fuzzbot designs

new year, new skill

2012-02-10T07:10:00.007-05:00

So the year is not exactly "new" any more. And the skill I'm learning--it's actually ancient. But I digress . . . I'm spinning! Not just with excitement but also with wool! For my birthday my super, kick-ass mother-in-law bestowed upon me her spinning wheel (an Ashford Traditional, which was stained and assembled by my father-in-law for those of you interested). It's awesome. What's even better is that I can use it! My wonderful and amazing hubby got me spinning lessons. And thank god, because upon first sitting I was mystified. There are bands and tensions and flyers and bobbins and maidens (love that . . .) and tons of other things that I didn't know anything about. Although much of the mystery still remains, I've been able to create yarn on it, and that's all I can ask for. It's all I've ever wanted. Hmm, when did this turn into a melodrama?

Here is my first handspun yarn!

Next step: figure out a better way to hang up the skeins to set.

Also: put stuff away in the bathtub when taking pictures to post on blog.

On a completely unrelated note: I had a baby, hence my blogging hiatus.

Related to the note above: He's the sweetest, smartest, and cutest baby in the world.

happy august!

2010-08-03T15:08:00.002-04:00

And happy birthday to the most lovely and most wonderful mom in the world! Hope you're having a super fabulous day. Wish I could be with you to celebrate.

hide and seek

2010-07-14T14:51:00.005-04:00

This morning was like every other morning for me. Got out of the shower, brushed my teeth, combed my hair--got ready in the same way as always. And like most every morning, I went into the living room expecting to be greeted by my most adorable pup curled up on the couch. Well, imagine my surprise when I poked my head into the room and didn't see his cute little mug staring back at me. I quickly scanned every room in the house, and he was no where to be found. Now thoroughly confused and concerned, I went back into the bedroom. If he's not on the couch, he must be in the bedroom--there's nothing he likes more than elevation off the ground and a soft cushion. Lo and behold I see this:

Have you ever seen a more adorable looking pillow?

a video doesn't get much cuter

2010-07-13T15:15:00.006-04:00

Want to see something adorable? Well then, you must watch this video. Pay particular attention about a minute in.

If you're wondering who the teenage cutie is, that is my brother-in-law. No, he's not the furry one. He's the tall, skinny one feeding the furry ones. And I'm sure he just loves being described like this . . .

Hope you had fun with the alpacas, G. And by fun I mean, hope that you brought one home for me.

oh so bad, yet oh so good

2010-07-08T11:09:00.009-04:00

Me dearest hubby forwarded me a link to a most awesome blog--Bad Postcards. What is it about, you ask? Well, I guess one might say it features bad postcards. Who'd have thought?

Seriously though, this blog is cracking me up. It's so bad that it's so freaking good. I love the post for June 27th. What I wouldn't give to be having a gay old time right now . . .

Wonder how Fred feels about that.

Should have seen that coming.

etsy find that i (and the fuzzy beast) heart

2010-06-28T11:14:00.003-04:00

Sorry for being negligent, peeps. It has been a hectic week (+ end) to say the least. Alas, it's the curse of moving your whole life from one place to the next. But now the schlepping is over (thanks, friends o' hubby!), the internet is working, and the hubby and I are in our new--yet very old--house. We finally can start to get life back to normal. Thank Zeus!

So in honor of getting back to normal, I'm going to spend some time blogging about stuff instead of unpacking those pesky boxes that hold everything that is useful and familiar to us. Naturally . . .

Etsy is an amazing place to feed into all my house-on-the-brain obsessing. And my pet obsession. And my vintage-things obsession. And my clever-use-of-materials obsession. Well, I found a shop that combines all those obsessions into one--it's Love Nostalgic Whimsy, which specializes in recycling old awesome things into clever and new awesome things. In particular, I love the Vintage Upcycled Suitcase Pet Bed.

How freaking adorable is that?! LOVE it!

