Craft Time turned Silly

This is a picture I took a few months back. My friend Mandy knowing how obsessed I am with crafts and making stuff asked if she could come over and we do some crafts together. I don't have many friends who enjoy this kind of thing so I was excited. We chose to buy a few t-shirts from the thrift store and rework them to turn them into something a little less frumpy and a little more fun. Mine ended up being a fringy eighties rocker sort of looking shirt (which I only wear to bed) and we also made some fabric dangly earrings(which she told me we should wear them to this social gathering the next day. I wore mine even though I thought they were kind of dumb and she didn't and then laughed at me because she said she was joking. darn her :)  . When we were done we were looking at all the scraps laying on the table and somehow decided we needed to wear them as blindfolds. It was a random moment but worthy of a picture I thought.

Getting older stinks sometimes because it seems like it's not proper to be silly and make yourself laugh till your stomach hurts and your eyes water. We have to be serious and responsible all the time or so it seems.

I hope in the new year I can be a little less serious and learn to laugh a little more at myself. Laughter is good for the soul right?

Pants

Today I sewed my first pair of pants! I haven't used my sewing machine since who knows when and have been wanting a pair of wrap pants for a while now. Most people probably have never seen these pants and apparently they were popular in the 60's or 70's (I can't remember which). They have a bit of a bohemian look to them. wide legged and flowy.

I made them following this tutorial. I am wearing them right now and will eventually get around to posting a pict. They are super comfortable. I think I might make a pair with sweat pants fabric for lounging around the house.

I would consider myself a complete beginner when it comes to using a sewing machine. The fact that I made these and they turned out good means it's very easy. I used a chocolate brown linen material and I think I will make another pair with a lighter(lighter as in weight) fabric.

PS.Just had a caramel brulee latte from Starbucks. tasty!

Good night....

Me

I made these two new necklaces for my shop and took some photos to put on Etsy. I decided to mess with them a bit. I love how you can change photos with a touch of the keys. Whatever I did made my freckles way more visible, but the effect is neat. Except for the freckle mustache. ;)

The Weekend

It's Sunday and I'm about to go out to eat. I thought I would post a few picts of the necklace I just made.

I am really getting into sewing again. I go through phases and I guess it's making it's return. Sewing by hand is so relaxing and fun. I went to Hobby Lobby yesterday and didn't intend on buying fabric, but when I saw these two in the pictures below I knew I had to buy a little of each. I had no plans for what I would make with them, but today I got out my Yo Yo maker and made a few yo yo's. I LOVE making Yo Yo's! That progressed into making a necklace. I think it turned out really cute.I will probably make a few more and put them in my Etsy store.

My husband was out of town for most of the weekend and so I treated myself to a movie yesterday. I saw The Fighter. It was really good and Christian Bale was really great in it. I love that it was based off a true story too.

Mexican food awaits!

Vacation

We went to Gatlinburg TN several weeks ago just for the fun of it. We rented a really cute cabin and had fun walking around shopping and driving through the mountains. Here are a few photos of our trip.

Finished Bag

I Love how it turned out and I am sooooo thankful that Tandy leather brought back the cool vintage looking buckles.

For Moi.....

In the year that I have been doing leather work I have only made myself a belt, two necklaces, and one cuff. I always think of things I would like to make myself but I get caught up in making things for others or for my etsy store. even if I really like it I feel guilty keeping it for myself with the chance I might be able to sell it. I decided to make myself a purse and I totally love how it turned out. Here are pictures I took before I dyed and painted it. I will show you the finished product soon.

I chose a Lotus flower because A)they are beautiful flowers but B) they have a lot of symbolism and meaning behind them. They represent change and growth among other things and I feel like those are two things I am definitely walking in at the moment.

