Happy Easter

Hi Everyone!

I'm still in Hollywood with Melissa, the Mumford & Sons concert last night was terrific! I'll try to post a few photos when I get home. I'm going to head out really early again tomorrow morning and drive my happy, semi-homesick booty back to Lodi, and spend the day at home to my hubby and my critters. Today we're headed out to do some sightseeing, and then we're going to the beach down in Santa Monica, I've never been there before but it sure sounds fun!

Anyhooo, I'm not going to have another chance to chat with y'all again before tomorrow, so I wanted to take a minute to wish you all a very happy Easter.

Watch out for those Cadbury Eggs, they're drippy!

oxo,

Lisa

p.s. Thank you Graphics Fairy

Bucket O' Spring

Hi All!

So yeah, guess where I'm writing this blog from... you'd never guess, so I'm just gonna tell you. I'm coming to you live from Hollywood, baby! Hollywoooooooood!! I'm here visiting with my friend Melissa, we're going to see Mumford & Sons tomorrow, gah!!!! I'm so excited!

Tonight, I have a quick little cutie to share with you.

A few weeks back, my good pal Jill twisted my arm (hehe, not really!) into joining her in a new crafty endeavour, the Sweetwater Label Crew (you can read more about it in her post here), but basically, each month we'll get a new pattern from the Sweetwater girls, and labels to add to that months project. Our first project was a Spring Pail, an adorable little fabric bucket. I chose my own fabrics, because I wanted to make something cute and whimsical to give my niece, Ava for her 2nd birthday.

Here's my pail...

I joined the Label Crew a little late for this particular project, and didn't get the labels for the Spring Pail, but Jill was kind enough to share with me and I was able to fashion a pretty cute label anyway ♥

I haven't had a chance to give this to Ava yet, but I really hope she likes it. I can just see her carrying it around with all her little treasures inside.

I'm pretty excited about our next two projects, so stay tuned!

Aaaand, cut! That's Hollywood speak for that's all folks! It's been a long day for me and I'm bushed! I left my house in Lodi at 6am this morning and drove down here to Hollywood (which is about 300 miles), then spent the afternoon chatting and eating and sightseeing, we even got to see a production crew setting up to do some filming just a couple of short blocks from Melissa's apartment. She lives in downtown... right on the corner of Hollywood & Vine, how fun is that?? Tomorrow before we head out to San Pedro for the concert, Melissa and I are taking the scooters for a ride up in the Hollywood Hills and into Beverly Hills, so we can see how the other half lives, woot-woot!! I'll make sure to take pictures. Maybe I'll even see a movie star, oooooh!

Have a great day out there!

oxo,

Lisa

Roseville Antiques Fair

Well hello there, you's! My, aren't you looking fabulous today!

I had a mostly fun weekend, and I actually remembered to take my camera and get some pictures of the best part, so I have a few to share with you guys. Most of Saturday, eech... don't ask, it wasn't good. But Sunday at the Roseville Antiques Fair with Jill was fun, fun! Take a lookie...

I love that shelf full of metal bins, I think it was in the ballpark of $600... That blue chest is cool too, I bet it would be especially loved by those of you who do paper craft. I love the bright color!

Heavy metal! I may, or may not have purchased one of these items for someone who shall remain nameless. If in fact, I purchased one at all...

I saw a lot of terrific drop leaf tables at this fair, I especially love this one. I'm a big fan of storage.

Pretty in pink... this booth was overflowing with it. Very, very pretty and very, very girly. Maybe even a little too much for me. But I did manage to stick my arm in for a few pictures. I noticed that most of the husbands wandered about outside this booth while their ladies perused inside. Teehee...

This was the banner hanging inside the ultra girly booth. I LOVE the font they used on their bunting. I never get tired of beautiful, ornate letters. I wish I could find embroidery patters in this font, maybe I'll use my handy-dandy light box to trace one so I can stitch one up. Hmmm...

Ooh, la, la...

This picture was taken on the back porch of a great little shop called The Tattered House. Lots of pretty to behold!

Dig that succulent planter box! What a great use for an old glass side table. It's amazing what a little spray paint and some sandpaper can do for a piece that's no longer "in style". I think this is a terrific example of repurposing.

Eh, eh... do you see it tea lovers?? Those pillows are covered in the names of several varieties of tea!! And again with the gorgeous fonts! Be still, my heart.

Jill picked up a few goodies too, one of which I was in love with as well. It was purrty!

