New Goodies - July & August

Since July was a slow month on my blog, I decided to update everything right now. I was a bit busy shopping for more craft supplies and patterns. :)

New patterns for work and some Steampunk cosplay.

Phidan modeling my new Nexus 7 tablet's box.

I came across the Craftsy site and they had a shuttle tatting class with Marilee Rockley. I wanted to sign up, but I decided to look around the internet for inspiration before I jumped into a new craft. I came across Diane's Lace-Lovin' Librarian blog. She has a lot of pretty pictures and had reviews about different tatting shuttles. Because of her reviews I decided to buy my tatting supplies from Handy Hands (www.hhtatting.com). Then I came across Heather's Tatted Treasures blog and her tutorials. With her wonderful videos I was able to learn how to tat in a few hours. I can't wait to try out new patterns!

Package from Handy Hands. My tatting supplies have arrived.

My goodies. Some threads, tatting shuttles, picot gauge, thread holder,
catalog, and newsletter. 

Pretty purple threads.

Different tatting shuttles. Clover, Lacis Sew Mate, and Starlit.

Picot gauge.

Thread holder with free Lizbeth thread.

Puppy pile up... they were tired after watching me learn how to tat lace.

My first project - butterfly! It's so tiny.

Now we're all up-to-date! I hope to work on all my different project - knit, crochet, sew, embroider, and tat. I just have to spend a day on each and finish a project before hopping to the next one. We'll see!

Patti

Sunday Shares - 7.1.12

Today's Sunday Shares is a bit short, only two projects. Don't worry, I hope to have more to share next week. My company has a shut down all week so I plan on working on all my different arts and crafts projects.

I made a coaster set for our coffee table. The pattern, Coaster Set, is from the book I Heart Patchwork by Rashida Coleman-Hale.

Created from a fat quarter bundle from Joann Fabric.

Coasters are 4" x 4".

Loved how they came out. They are mini quilts!

Finished product. <3

I wanted to make little neck ties for Kujo and Phidan to wear at our wedding yesterday. I woke up at 6 am and started sewing away. I found this awesome tutorial - Little Dog Tie Tutorial. You just have to download the PDF and enjoy!

All the pieces.

Fabrics all cut up and ready for sewing.

Little dog ties. Kujo's on the left, Phidan's on the right.

Phidan and Kujo wearing their ties at the wedding. <3

Hope you enjoyed today's Sunday Shares!

Friday Finds - 6.29.12

It's that time of the week again...

Urban Threads' Tutorials

I'm a fan of tutorials. I'm a visual learner so having videos or pictures definitely helps me understand the concepts and techniques used while crafting. I stumbled across Urban Threads a while ago while looking for free embroidery patterns. They have the coolest designs. I love all their steampunk patterns and all the tutorials on how to make some cool stuff. Here's a link to Urban Threads' tutorial section and to their Hand Embroidery tutorials.

I love braids and Lauren Conrad's Tutorials

I've been braiding since I was 7 years old. It was during a long car ride to Florida that I got bored and started playing with my hair. Through trial and error I learned to braid on my own. A few years later I learned how to french braid by just trying it out. I always wanted to learn how to do the fishtail braid, but never took the time to learn. While on Pinterest the other day I a pin about fishtail braids. I eventually found my way onto YouTube, specifically Lauren Conrad's beauty channel. Hope you enjoy this video!

Pixel of Ink

Do you like to read? I do. Do you own a Kindle? You should. I love my Kindle Touch and I love getting free books. As of today, I own over 2,000 free Kindle books. I rarely buy books unless it's something that's on sale and I really would like to have it in my collection. I usually get a daily e-mail about the latest free Kindle book through www.pixelofink.com. It's a great place to start. There are definitely other ways. You can go directly to the Amazon Kindle website and view their best selling free Kindle books.

Downton Abbey and Crafts Night

I just wanted to post a quick update before I start my Downton Abbey, season 2 marathon. :)

On Sunday, Chris and I went to see Cirque Du Soleil's Totem in Boston. Chris bought tickets to celebrate my birthday and it was opening night. It was my first time seeing a Cirque show live... yay! While there I got to show off my new tote that I made a few hours before we left the house.

Our seats at Cirque Du Soleil Totem.

Photo shoot during intermission.

New tote bag I made that day.

 Today I got my zippers in the mail! I ordered 100 assorted 7" zippers. I plan on making a lot of bags and skirts with these babies. Can't wait. Look at the pretty colors!

Zippers from Zip It's Etsy shop.

As for tonight, I will be relaxing in front of the tv with my knitting and crocheting books I borrowed from the library yesterday. I might even knit or crochet. Wait and see!

My reading list and movie for the night.

Weekend Update

This past weekend, Chris and I visited Jeff and Vivian's twice in the span of 24 hours. Saturday was Craft Day - Game Night. I brought along my sewing machine, but unfortunately, I didn't get to sew. I started two crafts and I'll probably finish it up later this week.

I sent Vivian, who in turn sent Rachel, an e-mail about crafts you can do with left over fabric scraps (or fat quarters). I found it via Pinterest - Scrap Happy: More Than 50 Fabric Scrap and Remnants Ideas. I'm working on the Envelope Bag and Tissue Cozy.

The makings of an envelope bag and a tissue cozy.

On Sunday we headed down to Hyannis with our pups. We stayed at a bed & breakfast called Simmons Homestead Inn. The B&B was an interesting place. Everywhere you went there were knick knacks on the walls. We stayed in the Giraffe Room. The picture on the website doesn't do it justice. There's MORE stuff in there now. When you walked in, there were giraffes everywhere. There was a cross-stitched giraffe pillow on our bed. There were giraffe puzzles, toys, and figurines. They were even in the bathroom!

On our way to the B&B.

Phidan likes to lean his whole body out the window.

Upper right: Kujo's oblivious to the danger above him.
Above: This is the outside of one of the buildings. The inside is packed with random knick knacks.

Enjoying the beautiful day with Chris and the boys.

Later in the evening we had dinner at Brazilian Grill. The food was great and I left there stuffed. I think I was about to explode as I was walking out.

I wish the picture wasn't so blurry.
The girl taking it had no clue how to work my phone's camera.

We came back home on Monday morning and it felt good to be back. Chris and I decided to sit out front on our porch and watched the traffic go by. Actually, he was reading one of his drawing books and I was working on my cross-stitch. The boys were tethered to a column and left to their own devices. All in all, it was a great weekend spent with family and friends.

This summed up how we felt on Monday.

Cool Websites

My boyfriend spends a lot of free time surfing the web for ideas, inspiration, and finding the newest, coolest websites. He sent me a new link today. Hm. Maybe I should post his links here. You might enjoy them.

First he sent me this link: http://www.tumblr.com/

While browsing the site, I found this cool blog: http://lunchbagart.tumblr.com/

Wow, now that's some skill. I sent the guy an email asking what medium he used and if he uses a fixative to prevent the pictures from smudging. Man, he's probably a graphic designer or something.

And another: http://karmcity.com/

Okay, this could be addicting.