December craft party

Craft Party #2! I had a few more folks over this time and almost finished a new project (just a bit more to do..). It was so fun to get some quality time with friends, with the bonus of learning some new crafts. Thanks to everyone who joined me!

Kate's giant felted stocking!

my stockings made of leather - we'll see how it works out

Cristopher joins in!

Laura's smart phone mittens - beautiful!
(Laura, I love this picture of you! If only it didn't cut off your eyes...)

my first craft brunch - finally!

After years of wanting to pull something together, I finally hosted my first craft party! Here are some pictures from the day. I am so excited to finally have a space to work with friends, and can't wait for the next one.

Joy's felted mushroom

My so-ugly-it's-perfect curtain

six months

embroidery hoop decor idea

So pretty!
http://luziapimpinella.blogspot.com/

den idea

I love this room. We have a den/family room adjoining the kitchen now, and we were given two small butter-yellow couches that we put there with the tv. The walls are split with cream and putty walls. The room needs a major splash of color! This gives me some great ideas.

I find the picture on this blog.

starburst clock

We just moved three weeks ago to a rambler and I'm more obsessed than ever with mid-century decor. Should I buy this? $50.

abandoned window display

I was walking up Jackson Street today and ran across an empty storefront that was under construction. Except for one lovely window display. Very nice! Bus days always bring something new...(oh yeah it was also sunny!)

dining chairs revisited

I have had this idea for years and have always wanted to one day find a great fabric and a few more older chairs to reupholster. I love the idea of having all different chairs come together with the same paint and/or fabric. I found this picture tonight - green gingham, no less!

Jewelry Inspired

http://www.gilt.com/sale/women/fashion-forward-earr/product/61614024

I was sitting in a work meeting about environmental stewardship, and for a long time all I could do was think up new designs for earrings. I was inspired by some of what the women around me were wearing. I drew a few designs for the leather samples I have had forever, and I hope to get working as soon as we move into the new house (a week from tomorrow!). In the meantime, I fell in love with these tonight.

mid-century modern mania

My hobbies have shifted! I've found that having a newborn has lead me to find new interests. Well, not new, but more specific. I've appreciated a certain style of design for quite a while, but suddenly (over the past couple of months), I've become a bit obsessed over all things mid-century modern. I think about my grandma's amazing starburst clock (that I thought was over the top when I was younger, yet clearly left an impression), or some of my mom's things that were just given away quickly before they moved out here. If I could, I'd be stalking ebay, thrift stores, and estate sales every day. I kind of already do, thanks to a new smartphone and all the notifications I get for all the sales around me. Even esty has an app!

I believe it all started because I have a beautiful mid-century coffee table that I ended up with after a breakup. The top is in desperate need of a sanding and restaining, which I hope to do (and post before and after pics) soon!

In the meantime, I have found several websites to dive into, one is which is mid2mod, where this picture of a room divider came from. Isn't it beautiful?

We're moving in two weeks to a new place, where I'm hoping to have a resurgence in interest to refinish some of my furniture. It's a decent sized house where we can have a creative space (a sewing room!) along with workshop space in the garage. I'm so excited to move!

In the meantime, my recent favorite sites to stalk:

http://retrorenovation.com/
http://mistermodtomic.blogspot.com/
http://mid2mod.blogspot.com/

my last favorite

This picture is a couple of weeks old - she's now almost 11 weeks. I can't believe it!