Well, I guess I better get back to the maze of boxes that awaits. And gotta find the cat and tell her about this bed . . .

bare bear butts

2010-06-23T07:13:00.007-04:00

Mr. fuzzbot and I officially became homeowners on Monday. Woo woo! So we've been in the process of sorting through our clutter, packing it all up and schlepping it around. Gotta say I'm not a fan of moving. Blech! However I am a fan of our new house (!). And I am a fan of looking through all those bizarre mementos that I've collected over the years. Those little bits of my past represent different moments of my life, moments that I haven't thought about in a long time. Or in some cases, moments I've forgotten. But either way, it's fun.

This is paper towel doodle is one of my favorite finds . . .

On the back it says "BUTT-DANCIN' BEAR!"

Damn, I wish I could remember this one . . .

it's friday

2010-06-18T15:43:00.001-04:00

I'm in love.

Do you think Robert Smith would hang out with me if I had a trunk full of dress-up clothes?

Sigh. I wish . . .

whistle a tune for the pattern o' the month for june

2010-06-16T11:39:00.005-04:00

Show pops and grandpops just how much you appreciate them with this quick and easy Family Ties Father’s Day Card. The card template is included, so all you have to do is crochet up a snazzy tie embellishment . . . And sign it . . . And give it to your dad and/or grandfather . . . On Father’s Day . . .

It’s that simple!

my favorite day

2010-06-10T09:23:00.008-04:00

. . . is today. Because it's my hubby's birthday. And I am so glad that he was born. Happy birthday, darling! Let's go ride a dragonfly to celebrate!

Also, it's Judy Garland's birthday today, so TCM is showing her movies all day long.

I don't know if I can handle this much excitement in one day.

p.s. If you're looking for more awesome vintage images like the boy riding a dragonfly, you must visit The Graphics Fairy blog. LOVE it!

the latest commission mission

2010-06-07T15:17:00.008-04:00

Presenting a few pics of my latest commission--matching aprons made for a bridal party.

Have to say, this has been one of my favorite projects so far. It was fun coming up with a different take on the traditional apron form. Plus, I got to break in my serger (which was awesome!). Not to mention, I'm in love with the floral fabric used for the tops and pockets. It makes me think: "Mai Tai, anyone?"

Why, yes, that would be lovely.

feature on facebook!

2010-06-04T10:15:00.004-04:00

Warning: The following post may contain shameless self-promotion . . .

The Craft Lounge posted a little ditty about me on their facebook page. And a pic of the nanimals.

The Craft Lounge ladies are sweethearts. I heart them (and their shop).

uh-oh

2010-06-04T07:08:00.006-04:00

It's Rosalind Russell morning on TCM. I heart her.

The Feminine Touch at 8 am, No Time for Comedy at 10 am, My Sister Eileen at 2 pm, and The Women at 4 pm.

Why does this have to happen on a weekday?! Damn it.

I'm breaking out the VCR, people.

ms. mcclanahan (1934 - 2010)

2010-06-03T13:14:00.006-04:00

My mother-in-law just told me that Rue McClanahan died.

:(

nana

2010-06-01T13:45:00.003-04:00

Nana falls into the category of one of the most amazing people I've ever known.

And I miss her.

etsy shop (that i heart)--and it hasn't just developed

2010-05-19T15:23:00.010-04:00

If you are in the market for some awesome photography, than you are in luck. ChoraScholarette has a most amazing shop on etsy. LOVE it!

Just see for yourself.

Is it weird that I want to smell this? (If I had a nickel for every time I've said that . . .)

Love this perspective . . .

And my personal favorite--a photograph taken outside the Tate in London:

Makes me giggle.

a pack o' alpaca

2010-05-11T10:49:00.005-04:00

Does anyone else want to steal them and start an alpaca farm? Or is it just me?

I had the pleasure of going to a local alpaca farm called Abenaki Acres last week, and it was freakin awesome. And educational. And beautiful. And did I mention awesome? I got to see an adorable little cria who was just born a few days before--to an alpaca mama that only has 3 legs. Well, she has 4 legs if you count the prosthetic. Either way, I hope she got something nice for Mother's Day. I mean, something freakin' amazing . . .

Anyway, here's a pic of a few other lovely ladies. Those faces!

