6/24/09

I started a new job today. It’s just part-time at a local variety store, but since I want to continue all of my crafting pursuits, that’s all I really have time for. I think this place is a better fit than when I worked at the convenience store near my home. That was just too stressful and time-consuming. Besides, I hate carding people, smelling like french fries every day when I come home, and wearing basically the same shirt four to five days a week. To top it off, craft supplies inspire me and this place is full of them. So, yeah………….I like it there so far. And I get to use the price sticker gun (with which I’m obsessed). 😉

Besides gabbing about my new job, I want to share a video that my sister made. It’s a bunch of clips of my crunchy-crunch cousin Ellie + me and my sisters. They usually take tons of photos and videos when she visits, and this music video puts them all together to a song from Napoleon Dynamite. It’s kind of our theme song. So here goes………………..Amanda did a great job on this!

6/15/09

After viewing Dottieangel’s apron/wraps about a dozen times, I decided to make one of my own. I’d love to buy one of hers someday, but at the moment I’m on too tight of a budget.

I started with a store bought tea towel ( I just love those things) and some cute repro fabric with puppies and kittens all over it. The striped fabrics are also new and hand frayed. I added two pockets; one on each side. The long striped pocket is perfect for holding a wooden spoon or scissors if you use it as a crafting apron, and the upper pocket is made using some new swiss dot fabric and a vintage hanky. I have quite the collection of vintage handkerchiefs and this was the perfect project to use one. 🙂 I also added some new vintage-looking lace and vintage ric-rac. The buttons are mostly vintage, as well. I like the way this apron turned and out and I’ll probably be making some more in the future. Drop me a comment if you like it!



Ps. I wanted to put a plug in for Corra from TheMayberrySparrow. She made the stamp which I used for the tag on this apron. Didn’t she do a great job for me? It looks exactly like my Umbrella Ave. logo. 🙂

6/9/09

I’d say it’s high time for another Etsian of the week. Things have been so busy around here, stocking the shoppe, visiting with friends, stopping by graduations…………I haven’t had much time to update the old blog. So here goes!
Etsian of the week
Tush Tush
http://www.tushtush.etsy.com/
I just love these tiny canvas prints. They’re mounted on a wood frame……..and oh so cute!
This one is my favorite: “Life”

5/5/09

Here are some little lovelies just listed on my Etsy Shoppe.
#1 & #2 in my new “Aggie Anne” series of artwork. My nickname is Aggie (given to me by my youngest sister when she was really young) and I was sometimes called Alexan(drea) as a kid……….so there you go!
I drew each little girl onto unbleached muslin using colored pencils. Their clothes are made from fabric scraps, and the cookies are Re-Ment miniatures. I mounted the muslin blocks onto pieces of matching scrapbook paper, and they’re ready to be framed! I think these turned out pretty cute, and hopefully I’ll get some more of them made soon. 🙂 There are some other nifty additions to my Etsy shoppe as well, so stop over if you have the time!


5/29/09

My blog has been quiet for a while now, so I thought I would share some pics of the projects I’ve been working on. Below you can see my first Re-Ment display which is for sale on my Etsy shoppe. The display is made from an old (and tiny) board book. I glued some of the “pages” together and covered the resulting walls in scrapbook paper. The edges are covered with narrow ribbon and a nice felt is attached to the back and bottom. I think this set turned out really well, and I’m hoping to make some more soon. Each of the miniature sets is also available separately on my website, so check them out if you have the chance. http://www.kindercottagekeepsakes.com/ — And click on the link marked Re-Ment!


Japanese Picnic “Room”

Strawberry Shortcake “Room”

Here’s a quick view of a more simple Re-Ment display. Also sold on my Etsy shoppe, it’s made from a hand folded paper box and holds one set of miniatures. They are all glued in and the resulting shadow box is ready to set anywhere. I thought of putting a hanger on the back………maybe next time.

5/19/09

Yesterday I ventured outside to take some snapshots of myself. I needed some pics of me wearing the new brooches I made for Umbrella Ave, and I was in the mood for a photo shoot. It was my first time taking self portraits, and let me tell you……..it’s a lot of work! I’m sure that if anyone had happened to see me, they would have been laughing at the comical sight.

Step 1. Position camera and hit timer button
Step 2. Run across the yard at top speed and pose for a few seconds
Step 3. Run back across the yard and view photo
Step 4. Repeat. Several times.

So, pair that activity with the HORRIBLE wind, and it was a very exhausting photo shoot. But here are a few pics that turned out pretty well. 🙂


Here’s a vintage looking number:

My favorite tree branch; all twisty and curvy
My favorite spot
Anica did not want to be in this picture, haha!






Looking into a room full of windows

5/18/09

Umbrella Ave. is now open for business!
Come visit me and take a look around. I will be adding more items this week………..
http://www.umbrellaave.etsy.com/

5/15/09

I wanted to share my favorite new blog, which has taken up so much of my computer time recently. I cannot seem to pull myself away from the screen and stop looking at each and every one of her lovely and enviable clothing photos.
I first found Emily’s blog last week after buying a wonderful art print from her Etsy shoppe. She has a very nice art blog, which led me to this one: Some Girls Wander By Mistake. If you love artsy, vintage-y, unique clothing and shoes, be sure to visit. You won’t be disappointed! And stop by her Etsy shoppe as well: The Black Apple.


All photos in this post were borrowed from Some Girls Wander and are the copyright of Emily Martin 2009

5/10/09

Etsian of the Week
dottieangel
www.dottieangel.etsy.com
During my recent Etsy browsing, I came across this simply lovely and quaint little shop. I ADORE her designs, incorporating old hankies, laces and fabrics into precious little things for home or yourself. These few photos have inspired me to go make a placemat for my bedside table! Hope you all enjoy these as much as I do, and that you check out her shop where you’ll find many more lovely treasures.

“rita summer apron wrap”
” nellie wake up and love me” placemat

“do you know what I’m thinking” placemat

“flossie face me” cushion
I really love this photo! Look at all of the neat laces hanging behind, as well as the collage box? underneath.


“mabel might I have a moment” cushion

“celia should but she won’t” slip


“ada pesky squirrel” dishtowel in green


Neat pic 🙂

5/7/09

Here are two little lovelies that I just had to share.
You can click on either photo for a close-up. 🙂
Blooming Apple Blossoms and a Pale Moon


I thought the scene of our beautiful blooming apple tree with a pale moon behind, was just so enchanting that I had to snap a photo yesterday evening. The only problem with this pic is that you can see the road and telephone wires behind. But there’s no way around those. 😉
I just love spring time and the beauties all around me. God really knew what He was doing when He said “Let there be………”

~*~



This magazine photo is just the best! I love the contrasting deep blue and light green colors, the awesome vintagy wallpaper in the entry way, cozy book shelves and hat boxes stacked above the door, as well as the amazing ceiling. The wood floors and retro orange couch are perfect, too. I want my house to look like this someday — cozy and homey.

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