goody-goody

Around here...

I've been away from the blog for a while. I wish it was for super-exciting things..but it's mostly that the laziness of summer has taken hold in our house. The garden is finally ripening all at once, resulting in a diet that is 90% nectarines. We are fiber friendly. And nothing is funnier to a 5 and 7 year-old than fiber-friendly jokes and noises.

My friend Amy is working hard on a new website for me. We hope to have it up and rolling in the next few weeks. I love what she is coming up with! I have a new little shop on etsy for my paintings and prints called two shoes studio and plan on putting new creations in it several times a week.  I have a little companion blog to let people know when I've updated the shop. 'Cause I collect blogs like some people collect stray animals. Sho nuff.

Just thought I would check in. What are you up to?

Slow going

I've finally completed another doll! At this rate, I'll be making what? Maybe four a year? I keep getting distracted with other projects and that whole "mothering" thing I'm supposed to be up to. 

New bits

 

Some Spring creations I made for nina and tom in Davis. I have a few flower clips left and may add them to the mushrooms I have in my shop. We're on Spring Break around here..same chaos, more time at home goofing off. I'm hoping to plant my seedlings (from Melissa's seed planting party) this week. We've had a good soaking rain today so, hopefully the ground will be nice and welcoming to our new sprouts.

Goody girl v2

Um, wow. So many people came by to look at my free pattern. It was very exciting to bust the 2000 hit mark. Thank you! I'd love to see some of your finished projects..if you don't mind sharing, of course. I've started a Flickr group for completed projects. Join here! 'Cause I got lots of patterns and tutes to share.

Over the past few weeks, I've been tweaking my doll pattern a bit. The face especially. A little less Angelina..a little more Ramona. The eyes are essentially the same and I added a smidge of a nose. I defined the hands into fingers and shaped the feet to hold shoes (which I still have to make). I tea-dyed the muslin before sewing and it gives a nice skin tone--not too splochy or country-ish but not flat, either. I used instructions from here, but it's pretty simple. I always tend to think things are more complicated than they really are.

 

I really liked the dolls before, but now I think I love them. In a David Cassidy kind of way. (And now I've spent an hour looking at Partridge Family clips on YouTube. Great.)

Hope you had a nice weekend.

xo

Lauren

Won't you wear my pin?

I became inspired after receiving my new rolls o' felt so I made a few Valentine's corsages for the shop. I incorporated some vintage millinery leaves I've been holding onto forever..waiting for that perfect project. They're soft and velvety white with pinkish tips. Just beautiful. I've made four--two for etsy and two for IndieSac in a couple weeks. Although they look so yummy on my red coat, I just might have to keep one for myself.

Win a Pimp Stitch Kit!

 

We goofed and sent Green Jello an extra kit from our etsy shop. They're now sold out but she's giving away her extra one on her blog! All you need to do is pop on over and leave a comment about what superhero you'd like to be or what's a good book for her book club. I'm totally an Aquaman fan, too. Maybe it's because I can't swim very well.

And away we go! (or went)

 

Hi there. Hope you all had a fabulous and fun Fourth. We had a great first two days before the stomach flu hit. It's all over and done, thank goodness. I don't have a great transition from that to food-related items, so I apologize. But these were my cupcakes for the party all nestled in their seats ready to go. I love this cupcake carrier. I really do. I spend a lot of time trying to find a space to store it, but when I need it, it's wonderful to have. Especially for school birthdays and other happenings.  I got mine at LNT but they don't have it anymore..no worries, I found them at HSN. They're a bit pricier there, but trust me, you walk into a room carrying that sucker, people will give you some serious props. In that moment, you will feel like Martha. If Martha were to be a ball of sweat and drive a car with two bickering children that goes dead in temps over 100. Wait, that's just me.

I have a few new little bags trickling into the shop soon. Thanks for stopping by. I'm hoping to pull together a little tut for Friday--I know, it's been ages since I've had a quickie! Smirk.

critter cha cha and humpday giveaway!

Hi there! Thank you for all the nice comments on my new crafting space. You guys are the best. I wish I could buy everyone a round of margaritas. Don't like them? That's okay. I'll drink yours. Well, after a few technical "glitches" (meaning me being not-so-bright and having to take all the pictures over again), my half dozen mice and bunnies have danced their way into my shop. They're looking for love in all the right places--namely your mailbox. They make the perfect little toy for chubby hands or to keep all your secrets (dirty or otherwise--they don't judge). Just don't give them to your pet...my friend Missy's chihuahua apparently has a thing for the lentils I use in their tushies to weigh them down. Dogs and lentils. Who knew.



I'm now doing the humpday giveaway every other week...so you're in luck!! This week's celebration of making it halfway is a tiny tote with a wee vintage-inspired patch. It's perfect for your water bottle or a few necessities when you're on the go. Just leave me a comment and I'll pick someone tomorrow. It could be you! Oooh, the suspense. *I'm extending the drawing comments until 12 noon today (Thurs.)--so comment away!*

And check out this adorable little Pimpstitch girlie (also by Missy). We're hard at work designing some irresistible embroidery creations for our grand opening in June. This week's featured designer on the blog is the incredible Tamie of Roxycraft. So go read all about her! She's awesome. She emanates stench. Her words, not mine. See, now you have to go read it.



Thanks for stopping by. Yay for Wednesday!

This is how I spent my weekend...

before

I am very excited about my new and improved sewing/crafting/inspiring space. I don't mind sharing the room with the girls and their toys, but my little desk combo was NOT containing the crap. After a good and thorough cleaning out, I treated myself to an early birthday gift of a new loooong desk from Ikea with storage at both ends. Combined with the ticky-tacky dresser from my last post, I am happy to say that the crap is officially contained. For now. Sorry, hub, no promises about the future. It's like a natural disaster. You'll never know when it will strike next.


after

And I have a line up of little friends that will be arriving in the shop tomorrow! They personally supervised the studio overhaul from the windowsill and are now fully trained to help you, too. They're very good company and excellent listeners. So, stop by and check them out!

new friends coming!

 
Do you hear the pitter patter of tiny critter feet? Oh, wait they have no feet. Or paws for that matter. My latest little creations will be going in the shop later this week. They'll be bringing their friends, too! I fell in love with making these little mice last year. I've redesigned them a bit (shall we call them v.2?) and given them bunny friends. And possibly kittys, too. I'm working on that. If they look a little worried, that's only because they kept blowing over in this crazy wind we've been having. And if you had no arms or legs, you'd be worried, too.