Gingko bracelet

Gingko bracelet
Originally uploaded by catscluttercrafts

Here's what my husband worked on this weekend at the show. We didn't have a lot to sell because he had a custom order before the show. It made it to it's destination in time for the home and garden show they had entered. So he demoed and had fun.
He sketched these freehand from gingko leaves he grabbed from a tree across from our tent. If you can't tell these are bracelets and are made from sterling silver. They are one of a kind item.

So you can see why I really like the gingko skirt.  Don't you think this would be a great jewelry piece to go with it?  

Roosters-N-Rickrack Pinafore GIVEAWAY!!!!

Roosters-N-Rickrack Pinafore GIVEAWAY!!!!  If you love girly clothes for kids like I do, you have to enter to win this!  It's so cute freaking cute and I almost didn't want to enter to win because we have so many clothes.  But we just dropped off our chickens today, so I had to enter!  Plus I know my youngest would flip if we did  win it.  Click and enter now!

Whirl Wind Weekend

Vintage Button
Originally uploaded by catscluttercrafts

I just got back from the show and I hopefully will have lots of pictures. I did not take pictures of everyone that I wanted to get but I'm exhausted! Luckily I do have artwork at home that I can take pictures of. 10 hours of sleep in 3 days is not enough! I came home early because the girls are tired too. Just in time because it started to rain just as we got home. I hope this rain stops so the exhibitors don't get their displays soaked. It's the only problem with outdoor shows, the unpredictable weather.
We had to drive home with the windows wide open because my friend kept her fabric in mothballs and I get ill from the smell of it. Thankfully I didn't have to pull over. I have 2 huge contractor garbage bags full of fabric. Plus clothes and the girls received some toys too. They are wearing ballet shoes and received these cute little coin purse socks.
This pictures is from the tank top I made. It's a vintage button that reminds me of an eyeball. It's a bad picture because you can't tell it has a rainbow finish.
I hope everyone had a fun and exciting weekend like I did.

Vivo Barefoot Liu

Vivo Barefoot Liu
Originally uploaded by catscluttercrafts

Here is a picture of my very comfy Vivo Barefoot sneakers! Can you see how thin the soles are? You can feel everything when you walk, it's so cool. I definitely can feel that I'm walking different. I'm hoping, since it's supposed to be more natural, I will strengthen my leg muscles differently. I still have a tendency to pop my hip when I turn and carry something heavy. It doesn't hurt it just means a trip the chiropractor.
There's an article that is written about why we should walk barefoot as much as possible. By wearing shoes we aren't helping ourselves but we are making it harder for our bodies to work properly. Here's the link for the article. It's really long, so bring munchies and a drink. Enjoy

Ginkgo Skirt

Ginkgo Skirt
Originally uploaded by catscluttercrafts

So here it is, finally! I had a hard time grabbing the model view from Anthropologie because it's a slide show picture. Not a picture. It took forever and my fabulous husband did it for me. Woo hoo.
So the top I'm wearing does not go but it tucked in semi nicely in front. Now that I see the back, I'm thinking where did all that fabric come from? I do love the skirt, it's super cute and I ended up ordering the top they put on the model. If you have to see it, you can click here. It's actually washed in this picture and still slightly wet but you can't even tell! The thing I think is so cool about this skirt and put it in the well made category, it comes with it's own slip. Yep they built a slip in and put cute yellow lace on the edge. I'll show that off later in a future post!
My husband thinks the top of the skirt needs a transitional element. He doesn't like the belt on the model but what else can you put there? A brooch, a big sign??? I don't know.

???

I don't even know what to call this post because I spent almost all day yesterday helping my mother and her fiancee move.  I have never packed so many kitchen things in my life!  Everything should have been out on Monday but they ran out of boxes.  So when the movers were done they went to the new house to unpack to get more boxes.  

With all moves nothing goes completely without problems.  The house was finished being built a month early.  Except with all this rain they could only pour half the driveway and haven't graded the yard yet.  I sympathize with the movers because the yard was dangerous!  Plus it had huge mud puddles.  It rained for 4 days and then stopped on Sunday.  So the movers had to step way up to get onto the driveway.  The other half of the driveway and part of the sidewalk was poured yesterday.  So we had to walk all the way around to get everything into the house.  My husband and my 2 daughters ended up in mud puddles!  But my daughters and husband did an awesome job helping out!

