Remedy for a Bad Hair Day: Aunti Jani's Flower

All Souls Day is my Auntie's birthday. She can weave a tale like no other. I simply adore her! Lately, I heard she could use some bright and shiny pick-me-ups fit for a queen (though it's the other Auntie who thinks she's the queen!). So, I snagged a Wild Hair Studio vintage Swarovski crystal and some dusky black and brown velvet hydrangeas. Of course, I ripped apart the whole hydrangea in favor of petal play. Then, I put them together (with a few mini golden seed beads) and Voilà!

I must admit. This was amazingly simple. And rather satisfying. Tell you what, I will be using those monsterous beauties Momma (she's Wild Hair Studio) calls crystals again. I just have to get crackin! Hello, can I glue them all over my body? I mean, can I stitch them all along the neckline of all my best shirts? Mom has one color called Volcano. When she unwrapped the vintage paper packaging and showed me, I promptly spilled my tea all over! I believe this is a color we call "Wet The Bed Red" in my family!

*Green Striped Towers of Goo*

I believe I must explain the green and white towers of goo. See, we went to O'Asian for Dim Sum to celebrate Auntie's B-day. I was hoping for Almond Jello, but alas, there was not a jiggle to be found in the entire restaurant. So, I settled for the wiggly striped towers of coconut delight. And, I must admit, it was quite delight-full! It was something like the consistancy of jello jigglers crossed with cheesecake, but a little bit firmer. Yum!

To Bejing and Back!

Well hello all you costume junkies! I have returned from a flabulous vacation in China. It was beautiful and ugly, joyful and painful, breathtaking and phlegm giving. If you'd like to know more about the trip, look at posts on www.threemisterluckys.blogspot.com! I have SO many ideas for mixed media arts from this trip. I saw amazing fashion on many people, from the AirChina stewardess to the Bejing Airport Store Clerks and from our tour guide to girls on the streets. These observations will find their way into my new designs.

Jingle! Jangle! Jingle! Jangle!
Now that I've returned, the Holiday Season is upon us! I've been thinking of some fun holiday crafts. I'm thinking velvet, I'm thinking kitchy kool, I'm thinking cocktail party!

I will donate 5% of every purchase on both my etsy stores to charity organizations 11/22 - 12/31. I'm still researching and deciding on the charities. So, if you have any good suggestions, please make a comment.

I will begin offering kits on SomethingDreadfull.etsy.com after the new year. Keep your eyes peeled for more details!

Knitting Again, but Rotini No More!

Guess what!? I've caught the knitty bug again! It has been a year and a half, maybe more, since I've even had the heart to pick up knitting needles. In college I was obsessive about knitting. I knit hats for everyone's new born babies. I even knit my way through Six Sigma training. Now, that is so "odd" for anyone to even "do" something crafty at my workplace - it's ULTRA conservative. You're thinking - whoa, this girl conservative? No way! Way. But, only at work.

Anyway - the last year has been very depressing, oppressive, and sad for me. My body filled itself with pains; I seriously couldn't knit - my hands, arms, and shoulders would just ache. So, I sewed. It was one of my ways to "get through" my rough times and know that I was capable of so much more!

How much do I love the Scarf Style book? Let me count the ways....
Well, I loved the Rotini-esque design of "Ruffles" by Amanda B. Brown. Mom & I decided to have a competition to see who could finish the scarf first. We both LOVE Noro yarns, especially the silk garden - such color!

So, we began. Both starting off at an even pace. But, Mom & Dad had a nasty employee pulling tricks and attempting to pull the "wool" over their eyes (didn't plan that pun!) . Mom was trying to "get through" (knitting is such therapy) and knit like a fiend on Ruffles while my life got crazy in other ways and the pain took over. So, shortly after we started, she finished! She has a lovely scarf in denim and olive (I chose rose and olive). But, now here I am a year later, with a 75% complete scarf that I'm bored knitting.

