psst!

I've thrown my stuff in a hefty and moved!
Please come and visit me at my new home: www.goodygoody.typepad.com
I look forward to seeing you there!

Today's activities and follow me!

These bundles of pure vintage yumminess were put together by Claire and I today for some upcoming shows. We're calling them lollipop stacks. We've done all the work for ya by combing the thrift stores and creating fat quarter stacks and charm packs of our favorite vintage pillowcases and sheets..and whatever else we can get our hands on and hack to bits with a rotary cutter. They're just de-lovely..and we'll have them at Down to Earth April 19th and Bazaar Bizarre May 3-4th.

So, I mentioned a few posts ago about "the change". No, not menopause. No, not the coins in the bottom of my washing machine that seem to be multiplying with every load. But a new name and a new spot for all my jabber. I've been speckled hen for a few years now and although I still love the name, I'm feeling like it's not unique enough. There's a few other blogs out there with "speckled" names and I'd like to stand out a bit. Until now, goody-goody has been used for my card line. But I'm going to take that name now for all my crafted tidbits and blog. My cards will be under the new name Two+Shoes. When I get my butt in gear and make some, that is. There's a sad 1500 lb. letterpress in my garage just beggin' for use.

So, please, for my hump day giveaway, join me tomorrow at my new blog: www.goodygoody.typepad.com. I promise it will be worth your while! I am so thrilled at how many people have been visiting me and saying hello. I really look forward to seeing you over there! Thanks for the support and laughs. You make my day!

free tutorial! tgif quickie :: sushi roll pincushion

I have been seriously jonesin' for some sushi lately, so when it came time to think up this week's quickie, I knew exactly what I wanted to make. One of the first things I ever sold on etsy were these catnip-filled cat toys shaped like sushi. They were pretty hilarious (or so I thought). This is simply a bigger version--minus the catnip, unless you like a little feline company on your sewing table. So roll one for yourself and a few more for the all the sushi lovin' sewers in your life.


Get it:

• Black or dark green fabric cut into a 3.5" x 6" rectangle
• Felt (wool or poly) cut into two 2" circles
• Stuffing
• Lentils or rice (for heft)
• Needle + thread
• colored buttons

Do it:

• Fold your dark colored fabric in half widthwise, right sides together, and sew up the side edge. Now you have a little tube. Cool. Turn right side out.

• This part is kind of a pain. Sorry. It might involve some swear words. Like dang-nabbit and snickerdoodle. Try and keep it clean. Take your needle and thread (one strand doubled and knotted) and sew up through the fabric and up and over the felt and back down. As you whipstitch along the edge, kind of roll the felt circle to meet the fabric like a little hat. When you're halfway done, you might want to add a little stuffing in just to have something firmer to sew against. I tried to take a picture of this part, but you couldn't see squat with the white thread against white felt. If it doesn't come out as tidy as you'd like, just take out your stitching and try again. Felt is nice. It forgives you when you suck.
• Once you've got your circle on, put a small layer of stuffing in the bottom. Layer in a few teaspoons of rice or lentils. This will help your pincushion feel more substantial and keep it from rolling away from you. Add more stuffing, then rice, etc..until it's full. Pack in a little more stuffing for good measure. That's always my philosophy on polyfill and chocolate. Sew on other circle the same way. Add buttons at each end for your desired fillings. Yum. No soy sauce or wasabi required. Domo arigato, Mr. Roboto.

have a great weekend.

Cute shoes and flying poo

Claire thinks I need to talk more about me. And my life. Such as it is. She's right in a way. I don't feel like I have much to say. And I don't think that I'm funny. But she says I am. So blame her for this post.

