tanto handmade

slow club

tantocraftstudio@gmail.com (tanto handmade) — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 04:43:00 +0000

I am so stinkin' excited for the chance to see Slow Club. Alex and I have been listening to them non stop since the before the holidays. Their song Christmas TV was one of our favorites. Now we have the whole album. (hint: you till only get Christmas TV if you buy the limited edition album on itunes). I will be stopping by to see them on Thursday night and I have been instructed by my husband to snatch up their vinyl if they have some. If you are in town I recommend you see them just once. (they are play quite a few shows this week!)

How cute is this hair?

xo melissa

dance dance dance

tantocraftstudio@gmail.com (tanto handmade) — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 02:43:00 +0000

Long days and long nights make this a sort of anthem for me right now. It's time for some relaxed fun.

xo melissa

re-nesting

tantocraftstudio@gmail.com (tanto handmade) — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 01:56:00 +0000

Alex, Cesar and I have built a pretty cozy living space for the three of us, but alas it's time for new beginnings. Alex and I are moving into a new house with our 2 pups on May 1st. We are super excited to redecorate and to get rid of old things. Except for the old things that we cherish, of course. We bought a dresser from Ikea, which is not old but needs replacing. I was going to stick it in the garage sale pile, but then found this....

... an awesome way to upcycle the drawers into a shelf. Nice.

So, I am on the hunt for some vintage wall paper.

xo melissa

“don’t cry because it’s over. smile because it happened.” – dr. seuss

beauty school

tantocraftstudio@gmail.com (tanto handmade) — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 02:50:00 +0000

Friday was dedicated to a 70's and 80's themed photo shoot at school. It was our first attempt at a project like this, and so much fun.

A few of the props and things I brought to share.

Shelby gave me a full day of pampering. (hairstyle, manicure and make-up)

Lauren was an eclectic mix of both decades.

Foxy Roxy and Sergio as a hippie.

(more pictures here)

In May we are having a school wide runway show. We all voted and the final two themes are Circus and Vegas. I have some great ideas up my sleeve after this practice run. So excited!

xo melissa

snowy

tantocraftstudio@gmail.com (tanto handmade) — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 05:17:00 +0000

I love snow from inside. It's a bit too cold and wet to just be standing around in. It was a really cold day today, but we managed to take a picture to document the falling flakes.

left to right: Sergio, Lauren, Iris, Yvette, me

(taken behind our school)

On days like this I really miss my husband. (He is traveling a lot this season for work.) I'm also finding myself in a "nesting" sort of mood. I want to be home and cozy with my hubby, 2 dogs and a blanket. I want to stay in all day and read, watch movies and catch up on some correspondence. I want to enjoy the snow together and making a hot meal. Ah well, just a few more days to go before Sunday. (mini date planned!)

I am really liking this color combination for my craft room. It's a bit girly, but I would use them as mostly accent colors. The walls are a browny beige with cream trim. Besides that there is no design in here, it's been all about the organization. It's the only room in the house that I get to be girly with, so why not go all out?

xo melissa

lulu and the lampshades

tantocraftstudio@gmail.com (tanto handmade) — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 17:21:00 +0000

I love finding new music on a Saturday morning. Lulu and the Lampshades has been playing all morning in my sewing room. Here's why...

xo melissa

gearing up for love

tantocraftstudio@gmail.com (tanto handmade) — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 03:13:00 +0000

Valentines. I love this holiday. Maybe it's because my mom was so crafty, made me a fabric covered shoe-box "mailbox" and I won the Valentine's contest in 6th grade. Thanks, mom! There is something really magical about getting mail. I love snail mail. I love getting little notes from my husband. He sticks them in little places he knows I will find them. I love getting cards in the mail from my sister, just because. (she is so good at stuff like that! love you tam!)

I am making Valentines tonight. I will be hand delivering them at school tomorrow. Student Council made sure to tape a "mail box" to each locker. I love it. Here is my inspiration.

(source: Flickr)

xo melissa

wedding wednesday: highlights

tantocraftstudio@gmail.com (tanto handmade) — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 01:56:00 +0000

I loved every minute of our wedding. It was exactly how I imagined it would be. We had a great time with our friends and family. Everyone worked incredibly hard with a lot of spirit to help us carry out our vision. We have amazing families and friends (and friends girlfriends!). We love them all dearly.

The music was one of our favorite things about our wedding. Alex choose Colours by Donovan for the flowergirls, bridemaids and the bride (me) to walk down the aisle. It's a really long song! Our first dance was to Forever and Ever Amen, by Randy Travis. My dad and I danced to Brown Eyed Girl. I am the only brown eyed girl in my family. Alex and his mom danced to Dream a Little Dream. Our DJ's (Jason, Andrew and Travis) were amazing and played great dance music until 5am! I will try and make a playlist soon.