I know my mother and her fiancee were hurting from running around and doing more than they should have.  They were walking around like they were 100 years old.  It was seriously funny.  Hopefully today they can just clean the house and then relax.  At least the better because I know even after the chiropractor told them to take it easy... they were still doing too much!  Parents they never listen!  

So today is catch up day for all my house chores that didn't get done.  Thankfully I'm feeling better today than I did yesterday.  Sleep does wonders for a sore body!  Well and I took a lot of cod liver oil and that always seems to help when I ache.

Accomplishments

Mystery Tree
Originally uploaded by catscluttercrafts

People without kids don't realize (at least I didn't) what huge accomplishment a simple daily task is. My youngest was potty trained by the time she was 2 1/2 years old. Beating her sister by almost 2 years. Just because a child is using a potty doesn't mean they can get the toilet paper thing down. This weekend my daughter wiped her own tush. Which I'm sure if you aren't a mother you're asking yourself why is this a big deal?
Well because proportionately kids aren't meant to do things like that until their limbs grow to fit their bodies. I really think it's because I'm not home on weekends and well Daddy's just aren't like Mommies. So lucky daddy.
Today I went to my daughter's school for a writing project show off. It's really cool to see all her projects she's been working on. I was super impressed with her writing too. It was almost like she wasn't a ten year old writing her stories. I'm really proud of her.
I received my skirt from Anthropologie the other day. It's super cute but I'm still searching for a shirt to go with it. The ones I bought look terrible, so they are going back! I also received my moth traps and put them all over house. Hopefully tonight I will catch a lot of moths!
This weekend, is the weekend my husband does a local show. I'm hopefully going to be taking pictures and doing bios on my favorite artist. So expect that coming up in the next few weeks.
I also have a pair of these sneakers coming from Vivo Barefoot. I'm not fond of wearing white shoes but they are for work. My feet hurt so bad this weekend I could barely walk on Sunday. The shoes I have, I do love but they just aren't flexible enough for the job. I go from squatting to standing, to squatting for 15 minutes at a time. So my feet started off wearing the shoes this weekend but by the time the my weekend shifts were over, the shoes were wearing me. I'm not happy about the price but these have gotten rave reviews and the popular styles are sold out. So it will be worth it!

2nd Month Punk Rock Rock Club

Lotus Knit
Originally uploaded by catscluttercrafts

Here's what I received from Melanie of Lotus Knits. Isn't the yarn yummy looking. I almost want to lick it! It's that scrumptious looking, it makes you want to do crazy things! It also came with a cedar and lavender satchel to keep the moths away.
It's like she's reading my mind because I spent way to much money buying moth traps and repellent. Our house came with a terrible moth problem. It is terribly bad! I thought I had gotten rid of them by bagging all my wool last year but this year my husband has merino long underwear he left out. It's been washed and those little parasites have been all over it!
So I did tons of research and they are such scavengers that they don't need wool to live on. They can live on pet dander and other things. Since the house we bought had 4 dogs, 2 cats, a hamster,a rabbit and who knows what else living in it before us, they probably are living on whatever fell between the floor boards.
I have spent way to much money on yarn and sweaters to let those little b*stards ruin my stuff! So for the next 2 years the war is on! I will win! So I've re-bagged all the wool things I could find, even socks because I've seen them flying over my socks on my dresser. They've left the socks alone in the past but I'm not taking any chances. I have 2 bags in my freezer because I think they may have been infected with eggs. We've pulled almost all of the original carpet out of the house except for the 2 closets in the master bedroom. We didn't pull that out because they built the 2 closets on top of the carpet. Nothing like taking short cuts! If we pulled that out the whole closet would probably fall down about 3/4-1 inch. So we are waiting because the whole thing need to some out. It's a floor to ceiling deal. Lots of fun going on here!

