Let the Holiday Season Begin!!!!!

I will being selling my wares at two craft fairs this weekend.

Llewellyn Holiday Market
When: Friday Nov, 13th 2:15pm-6:00pm
Saturday Nov, 14th 10:00am-4:00pm

Where: Llewellyn Elementary School
6301 SE 14th Ave ( in Sellwood)

97 local artists will be set up to show off all of their amazing creations.

Abernethy Arts and Crafts Fair
When: Sunday Nov 15th 11:00am -4:00pm

Where: Abernethy Elementary School
2421 SE Orange St. ( in Ladd's Addition)

over 50 local artists will be selling items to help the 5th graders go to outdoor school. For a full list of vendors check out their website www.artcraftfair.org

Blog Spotting

My felt veggies have been featured on the blog Lovely At Your Side. They have been clustered with a few other really cute gift ideas for kids.

Featuring Felt Veggies!!!

I just found out that my felt veggies was featured on the blog, the long thread. Check it out.

Who is that masked man (or woman)?

The non-profit where I work (Scrap) is having a masquerade party for our big fundraiser. Everyone is required to make a mask to wear during the event. Because I wear glasses, I thought that I would make a mask on a stick that I could just hold up in front of my face. I went for a fall leaf theme using fabric to make the leaves. I think that it turned out pretty good. It was a great way to use up some of my fabric scraps.

Talented People: Sean Boggs of Jackson Howard Photography

It is no secret that I love Portland. Lots of people do including my friend Sean who takes beautiful photographs of the city (and many other things). I could talk him up but I think I should just show off some of his pictures so you can decide for yourself. Check it out and tell me what you think.
I was excited to find out that he had taken some pictures of some of my sewing materials that were sitting around my apartment. This is one of those photos.










You can check out some of his other photographs at his website: jacksonhowardpdx.com or on Etsy

Find lots of cool stuff and people at Trillium Artisans(including me!!!)

Let me introduce you to Trillium Artisans. They are a great group that helps artists and crafters grow their green businesses. They have a store where they sell the artist products and also have business classes. All the products have to made from a certain percentage of recycled materials. Yeah, Reuse!!! It is great for people like me who like the craft part but are less knowledgeable about business end.

Here is a sample of the some of the things for sale by Trillium artists.

This super cute hood is by Alyssa of Birdface. She makes all kinds of other fun altered clothes. As an added bonus she is my work buddy at Scrap!







If I had my ears pierced I would totally wear these earrings but since I can not wear them, someone else should get them. They are made by Cristina of Modica Design






This is a wallet made from the webbing of lawn chairs. It is durable and a very pleasant blue color. It is made by April of Rosewebs.

Recommendation: COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO

I am so excited because I have discovered that I can download audio books from the library onto my computer. This is especially important because I can get some reading done while I am sewing. SCORE!!! The last book that I read/listened to was the Count of Monte Cristo which sadly I had never read before. It is a super long book but exceptionally good so read it anyways. It has love, revenge, murder, and hidden treasure. What more could you ask for? It is definitely now on my list of favorite books of all time.

As a side note, I have to say that for no reason are you to watch the movie that they made a few years ago.....because it is awful. I kept waiting for something (other the character names) to have come from the book. I waited in vain. Skip the movie and read the book.

Crafty Wonderland

Today from 11-4 I will have a booth at Crafty Wonderland at the Doug Fir. Come and check out some of the fabulous things being created here in town.

I am also excited to announce that I will be selling a new set. The set is based on the wonderful cookies that can be found at a great local bakery in town, Two Tarts Bakery. Here is a sneak peek. More details about the set and bakery will be posted soon.

Free Box the Magazine - 3rd issue now available

Keep your eyes out for the 3rd issue of Free Box the Magazine in a free box near you. Included in this issue are interviews about international free box experiences, a comic by Bryce Flint-Somerville, and a scavenger hunt (to name a few.)