If you're ever in the area, I highly recommend taking the farm tour. It's a great way to spend a couple of hours. But be forewarned--the alpacas won't follow you home no matter how hard you try to lure them away.

my morning

2010-05-07T08:12:00.006-04:00

It all goes back to 1 am this morning. The hubby and I are woken up by unusual meows coming from the fuzzy kitty beast. Hubby checks on her, but she seems fine, and nothing seems out of the ordinary; so we go back to sleep. Several hours later, we do our morning routine--I feed the animals, hubby gets ready--and it's not until after he leaves for work that I see the cause of the early morning outburst.

Yep, it's a mouse.

And Ethel wants to eat it.

Really bad.

Long story short, after a few failed attempts at trying to catch the mouse in a paper bag (hey, it was closest to me at the time . . . don't judge me), I finally find the humane trap. At this point, Ethel has the poor thing cornered. So I exploit the situation and swoop in with the trap, luring the little guy out with some tasty peanut butter. Now the teeny-weeny beast roams free in the shrubbery behind our apartment.

I love a happy ending.

But I think Ethel disagrees.

may day! it's free pattern day!

2010-05-03T12:49:00.007-04:00

Is it May already? May be. Har.

Anyway, the new month means a new pattern. And this time, it's for all you sewers out there. I love you guys sew much.

[clearing throat] Um, I digress.

Stitch yourself the Bring-May-Flowers Pincushion, and you'll have one heck of an organized and cheery sewing space. They're so useful and fun, you'll be making a garden of these little guys in no time.

And I gotta say, this project is bloomin' perfect for a gift.

Seriously, all these puns . . . I'm starting to roll my eyes at myself.

Sigh.

m.i.a. and t & a

2010-04-30T15:46:00.005-04:00

Sorry that I have been MIA for the past week (plus). Much of that time was spent being drowsy on pain medication--damn you, wisdom tooth extraction! When I wasn't in a dazed stupor, the rest of my time was divided amongst knitting baby blankets for a commission, working on new pieces for Mother's Day, and stressing out about purchasing a house. Still working on the last two bits.

Anyway, to cheer me up Mr. fuzzbot (the sweet darling he is) bought us a pair of freakishly awesome vintage highball glasses to add to our collection.

On the outside, you see sassy ladies.

And on the inside, you REALLY see sassy ladies.

The one on the left really cracks me up. You'd think she would have worn undies if her skirt was so breezy.

Oh, rationality . . . you wouldn't make a very interesting highball glass.

all the wisdom has been drained from my body

2010-04-20T17:57:00.004-04:00

Actually, the wisdom hasn't been drained. It has been cut, yanked, ripped, and extracted out of my head. Yesterday I had the pleasure of having my wisdom teeth pulled--a pleasure I had been avoiding for over 10 years now. And I just want to point out, my avoidance was totally justified.

The oral surgeon assured me . . .

But in reality he turned me into a demented chipmunk.

Mr. fuzzbot had his taken out just the Thursday before, and his cheeks were practically back to normal the next day. Mine however have been gaining mass by the minute. My theory is my hubby's facial hair absorbed some of the impact and provided a soothing mask to aid the healing process.

I'm totally right--this mustache is really helping.

nanimals let loose in leonia

2010-04-14T16:23:00.004-04:00

Nanimals are now available at The Craft Lounge! In case you haven't read earlier posts about The Craft Lounge, let me catch you up. It's a most wondrous and awesome shop in Leonia, NJ; and I wish I could live there. Period. Actually, an exclamation point might be better . . . !

Anyway, I'm very honored to have the Nanimals in such a great shop. Yay!

I received a message from those little fleecy beasts earlier today, and it looks like they're pretty happy about it as well.

Lovable and sweet, plus they can write. Who knew fabric could be so talented?

the latest weekend find

2010-04-12T12:36:00.009-04:00

I've been having some damn good weekend finds. It's uncanny. This time a book tops the list.

Found it for a dollar at a used book sale for our public library. What a deal! Why anyone would donate it is beyond me. This book is freaking hilarious. I give you, an excerpt from the publisher's website . . .

HA! I think I just peed a little . . .

The author, Ms. Stitchy McYarnpants, has a blog with even more kitschy, yarny fun; and she has an etsy shop too, which is awesome.

Next time you see me, I'll be wearing one of these:

I wish . . .

(amazing!) find of last weekend

2010-04-07T09:41:00.007-04:00

Looky what I picked up at a garage sale last weekend. Isn't it a beaut?