Here are a few photos. (by the lovely Suzi Q.) I will be posting more detail pictures in upcoming Wednesdays.

xo mrs melissa campos

quickie update

tantocraftstudio@gmail.com (tanto handmade) — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 01:24:00 +0000

I am making things in these colors today. Just a little project for the weekend. More soon!

My new favorite breakfast (mid-morning snack).... bananas and berries.

My husband has new shoes that I bought for him. They look like this minus the wheels. He loved them.

Beauty school is intense. (catch up here.)

(also, really loving short bright nails)

xo melissa

miss my husband

tantocraftstudio@gmail.com (tanto handmade) — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 02:57:00 +0000

My husband has been gone about a week now, he's on a job in New Mexico, and I miss him terribly. I never realized all of the little and big things he does that I take for granted daily. Such as taking out the trash, cleaning the shower, taking the pups out (when they wake up at 7am!), making fires, cleaning the backyard, taking care of my car, reminding me to recycle, buying us sushi for lunch, and not to mention hugs and hugs and hugs.

The one nice thing about him being away is that I can send him care packages. When we first started dating Alex was in the Navy and left me for a six month deployment in the South Pacific. During those months I sent him letters, pictures, movies, music, and snacks. I always made sure to make the packages super embarrassing covering them with hearts and i love you's. Tomorrow I am getting ready to send him a big package including:

*little heart valentine's candy with Lovebug written on them

* a copy of Cathcher in the Rye

* a love letter

* a picture of us on a happy day

*Ben Folds, songs for silverman

* feb/march issue of Ready Made

xo melissa

le pups

tantocraftstudio@gmail.com (tanto handmade) — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 04:34:00 +0000

... taking a nap in the studio...

i love their company.

xo melissa

old school crafts

tantocraftstudio@gmail.com (tanto handmade) — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 03:57:00 +0000

Lately it seems that my must-try 'new' crafts lists is getting longer... paint by numbers, weaving, beading. Joining the list is tie-dye. Its a simple art that can create amazing kaleidoscopes of colors. My favorite to date is Shabd Simons playful prints and equally desirable clothes. The best part is that you can experiment with plain cotton tees you already have at home. American Apparel also has great basic dresses and skirts to play with. I did tie-dye once in college, freshmen year on the quad, let's hope this time around the results are a bit more wearable.

xo melissa

let's get organized

tantocraftstudio@gmail.com (tanto handmade) — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 02:03:00 +0000

January is coming to an end, and I am just about organized for the year. (yes, it takes me the whole month!). I have my craft studio set up, closets cleaned out, most of my correspondence in order, and my to-do list gets shorter and shorter each day. In a week or so I will be a full time student so staying organized is super important. For Christmas my husband gifted me this awesome little Moleskin planner. It's actually twelve books, one for each month. I love how portable it is. You can carry just one or all the books in your purse. I'm sort of a sucker for color coordination too.

(Get one here!)

xo melissa

all tied up

tantocraftstudio@gmail.com (tanto handmade) — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 03:25:00 +0000

After perusing the internet for some tutorial inspiration I landed on a bow how-to from Cut Out and Keep. I am now a bit (perhaps, too) excited about putting these little guys on almost everything. Last year my sister and I altered thrifted shirts and this year I am inspired to play with proportion (ie BIG bows in different textures).

xo melissa

what's my line?

tantocraftstudio@gmail.com (tanto handmade) — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 04:06:00 +0000

Hanging out in my studio tonight, after a lovely dinner with my mom, I got a kick out of these old videos from the television show, What's My Line? There are so many other good ones, but these are some of my favorites.

xo melissa

picture of the day

tantocraftstudio@gmail.com (tanto handmade) — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 01:20:00 +0000

The youngest member of our family, Peanut aka Gigie, is now officially a college student. She is a freshman at UC Berkeley in California. Since I too will be a full time student in 2 weeks, I will probably not be able to visit her in her first dorm room. (so sad!) However, through the awesomeness of technology, I did get a little peak at her new room. I love ichat!

xo melissa

meet dori lawrence campos

tantocraftstudio@gmail.com (tanto handmade) — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 05:34:00 +0000

There is a new member of our family, Dori! We brought this sweet girl home on New Years Eve. She is 9 weeks old tomorrow. She is 1/2 Min Pin and 1/2 Jack Russell Terrier. Already she has a great personality and getting along great with her new sister, our terrier Cali. They love to play tug-of-war and they sleep together at night.

Cali is four now, she likes to play with Dori, but is still getting used to how much energy the new puppy has.

