string*THEORY

Holy Moly

Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined the enthusiastic response to my new little endeavor. Thank. You. So. So. Much. Really, from the bottom of my crafty little insecure heart. "Insecure" is what has kept me from jumping into the Etsy pool...and you guys (plus the hubs + my ridiculously loving family) pretty much beat it out of me. Thank you for that.

This thing is big, but trust me, nuthin's changin' around these parts. This journal will not turn into some obnoxious + ruthless-enterprising-buy-buy-buy website where I'm constantly pimping my "stuff". No, no, I just don't have the energy for all that jazz. Plus, I still believe that the key to reducing waste in this world is for all of us to contribute by buying only the things that we really truly love. So, I see the itty bitty boutique as a little country shop attached to the back of my studio, where all the things I lovingly and painstakingly churn out end up for the world to adopt. When I'm able, I will fill it. When I'm not, then I will just babble on and on as I have in the past. But for the most part, I will sit here like I have, cutting + sewing away, and every once in awhile, when I hear the little chime of the cow-bell attached to the shop door, I'll put down my scissors + glue, brush off my apron and greet the person who has waltzed in the shop to support me.

The little ledger book up top is the sweetest most thoughtful gift received today from Beth. A perfectly imperfect notebook that coincides nicely with the over-all production of my shop + will now serve as the shops foreman while it works hard to keep my orders straight. I can't get over the sweetness of it all, the embroidery, the way she matched the fabric to the thread...and the perfect little stitches holding everything together. It reminds me of the notebooks used in some of the down-home stores or stalls you see in the country or at the farmers market. Thank you, Beth.

Presenting Fifi Trixiebelle

...and...the prize goes to Charlotte!

Out of the 40-some-odd choices, the name was partly chosen by me, but mostly chosen by the hubs. Who knows why he might be attracted to such a name. A "Fifi" type is usually a vixen....a little sassy...and maybe even a little...uhmm...slutty? So, what man couldn't resist a name like that?

Ok, people, we're talking about a mannequin here, so let's move it along.

Oh, and to answer a few pressing questions of the day....

Where is that Yellow Sweater from? The yellow sweater is from a super-cheesy-teeny-bopper type store in SF (on Haight Street) called "X Generation". A little embarrassed to admit that I've shopped there, but such is life when you post things on the Internet for the world to see (and comment on).

Where can I adopt my own Fifi Trixiebelle? Unlike Bragelina, one does not need to travel to Vietnam, or Darfur or any other exotic locale to adopt one of these babies. A trip to E-Bay or directly to their on-line business, Rox Studio is all your need to visit. A couple of clicks, and your there. And they're cheap too! About $70 with shipping, a $50 price difference then what you'll find at JoAnns.

A few tips when getting your own Madame Mannequin....

• It's cheaper on E-Bay vs. their on-line store from what I can tell.
• Make sure you're picking out the right size & base (wood vs. metal).
• If you're trying to get one to make things for yourself, get one that's a little smaller in size (then your measurements).
• This dress-form is not a hard-core sewers form. More of a every-once-in-a-while sewers form, but mostly to display-pretty-things-in-my-studio type of form. What I'm saying is, she's a little tough to pin, not a lot of padding there.

Email me if you have more questions, I've been looking for the perfect dress form for a while, and I'm happy to help.

Ooh, and those fluttery spring flower brooches flying all around Fifi were made using a tutorial by Blair of Wise Craft. They're unbelievably easy and addicting - check out the flickr group.

A New Member of the Family

I'd like to introduce you to a new member of our family. "Fashionista"..."Studio Guard Extraordinare"..."Design Assistant". She arrived yesterday all the way from NYC and is adjusting nicely to our San Francisco weather (hence the sweater). I've been searching and searching (two years now!) & finally found the perfect studio-assistant. Just in time & just the right size.

I hate to keep her cooped up in the studio, she's a lovely addition to our living room where she stands now, but she keeps freaking me out. "Who's that woman watching TV with my husband!"...I wish I was lying, but she startled me more then once last night. I'm not the jealous type, I promise. {fingers crossed behind my back}. She has impeccable style, so what can I say.

Ok, enough on that, I'm starting to feel crazy. Ooh, but one more shot...

Ooh, but before I forget, she needs a name! Can you help me name her...(I'm thinking something French or Italian, maybe)? I'll take suggestions in the comments section here...the name I choose & that's the most fitting for this little babe is the winner....and gets to choose from one of these:

[click to enlarge] You may remember their bouncing sister from this post.

