Giving up caffeine

cafe au lait at a french cafe in Paris with my husband

Dear Mr. Coffee,

I love you with all my heart. You are not good for me...even though we've had a secret love affair for years. You are my best friend and my confidant. I look forward to getting up...only because I know you're there waiting for me. I am sad we must end our affair. I was dreaming about you last night. But after you left yesterday and I had a headache for about 5 HOURS... I knew...you were not good for me. We've parted before in the past and I returned begging you to take me back. Maybe in my weakness, I will call you again. Oh, how I hate to leave you. But it must be done.

With all my heart,
Kristi

Shop's Open

I've opened shop at a new spot...over here. I've got some bags and small box pouches. I'll be listing other items throughout the week. So grab a cuppa joe and have a look.

DIY Inspiration Board

I'm in the process of sprucing up my sewing room / studio. This is my most current project...a DIY inspiration board. I got the frame from a friend while helping her move (Help people move...it's nice. AND you can score some cool stuff.) I was going to paint the frame, but decided against it because I kinda like the gold patina and I am lazy. I had the twine...purchased from wmart. I bought a pack of clothespins at Dollar Tree. You can click on the picture to see it larger.


This was the simplest project...and I kept thinking I'd find some cute bulletin board or make one. I didn't and I needed a place over my cutting table in a quick way. So out came this. Use what you have...ribbon or curtain rings. You could use paper clips to attach stuff to the twine. Be resourceful and look around your house. I'm sure you could make one right now.


My next studio project is to slipcover this puke-y green office chair. Stay tuned! I was inspired by Bellamere Cottage. Go look at hers'...it's gorgeous! Mine will not be as fancy...because I am lazy.

photo credit Bellamere Cottage

New Shop Launch Coming Soon

Yes...I'm launching a new shop with new stock. I was with etsy...and I'm now making a switch. No bad vibes with etsy...etsy has served me well and I am grateful. Thank you etsy. Come back Monday for a look-see at the new shop.


BTW...I just spent $30 bucks on these...gotta love and support the girl scouts! And no this is not my garage, it's a mom in the neighborhood who happens to be the cookie mom. I can just do a drive thru whenever I want. But sitting at a sewing machine and eating girl scout cookies does not do a body good...no matter what you've heard. Does moving furniture and organizing your studio count as a workout? The Lemonades are my new favorite...great with a cup of tea!

My husband knows my love language

I don't consider myself high maintenance...he may beg to differ. I just like what I like. Doesn't everyone, I suppose. He knows my love language is gifts. Not just any 'ol gift or even an expensive gift...but a gift that lets me know...that he knows me. I also got some cash-ola to buy a saw. He knows me. Take this quick quiz to get an idea of your love language...have your better half take it too. Just curious...was it accurate?

EDIT: I just took it again...I think I vascillate between 'Acts of service' and 'Gifts'. Because he also helped me clean my sewing room AND made dinner. He's a keeper!

I sooo love sewing

I loved being at Blissdom, but I could not wait to get home and re-acquaint myself with my better half. My sewing machine. She does not judge. She does not yell. She is not impatient. She loves me and waits for me and we make beautiful creations together. I love her and want to spend time with her...always. We've been busy making stuff. Like these tote bags. I will be updating my shop...oh so soon!


I parted with my friend to go have lunch with this cutie patootie. We ate some unknown meat sandwich. I loaded mine with lettuce, pickles and as much mayo and mustard as I could stand. She eats 2 bites and asks if I have any chocolate. I scrounge up one of those yummy bliss chocolates from the bottom of my purse. She is happy. So am I. As long as she wants me to eat lunch with her, I will. I picture myself going into the High School to eat lunch with her. I think she would NEVER be embarrassed. It's who she is.

Blissdom 2010

I am tired...in a good way. I quickly jumped back into my life. There should be some sort of a re-entry period after Blissdom...you know...like the astronauts when they come back from space. I couldn't wait to see my girlies. They made cute little "Welcome Home Mom" signs for me. I took a shower, made artichoke dip and went to a Super Bowl Party. I'm thankful that Harry Connick Jr. didn't cancel on us...a true southern gentleman with true southern integrity! Thanks Harry! I had great roomies, met lots of my blog crushes ate alot of food and was on information overload...all in a very good way! Needless to say I'm still processing. I'm so behind, I just figured out how to put a twitter app on my black berry.

The most important thing I learned was to be yourself, be genuine...let YOUR voice be heard! That's the reason I started this blog anyway. I wanted a place to express myself, my creative sewing endeavors and DIY house projects. I wanted to share with people what I had and how they could also do it. I learned it's not about getting, but giving! It's about encouraging and supporting one another with the gifts you've been given. I love this community. I look forward to next year.

How to make a Custom Slipcover

Slipcovered furniture in our current home

I slipcovered the sofa, chair and zebra chair. The ikea ottoman was thrift store find that I snatched up...already covered in white!

Slipcover sofa in our old house

This is a slight re-post. I don't know about you, but this is the time of year I start itching to organize, get my home together and finish some projects that have gone unfinished for way too long. Here is a re-post of my slipcover tutorial, because it's way cheaper than buying a new couch. Oh, how I would love a new couch! Instead, I'm going to take my 2 sofa seat cushions to have new foam cut because I'm tired of sitting on it and having my but sink to the ground. I'm also going to re-do my slipcover. I'm thinking of going with something other than white...like a light gray-blue linen.

Slipcover Chair

But White is so easy...throw in the wash with bleach and it looks fabulous! With white, you can change pillows and get a whole new look. I love my white slipcovers! See the white slipcover chair re-do here.

Slipcovered zebra chair

You really can slipcover almost anything OR slipcover the cushions...like the above. See the zebra chair re-do here.

I'm participating in Metamorphosis Monday and DIY Day