They love to be in the band room with Alex or hanging out in the craft room with me. I can't wait to see Dori grow. I'll be posting more pictures soon.

xo melissa

sonrisa

tantocraftstudio@gmail.com (tanto handmade) — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 20:07:00 +0000

I'm taking time today to get inspired. My studio at home is fully stocked and mostly organized. I have a great big blank wall and plans to fill it today with a bit of color and fancy. Here are a few of the things that caught my eye around the web today....

1. finger masks. my mom taught us how to do this when we were kids. she

knew all the best tricks. she always made us laugh.

2. movie dates. the first time my husband took me to the movies I was visiting him in san diego. we were the only people in the theater. i can't remember what we saw, but i remember our popcorn fight and laughing a whole lot.

3. awesome family portrait. i can't wait to have a bigger family and days like this.

4. If only I could have just one of these in my yard.

and one of these...

5. another thing my mom shared with us was her love for the muppets. muppet christmas carol is still her favorite movie.

xo melissa

nowhere boy

tantocraftstudio@gmail.com (tanto handmade) — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 17:00:00 +0000

I will definitely be taking my husband on a movie date soon. Nowhere Boy, is a glimpse into John Lennon's childhood and the creation of the band. He's been a fan of the Beatles since he was little, listening to his fathers records so I know he will enjoy my movie pick. Alex will also be attending the Art Institute this year, working on his Bachelors in Audio Production. He is been busy creating and recording music. I hope this gives him a little inspiration as well.

Popcorn, holding hands and a bit of laughter, sounds perfect.

xo melissa

girls night, craftin' and music

tantocraftstudio@gmail.com (tanto handmade) — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 01:08:00 +0000

Tonight is all about finishing the presents, decorating the house and getting in that holiday spirit!

Tomorrow come feel the glee at the Stitch Lab Grand Opening!

I've just gotten home from there and I can honestly say it's turning into holiday and crafting heaven. It's a must go event!

xo melissa

the greats

tantocraftstudio@gmail.com (tanto handmade) — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 15:20:00 +0000

My family loves to watch movies around the holidays. Since I am making most of my presents this year I have been watching a lot of movies as I craft, crochet and sew. Every year we watch Little Women, the version with Winona Ryder and Kristen Dunst, but this year I've been all about Katherine Hepburn as Jo. I've also been wanting to reread the novel, so a trip to Half Price might be added to the schedule.

Another one of our favorites is You've Got Mail (with Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan), this year I'm watching the Jimmy Stewart version, The Shop Around the Corner.

A few more of our favorite great movies:

*Christmas in Connecticut (I found this at Walmart for $5!)

* Love Actually

* The Family Stone

* White Christmas

* Charlie Brown Christmas

*A Muppet Christmas Carol (my mom's pick!)

xo melissa

como mi papa

tantocraftstudio@gmail.com (tanto handmade) — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 03:18:00 +0000

My dad just sent me a video birthday card with one of my favorite childhood characters, Topo Gigio, singing Las Mananitas.

My sister and I loved this little guy when we were little. It was Tammy's birthday this week, so I am posting this for her too. (I love you sistera!)

I also found these little gems. (two of my favorite TG songs!)

This one is about bed time and the next one is about being just like dad. I can't wait to be able to share these with our kids someday.

xo melissa

we love suzi q!

tantocraftstudio@gmail.com (tanto handmade) — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 00:38:00 +0000

We had so much fun "working" with our photographer. From the minute we met Suzi (of Q Weddings) we knew we wanted her to be a part of our big day. She is super knowledgeable about weddings and her photography is amazing. For starters she only shoots with actual film, no digital! She customizes prints in black and white and vintage. We had an awesome time hanging out during our engagement session, which took place all over downtown Austin. Suzi has knowledge of some pretty great spots!

(See some more of our pictures here and here. )

We were really proud of all the handmade details that went into our wedding and were super thrilled that Suzi was able to capture them so beautifully.

Thanks Suzi Q!

xo melissa

i really really do

tantocraftstudio@gmail.com (tanto handmade) — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 02:24:00 +0000

About a year after Alex and I were engaged we started to get serious about our wedding planning. We really enjoyed our first year of being engaged and didn't realize how much there was to do, to throw a big party for our closest friends and family. Alex knew pretty early on that he wanted to write a song for me and perform it sometime during the reception.

After dinner, speeches and performances I heard the song for the first time. It was at that point in night that I became overwhelmed with emotion. (thanks for my hanky mom!) The song made me laugh and cry, and feel truly loved. It was an incredibly special moment for the both us.

I love our song.

xo melissa

*Alex recorded this song at home about a week after the wedding, that's our little terrier Cali in the background!

a very happy thanksgiving

tantocraftstudio@gmail.com (tanto handmade) — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 04:49:00 +0000

Picture booth fun at the dinner table with my niece, Monse.

Hope you all had a great day too!

xo melissa