Winter afternoons

Oh it's cold and bristly outside! I've moved my craft room around and am still unpacking. That's why my Etsy shop has been on vacation mode, I hope to re-open it shortly.

But in the meantime I'm enjoying some sunny wintry afternoons indoors. I've been working on my sashiko yet again ~ this time, my usagi (rabbit) pattern. Sashiko or さしこ means "little stabs" and is a decorative functional stitching from Japan. In history it is often seen in mending clothes.

this household travels by TARDIS

This will eventually be a pillowcase or ~ I suppose I could turn it into a tote bag. I just know that for a hands on project to sit and enjoy in winter, this certainly keeps me busy. Hope you are all staying warm where you live. Just for fun, here is my dog in his winter sweater. 

Mummies never go out of season!

Star Wars Snowflakes DIY

May the Force Be with You! Oh yes, I am 'that' nerdy/geeky friend who is in fact giddy with happiness over going to the movie theatre! Usually my spouse and I rarely go, since it costs over $20 for two adult tickets (forget buying the snacks, I'm not The Empire rich!).

scottparkillustration.tumblr

To get you in the spirit of the fun, here are some cool DIY paper snowflakes - Star Wars themed! This rad dude named Anthony Herra designed these, free of use. Here is the direct link to his AnthonyHerraDesigns website with instructions and downloads to print then cut.

Here are samples of images from online, all sources sited.

www.wikihow.com

www.frugalnovice.com

This is something I feel kids will find difficult. I had to trace the cut pieces on several folded areas to get the shape cut nicely. And you use an exacto knife, much easier then tiny scissors. It took at least one practice snowflake for me to get one looking nice. But it sure is fun and they are very large, they fit a 11 x 8" paper. You can print the pdf to cut from if you follow the link in the website listed. Have fun, be sure to decorate those droids nice! 

This season - BUY Handmade

This year, instead of something you can buy that everyone else will have ~ why not try ᏂaᏁDᎷaᎴᏋ, local & small businesses. 

It's not going to be "cheap" and rarely on sale. You are buying quality gifts, by skilled craftsmen & artisans. The gift didn't go through hundreds of hands, in a sweat shop, in a foreign country, traveling thousands of miles to a store. 

It is local, USA made, by a person who knows and practices a skilled trade. 
My own shop is stocked and ready, so are others on Etsy :: Meylah :: ArtFire and more online shops. 

I do CፈᏬᏕᏖᎧᎷ orders, please inquire early! 
✂ www.CraftinessbyB.etsy.com

Cat rescue group, bandannas

The cat group I took a hiatus from in early summer? Well, I've returned! Can't stay away from those homeless kitties for too long. I'm helping with adoption events and some sewing. They have additional sewing & crafty volunteers, so I am not overwhelmed by the requests.

So here are a few photos of them in the stylish bandanna I am making. They are on lingerie elastic, so they are never tight and fit like a collar.

This white kitty is my own cat, Howl. He pretty much models anything I make ~ he loves the attention and not having to get up.

What I'm working on

Sorry I haven't shared anything for a while! I get busy, start new things and have twice weekly stuff to attend. Somehow in all this I manage to start some new work for my crafty shop.

Felt charms, in the works!

I made a charm for my purse, ever since I get compliments and questions. So I decided to make a few charms that I will sell in my etsy shop. They are inspired by some favorite animated films ~ I hope you recognize them! 

Can you guess who it is?

We are also getting ready for some Halloween fun-time! Each year there is plenty to do where we live, like corn mazes or haunted houses. There is a pretty cool jack o lantern event that - people, get this - is an hour long line to get in! But it's worth it, it's so much fun to go view. But until I have some neat photos of those, here is my cat in his dinosaur costume.

Roar, I'm a vicious snuggling kitty!