Sounds fun? I'll choose a winner on Saturday.

Thank you for your compliments and suggestions on the new weblog-skin. I tried implementing as much of the suggestions as I could, with the exception of Kate's which was to add my blog name to the banner. I would love to do that, but I'm not so crafty with Photoshop....so we'll see if I can figure it out or possibly have someone show me. I like the idea. I know it's still a little off centered (thanks, Filambulle), this is a mathematics fix - something else I'm not good at. Ooh, and I changed up the center coloring....what do you think now, Charolotte? Again, thanks for the suggestions.

Moo Cards & Etsy Finds

Have you caught on to the latest Moo Card craze yet? I'll admit to be a total sucker for crafty internet "gadgets" (gadgets without wires of course)...the photo on the mug or tote bag...customized calendars - I fall for it every time.

Moo Cards are right up my alley. And people are getting pretty crazy with them, you know...parties...and magnets too. They kind of remind me of "picture time" in junior high when everyone would swap wallet size school photos of themselves with the intent on building the biggest collection ever. You know, as if they were baseball cards. Kinda of strange, kinda cool.

They also offer me a healthy distraction from preparing my house for this weekends festivities. Hours and hours of time can be passed re-arranging the cards in various piles...by color..by subject...by craft...

...And by "Knitting Project To-Do's":

This will be part of what will soon become my "inspriration board" in the little studio...

With that said...and in the spirit of our inner pre-pubescent-adolescent selves - who wants to do a little (junior high) Moo-Card Swap? Nothing extravagant, maybe just a 5-for-5 card swap...a simple throw-'em-in-an-envelope and send 'em off kinda deal....(post a comment here if your interested).

Onward....

Another place I've been coveting big time lately is Etsy. I've lingered about and have bought quite a few treasures in the past, but I've been especially interested lately since I'm working on decorating that little studio of mine with as much inspiration as possible. And inspiration, I found. Check out these babies:

Found by Mandy Sutcliffe of MillyMollyMandy. I'm not sure what I love more, the obvious talent and emotion portrayed in the print (how sweet are those two?) or the beautiful bonus gifts of stickers and a small (hand written, mind you) "thank you" card. See, this is what I love about Etsy, the direct connection you have with the artist...the personal "service" in the transaction...and all the love that goes around & around from artist to "customer" and back again. (Thanks, Allegra for turning me on Mandy's work).

Chair Art by Annie Wilkinson of Girl vs. World. Another amazing talent. This is a large print on (what I think) is stiff fancy photo-like paper. The colors in this print are so rich and saturated with detail - something I just can't portray in this photograph. The stance, the prints, her expression - all so unique and beautiful.

Here's to the Graduates!

Funny how sometimes my weekend is so crazy, that I'm actually glad to welcome the "break" that the week brings. I guess it has to do with a routine I can rely on, and the expectation of the consistent rhythm that the work week promises.

The weekend in Chico brought lots of proud moments as I watched my best friend graduate from Chico State. This has been a long coming transition with lots of road blocks to overcome, cities to move to (4 to be exact), and majors to choose and change. I'm incredibly proud of her and the other older students that I saw graduating that day. It takes a little something extra to accomplish this feat when your a little older, I think.

I'm home now, and will be for two solid weeks (yeah!). However, there's not a moment to rest (or craft - so sad, I know), as we're trying desperately to prepare the house for this weekends graduation celebration for my sister. We're hosting 25 relatives in our 2 bedroom apartment. I don't know about you, but my house is in a constant state of disarray, much cleaning or organizing to be done if I'm expecting anyone other then the UPS guy. Should be interesting.

My plan is to sneak in little moments here and there in organizing my studio, but it will be tough, as according to the hubs, it's not a priority. Obviously I don't agree with that. Having my buttons sorted before the party is absolutely essential....right?

Photos of that and other little projects I'm working on to come....Tis the Season of Organizing, I guess.

Bouncing Nurses

My apologies if my writing comes across as (obnoxiously) whimsical, but I'm reading Anne of Green Gables right now, and I have an annoying habit of bastardizing taking on the speaking style of whatever book I'm reading at the moment. Today it will be the literary style of Prince Edward Island (Ingrid, you know what I'm talking about).

