Yoyo Quilt - The Final Product

June 5, 2014: I completed my yoyo quilt.

Monogram Wall Art

Good Afternoon folks!

I'm trying to write this post super fast so I can get it posted today! Which means there is more of a chance for typos. You'll laugh. You'll love it. Let's get to the project.

Body Pillow turned Bolster Pillow

Today we are talking about these cute houndstooth numbers, and the struggle that was sewing them.

UPCYCLE: Jewelry Hanger

Let's see. Where do I begin with this story. This is more of an unintentional upcycle. 

Embroidered Bow Pillows

Back to blogging! I could say that the reason for my lack of posts is because I have been unusually busy. However, it is mostly due to the massive amount of Shiba Inu videos on the internet (Read: I want a puppy). 

Hair Bows! - With a Preview of Upcoming Posts

The point of this post is really to show off the awesome GIF I made. 

Several months ago I made a bunch of hair bows from some left over fabric. They are now available for purchase on my Etsy shop!

At this time, I don't really have a tutorial on how I made them. However, I do have an upcoming post on some bow pillows that use a very similar construction technique. Hair bows would be a great introductory lesson to machine sewing. 

Here is a preview of what's to come in the next few posts!

Broken Ironing Board turned earring holder! 

Bow Pillows with embroidered detail.

Monogram wall art.

Houndstooth bolster pillows made from a body pillow.

My completed yoyo quilt :)

Thanks for stopping in! 

Laterbug, Caiterbug.

Hokusai Reproduction Painting

For those of you that don't know, I went to school for Art Education and Computer Art & Graphics Programming. So while graphic design and digital art are my main loves, my art education training gave an appreciation for other mediums as well. I especially love painting and printmaking. So it is no surprise that this post is about a print I did a painting of. 

Summer DIY - Lace Trim Shorts

The perfect DIY for back-to-school! 

Summer DIY - Cucumber Gin

It is not too late to make this refreshing summer drink! Super easy and extra tasty!

Our First Year of Marriage - In Review

Tom and I just celebrated our first anniversary! Can I get a woohoo?

Being a lover of all things crafty, I wanted to make something special to celebrate our first year of marriage. 

Our Wedding Invitations

Greetings! and welcome to my invitation post.

Even before I had any interest in graphic design, I always wanted to make my own wedding invitations. This probably comes from my love of scrapbooking and papercrafts (nerd alert!). Some brides will continue to day-dream about their wedding dress or their bridal jewelry. Me, on the other hand, I still day dream about our invitations.  As you will read, I put way too much thought into every detail, and by end of this post you will be questioning my sanity.  So without further adieu, I invite you to come along on the adventure that is invitations.

My Brooch Bouquet

I feel like this post has been anticpated from friends and family for quite some time. Well, here it is! Here is where you find out all the details and the story behind this sparkly, colorful, and very heavy bouquet.

State-shape Embroidered Pillows

Finally, I am back to blogging! Feels good. I felt like we had a busy spring, and I totally put the blog on the back burner. Sorry! I have lots to catch you up on. Many projects, pillows, a mini master bedroom update, a finished yoyo quilt, and too many Birch Boxes to count!

Yoyo Quilt Update

Exciting news people. Progress is happening. Last time we chatted, I had the yoyos in 2x4 strips. As of this past Sunday, I have all my yoyo's in these cute 8x8 squares. 

Envelope Pillow with Piping

This my first "real" sewing project. I say that because my previous projects consisted of simple hand sewing, and my relationship status with my sewing machine was, well, complicated.  I always wanted  to learn to sew, and I was given a Viking sewing machine (who I have affectionately named Mjolnir) Christmas 2009. However, he didn't see much daylight until I graduated college, for more reasons then just living in sun-less Ohio. Mjolnir and I were definitely in the friend zone, poor guy.  And, for a while I wasn't sure if things were ever going to work out between us. After finishing school and moving, I finally had some time to dedicate to our relationship. I'm glad he waited around for me. Love ya, bud.

Designing a 'Save The Date'

My first wedding post, how exciting. The first of many. 

