It's My Birthday - Again

I blame my parents for this awkward, between-Christmas-and-New-Year's birthdate which I have never once celebrated with a birthday party with friends on the actual date. On the other hand, I have never once had to go to school or work on my birthday. =)

I am writing this post ahead of time, so I am not sure what I am going to be doing....a trip to the museum or taking myself to a movie are two possibilities, or maybe making a purse for myself.

I did buy myself a little gift.....I walked into a calendar store and it jumped into my hand, I swear. I may or may not have spent 2 hours flipping through it last night. There are 313 different bags, some by high-end designers and some by unknown artists, spanning a length of time between the early 1800s and 2008. Anyhoo.....I won't be doing the big birthday extravaganza giveaway from last year, despite the fact that I will be turning 30 for the second time. But I do want to give you, my awesome blog buddies, a small token of thanks for sticking with me, despite the sporadic blogging and more than the acceptable amount of whining lately.

So if you would like to win this Wicked Witch bag, leave me a comment with what you like to do on your birthday. I'll draw one on New Year's day (Friday) sometime.

Thanks again for reading and good luck!

Mojo (Not) Risin'

Mojo Gone

Back soon, I hope.....

Ties Rock

Those of you who prowl the crafty sites have probably already seen this, but for those of you who haven't...here are a couple of AWESOME things to do with ties. Which I love. PS. I want some more ties. They are too expensive at Goodwill!



go here for instructions on this bag...


And I LOVE LOVE LOVE this tie light plate! I wish I didn't live in an apartment!!!!! go here for instructions.

I still haven't had time to sew, but am hoping to get some time later this week.

Very Cool Blogs

I check far more blogs than what is listed, but these, along with those listed yesterday, rank among my favorite crafty sites...

tinyhappy is a blog by a woman who lives in Norway (I think) and does beautiful, intricate embroidery, usually inspired by nature. I totally admire her work!

glamspoon is another woman who lives in Seattle somewhere and she makes the clothes I would wear if I was a slightly different size...I love her look and I think she has great style!

Nicole at Nicole Mallalieu Designs makes adorable bags...but it makes me jealous when she posts info about her classes....in NEW ZEALAND....that I can't possibly go to!! =)

Dana at MADE has really interesting and unique solutions to "problems" when sewing, the clothes she makes are very stylish and totally cute!!

Christina over at Assorted Notions sews a lot of knits...which has almost (but not quite) encouraged me to not be afraid of knits...and she has GREAT style!

Thanks to all you crafty ladies, and know that even if I don't comment, I check your sites every day! (Sad, but true...it's my way of transitioning from teaching to other things)

Strip Tease

I went to Goodwill earlier this week and got 2 pillowcases (more on that in another post) and a really filthy Roxy brand purse...total spent? $3.28. I know. Nice. Anyway....the purse was disgustingly grimy, but it had pieces that I wanted, so I bought it (half price) and took it apart - I believe the automotive term is "stripped." Mwa ha ha ha!

Before ~

And after ~ I got three magnetic closures, a zipper, 2 wooden handles, a foam-cored bottom, and some straw-like woven stuff that I can probably find a use for eventually.

Feeling Bluesy

I am sort of at the point of the summer where I don't feel like doing anything. I don't want to read, I don't want to go anywhere, I don't want to sew, I don't want to craft, I don't want to clean house, I don't want to work out, I don't want to talk on the phone, I don't want to lesson plan, nothing. I think, like a little kid, I need a set schedule and I don't do well without one. I did finally sort of tidy up the living room a little bit. I also finished sewing a shirt and a pair of pants (I HATE zippers) and cut out a bag - and then realized I screwed it up, so I threw it in the corner. Argh! No pictures though....I don't do self-portraits or any other kind if I can help it.

I am a little proud of myself though, I don't really like to sew clothes because....well mostly because I'm lazy, but I have been very inspired by a couple of blogs this summer, especially clevergirl.org and wardrobe refashion, so I am trying to work on that. With practice, I will get better. Maybe when I can sew cotton without episodes of violent cursing, I will consider moving on to other more exciting fabrics. =)