Crazy Cat

Crazy Cat
Originally uploaded by catscluttercrafts

Look at the what I got from Lotus Knits today! No, not the cat, she decided to steal my yarn and claim it as her own! This beautiful creation is from her Punk Rock Sock Yarn Club. Inspired by Black Flag.
This was a nice break from the 2 flats of strawberries I have been processing the last few days. Every year I buy 3-4 flats of strawberries and freeze them It's nice to freeze that fresh yumminess and enjoy it during the cold winter months. Our fruit share gave us strawberries also and I made organic strawberry jam!
I have been working on a new apron top and now all I have left, is a lot of hand sewing. I would like to have it done in a week but there are a ton of pieces to be added. I'm not giving any hints but if it works out it should be super cute.

Mystery Tree

Mystery Tree
Originally uploaded by catscluttercrafts

See this beautiful tree or shrub or bush, that's in my yard. I have no clue what it is. It smells heavenly and it blooms every year. I'm hoping to find out what it is so I know how to take care of it.
I have had some very good conversations with friends and customers who want buy American. Last week a woman called to see if what we make is made here in the USA. She was home sick and is building a house. She wanted everything that was being put into it made here. She was having a very hard time finding companies who make things here. It was nice to talk to someone who appreciates the work my husband does.
Today I talked to a friend about buying American. She has been to China and has seen 1st hand how things are there. We are sent the higher quality products but it's pretty much junk. They have no quality control, it's about making products as quick as possible to meet the demand. Hong Kong has slightly higher quality than China, which I find surprising because I thought they would be equal.
So we talked how Americans need to stop buying the cheap products and by doing this we can raise standards. Standards which should have been about quality in the 1st place.
I'm so excited, fruit and vegetables are in season here! My fruit share starts today and Saturday the vegetable share. I love fresh produce and love supporting local farmers!

Odd Weekend

rhododendron
Originally uploaded by catscluttercrafts

This was one of the hardest weekends I have ever worked. I was going to tell you all about it but why spread the misery, right! The good things are, I slept before I worked on Sunday, it was only 2 hours but hey now I know what my alarm sounds like when it goes off. Plus it is loud enough to wake me up. Also I brought home lots of paper that would have been thrown in the trash for my girls to draw on. I know people say art is very important for children to be creative, well it's not a problem at our house.
In 2 weeks my husband has a local show and a friend of ours who does the show is going to be bringing me several rubbermaid totes full of fabric! I'm totally psyched! His summer is already lining up to be very busy. He has 2 commissions to do this summer. Also 2 classes he is going to be teaching and a guy wants to do 2 days worth of private lessons! Is that enough two's for you?
I also finally figured out what is going to happen for our anniversary! This is where we are going and my husband promises not to click the link! If you click here and look in the middle column, the 2nd thing down, that's what we are doing. Unfortunately he signed up for a class on our anniversary weekend, so it's happening the weekend after.
Well I have sewing and housework to do. OH freaking joy!

I'm addicted

rhododendron
Originally uploaded by catscluttercrafts

Guess what I've been doing since I blogged last?! Watching America's Next Top model. I've watched all of season one and loved Elyse. Who didn't win but went on to becoming a big fashion model. Bigger than Adrianne who won the first season. I'm watching season 2 right now and love Shandi. I know Yoanna wins, I cheated and looked to see who won on wiki. I do not like to wait but find it more enjoyable knowing who won. I find myself trying to see if the judges made the right choice. Did I mention I think youtube rocks!!!
I've been having a huge slug and snail problem in my newest garden bed. Yesterday I put dryer lint around my plants and today I picked 40 yucky slugs off my poor plants. It was seriously nasty and gross. The only thing that gets slug slime off is washing your hands with salt. It still takes a lot of salt though. A few other things I can try is crushed egg shells and beer traps.
I noticed that a few of the blogs I read having been reaching their 100th post and giving a 100 things you don't know about them. Well I'm like over 100 by 5 or 6. So I'm thinking maybe I'll do a 125 or 150 things about me you don't know. I've had a pretty hard childhood, that could fill 300 things you don't know about me. So look forward to that in the future. Have a great weekend!

Holy Patch Work Batman!