And guess how much it cost. Just guess. $35! Isn't that amazing?! Gotta vacuum out all the dead bugs and dust and whatnot. But still, it's in splendid shape. This steamer has got to be one of my best finds ever. I'm still excited about it!

And thanks, Kyle and G (you dear sweet men, you) for carrying up the stairs! I'm a lucky lady. That thing is freaking heavy . . .

april showers bring cleanliness

2010-04-01T07:23:00.010-04:00

April's free Crafting Pattern o' the Month pays homage to the adage that surely you will be hearing over and over again for weeks--April showers bring May flowers. Well, instead of dreading the rain outside enjoy a shower of your own inside with the knitted Spring Showers Washcloth. It's perfect for anyone who gets a kick out of scrubbing their body with a cloud.

Warning: this month's project won't bring any flowers, but it will help you smell as sweet as one.

find of the weekend

2010-03-29T14:54:00.008-04:00

Looky what I got...

It's a sewing basket. And it was only $6 at a antique shop sale. Woo woo! I'd show you a pic of it in all it's functional glory except that it's currently dysfunctional. The fabric is worn and stained and funky. The strings on the side that hold it open have disintegrated to the sands of time. And there are some mysterious bits of debris floating around the bottom of the basket. But isn't it great?

I got some awesome fabric to make it brand new and beautiful.

So there you have it--that's my next project. Well, in addition to all those other ones I'm currently working on. Damn, I'm a project junky (and I ♥ it).

blobby irony

2010-03-24T09:07:00.003-04:00

OK, I'm about to ruin the ending to The Blob. So if you haven't seen it and you want to be surprised (or as surprised as you possibly could be) then you should probably stop reading this post. But if you haven't seen it and you don't mind spoilers then read on, my dear rebel you.

So I just saw the part where Steve McQueen and Co. figure out that the blob can be fended off with cold. Everyone starts using carbon dioxide fire extinguishers as weapons, and eventually someone comes up with the brilliant plan to plop the blob in the arctic so that it will be frozen forever. But as everyone knows, carbon dioxide is a major player in global climate change which means that with each burst of the extinguisher, there's just a little less time for the blob to be frozen. In essence, the whole town is fighting off an alien monster in a way that completely undermines their long term plans of disposal.

Thanks, Steve McQueen.

And happy birthday, too.

p.s. For more Blob fun, look no further.

etsy find (that i ♥) - i need wine, stat!

2010-03-23T11:47:00.006-04:00

Most people that know me know that I love the Golden Girls. Hmm, "love" might be the wrong word. Perhaps "infatuated," "obsessed," "powerless-against-the-greatness-of-those-sassy-ladies-of-Miami" would be better choices.

But I digress . . .

My friend (hi Noa!) sent me a link to Flavorwire.com's guide to all things GG, and it got me thinking--why haven't I been searching on etsy for GG paraphernalia? What kind of fan am I? Anyway, I found these wine charms made by Whimsy at Handmade (different than the ones linked in the article), and I just absolutely ♥♥♥ them.

Anyone else thinking of the episode where the ladies vow to Rose that they'll freeze their heads when they die?

You didn't tip the guy?

spring has sprung

2010-03-22T12:35:00.006-04:00

And so have the nanimals! I was commissioned to make these wee little creatures for a couple of cutie kids. Hope that they love them! By which I mean hope that the kids like the nanimals. Fleece can't love, you know . . . sadly.

sigh.

2010-03-17T20:12:00.001-04:00

Judy, I could listen to you all day.

Oh wait, I have been . . .

kiss me, i'm irish

2010-03-17T13:37:00.007-04:00

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Don't forget to make your Two-Sides-of-Drunkenness Eye Mask for tonight and tomorrow. Luckily you could be three sheets to the wind and still get it finished before bedtime . . .

p.s. Don't be a stupid drunkie.

p.p.s. There are more fun vintage St. Patrick's Day cards at Vintage Holiday Crafts.

birthing complete

2010-03-16T11:40:00.004-04:00

The sweater was finished just in time to wear to my friends' wedding. Woo hoo! There were some doubts when on Saturday I was finishing up by candlelight. No, not for romantic effect . . . we were without power for the night ("powerless" by the way, is a sadly accurate double entendre). Anyway, we drank beer, I hid tails--it was a good time all around. And the next day, the power was back, so not only was my sweater finished, but I could also shower. Always a bonus.