There is really nothing like making a functional item by hand. This purse took me many hours to complete. All the tooling, mixing paint colors and dyes, lacing the thing (was sort of a nightmare-I had what looked like leather dandruff all over my clothes.the fibers were flaking off as i was pulling the lace through each hole). There are just so many steps involved but I got such great satisfaction when i went out today to run errands and brought along my new bag to carry my things.

I am working on a small clutch purse for my shop with a similar feel to it. you will see that in a few days.

Christmas Tree

It seems like people put their trees up earlier and earlier every year. Most people I know had theirs up the day after Thanksgiving. We almost didn't put up a tree this year. I considered it and then gave in because it just sounded too depressing to think of Christmas rolling on by without any special attention. We have a fake one (i have never had a real one!) and it's quite cute-Thanks Big Lots. We are the only adults that i know who decorate our tree with our old childhood ornaments. Babies first Christmas, numerous ornaments that say "Chris" and a few strange slightly crusty looking random ones. It's not the most attractive looking Christmas tree but it certainly brings a lot of fun memories back. Right now there are only 3 presents under our tree. Hopefully it will fill up a bit more in the next week.

The more I live life the more the real Christmas story (not the one about Santa) touches my heart.I sat down the other day before I put our tree up and started reading in Luke chapter 21 and on. I have read and have heard others read that story so many times but this year it touched me in a way it hasn't in the past. This past year has been amazing and also probably one of the hardest for me. I have experienced great joy but also incredible sorrow. I am so thankful that God loves us the way He does. I could go on about how I feel about God but I won't. It's late and pondering on his love for us should keep your mind busy for awhile anyways.

Good night.....zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

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Cherries

Last night somewhat late I started on this cuff. It reminds me of a small town fair and a bake off competition. Maybe a cherry pie competition. The cherries kind of look like they are sitting on an old fashioned paper doily. hmm...just thinking.

I also made a really cute little birdie that I will turn into a pendant. Look for him to show up in my store very soon.

This has been a really nice week. My sales have really picked up with Christmas around the corner and that is a HUGE blessing. I repriced a lot of items in my store making them a wee more affordable. I kind of want to sell most of it so I can start fresh in the new year. I have lots of ideas and am excited to get started on them.

I hope you all are having a great weekend!

Swans and Cuffs

Today has been a really nice day despite the dreary weather. I worked on a custom request through Etsy. I love how people come up with ideas for new designs for my work. This kind lady asked for me to take elements from one cuff I had already made and sold and change out a part for a new idea.

I love how it turned out. See the picts below.The first one I took before I finished all the tooling to show what the leather looks like before I dye it. I think I like it better than my original design. :)

I also watched several youtube videos on different elements of leather work. I watched this one video from a guy who makes saddles and even though I will probably never go there with my work I was so amazed at how beautiful his work was. I wish I could remember the video that showed him because it was just really great. I will never "go there" because they require a crazy amount of time and techniques. I like projects that I can finish in at least a few sittings. Even a "sitting" with say-the cuff above- took me all morning. More like all morning and early afternoon.

I really love working with leather.......

Work in Progress

Here is a crocheted pouch I am working on. It still needs snaps or buttons or something to keep it closed but I thought it would be fun to share it anyways. I made it because I realized that I didn't have anything nice to put my crochet hooks in while traveling. It doesn't have to be for hooks though. It would make a nice little makeup pouch or jewelry holder when you travel. You could probably use it as a wallet too.Although I will probably sell this one when it's finished (or should I say attempt to sell) I will probably make one for me too. I think it turned out cute. What do you think?

Taco Salad You Stink

This past weekend I was supposed to be selling my items in a craft show. I drove 3 hours for the show but also to see my mom who was sharing a table with me. We set up our tables and table cloths friday afternoon(the rest would be set up in the morning). After that I just HAD to have a taco salad from this specific place because it was SOOOO good the last time I had it.

As I munched on my salad I noticed that something tasted kind of off in there but I ignored it and finished it anyways. The next morning really early I started getting really sick to my stomach. I will spare you the details but it was awful! I was hoping I would feel better for the craft show but it just didn't happen. We both stayed home. Me on my moms couch most of the day watching a million episodes of some hgtv show.

I was totally bummed. I had spent lots of time crocheting tiny hair clips and getting ready for the show the few days before. When we set up our tables we joked how we hoped the car would be as empty as it was after we unloaded the van as it would be when we finished the show. Meaning we hoped we would sell EVERYTHING and wouldn't have to bring anything back. We had to go back later on that day to retrieve our tables and I realized that God must have a sense of humor because we did leave that day with a pretty empty van but not because we sold everything. So I guess I should be careful what I wish for.

Taco Salad you ruined everything! But on the bright side I got to hang with family and it was a nice change of scenery.

Hats

Middle Tn is having some really gross weather today. It's the type where you want to stay bundled up in warm blankets with movies and hot chocolate. Preferably my favorite Salted Caramel hot chocolate from Starbucks.Yummmmmmm.....might have to get some if the wind doesn't blow me over.

A very sweet lady asked me if I would make her granddaughters either hats or headbands-my choice. I have been making a lot of crocheted headbands lately and thought I would go the hat route. I found two cute patterns and got going. I made both hats and even though the pattern said they should fit children from 3-10 they came out super small. More like newborn baby or a little older. They are super cute but not exactly what I was shooting for. You can see them above.
 

sewing...by hand

I really enjoy reading this blog. A Japanese girl named Mai writes about her life as a new mother but most of all she writes about her crafts. She has an etsy store and sells hand sewn items. The fabrics she chooses are so cute and the little dolls, pouches, and other items she comes up with are equally as cute.


She showed how she made a little stuffed bunny and last night I attempted it. I haven't really hand sewn anything (except some leather stuff but it's a different kind of sewing to me) since I was young. It felt like it took forever to finish but in reality I think it was about 2 hours.It turned out pretty cute however the ears are just as long as the legs and it looks kind of strange. Oh well...it was fun.

Here is my little creation.I think I will name him Willis. I'm not sure why but it sounds fitting.

Movies

In case you didn't know-I am obsessed with movies. I love them! I just thought I would tell you....

Here are a few of my faves:
Shawshank Redemption
There Will Be Blood
Pans Labyrith (I love almost everything from this director)
Sweet Home Alabama

What are your favorites?

work

I often procrastinate when it comes to adding new items in my etsy store. It just takes sooooo long. You have to take the pictures, edit pictures, write descriptions, make tags, come up with a price, so on and so on. The price of my item doesn't really include all the time it takes to post it so as you can see-it's the stinky side of trying to have an online store.

Today for some reason-most likely because I slept like 12 hours- I have had the motivation to add new items. I think I added 4-5 so far. Here are a few....Not to shabby.... :)

New Prices in my Store

I decided to discount several items in my store today so please take a look again.
www.faradaisyjean.com

Mole?

So this picture is kind of creepy but I wanted to share it anyways. I'm not sure what this little guy is. A mole maybe? Do you know???

I let my dog outside the other day and she managed to find this little guy. Unfortunately my dog squished it a bit and he died. Kind of sad I guess...

Crochet

I bounce around from one craft to another and lately I have been crocheting a lot. I decided to try and sell some of my crocheted items at the first craft show I did a few weeks ago and I actually sold more crocheted items than leather items. It may be because it was overall priced cheaper but it made me wonder if I should continue to crochet and sell stuff online and at more craft shows.

 Today I was dreadfully bored and uninspired and I just started crocheting. I didn't know what I was making but just crocheted along. I ended up with something I think turned out pretty cute. It's a little clutch purse (see above picts). I recently got a book out from the library called Beginner's Guide to Crewel Embroidery and did a little of it on the clutch. Expect to see more Crewel Embroidery from me in the future. It's fun and looks pretty. What an awful name though!