Patchwork Shorts
Originally uploaded by catscluttercrafts

I think these shorts came out great!  Since it was like putting puzzles pieces together with no picture to look at. These have yet to be worn but the weather is a lot cooler today, thank goodness! I should mention I have been using Amanda Soule's idea from her book The Creative Family which tells of an easy way to make shorts and pants without a pattern. I really did like her book and made the pencil case holder from there too for a birthday party my daughter went to. 

So I received my package from Anthropologie and I'm highly disappointed in their customer service! I didn't receive the skirt!! Which is the only reason I placed the order. I've tried e-mailing them and it's been 3 days and no response. I've checked the status of the item and it doesn't say anywhere, when it's coming in.
Having to deal with my husband's customers, I am a big stickler for good customer service. I hate having them call and ask "When am I getting my order". In his defense, everything is handmade, from a one man studio and it's a part time studio. We try to guess when things will be done but you never know if there will be a kink in the system. Something doesn't come out perfect and he's a stickler for perfection. If it's a custom item you always short yourself on how long it will take you to make the first one.  Or sometimes the copper we get is not good quality and we have to sand out big scratches in the sheets or pipes.  I would think with Anthropologie being a  bigger company, they would have a least a better handle on what the status of an item was.  
Can anyone recommend cool and unique clothing sites they like to buy from?  I maybe looking for someplace new to shop.

Ribbons

Eli Match Photos June 8 2008
Originally uploaded by catscluttercrafts

Here's the happy winner with her ribbon and showing Eli off. He's actually behaving! I guess in public he thinks he's a dog not a cat. Which is how this guy acts whenever I see him. Pouncing around, rough housing, all the naughty dog stuff, I should say cat stuff.
There is a lot around the house I can't seem to do lately. Cleaning the house isn't one of them. I choose not to do it but now that it's summer time, I have thought about it. I did vacuum this week that should be good for another 3 months right?
I can't find anyone to take my chickens!! Seriously, people want them but I'm kind of picky. One couple I know have a fox problem and I don't want to be worrying myself to sleep and wondering if they were fox dinner that night. Another friend is just terrible about calling and he said him and his brother would just stop by!  I can't wait much longer.  
I would like to un-net my garden beds so things can grow. Unfortunately the chickens would go godzilla on the beds and there would be nothing left. So they are still here. Being neglected by my oldest.
Then, I just cannot seem to get my girls to sleep in the same room together! We tried when the youngest was 6 months old. She would keep her sister up and she still does. Even in a nice comfy air conditioned room she's all over the place. Jumping on my bed, throwing stuffed animals, you know the shenanigans kids pull. She is queen of it.
The last thing is, I think I may have come to the end of my quilt scrap ideas. I still have ideas, it's just the fabrics don't compliment each other to my high standards. I should just lower them right? I made pair of shorts for my oldest. Trying to use the smallest pieces up so the never ending supply of scraps would be gone. To my disappointment my neighbor must have given me a bottomless bags of quilt scraps because even after a pair of shorts, a shirt, a dress, 2 skirts, and a few appliqués, I still have a TON! They are everywhere, seriously don't tell anyone, it would probably be condemned around here because of the abundance of clutter!
So I will look at what I have and try to decide what to make. OH and my aunt gave more remnants she had lying around!!! I do have some nice yellow flower fabric that would make a great pair of shorts. Maybe with ruffles like I've seen in Mini Boden. Their clothes are too freaking cute!  Couldn't find the pair of shorts that I was talking about from Boden but Hanna Andersson does have a pair.  The picture is of a knit but I have seen it done in woven with heart pockets.  

Rhododendron Tree?