Yay, creating my first pattern for a lady sweater is done! I'm crossing it off my to-do list at this very moment.

et tu, conair?

2010-03-15T07:17:00.004-04:00

Beware the Ides of March!

And apparently, also be aware of curling irons . . .

Noted.

I love how this is more a statement of fact rather than a call to stop eye-burnings. So if I ever need to know how to burn an eye, I know where to go.

sweater-thon

2010-03-11T06:56:00.007-05:00

My friends are getting married this weekend (congrats, Vickie and Aidan!), so I thought, hey, wouldn't it be nice to make a sweater to wear to the ceremony. So 2 days ago I decided, yep, that's exactly what I want to do. Planning isn't exactly my strong suit.

After sifting through my stash I found a few balls of Classic Elite Fresco in blue turquoise, which has been waiting for a project such as this. Awesome. So I:

Perused my stitch books--found one for a twisted openwork

Took some quick measurements--what was my gauge again?

Thought about my time frame--figured on a shrug

And bam {insert sound of majestic chorus singing an epiphanic tune of joy and inspiration}! A sweater was born.

Well, it's being born. Still gotta finish a sleeve, sew it up, and knit a collar.

My first lady sweater pattern made under the pressure of a few days. Love it.

p.s. If this thing comes out funky, I'm totally not posting pictures of the finished product.

etsy find (that i ♥) . . . literally

2010-03-10T07:15:00.002-05:00

I loved this poster by Roll & Tumble Press so much that I had to buy it for Mr. fuzzbot.

Who knew internal organs could be so damn cool? I just want to eat it; it's so awesome! Ummm, and no, I'm not a zombie . . .

classic movies are a banquet

2010-03-08T11:02:00.003-05:00

Last week we found out that Turner Classic Movies has just been added to our basic cable package.

It's so wonderful. And yet, it's so dangerous.

etsy find (that i ♥)

2010-03-04T09:48:00.007-05:00

Holy crap I found the most amazing amigurumi creature ever on etsy--the Siamese Cat Twins made by Lazymuse.

Oh, yep, the drooling has begun.

I can't imagine if my evil cat had twice the cunning power. She'd be an evil super power. On the plus side, she doesn't like when things get in her face, so maybe she would attack her twin; and that would really slow her down.

Did I just go to a weird place?

marching in with a free pattern

2010-03-02T09:04:00.012-05:00

I'm kicking off my inaugural Pattern o' the Month with an accessory made in the spirit of St. Paddy's Day--The Two Sides of Drunkenness Eye Mask. This comfy double-sided eye mask will help you sleep like a baby after passing out from a day of intoxication. Plus it will nurse you back to reality the next day. When you're in hangover hell, just dampen the mask with cool water (throw it into the fridge for an extra chill boost) and place it over your aching noggin. You'll be as good as new in no time.

Charts are written for "i ♥ beer," "i ♥ wine," and "i ♥ booze" options.

p.s. Don't be a drunkie.

p.p.s. Turns out that the pattern wasn't loading properly in google docs. Poop. I think the problem has now been fixed (knock on wood), but if I am wrong, let me know. Experiencing technical difficulties = crappy

snow day! again!

2010-02-27T14:26:00.005-05:00

Yesterday was officially the second snow day for the husband and me. Yay! So how could we not make another movie? Without further ado, please enjoy this tribute to alpine skiing.

Looks hell has frozen over. Har har . . .

i need to get my drink on

2010-02-25T09:10:00.008-05:00

Remember this from a couple years ago?

The Landlord from Will Ferrell

Damn it cracks me up.

brit knit

2010-02-22T09:24:00.004-05:00

I must say, I was a big fan of the Brits before. But after discovering the Victoria and Albert Museum collection of 1940s knitting patterns, I now ♥ them even more.

happy v day

2010-02-14T08:48:00.002-05:00

Pun, anyone?

Damn, I heart the vintageholidaycrafts.com . . .

snow day!

2010-02-10T15:22:00.011-05:00

This is what happens when a blizzard comes through town.

Well, to be honest, there was more, but I thought I'd spare you.

p.s. Have you thanked your environment today?

bunnies that are great and suck at the same time

2010-02-09T13:34:00.005-05:00

There's something you've been missing your whole life. And it's an adorable anti-Valentine vampire bunny. I happened upon this while perusing Urban Threads (aka: one of my new favorite websites). Bring out the mop, I'm drooling over all this embroidery.

Hmm, wonder if that sentence will ever be said again.

Didn't see that coming . . .

p.s. Did you check out the Robert Pattinson link at the bottom of the bunny tutorial? Because you should. Hell, you could just follow the link here . . .

knitted knotted netted neato

2010-02-04T13:52:00.006-05:00

A couple of weekends ago I went to an exhibit called Knitted Knotted Netted at the Hunterdon Museum of Art, and I must say it falls into the things that are awesome category. Seeing how 12 artists work with fiber (sometimes in a broad sense of the word) in such extraordinarily different ways--it was super fascinating. My list of people who are awesome just got bigger. And it includes Ed Bing Lee.

Knots, man . . . who knew?

pardon me, do you have any grey poupon?

2010-02-03T15:09:00.007-05:00

For Christmas, Mr. Fuzzbot and I got some neato-mosquito salt and pepper shakers in the shape of a mustache (thanks, Kathleen!).

Umm, yeah, so, I absolutely ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ them so much. Anyway, after a little bit of googling, I found this blog written by Jenn Ski--she is half of the design team that came up with them. It's so awesome that I had to officially become a follower.

All that mid-century design is making my drool.

Slurp.

I'm sensing some mustachio experimentation in the future... And no, I'm not going to start hormone therapy.

i heart new posts on etsy

2010-01-26T18:22:00.003-05:00

Trying to tell that special someone how much they mean to you? Well, I made a zipper bag that I think says it all...

What says I love you more than to give someone your heart? This probably shouldn't be cracking me up as much as it is. Sigh.

Anyway, it's posted in my etsy shop if your heart is yearning for one of these bags. Guaranteed to pump joy into your life. And there's no worry about it attacking you either.

HA!

Oh, double sigh...

darn it!

2010-01-22T09:11:00.007-05:00

literally.

I've officially learned something new today. Now I know how to fix all the knits that the dog has ruined. Your bite marks are no match for me Fredder-butt!

people who are awesome: the first installment

2010-01-19T13:44:00.010-05:00

For our first anniversary, my sweet and darling husband gave me a book entitled Knit Knit. It's a collection of biographies about interesting and talented people whose knitting challenges the great divide between "art" and "craft," a divide that sadly still exists. Though it's slowly falling away. I'd also like to point out that this same divide also happens to have some definite gender implications, but hey, that's for another day. Well, anyway, I was looking through it today (for a little inspiration), and I was thinking, well, damn, these people are awesome and I should blog about them. So, damn, I'm going to blog about them. I'd like to institute my inaugural post about people who are awesome with Lisa Anne Auerbach. And I know from first hand experience how awesome she is. Well, at least how awesome her work is . . .

Picture it: Aspen, November 2008. While on our honeymoon, the hub-ster and I were walking around town (like Howard Moon, man about town), and we noticed that several shops were showcasing sweaters in the front windows. We stopped to take a closer look at the intricate fair isle designs when I finally noticed *hello!* there was so much more to them. Each sweater contained two differing campaign slogans from history (some well known, some not so much, some inspiring and some scary). My expectations were completely completely thrown off. Here I was expecting to admire a geometric design, something without an opinion, without a story and as it turns out I'm completely wrong. There was a whole political debate going on in one sweater. And not only that, they were playing off ideas about the domestic and the political spheres, the past and the present, nostalgia and humor. With some freakin amazing fair isle patterns. So neat!

Here's a link to the sweaters on Lisa Anne Auerbach's website--I definitely recommend downloading the pdf, which shows all of the designs.

And and in case you are wondering, oh yes, I got her charted pattern book so that I can make my own political sweaters. Anyone for a "Praise the Lord and pass the Ammunition" sweater?

p.s. On a completely unrelated note . . .

2010: the latest new year

2010-01-12T14:59:00.009-05:00

Happy New Year! Yeah, I know, it's a little bit late, but what can I say? The days are grains of sand slipping through my hands. Hmm, I think my new year's resolution should be to find some new metaphors.

I'll mull it over.

Anyway, the hubby, the pup, the kitty-beast, and I drove to Florida to visit our families for the holidays, and we had a wonderful time--except for the kitty-beast that is. To be fair, she never has a good time.

But I digress.

Although it sucks that our holiday is over, I am glad that I can finally share pictures of the projects from the past few months.

A sweater for my bro commissioned by my sister-in-law (thanks, April!)

An old school Detroit Red Wings hockey sweater design for my darling (actually, they weren't the Red Wings then--they were the Cougars--but anyway . . .)

And a pair of creature plushes for my youngest niece and nephew

So yeah, I forgot to get pictures of the other things I made, including the poncho made for my mother-in-law which was made from an awesome pattern from the 70s. And the trigger gloves made for my brother-in-law. Not to mention all the other things that haven't been mentioned. Arg. Add another resolution to the list--take some freakin pictures of my projects.

Despite all the crap that obviously needs improvement in 2010 (see above), the new year is looking good. I got a brand new serger (woo hoo, thanks darling!!), which opens up a ton of new possibilities for sewing. Plus there are some other ideas which are in the works--felting, painting, crocheting, and all sorts of other ings. But that is a subject for another day.

In the meantime hope you are having a lovely today.

p.s. Happy Birthday, Alicia!

p.p.s. Hi Dan! We gotta talk about my idea for a restaurant to compete with Mugs and Jugs. I call it Wings and Slings. Did that form an image?

vote, vote, vote!

2009-12-14T17:12:00.003-05:00

My mom's friend (hi Ms. Diane!) works with the Seminole County Animal Services in Florida. And they are taking part in the Pet Shelter Challenge through The Animal Rescue Site. Currently they are in 8th place, and they need to get to 1st. ASAP. So if you have a moment, please vote for them by following this link, then searching for Seminole County Animal Services in Sanford, FL. The contest goes through December 20th, and you can vote once a day. So please do if you can!

possible eye injury or a collapse in the space time continuum

2009-12-14T16:12:00.009-05:00

Holy crap, where is time going? Yesterday, I went to sleep--it was January 2009. I wake up today, and it's already mid-December.

Oy.

Makes me think of Patsy from Absolutely Fabulous (only one of the best tv shows EVER) when she says: Time is like a stretched elastic band. You can't let it go or it'll come back and take your eye out.

Never a truer word.

Well, anyway, if you're looking for some last minute gift ideas, I just added a few new bags to my etsy shop. The cutoff for Christmas shipping is next Monday. Next Monday, can you believe it?!

As for me, I am in a state of disbelief. But that's nothing new...

p.s. If you want to see Patsy's quote in action, your wish is my command.

happy tuesday with my bosom buddies

2009-12-08T10:07:00.005-05:00

I'm in the midst of knitting a secret project (aka: a Christmas present); so alas, there won't be any pics of it until after the holiday.

Poopy.

You know who I turn to in these times? My bosom buddies . . .

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ it!!!!

shopping sweetness

2009-12-04T08:56:00.008-05:00

The hubby and I went to The Craft Lounge last night for their shopping event, and we had so much fun! It's like we were very large kids in a beautiful, handmade goods candy shop. And not only are there a bizillion gorgeous and unique things to look at and buy, but the owners of the shop (hi ladies!) are freakin awesome. And everybody I talked to was awesome. Can I say awesome one more time?

Awesome.

Anyway, I would love to show you pics of the wonderful things we bought; but alas, they are Christmas gifts. So instead I'll just show you pics of the fuzzbot items that are on display. How exciting is that?!

On a completely unrelated note, I think I fixed the problems with posting. Fingers crossed.

the craft lounge = heaven

2009-11-28T09:17:00.004-05:00

At last weekend's craft fair I met an awesome lady by the name of Linda. She is the owner of Crazy Gracie, which is a company that makes freakishly adorable kids tees and baby quilts and mommy aprons. Seriously, if you are in the market for some unique kids stuff (that is all handmade!), you should check out her website. Anyway, her booth was right next to mine, so we had lots of time to yap and chat. It was fun--she's a great booth mate. Anyway, she recommended that I check out a craft shop in Leonia called The Craft Lounge; she has several items on consignment there, and she thought that the fuzzbot bags would fit in there. Well, turns out that she's right. And I'm so excited!

Yesterday I went to The Craft Lounge (with my hubby and my folks who are visiting from FL--hi folks!) with my wares in tow. And I met with two of the owners, Susie and Kathy, to see if they would be interested in carrying some of my bags. And they were!! And it was AMAZING!!! I'm so flabbergasted that they think the bags fit in at the shop, because it's so very cute and quaint and interesting and terrific in there. So long story short, I'm still coming down from the putting-bags-on-consignment-at-The-Craft-Lounge high. Let's hope it never ends . . .

Umm, and yes my dear, sweet family insisted on taking pictures of this historical moment. I had flashbacks of being fifteen years old at the FL DMV, getting my driver's permit and having my mom ask if I'd take a picture with the guy who gave me my test. Sigh. Anyway, I just want to preface the pic by saying that the wind was blowing around and causing my hair to look like a big ol' mess of insanity. So no, it's not a look I'm going for.

p.s. The Craft Lounge is having an after-hours shopping event on Thursday December 3 from 7-10 pm, so if you are in the area, you should definitely check it out.

gobble gobble

2009-11-26T14:11:00.003-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Hope you had a lovely holiday! Gotta tell you, I'm getting big whiffs of pumpkin pie; and I couldn't be more grateful.

p.s. If you're ever in the market for some vintage postcard art, you have to visit this website . . .

weekend in review

2009-11-23T12:38:00.013-05:00

Well, the show over the weekend didn't get a ton of traffic.

:(

But on the positive side, I met other (incredibly awesome) crafters. Everyone was so nice and funny and helpful. And they offered great advice for things to do in the future.

There's a camaraderie that is formed between vendors, which is hard to describe. Despite being perfect strangers, the shared experience is enough to draw everyone together. For a 6 hour retail battle. I love it. Anyway . . . I can't thank everyone enough for all their help. You people are awesome.

Also, I wanted to say thanks to my buddies who dropped by on Saturday. So, ummm, thanks! It was great seeing you . . . Plus, to all the new people I met--thanks for dropping by to chat! And for buying the fruits of my labor! Why am I always so dramatic? Sigh.

For everyone else who wasn't there to make it, here are some pics of the table:

How much for that handsome man?

Who's that suspicious character with the mustache?

If you see that suspicious character with the mustache, let me know. She's a shifty one.

Now, back to the crafting battlefield. Wait, isn't love a battlefield?

howdy

2009-11-15T18:18:00.009-05:00

Hi all,

Welcome! Wow, there's a lot of pressure to be interesting right now. Eek! I've gotta keep telling myself, just ignore the man behind the curtain... But I digress... For the past several months I've been knitting, crocheting, and sewing my heart out; trying to build up an inventory of items to see if I could start a business for myself. To see if I could be the independent woman I've always wanted to be. And for the past several months I've noticed that often times the only people I talk to throughout the day are:

my husband (hi honey!)

our dog (hi fredder butter-butt!)

and our cat (hi my pretty demon-kitty!)

Hmm, and actually, only one of them is a person... But I digress again, knitting all alone in your house can cause somewhat of a bubble. And bubbles are anti-productive. So enter--the blog. Here I hope to share all sorts of news, new projects, and lots of blabber. With actual people!

[Animals are also welcome]

Englewood! Crafts!

2009-11-15T16:28:00.015-05:00

Please join me for my first ever craft fair!
There will be knitted, crocheted, felted and sewn items galore.

The First Presbyterian Church
150 East Palisade Avenue
Englewood, NJ
Saturday, November 21st
10 am to 4 pm

For more information from the promoter's website, click here.

For a map of the area, click here.

And for my NYC friends who might want to venture into the 6th borough, I'm linking the NJ Transit website here. You can search for information about the 166 bus from Port Authority (or just email me, and I can send a pdf of the schedule).

Be there or be square. Like this guy...