Cool Birds in the lake behind my place

my unsuspecting photo subjects in the distance...

check out my wings!

 

I love these birds!  I was able to sneak up on this group of grooming birds... and use my new fancy dandy DSLR Nikon to take some pics. 

These guys are actually pretty funny when you take a closer look at them.

lol, get that back itch!

the most dignified looking of the bunch

birdie love?  nah... don't think so

But I guess I got too close and spooked them and they all took off for the privacy of the other side of the lake... sorry guys...

DIY Packaging for my Etsy Store :)

I've been moving pretty slowly these past couple days because of this annoying cold I caught, but one thing has been bringing a smile to my face and that's making my own little tags, etc. for packaging things for my etsy shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/ColorMeFun.  I designed a logo myself on photoshop and bought a custom stamp from JLMould using the design I made.  It should come any day now and I can't wait to stamp all over my boxes (bought at Uline.com) and handmade tags!

I modified my little logo and printed it (on my computer printer!) on scrap-booking card stock to make backs for my fabric covered button bobby pins.

For Sale at http://www.etsy.com/shop/ColorMeFun

I used an exacto (spelling?_?) knife to cut slits on both sides of the middle so I could slide the bobbies on easily. 

I also bought a label shape die-cut punch on sale from the craft store and punched a bunch of tags from scrap-booking paper.  I've also set aside some boxes from Indian food packages that I'm going to re-purpose into tags.  The size of the custom stamp is the size of the tag so I will be able to stamp my blank tags with my logo in any color ink I want.

For other items like bracelets and headbands that don't fit on a little backing like the bobbies I made long tags that I can staple around the item.  I printed the long tags on craft paper and scrap-book paper, then I cut out and cut the edges with special scissors.  

Handmade Tags

I'm planning on making my own holiday wrapping paper with stamps on craft paper.  Here are the boxes I bought from Uline.

Cute Dress- Simplicity 1716

It looks like I'm flying!  but really i'm just proud to be balancing on a big tree root in heeled boots...

I made this dress a couple weeks back and was very happy with the way it came out.  I used an April Johnson jersey print that I got on clearance from Jo-Ann's and it was like wearing my pajamas out.  Here are some pictures and the pattern review from patternreview.com


PatternDescription:
This pattern came with dress and blouse patterns that have interesting bust gathering detail.

Pattern Sizing: your average

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes, it did.

Were the instructions easy to follow? Well, I was able to follow them, but the gathering effect up front wasn't intuitive for me. You definitely want to hang on to your pattern instructions for that part.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I liked the ease with which it came together. Even though it seems like it would be really fussy, it was actually not bad at all. The thing I did dislike is that it seemed like it would be super hard (for me at least) to sew the last step in the front gather on the sewing machine as suggested. I didn't bother attempting and just sewed it by hand since it was only like 4 inches long.

Fabric Used:
I used a super drapey April Johnson jersey that was on clearance at Jo-Ann's. (half off clearance baby! oh yeah!) I really like the unexpected neon yellow flowers in the mix.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I went down two to one sizes from what was recommended. I added an inch to the skirt, but still kept it short.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I love this dress, I would definitely sew it again, maybe with an A-line skirt and self-belt. I do recommend it.

Conclusion:
love my new dress

gathered bodice detail