Patchwork

I met up with Vy and her sister Mai to go to the Patchwork Show in Long Beach yesterday. There was so much great handmade stuff there, but I didn't take any pictures because I didn't want the sellers to think I was stealing their ideas.


Vy looking at some vintage clothes.


After visiting the show, we went for some coffee at Portfolio and some vintage shopping. This store had a good selection of boots and renewed dresses.


We went inside this huge store that had all sorts of cool vintage things, like Danish furniture, jewelry, hats and hat boxes, phones, and typewriters, which I always like to look at. I found this aqua colored typewriter that has a dial for the letters, which I've never seen before. Too bad it didn't work, I would have loved to try it out.

Thanksgiving Pie

I'm so happy that the holiday season is finally here. I love the warm feeling I get from the smell of the food in the kitchen, holiday music, and being around family.

My brother Chris is a wonderful cook. He's been making our Thanksgiving and Christmas feasts for the past couple years, and its something I can always look forward too.

I'm better at baking than I am at cooking, so I get to be in charge of dessert. This year I made Cranberry-Apple Crumble Pie. I've never made this kind before, but I enjoy trying out new recipes. If you're looking for a winter dessert to make, I highly recommend this one , it's very easy to make, and delicious with coffee or tea.

Fabric Yo-yos

I've been working on making a ton of fabric yo-yo's this week. These adorable things are so simple and easy to make. Hopefully I can make seventy-five more so that I can sew them together to make a Christmas tree skirt.

Below are some images that have inspired me to make fabric yo-yos.


A darling necklace from Anthropologie.


A pretty French Brooch from Etsy.


And an amazing handmade quilt, again from Anthropologie. Oh how I love the variety of colors and sizes, just the perfect amount of craftiness and whimsy! Now I am determined to get my yo-yo making skills down, and create a quilt like this one.

Etsy Sale #2

I just sent out my second Etsy sale! Someone bought my typewriter thank you cards, which I'm really excited about. I like how simple but pretty the wax paper packaging is, it gives it a nice glowy effect. My shop is pretty empty now, I really need to get on top of making those handmade holiday decorations. Any requests or custom orders?

Weekend Fun

I was very antsy this past week in anticipation of Andrew coming down to visit me for the weekend. We had a wonderful weekend full of good food, family, the beach, and scrabble! We hung out in Santa Monica yesterday, where we took these pictures.

This was Andrew's idea, and I think they turned out great. I love how he looks like superman in these, saving me, and taking off to save the rest of the world. I really enjoy his creativity and the way he makes photographs, and I'm so thankful we can appreciate art and be creative together.


I thought I'd include another great diptych that he's made that I thought of when we shot the images above. This one was taken 2 years ago, shortly after we met. It's of me and my old roommate Michelle. Thank you for your sense of humor and creativity Andrew, you continue to amaze me everyday.

Vy & Me

Vy came out to Pasadena to visit me yesterday on my day off! We started the day off with having lunch at Julienne. Everything was so yummy. We split a chicken taragon salad sandwich on rosemary raisin bread, with a simple mixed green salad on the side.

Then, it was off to the LACMA to see the new photography exhibition.


Before visiting the photography exhibition, we stopped to look at the paintings and sculptures. Here's a Rothko painting.




Walking through Richard Serra's "Sequence" in the BCAM. Even though I've walked through this piece before, it still makes me nervous.


I wasn't allowed to take pictures inside the photography exhibition , but I had to include this picture from the internet. It's a piece by Nan Goldin that was in the self-portrait show. I was so excited to finally see her work in person. Cindy Sherman and Martin Kersel's work were also in there.

After visiting LACMA, we headed home for some DIY crafting.


I know it's kind of early to be thinking about Christmas, but I wanted to give hand made gifts this year because not only are they really unique and special, but they're very cost effective. And if I'm going to hand make my gifts, I need to get a head start! I made this fabric Christmas wreath for Andrew's parents, and now my mom is trying to get me to make one for our house and my grandparent's house. If I have more time, maybe I will make more of these and sell them on my Etsy, so be sure to check back ;)


These cinnamon scented Ponderosa pine cones smell so good, they're making me anxious for winter to kick in!