felt circle garland tutorial...and a video post

i have been wanting to create a video blog post for a while now (inspired by donna downey and her delightful posts). so, i decided to create one for the felt circle garland tutorial. even if you don't plan on making the garland (or don't need a tutorial), i thought you might enjoy this little invitation into my home...though i am a tad bit longwinded...sorry about that...i just had so much fun "talking" to all of you out there in blog world!

i mentioned the following blogs/posts/projects in this video post:

alicial paulson and her pom pom and bead garland
sally shim and her linen leaf mobile
anna maria horner's felt garland tutorial via autum (and when i said it didn't require sewing, i totally meant it doesn't require a sewing machine as it does indeed include handsewing)
the little soft trees we made last year

after 6*

*or...what to do when your day has been full of deadlines, holding up the world, feeling overwhelmed, some negativity, and a nice bit of dog vomit for good measure? just curl up with some yarn, a piece of chocolate, and a smodcast...followed by watching "the office" through eyes closed by too much laughter (and a little embarrassment for the characters)...

five (really) good things on december 12

1) laughing until my cheeks hurt so much i have to try to stop laughing in order to stop my cheeks from hurting but instead i just keep laughing some more

2) spending an extra hour in bed with miss millie this morning...she was curled up against me and i think we could have stayed there together all day (i say could because at least one of us, okay both of us, would have whined for breakfast or a bathroom break at some point)

3) really, really soft yarn and the thoughts of the gift it will become

4) listening to frank, bing, doris, and dean sing a few christmas tunes

5) remembering that perfection is really not the goal of it all

what are your five things...go on...think about five really good things about your life...today...we'll wait...

now, please share.

i dare you.

bits of today...

a quick middle-of-the-day post

I want to just say thank you for your comments and emails. Although I haven't had time to reply much lately because I am putting in long days of editing and sewing and crocheting, I just want you to know how much it means to me that you reach across this world to connect with me.

Thank you.

Some answers to a few questions I've received in the comments or by email during these quiet December days:

In the photos of Saturday's post, Jonny and I are making Christmas gifts from thrifted sweaters that I felted. I can't tell you much more as they are gifts, but I hope to share a picture on Christmas Day. All I can say that I was definitely inspired by Alicia and that Jon now knows how to sew buttons onto things. Oh and felting sweaters is my new favorite crafty thing to do. You take a human-size sweater and wash and dry it and before your very eyes it becomes an elf sweater. Just makes me so happy.

Thursday of last week I was sewing together the patchworked fronts of some Selma Scarves. I have a rather large custom order I am finishing this week, so I haven't been able to update the shop much. I do plan to add a few scarves soon.

The top layer I am wearing in these photos is from Old Navy. Rumor has it that its on sale for less that $6 (so if you find a black one in an XL at your Old Navy, will you buy it for me? I will send you money for it and shipping...seriously. updated: thanks kelly!!! you all will see me sporting the black version of this top soon).

The candles we burn throughout our home are from Carla's shop, Zena Moon. They are the best.

And, I know some of you have asked about the circle garland. It really is as easy as it looks. I am going to post a little tutorial later this week in case you want to try it.

Oh and I am totally crocheting a scarf. I made it soooo wide. But I am committed. I plan to finish it in time for it to fly across the country to be a Christmas gift for someone I love dearly.

senses. evening.

{touch}

{smell}

{hear}

{see}

{taste}

{and know}

seeking balance at the end of the day...

(a very full) today