Winter Wonderland

Though this area doesn't usually get snow, we weren't the exception to last weekend's storm system:

Having recently lived in the US Tundra (cleveland), I was well prepared with this awesome snowsuit:

I was also well prepared to pelt my husband with my awesome bucket of war balls:

Then we used the bottle caps from our beers for eyes when making this guy here:

but now its melting away and temps will be in the 60s this weekend.  There's much to be done- preparing the shops for 2011, getting a good system going, and all the usual resolutions.

Watching episodes of hoarders has got me wanting to do a big clean of the condo- new year, new organization!

Here I am wearing my wonderful, recycled, Yoga Shrug from Rockstar Rehab.  After a 9 hr drive, K.t. and I went to Faith's studio where, amongst an army of industrial sewing machines and a work table that makes you insanely jealous yet wet at the same time, we participated in an evening of candlelit yoga.  It was so relaxing and I think I might adopt the practice.  Though I'd have to start eating less at night or waking up earlier to do it.  

We then took a lovely drive to the local mart for wine which paired well with all the amazing food she had prepared!  After detecting a hint of garlic in the kitchen we were presented with a Vegan Feast.  Hummus, pita, couscous, vegan burgers,  luscious sweet snap peas....

She then gifted me the shrug that I had been using during our practice:

Kt is also wearing an angora recycled sweater neck warmer I made.

A great time was had by all at the Red Giant show.  Cleveland was covered in snow yet the entire front row was made up of our closest friends.  They played songs from the new album, Dysfunctional Majesty.

 Then there were lots of people dressed as Santas so I took a pic with a couple of them:

Hello, strangers, I'm Drunk!

Fun Fun Times.  And now I have a lot of stuff to clean up after our weekend adventure as well as last minute Christmas gifts yet to be made!

Recycled Sweater

I have a really nice, chunky, wool sweater that's a darker beige than this shawl shown:

and it's so big it makes me look about 6 sizes larger though the sleeves are 7 inches too short.  It has lovely vintage wooden buttons that I will save for something.  I was trying to imagine what I would turn it into and in the past used felted wool sweaters for purses, scarves, arm/leg warmers and neck warmers. But i never used a large bulk of the sweater and with such a nice pattern I want to use as much of it as possible on the one piece.  After searching for maybe hours on etsy and ebay looking for the perfect shaw one night, I realized I could have spent that time MAKING one.  I really like this one knitted by reunasilmukka.  

I can't believe I have not come across a tutorial to turn a sweater into a shawl yet!  i figure cut up the sides, cut open the arms, sew each arm edge to a bodice edge and maybe leave an opening for arms.  I ll keep looking but may just use the bottom half to make the above.

I'll take my time before making that first cut though.  In the mean time I'll straighten up the studio; it literally looks like an episode of hoarders in here.

The darkness of the morning

A cloud made its way in today.  Maybe through the cracks around the door that let in a bit of light and cold air; it condensed on its way through then expanded back to its dark form.  Slowly meandering down the hall and through the kitchen I was completely unaware of its presence as I lay in bed cuddling a kitty and wondering how to do my hair today.  Yet by the time I lifted my head off the pillow it had made its way to me and I instantly entered the fog of despair.  Lightning bolts of doubt and worthlessness shocked me to the core and I was electrocuted into a paralytic state.  Many things will come and go into our lives but our sense of worth and purpose is like the air to our soul.  For an hour or more I was suffocating on this putrid air that was filling my lungs.  Every negative comment I've ever gotten immediately took attendance in my mind as the lyric "Dear God, I hate myself" cycled through my mind.  Alone, one can easily become lost and fighting our way out of this phenomenon becomes tedious and confusing.  While we're down, an army of negativity takes advantage by sending in line after line of dark soldiers.

What rescued me?   As my mind went to places it rarely dwells, I knew I needed to turn around and run though left with little strength I simply reached out my hand...  to someone on the other side of the spiritual quick sand that was rapidly engulfing me.  With loving and encouraging words they guided me through and as heavy as this blackness sat on my heart, I almost immediately felt my soul freed.

I believe in yin for yang, angels for demons and that though we were made in a holy image with great talents and gifts to fulfill our purpose and serve those around us- there are forces in the universe  that would act in contradiction to this.  I believe some people have dark souls but that many of our enemies are unseen.

I made a ton of last minute Christmas cards- all out of recycled materials but cannot find the plug for the battery recharger since my batteries (and backup batteries) are dead.  Sometimes it feels like something is hiding things from me- some otherworldly game of hide and seek using the things I would very much like to use.  I also can't find any hole punchers though I own three and one is the giant three-hole kind.

Since I can't add anything new, here's a pic of my husband.  At least I know I'll always have him as a fan!

Mojito the Drunken Whale

My brother's child's mother has been in labor all day as I have been laboring on this stuffed whale design.  I'm glad I did a small version before the large pillow I want to do because there are things I'd like to change as far as the shape.  He's super cute though and has a floppy tale.  Technically I could never sell this as a child's toy because of the button eyes and regulations require that all toys have a tag as to the contents.  That's why this is an adult toy or room decor.

Not such a great pic, but it's from my phone:

Vintage Button Eyes

Hello, December

All sold out of my lovely coffee sleeves.  I havent made any in a while and mine was accidentally tossed out but at least I had it for years before it suffered such a horrible fate.  I love this one pictured, because it's recycled denim and corduroy I got from a friend who passed away.

I think these sold so well because of my model's nipples.  Sex sells, baby.

Ooooh, and here's another fave!  I just found this fabric, too, after being separated from the bulk of my fabric collection

I'm also out of tea wallets but the to-do list is already so long.. .

Other than running out of stuff, the only other thing I have going on is chasing down a pack n run.  I had items on consignment at a local shop and, when driving by last week, the shop was completely gone!  I searched on the internet for a long time before finding a number that wasn't disconnected and that person claimed to have called me.  A couple weeks ago I got a call from a number I didn't recognize, but they hung up after a few rings, before I got to it and left no message- thought it was a wrong number.  I was told the owner gave them two days notice to pack up and vacate and was given his number but I've left two messages already.  I hope I get these items back they were really nice and a lot of it was sterling silver.  Plus, I could be selling them since my inventory is so low.

Hopefully he calls me soon and hasnt thrown my items away.  Who's the patron saint of artists?