This Is Not A PhotoBlog. Really.

 Really. It is supposed to be a craft blog. I do stuff. I make stuff. I have projects that I totally get involved in. I don't know why I have such a hard time sharing it with you. I think there are just so many talented people out there that I get overwhelmed. My little projects just can't compare.

I am going to keep trying. I am nearly finished with my Amy Butler Vintage Backpack Tote. There should be a lot of little matching projects in the future. My Moms gets here on Saturday for a week long visit and I can't wait! We are going to sew, sew, sew!

Thinking of you! Hugs. xox=vv.

Simply Beautiful.

Hello lovelies.

Quite a long time ago, Dawbis and I agreed to a trade. It took me a while to get my part of the trade to her. She should have penalized me, but instead she promptly sent a huge package of the most beautiful creations.

I think this postbook might be one of my absolute favorites of all time, although it is almost impossible with the line-up of her awe-inspiring creations. I can not help it though. There is something about the book format that makes it feel like a little secret world between the cover pages.

Isn't she the very best ever? Do you want to hear the most mind-blowing part? This is not even half of all the wonderful things that she has sent to me. Can you believe it? I've been planning to share all of this Dawbis goodness with you for months now, but I put all of my favorite things in our Security Deposit Box while we went through all of our moves. We are finally re-united. Hugs. xox=vv.

P.S. I had to edit and remove many of the photos from this page because they were not showing up. I am not sure what went wrong, but I hope to fix it in the near future. I think you can still see the other photos on my Flickr page.

Simple Acts Of Green.

 Oh hello lovelies! I am very excited to tell you about a wonderful new project that I am so terribly pleased to be a part of. Miss Dawbis (that delightful girl) has started a new blog called Simple Acts of Green.

To quote her very well (per usual) written introduction "[Simple Acts of Green is] a blog dedicated to sharing the stories and lives of people who are making a difference to preserve our planet, one small step at a time."

We (Dawn, Laura, Jeska, Diane and I) would love it if you would stop by, say hello, and share a story with us. These girls are incredible and I would certainly recommend dropping in, if only to read their bios.

I hope you will stick around for more though and check in often for new articles and interviews. See you there! Hugs. xox=vv.

The Books And The Crafty Babes.

In barely over three months I will be turning 30. I am excited about it and this year I decided that I really want to celebrate (my 16th, 18th and 21st were small immediate family brunches). I thought about having a birthday party (haven't done that since I was very, very young) but all of my friends and family live in another state.

Last year we went to Bumbershoot (choose year 2006) to see the incredible Jose Gonzalez and the Rollerderby championships and oh, oh let us not forget the Indie Market. We planned on going this year (especially now that we are just a minute's drive away) but it wasn't quite as celebration-worthy as I had hoped for this particular birthday.

Then, I saw the line-up. The Shins, Panic! At The Disco and my newest obsession The Avett Brothers are playing. I decided they were both bands that a thirty year old would see and of course a thirty year old would not even consider missing the Indie Market! So we went a little crazy for our birthdays (Simon's is the same week) and bought Platinum Passes for this years event!

A history of indie rock icons: The Books

Since forming in an abandoned laundromat in Seattle, The Books broke into the indie rock scene in 2007 with their debut album, Off The Books. The band's latest album, All Booked Up, merges Simon Le Simon's nonsensical melodies with lo-fi Brit-Pop to somehow pump out some seriously inspired crowd pleasers. With standout tracks like "Adventure," already certified platinum in Europe, The Books can count on loads of future success.

A history of techno icons: Crafty Babes

Forged in the back alleys of Hoboken, New Jersey, Crafty Babes exploded onto the techno scene in 1977 with their debut album, Presser Foot. The band's latest album, Serger Blues, blends Vee Vee's ominous growls with jaw-rattling drums to produce a bevy of pulse-pounding scorchers. With standout tracks like "Stitches Too Loose," the music of Crafty Babes appeals to techno fans and non-techno fans alike.

Oh yeah, and we made up these super cool band bio's. I made "The Books" for Si (that is his nickname) and he made the "Crafty Babes" for me (isn't he cute?). You can make your own here (and I would love to read them). Have fun! Hugs. xox=vv.

Like A Breath Of Fresh Air.

Now lovelies, I did not mention it but I've been working with approximately 9 minutes of laptop battery life for longer than I can remember. My battery was recalled so I finally got a new one (free of charge. yay!) Working on the computer was a real hassle because the cheap replacement battery charger that I had just would not stay connected. So today with a new battery charger and a new battery I have 3 and a half hours of battery!!! That is 3 hours and 21 minutes more than I have had in at least 6 months!

I have my sewing machine out (we got a little table last week) and I am working on a new project. I switched from the Coats thread to the Mettler thread and now I am having stitch problems. If you have any suggestions, I could really use them.

This Amy Butler Vintage Backpack Tote is for an expectant mother who lives with her husband and adorable one year old in Jerusalem. I figured it would be nice to have a backpack with two little ones in tow. I am also planning to make her a matching head scarf and maybe some toys or blankets for the kids. We will see. The fabrics above are the outer main panels, lining and outer side panels of the bag. Hey Hugs! xox=vv.

Oh Martha, You Naughty Girl!

 Well, of course, I have jumped on the Martha bandwagon. Wait till you see how crazy I went! We are watching Pan's Labyrinth and I have to hurry back, but I wanted to share this with you.

This is Martha's Photo Family Tree project re-done with a beach theme. I made it for my mother-in-law. It is not completely finished here, but I had to make preperations for wrapping and thought I better take a quick picture of it before I get too far along.

There were pluses and minuses with this project. Let's start with the pluses. It is quick and easy and even if it is not perfect I think it still comes out relatively pretty. The minuses make up a slightly longer list but it is still totally worth it. Here they are though.

1. The Martha label is glued on to the decorative frame so be very careful when removing it. Mine marred the decorative side pulling off some of the finish and I had to sand the whole thing to disguise the marks.

2. Martha tells you to use approximately 26 collectors pins for this project. However, only 6 are provided. They are WAY too long for the box though and if you cut them with wire cutters to a more appropriate length they snag the fabric on their way in.

3. Packaging is lovely but not terribly easy to open and maintain.

4. Martha does not specify which thickness of double sided adhesive foam dots to use.

This project is still an awful lot of fun and certainly worth working around the incredibly minute snafus (hmm have not ever written that word before). If you try this project and have any questions feel free to send me an e-mail.

Tomorrow, we are off for a day trip to B.C. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. Hugs. xox=vv.

Projects Coming Soon.

None as incredible as these. I am in love.

A Must See.

"Madame Tutli-Putli boards the Night Train, weighed down with all her earthly possessions and the ghosts of her past.

She travels alone, facing both the kindness and menace of strangers. As day descends into dark, she finds herself caught up in a desperate metaphysical adventure. Adrift between real and imagined worlds, Madame Tutli-Putli confronts her demons and is drawn into an undertow of mystery and suspense."

madame tutli-putli

Journey.

I picked this lovely little book up at the Kinokuniya Bookstore in Seattle. I only had a few minutes to look and I could hardly tear myself away. Actually I couldn't. Simon had to have me forcibly removed from the store.

I can not wait to go back. I think it is my favorite place on Earth. I wish I could read all the books and understand all the instructions, but it is certainly not a deal breaker. Just look at these photos.

I am desperate for my gocco and a place to sew. A lot of my supplies are in storage and we still lack a table, chair or anyplace suitable to operate a sewing machine.

Oh well, I guess I should be cleaning anyway. I certainly have enough to do, but it is hard to ignore all of this new-found inspiration. Hugs. xox=vv.

Spring Greetings.

I can not keep this to myself any longer. I must share. I love this too too much! Isn't it a strange combination of creepy and girly? Mildly perverse and delightfully feminine?

Short and sweet. I hope you all have a wonderful evening. Hugs. xox=vv.