A few of my favorite things.

I am always on the prowl for handmade or unique items. The thrill doesn't stop at the hunt. Having a story to go along with your proud purchases is one of the greatest feelings. Whether it is from another artist, state, or cute shop, I enjoy being able to say a little about where I found an that special item.

Here are a few of my current fascinations:

 This Mustaches and Creeps card needs to be part of my room decor.

This Cute Little Button belongs on one of my sweaters. Adorable.

This Pickle Print Towel I love for all the weirdest reasons.

 Is this Vintage 8mm Video Camera just not the most wonderful thing you've ever seen?

I am loving these Sparkling Juices by IZZE. 

They are mighty refreshing and way better for you than soda.

I am in love with these Voluspa Candles.

Best. Candles. Ever. 

I discovered these candles in Seattle. I would seriously fly back to Seattle just to buy more of these. 

I bought one of these Blue-Q Totes in Portland. I am quite fond of it. 

I am a fan of using recycled totes. I fill it with fabric, take it shopping with me. 

It's basically just the best. 

Home Accents that Make me Happy.

Oh the gorgeousness. 

It makes my heart smile. 

 I love pretty much everything about this room. The wood floor, the Brick wall, the bookcase, the art...

But can we even discuss this right now! I mean, what is better than a Chevron wall? 

A recycled wood ceiling with a Chandelier. I can't even speak of the beauty. 

And this is just the best idea ever. Plastic toys glued to blocks and painted for whimsical Bookends.

 I've been craving a Dream catcher since I spotted this gem. 

 I need Clipboards like this, just everywhere.

I just can't help but adore this knobby kneed Fashion Sketch. So simple. So wonderful.

Is this not just a magnificent Storage idea?!

Obviously, I have a bit of a thing for room decor. 

DIY: Woven Monogram.

Before I hopped on the plane to visit Seattle and Portland for work I made a darling monogram on canvas wall hanging. I thought it would be cool to embroider right onto the canvas.

Which led me to try my hand at weaving. It was actually fairly easy and enjoyable! 

So here is what you will need:

• Canvas from an art/craft store  
• Paint for your background design
• One skein of yarn
• Yarn Darners from a fabric/craft store
• Masking tape
• Pencil and Eraser
• Ruler
• Exacto Knife 
• Hot Glue Gun

I started by first painting my canvas chevron. I've seen this on Pinterest a thousand time and thought it was a brilliant idea. But I'll warn you, it looks a lot easier on Pinterest than it is in real life! 

I don't know what those people do, but it took two of us to figure out how to tape the canvas! 

I first measured my canvas and figured out how many chevrons would go across once. My canvas was 20 inches long so I figured out I could get 4 full chevrons and 1 that was halved. So I was looking at 5 altogether which meant I needed to make each one 4 inches wide. I then gridded my canvas in 4" x 2" rectangles. At every 2" point on the 4" line I put a dash to show where the point needed to be. 

I then taped from the bottom left corner to the 2" dash, then back to the bottom right corner and repeated. After each strip of tape I took an exacto knife and cut away the overlap so I would have clean straight lines. 

And then you are ready to paint! 

I am currently loving gray and yellow together so I chose to paint gray and white chevron and then use yellow yarn for my letter. 

Once the paint was dry I flipped the canvas over and drew my letter backwards on the back. 

Thread your darner/needle. Then start by satin stitching your letter onto the canvas following the outline of the letter. Put your needle through from the wrong side and pull the yarn through to the right side. Go straight across to the other side of your letter and pull your needle through again to the back.

Repeat until your letter is filled in. It should look like mine when you are done. 

I would recommend using a yarn darker than the paint or painting the area of your letter first to prevent your background design from showing through your letter. Unfortunately I only came to that realization after I satin stitched my whole letter. Geesh!

And now you can start weaving! 

Use your darner as a weaving tool and weave between the threads from one end of the letter to the other. After you pull the yarn through use the back of the darner to condense the weaving and make it tighter. Once you finished a row use your fingers to make it even tighter. 

This part can take a little time, so sit back and catch up on a good show! 

When you finish weaving your letter use hot glue to outline the woven letter with another strand of yarn to clean up the edges. And then you're done! 

Now go hang it on your wall and admire it! 

Guest Post: Knit Pencil Skirt.

I came across Merrick's blog and instantly fell in love with her sewing tutorials. 
I am always looking to whip up a cute piece or recreate a piece I already adore and her blog is perfect for quick ideas and easy instructions. 
Visit her blog here: http://merricksart.blogspot.com/
P.S. She's also a fabulous painter! (Gotta love her cow painting!)
I asked Merrick to share with you one of my favorite tutorials. I need to make one asap! 

Materials:

• pencil skirt that fits you 
• 3/4 yard knit/jersey material (I got mine at JoAnn's) -- more or less depending on your size
• 3/4 yard knit/jersey lining (optional)

Step 1. 

Lay your pencil skirt on your folded-in-half knit material with the stretch of the fabric going horizontally (as seen below). Cut around the skirt, adding a 1/2" seam allowance. As you cut around the hips, add an extra 1/2" to your seam allowance to account for your darts.  Since your fabric is folded in half, it will cut two of the same exact shape. If you want to line your skirt, cut 4, or cut two more out of your lining material.

Fold your waistband down to finish your cut.

Step 2. 

Now cut your waistband (making sure the stretch of the fabric runs horizontally again). Make it roughly 5 inches tall, and as wide as your pencil skirt waistband with an extra 1/2" seam allowance on either side (as seen below). Make sure you cut two (2) of these.

Step 3. 

On the back piece of your skirt, along the top, sew two darts about 4 inches long each . If you don't know how to sew darts, refer to this easy video tutorial.

 Step 4. 

Now that your darts are done, put your back lining and back skirt piece together (as seen below. . . .

. . . .and then (with right sides together) place your front skirt piece on top, and your front lining on top of that. The order should be back lining, back of skirt, front of skirt, and front lining (as seen below). Make sure your two pink fabric pieces have the right side of the fabric facing each other. 

Now sew along to the two sides with a 1/2" seam allowance to attach all four pieces. Cut off extra fabric and zigzag or serge the edges.

Step 5. 

Now for the waistband. With right sides together, sew up the short sides of your waistband with a 1/2" seam allowance. Cut off the extra seam allowance and serge or zigzag the raw edges.

 Then fold the waistband in half (as seen below). . . 

. . . . and then, with all the raw edges facing out, pin it to the top of the skirt (as seen below). Make sure you match up the side seams. Sew along the entire waistband with a 1/4" seam allowance, then cut off the extra fabric and zigzag or serge the raw edges. 

Press your waistband flat, and now it should look like this. . .

Step 6. 

Try on your skirt and pin the hemline to your desired length. Stitch around the bottom with a wide stitch (as to avoid bunching). Press flat and you're done! 

And of course, then add some fun painted embellishments if you'd like :) 

As always, comment or email with any questions. Happy sewing!

Thank you, Merrick! 
And I enjoyed being your guest as well!
Did you miss it? Check it out on Merrick's blog:
http://merricksart.blogspot.com/2012/09/nightgown-refashion-tutorial-guest-post.html

Where am I today?

Oh, over here at Merrick's Art Blog.

Visit me won't you? And stay to take a look around!

Come back tomorrow for an awesome pencil skirt DIY from Merrick! 

Mustard Tote Giveaway:

First, I want to say thank you to those who entered my giveaway and most importantly took the survey.

I appreciate all of your feedback and will keep it in mind while progressing in business.

A lot of great things are in the future of a girl named katie and the love I receive from fans only makes me even more passionate about the outcome. 

And now for the winner:

Congratulations, Jaclyn Cage!
Please email me your information to katie(@)agirlnamedkatie.com 

so I can ship this little beauty to you!