Parfait.

Another day with beautiful, sunny weather, and another day spent at the dog park, and doing crafts. Perfect!

Being that I am so impatient, remember I mentioned something about wanting to take a class on learning to sew clothes, well of course I just couldn't wait. I went and picked out a fabric I loved at Cool Cottons, and decided that I better just try to figure this out on my own.
This being my very first time making any sewn garment I was happy to find that the instructions were so easy to follow, I struggled a bit with the invisible zipper, but it might just have been lack of sleep, and my brain saying "stop, you skipped breakfast and lunch, time to take a break."

I am really happy with the way it turned out, and I just love the pockets, super cute! I can't wait to try her other pattern, "Chantilly."

Here it is, "Parfait."

 

  

I wish my mom was here so I could show her in person, she would be so proud. :)

 Who else are making garments from the Colette patterns? And if sewing isn't, what are you working on right now?

  

Dinner time!

xoxo.

Etsy shop update

Just wanted to say thanks for all the fun, and positive comments regarding my previous post, and also, thank you, for sharing some of your secrets! They were so fun to read!

I  received a cute little package yesterday all the way from Australia, from the lovely Miss Mardi. Thank you darling, you are so sweet <3
She sent me the cutest scarf, in one of my favorite colors, pink. It has the most darling chihuahua print on it, so of course Cupcake likes it too. Aww <3

 

  

I got so many request to share baby pictures of me with red hair. Unfortunately my baby pictures, including all my pictures from '04-'09 are all on my external hard drive, which crashed :( I'm am totally bummed about it, I would love to share. Maybe I can get my mom to  scan some. 

I decided to put up listings on Etsy for the pet, and children portraits, since I've been getting so many emails about them, it's getting hard to keep track, so this might be easier for both you and me. :)

I am headed to Bolt for some fabrics, and to Back to Eden Bakery Boutique for some ice cream.

Hope you are having a wonderful Saturday!

xo.

keeping it classy ca. 2005

Just to avoid any more confusion about the man made dimples (see post below), here you go.

You will definitely have to excuse my ever so classy self, and the the terrible photo quality. My external hard drive crashed, and this was the only picture I could find.  :)

<3

things you didn't know.

I figured it would be fun to share some things most people don't know about me,

I had epilepsy til i was 12.

My youngest brother and I have exactly the same birthmark, in exactly the same spot.


I used to have a gap between my two front teeth so big I could fit a finger in between

I am extremely jealous. To the point where I hated my brother til I was about 13, just because I no longer was #1 when he was born. wow.

My natural hair color is red

My dimples are man made

I hate dolls

I am shy around girls, but not boys

I refuse to swim in deep water, other than in a pool

I prefer thick, or chubby boys over skinny boys, and I think girls are more attractive than guys

I almost drowned in Spain when I was 4

I can't stand figure skating, but I love the ballet

 

What's your secret?

xo.

thrift jackpot.

First of all, thank you for all your good luck wishes, you are all so sweet! I studied all day yesterday, to the point where I though my head was gonna explode. Unfortunately the test was put off til Tuesday.  I was super ready to take it today, but maybe it's a sign or something.

The rain is back, so I spent the day altering a dress I thrifted the other day. It was way too big, and I hated the collar, it was also really short. This is after I had already taken the dress in 4 inches, but the collar, is still intact.

before.

 

  

I removed the collar, and added white trim instead, cute! I also added about 2 inches to the bottom, so here it is.

after.

  

What do you think? I love thrift stores, and vintage clothing. It was such a good find! And speaking of dresses, I got some new sewing patterns. I had one of these already, just haven't had the chance to sit down and use it. Well now is the time, I am taking a few classes, hopefully also a pattern drafting class. I am dying to learn to make my own patterns.

How cute are those patterns! Have any of you sewn anything from them yet?

I also finished the vest for my little nephew, it was tricky getting a good picture of this one. It's so dark and gloomy today. But I couldn't wait to share.

 

It's hard to see the ribbed detail, but it's there :) I'll try to get some better pictures before I ship it off.

Super cute Sarah, who ordered a pet portraits a while ago sent me the cutest hair pins today. I am a such a sucker for a good flower hair pin, and she makes the most perfect ones. Love!!!

If you would like some for yourself, check out her Etsy shop. 

My mom turns 50 next month, so I'm gonna spend the rest of the day looking for the perfect gift. <3

What are you doing this lovely Wednesday?

xo.

studybunny

Last day before the big test, this is what I'll be doing all day.

Reading, and drinking coffee. 

Wish me luck!

<3

xo.

2.22

People always ask why I have 222 tattooed in between my fingers, well today is 2.22, so I figured it was a good day to share.

Shaun and I used to see "222" everywhere, and something strange would usually always happen shortly after. Once we were at Hellfest on the east coast, my ex broke his hand and had to be rushed to the hospital, the whole day I had been seeing 222 everywhere. The first thing I saw when we entered the emergency room were these huge posters with random 222's all over. He finally get's a room, and his room number, 6222. Coincidence? Maybe.

