LaurenSmash

It is ok, Ryan has already seen this and he also doesn't read this.

2012-01-15T19:27:00.000-08:00

So! I bought a pattern for my dress! I am going for the short dress with either sleeves or not, I haven't decided yet. I don't know if I am going to try it myself or ask my lovely friend Kpoene to make it. She is awesome and actually makes wedding dresses but I don't want to make her feel obligated! And I think it will be fun to try to make it on my own. I am going for a cute fun Vegas wedding look.

This is the style of veil I want! Birdcage, isn't it cute? It is from Glideshadows on etsy! I am thinking they make the cutest ones!

We are still trying to navigate making a ring. It looks like the girl we want to use might be too busy, so we are going to have to try someone else. I am glad I have my tattoo or I would be so sad! I want my engagement ring. haha

So, I am getting married!

2012-01-11T20:21:00.000-08:00

Yay! Its been awhile, but I have exciting news! I am getting married! Ryan proposed on New Years Day, on the beach and it was awesomely great.

We are getting my ring made custom, I have Ryan's mother's diamond. I can't wait to show you my ring! We are trying to work with an artist to get it made. So, in place of a ring until I get it, I got this tattoo. I love it. It is the cutest little reminder that I have a finace(what a weird word!) This is what I am thinking something like this:

or this

Now I am planning a Vegas, Elvis style wedding for July of THIS YEAR!!

So, my year is off to a good start! What about you?

Terrible pictures and what's going on

2011-12-03T10:17:00.001-08:00

It has been a flurry of making up in here! This is fun, but also I can't share that much of it. I am going back to Ohio in a week or so to love on my nephews and family and hopefully play some Euchre and drink some margaritas with my mom. It is just me, Ryan will be here to hold down the fort, hopefully! We are not getting our tree until next weekend so I can't even share that with you yet, although I might be decorating my mantle today.

Other than that, I joined an ornament swap! This is a terrible picture of my gingerbread peeps, but there they are. Obviously they are sewn up out of fleece. They are really cute in real life.

We also hosted Thanksgiving. All my pictures came out blurry. Which is why this time of year is a bummer because taking pictures when its dark out is hard for me.

Now I am just a flurry of sewing and knitting and shopping. Which is very fun.

But making for me is fun too!

2011-11-20T10:18:00.000-08:00

I have been so happy because this holiday season has inspired me to make some pretty fun things. But I still had time to squeak in something for me. This pattern is a New Look pattern. Right now I can't find the pattern to put the number but I will update it later when I do. I am in special love with this peter pan collar and I think I will be making more of these. They are just so cute! I like that in this picture it looks like I am wearing cute cigarette pants even though I am really wearing work capris. I feel very 60's/hotel maid.

I have a couple of other shirts in the works for me, along with numerous christmas presents for my fam. Today is a perfect "make" day too, because the weather is so rainy and cold. That is my favorite! I am just going to put on a movie and knit/sew.

Im pretty sure that making presents is my favorite!

2011-11-19T09:11:00.000-08:00

Or just making in general. I made this little elephant purse for Ryan's niece for her 7th birthday. It is from the Wee Wonderfuls book by Hillary Lang. I think it came out cute, especially because I used fabric I had on hand. The one in the book had a bow on her head, I changed mine to more of a flapper headband. I LOVE it! I hope she does too!

Here I am modeling it. It is a little too small for me but I think you get the point! I used sweatshirt fleece for the body and it worked out great. It is a little small for a bag, but it could hold money or something like that when you go out. It is probably better for a 7 year old's tiny hands too! haha

This is the underbelly where the cash goes.

I love Present making season! Well all except the part where my pics are so dark because the sun doesn't shine when I am not at work. But, that is the way it goes! And the fact that it is acceptable to watch Christmas movies and listen to Christmas music makes it all better.

Oh, Hey.

2011-11-12T19:13:00.000-08:00

Hi There! It has been a minute. I have been busy. But not blogging :( and now it is Christmas present season so I can't even share with you the cool stuff I am doing. But I CAN show you some stuff you missed!

Ryan's mom and Step Dad came and they got Tattoos! Well Joan and Ryan did...

For Reals! Aren't they cute?

It was my OTHER cute little nephew's birthday! I made him some funny shirts and a sock skeleton. He really likes after dinner game shows...

Then it was Halloween, and we put out some pumpkins!

This present second, I am working on a really cute present for Ryan's niece, it is her birthday tomorrow. Now that we are all caught up, I feel much better. Now I can do some more cool stuff and can share it too!

Spooooky!

2011-10-19T19:14:00.000-07:00

It is that time of year again! I am not a big halloween person. I am definitely the kind of person that talks a big Halloween game and then does nothing about it. I always want to dress up and have great ideas for costumes but I never get that stuff done. I DO love spooky things so much though, which is why I like to get the decorations and put them up and enjoy them. Most of this stuff is out in my house all year round, just all by itself or hidden or wherever. I just gathered it all up together in one place and it worked! ha

I made that skeleton last year. It is one of my favorite things. It is a SOCK! I made it at the museum last year at a craft night. It was really easy to do! Those tiny ghosts, you have seen and of course the severed hand is from Joan, my boyfriend's mom! It is ceramic, she is so good with that! We have a severed hand AND foot!

The pumpkin is from Ryan's market. We are going to decorate pumpkins maybe this weekend or next. I want to have a few big pumpkins this year to put on our fire escape to see from the street! The little pumpkins are cute too though. I want to also try to make my own pumpkin puree so I can make pumpkin bread. Yum!

The raven I usually have up high on a shelf, watching over my apartment. I am a weirdo. Haha.

It is fun! I have decided it is a warmup for Christmas decorating!

RVCA Locals Only show

2011-10-16T10:32:00.000-07:00

Last night was AWESOME! Ryan had a show right down the street at RVCA. It was a group show called Locals Only. It was AMAZING to see his art up and really looked at by such a huge crowd.

People really seemed to get it and enjoy it! I was a weirdo and took a picture of someone looking at his stuff. It was so fun too because so many of his friends came to support. Even my lady Rebecca and her darling husband came out. It was so sweet! It made him feel so good. He was very nervous at first, but he is really good at talking to people and schmooozing it up when he gets started. I don't know why he gets so nervous! I am so proud of him!

Spoooky!

2011-10-15T10:46:00.001-07:00

I had the desire to make something the other day, which felt good. I made these cutie pie ghosts out of clay and paper. I thought that they would look cute on my mantle for halloween! Which they totally do. They were really easy to make. I was thinking about drawing their eyes on, and to be honest, I am not good at that. SO I cut tiny features out of paper with an exacto blade and drew them on. It worked out pretty good for me.

Boo! I wanted to share the rest of the mantle with you, but when I went to take a picture, my cameral battery was dead. Story of my life. It is good though because I caught it in time to charge it for tonight.

Tonight is Ryan's first really awesome group show. It is at RVCA. Have you heard of that brand? I think it is an artist collective. They have clothes and stuff with art on it. It is going to be really neat seeing his art up on the walls. He submitted a few really technical pencil drawings. They really show his skill off. I will take pictures. I am so proud of him!

See, I told you it was rainy!

2011-10-11T19:03:00.001-07:00

But we are still getting out there. And even though mean old fall is taking all of my daylight, we are trying to get out there for some of that too. Baby LOVES her walks. And while it takes a little coaxing when its wet, she is a professional squirrel stare-er-at-er.

So, we are easing into fall over here. I am trying to find the motivation to sew, but it is really not hanging out with me right now. I got some pretty great patterns on sale this weekend and have the fabric to make them too, I just need the push. We are REALLY excited because Ryan's show is opening this Saturday! I can't wait to share pics of the opening and of is art. His Birthday is next Monday too! We are going to pick out a drafting table for him and then in my family we also have the tradition of a "morning present" which you get early on your birthday. I don't have anything for him quite yet, but I have lots of fun ideas! I love bringing my family's traditions to our family.

This week up for me is more planning, some working out, some great dinners and some birthday planning!

Its Raining, Its pouring

2011-10-04T18:46:00.000-07:00

And I am dreaming of sunshine and sitting with my boy eating breakfast. Sigh, I DO like fall, I swear. But I didn't get a summer this year, so I feel entitled to some more sunshine before the rainy winter.

And, I drew a couple of things. That is a start. I also made some ghosts from sculpty clay. They still need eyes and mouths. They are going to go on my Halloween mantle. Ryan and I have been talking about decorating for the holidays, so I am going to pick up a few things so I have some Halloween fun in my life.

Cheese Straws

2011-10-03T19:47:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we were hungry! And we had no food. And I didn't feel like going to the store. But! I had ingredients! I love when I have ingredients. It really helps So, I made these! They were like cheeseits but a MILLION times better. Thanks to Smitten Kitchen, I can cook. But she is not a miracle worker, she cannot make me a good photographer, and she cannot make me take pictures of finished things either. Those are in my tummy.

Oh, Hello!

2011-10-02T17:22:00.000-07:00

I have been very uninspired lately. It is annoying. I go to the fabric store and wonder around for an hour and buy nothing. I sit at my craft table and stare. I get in the kitchen and cook, but it is not a fun thing. Alas, this is what it is like to be a crafter I guess, it comes in ebbs and flows. I always try to enjoy the flows, because I always have these downs where I feel like doing NOTHING. I have a couple of ideas right now, but no tools to make them happen. It is a bummer. Hopefully that creativity will be back soon.

I did have fun at the park today with my funny dog! She loves grass so much she was rolling down a hill. It was amusing.

down down down

I got nothing. haha

Sewing

2011-09-24T08:49:00.000-07:00

I have been uninteresting for a bit. I am not sure how that happens. I think part of it involves present making, and part of it involves laziness, bejeweled blitz on Facebook, and my Kindle being seriously easy to get books onto an thus I sit on my couch a lot and don't sew. BUT! I did recently make a supercute skirt! I made the shirt too but I am not as in love...

The skirt is Simplicity 2512, a Cynthia Rowley pattern. I get weird about stuff sometimes though and I skipped the pockets: I didn't want them, the tie, It seemed too complicated and not worth it, and the binding, cause I didn't understand what it added. Maybe more of a professional look, I guess. I think what I turned out with is a really cute party skirt/work skirt. I loves swishing around all day in taffeta. It was very satisfying.

That being said, I need to learn a new hairstyle for this length haha. I only have about 4 right now and I always end up with this because it takes me like 3 seconds to do. But I do love it.

Today I am excited because I am going on a legitimate shopping trip and spending money on myself for clothes! I love those trips, they are always fun. Also, I am going to try and get back to JoAnns, just for a couple of yards of fabric. Because I am addicted, in case you were wondering.

P.S. I will never tire of these terrible bathroom shots, I can't figure out where in my apartment to take decent pictures and I don't ever like pics that other people take(although its much appreciated) I always feel akward and weird. It is better when I have a couple minutes to myself in the bathroom at work. I know, I am a weirdo.

New Shirt!

2011-09-10T10:13:00.000-07:00

I especially love this one! I saw the pattern a million times in the book and it didn't wow me. But, they made it as a sample display for the mannequin and I was sold. I immediately bought the pattern and then didn't do anything for it for awhile. Then, this lovely houndstooth fabric was on sale for $6 a yard and I bought a few yards and set to work. It wasn't the easiest thing I have made, and I didn't make the pockets and I chopped it off as a tunic and not a dress cause I wear pants. It may have been easier if my motivation was there, but it was being made at a time when I was forcing myself to sew. Which can be good and bad. This case it came out awesome. I had to take it step by step and not question things which can be hard for me but in the end, it turned out awesome.

It is New Look Pattern 0431. It has a very old school vibe and gets you lots of compliments.

In this fabric, it also feels like pajamas and is so cozy warm all day but tricks people into thinking that you are dressy. I like that about an article of clothing! And yes, these are more classy bathroom shots!

Flea Market

2011-09-05T10:52:00.000-07:00

Ryan and I got up E-A-R-L-Y(for us) on Sunday morning and headed across the Bay Bridge to the Alameda Flea Market. It is something I LOVE to do, but we haven't been doing it too much lately. It is the first Sunday of the month, and we usually for some reason have something going on then. But, yesterday, we hopped out of bed, and rushed over there because we had a mission! We were looking for a new kitchen table and chairs. We have been wanting a formica table with chrome for a long, long time. And when you are lucky you can find them cheap. But when you are at the flea market you can find them not super cheap, but at a better deal than at an antique shop. So we saved a bunch of pennies and set out on our hunt.

The top of the table pattern I guess is called crushed ice. That is what they told us. I just think its lovely.

The chairs are REALLY my favorite. They came from a closed diner. They are a charcoal grey sparkle and they are SO COMFY to sit in!

We were so happy to complete our mission, but some other things caught our eyes! For me, it was this tiny matryoshka doll. It wasn't a full one which is why I got such a great deal, but I prefer tiny things and things that aren't perfect so it was perfect for me!

There were only two dolls in this, but I love her!

And EVERYTHING caught Ryan's eye. He shops like a girl. haha

We had so much fun! And I am glad I have an extra day to recover! Today I am going to sew up a storm!

Mic-key Mouse!

2011-09-02T19:08:00.000-07:00

So, like I told you, my nephew thinks Mickey Mouse is a rockstar. So I sewed up a Mickey jumper for him and made him some mickey ears. They came out SO CUTE! I was afraid it wouldn't fit, but my sister sent me a pic of him today! She told me he is smiling because she was calling him Mickey Mouse! He even just likes hearing Mickey's name! I can't wait to see him again and give him a big kiss!!

It is his birthday tomorrow, I can't believe he is ONE!! Times are changing. I can remember my sister being a little baby in her little teddy bear dress. Now she has a cutie pie of her own! I am glad that my family is growing. I am glad they appreciate what I make too!

Hair!

2011-08-30T18:31:00.000-07:00

So I chopped my hair! It feels so great to have short hair again! I love the new girl I went to, she was super cute and awesome. The haircut is good, but I think a work in progress. I think we were both a little nervous going from so long to so short. Here was the before. It looks extra bad because I had it up so it was all teased.

Here is the after! I love it. So cute and there is even a peekaboo blonde/carmel color to peek out. Things I would change: Next time, I am going to have her cut the bulk out of the side. It is kind of heavy and I don't think the angle is dramatic enough, I am also going to make the peekaboo part more bold. I think we were afraid to go too bold and it doesn't really get its point across I think. Also, she cut my hair partly with a razor. This makes my hair SUPER frizz for whatever reason. I am going to ask her to use only scissors on my cut so I don't end up looking like a poodle which incidentally I do right now because of the lovely summer fog we get her in San Francisco.

I especially love that I can pull it up like this!

Now I am off to finish my baby present so I can mail it off this week! My baby nephew is turning one in just a few days! I can't believe it!!

Saturday!

2011-08-27T10:26:00.000-07:00

It is one of my favorite days again! Saturday Sew day!! While I have one project I am already working on and one in queue, I am getting excited about these patterns that I just bought. I blame JoAnn Fabrics for having ridiculously cheap patterns that I can't resist so that I have more patterns than fabric! Here are a few I bought last week. I need to pick out some yardage soon.

Firstly, I seriously want this shirt. And while I am doubting my ability to make the collar, I am just going to go for it and I think it will work out for me! ha!

I also bought two Cynthia Rowley skirt patterns. I love the overall look of the tulip skirt and top. I am going to try for the whole look of this pattern I think. Although I am not sure what fabric to make the top in. I feel like it should be sporty but the pattern doesn't have a difference from the top fabric to the skirt fabric. I might do a sweatshirt knit and a taffeta. I think that would be an interesting juxtaposition. Or just a nice heavy knit and taffeta. I am not sure yet. I just think it is so cute!!

And finally I LOVE this skirt. I just got my hair cut(pictures soon when the weather does not make me look like carrot top with an afro) Although when I have frizzy hair I am thankful of my years of practicing in my mom's mirror with bobby pins cause I just take 2 minutes and pin it up into a super cute beehive or prom do! I love having short hair again!! Anyways, back to the pattern. I love this skirt pattern. It is super cute, high waisted and a good length. I think I am going to get a couple of cute scoop neck tees from American Apparel and pair them with this look. I am going to try for a heavier fabric here and I can't wait to see how it turns out! I am off to the fabric store today! I also have to get snaps for my mickey look and then hopefully I will have pics of that later this week! It is turning out SO CUTE! Then I have to work on nephew #2's present!!

Mickey part 2

2011-08-24T19:23:00.000-07:00

Here is another part of my nephew's gift! A quick little Mickey hat! Now in his little jumper and little hat he is going to be just like the mouse himself! So fun! I used this pattern from Ravelry. It was SO quick! I used wool and it is a little linty. I hope my sister likes it!

Cristen, don't look any further!!!

2011-08-20T17:21:00.000-07:00

My little babies are turning one. Ok, they are not MY little babies and really only the oldest one is turning one but whatever. I love that I get to make them fun stuff! I am working right now on a gift for my oldest nephew. He is OBSESSED with Mickey Mouse. I am not sure how that happened or why, but whenever Mickey is around, he has the biggest smile and he does a happy dance.

When he is pissed, if you play him a Mickey song, he is instantly calm. It is amazing to watch and super true. AND his birthday is a Mickey Mouse theme, so I thought I would give a funny gift a whirl. I saw somewhere a jumper that was black on top, red on the bottom and had white buttons, just like Mickey. So I bought a pattern at a great price, bought some fabric and here we go! I am so excited to work on this today. My thoughts are that it is going to look like this:

Lets hope that my sewing skills exceed my drawing skills. haha. I will show you how it turns out!

You can never say I don't have enough flowers!

2011-08-17T18:45:00.001-07:00

My boyfriend spoils me. With flowers. and right when those flowers die, he usually buys me more. I love it! Yesterday he brought home my very very favorite, sunflowers! They are so summery and sunny and lovely. I love having them in my home, especially right now because it is so dreary and grey and foggy out there. Well, that is summer in San Francisco for you! Don't be jealous of me living in northern California in the summer, please. Cause it pretty much sucks. Call me in January though when it is snowy and cold where you are and its just cold here. Hmmm that doesn't sound as good as I wanted it to haha.

Well anyways, I digress. My flowers are lovely, and I even had some extras of the fuzzy ball flowers to put in a jar in my kitchen. So nice to have summer sunshine in every room!

Yum, Donuts!

2011-08-15T19:03:00.000-07:00

Someday I will graduate to real quilts. The kind you bind and work super hard on. But for now, I am satisfied with my scrappy, tie quilts. They are quick and easy and satisfying and cozy. The exact thing you want to work on/snuggle under when your eyes are going to pop out of your head from pattern reading. I made my first one in college, it was pretty much the first thing I ever sewed and it got me through some pretty lonely nights. I made it with my mom and when I was missing home I always had it to remind me of my family. I love that quilt. But, it is pretty beat up and has holes in it and needs to move on. So here is my new quilt. It reminds me of here. I am so happy to be where I am right now in life and I know all the things that I have had to do to get here and this it is representative of that.

I love this spoonflower Heidi Kenney fabric. It is the neatest thing! I haven't washed it yet, so I have yet to see how it stands up in the wash. But I am hoping for great results.

In other news, I just finished the series of Lost. I loved it. After reading a bunch online about it, I think I have decided that I really liked the ending. It was sweet. The series was a good companion for sewing, and I am going to have to find something else to fill the quiet in my house while I stitch. I am happy and have things the way I want them. One project in the works and one in que. I am working on a super cute dress and I have an old pattern for a shirt I have coming up. I love my wardrobe right now! I think more than half is homemade which makes me so proud! I need to get on the knitting train and really work on that so I can have some handknit sweaters too! All in good time!

Sew Sew Sew!

2011-08-13T20:40:00.000-07:00

This last couple of days have been nice! I have been sewing away! I have been working on McCalls 5714. It came out really nice! It is a fleece, so it is warm and cozy but still very cute!

It was perfect to wear today out and about it kept me snuggly warm. I have another pattern I am going to work on tomorrow that is cut out and I have the finishings for my donut quilt. It should keep me and my sewing machine quite busy for the upcoming week! I am always in a better mood when I can hear the hum of my sewing machine and a new piece of sewn clothing.

La La land(Image Heavy!)

2011-08-09T20:46:00.001-07:00

Hey kids, long time no writing. I have been holed up in my house stiching only a little, cooking boring things, and only venturing out to walk the pup. B-O-R-I-N-G!! BUT... Ryan and I made a whirlwind(for reals) trip down to Los Angeles! It was a fun, torture filled road trip that we took in one day. Yes that was 16 hours of driving thank you very much! But it was fun and worth it and thankfully over(haha) ROADTRIP!!!

We went down because there was a HUGE art show at the Museum of Contemporary Art. It had all of our favorites, Barry McGee, Steven Powers, Margaret Kilgallen, Keith Haring, and many others. But the most exciting was definitely Barry McGee and Steven Powers' art. They built a little city, with stores(real stores!), and signs and an apartment building and all sorts of craziness. You really had to see it in person to get the full effect but I did get some pics!

Ridiculous.
Anyways, it was an amazing show and I am glad we did it. Now I am back to sewing up clothes and watching LOST. I have been watching Project Runway too. So fun. :)

Oh

2011-07-25T19:18:00.000-07:00

and because I am all about how spoiled I am and show-y off-y, I am going to tell you how amazing my sister is. For our bridesmaids gifts, she got us these ADORABLE coach clutches. So cute!

And cause I am extra special and I was the maid of honor, I got these awesome wine glasses. Just my size too, i.e. HUMONGOUS! What can I say, I like to drink some wine... :)

So, since I have been back, I have not worked on any clothes or crafty-ness, but this upcoming weekend, you better watch out. I have already picked out this pattern that I want SUPER bad and I am going to go at it! haha. I also need to make myself some sort of blouse in black because I have fabulous hot pink shoes my momma gave me that I need to show off and I have nothing that matches them. More on them later!

Reason #513 why I need an Iphone...

2011-07-23T10:18:00.000-07:00

Cat Paint, the most glorious/hilarious app ever...

Yo Yo Shirt in Action!

2011-07-22T19:08:00.000-07:00

I wore my new shirt over my vacation. I was surprised to see how many people liked it! I thought it was pretty cool when they said it looked like it would fit in Anthropologie. I was tickled pink when they tried to give me their measurements. I LOVE this pattern! You should really try it! McCall's 5851. It is one of the easiest patterns I have EVER tried and I am glad to say I have made a bunch. I am excited to get it into my regular rotation of clothes.

The yo yo's were the most annoying part, but even those were easy. They just take FOREVER. I think you have to make somewhere around 70 or so of them! Maybe a little less, but it feels like a thousand! But it just looks so cute! And delicate, and crafty, which is my favorite. Also with the pretty silver flats I got for my sister's wedding. Yay for things I can wear more than once!

I have been wearing them with my new jeans, a pair of boot cut(which I would NEVER wear regular) jeans that I got from Target for $10 that I folded up and sewed into capris. I think they are SO much cuter this way!

I am so glad to be back home where I can create some more! Tomorrow is a supply picking up day and I am really looking forward to it. I love to dream about what I am going to make and wear. All my clothes don't turn out but I am so happy with the ones that do. It makes me feel like a crafty lady which is my favorite feeling of all.

Spoiled

2011-07-20T18:41:00.000-07:00

My family spoiled me to the moon! I had some wonderful time with them, making tiny donuts for my sister's favors, getting my hair and makeup done, and just getting to spend the time with them. But they also spoiled me the other way too! haha Being 30 has its perks! I got this AWESOME Kindle. I am now completely a convert and I am LOVING the book I bought, The Help. It is so well written. It is almost too easy to buy a book from this thing. I eat books, so I am going to have to try and pace myself. One a week sounds reasonable to me...

My sister got me these super awesome Hello Kitty Vans shoes that I have been crushing on for awhile. I am so lucky! Being 30 does not mean you have to give up your love for cute...

And the love of my life got me this extremely special painting. I have loved Kelly Tunstall for awhile now, I know I have blogged about her art in the past. I am so lucky that she shops at his grocery store and he had a chance to buy a painting off of her. This especially well fits my personality and I am so happy to look at it even right this second! I feel so loved.

OH-IO

2011-07-19T14:39:00.000-07:00

It is that time of year again, the time we go and visit our lovely old state of Ohio! We went this time for a short whirlwind trip to watch my sister get married(again :D) Isn't she beautiful?!? It was so exciting and fun and we got to spend a lot of time with my family which is so important to me. We also got to catch up with friends and we even made it out to Toledo to swim and hang out a bit. It was lovely. I am exhausted and could use another week vacation so I can actually relax. Haha.

I took exactly 2 pictures and they were terrible. I am the WORST at that when I am stressed. So, I am borrowing pictures from my dad and brother as they post them so you can see. This is my sister in law and my nephew LJ he is so dapper!

I was spoiled rotten, especially by my family for my 30th birthday. My sister even made the entire reception sing happy birthday to me after dinner. I was embarrassed thouroughly. But I felt so special! I can't wait to show you what I got! The bridesmaids gifts were ridiculous too... When my camera charges(you know, 2 pictures is really hard on the battery...) I will show you the awesomeness that was my birthday! Spoiled Rotten.

Airport Drama

2011-07-13T21:52:00.001-07:00

downsize.jpg, originally uploaded by laurensmashtoys.

Stuck in the airport overnight in Denver. Oh, I see, an adventure to start our trip... Not to worry, drinks at the only bar open past nine thirty will do the trick. Next camping out at our gate till morning. I am really missing our little city in SF. Tomorrow, I see the babies!(i.e. my nephews!!)

Cookies and Cream and THANKS KRISTEN!!

2011-06-26T11:02:00.000-07:00

For Christmas, we got this amazing ice cream maker from Ryan's awesome sister. And recently I found the BEST vanilla ice cream recipe ever. No really! you should try it. Cause it is that good! Super easy, super quick, add some Neuman-o's and you are on your way to AWESOME cookies and cream!

Chop Chop Chop:

Whir Whir Whir:

Yum Yum Yum!

Summer is in full swing here in our home!! In fact, I think I will make some more today! I love lazy Sundays!

Yo Yo Yo!

2011-06-22T21:22:00.000-07:00

I am kind of yo yo crazy right now! I am working on this shirt, McCalls 5851. I have made it a bunch before. With the bows, and plain, but right now its Yo Yo's! I finished the yo yo detail and am working still on the shirt. It was a lot of cutting:

and ironing:

and sewing:

and placing into its form:

See, I am so yo yo crazy that I am even wearing them in my hair!!

I can't wait to show you the finished shirt!! It is looking good!

Joy

2011-06-21T19:25:00.000-07:00

One thing that is bringing me a lot of joy these days is cooking new things for my boy. New things, old things, cooking in general, really. Recently I have been venturing and making my own flour tortillas! I have been using this recipe from Finding Joy in my kitchenIt doesn't take that many ingredients to make these yummy little things! Flour, baking powder, oil, salt, water.

You Mix, mix, mix:

knead: , this was great! I really enjoyed this part. working with my hands, getting aggression out! :) haha.

Seperate into balls and let rest:

roll out:

and griddle up!

They are great! YUM!

Fill with taco filling, or make quesadillas. You will not be disappointed!!

UPDATED!!! WINNER!! :) Because...

2011-06-14T20:20:00.000-07:00

So, I am a moron and can't figure out how to post the random number thing. But I ran it and it came up with #6! Which is the lovely:

SAM VARADY said...
My fav summer memory HAS to be this summer. I got married at DISNEY WORLD.
Because I had to deal with this over the weekend:

Yay congrats! Lady, I just need your address and I will mail your package out. my email is laurensmashtoys@yahoo.com and ps I am jealous of your memory cause I WANT A HUSBAND. j/k haha. :) Thanks for commenting and Congrats doubly time!

Because I have a bunch of plush toys in my closet when they should be being snuggled. Because I made some cute pouches and hair bobbies. Because i love you.... I am doing a giveaway! With 3 things:

These cutie pie twin bunnies.

This bow pouch

This tiny pink and purple tiny bobby pin for your hair!

Its all yours!

Just comment on this post about your very favorite summer memory by Friday at 6pm and I will have the random number generator pick one winner! Yay!

Hi!

2011-06-13T18:51:00.000-07:00

So, one of the really cute things I got yesterday at the Getty Crafty show was this AWESOME headband from my friend Jaymi Guess. It is from her Cooo line and it is a "big girl" size. I absolutely love it. Ryan couldn't stop telling me how cute he thought my hair is! I love it!

Also, I told the girls from yesterday I would blog about this awesome painting that Ryan and I found on the street awhile back. I may have even wrote about it before. But its this awesome piece and we found it and its on velvet.

Here it is in all of its glory with the rest of our art! Here is to a great week for us all!

Super Fun Weekend!

2011-06-12T09:32:00.000-07:00

This weekend was great. Busy, but great! Friday Ryan and I went out for veggie sushi and an art show. It was SO GOOD! There is a restaurant down the street from us that has GREAT sushi, and great music and an overall cozy atmosphere. After that we went to our friend Charlie's art show.

Then I relaxed at home and watched LOST, which I am sooo back into right now. I watched the first and second seasons with Missy my very best friend when it was on TV, but I got out of it when I moved to California because we didn't have a TV. It is great that it is on Netflix streaming. I LOVE being able to watch it without commercials. I was also sewing and finishing up some stuff for my show in Sacramento on Saturday! Owls and cute hair bobbies.

The show was so so, but made all the more awesome from the super amazing people I got to neighbor with. The ALWAYS amazing Jaymi from Coo, the very sweet Kristin and Cassidy from The Monster and Me, the lovely Lauren Brandy and the super cute and awesome Amy Cluck! I am so happy I got to spend the day with these girls and they were honestly the reason I go to Sacramento. I can't wait to be up there hanging out with them again! So. Much. Fun. I am super sunburned and today is going to be a recovery/relaxing day. I say that but what I reeeeaaallly mean is I am going through ALL of my fabric and craft supplies and am going to see what makes the cut to stay at my house. I love having a lot of cool stuff and I want to maximize what I have but I have limited space and I need to discriminate. My stuff is out of control right now. Ryan has more supplies than me but he has a better system I think. I am going to spend today just making my space lovely. Yay!

Summertime

2011-06-09T07:12:00.000-07:00

Summertime in San Francisco leaves something to be desired for a Midwest girl like me. Its cool and foggy and pretty much only makes me long for warm summer nights, and swimming pool weather. That is ok though, we have perfect bike weather. You don't even get too sweaty going up all of those hills!

Ryan got me a bike last year for my birthday that I am just now getting to use. It is this lovely black Schwinn. It just recently got fixed and It is ALL sorts of fun. Well going down the hills it is! I am working on the endurance for up some of them!

Isn't he cute when he has to wait for me and walk his bike up the big hills cause I am a big baby?

Progress

2011-06-07T23:11:00.000-07:00

Here is a picture of the corner of my awful, messy desk. If I am not careful, my whole area and floor are a train wreck. Lets be honest, they usually ARE a train wreck. Much to the dismay of my very sweet and patient boyfriend. Who mostly just cleans up after me and only a little bit gives me hell. Well a grumpy disapproving look at least. But a girl has to craft owls when she has to craft owls, you know? And sometimes you just don't have time for the picking up part!

Busy Busy!

2011-06-06T18:38:00.000-07:00

I love having a boyfriend that works at a market. I ALWAYS get flowers. And fancy beautiful fun flowers!! Like this lovely rose here. It is grey/brown/purple. The most beautiful rose of them all! Except maybe a black magic rose which I tried to have them get at the flower market but they don't carry them.

Also I have a show next weekend so I am working on some fun stuff! Like these tiny fancy bobbies! My favorite are the deer. If I have any left I am going to put them in the shop.

New Shirt!

2011-06-05T10:28:00.000-07:00

I am doing really well making about one item for my wardrobe a week. This week I finshed this really cute pink shirt. It is the same as McCalls 5882. I still don't think it looks like the one on the package but it came out EXACTLY how I wanted it to. I am starting to get better and better at construction which is something I really am excited about. And yes, this is the lovely bathroom at work. The photo above is the better show of actual color, but the one below is the one I like how I look better.

Today is going to be a sewing day. I am really loving having time to do that and I have a show coming up in Sacramento next week that I am really excited about! I get to hang out with girls I LOVE and that is my favorite! I am also starting to get excited for my birthday! It is coming up quick! (35 days!)

Sew awesome Friday night!

2011-06-03T18:09:00.001-07:00

Keeping busy on a Friday night!

Happy Tuesday!

2011-05-31T23:33:00.000-07:00

I have been a sewing fiend. I only have one shirt to show for it. and its wrinkled. Cause I wear it! This weekend was a sew a thon. I love having an extra day off. It makes me feel like sleeping in and hanging out in the sun in the park are not a waste of time. Cause I have a WHOLE other day off to work! I did get another shirt finished and a shirt cut out. I felt pretty good about how I spent my weekend. I am working on another dress to have before I go home. The fabric is a tad expensive though and I need 3 yards. I have to wait until I have a little bit of extra money.

I got my sister's wedding invitation in the mail today! I am so excited. It is only a short time until I go back and see my fam and my little nephews. I am looking forward to it. It will be Ryan's first time meeting them. I am looking forward to seeing his family too! Even though we will only be there a short time.

This week is short and I can't wait for the weekend!

Don't worry, I get my camera back tomorrow...

2011-05-24T22:41:00.001-07:00

Here is my 4 little curly buns! I did my hair fancy this morning. When I took it out this evening it looked awesome too! Yay for long hair. It has taken a long time to get to this point but I am definitely enjoying the longer hair. There is so much you can do with it! I wish I could french braid. I would love to do fun braid stuff with my hair. I have done the milk maid braids and that is cute, but I would like to do more.

Productive

2011-05-23T20:58:00.000-07:00

This weekend I was super productive. Some times I just have it going on! I cut, measured, sewed, tried on, fixed and hemmed. The hemming is my very least favorite.

First, I sewed up my frankenstein sun dress. It is so cute on! A little big, but once through the wash and it will be perfecto!

Next, I cut up one of my gifted patterns and made a super cute skirt! I want to apologize for the awful pictures. Again, Ryan has my camera and so I am HURTING with these pictures but I really wanted to share.

Then I cut out another shirt and then I was shot. Tired, sleepy, sewed out. I am LOVING on sewing rigt now. So the rest of this week I am going to sew up that shirt, cut out another and keep my momentum going.

Katy Perry Toes

2011-05-22T16:52:00.000-07:00

I found some super cute nailpolish from OPI that was from the Katy Perry line! I got some super cute "The one that got away" They make the very best sparkly pink toes! and luckily I have the perfect way to dry my pedi! (Out my living room window!) I hope you are enjoying your Sunday too!

Yummy Fabric

2011-05-19T18:42:00.001-07:00

I just got this amazing fabric from Lizzy House. Have you seen her stuff? She is awesome and this is super cute and I can't wait to use it! I am thinking a bow pouch and a pocket for a new shirt that I am sewing. I am LOVING sewing right now! Yay!

Thanks so much Cierra!!!

2011-05-19T07:07:00.000-07:00

I came home yesterday after a LOOONG day at work to this...

I opened it up and died.

Now forgive me, I will get better pictures when Ry brings my camera back but believe me. It was filled to the brim with awesome.

Now I look like this:

I can't wait to make these!

M.I.A.

2011-05-15T20:14:00.000-07:00

I have been doing a lot lately that is not share-worthy. Like projects that don't work out, and dishes and all of that. We did have some guests and that was fun, but I always forget my camera. So far this weekend composed of:

Napping.

Basketball watching.

and Sewing. A stack of bow pouches :) I am loving sewing these up.

This one is my favorite. It is the Alexander Henry owl fabric. I want to buy enough to make a whole dress. It is expensive though so I haven't yet.

I also cut out a dress. It is a frankenstein dress so we will see how it turns out. I am using a reissued vintage Butterick pattern and a new New Look pattern. I am going to smoosh them together and see what I get.

Bay-bee

2011-04-25T19:07:00.000-07:00

I have a lot of new babies in my life! So, I like to make them quilts. It is fun and doesn't take up too much fabric. So I made the tiny quilt for JJ awhile back. It had elephants, my sister loves elephants. So for my brother's baby, LJ, I picked puppies.

I love puppies.

I hope he likes it for years to come.

Oh, and I ruined one of my mod couch things. Because I am a moron and left an iron on it and plugged it in. It was an irresponsible bummer of a moment. I feel like an idiot. It can be replaced and its only a couch so I shouldn't feel so defeated. But I do. I am working on it, because it IS only a thing. Nobody is hurt or anything. And my little artist man is going to try and fix it with dye. I am so lucky he is mine and in my life. Oh, in the pic its wet because i thought it would help.

Happy Easter!

2011-04-24T19:33:00.000-07:00

Hello! The Easter Bunny made a visit to my house via USPS! I hope you and yours had a good one too!

M.I.A.

2011-04-23T16:09:00.000-07:00

Where have I been? Oh....lotsa places. work, work and more work. Ft. Lauderdale. Making bunnies. You know, that kind of stuff.

I bought the Weewonderfuls Big footed bunny pattern so I could make Easter bunnies for my little nephews. That is her photo up there, not mine! It was easy and fun to put together, you should buy it and try it! But, here are mine:

Prepping

Cutting

Bunnies

Happy JJ(a little blurry from my sister's phone)

Happy LJ

I am a happy Lauren cause my babies are happy! Since I am back to reality, I am also back to the sewing table. I am working on a quilt for one of my babies and a dress for me! Summer is coming fast and I have to be cute!

Cell phone pictures suck, but get their point across!

2011-04-09T23:25:00.001-07:00

Having family in town is AWESOME. You get spoiled, you get loved, and all of that junk. But sometimes you forget to take pictures or blog. I'm just saying. I did want to show you some things I have been working on for gifts lately. My friend had a new baby girl, so I wanted to send a few things.

I found this really cute tattoo fabric at the shop down the street from us and I thought she would really like it. So I made the baby a bib.

I also made this little tiny bow headband. I hope it fits. It came out smaller than I wanted to, but the baby is tiny too...

And then for good measure I made this cute flower headband too. I love tulle. I hate this blurry picture.

And then I thought my friend needed a few gifts too. I found this cute tutorial for a gathered clutch by Noodlehead on Mama and the Dudes' blog.

And then while searching Noodlehead's site, I found this cute pouch and put a bow from that shirt I made on it. I LOVE how it came out. I hope she likes it!

On to more sewing! Hurray

Saturday Saturday Saturday

2011-04-02T16:40:00.001-07:00

Hey! Happy Saturday! I hope its super nice weather and sewing for you too! Oh, and showing off your new hair! It feels awesome, by the way! It moves and shakes and is the best color ever! AND its still super long. At least for me. I am so proud of how long it is right now!

I feel so fancy!

Here is what is on deck for the rest of the weekend. A couple of present-y things and then maybe some selfish Lauren dress sewing. They had Simplicity patterns on sale at JoAnn Fabrics for 99 cents this weekend so I couldn't pass up just one! Too bad now I have FIVE dresses on deck! Oooooops... I guess I will have to get to sewing! Which is going to be easy with my brand new machine!

New!

2011-04-01T19:41:00.001-07:00

I have had an absent week. It has been filled with work and working out. Ugh. But! I did make a new shirt! Its the same pattern as the bow shirt, McCalls 5851. Just minus the bows. It is super cute and comfy and needs to shrink just a little. Which is ok, because the other shirts I have made have gotten just a little bit smaller.

I also got my hair done today! I love that. It is by my favorite girl and it was properly colored and cut. I can't wait to get up tomorrow and do it myself!

The weather has been crazy beautiful here, even nice enough to have the windows open at night. It is a dream! Hopefully it will stay that way!

Yawwwwwn!

2011-03-27T21:38:00.001-07:00

What a nice weekend! I got some cool new stuff, I hung out with my love and my Babydog, and I got some work done! That is all I ask for a great weekend.

Because I am on a new kick of cooking and planning meals, I have been tirelessly searching food blogs for ideas. I stumbled upon this fabulous site Tammysrecipes.com It has a little bit of everything, but I love how she writes things out and all that. When I was planning my meals for the week, I decided that I was going to have homemade rolls for dinner with my eggplant pasta and then bread for our sandwiches and for our blackbean burgers this week.

Tammy had some easy-looking recipes, and I have been DYING to try out the dough hook on my Kitchenaid.

So, I made her garlic knots recipe for my pasta tonight. It turned out amazing. The bread was soft and tasty and the garlic butter on the top made it super extra special.

I also made the wheat bread recipe. I will let you know how that turns out tomorrow! It is going to be awesome if I am now a bread baker. I hate spending $5 on a loaf of bread if I can make it myself at home! And it is so much fun for me to bake too. I usually don't even mind the cleanup.

As far as working goes, I got another shirt done, with the black and white pattern. I also cut out another shirt which I will work on this week. They are both the bow pattern minus the bows. Again, the easiest pattern in the universe. it is seriously 4 pieces(6 if you count the lining) and like under 10 steps. Amazing and adorable.

Oh and I saw the funniest thing today! I always seem to forget that I live in a tourist city. It is scenes like these, people checking the map in my little neighborhood that reminds me that I live in an extra neat place that people want to visit. I shouldn't have to be reminded cause I like being here too!

Friday Night and I am feeling alright!

2011-03-25T18:54:00.000-07:00

Hey there! Happy Friday! I hope all is well! I am having a great day! I am having a good hair day, my workout felt good and I am now waiting for Ryan to come home so we can get PIZZA! I have lots of fun things planned for myself for the weekend and I even have some planning done for the week! Like Meals!

And I am not joking when I say that this working out business is giving me all sorts of new motivations and energy. I have been cooking up a storm and sewing up a storm and filled with ideas of things to do! It is great and it feels great. It is weird. I always love to work out when I am working out, but for some reason the periods of my life that I do not work out I can't be motivated to do it. EVEN though it feels so great! So heres to keeping on riding this way of energy and motivation and getting things done!

Borrriiiinnnngggg

2011-03-24T18:49:00.000-07:00

I was going to have a post of a new shirt for this week, but the stuff I sewed on the weekend I threw out and then the second thing I had cut out I didn't feel like sewing during the week. Which is no fun, cause usually if I just MAKE myself, I can work. But I couldn't make myself this week.

What I did do was scour cooking sites, cook amazing things and work out a bunch. Tonight I am taking a night off of working out to have a friend over and have him cook us dinner. Yum. I hope we have sandwiches. Cause I am easy like that. Easy like Sunday morning. Or something like that. Back to working out tomorrow and Saturday now that I am skipping today. I do vow to make TWO shirts this weekend and find something new to watch on Netflix now that I have exhausted 8 seasons of That '70s show...

Slow work week

2011-03-22T22:49:00.000-07:00

Hey there! I have not been that lazy so far this week, but I also have nothing to show for my hard working sew-a-thon on Saturday. I bought this pattern and fabric and I hate the results. I might try again with a solid color fabric that is really sturdy. I just do not usually have luck with patterns for some reason. I think this particular one was too light for me. Honestly, almost my entire wardrobe is solid colors.

I will try with this lovely fabric here. I think a good step out of solid for me can be black and white. You can't really go wrong with black and white. This is going to be my bow shirt, minus the bows. It is seriously the easiest pattern ever, perfect for a beginner I think. But I am saying that with a few years of sewing under my belt where I have learned things such as: when you think "What? Why would I do it like that? That makes no sense" that in the long run, it will make sense and you should USUALLY do it the way its written. Even though it is confusing and doesn't make sense at the time. I have learned also to take sewing 1 step at a time. 1. Cut out pattern pieces. 2. Cut out fabric. 3. follow instructions STEP by STEP! It will pay off. And also to make sure that you read the finished garment measurements on the package. They count. And to pay attention to seem allowances. They are important. You don't want to swim in your pretty new clothes!

I still have a lot to learn. But that is the fun part about sewing. Always something new and fun to push yourself with.

Bows!

2011-03-18T18:17:00.000-07:00

So I finished my shirt! I love this wardrobe bump its giving me to know how to sew!

It all started with this pattern and these supplies! The pattern is McCalls 5851.

It came out a little big, but all in all I really like it. I think a good wash and it will be smaller and fit better. If not, I can throw some darts in the back.

I really enjoyed making all of the bows. They are all hand sewn on the shirt. I think it is a really nice detail, but it makes it bulky to wear with a sweater because the bows go all the way around. I am going to try this pattern again and leave off the bows so I have the two different effects.

Now on to the next pattern on my list!

Riding the wave of Productivity

2011-03-17T19:38:00.001-07:00

I am really working hard over here! I finished up the bows for my bow shirt, and I should have pics of it tomorrow! This was a fun pattern to work with, but it turned out that my directions were missing a page. I am going to be stealth and try and look at the directions when I go to the fabric store this weekend. I really want to make the yo yo shirt as well but without the directions I am at a loss. I don't even know how to make a yo yo!

I also cut out the bird and sewed it up, but I am not happy with how the wings came out, so I am going to re sew them bigger and cuter. I have some more fabric to cut out and then I have to decide which pattern I am going to focus on this weekend! I don't know if I want to cut out a dress or another shirt. I really need to utilize all this creative energy! Which I am also attributing to my workout(going on 4 days woo hoo!)

Plush Love

2011-03-16T19:46:00.000-07:00

Hello there! I am so glad to say I have some cutie pie stuff listed on etsy. It is always fun to get inspired for different seasons! What I listed were these little snuggle bunnies and lambs!

I also have been working on a bird for my sister best friend in-law(is that what you call your best friend's sister?) who is having a little baby girl in the not too far off future. So I drew something out, and I think I am going to make some for the shop too! I am going to work on that tonight. Designing toys is so much fun for me, I love coming up with an idea, drawing it out and making it come to life. I feel the same way after I make something for myself as well. I love the feeling of making something with my own two hands and being able to use my creativity every day. It is something that I had to train myself to do, and something I know that ebbs and flows so I have to eat up the times that I am feeling super creative. Tonight I am going to try and finish up the bows for my new shirt so I can wear it on Friday!

I am feeling so good tonight after a really fun, good workout with my Billy Blanks Taebo(This is Tae Bo). It doesn't keep you on anything too long that you are like "oh this is so boring and long" It is good for my ADD. I don't actually think I have ADD, but Ryan does and sometimes I think that I have picked up some of his habits of not having an attention span. But anyways what I want to say is that it is fun and great cardio. I am learning about changing my habits too. Choosing to do well and choosing to make my body and health better. I just have to tell myself that every day!

Sweaty Workout Head

2011-03-15T19:32:00.001-07:00

Here is my sweaty workout face! Hopefully soon it will be skinnier. I have started a journey in my life to eat better food for my body, things that are closer to what they started out as (read fresher veggies, less fake meat) and to exercise what I have if only to be in good shape so I can go up and down these hills of San Francisco and not be out of breath.

I also am a little vain, and want to look my best. Especially for my sister's wedding pictures! It is coming quick(yeah I know it is 4 months away, but still, that is a blink of the eye!)

Also, my birthday is coming up, my 30th! It is true! I want to be in good shape for that too. I want to be healthy! So, less bread, less potatoes, less fried food(try hardly any because I NEVER feel good after deep fried food, yuck) and more good veggies and baked items. One thing I don't think I can give up, but will cut back on a little is cheese. I LOVE cheese. To a fault, sometimes.

So I have also added a workout to my day, and my goal is to work out Monday through Friday and take the weekends off. So far so good, but I really wanted to work out in the mornings and I am having a really hard time pulling myself out of my bed! I think it will motivate me more on Friday so I can get myself up and going so I don't have to workout at night. I really like to get my workout done and out of the way, but that bed is just SO enticing sometimes!

Its all about what you want though. I really believe that the motivation to do things lies within you and all you have to do is call it up and really believe in yourself. You make all of your own choices and if you choose to be healthy and work hard you will accomplish those things. That is not to say I am perfect(obviously!) but I want to do these things and I am trying for the power of the mind, you know!

Ahhh.

2011-03-14T18:20:00.000-07:00

I love the weekends. I always get so much sewing done! Ryan and I, as I have mentioned before, always try to use Sundays to our advantage and work all day. We didn't quite work ALL day, but we worked and we worked hard. I am working on a really fun pattern, McCall's 5851. It is "crafty" or something like that. I think that just means the shirt I am making has bows on it.

Or you can make it with yoyos on it too. Whatever it is, its really adorable and easy to sew. I am not finished yet, but I am getting close. I have the shirt completed, it just needs the bows on it. Well, I have to finish the bows first and then sew them on the shirt.

I also finished my spring plushies. Chocolate bunnies a la the advertisements of my youth(my bunnies were never hollow shout out to Baker's Chocolates in Cleveland Ohio! what what!!) I just always liked the looks of the hollow bunnies!

And little, snuggly lambs to cuddle up with!

They will be going in the shop sometime this week. I am trying to live up this time change, I already failed this morning when my alarm told me to abandon my bed and workout, I silenced it and slept for an additional hour. But to be fair I am going to try and work out tonight after dinner. That and finish up the bows!

Saturday...

2011-03-13T12:07:00.000-07:00

Saturdays are one of my very favorite times. I get a day to myself to do whatever! First I take Babydog for a walk in the park! I love our time together, especially on a beautiful day!

I also like to take a little road trip to a city south of us and shop a little! (after I jam to some tunes hahah this weekend was Goldfinger and Green Day) On this Saturday, I went to Target!(woo hoo so boring!) I picked up a new book and a new work out video! I am trying to get into a little routine on weekday mornings where I do some cardio!!

Then I went to Jo Ann's and get fabric. I LOVE shopping for fabric. This time I had a good coupon! I got some pretty fabric to make another thing from my summer list!

Then I came home, finished up my Spring time plushies, and made some vanilla extract! I used this recipe... It was easy and I can't wait to use it in a month or so!

Friday!

2011-03-11T19:19:00.000-08:00

I hope you had a good day today! Mine was great! I didn't get hit by a terrible Tsunami(did you hear about that? it skipped San Francisco, thank goodness) I was lovingly woken out of sleep at 4am, 5am, 5:30am, and then had to get up at 6am for work. I appreciate it though! I would rather be tired and loved then unloved, well slept and dead. If you know what I mean!

I really didn't want a Tsunami, especially since I really wanted to wear my new shirt today! And if I was water-ed out, i would not be able to strut my stuff. Yes that is a blurry bathroom shot at work and yes that is my but in the background mirror. I do what I can with what I have...But look how cute the shirt is! I mean come on, an empire waist and a boat neck. Please. I don't think it looks exactly like the picture, and I am ok with that. I like it better than the picture. It is:

I have also been pretty productive this week. I guess I have had enough "Bejeweled Blitz" to last a lifetime and a half so when I am sitting at home, my idle hands are sewing up a toy instead of scooting flashy jewels around...I think that is good. Here are some of the lamb-ys I have been working on whilst rotting my brain with Netflix. Aren't they cute?

This weekend feels productive. I am going fabric shopping tomorrow for a new clothing project and hopefully I will work on my bow shirt on Sunday. Have a good Friday night kids!

Last night, I made butter!

2011-03-10T18:13:00.000-08:00

I can't believe it either! It was magically simple and amazing. I had some cream that was going to go bad in a few days sitting in the fridge so I decided to try it. I had seen this tutorial in the past and it seemed simple enough...

I got out the kitchenaid, poured it in, wrapped it in plastic wrap to prevent splashing cream/buttermilk and started it up. It was neat to watch and only took about 20 minutes in all.

When I was done, I had butter! Real, yummy, cream-y butter!

On Toast! Yummmmmm.

Make some too. You will NOT regret it. Well maybe your thighs will...

Happy Wednesday!

2011-03-09T20:07:00.000-08:00

Hello there! Today was a good day. I am not sure why, it just felt good! I woke up in a good mood, I had a good day at work, and now I am home and feeling like sewing. That is always a good day. I love feeling positive at the end of the day.

I did want to show you my chocolate bunnies that I am working on! I had the idea of this and the sheep for my spring time plushies. The are both so snuggly and I love them!

I also can't wait to wear this shirt. It looks so 60'sish on. I will take a pic when I wear it on Friday so you can see how cute it is on too! I have another shirt cut out, the one with the bows.

I added twitter to my blog too! I am having a love affair with it right now, add me!

Hey There!

2011-03-07T18:55:00.000-08:00

I hope your weekend was fun! I had a good time working on lots of projects! I made a shirt, which I will have pictures of later this week, when I can find some better light! But I got a lot done with the help of That 70's Show! I am officially down one item on my summer sewing list! I can't wait to share the pic. It is a good shape with a boatneck and an empire waist. It is really 60's and cute.

I also started work on one of my two spring time little plushies. I am making chocolate bunnies and little lambs. I finished up a lamb yesterday and am working now on my chocolate bunny today.

I love it so much! I just want to cuddle it! Ryan and i had a really good day yesterday working on art/crafts. I really love that time we have together creating. It really makes our bond strong. It is funny though because he was listening to records and I was watching TV on my computer with one headphone in so I could listen to records and the show. I love the distraction.

In other news, I have to buy a new sewing machine. It seems my trusty old one is on its last leg. I don't even like typing that in case it curses me. I need it to hang on for at least another week!

Spring/summer wardrobe

2011-03-04T11:17:00.001-08:00

downsize.jpg, originally uploaded by laurensmashtoys.

So, I have a bunch of patterns that I have been buying up with my summer wardrobe in mind. These are my favorites right now and I am going to start working on them this weekend. I have the boatneck cut out and fabric for the bow shirt. I can't wait to show them to you!

I am loving on sewing, I think I just need to remember to SLOW DOWN and focus when I am sewing. Sometimes I get so frustrated. That is when I need to shift my focus to something else. Things don't need to nebe done in one day.

I love having handmade pieces be a part of my wardrobe!

quickie

2011-03-03T20:36:00.000-08:00

Just a quick post to say hello! I am working on a bunch of chocolate bunnies. I should have them sewn up by this weekend. I am really loving on hand sewing. Here is hoping for lots of productivity this weekend!

It should work out though, I am good about sewing if stuff is already cut out. That is also why I cut out some shirt patterns last weekend. To try and get some work done in that realm this weekend too. I hope its sunny! Maybe Baby and I will get some sunshine hang out time done too!

Work-a-holic

2011-02-28T18:30:00.001-08:00

So....I have only one excuse... WORK! I have been sewing up a storm. Be proud. Here are the fruits of my labor. Ok, well two excuses. I have been without a camera. Ryan dropped it on the ground and it was kaput. That is ok, it was time for a new one, that one was almost 3 years old anyways. We ended up with a Kodak M590 which so far is lovely, but I am so afraid I am going to break it. Unfortunately too, I have only been able to use it at night so far. I can't wait to see what it is going to look like with pics during the day. I can't wait to drive down the coast and take awesome pictures! It is 14 megapixels which sounds good but I am not a camera girly so I am not altogether sure what that means. I like what I see so far!

I also was glancing in Kidrobot on my walk home today and happened to notice that the Heidi Kenney mypapercraneawesomeness that is the key caps are in! I was so excited! I thought they weren't going to be for sale until the third of March, but my store has all the awesomeness in now!

I got a doughnut! I can't wait to put a key in it. It is so cute and matches the doughnut quilt I am working on quite nicely. haha.

Quilting

2011-02-19T15:55:00.000-08:00

Today is rainy and cold and awful outside. See, even Baby needed to sit in front of the heater to dry out after our walk.

So I decided it was the BEST kind of day to watch reruns of That 70's Show, lay out my quilt and then start sewing!! This quilt is making me hungry for sweets! I might even whip up a coffee cake if I can drag myself out of this warm cozy room!

Epic Project Fail

2011-02-15T19:04:00.001-08:00

Ugh. It is so discouraging when you go to sew a project and it doesn't turn out. Especially something that you reeeeallly want to work out. Cause you love the fabric and the design. Grr. You have to make yourself feel better after something like that. So I did:

Now that I am sugared up and done pouting I can start on something new. I already have a new pattern cut out and should be working on it soon!

Yum!

Happy Valentines day!!

2011-02-14T18:03:00.000-08:00

xoxo! This is the card I made for Ryan! But YOU drive me batty too... :) In a good way! Dinner at home, crafting, and watching Bob's Burgers is in store for us! (and some Proseco Yum!)

Pink!

2011-02-13T17:37:00.000-08:00

We are sooo in the Valentine's spirit around here, we are making everything pink! We bought some hot pink spray paint and made our table pretty!

Well, really we are beginning to develop a way we want our living room to look. It is turning out pinks and browns, thanks to my Heidi Kenney donut pillow, it has kind of been the inspiration for our room. It has great colors in it! I recently found Three men and a lady and she has been an absolute inspiration for me. Her rooms go from drab to amazing and I want that in my life. We are thinking in the near future of painting and fixing up our bedroom. We are in some desparate need of fabulousness in our home!

Today I am working on my new courderoy skirt and enjoying time working with my boyfriend!

Boyfriend Art

2011-02-10T18:51:00.000-08:00

My boyfriend is an artist. He makes things too! Here is the link to his awesome flickr that I love

He is better than me, he works on art more than once in awhile... I swear, this weekend will include working on projects!

More craftyness on my plate

2011-02-07T18:40:00.000-08:00

I think I am not really a crafter. Just someone who likes to think about making things. Well that is not entirely so, but I do so love to think about making tons of different projects. And then buying materials for them. I still haven't finished my skirt! All in due time, all in due time. I think I will work on that in the next few days. Ryan and I had a good talk last night about setting time every night aside to work on art/crafts. That way we have more focus and watch less t.v. We just got the record player working too, and golden oldies records at our local record store are on the cheap(The ones I like I keep finding for $5!) so I think this is definitely feasible for us! I just got Buddy Holly! I love it.

This weekend, I found some awesome fabric to coordinate with my donut fabric. Simple pink with polka dots and simple brown with tiny polka dots. I can't wait to snuggle under this!

Also, in my interest to provide myself with a closet full of new, awesome, handmade goodness, I picked up another new pattern and fabric to go with it! I think this one is right up my alley!

So, I think it is safe to say that I have enough to keep me busy for awhile!

Flea Market time!

2011-02-06T17:16:00.000-08:00

Yay! Finally, we got to go the Alameda Flea Market. It has been a few months since we have gone because the weather has been crappy. Today was BEAUTIFUL! 70 degrees, sunny, just perfect!

I saw a lot of awesome stuff, the best being the lady with bras. Vintage underwear sometimes is just the coolest looking thing!

I also got to buy a few things. I got some skeleton keys, like I usually do. No big surprise there. But, I also got a super creepy tiny baby doll(which is in Ryan's pocket). I named him Mordred, like the Dark Tower baby, and promptly broke him. Ryan is going to fix him and that makes me happy. I like to think about his youth and how he used to have another family and how they must have loved him. That makes me happy too! Here he is at home after I broke him.

I also got these lovely hectagon pieces! They are beautiful and there are 10 of them. A good start to a quilt I think!

This one is my favorite, I think. I COULD put it on a skirt. That would be pretty!

And lastly, I got this lovely pattern for $1! I am totally making that shirt out of some awesome loud fabric.

All in all I had an AMAZING time, I spent $15, I got to hang out in beautiful weather with the love of my life and I got some pretty cool stuff. Yay! I can't wait for next month!

GiantDwarfLOVE!

2011-02-04T14:26:00.001-08:00

GiantDwarfLOVE!, originally uploaded by laurensmashtoys.

Happy Friday! Its been a great couple of mail days for me! I am sure you will never tire of seeing the side of my face! Well, sorry I wanted to share with you my AWESOME GiantDwarf heart hair pin! It is the cutest thing I have received in the mail since, well since yesterday when I got my fabric! xoxo

Supercute MyPaperCrane/Spoonflower fabric!

2011-02-03T08:23:00.001-08:00

Supercute MyPaperCrane/Spoonflower fabric!, originally uploaded by laurensmashtoys.

I got my Spoonflower fabric! This weekend I am going to be picking out coordinating fabrics so I can get a new quilt started for our living room couch. I am seriously impressed and excited! This fabric is beautiful and adorable. HURRAY!!

Braid Headband

2011-02-01T11:20:00.001-08:00

Braid Headband, originally uploaded by laurensmashtoys.

Pay no attention to my messy desk... I made a braid headband today! I love doing my hair! One of the funniest questions/comments that I always get, is "Lauren are you wearing a bump-it?" And I just put on my hurt face and say "NOOOO!!!" Cause I am most certainly not, its just hairspray, a comb and some good luck. I AM, however, seriously considering hair school, because it has been and continues to be my favorite thing to do! I would love the creative outlet of it too! We shall see!

Love-bot

2011-01-30T18:47:00.000-08:00

Today I listed a BUNCH on etsy. I am happy about it. I finished my love-bot army. And listed them. Today was definitely accomplished in my eyes. I still need to work on/finish my courderoy skirt. That is my next project. I didn't get very far on it at all last night because I was working on love-bots and then I took my boy out for dinner.

Skirt

2011-01-29T17:42:00.000-08:00

Working on a new skirt this weekend!! Should be done tomorrow. I just LOVE making things for myself!

The Dark Tower

2011-01-26T22:44:00.001-08:00

Is so close that I can smell the field of roses...

BTW, this is what I have been doing instead of all the things I am supposed to like cut out my new skirt and sew up my robots... I NEEEEEED to know what happens!! One more book then back to life...

Sewing for Laurensmash!

2011-01-21T12:16:00.001-08:00

Another handmade clothing item. I am love/hate with this one. It is a little too big, but I am kind in love with the sleeves and the pattern. We will see if it makes its way through its date with the washer and dryer.

So far it has been fun putting together newclothes and this particular item came together in a breeze because it is constructed like some things I have already made. It is also not finished as professionally as I like, but that is what this little project is for, experience.

Finally Home

2011-01-18T19:30:00.000-08:00

And Exhausted!

My flight was cancelled Monday night, so I was stuck in Ohio for one last night. I was glad for the extra time with my family, but also ready to be home. I got home today and stayed home from work cause I was sooooo tired, I barely slept at all and am kind of a zombie even now.

I did get some Valentine's robots cut out! Hopefully this week they will get sewn and put up! I also bought supplies for my nephew LJ's quilt. It is going to be sooooo cute! I love my little babies. Meeting them was awesome and I can't wait to watch them grow up more! JJ's quilt is almost finished. I am also working on picking out fabric for a quilt for myself, with mypapercrane doughnut fabric from Spoonflower! I just need to order it!!

CARDS!

2011-01-15T19:06:00.001-08:00

CARDS!, originally uploaded by laurensmashtoys.

Playing Euchre with the family! I had a great day meeting nephew # 2!

YUM...

2011-01-14T17:03:00.001-08:00

YUM..., originally uploaded by laurensmashtoys.

Ahhhhhh. Dino's....MMMMM....Handmade cavatellis, the only thing I dream about when I am in California.

he is a biter!!

2011-01-14T11:42:00.001-08:00

downsize.jpg, originally uploaded by laurensmashtoys.

More family time! Tomorrow I meet my second nephew and get to see my brother and sister in law!

O-H-I-O!

2011-01-13T16:22:00.001-08:00

O-H-I-O!, originally uploaded by laurensmashtoys.

I'm in Ohio for a few days meeting my tiny nephews and visiting the fam! Its so cold!

Two Things...

2011-01-10T19:05:00.000-08:00

Number one...I am back in the game! It has been a LONG time since I sewed toys!

Number two... one of my goals for the year is to improve the way I dress. So, an addition to that goal that I decided on is that I am going to sew one item of clothing a week for myself to add to my sewing skills and my wardrobe! This week I finished this jumper! Today I wore it to work with my Christmas shoes from my brother and my new tights! I love it!

Basketball

2011-01-07T23:53:00.000-08:00

My parents got Ryan one of his favorite gifts this year, Golden State Warriors tickets! Tonight we ventured to Oakland to see the game. It was a lot of fun, they were playing the Cav's my hometown's team. I rooted for both teams. I think this annoyed everyone around me. Cleveland will always be my favorite team though, even if they are terrible right now.

Ryan and I had a lot of fun, we even got souvenirs! Ryan got that stupid finger. It is so funny. He had a lot of fun with it. I even filmed him with our Flip camera, that he got at Christmas. He makes me laugh because he is ridiculous. Mr #1 Fan...

Bear Ears

2011-01-04T20:43:00.000-08:00

So, I made my nephews Bear Ears for Christmas.

Then I was jealous. Cause they were so cute.

So I made myself some. Now I can't stop.

2011

2011-01-03T08:39:00.001-08:00

2011, originally uploaded by laurensmashtoys.

Happy New Year!! Back to the grindstone. In order to make this year my very best, I wrote some resolutions for myself, or guidelines for the year. This is what I came up with!

Productive!

2010-12-30T14:49:00.000-08:00

I got a haircut!

I planted my chia herb garden!

And I took a picture of the LOVELY calla lily I have growing on my fire escape. You know, at first I thought this plant was just a cool plant with big leaves!

I am looking forward to a few more days off, a little sparkle, a little wine and lots of good company!

Crafting!

2010-12-29T20:44:00.001-08:00

Did you think I gave up crafting because I was burned out? Well I didn't. And I even managed to get some work done on a jumper I am working on. Its gonna be super cute!

And I got a MUCH needed haircut. Pictures of both finished soon!

Ok, last Christmas post...

2010-12-28T17:52:00.000-08:00

So I two of my favorite gifts are going to keep Ryan and I fat...

And my other new best friend:

Now I can make super yummy ice cream AND whipped cream. Watch out waistline.... Who wants to come over for an ice cream party?

Secrets revealed!

2010-12-27T19:17:00.000-08:00

So, I forgot to take a picture of ALL the suprises that are out into the world because I was crazed and crafting like a madwoman. Things got through without photographic proof. Not everything though! I made some stuff for Ryan.

First and foremost the coolest thing I made was a flannel. I was pretty proud although there are mistakes namely the collar. Now I know for next time, but I am pretty proud of how my *first* flannel shirt came out. He was pleased and he has actually WORE it! OUT OF THE HOUSE!! So I am counting it as a win!!

I also made him a tiny Frida Kahlo out of clay. First I made a little drawing of how I wanted her to look.

Then I made her, painted her and then glossed her. She is pretty close to my favorite thing.

I also crocheted a tiny cactus for him from an anapaula pattern. He loved her!

Christmas

2010-12-26T11:47:00.000-08:00

Ahhh. As if relaxing all day yesterday wasn't enough, I think I am going to take this oppourtunity to do the same today. We had a lovely Christmas this year, made all the better from all the love from home. We missed everyone bunches and bunches, well except the snow. The snow can stay in Ohio. But, this was amazing for us because it was our first year in a one bedroom apartment BY OURSELVES in San Francisco.

Christmas Eve was nice, we watched Elf and drank white russians, all while snuggling under the light of our tree and lights and being enticed by all of the lovely bounty under the tree. You see, it has been a few years since we have had actual presents to open under the tree except for a few things here and there. This was a real treat and we felt over spoiled. It was great. But the white russians for some reason have become a tradition...

Then we fell asleep to wake up on Christmas morning to a lot of fun!

Ryan got a rain suit! Sorry the pic is so bad, I couldn't stand still to photograph him. He loves it! and he will be dry on his way to work now!

And I got the entire store at Kidrobot. and a Wee Wonderfuls book! Also some much needed new shoes!! So fun :) The donut pillow is now a perfect throw pillow for our couch! If I can keep Baby's paws off it, she thought it was for her. Well, she didn't get anything to open so that could be why.