Quilting for Funzies

So I'm making a quilt.

Yup- I started a big project. My goal is to, well... actually finish this one.

I have a habit of starting things like scarfs and hats, etc and never finishing them. But not this time.

See, this one is compact, adorable, and has a no-pressure time frame. And it can be done whenever I fell it is done (or I run out of fabric- whichever comes first).


So here's the process:

I tack small squares of fabric to my amazing tiny hexagons.

Then, I stitch the hexagons together making flowers.

When I have enough of those, I sew them all together.

To finish it off, I undo the tack stitched and remove the papers.

TaDa!!! I have a quilt top.

It's coming along fairly well so far, I think. I'm just at the flower making phase, but I think its going well. I'll keep you updated on how its going!

Makin' It Happen: Smashbook

Hi; I'm Katie and I'm addicted to scrapbooking.

No really though, I just finished my first scrapbook this week and I'm obsessed. Theres something deeply satisfying about taking paper and glue and making something adorable and, hopefully, worth treasuring. 

Today, while out on a grocery run, my roommate and I stopped my Michaels (cuz why not?) and I found this:

That's right kids; It's my first Smashbook.

I guess that means I'm finally a woman. 

Smashbook is a line of scrapbooks designed to be, well, smashed together. That is, it's not meant to be a particular style or theme but a conglomerate of scrapbooking bits and pieces. It's like a spiral-bound notebook but the pages are all cute and ready to be decorated. 

I'm going to use my Smashbook as a personal challenge: fill it up in the next 52 weeks. Hopefully, setting aside time every week or so to craft, create and look at old pictures will help keep me inspired. 

Here's to hobbies!

Say Hello to My Jewelry

I finally have all my jewelry unpacked and set up.

Although many people subscribe to the jewelry box school of thought, I prefer to hang up all me jewelry. That way I can see it all and grab what I'm looking for in the morning.

Take a look and see what you think

Wish List: Vases

Here at our apartment we've gotten into the habit of having fresh flowers in our living room and... foyer? welcome nook? front hall? I don't know what it's called, but its the first thing you see when you get home and I like it. Anywho, since we've had flowers around a lot, it's got me thinking about vases. So here are some vases i've had my eye on.

Enjoy!

Inspiration: Gold

I'm a bit of a magpie. 

I love all things that sparkle.

That in mind, I started to look around me and I noticed how happy and warm and... fall like gold things make me feel. So in the spirit of the season, I put together some of my favorite gold images to keep me inspired all fall long and into winter. Hope this warms you up!

Things I Want To Make.

Living with a master crafter makes one want to do nothing but craft. It's literally all I want to do. You may have noticed that my Pinterest has been inundated with DIY after DIY... this is no coincidence.

Seeing this, I decided this morning to focus in and maybe zero in on some crafts in particular that tug at the heartstrings. Or make me say "I-want-to-go-to-there". Either way.

Let's take a look, shall we?

Ok, lets break it down.

There are a few different categories going on here. There is jewelry, home, and cute little things.

The biggest category is jewelry. I have always been drawn to jewelry making, and have even worked for jewelry designers, so it makes sense that my brain would click when I see jewelry ideas. I really like that the DIY ideas I choose also happen to be my styles of jewelry: small and delicate or simple and linear.

 Then there's the home things. These consist of mainly shelves or vases. The shelving ideas is mostly wishful thinking (let's be honest), but it's really fun to look at. Maybe Future Katie will get around to those things.

Some of the projects I really get excited about are the vases, especially the ones with gold leaf or gold paint. I swear I must be half magpie; I just can't resist a sparkle!
I mean, look at those square vases with the little succulents- how cute are they?


Then, last but not least, there are the too-cute-to-stand things. like this guy:

I mean... do I even need to justify these guys?

I didn't think so either.

Wish List: Wall Decals and Papers

I love a pop of pattern on a wall.

So I've been investigating wallpapers and decals for a possible decorating idea in the new apartment. Looking at all them together, I clearly have colors and patterns I'm drawn to... mostly trees and geometric patterns. Anywho, here are my inspirations and ideals for a splash of fun in my new room:

Lookin' Good: At-Home Pedicure

As you may have heard, I love a pedicure. But sometimes you just can't make it out to get one or you don't have the cash to make it worth it. Or the couch Is really comfy. Either way, the prospect of going out together your feet prettied isn't always likely. That's why I've whipped up my own at-home recipes and steps to tide you over till you can scrape together the change to get a professional to do the job.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

Here's what you'll need product-wise:

sad feet; lemon, salt and oil at the ready!

• Salt
• End of a lemon
• Olive oil or coconut oil
• A bucket, sink or bathtub
• Your favorite lotion
• A yummy pair of old socks

That's the minimum. If you wanna go all-out, you'll need:

• Your favorite foot mask
• A small hard ball, like a golf ball or tennis ball

Ok- you got everything? Let's do this.


First, if you want to, start with a foot mask. All you do is slather it on and wrap your feet in plastic wrap or ziplock bags (this part is a little weird at first, but you get the hang of it. Then you wrap them in a warm towel and watch an episode of Say Yes To The Dress.

"i wanna be a princess..."

If you dont want to/ dont have a foot maks you like, start by taking your lemon half and putting a bit of oil on it. Then sprinkle the grainy sugar on it. Add some more as needed. then, over your tub or sink, use the lemon to scrub the ever-loving crap out of your heels, arches and toes. Really get in there! The acid in the lemon helps break down the dead skin cells, the salt scrubs them away and the oil moisturizes. Once your content with the scrubby goodness, rinse and pat dry those feet.



Now hobble over to the couch.



Take your favorite lotion and warm some up in your hands. I like to rub my feet starting with the arches and gently rubbing each toe and muscle. Once your hands hurt, glob on a layer of lotion and carefully roll on your old socks.

If you want a deeper massage put that hard ball on the floor and roll your foot over it to get th knots out. I like to do this with my socks on. I do it kind of mindlessly while I watch another Say Yes To The Dress or Income Property.

happy, soft feet!

Bam-you have happy, soft feet!And you got caught up on your HGTV and TLC shows. So everyone's a winner.

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Weekend Pin Ups

That's right. It's Mitzi Gaynor.
I'm always surprised when people don't recognize her; wasn't everyone brought up on classic American musicals? It's like when people haven't seen All About Eve. I just don't understand parents these days.

Anyways, here are my Pinterest picks this week:

Weekend Pin Ups

Here are my favorites of the week. Happy Saturday! 

Dress is More: Red Skirt

This skirt used to be a dress. A really short dress. My solution: to cut off the bodice an make it into a skirt. Now, its my new favorite skirt. I wore it with my gray tissue thin tshirt, my Jcrew layered necklace and the gold bangle my godmother gave me for graduation. I love these pieces- the skirt is all floaty and pretty, the tshirt is so SO soft, and a little bit of sparkle does a lot of good. I especially love my bangle- It has these beautiful images of hunting and fishing in a byzantine-esque style. It's the kind of piece that speaks for itself. And, It's an heirloom which always makes things extra special- dontcha think?

tshirt, express; skirt/dress, kimchi blue; necklace, jcrew; bangle, heirloom

Makin' It Happen: Knob Hooks

I love hooks. I like to be able to hang things up and see my options.
I also love doorknobs and dresser pulls. A gander on the anthropology home website is one of my favorite ways to spend time. Looking at all these glittering, delicate, beautiful little gems gave me an idea: turn the knobs into hooks. I can hang my apron, coat, outfits for the day, and handbags on them when I get to my new place! So let's make this happen:

my favorites