It’s an obsession, I tell you.

From That Old Blue House,  Muse Glass, and little magnets by Botanical Theatre.

While I wasn’t won over by the movie itself, the visuals of The Science of Sleep were amazing.

This is to be expected given the director, Michel Gondry, is well known for his music videos.

And of course, Gael Garcia Bernal is awfully nice to look at.

But it was really the use of fabric crafts that caught my eye, entire scenes sometimes made up of yarn and cotton.  Charlotte/Stephanie has a cupboard stuffed with it that I can’t help envying.

So even though I can’t say I liked it, it was definitely a visual feast.

Megan is some kind of magical craft flower fairy.  That’s gotta be the reason for the fact that when she saw my post on Bungalow 360, she generously offered me the whale belt I’d admired.

Then, when the package arrived, I was shocked to see a big old box instead of a little envelope.  In addition to the belt, which I’ve worn all week, were these wonderful goodies.

Everyone should have their own magical craft flower fairy.

Of the mess of cards I got this year, the ones I got from my sister were the best for humor.  Yes, more than one–she liked these so much she bought a handful.

I know the holiday is past but man, these are funny.  And worth stocking up on for next year.

& this might be pretty niche for humor but maybe the curly-haired out there can relate (Sal?)

Even greater, each card is hand painted and actually really cute in person.  Available at Snarky Cards or via Super Alisa’s blog.

Hope you had a great holiday.

Hollin’s post at Vim & Verve about Emma Lamb’s garlands of crocheted flowers instantly captured my attention.

Crochet is a craft I’ve never mastered–I can do a chain stitch and that’s about it.  Given that, I’m wondering if it’d be possible to do something similar with yo-yos instead?

I can imagine stringing a very small version from the picture ledge I recently bought at Ikea (and ran into Pip&Tom while there!)  It’s the perfect width–just enough room to include a candle.  I bought two but have yet to decide where to put the second one.  We shall see.

I realized while browsing Etsy for holiday cards that what I’m drawn to is very predictable.  On a whim, I checked my purchasing history and confirmed that my taste has gotten a bit stagnant–trees, deer, deer and trees, and the occasional flippant sentiment.

I am here to tell you that not much has changed.

A gocco variation on the tree image from Cocky Rooster, a water color version from Bestiary Ink, graphic and gold from Gypsy & Twink, and with birds from Eva Paul.

Variations from this theme include a design that could only originate in Seattle.

& cats always get me.

If only it were a tuxedo!

I’m not as clued in as I used to be to the local street team’s activities but I managed to find out about the craft show taking place this weekend at Intiman Theater near Seattle Center.

The set up was wonderful and open, with lots of room between booths and plenty of natural light to see all the goodies by.

I’ve already got Christmas shopping on the mind and there were definitely lots of tempting goods on display.

The miniature chairs here were so charming that I had to get a picture–I could see any of the little babies I’ve come to know this past year enjoying them at some point.

My haul includes Christmas cards from Cakespy and a yummy candle from Wicks and Wire.

The show goes through Sunday so if you’re in the area, you should definitely swing by.

While I’ve thought about investing in something promotional for (Into) the Fray (advertising or sponsor spots on a blog, maybe a showcase, or contributing to the goodie bags that my local street team puts together for events), I’ve never followed through–especially with the wild changes that absorbed all of my focus throughout the month of October.  So you can bet I was thrilled to see my items get noticed despite my lack of marketing.

Etsy included one of of my little zippered pouches in the $25 and Under gift guide.  This was a nice thing to stumble across yesterday afternoon but then my day got even brighter.

The little ruffled tank I made using vintage lace was included in the Gift Guides for women!

The gift guides are really fleshed out given the time of year and it seems like the discounts are piling up in my inbox as well.  I’ve included some of them below, especially if I’ve been happy with what I’ve bought in the past:

Red Envelope – 15% off orders over $50

Jo Anns – 10% off using promotional code EGD318

Target’s offering free shipping on purchases over $50

Beklina is also offering free shipping

& Amazon is offering $20 off selected boots

While I have no desire to think about Christmas shopping at the moment, and am really going to try to make as many of my gifts as possible, there’s always the last minute option that saves the day when you suddenly remember you forgot about that one niece or coworker.  Enjoy!

I’ve been listening to a lot of new music lately and, as in the past, it completely influenced my trend for a treasury when one became free yesterday.

Available another 20 or so hours here.

A good friend of mine is one of the many women I know who absolutely adores Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice.  In fact, she did a fabulous impression of Mrs. Bennet, Elizabeth’s horrifying mother, that was rendered twice as hysterical due to her Wisconsin inflected pseudo-British accent.

This mug made me immediately think of her.  If she didn’t move around so often, I might even get it for her.

We returned from Victoria this afternoon to a stack of catalogs and a little package for me.

Meighan at My Love for You is a Stampede of Horses (one of the best art blogs) was having a giveaway and I won.  While I certainly don’t need any more crafty hobbies, I couldn’t resist entering for the opportunity to get my own little embroidery starter kit–especially one from Sublime Stitching, one of the first names I think of when it comes to the craft.

Can you believe these scissors?  Too sweet.  My first night home has been entirely devoted to jewelry and beadwork but I’ll post here the moment I start experimenting with the floss and hoop!

I’ve been the recipient of some insane generosity lately.  First, when I mentioned meeting Dawn the other day, I didn’t mention the amazing bundle of vintage fabric she had in hand.  It took all of my willpower not to unwrap it right there.

The first wee arrow is pointing to the tiny peek of vibrantly shaded plaid that’s going to become a top–I’ve already cut it out using one of Diana’s vintage patterns.  The second arrow is pointing to a vintage twill I’m positive will go towards the trim or pockets of an apron.  Probably using another one of Diana’s patterns!

The second bit of goodness is courtesy of a coworker who was helping her 80 year old mother pack up to move into a smaller place last week and apparently thought of me when they came across her collection of trims and notions.

I’m going to have to think long and hard about what to use some of these for as I want to make sure their beauty is shown off adequately.

A few things from Etsy.

I’ve always loved Kelly Loves Whales–as a wardrobe_remixer and as an artist.  Thanks to all of the letters and cards I sent out after the housewarming, I was able to justify grabbing some from her shop.  Look at all of the goodies she included in the package!  I just grinned from ear to ear when I opened it.

The ginormous dish is courtesy of House of Vintage.  With my great sense of timing, I ordered it two days before the housewarming knowing full well it wouldn’t arrive in time to give our hors d’ouvre the appropriate 1960s dash.  Ah well–I’ll just have to host another shindig to justify using it.

The sweet bowls are from Amber, one of the first customers to my shop who has since opened up her own successful store front.  I was thrilled she agreed to trade with me as I am always in need of containers.

Related reading:

Etsy Love

Mail Call

In the wake of the most recent BurdaStyle Sewing Club meet up, my craft room looks like a tornado touched down leaving a spray of tissue paper, thread, bits of fabric, and a lazy tuxedo cat.  The reason for this?  Diana.

I met Diana at the first meet up and later learned she had a trove of vintage patterns she couldn’t use (much too big.)  Given they’re only a size or two off what I usually buy, I was thrilled to get the lot of them for an incredibly reasonable price at the most recent meet up on Saturday.

I first divided these up based on what I knew I wanted to make (someday) and what will simply never be my style.  Given the sheer number of what landed in my to-do pile, I have no idea when I’ll actually get around to making something from a Burda pattern & having anything valuable to contribute to the meetings.

In fact, I was so inspired by this trove of patterns that I allowed myself a trip to the fabric store for the first time in ages and picked out 5 yards for 2 patterns right off the bat.  The first is a striped cotton that I think will give this dress a nice menswear feel.

The peach fabric in the top picture is an Italian linen that feels incredible–you’ll have to wait to see which pattern I used.  I’m hoping to have it done by this Sunday for a wedding–I got the muslin out of the way yesterday and should be able to alter the pattern tonight.

By the way, if you meet me in real life and I look mildly brain damaged when you tell me you read my blog, it’s only because I assume the majority of the people who land here are mistakenly trying to find big breasts or a Spanish rear ends (here’s a hint: turn off the safe search and you might end up somewhere more appropriate to your interests.)  While I know the 80/20 rule dictates that there must be more people reading than commenting, I still don’t quite believe it.  So apologies to Shelley for the dumbfounded response –I should have just said ‘thank you,’ which I will try to remember to do if this happens in the future.

Browsing for a vintage halter pattern, the results returned a few crochet patterns as well.

The granny squares of this 1970s pattern are positioned in a way that makes me wonder how you could avoid wearing a bra.

I don’t even know what to say about this one.  Other than ‘oh, my’ and ‘What would Alice say?’

We are cat people so you’ll have to excuse how entertained I am by these paper crafts.

From Power and Light.

Love this linocut from Kittytown.

And this print by Kerry Beary makes me smile.

Happy Caturday.

An awesome card from my friend, Sarah:

It so resembled our house that for a second I thought she’d made it.  & let me tell you, I would not put picking up letter press printing past Sarah.

By Little Oranges of California.

Back in April, I got a heads up that Bon Bon Atelier was introducing a new fabric department.  Amongst the standards faves like Alexander Henry and Amy Butler was a name I hadn’t seen before (but which I’m sure a more experienced seamstress would recognize: Kaffe Fasset.

I’m not usually much for florals, much less overblown florals but these are so vivid and crazy that I kind of love them.

If I didn’t have so much fabric lined up for projects that are very much on the backburner right now, I’d be all over these.

Not sure if the discount is still valid given how long ago I got the email, but you might as well see if entering the word “apple” at checkout will get you 10% off!

If we didn’t spice our food directly from the containers, I’d be all over these charming shakers.

I’m a sucker for representations that reflect me and my boyfriend.

& I love these because they so perfectly match the midcentury look of the house.  From Little Byrd Vintage, my new favorite place to drool over housewares.

I realize the Fail blog doesn’t tend to cover crafty stuff but they really should.  Now, I realize this sweater might not quite qualify for the epic fails they do feature but I’m sure I could submit some of my other projects that would be just as horrifying.

There’s nothing wrong with beige per se but I don’t like clothes near my face that are the same color as my skin.  I bought a grey dye, let the thing soak with a couple of stirs…soak some more…and a little more–and still didn’t really get the true grey I was looking for.

I’ll have to look into the synthetic dyes, I think.