I want to learn to crochet for two reasons.

(Photos from Yvestown Blog.)

First I'm tempted by those adorable amigurumi animals I'm seeing everywhere right now. We just bought a giraffe for our niece. I was looking at amigurumi books last night on amazon and when I wake up this morning and check my feed I find this tutorial from Yvestown. It's a sign. I hear if you are bad a knitting, crocheting comes easier. Any personal experiences? Tips?

DIY Results - Felt Rosette Pillow

So I finished my felt rosette pillow I mentioned yesterday. It was very time consuming, and I ended up making the rosettes a bit more dense (probably used more like 80 circles instead of 60) but I love how it turned out. It was a nice project to do in front of the TV since it was so repetitive. I also added a pillow sham overlapped back instead of a zipper. I can't wait to put it on the lounge chair in my new studio. I may save this idea for a gift this Christmas for someone.

It probably took about 5 hours total and I worked at a leisure pace. I used vintage felt from an estate sale so the whole project cost me maybe $2.50 (including the DIY pillow form).

The tutorial can be found here and check out Kathleen from Twig's & Thistle's version here. If you give it a try I would LOVE to see how yours turn out!


I also didn't have a pillow form this size handy so I made one out of an old sheet and some stuffing. It turned out just as cute! Since the felt is so thick you can use a pattern underneath and it doesn't show through.

Lost & Fawned Bridal Party

Earlier this summer I worked with a bride named Jessica to create some custom Jill Earrings for her bridesmaids. I loved the marbleized pink Czech glass beads we used and I was SO excited when she sent me some photos this morning! Jessica looks just gorgeous and the earrings looked perfect with her bridesmaid gowns and the pink roses. Congratulations to Jessica and her husband!

Her photographer was Mike Sidney out of Maui. Check out his website for more beautiful Hawaiian weddings.

Today's Project: Felt Rosette Pillow

I saw this tutorial from Anne Kyrrö Quinn on Etsy's Storque awhile ago. It's a project featured in her fabulous book Felt Furnishings. I thought it was so beautiful and this morning when I woke up and check my feed I saw Kathleen of Twigs & Thistle's version and was inspired to give it a go myself. I happened to pick up a box of vintage felt at an estate sale a few weeks ago and just pulled out a lovely buttery yellow that will go beautifully with my new lamps I picked up this weekend. I think I'll modify it to be a sham rather than a zippered cover and I'm considering backing it with a pretty print.

I'll make sure to post photos when I finish! I've already got half of the rosettes cut out and hope to have those sewn on by the end of the day. I'll need to pick up a pillow form next weekend.

Good Morning Monday.

I'm having a hard time getting going this Monday so I figured I would share this adorable new etsy shop. You won't be able to help smiling when you see Christine Weed's Dogs in Ties collection. These two are some of my personal favorites but there are so many more that are just as sweet. Check out her shop for more.

Hope this brings a little sunshine to your Monday morning!

Christmas Time in Stow Craft Show

Want to see me in person? I'll be selling at the annual Christmas Time in Stow Craft Show in Stow, Ohio this weekend! I've been busy preparing all week and I'm so excited to do my first craft show since I graduated!

There is no entrance fee and it's on Saturday, November 7th from 9am to 4pm at the United Methodist Church. There will be a variety of Christmas crafts and gifts and food of course. Stop by and say 'hi' if you are in the northern Ohio area!

Now on Flickr!

I've been taking pretty pictures since I was in high school but lately I've been really playing around with my camera. So I've finally started up a proper flickr account! Check out my photostream and add me as a contact! I would love to know what you think and see your lovely photos as well! There are so many super talented photographers on the site. I've really been enjoying browsing galleries and admiring other people's work.

Also, new pieces come to my etsy shop! Lots more early next week after the craft show!

Coming to Lost & Fawned this winter - Clutches

Just wanted to you give you all a heads up! Coming this winter I will be adding framed clutches and other bags and sewn goods to the Lost & Fawned line! I'm so excited to finally put my love of fabric to good use! I've been stocking up on beautiful Heather Ross, Amy Butler, Joel Dewberry and vintage fabrics and perfecting my technique.

Ideally I would like to have them out by Christmas, but I think it's more likely you will start seeing them around the new year. I am so very excited to share this news with you all!

What do you do to get in a creative mood?

"My Muse" Photo by The Blue Balloon (aka winter_mitts on Twitter).

Last week I had one day where I was just struggling to get in a creative and productive mood. To remedy it I went and took a shower and put on some clean clothes. For some reason I just can't get down to business and really work if I feel gross or really frumpy. I started thinking about how funny it was that we all seem to have our quirks.

I tweeted about it and asked my followers to tell me what they do to get in a creative or productive mood. It was really interesting to see the responses roll in.

heartsabustin2
Get off the computer. ROFLOL

thriftonista
Taking a walk and just being in nature tends to be very inspiring. Or going to a museum or art gallery.

winter_mitts
Tea and music!

EdinaVintage
-I find watching TV really unproductive, so if it's on I always try to have something else to do with my itchy fingers!
-also, I never fail to be inspired by the awesome stuff other people create! Etsy is a mine of ideas and inspiration!

missHinterland
Definitely coffee and reading a few passages of poetry. Words always make me feel creative.

yourluckyduck
I look at color schemes, I browse brand name websites (gap, anthropologie, etc) for trendy items, I browse Etsy stores...

TheMissinThread
What helps me get in a creative mood is having my house all clean, then I can relax with a nice cup of coffee and create!

gogovivi
I turn on This American Life. Always works for me.

So what gets your creative juices flowing? Post it here in the response or tweet me about it! Next time I'm feeling like I'm in a creative slump I'll probably take a look at this list again and try some of these out.

Oh My Cavalier - By Julianna Swaney

I have a new favorite artist. For some reason her Victorian ladies and little creatures really speak to me. I love the subdued colors and the way she seems to combine simple almost child-like forms with really ornate costumes and floral motifs. PLUS she doesn't just turn her pieces into prints but also beautiful brooches and her little mechanical animals. Check out her beautiful etsy shop for more. I'm dying for one of her beautiful prints for my studio for Christmas.