After a nice lunch out with my daughter, we're heading back to the car. And she drops her little purse. In poo. Not just any poo. The mother of all bird droppings. So huge I had to take a double and then a triple take at the pile of gray matter splattered on the sidewalk. So large that I could not believe this came from any bird on this planet. Pterodactyl, maybe. You could use it to sculpt an urn for your great-grandma's ashes and still have some left over. So..I gasp and she immediately picks up her purse and starts flailing madly. Not really sure why. Okay, she probably takes after me. I've been known to go all-akimbo when walking through spider webs or when someone says there's a bug in my hair. But now there are poo droplets soaring through the air, landing on her sleeve, her shirt and hand. I want to help her, I really do, but my fear of being hit keeps me at arm's length. Finally I shout "Freeze!" and she actually listens. Amazing. The child that NEVER listens just did. I guess it's only for important matters involving feces and sparkly accessories. After we get all wiped up and in the car, she starts discussing the pros and cons of hand vs. machine wash of clothing and purses...and I laugh so hard my stomach hurts.

Clearance shoes at Gap. A near-death experience with turd. All in a good day.

The winner of the hump day giveaway is morgan ! Visiting her blog about all things book-related reminds me that I need to read more. Not just the dosage information on allergy medicine. I used to be smart. Really. Please send me your snail mail, morgan, and your earrings will be on their way! Thanks for playing, everyone. Ya'all come back next week, 'kay?

See you tomorrow for another fun tutorial!

hump day giveaway!

New and exciting! To celebrate the half-way mark of the (tedious, stressful, boring, amazing--you fill in your own adjective) weeks of our lives, I'm a gonna give away something every Wednesday. Or until I run out of things--which, by looking at the state of my craftland, isn't going to happen very soon. So, up for grabs is a set of bitty button earrings made from fabric covered buttons. Just right for putting a little handmade oomph in your Spring wardrobe. Just leave a comment telling me how your week is going. That's it. You don't have to share any gory details, but those are always welcome. I'll be drawing a number at random tomorrow morning. And since it's already 3 o'clock out here, the odds are in your favor.

I've been busy behind the scenes...contemplating all the details of a new name and new blog. Same me, same stuff, just having an identity crisis of sorts. More about that later..

Have a great rest of your week...enjoy the downhill slide to Friday. I'll see you back here for another tgif quickie!

tgif quickie(sunday edition)::panty sachets

Well, hello. Better late than never, right? By poplular demand (okay, it was just Melissa) I have a sweet smelling quickie for you. Mother's Day is sneaking up on us and if it's anything like the holidays in March, it will be smack in your face in no time. These make great girlfriend and shower gifts, too. Enjoy!

Get it:

• contrasting fabrics for waistband and panty--small bits, no larger than 3.5" x 4.5" (FYI, I got the lace-print fabric at JoAnn's a few months ago, the dot is Amy Butler. If you care.)
  
• ribbon for tab (optional)
• lavender (I get mine here. Lots of lavender that will make a buttload of sachets. Butt. Ha.)
• needle and thread
• paper for pattern
  

Do it:

• Make yourself a panty pattern. High cuts? Granny? Thong? It's up to you. Two pieces: waistband and panty. My waistband rectangle is 1.5" x 4.5". Sketch out a panty that's around the same width at the top. Symmetry problems? Fold the paper in half and sketch half the panty. When you cut it out, both sides of the pattern will be the same. As you can see, I should follow my own tutorial. My legholes are kinda whack.

• Pin pattern to fabrics and cut two of each piece. Pin waistband to bottom panty, right sides together. Sew together along top, repeat for other side. Iron both sides flat. Pin front to back, sandwich in your little ribbon loop on the side. I've showed it on top, loop facing in, but it should be tucked between the two sides. Pin it in there.

• Starting middle of the top, sew all around the sides. Leave a hole when you get back to the top. At least 1" should do. I've tried leaving a smaller hole, but it just makes turning an incredibly painful, awkward, near-ripping experience. Kind of like giving birth. Clip curves and corners if you like. You don't have to. I won't tell.
• Once turned, I like to iron it flat and smooth. Use a chopstick or paintbrush end to get all those nooks and crannies out. Make a little funnel out of paper for filling your panty with lavender. I made one out of cardstock and just stick it in the bag with the lavender so I always have it handy. Use a chopstick or skewer to help the lavender get in there. Stuff to desired fullness and stitch closed. Sha-zahm.

I sell these sachets at craft shows from time to time and at one such show a middle-aged sour-puss asked "Aren't these a little crude?" while holding up a panty sachet to her utterly-disgusted face. I'm not one for thinking on my feet...otherwise I would have retorted, "Well, they are CLEAN panties. No skidmarks, I promise."

I apologize for my poor, bluish pictures (yet again). Our cross-country trip had me a little jetlagged and I missed that early morning light. Enjoy what's left of your weekend!

fiesta hangover

Since when do kids birthdays last a whole week long? With a preschool party, a family party on her "real" birthday and a party at the park yesterday..I'm completely birthday-ed out. Hey, I admit it--I'm a willing participant and planner in all that goes on, but sheesh. When I was a kid, we had a small dinner, cake and the gifts? Painfully practical. One year it was a bathrobe and a hairdryer. Serious.

So, planning a party on a serious time crunch? Cute, festive and simple. Thanks be to Martha for her free printable PDF's and rice crispy cars. (No, it wasn't a global warming/carbon offset birthday theme..the cars just turned out a little big for the platter. Although, they are marshmallow-powered luxury sleds. Totally green.) I saw these cupcake picks on craftpad and was hooked. I stuck those suckers everywhere. Thank god for label sheets. I love you so.


A shout-out to Mary-Ann over at Indie-Pendence for featuring my bunny. He's still homeless...so snatch him up at my shop. He's a good little bunny who deserves a life outside the rubbermaid under my bed.

I'm off for a week...so next week's tgif quckie will be on Sunday. Yeah, thanks Melissa for being the spoiler. Think lavender. Think panties. The laundry you will actually enjoy doing!

free tutorial!::tgif quickie::chiclet stuffie

Remember chiclets? The horrible chewing gum disguised as pretty candy? I can still hear the rattle of the box and see them peeking out the window. Open me up, little girl...we look sooo yuuummy...

This chiclet will not disappoint! Perfect for little hands and Easter baskets. Under his wing you can tuck an extra little treat or gift, too.

Get It:

• 2 pieces of fabric cut to 5 x 6" (body)
• 2 pieces of fabric cut to 3.5" squares (wings)
• felt scraps--preferrably wool (eyes, beak and feet)
• embroidery thread (eyes)
• stuffing

Do It:

• Iron all your chicken parts. If you're using poly felt, then leave those parts out. Your iron will never forgive you. And you'll be too pissed to finish your chick. Iron your little squares into triangles. Voila! Wings.
• This is the super-easy-fun part. Make yourself a chicken sandwich: place back piece face up, layer on your feet toes-up, wings and front piece face down. Make sure your feet are in-between the back and wings (rather than wings and front). Otherwise, you will have one seriously deformed chicken foot...and no one loves a deformed chicken. Even on Easter.
• Starting at the middle of the head, sew all around but leave a hole to turn the chicken out. I make that stupid mistake more than I'd like to admit...which means it happens a LOT.
  
• Iron again and stuff the bird! Stitch closed. Cut a little diamond for a beak and some little eyes. I use my much neglected .25" hole punch to get a nice little circle. Otherwise, I never seem to get both eyes the same size. Use french knots to secure circles. And with a little treat under its wing--this quickie is finger lickin' good. Oh come on, you saw that one coming. For a nice, well-endowed chicken, put a chocolate egg under both wings. B-cup, C-cup--it's up to you.

Bok-bok. Happy Easter!

thank you from the bottom of my kitty bowl

I am completely in awe of all the visitors that have stopped by my little space to check out my tutorial. Yee-haw! Of course, the big thanks goes to Craftzine who picked it up for their blog on Monday. I'm so used to being the lurker on everyone else's blogs that I feel like I've gotten caught in the bushes with my pants down. Like--hey, hello there. Why, yes, I am wearing granny panties. But as long as you're a-looking, come back this Friday for another tgif quickie. This one will be for a little-last-minute-homemade-something for those Easter baskets. No underwear. I promise.

free tutorial!::tgif quickie::fabric collage

New and exciting! Better than housework! Every Friday I will be posting a super-easy quickie. No, not THAT kind of quickie. Get your mind out of the gutter. But you may have enough time left over for that, if you wish. Your business. Not that kind of blog. Simple stuff taking less than an hour, but still impressively cute. There ain't nothing like making something start to finish. Or getting to use the word ain't. It just feels good. And I promise there won't be a huge narrative to wade through...like this. So I'll shut up and put up. Here we go.


Get it:

• Small canvases, any size. I used these 4" squares because they came in a pack o'nine. Nice.
• Nail gun
• Mod Podge or something like that
• Brush..well, you're not gonna use your fingers, right?
• Fabric scraps and a piece large enough to wrap around the whole thing

Do it:

• Center canvas on larger fabric piece, making sure it's large enough to make it to the back on all sides.
• Pull and staple the first edge. Fold corners in hospital-like, making it super tight. Cut off excess and hammer in the staples to make them flatter, if necessary.

• Coat the front and sides with Mod Podge. While it's drying, cut out your fabric to make a little vignette. It's fun to customize it for someone. This one with the nesting birds is for a housewarming gift.
• Mod Podge pieces and slap 'em on. Coat again until it's saturated and all the wrinkles/bubbles are gone. You can seal the whole thing again later with another coat if you want.
  
• Finish the back by hot-gluing a piece of paper cut with those paper edgers left over from your scrapbooking phase. Try to cover the staples, but don't stress over it. See, I've got one sticking out.
• Attach a loop or sawtooth hanger from the hardware store. So handy to have around. There you go. Collage. You be done.

me, too.
Happy weekend.

Finally she's mine..all mine

Have I ever mentioned my childhood obsession over Mary Poppins? I watched that OCD, uptight-but-gorgeous, Bert-flirter and immediately wanted to be her. I prayed for gusty storms to blow in so I could be out there with my umbrella--certain that this would be the time I would finally take flight. She wasn't all oooey-gooey lovey like so many other heroines of my day. In fact, she had an edge. She turned reality on its head and looked at those dang kids like THEY were the ones with the problem. I loved that. She was tough. Confident. Brash. She inspired me to use the word "nonsense" a lot. Now as an adult, I'm fairly certain she also had whips and handcuffs in that giant carpet bag. Right next to her coat rack, lamp and measuring stick. She'll always be 'practically perfect' to me. And I can craft her myself! Pattern available here and here among others. Lordy lordy. The hat. The bag. Even the scarf. I would jump up and down with excitement, but I know that Mary would play it much cooler than that.

more little friends

Saturday's show had tons of traffic and wonderful live music. I didn't sell much, but had a great time chatting with Amy and Sophia. I hadn't made much new stuff and since the booth was free, who can complain? It was such a pretty evening, too. Lots of deep breaths. Can winter really be over?

As much as I love design*sponge (and typing it is fun, too!), it makes me want to push all my belongings to the curb and light them on fire. Such beautiful, clean spaces with quirky collections. Not exactly my reality--unless you count miscellaneous toy pieces and animal hair as "quirky collections". The big clean is coming but since it hasn't tapped me on the shoulder yet, I think I'll just wait a few more days to get started. And possibly cut out fabric for a few more critters.

serendipity

Last night the stars aligned and I was able to make this little guy from start to finish with no huge hassles. I am borrowing a friend's sewing machine and was a little nervous about using it for the first time. I pulled it out of the box (it's brand a spankin' new Janome) with sweaty palms and nervous anxiety--much like a first date. I read the manual cover to cover, started sewing slowly and fell completely and utterly in love. It sewed like buttah. We were like peaches and cream, frosting and sprinkles, chocolate and peanut butter...well, you get the idea. My apologies to my $99 Brother machine that is now in the closet. Get used to it.

More critters to come..

falling behind...

I haven't posted in March yet? Hmmm. I feel like a big wave is cresting behind me and I'm about to get pummeled. Going out of town and returning to mountains of laundry, crabby/sick-ish kids with busy schedules and a show coming up this weekend make me feel like I will not make it up to the surface for air in time. I know most people are celebrating the beginnings of spring--lots of beautiful pictures and words out there in blogland--but, honestly, I am finding it a bit disorienting. The in-between kills me.

Okay, whining's over. I put a few of my new pendants in the shop last week. Not much action on those or the little purses, so they'll be traveling with me on Saturday. We'll be at the Second Saturday Artist's show at McMartin Realty in Sacto (5-9 p.m.) where I'll be sharing a table with the lovely and talented Amy. I'll be making some good deals to clear the way for new creations. So stop by and say hello! I might even have cupcakes. Now you have no reason to say no.

cold mornings turn to
warm days--all life is hurried,
frantic + pushing forth

Etc..

I spent most of a rainy Sunday trying to figure out how to incorporate fabric into necklaces. After wasting a huge amount of time dorking around with translucent Sculpey (translation: translucent does NOT mean transparent), my friend Sara came to the rescue. She had a whole bag of thin balsa wood shapes. Slapped some decoupage glue on those suckers and *voila!* instant pendants. I drilled a small hole at the top and coated the whole piece in glossy acrylic sealer. Sometimes you have to struggle before finding the easy way to do things. It sucks. Anybody need a half-used brick of translucent Sculpey?

The winner of my itsy bitsy giveaway is Pink Petunia Designs! Please e-mail me your address and I will get the little pouch on its way. (Or maybe I'll see you at the meeting on Thurs.?) Check out her blog--especially her lengthy discussion on the perils and tribulations of buying jeans. So true.

What? It's only two o'clock? Is anybody else out there ready for Happy Hour? Seeing this on Poppytalk made me want to start some heavy drinking. Cheers!

typewriter #2

So you don't think I'm all high and mighty after my recent clean-out, I needed to show you this. This is the second typewriter I've bought in a month. What is wrong with me? I'm happily perusing the thrift store appliance aisle (which has like twenty quesadilla and sandwich makers--what is with that?) and come across the cutest little typewriter in its own travel case. It's sweet and chubby and just had to come home with me. To add to the nostalgia factor, inside the case was the former owner's (I assume) resume for food service work going back to 1976 when he "MADED SURE THAT ALL MEATS GOING INTO THE MEAT DRAWERS WERE ACCOUNTED FOR". I really hope he got the job he was applying for. I picture him setting off to find incredible success and never needing the typewriter again.

It's manual, so the little hand in the picture can't really press the keys hard enough to make an imprint. Which means they get the other electric one all to themselves. Everyone wins. Right, hub?

happy weekend.

dumping the baggage...

I started out by trying to fit something into the closet yesterday. An image of myself appeared in my head--cramming yet another thing into an already exploding, closet doors-off-the-track space. That's it! Six and a half bags later, it still looks the same when closed, but now I have no fear of things burying me when I open it. I don't consider myself a hoarder, but I am very aggressive about reusing things. It was nice to let go and give myself permission to donate it instead. I like the rule of thumb that if you haven't used or needed it in a year, then you won't miss it. Hasta pasta old pillowforms, third generation hand-me-down kid's clothes and miscellaneous ugly fabric.

I was having a grouchy morning until Claire called for a trip to the JoAnn supah-stah. A fun, quick trip that lifted my spirits. And put more crap back in my closets. Ah well, that's the circle of life around here. It's new, exciting crap.

