Looking to kill some time? Photofunia is a great way to do this and create some pretty crazy pictures. This site is super easy to use and it's easy to save your creations for future use. You could probably create very cool Christmas cards in minutes. There are about 80 different effects to choose from so the fun is endless.
I'm so excited for this book to come out in October! Laura Irwin (The best knitting instructor ever!) of Precious is the author. I'm so excited for her. I know this book will be a huge seller. If her written instructions are anything like how she teaches, this will be a great book. When I took my hat class with her, she was finishing up the last pieces of this book. I'm so happy for her. She mentioned that she will have a book signing party when the book is out. I can't wait to go!
Seriously, how cute are these gloves?
My fabulous cousin sent me this link to Free Rice. Free Rice is a non-profit organization where you can play a vocabulary game and every word you get correct 20 grains of rice are donated to those in need. I love to play games and the vocabulary is very challenging so this was right up my alley. Being able to help donate rice to the hungry makes me want to keep on playing. Try it out for yourself; it's lots of fun.
Portland's craft scene is fierce (snap!). You can read all about the incredible ladies that helped establish and maintain the craftiness in P-town in the newest Willamette Week. I'm familiar with most of the people mentioned through my daily blog reading. I'm just so impressed how dedicated and motivated these folks are. It's definitely inspirational.
My husband and I spent Saturday with my Mother-in-law to celebrate (early) her Birthday. After breakfast at Gravy, we were off to find cheap CDs. The thrill of the hunt is something we all love. The day got even better when our beloved dollar CDs were half price! You can't beat that. While most of these CDs will be Lala fodder, there are still plenty that will stay in my permanent collection.
After we exhausted ourselves from 4 different CD stores all over Portland, we went to Cacao for dessert. We all tried their drinking chocolate (which is to die for) and got treats to take home with us. The 99% cacao bar was truly intense. I also got a salt caramel and a chipolte caramel (it was crazy hot and crazy good). It really was a perfect day.
Last night there was a package waiting for me when I got home. I had ordered a sampler a few weeks ago and it finally arrived! I had tried to get a sampler before, but they were always sold out. I lucky was able to buy one this time around even though they were all sold out in a matter of minutes.
What is the sampler you ask? It's a promotional tool for independent crafters. People send in large quantities of the product they want to give out usually accompanied with a business card. The folks at the sampler randomly pack items in sampler packs and mail them out. You don't really know what you are going to get.
In my sampler, I received 3 greeting cards and two postcards.
A bobby pin with a whale on it, earrings, button, bottle cap magnet and a cute pink and brown mushroom.
A Bust magazine, 3 matchbooks with paper for notes, a book mark, a little zine, a guide to San Francisco night life, and a crochet how to book.
All in all, this was great fun and I got to help support crafty folks. I would love to get this again. I love surprises in the mail.
At Rebel Rabbit, Mary from Infinity Arts Gallery told me about Etsy at the Beach on September 1st in Lincoln City. The very next day I researched it and contacted River about applying. We had just opened our Etsy store the week before, so we were all set there since this show is only open to Etsy sellers. River was wonderful and super nice. I got Short Fuses registered to be in this show. I can't believe we are doing another show so fast. I think it's actually the best way to go. No time to doubt ourselves. This show will be much larger than the last. It's outside, but luckily we had the option of sharing a 10x10 booth and we will be paired up with someone who has a tent. That is a huge expense we don't have to worry about at this time. Another blessing is that my mom lives in Newport. She has graciously invited us to crash at her house. I love when things fall into place.
Yesterday The Funky Door celebrated it's 1st year. For those of you in Portland who haven't been to the best coffee shop in town, it's at 28th and Holgate and definitely worth a visit. The party was so much fun. It was nice to hang out with friends and eat super good food. I'm so happy that the first year was a success. Here's to many many more happy years in the coffee business.
These cupcakes were a little bite of heaven.
A party isn't complete without face painting.
Don't you need to be served a little bit of awesome?
I did it! My kiln partner and I applied to be in the Rebel Rabbit Craft Fair and we were accepted! This will be my very first craft fair. This will also be the very first time I will actually try to sell my creations. This is huge! You might have noted my tagline: Crafty, yet shy. It's so very true. I've been working up the nerve to sell my stuff for at least a decade. If I had a dime for every person that said 'you should sell your stuff', I'd be rich! Well, I would easily have 5 dollars.
Since being accepted, I've run the full gambit of emotions. The main one that sticks with me is anxious fear. Luckily I have a great partner who will help me through all of this. I think her mantra for the next month will be 'Stop freaking out'. I'm trying; it's just not working so well. I hope this show will pave the way for many more shows to come. This is the first step in making my dream become a reality.
If you are around that day, come on by to say 'hi'. I will be the girl with the very nervous smile.
Last week I decided it was time to catch up on my Photojojo. I get my newsletter every week, but had been to busy to read it. Cruising through the archives I saw this project and also this project (#1 on the page). I figured combining the two would be great fun at my sister's upcoming party. I emailed her the idea and she loved it.
I bought a frame at Goodwill and my sister rounded up a pink boa, pink straw hat, a kid's cowboy hat and a tiara. About mid-way through the party on Friday, we started rounding up people for pictures. Hilary's blog was very helpful when it came to setting up the shots. I told each person that I would be taking 4 pictures ala photo booth style and that the only rule was that they had to hold the frame. I took the pictures as fast as my camera would let me and told people to be as zany as they wanted to be. Then I uploaded all the pictures to Jumpcut to edit them. My finished project was a 75 second flipbook to the music of 'Picture Book' by The Kinks complete with titles at the beginning and end.
I sent the flipbook to my sister to email out to all the party goers. To save everyone (including myself) from some embarrassment, I'm not showing my flipbook here. It's really only meant for family and friends. I do have to admit the finish project totally kicks ass!
F**K - A Documentary (****)
Control (****)
Under the Greenwood Tree (***)
Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi (*****)