I even got to meet a fellow blogger and FOJ (Friend Of Jill's) Marsha, she's posted some pics too, pop on over to her blog and have a look. The day was sunny and fair, perfect T-shirt weather. Look at this tree bursting to life! I'm fond of spring, yessiree!

 

I picked up a great little side table at this antique fair, quite the bargain too! I'll tell you about that later though.

We worked up quite an appetite gawking at all this goodness, so after we left the fair, we lunched at one of my all time favorites, Chipotle! Are y'all familiar with Chipotle? I'm a slave for it. I get the same thing every single time.

Carnitas Burrito Bowl, with everything.

(...drool...)

It is sooo good.

After lunch we hit up another {massive!} vintage/antique place called Midway Antique Mall. Those of you who like mid-century modern would have an absolute field day here! Walking through that store is very like walking onto the set of your favorite old TV show. It was pretty amazing, I must say. Many of the "booths" are picture perfect vignettes of vintage rooms. There are pictures of some of these rooms on their website, check it out. There's definitely something for everyone there. I kept expecting Dean Martin or Mary Tyler Moore to pop out from around a corner. It was funny to walk through and constantly say "Hey, my mom had one of those!" like every 5 seconds. Made me feel kinda old, actually. Maybe I'm starting to get a little "vintage" myself, heh.

Ok, so that about wraps it up! We also made a quick trip to Ikea, but I'm saving that for another post too. Hope you guys enjoyed some of the pictures, I always love to see where you guys are going on your blogs, so I hope you like that kind of thing too.

Have a great day out there!

oxo,

Lisa

Mmmuch better!

Howdy Folks,

So let me ask you a question... Ever use something around your house for so long that you don't notice it's looking pretty run down? I had one of those moments recently and got to turn something old, into something new. Turned out pretty well, so I thought I'd share with you all. 

About a week and a half before, then for a couple of weeks after we moved houses, I got a nasty little cold that I couldn't shake. That bugger clung to me for dear life. The final act was a humdinger, a sinus & ear infection. It was awesome. One night, seeking relief from the pain & pressure in my ear & face, I broke out the ever faithful heating pad, which had been unceremoniously stuffed into an scratchy, old, cotton pillow case, and crashed out on the couch. When I woke up my earache was indeed better, but because of the thin [read: crappy] cover, I also had wire marks all over the side of my neck & face. It was very cute, trust me. With a clearer head I also noticed that my makeshift heating pad cover was down right janky! I think I'd been using the same pillow case for a couple of years. Oh sure, it had been laundered, but still...Time for a makeover.

I wanted something soft and warm, so I used some cotton flannel squares that I already had on hand and quilted up a little beauty. No plans, and practically no measurements. I just started sewing. I can't believe it actually worked.

I left the end open and just sewed in some grosgrain ribbon to tie the end closed.

I even lined the inside with pretty pink stripes.

And pieced the back too!

All in all, I'm quite happy! It's so soft.

I love it, in fact I'm actually using it as I write this post! Lower back pain is fun!!

I love that I didn't have to spend a single penny on this project, I already had everything I needed in my stash. Free is goood! I also love that it's something practical that I know I'll use for years and years.

Do you guys have any favorite revamps you've done around your place? Tell me all about it!

Hope you're all well!

oxo,

Lisa

Quilted Table Runner

Howdy Ladies!

Hey, thanks a bunch for the happy bloggy birthday wishes, y'all know how to make a girl feel all warm & special! It's been a fun ride, this blogging stuff. I'm  looking forward to seeing where we'll all go in the future.

Today I just have a quick little share. This was the very last thing I finished up before I packed up my house and moved. Can you believe it's been a month already?? Where does the time go? Ironically, this was also the very first quilting project I ever touched. I started it a looong time ago. Whoa, looking up the link, I see that actually I blogged about this exactly a year ago, today! Talk about coincidence!! Life is weird.

Three simple blocks.

Backing fabric, bright, very cheery and... orange!

Speaking of coincidence, take a gander at that ribbon! I found this by complete accident in the clearance basket at my local quilting store, A Quilters Friend. It matches so perfectly, it must have been meant to be!

I'm really pleased with how this came out, I'm even happy with the binding. And I did it the right way too! Attached by machine to the front and stitched by hand to the backside. As much as I wanted to learn to do binding entirely by machine, until my sewing skills improve (so that I can sew in a straight line, hello.) I think I better just do it the way I was taught. Hmph.

Anywho... I love the way this looks on my dining room table, it's in there right now. I'd show you, but there are still boxes in there, and there are no pictures on the walls yet. Geesh, some aspects of getting settled in are so slow going. 