Does that happen to you? The phenomenon is extended to movies as well as interesting accents of people I spend a lot time with. Southern US accents are exceptionally contagious.

Have you ever been to a Daiso? As of recently, the Daiso has become the reward you get in casa string*THEORY for trekking out to the suburbs on a Saturday (or Wednesday). Actually it's really only a reward for me, and extended suburban torture for the hubs. Poor guy. Yesterday, I did just that. I headed down to Daly City and stopped in one my favorite tacky little stores. It's actually not tacky at all, but a fun house of cheap little Japanese treasures. Like that bouncing nurse up there, who will soon become the focal point for my new craft room. Which, the painting is done by the way. And, to answer Pamela's question, the paint color is "Chesapeake Sunset VM32" by Ralph Lauren.

I'm in southern California now, for a quick trip to give my mother-in-law a big bear hug for mom's-day before I turn around to trek up to Sacramento to be with my mama. So excited to see my parents.

This also kicks off the "4-Week Celebration Extravaganza"...involving:

2 Mothers Days

3 Graduations

5 Cities

5 Gifts, and

1 weekend hosting 25 relatives at my 2 bedroom apartment.

You'll be with me...every.step.of.the.way. Keeping me sane, of course.

Hmm, Much Better.

 

Yesterday was a busy, exhausting day involving much patience and cooperation from the hubs. So I'll need to take a second to give the guy some props. Seriously. Friday night he spent helping me empty out the future craft-room into the front room. Saturday night...painting (the school bus). Sunday (as if that wasn't enough)....a drive to the burbs...in 94 degree weather...scouring the antique fair (and walking around in circles) for the perfect desk. Then a trip to Home Depot. Then to Jo-Ann's (for a bobbin rack - because I'll have room for one now!). Then to Michaels (I had to check out the new Martha Stewart display!).

::Improved?::

Then back home again...to start re-painting...until 11:30pm. Wow! And about that hand? It's doin' alright, and he told me to tell you that I exaggerated a bit. I didn't exaggerate, but I promised that I'd pass his message along.

So the perfect desk is still waiting for me in someone's basement...or office...or an old school storage closet. It hasn't quite made it out to the "reuse" moment in it's life-cycle where it will be put out on display for me to find and squeal and jump up and down before I realize that I need to play it cool to...you know, wheel and deal. I saw a few that came close - but nothing that was quite right, and I'm going to do my best to be patient. It's a challenge though - I had many break-down moments yesterday, when I nearly threw up my hands and marched right into Pottery Barn or Crate & Barrel.

Anyway, there's much to do before I'm even close to the point of wedging a giant desk into my humble eight square feet space. While watching the paint dry (finger nails bitten as i hope in agony for a pleasant shade of yellow to emerge), I'm taking care of the details. Bulletin boards to design, curtains to sew, ergonomic planning of what will go where on the shelving unit. All the little things that will make the space functional.

Ooh and something else I've been meaning to show you. I look at these often and dream about what they will turn into to...and where their new home will be in the studio. These pretties are from Kristy (go check out her blog & beautiful blue-eyed sirens).

We did a little Vintage Button swap-a-roo organized by Ms.Sally. And, man was Kristy ever so generous...and meticulous with her presentation...and ooh...do I really have the strength to remove these pretties from their carefully crafted butterfly backings? And the brooch...everything so beautiful.

Thank you, Kristy!

Reflections in Yellow

No, It didn't quite turn out the way I had envisioned. You know, the soft warm light reflecting off my buttery, inspiring walls. A comforting yellow, reminiscent of my sweet Godmother's bright warm breakfast nook.

Instead, it came out like this here manila envelope. Can you even see it? Or, according to my patient & supportive hubby - (honey, your going to help me re-paint, right??) a high school gym. A yield sign & school bus are other things that this shade of yellow has been featured on, in case your didn't get the picture.

This unfortunate shade of yellow is not the only thing that happened to my poor dear studio-craftroom-in-progress last night. Hubs spontaneously found a weak spot in the window as he was opening it up to air out the room. He put his hand right through the glass, and again, spontaneously, there was blood. Ketchup and mustard, if you will. I don't know if you can see the gaping hole, but here it is, along with a peak of what my view will be. A tranquil oasis in a bustling city.

It's back to the drawing board we go, but not before we take a little break to visit my beloved Antiques By The Bay. Every studio needs a desk, right?

More on this and other shades of yellow to come...