Infinity scoodie

A few months ago I had a nice break from classes, and decided to pursue a new craft project- an infinity scoodie.  I wanted to make my own pattern and after some trial and error, pulled it off!  A friend saw mine and asked for own of her own and it turned out so good.  Here are some pictures of the final result of what I made for her:

Nicole picked some colors that I wouldn't have chosen on my own, and they were so perfect!  After I started, I couldn't get over how much I loved them together.  The yarn I used is super soft and the whole piece is really comfortable to wear.

I added some details that weren't on my original, including a cord with tassels to tighten the hood and a satin liner to help give the hood shape and for more warmth.  

The scarf part is really long (it reaches the ground when hanging straight down and loops around 3-4 times.

I love this scoodie and am looking forward to making more.  If you are interested in one of your own, feel free to contact me, either through blogger or my Etsy store.  (There isn't much on my Etsy shop right now, but you can send me a message and we can consult on an item.)  Thanks!

Etsy Weekly Wants #7: Keeping Warm

So, here's the deal.  I've been absolutely terrible about posting lately.  I was designing a calendar which took up much more time than expected and seriously stretched my graphic art skills.  However, it was a good professional experience and I'll be excited to see it in print. 

Well, our weather here in Minnesota has gotten cooler.  We had a close-to-70 degree day this week and managed to hit up a patio one last time.  New priority: fighting off the cold!

First I need some cozy sweaters.  I feel like I struggle to find ones that are warm, but breathable.  This one looks perfect (especially the colorful granny squares!).  It's from hausofmirth.

This is such a nice felted blanket!  So many lovely sweaters all in one thing.  We have a lot of blankets, but I'd  have no problem replacing some of the older grungy ones for something like this.  By laprincessa.

A door draft stopper from ogsplosh.  Our house has beautiful old doors, but unfortunately, they are a little drafty.  This cute veggie print would look great in our house and keep the chilly air out.  Maybe Ican even try to make my own...

I need some new slippers!  I got a cute pair at Urban Outfitters for $5 last year, but they wore pretty quickly and it would be nice to replace them soon.  I saw lots of felted pairs on Etsy, but these by Simonascrafts really stand out with their owl detail.  

And finally, something for the kitties too!  This felted bed by elevele looks like a delightfully warm spot for the animals in our home to curl up on cool evenings.

And now I really hope to be back to posting regularly.  I have a great Halloween costume I'm working on that I'll definitely need to show off!

Etsy Weekly Wants #6: Bluegrass Festival

I have been terrible about posting lately- blame it on work, extra work, camping, and my new sewing machine!  But here's one for now (probably the only time I'll be posting this weekend because...)...

We're going to be at a bluegrass festival this weekend and the weather will be lovely!  Here are a few of my favorite bluegrass-themed Etsy items:

This epic patchwork dress by FamilyOfLightDesigns.  It's already sold, but I love it too much to not include it in this post!  Great detail and beautiful work; I'd totally wear it this weekend. And to every festival!

Mandolin print by ashleysilvernell.  I bought my dad a pick case with the same print on it, and he really liked it.

A mandolin brooch from VintageDiehls.  Something miniature that I naturally love!  A little detil to wear on a cardigan while sipping beer and listening to some sweet tunes.

Another print from itoaillustrations- this one is an owl with a banjo!

Bluegrass instrument magnets by SweetWaterSprings.  I'd definitely put these on my fridge!

Well, off to finish the day and then we'll be gone!  I'm hoping to miraculously fight off this illness I've had for a week now because it's going to be a perfect weekend for camping, music, friends, and maybe even a little whiskey.  ;)

Etsy Weekly Wants #5: Autumn Camping

We're leaving for one of our last camping trips of the season after work today. It makes me sad, but it's also getting chilly pretty quickly, so I'll be more than happy to stay in the house this winter curled up under a blanket. After a summer of HOT camping, I forget what it's like to be in the woods in the autumn, so I'm under-prepared... and under-dressed. 

Here are some things I'd love to have in the forest when it's cooler out: 

A poncho! I'd love a soft, comfy knitted one to wear for hiking or sitting around the fire. This one by Mychicaccessories looks cozy and comfy for a camping trip!

A Thermos for early morning hikes and coffee. Sitting in the woods with a big cup of warm coffee sounds perfect! This one is from vintageretros. Plus, those metal camping mugs aren't exactly functional; I seem to burn myself every time I use them!

I really like this wool blanket from aneedleinthehay. It looks warm, comfortable, and good for spreading out on the ground while drinking that hot coffee!

A camera case by janinekingdesigns. Because who needs to lug around a whole purse while hiking? Not me! BTW, I love owls.

Travel Scrabble!! I'm a Scrabble fanatic, so sometimes it's hard to get people to play with me... but if it rains and you're stuck in a tent, this is perfect! Hours of fun (at least in my opinion). This one's from LaneEndVintage.

Alright, off to finish my last hours of work, and then away for the weekend! 

PS It's the last day of summer today!