rhododendron
Originally uploaded by catscluttercrafts

Isn't this Rhododendron tree just gorgeous? I did not think that they even got this big. It came with the house so it's probably been here a good 20-30 years and in that time has made it's self right at home. I love how it looks when it blooms and had to take some pictures.
The wedding reception was wonderful. I even was teary eyed with all the wonderful things the best man and maid of honor had to say about the bride and groom. So sweet and touching. Even the bride and groom speech was so well thought out and included family celebrations that they wanted to share. It should be noted that the bride did all the talking because the groom forgot his glasses! I had to laugh because it's amazing that they finally got married!
With the weather being too hot, her dress was keeping her too toasty. It was strapless but with all the layers of tulle and who knows what they put under there, she was dying! Their table was outdoors with a great view of the pond and the ducks that live there.
Friday night it was so hot here that my youngest couldn't sleep. I left for work and she was still up. She wanted to put on winter pajamas and have all her blankets on her. Luckily I put them down the laundry shoot earlier in the day. This event has made us buy an air conditioner. When I came home at 4am it was still 77 degrees. Not comfortable sleeping weather even with the fan on. So we put the AC in my the master bedroom. The kids can sleep in there with us when it's unbearable. I couldn't see the point of running 3 fans on high and not effectively lowering the temperature in the room.
I have some amazing news! Well for my oldest daughter, who has been terrified of dogs for 2 years now. 2 summers ago she was cornered on a friend's porch by their pitbull and chewed on by the dog. My daughter had gone over and knocked on the door. The dog broke through the metal screen door jumped on her and started biting/chewing. She had broken skin from the teeth but stitches weren't required. Ever since then she has been scared off dogs.
My SIL and brother baby sat the girls yesterday. My SIL had my oldest do some competition stuff with the female dog. It went so well she went with them today to show off their Rhodesian Ridgeback. He's a bit crazy at home, so I was worried. They just got back and she received a ribbon for first place for handling the dog! It was only her and one other child and the other little girl was a little too immature with handling the dog. How great for her!

Sheep Box

Sheep Box
Originally uploaded by catscluttercrafts

I finished this last weekend and had my husband take photos. I had to work and ran out of time. It was one of my bridal shower gifts. Yes the shower I didn't get to go to. Which is okay, things happen.
I made this out of a brie goat cheese box. It's the very thin wood box you get when you buy cheese sometimes. I covered the top with the sheep appliqué and stuffed it to become a pin cushion box! I glued it down in sections, which is why it took forever! Then I added the ribbon which you cant' see here. It's covering some spaces in the fabric where it didn't fit properly. I also added some pins inside!  Didn't want them poking through since my husband wrapped it for me!
It is bloody hot out today! 90 plus humidity and I walked to teach today. Pulling a wagon with child inside and all my materials! I'm beat! It went pretty well. 2nd graders cut much better than 1st graders. I had to cut almost all the 1st grader shirts for their dolls! Many of the 1st graders walked away without heads, hats and hair. They didn't seem to care. One little boy was very surprised that I was going to let him sew. His mother never lets him do that sort of stuff! He an excellent job! He was the only one who made it to the sewing step. The time went by too quickly and the dolls really aren't made for a 20 child group. More like 5-10. I didn't know. I thought I would have older children but they didn't want to make dolls.
If I am asked next year I think I'll just make toys! My youngest is going through a shy stage so it was like she wasn't there! Except for clean up when she told me she had to pee! We ran to the bathroom, I don't know how long she had to go. Then she had performance issues because there was a line. She did a great job of holding it though!  Much to my relief, no back up clothes!  
I work tonight from 10pm-4am, then go back at noon-4pm. Rush home to get dressed for the wedding reception. Pray that I get enough sleep to enjoy the momentous day! They've been together FOREVER! So it's about time they make it legal!  Well they haven't been living together, just together.  They are good Catholics, wouldn't want anyone getting the wrong idea.
Have a good weekend and it's rumored I have Sunday off. I shall find out how lucky I am tonight!

Busy Friday

Gardener Snake
Originally uploaded by catscluttercrafts

Like our gardener snake? It doesn't live in our gardens but in the Chinese Lanterns and rocks next to our steps. The chickens won't find it, hopefully. They'll be gone soon. I'm really hoping they will be!
I had a very nice day yesterday.  Having lunch with my aunt. Then walking around the town waiting for my daughter to get out of school. The day started off comfortable but as time went on it got humid. We even stopped in to visit my neighbor and I made a purchase to buy materials to make a purse for myself. I'll have pictures when it's done.
Of course I was kicking myself last night for not buying this awesome material that was a batik, tie dye sort of thing. It was purple, blue, and white. I should have bought it to show it off or make a shirt for myself out of it! It was that awesome! Alas!
I'm teaching 1st and 2nd graders how to make dolls tomorrow. It's supposed to be fairies but there's going to be boys and boys will want to make pirates. So I'm working on bending the figures today, getting my materials together and making patterns for the kids to destroy. Hopefully it will go smoothly, I think there's only 40 minutes and it takes a while to make. At least for me but I decorate the crap out of them!
Then Saturday is my friend's wedding! I will miss the ceremony  (I have to work 4 hours) but will make the reception. Plus it's going to bloody hot and I have a dress that I've had for 5-7 years in my closet that will work perfectly! Let's hope they don't have the AC on and set to freeze, I maybe in trouble!

