Also, take a look at her fabulous jewelry shop.  I’m crazy for this cheery piece:

Isn’t it just perfect for spring? :)

Thanks, Lisbon Sky!  And good luck everyone!

1. Next to our couch, 2. Tea time, 3. la primavera en el living, 4. Untitled, 5. Lovely tea, 6. Tazas de porcelana, 7. big family, 8. Untitled, 9. boaz and joaquin

Created with fd’s Flickr Toys

Happy Friday!!!

Thanks, everyone for telling me about your sewing machines!  I’m so glad I didn’t make a snap decision at the sewing machine store.  Thanks to you guys, I learned about brands I didn’t even know existed!  Take a look at the comments section here if you’re also overwhelmed by sewing machine choices.   It’s nice to know what other people (like you) are using!

which means time for other crafty projects.

And time to research sewing machines.  I’d love to hear about yours!  What do you use?  What do you love about it?

I need some advice.  I’m looking for a sturdy “work horse” but nothing high-end.  Just the basics.

Here’s the advice I’ve gotten so far…

Maybe I’ll even sell a few in a lovely Japanese print.  Maybe.

Makes you want to lay out a picnic blanket, no?  Too bad it’s 48 degrees out.

But it won’t be forever.  And I’m going to be prepared this year. :)

I’m lucky to have a nice community of nice, encouraging people right here at my fingertips.  Thanks for all the kind comments on yesterday’s tutorial!  I so appreciate it.  Hope you all make lots of soft books for the little ones in your lives! :)

For Rae and Dana’s Celebrate the Boy Month, I made a soft book for Jacob.  He loves so many simple things that I thought I’d just compile them into one toy.  Using old jeans, Heat ‘n’ Bond, and a variety of fabric scraps, I appliqued pictures and constructed a little book for him.  Which he seems to love.

Wanna see how?

Tutorial after the jump. :) (more…)

I stenciled the lyrics to our favorite song (U2’s The Sweetest Thing) as a Valentine’s Day/Anniversary present.  (Unfortunately, those celebrations get a bit lumped together for us.  But we try to make up for it by celebrating our engagement in the Fall.)  I got the idea from this picture of Candi Mandi’s bedroom.  But I’ve seen other versions of it since then.

He made me breakfast in bed.  (I love that man.)  All that’s left of it is this pretty mess.  I’m okay with that.

Happy Anniversary, Evan!  Thank you for 5 years of awesome. ;)

A little story:

Evan and I decided not to declare our “love” for one another until we were ready to get married.  Although a nice idea, it wasn’t altogether practical.  We just found creative ways to communicate the same message.  Much like Buttercup and Westley in The Princess Bride:

Grandpa: [voiceover] Nothing gave Buttercup as much pleasure as ordering Westley around.
Buttercup: Farm boy, polish my horse’s saddle. I want to see my face shining in it by morning.
Westley: As you wish.
Grandpa: [voiceover] “As you wish” was all he ever said to her.
Buttercup: Farm boy, fill these with water - please.
Westley: As you wish.
Grandpa: [voiceover] That day, she was amazed to discover that when he was saying “As you wish”, what he meant was, “I love you.” And even more amazing was the day she realized she truly loved him back.
Buttercup: Farm boy… fetch me that pitcher.
[It’s right over her head, so he has to stand next to her]
Westley: As you wish.
[Cut to them kissing]

“I am in like with you” became our “As you wish.”  And to this day, we are as in like with one another as ever.  ;)

Happy Valentine’s Day! <3