I'm excited about tomorrow, it's finally warm & dry enough to start riding my Vespa to work again!! Woohoo, 65 miles per gallon!! This $4.00 per gallon junk is a pain in the wallet! Sean & I went for a little scoot around town tonight to get our spidey senses back, I'm so ready for riding season, bring it on!!

Hope you're all having a great week!

oxo,

Lisa

Not Your Average Cuppa & Blog-o-versary

Hi Girls!

OoOoOh, lookie what I found at the local Barnes & Noble!

Cath Kidston mugs!

Did you guys know that Barnes sold these? Is this new? I don't shop there, I'm more of a Borders girl. I'm bummed that they're going out of business... boo.

It's the little things that make me happy. These mugs are huge and hold a lot of tea (or ice cream!) That makes me very happy. I'd intended to treat myself to one of these little beauties, but I couldn't decide, so I solved the problem by getting both. Yeehaw!

I'm not one who's too big on designer labels, but I really do love Cath Kidston's stuff. I find myself attracted to the bright, bold, happy colors that she uses. Everything is pretty and sweet, without seeming forced or saccharine. Yup, yup. I dig it!

There's a new catalog available too, did you know? And did you know that they'll mail you one... for free?

True story. Click here for deets.

(I really want one of these, so cute!)

♥♥...and in other news...♥♥

Today's my blog-o-versary! Two years ago today I hit "publish" on my first post. Oh-da-lolly, a lot has changed around here since those first days, but some things haven't changed a bit! I'm still in love with all things tea, and I'm still a Tea Consultant (apart from my full time job in the construction industry), although for another company these days, sadly, Let's Do Tea closed it's doors in December 2009. Happily, I'm now a consultant for Tealightful Treasures! I don't think I've mentioned it here on my blog before, but I totally should because the company is tea-rrific and offers such wonderful variety of tea and treats to go along with your tea. I'll have to blog about that soon. It's good stuff!

It's been so nice getting to know so many of you, and building real friendships. Creative bloggers, be they artists, embroiderers, crafters, quilters, knitters, are the most amazing, generous and encouraging people on the planet. And speaking of the planet, we are everywhere! It thrills me to no end when I get comments from people so far away! Australia (hi Suzi!) Israel (hi Keren!) Great Britain (hi Gill!) it's neat that our big wide world is made a little smaller when you get to share what you love with like minded peeps from around the world!

 Do you think blogging can be a hobby? How bout blog hopping? I think so, it's one of my favorite things to do online. Gotta be careful, one hour can easily turn into 2, or 3 or 10...hehehe... I love poking my head into blogs, there are so many insanely talented folks out there. Constant inspiration is always at your fingertips, only a click away. Love it.

Tomorrow is Friday (can I get a woohoo??) and I'm excited because my niece, Ana, is coming home from college for spring break. She'll only be here for a week, so we gotta make the moments count.

Have a great weekend, lovelies!

oxo,

Lisa

Happy First Day of Spring!

Happy first day of spring, folks!! We're getting off to a wet start here in northern California this year, the old saying I learned in elementary school is definitely holding true so far... March blows in like a lion, and out like a lamb. It's been unbelievably windy and rainy here the past few days, but I don't mind so much. It's nice & cozy here in the new house.

So, here's a wee pretty I whipped up for a pal a little while ago. It was simple & fun and only took about an hour, probably less if I'd been focused. I think I was watching a movie when I made this... Little crafties that can be made during a movie are the best, wouldn't you agree?

Her pictures are prettier than mine, I think. Pop over here to take a peek.

I used a Heather Baily pattern I picked up at  The Top Stitch, in Spokane when we were on vacation last summer.

(Ew, sorry for the terrible cell phone snap. I wanted to include a picture of the patten but I still can't find my camera cord...ah, the joys of moving!)

I made this into a pin, but I think it would also be really pretty as a hair clip, in fact, I think I'm going to make a few more of these as hair clips for my nieces, for Easter. Note to self; buy more wool felt, the synthetic stuff isn't as nice.

Hope you're all having a great start to spring! Have you made, or are you making any spring things? Do tell in the comments, I've love to hop on over and have a look!

oxo,

Lisa

Happy St. Patricks Day

oxo,

Lisa

Kitchen/Crafting Island

Hi Guys!

Don'cha love it when a plan comes together exactly the way you wanted it to? I sure do! Here's a little something that worked out so perfectly that I'm just tickled pink. Also a quick peek at my new crafty/play room at the new house we've just moved into.

