CraftFail

I have been a fan of the CraftFail blog for a while. Is it weird that this website actually inspires me? Seeing other's fail makes me feel better about all those projects of my own that didn't work out that were stuck in the back of my closet (or in the bottom of the trash can). My favorites are the entries that show a photo of their inspiration and then a photo of how their attempt turned out. Here are a few of my favorites:

Inspiration:

Fail:

Inspiration:

Fail:

Inspiration:

Fail:

So thank you to all of those people who are brave enough courage to share your failures!

Strange Purses #6

To see previous strange purse posts - #1, #2, #3, #4, #5

Oh no, did your cat die? No? That's your purse?

This is the conversation that immediately pops into my head when I see this bag. I really can't imagine that many people bought this purse, especially since the price tag was over $5,000. I came across this beauty on the fabulous luxist. Designed by Renaud Pellegrino this bag is made out of fox fur and makes me throw up in my mouth just a little bit. I would never carry a real fur bag but I have seen some that are at least mildly attractive and even a few faux fur bags that are nice looking. But this one takes the cake for ugliest fur bag ever.

Gifts for a chilly day

Yesterday there was no snow on the ground at all, today at 4:30 there is almost an inch covering my entire yard. I am bundled up on the couch determined not to go outside until I am forced to do so. I am perfectly happy to cuddle up under a quilt and try to stay warm and cozy. If you have the same weather I have put together a selection of warm, cuddly gifts for someone close to you or maybe after the holiday season it's time to give a gift to yourself! Snatch up some of these goodies and bundle up.

Body Ease Herbal Tea from spirithorseherbals:

Felted Slippers from WarmToze:

Colorful Quilt from PiecesOfPine:

Cable Afghan from juliannadw:

New Year's crafty resolutions

I guess it's that time of the year, everyone is looking back at what they accomplished last year and figuring out what they want to accomplish this year. I looked back at my resolutions from 2010 and I can say that I didn't do half bad. Of course there are a few that will carry over into 2011 that still need improvement but overall I think I did ok.

I know it's a little cliche but I am going to post my crafty resolutions anyway.

1 - More craft shows - In 2009 I did 2 shows, in 2010 I did 4 shows. I need to keep growing that number so this year my goal will be 6-8 shows. I did 3 holiday shows in 2010 so I need to concentrate on more spring/summer shows in 2011.

2 - ETSY! - I am horrible at this one, I never have anything in my shop and that's a big problem. I have tons of items just sitting in my studio that could be for sale or perhaps sitting in your closet! I WILL get better at this in 2011.

3 - More sewing and new designs - This is just a general goal that is pretty standard throughout the years. I have sketchbooks full of drawings, I am constantly tearing inspirational images from magazines and bookmarking pages on the Internet. I need to work all these ideas into physical products.

So those are pretty basic resolutions but I think if I follow through with them I will have a successful year. Wish me luck!!

Tutorial Tuesday

This is more than any regular Tutorial Tuesday. I found an amazing list of the top 100 tutorials of 2010.

The wonderful Ellen from The Long Thread put together this great list that includes so many wonderful tutorials it will keep you busy throughout the entire year! Here are a few selections from her list.

My year in cities 2010

I saw this on a blog a few years ago and I love making this list at the end of each year. Here is a quick review of my year in cities that I have stayed at least one night in this year.

Westerville, OH - Home

Chagrin Falls, OH - My parents home, many nights spent here throughout the year

Orlando, FL - Vacation

Manassas, PA - Went to visit my husband while he was on a business trip

Dayton, OH - To visit my grandparents, many visits throughout the year

Minneapolis, MN - Spring Quilt Market

Gatlinburg, TN - Vacation to Smokey Mountain National Park

Buckeye Lake, OH - Vacation with my husband's family

Cleveland, OH - Girls night out with high school friends

Minneapolis, MN - Creative Connections

Ashland, WI - Visit to meet my new nephew who was born in August

Houston, TX - Fall Quilt Market

San Francisco, CA - Vacation with my husband

Somewhere in Utah on the California Zephyr train - Vacation

Glenwood Springs, CO - Vacation

Denver, CO - Vacation to Rocky Mountain National Park

So there it is! I can't wait to see where 2011 takes me.