Gearing up for Halloween

Every year, one of the most fun projects is to work on a Halloween costume for my daughter. She's 13, so we have had lots of different ones. Thankfully, she hasn't outgrown the desire to dress up.

Last year, she was Lucy. This was ridiculously fun to do. She's an "I Love Lucy" fanatic - has all the DVDs - and so this choice for her was an easy one.

We started with some of her favorite looks from Lucy episodes ("I like that collar." "See the cuffs? Could we do that?") and YARDS of black and white polka dot fabric.


I found the shoes at a yard sale, unworn, for $3. They had a very retro vibe that she loved. We bought the wig at Target (I think?) in the Halloween section, but it was just a red wig. It had to be "Lucy-fied." We even made a stole at the last minute from some fake fur that I had, left over from another project.

This year, she wants to be a flapper. I am sooooo excited to start work on this ensemble! Right now I'm assembling the raw materials - fringe, shiny bobs and baubles, maybe a feather or two - and looking for inspiration. I'll post more as the project progresses.

The Baxter Adventures

In lieu of crafty goodness, COASTERS!, personal thoughts, or angry rants, here are some pictures of my widdle doggie, Baxter (a West Highland White Terrier, or Westie) enjoying his favorite time of the day - time for a ride in the car.

Going to the post office is the most fun thing EVAR!

Hanging over my shoulder from the back seat. Must. not. miss. anything.

Waiting at school for my daughter to appear. Or really, anyone who might come by the car and give him some attention.

Wind in his face = supreme happiness.

Although it might appear as if he is in deep thought, pondering some philosophical question, I'm guessing no.

Gift Guide Love!

After trying to make heads or tails out of Google Analytics, I finally figured out that my Reboot and Escape coasters were featured in an Etsy Gift Guide - Geek Chic!

Thanks Etsy!

September - Month of Mojo

Blogging mojo, that is.

Last week while I was on Twitter, someone (I wish I could remember whom) tweeted that they were going to post on their blog everyday in September in an attempt to recapture some blogging mojo. I thought it was a great idea, and much needed.

So, here goes. I'm going to post EVERY DAY in September.

And since I have not much to offer in the way of pictures or fun stuff or anything, I'm taking this opportunity to share my favorite afternoon pick-me-up.

Blueberry Smoothie

1 cup frozen blueberries
1 cup plain yogurt
1/4 cup milk
a couple of packs of sweetener (to taste)

Combine in a blender and blend.

DIY - Boyfriend Jeans

Really, aren't they just a basic 5-pocket jean with a roll at the bottom? Do I seriously need to go purchase new jeans to participate in this trend?

Absolutely not.

Step 1. Locate a pair of basic, 5 pocket jeans, either from your own closet or thrifted. Perfect use of thrifted jeans!

Step 2. Put on your jeans. Using chalk or pins, mark how long your want your jeans to be.

Step 3. Take off your jeans. Lay flat. Add about 3-4 inches to your mark (this will accomodate the roll at the bottom). Whack off the bottom of the jeans.

(Why cut them? Why not just roll them from the bottom? This makes for a really bulky roll. Cutting them off makes a smaller, cuter cuff.)

Step 4. Zig zag around to finish.

Step 5. Roll up the jeans. Use a few well placed stitches to hold the roll in place, if you wish.

Step 6. Distress in well chosen places, if you wish. I did this with a cheese-grater-looking-pedicure-thingie-found-at-Dollar-Tree.

Step 7. Enjoy, smug in the knowledge that you got the look without buying new jeans. You have beat the system. Congrats!

My favorite new lunch spot

My mom took me for a birthday lunch to the Greenhouse Grille in Fayetteville, AR. So very delicious! I had the Greek Quesadilla (with organic spinach, artichoke hearts, roasted red peppers, organic garbanzo beans, mozzarella and feta cheeses topped with a goat cheese cream sauce).
Mom had the Greenhouse salad (organic greens) with grilled shrimp. Isn't it gorgeous?

It's a teeny little place, it would maybe seat 50 if a shoehorn was involved. Very simple interior, cute little bar, great service, and the menu was overloaded with things that I wanted to try. I can't wait to find another excuse to go again!

You sell your stuff where? How do you spell it?

OK, today my goal is to come up with some sort of business card/etsy card kind of thingie. Something that doesn't just promote me, but promotes etsy, too.

Last week, I found myself being repeately asked about where did I sell my stuff? How do you spell "Etsy"? (Just like Betsy, no "B") What kind of stuff do they sell there? You get the idea.

Each time, because I had no biz card or handout, the poor soul had to find a piece of scratch paper or old receipt and scribble down the name, only to be lost in the laundry later.

I get it. I suck at the promotions thing. I especially suck at the "tooting my own horn" thing. I'm much more comfortable talking about Etsy than I am my own little shop.

So. Goal. Come up with something to give people. Print many of them. Put them in my purse.


In other news, new coasters! For the Geek who needs COASTERS! Or, basically anyone who uses a keyboard.