Using inspiration from here and here, I give you my Christmas wrapping.
I’m well aware that no person should dedicate the time it took to do this especially when it all gets torn off in a matter of seconds but it was fun to do. Again, it’s an illness.
Oh yeah, I should say that no new materials were purchased to accomplish any of this. Everything was from my existing stash or recycled from bags, etc.
Filed under: projects | Tags: bird ornaments, Christmas projects, Spool
I went a bit overboard this year in terms of Christmas projects and wrapping. I’m gonna post these in separate parts because it’s too overwhelming to try and unload my holiday obsession all in one shot.
Here are the finished bird ornaments I made for my nieces and nephew following Spool’s free pattern (but I reduced it a bit). I embroidered their names and the year on the bottoms but forgot to put my initials on them. No biggie…I’m sure they’ll remember that only their crazy Aunt Carrie in Ohio would spend the time on such a thing. Well, me or their grammy.
I took full advantage of my time back home for Christmas and basically did nothing but be lazy once all my presents were finished and wrapped. The extent of my energy exertion consisted of being curled up with Twilight (I’ve now moved on to New Moon), seeing friends, and lots of eating and drinking. And did I mention eating and drinking?
I’ll post pictures of my Christmas projects at some point this week but for now I give you another gratuitous Beck picture.
More soon. I have a DVR calling my name and 4 more hours of my holiday vacation to enjoy.
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Merry Christmas, Poladroid
Filed under: design envy | Tags: iPhone wallpaper, iPod Touch, Poolga
I can’t remember where I discovered Poolga so I apologize to the person who originally posted about it and is most likely on my blogroll. Poolga provides free downloadable wallpapers for your iPhone and iPod Touch from designers and illustrators all over the world.
From Poolga:
We love our iPhones and we love customizing them. But we hate the standard wallpapers and cheesy nature themes available everywhere. That’s why we create our own, and thought it would be nice to share them. So here they are. Enjoy!*
These are my favorites:
I also love this one because of the message but mostly because of the color palette that was used. I’ll have to keep this one in my back pocket for a future project.
Update: it was Lisa at the red thread who originally posted about Poolga. Thanks, Lisa!
Just checking in for a quick hello and to shed some light on where I get my ridiculously out of control propensity for crafty projects. Exhibit A:
This is where Mom and I have been spending every free moment since I got into town yesterday, each completing our own Christmas presents for my nieces (she’s tackling doll clothes, I’m making skirts). In case you can’t make it out, that table is holding three sewing machines, two laptops, and more thread than is ever humanly necessary. Mom’s an expert seamstress and is trying to teach me how to drive her Serger. I know it’s a great machine, but I’m too intimidated to use it.
When I got home yesterday and saw Mom’s set-up taking up the entire dining room I immediately thought “wow, this is genetic.” And obviously it doesn’t get any better, or easier, with age. Two of a kind, I guess. It’s actually pretty great. Being able to spread out and work and not have my parents complain that I’m not spending enough quality time with them. I feel lucky that my mom and I share this passion (er, obsession). Poor Dad has been hanging out in the recliner nodding off to TV and supervising the dogs while Mom’s and my machines hum away. I’ll post pics after Christmas when gifts have been gifted.
Filed under: projects | Tags: bird pattern, Christmas projects, ornaments, Spool
This is probably premature, but I’m going to be signing off over the next several days (week) in an effort to dedicate all my free time to Christmas stuff; mainly gifts I need to finish up and wrap before leaving town this Saturday. I’ve been feeling really overwhelmed between work and then trying to accomplish too much at night. But I’ll be photo documenting and will post again as soon as I’m able to sit down and exhale back at my parents’ place.
pieces and parts of what will eventually be ornaments
One of my projects is making these personalized ornaments for my nieces and nephew. They are based off the free bird pattern available at Spool. I reduced the size of the pattern a bit to make the birds smaller. It’s a really easy and fun project so check it out. I’ll be sure to share pictures of the finished pieces when they’re done.
See you soon.
Filed under: art envy | Tags: Computerlove, paper-cut illustrations, Yulia Brodskaya
My friend Jeff emailed me this link today and instead of getting started on tackling my Christmas tasks for the night I’ve been busy looking through the paper-cut illustrations of artist Yulia Brodskaya. Wow. These speak for themselves. My favorites:
WOW, right?!
Filed under: projects | Tags: Christmas projects, crocheted snowflakes, garland, Martha Stewart Living
There comes a point when I start to get a little over ambitious when it comes to projects and the time frame I hold myself to in order to complete them. Case in point, these Martha Stewart crocheted snowflakes from a 2002 edition of Living that I have held onto for the past six years (wow).
I have been crocheting them in my free time here and there since Thanksgiving in an attempt to make a garland for my mantel. I have 9 done and figured I could rock out another 6 or so to at least have some semblance of a chain. The crocheting has gone swimmingly. It’s tedious but relaxing. After the crocheting is done, the next step is blocking the flakes with fabric stiffener. Sounds pretty straightforward but holy crap! It took me about an hour to block three (just three!) snowflakes and my fingertips are numb from sticking the little pins into the cardboard. Not to mention the snowflakes are crooked to boot.
I can't even tell you how many pins are in this one.
Suffice it to say, this Christmas project is getting the kabosh. There’s only so much I can do and this one is at the bottom of the totem pole. I’ll make it a 2009 project and hopefully have a whole bunch to put up for next Christmas. I’m also already resolving in the new year to say “no” to things, but more specifically, saying no to myself. Lower the standards and finish those half-done projects before moving on to the new (more exciting) ideas.
Kind of a relief to let this one go…..
So bring on the 10 other things I need to finish before next Saturday!
I’ve been reading a lot about Poladroid on various blogs and have been meaning to check out the application that turns regular digital photos into authentic-looking Polaroids. I adore the look of this (now becoming extinct) format. I downloaded it tonight and have only put a couple of pictures through it but I’m already completely impressed. Here’s one of Beck. LOVE.
I think the best part of the application may be the fact that you can actually shake the polaroid using your mouse to accelerate the development process. And each time you open the application you only get 10 shots, just like you would with a regular pack of Polaroid film.