I am still doing a mommy "badge of honor" giveaway. Send me your most humiliating/degrading/unbelievable mommy (or daddy!) moment and I'll put you in for a random drawing for some cute stuff to put in your life. Just picture this little zippy filled with fun..

wee shop update + mom stuff

A few little purses have finally made it into the shop...dragging their handles behind them. It had been so long since I had listed on etsy that I was a little rusty. And the pictures aren't nearly as lovely as I had hoped. But they're in there, waiting for some little hands to carry them and fill them with shiny, tiny bits and baubles.

When I was in the shower this morning (I have such profound moments standing in the steam by myself), I was thinking about the things I have done as a mother I would have never expected (i.e. proof I have become on of "those" mothers I used to sneer at). The ever-growing list includes:

• rip open boxes of unpaid snacks in order to make it through the store
• drive around for hours when they fall asleep in the car so I can hear myself think
• let them play/slobber/chew on various essential belongings like my cell phone, keys, wallet
• nearly wreck the car trying to find the pacifier/toy/crayon/book that's fallen
• jump out of the shower to fix the t.v. channel
• allow for discussion of various topics while I am using the bathroom
• fix someone's toy while I am using the bathroom
• mediate disagreements while I am using the bathroom

It's not what you think. I don't really spend THAT much time using the bathroom. They just have radar for needing me right at that precise moment. My point is that I would do it all again--shamelessly.

What's the greatest length you have gone to as a mother or father? Leave a comment and I'll randomly pick someone for a little goodie bag next week.

Valentines, three day weekends + more!

I hope you all had an especially sweet Valentine's Day. I made two little purses for my girls and tucked in a small box of Jelly Bellys for each of them. I had an ulterior motive--next to chocolate, they are my favorite candies. And since the hub graced me with a pound of See's, I have the best of both worlds! Or worst, if you have a sweet tooth and no will power like myself. I'm debating taping the chocolate box shut until after dinner.

It's Friday! Three days! So full of possibilities! It tempts me to write a to-do list, but then I realized there are really too many things *to-do*. Blah. That's no fun. So I am making a "little joy" list for the weekend instead:

Enjoy an entire cup of coffee in one sitting (I usually wander off and forget it some where)
Go for a drive in my happy lemon convertible
Watch a sunset
Read a magazine cover to cover
Make something with my girls
Kick this cold once and for all

There we go. That seems pretty reasonable, no?

Today is the last day to submit your entry in the pillowcase challenge! My entry is below--a handy little re-usable shopping bag. The hub gave it a trial run at the local co-op (how great is that--my man shopping with a floral pillowcase bag!?) and it got a thumbs-up. I will post a tut/pattern here soon.

Have a great weekend!



patterns of life
spawned by habit, broken up
by dappled sunlight

Oooh...my tummy

The cupcake party on Sunday was filled with laughter, food, sweets and punch. I was feeling particularly girly so I made this champagne punch (champagne optional...well, not for me, of course). I was amazed at the vast array of cupcakes that arrived at my table. Six wonderful gals and six totally different recipes. Perfect. We are still eating cupcakes around here and each time I take a (rather large, gaping) bite out of one, I think about the person who made it. Corny, I know. But tomorrow's the corniest day of the year, so I guess I'm just getting warmed up.

I especially enjoyed looking at my loot from the craft goodie bags I had people bring and exchange. I spread them all out on my sewing table, just like a kid after trick-or-treating. I haven't felt like that in quite a while--just giddy. Maybe it was the sugar, but I don't care. Thanks, ladies.


Their blogs are just as creative and diverse as their cupcakes--so pay them a visit!
Missy
Tamie
Melissa
Claire
Amy

Tamie has a free crochet pattern for the little hearts she brought us on her blog. Perfect last-minute valentines. I'm off to try and get some good pictures of my little purses which didn't make it into the shop on Monday like I planned. I might just go take some cold medicine and lie down instead. All this linking has made me tired. Happy Wednesday!