So In Love With

Tank Top
Originally uploaded by catscluttercrafts

I am sooooo in love with this tank top! I don't know if it's the patterns that work for me. Or the fact that I completed it in one day! I was originally going for a top with short sleeves but as this started to be pieced together. I changed my mind! I was going to post this with out a model but once she realized she wouldn't be in the picture, she had to put it on! Kids, too silly!
I actually bought myself something today! I showed this skirt from Anthropologie to my husband and he pretty much told me I had to get it! Now that's what I like to hear! It will be perfect for the Arts & Crafts show we do in February. Gingko's are a huge A&C motif and it's the perfect place to wear it! I ordered 2 tops too and hope one of them works with the skirt. Keeping my fingers crossed. I always ended up buying skirts but never tops. Then I never wear the skirt because I do not have a top that works with it. I think this skirt needs like a yellow, or an off white shirt to work. I'll find out when the package gets here!

Homemade Paints

homemade paints
Originally uploaded by catscluttercrafts

So here's how the paints look the day after. Some are still a little runny but we had to try them out! They work fine but the green in the egg container doesn't work. I think we didn't add enough food coloring. I think I only added 2 drops when I should have added 4 or 5.
If I didn't over fill the trays you probably couldn't tell these were home made! That's how good they look!
I highly recommend this project to anyone with children. I think any age really because the goo is so cool, when you are mixing it up! Plus I think everyone has food coloring, white vinegar and cornstarch hanging around. So the only real cost is the glycerin and that was under $3. You only use 1/2 a teaspoon so you can do this forever practically. My bottle is like 6 oz, and I'm not doing the math to figure out how many times you can do this project.

Busy Weekend

Scraps Pants
Originally uploaded by catscluttercrafts

Wow I can't believe it's Sunday. I got a lot done crafting wise, even though I worked everyday since Friday. Here's the latest quilt scrap pants I made. Finished them 1 hour before work on Saturday. Whew it was close. I just love the colors and the prints. Of course my youngest doesn't want another pair of pants she wants skirts. Too bad I'm making her summer shirts. She's so long in the torso, it looks like she's running around wearing clothes that don't fit her.
Tonight we did the coolest craft! Or at least it should be the coolest craft. I won't know until it dries tomorrow.  

We go through watercolor paint like crazy.  So I did a search to make my own and found this site.  When I added the baking soda and vinegar it bubbled like expected.  Then I added the rest.  Well it didn't seem to be mixing well.  If I didn't see it with my own eyes I wouldn't have believed how cool this is.  The liquid/solid stuff you make, morphs.  Seriously, if you leave it, it conforms to the shape it's in.  Go to mix it up, it gives you some resistance.  Spoon it out, it moves like the blob!  Except you don't have to worry about it eating you!  

I spooned it into a couple of our old watercolor trays and then added food coloring.  I stirred it with a pin because I overfilled them and wanted to minimize color contamination.  This could probably do 3-4 watercolor sets.  We only had 2 and I still had enough to fill up 4 egg slots a quarter full from a plastic egg container.  I'm excited to see if it works.  I should wait 24 hours but my 3 year old won't understand that.  I'll let you know how it turns out.

I love this song from a new artist called Katy Perry.  She's probably kind of controversial but her music doesn't bother me, I find it funny.  For those of you who want to listen, this is the song that has put me in a good mood for the last week. I'm going to put a disclaimer on this song there is doll nudity and adult content.  It does say gay a lot.  Hence the title Ur So Gay but I don't play it when my youngest is around and recommend young children not be in listening range.  Listen if you are interested and if you want a little background it's supposedly based on a past relationship with a guy.