Since I caught the knitty bug, I've been visiting the last years worth of knitty.com. In fact, I started listening to Cast-On. I just adore that podcast. I feel like we're good friends chatting in her living room. Both Cast-On and CraftyPod are such well made podcasts that I have been inspired to create my own. So, beginning in January, I'll start casting!

But, I digress! Cast-On mentioned Clapotis and I had to go check it out and re-discover what it looked like. Oh yeah! I loved that when it came out! So, what did I do? I just took a bunch of photo documentation of the work I put into Ruffles and ripped it all out on the way to Dim Sum for Auntie Janice's birthday. It felt good to rip. I ripped for several reasons:
1) I didn't want to purchase any more yarn - 7 drawers is plenty - hoarding is not a national sport, yet!
2) I heart Noro Silk Garden
3) I adore my pashmina scarves and this is what Clapotis represents.

I'll be knitting my way through China. So, I'll take pictures of my knitting along the way. Ooo - this scarf will get to meet the Great Wall! Now, I'll just ned to contain myself to ONE project at a time while in China. I mean, they have HOLES in the ground for toilets. I am SO not going to have any open chances for droppage. Wish me luck - I'm a really great squatter. Hope I don't pee on my pant legs.

Office Politics - New Design by Yank

Check these tough babies out! Wear these with your gray power suit into your next meeting with the directors and Bam! Ain't nobody gonna mess with you Girl!

These beauties go from dark gray toes to nearly white at the heels. Then, atop that, they've got wicked purple barbed wire circling your foot. A simple design that speaks for itself. Nice job Yank!

Happiness = New Job + New Home

The last month has been a whirlwind of activity for me. My last post talked about my interview suit. Well, I got the job! I'll now be working in the area of Project Management on Telematics. For those who are unfamiliar, Telematics is the combination of telecommunications (think getting info via phone or modem) with infomatics. It usually includes GPS info (where in the world is ...). I'm thrilled with my new job and my new group. This is the first time I've taken a position where "Engineer" isn't in my title.

Another thrill of this job is that it is MUCH closer to my family. Now instead of being 2 hours, I'm 1/2 hour! Plus, this puts me closer to the city. I found a wonderful place to live that's cozy. The house was built in the 50's and all my collectible antiques look like they were made for this house. The neighborhood is great! I think I just may have Trick-or-Treaters this year.

I do find that I'm having to significantly re-adjust my "autopilot" or frame of reference. No, it doesn't just automatically change when you move! I keep having to remind myself which exit is "mine" and re-think how I'm going to drive home from work or from my parents. I love it, but I've been through a ton of change. The furry girls are still getting used to things also. But, they're quite adjusted now. They've even gone outside for the day and didn't forget to come home.

So, now that I've made all the changes, I'll be getting back to my regular blogging and creations. The Etsy store has been great! We sold a pair of Yank's shoes (spiderweb pumps) and the Trouble skirt went. I'm really pleased that we've been able to bring some funky and unusual pieces of wearable art to the greater web community.

Halloween is Wednesday and Bananan, Torgmeister, & I dressed as a Wild West Trio. I was crazy enough to create a Saloon Girl look just for the Saturday before Halloween bar hopping. I'll be getting photos soon. Wait until you see - I created a head to toe look. We loved our costumes so much that we MUST have a Wild West party next year. Maybe it could be our MardiGras theme...

In addition to the Saloon Girl costume, Bananan & I dressed as a James Bond movie theme for our Charity Costume Contest at work. Both dressed as kitties (ears, tails, masks, faux 60's hair, leopard print shirts and black skirts), she had "O-C" & I had "-T-O" on back of our shirts. Can you guess what we were? Well, we WON! 1st prize = James Bond edition of "Scene It!" I can't wait to play.

So, even more fun was I joined the band in my new division for the kick off rally of our Charity week. One week after I started my new job I dressed as a bond girl/Nancy Sinatra-esque and sang spy songs as the Lead Singer of the band! What a way to introduce myself to all my new IT co-workers. Geeks are cool! Now, everyone there knows me. That was a great way to introduce myself. Me, shy? Never!