Etsy Weekly Wants #4: Home Brewing

We brew beer at home (and by "we" I mean I sit on the porch with Mark while he rocks the propane stove and I occasionally stir).  I love the beer we make and have been looking at some different things that reflect this. 

First, I love this print by SHarperDesign.  I think it's cool and simple and really like the stylized hops (& the roots & the trees & the mountains!). I think it would be a great addition to our wall art, but must resist since I have a stack of prints that need to be framed and hung before buying more. 

I've been trying to think of a way to organize and save the bottles we have for our beer.  And we have a lot.  I hate using old six-packs from beer we've purchased because I think it's confusing and the cardboard doesn't wear well.  I've been eying and researching alternatives for storage all around the webz and this is what I've found:

This one from CRAP is great- recycled malt bags and super affordable (we'd need a lot of these six-packs for storage).  

I've also found this one by timogiles.  It's totally different from the other one, but still really practical and sleek.  Maybe I'll splurge on one (or both!) of these someday!

I really like this subtle beer tribute in jewelry form by feralstrumpet: it has a hops pendant and beads in a beer-flight style bead pattern.  Love it!

And lastly, what's beer without a way to serve it!  I love handles, so I usually drink my beer out of a coffee mug (since most beer steins are too heavy).  I love this vintage mustard colored mug from HighPointFarm201.  It has a unique image and seems more appropriate for beer than my mugs. 

Etsy Weekly Wants #3: Back To School

Well, it's my last weekend of freedom before I get back to work on Tuesday, so, naturally I'm thinking about back-to-school supplies for adults!

Up first, a new lanyard for my ID, perhaps?  I have a beaded one, but it tends to pinch, so something softer is on my list.  I like these by Heart2Handbags.  They use really great fabrics and have breakaway velcro behind the neck.  I think the fall colors chevron might be just right.

Next, a backpack.  I don't usually carry purses to work, but need something to put my daily supplies in.  I love love love this colorful backpack by Ottobags.

I carry a lunch bag so I can bring my food in reusable containers.  I really like this one, made from vintage fabric by  MontclairMade.

Travel mugs for my daily coffee.  Enough said.  This one by yevgenia has great painted daisy details.

And up last, a storage basket for my teacher-ish stuff.  For journals, supplies, and anything else I need to keep organized so it doesn't just pile up on a shelf.  Here's one by BaffinBags with an elephant print:

Have a great weekend and maybe I'll be posting, but mostly just relaxing and going to the MN State Fair!

Etsy Weekly Wants #1: Yellow brooches

I've been looking to start a new weekly piece.  I read a lot of bloggers that do their day-of-the-week favs, so I'm going to try out something along those lines.  Since I have an Etsy Favorites list that goes on for pages, I figured that's a great place to start.  Plus, I can sort through at the same time and remove things that have sold.  

This week I'm starting with brooches.  Yellow brooches, to be specific.  I used to wear a lot of pins, but lately I've barely been accessorizing.  I think some of these would be perfect to wear with a summery dress over the next few months, or with a sweater come winter.

I love this acrylic yellow submarine from indomina. 

This embroidered avocado from HarpandThistle.  I love the depth shown with the pit and the fruit. 

A Minnesota pin from a vintage puzzle piece by IvyEvaine.  Fun!  I just wish you could read "St. Paul" completely.  ;)

Miniature teapot and accessories by asiskooo.  Tiny things are always great.  Always.

And this cute felt kitty by mochikaka:

I'm considering buying one of these with some PayPal credit I have in my account, but I just need to decide which.  And if you want to check out my Etsy store for some of my stuff!

New stuff up on Etsy!

First up- more headbands. New stuff that I love. Flowers, felt, owls, etc.

See more below, or even better, go HERE and check my biz!

I love the vintage red button on this flower. I found it in my grandma's button tin.


An owl. Bright colors and leaves!


And one more flower with another button from grandma.

Bits and pieces of a weekend.

So, now that I have an Etsy shop up and running, I've been pretty consumed with crafting, taking pictures and posting things on my shop. I haven't sold anything (yet) but I hope once I get more projects completed and posted that I'll be able to get some sales!

So, this weekend consisted of a show, Paper Diamond at the Varsity. Most incredible bathrooms I've ever seen, I wish I'd taken a picture. Also, danced my butt off. It was great.




Put finishing touches on a lot of projects this weekend- sewed a little detail on this hat:





Lined some of my wallets/ pouches with cute fabric. This is one of my favorite shop items:








Ate MAD amounts of sushi with my love. He tried to teach me how to use chopsticks. Generally I opt for my fingers rather than humiliate myself by asking for a fork, but I think with practice, I'll get it down.

And started some new projects. More to see soon... I have one BIG goal that I think is going to result in some very cool projects.

Etsy!!

Hey, so I finally got around to setting up my Etsy shop! Please visit KareWares and show your support! I only have a few things up so far (my camera died after a long day of snapping pictures of my work) but I hope to get much more up soon.

Here are some samples of what is up so far: