Lately

 Life has been interesting lately. My property management job has been stressful, but life otherwise, has been routine in the best way possible. I've been going for walks every day, which, if you've been following the blog for a while, you know is quite an improvement. My feet have been doing fantastically, and I'm so blessed to be able to take advantage of the beautiful, foggy weather we've been having. I even found a tree full of figs, just up the road from my apartment!

 Over the past year, I've been squirreling away any champagne corks I find. My life is not full of champagne obviously as I've only been able to collect 3 corks. Not that I have any huge dinner parties planned, but these make pretty adorable place-card holders.

Resvology sent me their Age Corrective Eye Cream to try out and, as always, I was a little nervous I would see no results and have nothing to write about. My skepticism was pleasantly pushed aside after a couple weeks of use. This stuff actually works! I've noticed a huge improvement in my dark circles and puffiness. It even worked when I was laid up with a bad head cold. I didn't even look sick! Science, man. Check out their Facebook page  for sweet deals.

My crafty side has been insatiable. I've been making calendar sets to sell on Etsy and, yesterday, I got out my waxed snowflake materials. Every year, it's my favorite busy work. By now, I've probably made hundreds. I might try selling them in sets on Etsy or stringing them for garlands. I made one for my mom a few years ago, and despite its delicacy, it's held up! Here are directions on how to make your own waxed snowflakes.

What have you been up to lately?

♠

Disclosure: Parts of this post were sponsored by Brand Backer.

DIY: let's make a card!

Nothing tops a handmade card! Here is a simple design that you can personalize for any occasion. Remember, it doesn't have to be perfect! I'll walk you through the steps and you'll see it's easier than it looks :)

Materials:

(Click on them for sources)

- A6 envelope

- A6 folded card

- Sharp detail scissors

- Adhesive Runner

- ribbon

- pencil & eraser

- super fine marker

- Marker in a fun color
- Ruler (not pictured)

Step 1. Sketch out 3 flag poles and 2 flags. The flags should be about 1/2 inch wide. Each pole should be a different length and they should point away from each other so there's room for each flag. No need for perfection! Use your eraser if you need to!

Step 2. Add a pattern to one flag, if you want, or you can leave it blank. Then, carefully go over your pencil lines with the super fine pen. Let dry for a couple minutes.

Step 3. While the ink is drying, cut your ribbon. Start with 2 inches to leave room for mistakes. Fold the ribbon end in half and make a diagonal cut that slants away from the end. (Click here for more detailed directions)

Step 4. Color in one flag with the colored marker and write a message such as "happy birthday" or "thanks" in the other flag. I wrote "hurrah!" because I made my flag too small. A super fine pen means you can write very small, though! Now use your eraser to get rid of all the pencil lines.

Step 5. Carefully apply adhesive along half of the back of the ribbon. Don't apply it to the v-cut end, since it can make the ribbon unravel. Trim up any loose threads.

Step 6. Place the ribbon on the empty flag pole and gently press to adhere it to the paper. Lift up the unglued end and apply a little adhesive directly to the paper.

Don't forget to sign and date the back! And don't hesitate to ask if you're having trouble or don't get one of the steps.

There you go! A nice little card to give to someone you luuurrrve (that's British for "love")

Twee

I've been very busy crafting. That is the one blessing that has come from my feet problems. I'm finally working on arts and crafts projects! I'm even getting around to projects that have been waiting on me for years. I've been obsessed with felting. It's way easier than I thought it would be and I actually have the patience for it, unlike sewing. I made a whole bunch of little animals for Christmas presents (ex. my sister got an otter and my grandma got an english Robin) and now I'm working on a project that I'm hoping will someday become a book. I can't tell you what it is yet, because I don't want anyone stealing my idea, haha.



As for the outfit, I was happy to finally style the little yellow blouse you see peeking out of the sweater. It's from Lulu's but I was lucky enough to get it for free on Chictopia. They have a great rewards program! I didn't even have to pay shipping. Actually, this outfit was very cheap! The blouse was free, as was the skirt and belt! I am a lucky-duck, and I feel I should share some of my luck. Keep your eyes open for a giveaway coming in the next week or so!!

In this outfit:
American Apparel beret
Vintage sweater
Lulu blouse
Felicee skirt & belt
Vintage velvet blazer

just a note

I wanted to share some of my cards with everyone. These are three of my favorite "Happy Birthday" designs.



I've been drawing for about as long as I've been playing dress up. Possibly longer! I'm not sure which pastime is my favorite.



The first two cards are hand-drawn designs and the last one has handwritten text and flourishes. I cut out the flowers with little tiny detail scissors. It was tedious! It's been one of the few cards I've reproduced en mass, and I have to cut the flowers for each card. For some reason, I can't figure out how to reproduce things in a timely fashion. Printing is expensive and doesn't always work for my designs. Oh well, it just means all my cards are one of a kind :)

Oh no.

Whoa. My foot is BAD. Going back to the doctor ASAP. My aunt suggested her friend, who is a refelxologist, but I think I may be past that point. I think I may need crutches and a brace. Yeah, that bad.

I would like to say "So I've been spending more time resting and sitting" but actually it's not that different from the usual :/ I guess I will just busy myself with some more Polyvore Sets. Such a wonderful time sucker. I am also going to make some cards, though, and fold laundry. Sooo exciting.

May I suggest checking out this blog ? It's the Blackbird Blog! Blackbird is one of my favorite boutiques in Seattle, and I know I've mentioned them at least once. Funny enough, I just noticed their latest post is thanking all the bloggers, websites, sandwich board painters, etc. who have featured their products!

Here is my latest Polyvore set! I think it's SO CUTE.

Dogwood by catiebeatty featuring hair clips accessories

CRAFT: Waxed Paper Snowflakes

I present to you, my favorite busy-work craft: paper snowflakes!!

I wax mine to help preserve them! This means they are stiffer, less likely to tear, and can either be taped to a window or hung in a tree.

To start, you will need the following:
1. Recycled or decorative paper. The thicker it is, the harder it is to fold, so I recommend notebook paper or equivalent weight. Catalog pages & origami paper work well!
2. Sharp, pointy scissors
3. A pencil
4. Some string or thread
5. Old candles
6. Old pan
7. Chopstick or other stick that is good for poking
8. Tin foil
9. Glitter, to taste


Then follow these steps:
Cut a square from your paper and fold it into a triangle 3 times. The picture shows four but that's because I fold one corner over and then the next so I get a good crease. It's still just three times.


Make sure the opening is at the top and cut the top into a rounded shape.

Draw a pattern onto one side and start cutting!


Voila!


(Next part of project is NOT KID FRIENDLY)
I really like my snowflakes and want them to be immortal, so I dip them in wax. This is obviously where the candle wax comes in. Start by melting the wax in the old pan on low heat. My stove's settings are 1 thru 10, so I usually put it on 2 or 3. Get a sheet of tin foil ready on the counter next to the stove. When the wax is completely melted, place your snowflake in the pan and push it down with your stick or pencil. Don't use something nice because it will be covered in wax.


When it is completely saturated, carefully take it out of the pan with your stick and gently shake it above the pan to remove excess wax. Now set it on the tin foil to cool. If it gets stuck, just carefully pry it off using your fingernails. You may need to change the tin foil from time to time.


After it is cool, I usually dip it a second time to make sure it's really well coated. At this point you can decide whether to add glitter or not. Fine glitter works best. Simply dip the snowflake like you did before, but sprinkle with glitter before it cools.


If you plan on hanging your snowflakes or tying them to gifts, you can add a bit of thread or ribbon. If taped to a window, the tape can be easily removed.

Happy Holidays!

Gather 'round class

It's time for sharing!

Time to rethink this ol' blog. As much as I love changing outfits and posting photos about my indecision, it's high time I share my other hobbies and thingies that I'm fond of. I wasn't sure exactly where this blog would go when I started it, but I definitely believed that, at some point, it would involve my craftiness.

I've been changing outfits since I figured out how to open a dresser door. The next things I learned to do were drawing and making. Again, thanks mom, for the things you subjected me to as a child. Subscriptions of Victorian Magazine and Martha Stewart cookbooks were always around. My mom made Croquembouche for my sister's baptism, which is a bit higher than I aim, but inspirational nonetheless. Anyhoo, Martha Stewart's beautiful creations are cemented deep in my memory (and of course, I have a subscription).



My point IS, I'm gonna start blogging about the stuff I make! I am more prolific in the Winter, so it makes sense. Fashion in the Spring, Summer, and early Fall, and crafts and as much fashion as I can fit in, during the dreary months.

A How-To post is coming very soon :)