Send any thoughts on free boxes or ideas for future issues to freeboxthezine@gmail.com

Pickle Things now at Black Wagon!!!!!

I am very excited to report that my felt food is now being sold at Black Wagon. YIPPPPPY!!!!! Black Wagon is a super cute store on N Mississippi Ave that carries cute clothes and toys for kids. They also have a really great online store for all of you out of town folks. If you check out the new arrivals, you can see my food.

They are having their 3rd Anniversary party tonight. If you have a chance go check it out. Buy some felt food or at least talk it up loudly.

Kittens are so cute. It is down right ridiculous.

I am very excited because my sister just adopted the cutest kitten ever. Admittedly, most kittens are extremely cute but I think that Lindsay's new kitten is a contender. Her name is Lucile but I have already given her the nickname Little Luce.




She had a little cold after she came home from the shelter so I hope that she is feeling better. I felt bad for her but I could not help thinking that her little sneezes were so cute. Maybe this nap on my lap did her some good.

Reminder - Craft-in Fair Today!!!!

Don't forgot to come check out my stuff and all the other vendors today!!!!

Craft-In Craft Show

This Saturday I am going to be part of a craft fair at a drive-in. I love drive-ins so this makes me very happy. It is from 10-4 on Saturday August 8th. There are over 35 different craft vendors with all kinds of different wares. Plus it looks like the temperature might actually be comfortable (Thank goodness!) I have never done a craft fair outside of Portland so I am hoping that there is a good turn out. If you have nothing to do, you should check it out. After you shop, you could stick around and watch a couple movies. That is what I call a good day.

Crafty Wonderland...a Bonus show!!

I just wanted to let you know that there was some extra booth space this month at Crafty Wonderland unexpectedly so I am going to be selling my felt food and coin purses today. I will be at the Doug Fir from 4-11. Come and do some shopping.

Beautiful Seascape......a gallery show

I wanted everyone to know about my friend Sayuri's show a Alma chocolates on NE 28th near Davis. She has created an underwater scene with coral and jelly fish. The opening has already happened but you can still go check out her installation and eat some delicious chocolate. Sayuri also has some other super cute creations that can be found for sale in her etsy shop, Shamui.

Here is a picture of the pickle family that my roommate and I got from her. They are crazy cute. The little one is mine. She is my new Pickle Things mascot.

Bombs Bursting in Air....

I have to admit that I am not that big on fireworks. They are alright but I do not get super jazzed about that. This year my roommate and I went and sat on the Hawthorne bridge to watch the fireworks display. It was pretty nice actually. I liked all the people, bikes, cars and bus cruising by on the bridge as we watched. Here are some of the pictures that I took.

Garden Update....what a difference a month makes!

It is official yesterday we harvested the first crops from our garden. Ok, it was only a few heads of lettuce but it was exciting. All of our squashes and pumpkins have flowers and fruit and we have little green tomatoes everywhere. I took some pictures at the beginning of the month of the garden but never got around to posting them. I took a few more this week. Check out the difference a month makes. Here is a picture of the before and after of our squash patch (aka the pit): Here is a picture of our tomatoes and greens. We had to make our own tomato cages. They actually turned out pretty well considering we made them out of a huge piece of bamboo that we found and broke into pieces:

Money does not grow on trees....but food sure does!

I am so happy to report that the raspberry bushes around my house are starting to produce berries. One of the main reasons that I liked the idea of renting my house was all the berry bushes. (We also have blueberries.) I moved in last fall so I did not get to see the raspberries in their full glory. I am so excited to have some cooking adventures this year with all our berries. Does anyone know any recipes that I need to try?

What Should I Wear?

Well it is official, I might have to change my position on dresses. Generally, I would not call myself a dress person. I like skirts because they seem more versatile and casual. My feelings are changing because recently I have had some very lovely dresses come into my life. One was a gift, one was found at a clothing exchange and one was found in a free box. Look how amazing they are. These are all fabulous vintage dresses and I can not believe that anyone would want to give them away. I suppose their loss is my gain. You will not hear any complaints from me.

Crafternoon: The Armor Edition

Well it is summer time and that means that there are kids everywhere looking for something to do. As part of my effort to curb the boredom, I was participated in my first Crafternoon this week.
My friend, Anne, and I (with the help of Clay) planned to make armor. I found some vinyl that I cut into breast plates and then clay decorated the armor with a bunch of fixin's that I found at Scrap. He made a crest for the front incorporating some crayfish which should make his family in New Orleans proud. The placement of spikes on the back should make any foes shake in their boots. You do not want to mess with this man, he is one dangerous dude.

Finally, Clay added a fencing mask to his look. Personally, I like the addition because it just takes the whole outfit to the next level. Clay is a man who knows how to accessorize.
Our next Crafternoon plan is to redecorate Clay's bike helmet so that it reflects his current fierce style. No more little kid cutesy for him.

I challenge you to find a kid in your life and start your own crafternoon projects. The options are endless.

Interview for Try Handmade

I was very excited to be asked for an interview by the blog, Try Handmade. It is a really nice site that focuses on some of the cool stuff that crafters are doing.

Last time I was checking out the blog, I noticed that they had also featured my friend Britta's sister, Kirsten. They mentioned her company, Anabelfuzz, in an article featuring artisans from Maine. She makes super cute clothing and bonnets for children. Talk about a small world. If you have time check it out.

Crafty Wonderland

I am going to one of the vendors at Crafty Wonderland this Sunday at the Doug Fir from 11-4. This is my first time at Crafty Wonderland and I am totally excited. Currently, my life revolves around prepping for this event. If you have time, come out and see all the wares for sale. You can go to Crafty Wonderland's website to see all the other vendors who will be there. Come and shop till you drop.

Last Thursday....a few days later.

I thought I would post some of the photos I took of my Last Thursday adventure. For those of you who are not from Portland, Last Thursday is a monthly event with food, street performers, craft vendors and artists who set up all along Alberta Street. They close of the street for a night so everyone can roam and enjoy all the activities. I got some pictures of March Forth Marching Band playing on the street and some stilt walkers performing. I was lucky enough to be able to just sit back in my booth and watch all the different street performers as they went by me.

A bunch of my friends set up tables next to each other to sell our various wares. I had my normal felt food and pouches. Bece and Cory both had some of their creations near my table.

Kylie (Trilliumbrella) was selling some of her paintings. Check out the tall white painting behind her. It was totally amazing. I was totally tempted to buy that one myself. Angie was selling her jewelry and feather head pieces.Unfortunately this picture does not show off her jewerly very well so check out her stuff at her web page, ASA custom jewelry. This picture also captured one of the unusual moments when I am holding a cell phone. This only happens a few times a year so enjoy this rare sight.

Bece got to perform the saw on one of the main stages. The backdrop was this amazing old bus.

Last Thursday!!!!

I just wanted to let everyone know that I am going to try (for the first time) to have a table at Last Thursday. I will be selling my felt food and coin purses. Aside from me, Bece is going to be nearby playing her saw. Angie will be selling her lovely jewelry and Cory made some fabulous collage art pieces.

I am hoping to be set up between 19th and 20th on Alberta. Come and check us all out.

Talented People: Cory McMahon

I am glad to have the opportunity to show off some of the artwork made by my roommate Cory. I have included pictures of a number of pieces that I really like. She creates these really great paintings with watercolors and transfers on wood. Lately, she has been working with images of buildings and bridges that have an industrial feel. One of her most recent painting (on the left) has an amazing transfer of a building. I think that it turned out just great. (Good job Cory!!)





Since I always love small paintings, I have also included a picture of one of her mini collage pieces. I like these piece because vintage image and the use of lace. No surprise there, I love all things pre-1950 and sewing related.