I just unpacked my crafty boxes this weekend. I told my friend that doing so was a little like letting out a breath that I didn't know I'd been holding. As soon as I cut the tape and peeked inside those boxes, it was "ahhh my stuff!" I've missed doing little crafty things the last month or so, I don't think I realized how often I stitch/craft/sew until it was all packed up and I couldn't get at my "drug", hehehe...

See that big wooden box down there? That was the kitchen island in my other, tiny house. I got it at Cost Plus World Market when we bought that little house 6 years ago. My mom and I put it together ourselves. I've used it every single day to cut veggies, knead bread, make scones, sandwiches, waffles, cocktails, pizza, etc. Infinity. It was definitely the hub of my kitchen. It's held up wonderfully for being used daily for six years, and only bears one small stain on the top, a drop of mustard. The ghost of my last sandwich on moving day...

I had hoped I'd be able to use it in my crafty space at the new house, but I wasn't sure it would fit. Happily it does, perfectly!

And still gives plenty of room to move around on all sides.

And holds SO much stuff!

Like all my crafty/stitchy books!

All in one convenient spot!

And best of all...

It's EXACTLY the size of my large cutting mat!! Not a millimeter to spare on either side! Now I can cut fabric and paper on my mat without having to clear off the dining room table. I'm positively chuffed!

I love it! I feel a little like I hit the lotto on this. My faithful kitchen island, is rechristened my faithful crafty island, and will continue to serve me well for many, many years!

I still have a lot to do in my playroom, but as we get more settled I'll share more pictures of the space, if you guys like that kind of thing. I do, I love seeing where other people practice their magic! I can't hardly believe I get a whole room to use for crafting and goofing off, at my other place I had to do all of that squashed into a corner of my guest bedroom. It was quite the cramped, little mess. I'll show you a picture of that sometime too if you'd like, a before & after kind of thing. So excited! Can't wait to be settled enough to actually play in my new playroom!

Hope you all are doing well and surviving Daylight Savings time. I couldn't figure out why I felt so zonked when I got up this morning until I realized that it was not 6am, but 5am! Oy vey!

Have a great day chickadees!

oxo,

Lisa

Settling In

Helloooooooo there everyone!

Well, the hard work is over and we've moved into our new house! Oofa. That was a chore! We've been in our new place one full week now, and it's starting to feel a little like home. I can't say that we're all settled, I'd be lying if I did. There are still boxes in most of the rooms in some state of unpack-ted-ness (is that a word?) and some rooms haven't been touched yet (hello, craft room). But I'm getting there, slowly but surely.

Today is the first day in weeks that I didn't have to jump out of bed & get busy or be at work, so I'm having a nice leisurely morning and taking the opportunity to have a chat with you guys. So, how ya been, friends?? Anything exciting going on? I noticed that the March Stitch-a-long over at Feeling Stitchy was starting today, looks cute too! Who doesn't love a stitchin octopod? Did anyone do the Feb stitch-a-long? I was a bit busy and didn't get a chance, but I saw so many terrific versions over on Flickr. I love that you can take 100 stitchers, give them one pattern and come out with 100 different results! Fantastic!

I only got to do the tiniest bit of stitching in the whole month of February, and I know I'm way too late to be posting anything about Valentines Day, but... this was something I stitched up for my sweetheart, a little love note. I almost forgot to take any pictures of it, but when I was packing up, I came across it and managed a few snaps (that's why the bare mattress in the background, the guest bed was my packing station!)

I like you. Do you like me too?

Check yes or no.

He checked yes, so I stitched it up before he could change his mind!

This was fun to make, start to finish I whipped this up in just a couple of hours. I stitched the "binder paper" on plain white cotton, with my sewing machine, then stitched the words on, by hand. I used a slate grey embroidery floss, so that it looked a bit more like pencil. I finished the piece by stitching the whole thing to a piece of white felt, then used pinking shears around the edges to help prevent fraying. I even made a little envelope to put my love note in (seen in the first picture), the envelope was tied with a tiny red ribbon.

Just a little something for my sweetie ♥

Well, I guess I better wrap up for now, there's still plenty to get done around here. It's all grey and rainy and cold here today and I'd really like nothing more than to stay on the sofa, watch old movies and do some stitching. Mmmm... that sounds good.

Hope you all have a lovely Sunday!

oxo,

Lisa

p.s. I would be remiss if I didn't thank a special someone here in blogland who popped over unexpectedly on moving day and helped me move, I mean really, that's a true friend!! Because we all know, that moving is the pitty pits! Thank you JILL!! You are the best!