I love making stuff and I even like a lot of the things I make. I say that because I usually hate everything I draw or paint but I genuinely like most of the leather stuff and crocheted stuff I do. I guess I make what I would want to buy. However I am too cheap to pay my prices for myself but a girl has got to make some money somehow right? It worries me though. We are all so use to buying machine made junk-a-roo from walmart and everywhere else that people often get all bent out of shape when they see the price tags on handmade stuff. At the last craft show I did a lady picked up one of my leather cuffs and asked "where do you buy these from?" I was sort of confused. I told her I made them and she was like "wow!". Handmade items take time. Usually more time than a normal person would even consider spending on such an item. Anyways-I am getting tired...

Good night! Come see me at the craft show tomorrow!

craft show!

This is SOOOO last minute but I just got a call from a friend who has extra space in her craft booth and asked if I wanted to sell my stuff tomorrow. Come see me if you are in the area.

Spring Hill
Craft Fair and Silent Auction
Saturday, October 30, 2010
8AM to 4PM
Spring Hill Elementary School

Music

I have been dying to have some new music. BUT-I am cheap and spending actual money on music just doesn't appeal to me like it did when I was 17. I decided to take the risk and rummage through the stacks of cd's at the thrift store a few days ago. It's funny to see what people give away and it makes me chuckle to think what type of person might have owned some of the music before it got to where it is. I found one cd and bought it. Paula Cole-This Fire 2.99. Some of her songs were REALLY popular back in the day. The one song was the theme song for Dawson's Creek (my favorite show of all time!). Listening to it transports me back to high school but without all the high school drama.I am really enjoying it. There is one song that has become my favorite called Me.Watch it here on youtube.

Shop Update

I know I haven't posted in a LONG while! Does anyone even still read this???

In case there is someone out there that does-here are a few new items I just added to my store. I have a bunch more that need to be added. Those should be coming soon so check back.

I may be selling a few items this Saturday at a craft show. I am signed up for another November 13th and am thinking about doing one in December too. When I get more details I will share them here. Come see me if you are close by. I have a lot of things that will probably never make it in to my shop but will be for sale at the craft shows. Lots of unique earrings and crocheted items as well.

Craft Show

Hello everyone!
I just wanted to give you the details of the craft show I will have a table at in a few days.
It's an event called the French Market and it's basically a place you can come and do some awesome handmade shopping. The money the sellers paid for the table goes towards overseas missions. There will be coffee and snacks and plenty of awesome gifts. INCLUDING my awesome mom who makes really pretty Christmas decorations like wreaths.

It's this Friday October 8th from 4-9pm. Bring cash or checks. It's located at Fellowship Bible Church in their Back Barn building. Looks like a barn only cooler.
The address is:
1210 Franklin Rd.
Brentwood,TN
37027

I have been making all kinds of special things for this show including several crocheted items as well as some really neat earrings with leather charms on them.

See you there!

taking it all in

I thought when I quit my job I would blog about something new or post a new pict everyday. Wow was I ever wrong. I just haven't felt like it.

Life has been really good and I am learning a lot about myself during this time. I LOVE being home. I find that my best days are when I wake up somewhat early, work out, read my bible, clean a little, and work on my leather stuff. I also am cooking dinner more consistantly and that has been nice too. When I accomplish all those things I feel pretty happy.When I don't my day feels a little off but I am learning to manage my time and am tryting to enjoy it for now-while this season lasts.

There has been one down fall to my plan...
I have not sold one thing since I quit. There is a part of me that wants to fret but I kind of feel like it's all in God's plan. I continue to make items and I will have a booth at my churches craft show in about a week. I am confident that I will at least sell a few things there and hopefully a few people will pick up my business card and check out my online shop at another time.We shall see....

All I know is that I am trying to soak up life. I tend to not live in the moment and am really trying to do so lately. Sometimes I go outside with my dog and we just sit in the grass for awhile and soak in the sun-feel the breeze.

My husband is about to give a piano lesson so I better get out of here.

a NEW season

A new season. A new beginning. That is where I find myself on this Sunday afternoon. My last day at work was this past Friday and it was bitter sweet. I am completely excited about this new season in my life that just began but leaving the previous season was harder than I ever thought it would be. I feel like I need time to reflect and get away by myself. To let life sink in.

I have had some time to do this in the past few days. It feels good and I plan on doing more of it tomorrow.I am thinking about going hiking or finding a spot outside to sit and bring my journal along (I am not a journal-er but it sounds like the right thing to do) and maybe my camera too. The possibilities feel endless. Well sort of.... :)

I haven't much time to post new items that I have made so I posted 2 today. I also have a few more to post but those can wait for another time. I have a few items in my store that need some extra lovin so I will be taking new photos of them soon. I also took out all the non-leather items out of my store. Because-A-they aren't selling and B-I want my store to be All leather. Simple enough right?

I am participating in my first craft show October 8th at Fellowship Bible Church in Brentwood,TN. If you happen to be in the area come say hello. All those non leather items will make an appearance there with a pretty good mark down.

Well-I need some lunch so I am off.

Change

It's Saturday! Oh how I love the weekend!

I have a big change coming up for me and I figure it's time to put it on my blog. My last day working at the church is September 10th. 1 week to go! I am totally excited and totally terrified. I have worked there for 5 years and although it's been great it's just time for me to start pursuing opportunities that use my talents and feed my soul. What am I going to do? Well....I know what I am going to attempt. My little esty store has had a slow and steady stream of sales. I really enjoy working with leather and even more just making things. Even more-selling them to people who appreciate my work. I am going to focus on my store for a few months and evaluate things from there. If it doesn't work out like how I hope I am ok with that. At least I tried. I feel confident that the Lord has a plan for me even though I don't really have one. I know that quitting was the right thing to do and am excited for the next season of my life. I am incredibly sad though to leave my position. I have worked alongside the best most kindest people ever. I have also worked in the same place as my husband for 5 years and so that will be a huge change as well. No more walking down the hallway to say hello or to steal a quick hug.

I ask for your prayers for me during this time and be sure to check my store for a lot more newer items after the 10th. More blog posts too!

PS. I hve found several nests around my house lately with birdies still in them. Here is a pict I snapped of one of them. So cute!

Hello! It's Sunday and I am sitting here watching What's Eating Gilbert Grape. I LOVE this movie but it's totally sad when the mom dies! ugh i hate that part. they set the house on fire. ugh...

My husband is out of town this weekend visiting his family in Branson. My mom came to visit me Thursday-Saturday. We had a fun time cooking, shopping, watching movies, and just chatting. But today-I am on my own. I worked on some leather items this morning. I posted a really neat peacock feather cuff and also a medium sized purse that also has a feather on it in my store today.

well-I hope you all are having a nice weekend. I think i am going to pop a few cookies in the oven.

                           till next time.

STRETCH

I seem to have a weird chronic rib issue and because of that I have to limit my exercise a bit.

It's been really bothering me this week and so I have hardly moved my body at all. I was starting to feel pretty stiff (pounding holes into leather with a hammer doesn't help either) so I thought I should do some stretching. I found this yoga video on youtube this morning and did it before I came into work. It was fun and I really did feel better when I was done.

Don't you just love technology sometimes?

I hope you all are having a nice Tuesday.

Photo-came from this dude over on Flickr

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UPDATE on Leather Stuff:

I have spent the past week or two working on a large bag and now a smaller version of the same bag. One of them will make it into the shop. The other will dangle from my arm. ;) that is if i don't destroy it by punching a bazillion holes and hammering in just as many rivets into the leather. Carpal Tunnel setting in :(

Photos From Grandma's Farm

I recently took a trip to WV for a family reunion. I got to spend the day at my grandma's farm. I love walking around the property because it's so beautiful out there.