Tuesday - Shoesday

This weekend I got a chance to do some thrifting with my former roomie, Melissa. This was after a lovely meal at Olive Garden. I know, you probably think that Olive Garden is less than extraordinary. But let me tell you this - when there are no Olive Gardens within Chicago city limits, you get excited to drive to Lincolnwood and have all-you-can-eat salad and breadsticks.

On with the shoes!

Sir Thomas More (the bunny) loves shoes!

I snapped up the leather pair right away. They still had the tag on! But I almost walked by the blue pair - it was Melissa who pointed them out. Vintage blue suede heeled oxfords?! Yes please!

The tree - complete.

It's small - just 3", and entered in Feeling Stitchy's Rainbow of Colors contest. Only one week left to enter!

Reversible Bunting

Slowly, but surely, we've been decorating the house. I hung a bunch of pictures on the wall last week, which was pretty big.

On my list of "Decoration Projects": Fabric Bunting
I used vintage linens to make a reversible bunting. One side is bright colors, and one side is more mellow.
It took a surprisingly long time to cut out and sew and turn aallll those triangles. I used my rotary cutter for the first time, though, and now I want to cut little squares out of all the leftovers! Check out that naked sewing machine up there - I think it needs a matching cover.

Giveaway Winner and an Interview

Thank you, everyone who entered my giveaway! There were 90 of you, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading your comments. I think the overall winner for 'favorite book' was Pride & Prejudice, which I have never actually read. So I'll get on that.

Now on to the winner:

Annnndd number 45:

Congratulations, sy! I will be emailing you later today for your mailing address, etc.

Gwen did a little interview with me over at the Brain Surgeon Theater blog. It has a bunch of crafty stuff in it, so if you're new to my blog, head on over and read all about it!

It's the day of the Giveaway!

Yay! As part of Sew Mama, Sew's giveaway day, I will join over 250 generous bloggers in giving something away. Huzzah!

Here's what you can win from me:

An embroidered wall hanging, handmade by me. This Alice in Wonderland-inspired hanging is just over 4.5" at the diameter, and is mounted on a hand-painted wooden frame. The pattern is my own.

A felt birdie brooch, also handmade. It's about 2" at the widest point, and the pin back is securely sewn on.

Also included in the package will be some sewing supplies - two remnants of vintage plaid wool, a yard of vintage lilac pompom trim, 5 skeins of brightly colored embroidery floss, and a pretty patterned pillowcase (the background).

So the winner, which I will select at random, will get everything you see pictured above!

To enter, just leave a comment on this post and tell me one of three things:

1. A book, album/band or movie you would recommend

2. Your favorite craft

3. Your favorite project of all the projects I have blogged about

Alright, you only have until Friday, May 21st to enter. Good luck!

Edited to add: I will ship internationally, and please make sure I can contact you somehow, or check back on Friday. Thanks!

a little wip

I'm working on a few little embroideries for Feeling Stitchy's Rainbow of Stitches contest. Above is a little free-hand red tree that I am quite proud of.
And I just might have cut my bangs last night.

little birthday presentsss

It was recently a special lady's birthday...

That's Annie, my best friend. She lives in New York City. I live in Chicago. So I sent her a (somewhat belated) birthday package in the mail. Including...

A mini-wreath! Have you seen these itty-bitty wreath bases at Joanne Fabrics? This is about 6" across. I wrapped it using the same method that I used for my other wreaths, and then added a huge bow and little felt flowers. I apologize for the dark picture. It's been pretty gloomy around these parts.

Anyway, Annie just got her package in the mail today, so I can post about it! Happy Birthday, best friend!

Green

A quick little mixed media thingy. Embroidery and sharpie on an index card.

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day, Mum!

Here's me with my baby:

Ok, I know, a rabbit is not a baby. He sleeps way more and sheds way more. But soooomeeeday!

a bangs education

Last week I Netflixed "An Education," which I enjoyed immensely. It's a really beautiful film with actors I love, specifically Peter Sarsgaard and Olivia Williams. However, my new celebrity crush is Carey Mulligan's bangs:

How great is that dress, too!? Ok, ok, and Carey is also a very talented actress, who justly deserves all the attention she's gotten over this role. But that hair reminded me of this picture of Anna Karina:

Gorgeous. Do not be surprised if I cut my hair again in the next week or so...

Also, remember those Circle of Art embroidery pieces? They are up on the website and ready to be bid on. So head on over here or here to bid on my pieces. There is a ton of art up for auction, all for a good cause, so check it out!

inspired by...

This week I've been thinking a lot about:

Mermaids!

All images via weheartit.

my coffee table

I wanted to share some fun "coffee table books" with y'all:

On my last trip home to Michigan, my Mum was giving away a ton of old books, including these two "Harry" books. I just looked it up on Amazon, and the first one was published in 1956. I took one look and knew I must have them - they match my living room!
The other little book is a photo album for my Fuji Instax camera. I found it via Holly at her blog {create*loves} and it's from the Etsy shop Sassy Talk Cafe. I am planning on filling it up with any Instax photos that don't immediately get used for projects or get hung up. It's such a shame to have them sitting in a drawer!
And last but not least: a bunny.

Thrift Store Treasures

Lately, I've been seeing a lot of fun stuff with paint-by-number. Elise has a really lovely collection she posted on her blog, and check out this awesome project on Design*Sponge. If I could paint in my apartment, you'd bet I'd have a scenic paint-by-number wall.

Last night, while I was supposed to be exercising (oops), my friend Gwen and I went thrifting. And I came away with this:

I found it at Surplus of Options. You should really visit if you are in Chicago. It is on Lincoln right across from Trader Joe's. It looks pretty small, but they have a huge back room with furniture and home decorations, and that was where I found this, on the very back wall.

Now the only question is:
Should it be flanked with ballerinas?
Or large-eyed circus children?

Last, but not least.

I have finally finished the third pillow for my living room. Finally. It took a really long time.

Here it is with the ever-popular hexagon pillow. The big pillow is just small granny squares joined together. In this case, 50 three-round granny squares joined together by a fourth round in that light grey color. It took a pretty long time. And while I certainly like it, I think it is my least favorite of the three.
I think my favorite is actually the little square one on the left. What do you think?

It's Open!

My Etsy shop is finally open!

Click over and take a look: katiecanavan.etsy.com