My coworker and friend Becky is having her baby girl a week from Friday. So my team set up a baby shower for her on Monday and this is what I contributed as well as setting most of it up ;).



12 pointed Star Afghan (stoller sized) with 3 rows of white (one for each of the girls in the family once the baby is born - mom, big sister, and little sister).

Baby hat - made from the Happy Hooker book (sock monkey hat with no monkey or color change)

1 pair baby mary janes found randomly on crochet pattern central (can't find pattern now).

Free People Clothing Boutique - Tick Tock Clock Earring

they are kidding right? these earrings are $158!!!!!

I can make these and I think I will! now to go find the gears!

Check out this review:

Jinjur

printed square until washing.

hmmm - my designs are currently based on squared off patterns.

and I'm curious as to why they have no printer information on the site (at least none that I can find).

apparently, someone from my office recognized me from craftster.org AT WORK! Everyone at my office uses a combo of Facebook and AIM to keep everyone up to date on where they are, what they are doing, and what they are working on. I use the same avatar image on all three so she put two and two together from Facebook and craftster.

She PM'd me on craftster a few weeks ago and I just met her in person today.

Be forewarned, this post will be rambling...

1st off let me say that I'm on a mission of self improvement at the moment.

I started my Japanese lessons again this week as well as restarting my work out routine. I have chosen to view the workout routine as a never ending craft project. You know - like that sweater you're knitting and never quite finish. I'm getting older and a little more fragile and want to make the inevitable take a little longer.

Japanese is HARD! I'm having problems with some minor, but big stuff like he, she, it, you, they, we. I will officially become an advertisement for just a second - believe the commercials. Rosetta Stone rocks! I don't think I would be even as far along as I am if it weren't for this software. I don't learn languages very well the way it's taught in american schools, this is soo much better for me.

2nd - I'm not happy with people.

I think it's really sad that people don't help other people in times of crisis. I took a spill on my bike yesterday and was fine, but not one of the 5 or 6 people who walked past me and my bike laying on the ground asked if I was ok, or needed help, or anything. Now, I was fine, but I know I didn't look fine (I have a huge chunk out of my knee, a big one out of my ankle, my sunglasses were all askew for a few minutes, and I was panting heavily). Maybe it's just me, but if I see someone in trouble I ask if they need help. :P people suck.

3rd - Some people have no sense of basic etiquette. I read this article on CNN today and I've been in these positions. I would just NEVER have a party were I expected people to bring ANYTHING except themselves.

4th - I'm a suck self editor. I have a really hard time seeing words I left out or spelling errors until later. Sorry - If I forgot a word or letter and you don;t get it, please let me know.

I need to get off my ass and order some of my designs from these folks, but here's another designer's review of the product:

the Small Object orders spoon flower fabric

Found on the Small Object Steno Pad.

I think I love this little tutorial on making mushrooms with crochet and pretty buttons from resurrection fern.

...has a couple of really good articles up today.



This one on fabric markers and this on sewing machines (focuses mostly on quilting).

I apparently need to start reading this site again. The site has a few interesting posts about selling your designs.

I will be adding this to my daily reading list.

In researching beads for my friend Mar, I realized I hadn't listed my favorite bead suppliers here before.

Living in LA has some definite fringe benefits for us crafty people - one of them being the plethora of jewelry suppliers in the Jewelry District in downtown. One of my favorite finding stores is located in this area as well. Luckily, if you don't live in LA like me, you can order online from Bella Findings.

My favorite online suppliers are Art beads and probably the most famous e-tailer of beading and jewelry supplies, Fire Mountain Gems.

She's probably going to kill me for that photo up above - but isn't she pretty?!?!?!?! Mar is one of those ladies that I show my work to before I show anyone else. We used to work together on the same team and we started talking creative stuff about two years ago when she was prepping for her wedding.

I love her dearly, she's a great friend.