silver Moon Creations. started Jan 12, 2010...50 sales in one year...still got a long way to go)
~~10) buy more watercolors and brushe~~s (bought two flat wash brushes, a tilted clipboard and some transparent watercolors with my overtime paycheck in 2010!!)

~~11) Find a new job (one that is not at night)~~ (my job hrs changed to 10am-630pm! Monday-Thurs!)
12) save 3000 dollars in my savings account for my wedding
~~13) take yoga~~ (Took for 6 months at Blacksburg Health and Fitness and now I am at Gold's Gym)
14) exercise every day for a week straight
~~15) avoid fast food or eating out for a month~~ (I am challenged not to eat out, ever!!)

~~16) buy black boots~~ (I bought a pair of scrunchy boots just days ago! Here is a silly pic of me wearing them)

~~17) buy more nail polish~~ (bought three shades lol)
18) read the bible every day for a month
19) pray every day for a month
20) go to church without missing a sunday for a month

21) take a vitamin every day
~~22) eat three balanced meals a day for a week~~ (I felt SO great after this. I need to make this real life!)
~~23) go to bed before 11pm every night~~
~~24) wake up at 6am or 7am every day~~
~~25) take the GRE (I am scheduled for this on Nov 11th!!)~~ (I was accepted to Radford University but didn't go because of financial reasons)

26) make 5 cards for my mom ( one )
27) make 5 cards for my etsy shop (one two
28) read crazy love
29) read passion and purity
30) read something by cs lewis

~~31) Make 5 fabric accessories~~ (one two three four five)
~~32) Make 5 sewing tutorials~~ (one two three four five)
33) Cook 5 new things that I've never tried before
~~34) Own a dress form~~

35) Own a serger

36) Do 5 Non-selfish things for people I don't know (this is harder then it sounds!)
37) Do 5 Non-selfish things for people I do know
~~38) Volunteer for something in my neighborhood/tow~~n (I volunteered to make dinner for everyone at my church)
39) Write 5 poems (one two three
~~40) Write a blog post every day for a month!~~ (did this January of 2011...But I missed two! oh well =P)

41) get married
~~42) switch to natural deodorant, aluminum-free~~
~~43) switch to natural shampoo and conditioner~~ (I use petal fresh organics, usually there tea tree. It smells like peppermint <3)
~~44) don't use a microwave for a week~~
~~45) ride the bus to work for a week~~

4~~6) ride my bike to work for a week straight~~
47) tell a stranger about Jesus
48) tithe for a whole month
49) memorize 15 bible verses
50) do my devotions for a week straight without missing!

Abby's Bridal Shower =)

2011-08-29T09:00:00.006-04:00

One of my very close friends is getting married! I recently went to her bridal shower and snapped these awesome pictures of the event.

Oh, of course I edited them with my self-taught photoshop skills =P

Abby's wedding is September 4th, and you can bet I'll have more photos, even if I'm not the photographer! I just love taking pictures =)

Shop Update

2011-08-27T09:00:00.003-04:00

I sold 3 items in the shop throughout the past two weeks! Wow! =)

That last dress is my favorite. It's so adorable! You can browse any of these items in the shop!

Hair!

2011-08-25T09:00:00.001-04:00

Crazy-twisty-loopy-braided-bun-thing

What do you think?

Oh, and I couldn't get a good picture. I was crunched for time!

This hair-do is really a half-crown braid that ends in a bun =)

Cowl

2011-08-23T20:38:00.000-04:00

Made my first knitted cowl today =)

Reminds me of mint chocolate chip ice cream...mmmmmhhh....

I can't wait to make more!

The Slouchy Handbag

2011-08-21T09:00:00.000-04:00

I made this brown and blue chic handbag today.

I think it needs a blue flower or something more to adorn it. It might be too simple? Oh, well, I'll see =)

Shop Update

2011-08-19T09:00:00.018-04:00

I sold two items this week! I've never sold two items in a week before =)

I added a few new items to the shop:

vintage purse

handmade hat

handmade bohemian harem pants

rainbow hat

Thank you Lord, for giving me creativity and helping me though life =) He has really blessed me this week. Its hard to give thanks when things are going downhill--I need to be more thankful more often =)
Check out my shop for any of the items listed above!

Stress-Relieving Wall Art

2011-08-17T09:00:00.006-04:00

So, I was having a really bad day last week and just needed to vent. So I drew on my walls. My landlord said I could paint whatever I wanted, so I figured that included drawing...(since that walls are already hideous)

Here is how this wall turned out:

I plan on drawing all over every wall! More updates to come soon.

Greeting and Postcard Experiment

2011-08-15T09:00:00.022-04:00

I love the handmade postcards and greeting cards on etsy! I decided to try and make my own this past weekend.

I made two postcards out of two of my favorite photography prints:

I printed these from Vistaprint and am still waiting on them to show up in my mail box.

I then wanted to try my hand at greeting cards. I used these three prints:

I printed these at walmart =) I think the quality isn't that great for the price I paid at Walmart. However, I like the overall idea and might make more.

All of these are available in the shop =)

Shop Update

2011-08-13T17:49:00.024-04:00

Added some new handmade and vintage items to the shop! Go check them out? =)

selling these vintage knee high gladiator sandals size 8.5

and this handmade boho feather necklace,

soft feather earrings

and this bohemian fall jacket

Patchwork Purse

2011-08-11T09:00:00.004-04:00

A rustic patchwork purse in blues, browns, and yellows.

Hopefully I'll make more for my shop?

Sunflower Dress

2011-08-09T09:00:00.012-04:00

New dress I made. Very bright and flowery =)

Reconstructed from bed-sheets, ribbons, and other wonderful bits and pieces.