thisnext:: chakrapennywhistle

Charming! An old money bag made into a wallet. Eco-chic and sturdy. It just makes sense. :D

From Chakra Penny Whistle

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wb- lead on

I'd gotten a custom request about a week ago to make a fanny pack/bum bag based on my wristlet design. Thrilled, I brought out my fabrics and got to work. That was my project for the weekend and...I finished it! It's very much like the Westies, but about an inch wider with darts to make it a bit more pouch-y. I hope she likes it. I'd take a picture of me wearing it...but she's a tiny person. I gave it about 6 inches of play in the strap and it still doesn't really fit me. hehe.

I'm also going to be contributing some small things to Little Black Boxes next month and hopefully the Sampler in October. Really had slacked this year in regards to elpy, taking more time to do some 'self development'. I'm trying to gear up for the holidays...I have hope.

Also, check out this stop-motion video my littlest brother made. (I say littlest, but he's a teenager and taller than me.) Dear bro2, aspiring movie-maker methinks.

Hope you had a great weekend!

500th

This is my 500th post here. In case the title didn't give that away. I can't believe I've been doing this for that long. Couldn't decide if I should go fun or nostalgic with this post...which seems just a little more epic than previous 100s. I mean, that's halfway to 1000.

I love my blog. Is that narcissistic? I mean I love being able to go back and read past entries...and really feel like I'm going back, because, hey! I remember posting that. Sometimes I smile. Sometimes I get a little sad. Lots of ups and downs chronicled here. Fun things and serious changes. (Did you notice the layout is different? Slowly hacking the blogger code. Not done yet.)

Guess I'm going nostalgic. Hehe. This is my fave post all time, about ketchup and insomnia.

To another 500!

Post Picture: My self-portrait yesterday...for the Flickr group.

ThisNext:: studioerinzam

I happened upon this new shop a few days ago. The bold colors and sweet little birdies drew me in. I'm a fan. Are you?

From Studio Erin Zam

As always, if you want to follow my picks between Tuesdays you can check them out here or subscribe.

learned

I helped some more people move today. This time a family that we've known for a long. They were only moving up the street and no dumbwaiter was involved. Seriously, that dumbwaiter is/was a fire hazard.

First, next time I'm asked to help someone move I want to more specifics. Moving is crazy difficult...lots of steps. Am I helping pack boxes? Put the boxes in the moving van? Unloading the moving van? Will there be food? Are you paying me? teehee.

This time was rather mind-boggling. Maybe because unlike the other two times, it involved 5 present family members and 1-3 absent ones. (college, etc.) There was a gaggle of helpers. All with a gazillion questions. And lots of piles of stuff. Lots. They wanted to get it all done today. That wasn't happening.

Helping them made me realize...we, as a country, save/have a lot of stuff. I want to cut down on how much stuff I have. If I have to move tomorrow, I want to be able to pack...and know that everything I have will be used in whereever I'm going.

I'd been allowing my belongings to float around, accumulate and pile up in a fit of passive rebellion. I didn't want to be my mother, the near-epitome of organization. The lady can whip up a chart at the drop of a hat. It was a adolescent thing that I clung to for too long. I called it organized chaos...to be polite. No more. I'm cleaning up and cleaning out. Letting go is hard of stuff is hard sometimes. But it feels good to put things in piles to be listed on eBay (can't be Etsy'd...not vintage) or donated, or just trashed/recycled.

Changing...ever changing. And learning.
:)

Post Picture: Scraps from work on my project. Loverly, no?