Are you superstitious?

xo.

the most wonderful day.

It's something about these wonderful sunny days that just makes me really happy. It's so nice to know that spring and warmer weather is just around the corner.

I felt ever so guilty about spending the day inside today, so Cupcake and I went for a long walk, and then to the dog park.

 

There were hardly any people, or dogs there when we arrived, but after 10 minuter the park was swarming with the cutest little pugs, chihuahuas and some bigger dogs, all wanting to play. Cupcake had so much fun, and we ended up staying for a good 2 hours. It was magical <3

Christine challenged me to blog about my top 5 thrifted goods.  Portland definitely has a lot of good vintage stores, but nothing beats thrifting in the Midwest. 

1.  I'm a sucker for a cute owl, and after a weekend at the lake of the Ozarks a few years ago, I decided to stop by this thrift store, amazingly enough, I managed to score all of these, for only $1. 

2. I love finding cute vintage fabric, I love the smell and retro patterns. These are all from different shops, and there are sadly enough only scraps left. It all came to good use though :)

 

3. Irene and I pulled over by this Amish/thrift store once on the way home from visiting Elsie. I had the worst case of food poisoning, and needed some fresh air. We stumbled upon two matching cute little pocket knives, and decided they were too good to leave behind, especially for $2. 

  

4. This was another cute find, also in the Midwest, during another stay at Elsies. I just can't say no to anything sewing related, and what better than a bag full of empty vintage wooden spools. Fun!

5. This might be one of the best things I ever thrifted. A ship wheel. Do I own a boat? No. 

I pretty much just love anything nautical, so I knew I had to have this the second I found it. It used to hang in my old tattoo station. It is also the most expensive thing I ever thrifted.

Earlier today I got an email from sweet Janni, asking if I would do a portrait of her son, Benjamin. I haven't really done any portraits yet, so I apologized and said no. Mainly because I wasn't sure if I felt comfortable doing that just yet. Janni emailed me back shortly after, and was very understanding, but also sent me a picture of her son. The second I saw the picture I knew I was up for the challenge, and changed my mind instantly. Benjamin is probably one of the cutest kinds I have ever seen, and the picture she sent was simply amazing. Just see for yourselves.

 

And here he is painted, :) I'm pretty happy with the way it turned out!

If Benjamin isn't just the cutest cowboy you've ever seen, then I don't know. :)

I'm taking Cupcake to the beach tomorrow. What wonderful plans do you have for Sunday?

xoxo.

Anna Ritar.

I found Annas wonderful blog after I saw a portrait she did of Elsie,

 

Amazing right? I spent hours and hours reading, and looking at her gorgeous illustrations. Let me tell you, this girl has some serious talent!  She does custom portraits, if you want one of your own, hit her up at, a_ileby@hotmail.com

  

  

 

  

Well, I am truly inspired, and hope you are too.

Have a wonderful day <3

 

xoxo.

10 months of photobooth.

from Russia with love.

Well almost.
I've been working on some more fabric nesting dolls, they were so fun to make, but I think the best part was picking their names. Meet, Zhanna, Anastasiya, Natalya and Renata.

 

   

  

  

  

I am kinda sad to let my new Russian friends go, but I am sure they will all find great homes. They are all up for sale in my Etsy shop, so head over to read about their favorite colors, hopes and dreams. 

We had another really warm, and beautiful day here today, it was in the 60's and I just couldn't justify staying inside studying and crafting, so I took the doggies for a long walk. I live across the street from the most adorable house ever, doesn't it just look like a real life ginger bread house?

 

  

  

Looks like spring is right around the corner! Otis and Cupcake were acting like weirdos today, they definitely look like they did something they weren't suppose to, and were crossing their paws I wouldn't find out what.

 

Cupcake had another check up on Saturday, and it is an ulcer after all. I noticed he is missing a chunk of his eyeball when I was in the waiting room, and he finally opened his eye. Yes, a chunk..missing. How horrible is that. So another week of never ending eye drops and medicine, and another check up on Thursday, hopefully he won't have to have surgery this time. Poor little monkey.

The medicine is making him super sleepy, and here he is sleeping on top of my clean clothes. Aww.

 

I finished up a few more pet portraits, I must say I love looking at the cute pictures you ladies email me of your pets, it never gets old, I swear. It is also making me want another puppy, however, I feel like I should concentrate on getting Cupcake back to his old self. <3

 

  

How cute are they! :) 

I also wanted to show you some rather embarrassing pictures of what I woke up to this morning. I am usually pretty good about cleaning up after myself since I don't have my own craft room anymore, and craft in the living room. Yikes. Lucky for me Josh finally got a job, and  I think he was too tired to notice when he got up this morning,

 

  

Looks like a tornado hit, huh? Hopefully sometime soon I'll have my own space to craft and be messy :)

I hope you all had a wonderful day <3

xoxo.