I did many DIY projects for our wedding, including a lot of crafting and all the printed material. Mainly consisting of the Save  the Dates, Invitations, Menus, Programs, Favors, and probably several other things I cannot think of at the moment. I will try to blog about them in a semi-chronological order. 

Garage Sale Furniture Makeover

Summer 2013 wasn't just the summer I got married, but the summer of garage sale adventures.  I scored some awesome deals, and saw parts of Ohio I didn't even know existed.  I love a good bargain, and I had a whole apartment across the country I needed to furnish. I spent a total of $198 that summer, and furnished 80% percent of our apartment.  That $198 dollars paid for: two dressers, a coffee table, two bar stools, a wine cabinet, a sideboard cabinet, a side table, a kitchen table, 4 kitchen chairs, and a hall tree. 

Embroidery Project #4: Embellished Brush/Crochet Roll

Welcome to my fourth and final (at least for now) embroidery post! This project was a Christmas gift for my mother. Within the past few years she has become an exceptional crocheter, which just happen to coinside with the birth of her first grandchild. Coincidence? I think not.  Now, with four grandchildren (3 in the past 6 months), she has been on a crocheting marathon making beautiful baby blankets and the cutest/teeniest hats. 

Embroidery Project #3: Cloth Napkins

Welcome to embroidery project number three! This one was a Christmas gift for my monogram-loving sister. This sister loves to host, and she is darn good at it.  She had just put some final touches on the decor in her dining room, and I wanted to make something to match. I embroidered some "fancy" napkins for her to set her table with when she hosted a dinner, brunch, or family meal. 

Embroidery Project #2: Potholder

For my second embroidery project I did ....another monogram (surprise, surprise)! I was on a real kick this year for handmade Christmas gifts. I wasn't planning on going with a handmade theme, I just kept seeing things on Pinterest that I knew people would love. 

Embroidery Project #1: Monogrammed Scarf

My Yoyo Quilt

Where do I even begin this post? I guess that would have to be senior year of high school, which was 5 years ago, sheesh.  It was Christmas break, probably snowing, and I was sitting in the big yellow chairs at my parent's house.  Along with passions for art and craftiness, I also have set this unattainable goal for myself to watch all the films nominated for best picture. Why? I don't know. I'm a crazy person, and Christmas break provided a great setting for movie marathoning. Who knew that the movie to inspire me to sew would be The Untouchables? 

How To Use A Yoyo Maker

The pictures below outline how to make a yoyo with a yoyo maker.

Start with a swatch of fabric a little larger than your yoyo maker. You will also need a needle, thread, and scissors.  

Birch Box Review

Welcome to my Birch Box review for the month of February! Now I know what you are all thinking...February? Yes, I know it is a little late. However, it has given me a chance to try out all the products, and give a thorough review. 

Apartment Tour

 Welcome to my apartment! This post may seem a little lengthy, but I thought it too silly to make multiple posts of my 700sqft apartment. I know not all of you will have the chance to come visit me, so I made sure to include as many details as I could. I have made commentary on all the photos below. Some of them point out some DIY projects you may see here in the future. 

Our apartment is an urban loft space downtown. We have polished concrete flooring, as well as concrete ceilings. The urban feel is accentuated with industrial handrails and finishings (including a garage door as a wall). 

A. This photo is taken looking over the banister of our loft space. The door and garage door open up to street level, where we have a small patio. We got our couch, arm chair, and ottoman at Macy's (similar) during their Fall furniture sale. Rug: Ikea. B. Coffee table: garage sale/DIY.  C. The Super Power poster: ModCloth (similar)

Lets Start At The Very Beginning

According to Maria, it is a very good place to start.

For this first post, I want to establish some content you readers can except and what I see for the future of this blog. Disclaimer: I am not a strong writer. However, I love sharing my creative ideas and thoughts with others. After making a move across the country, away from many friends and family, I've found it difficult to find a creative outlet where I can be in community with other people (You can only do so much through FaceBook and Instagram). This blog will be a place of all things creative, and also serve as way for my (oh-so-far-away-and-much-missed) friends and family to keep up with my daily adventures (and Star Wars references). Below are some topics I plan on blogging about: