Dear computer, I missed you... not!

My dear computer died almost 2 weeks ago. After a moment of panic, I had to deal with the fact that I was going to live without it for a couple of days. I sent it to the tech to see if it was in any way fixable and after 3 days I was told it was going to cost me a lot of money and the guy wasn't sure if it would still work. The good news, my datas were not lost. And I had to buy a new computer. For a total of 6 days I couldn't work on my design contracts or waste my time on Facebook, so I decided to pretend computers don't exist.

It was one of the best week in a long time. I did what I never have enough time to do.

A cup of tea. A candle. A book. Watercolor, old magazines, scissors, glue.

In the end, it was the best thing that could happen to me. I have a brand new iMac now but I decided to turn it off after 7pm to do what I never have enough time to do.

A cup of tea. A candle. A book. Watercolor, old magazines, scissors, glue. And a lot of time, precious, quiet time with myself.

This and That

I have a lot of favorites on Etsy. Many things I could never do myself, but some I can actually, more or less, reproduce. Not saying the final result is as amazing as the "original" but it's highly satisfying.

Here's what I was able to do lately. Liked this, made that... Left, the original. Right, my humble try.

inspired by Branchbound's bracelets

inspired by EcoShag's upcycled accessories

inspired by Divina Locura's bracelet

It's my Birthday!

Well, kinda. I received 2 amazing books (one from my dear friend Marie, one from my dear self). I also bought some new stuff, including sketch books, pens, paint and brush.

Now will you excuse me, I have some reading/painting/drawing to do!

In Solidarity

I created this piece of art for a silent auction that will be held May 14th. All the money will go to Marie-Sol, a woman/mother/artist who lost her arms and legs after being affected by a bacteria in March. You can read her story (in french) and find out more about the auction initiative (also in french).

Necklace Display

I've been looking for a way to display my necklaces for a while now. Taking photos of stuff you want to sell is not always easy as you have to give the best idea possible of the item for sale to potential customers... Jewelry displays are quite expensive and I wanted to find a low cost option.

Then I found this blog post showing how to make a dispaly with basically nothing else than cardboard and an elastic band. I made my own template using a cookie box, some material and hard cover Mod Podge.

I took a few shots of it, but I still have to find the best angle and a light to get great photos.

If you're looking for me

You might find me in the crochet zone.

Whenever I have 5 minutes ahead of me (and even when I don't), I jump on my ball of yarn and my crochet to finish something. I made 5 hats last week : 3 different hats for me, with unsatisfying results (so I might just create another one), one darling little pink hat with a flower for my niece, one for my brother. I started a scarf for myself, with the nice fuschia color you see on the photo.

I just cannot stop, it's so addictive, I never thought it would be so!
So if you're looking for me, you know where I'm at...

And some more

I made this simple bracelet inspired by different ideas seen on Etsy and Pinterest. I also made a lantern with a jam jar and some purple lace from an old t-shirt (glued on the jar with Mod Podge).

Simple things that change my mind and make me relax. I cannot go with long and complicated projects these days, so... Easy peasy, funny bunny!

Craft Crazy

While I'm at it, while not continue to endlessly create stuff! Every free minute that I have I feel like trying something new and lately I've been making so many things I cannot even list them.

I'm particularly happy with my oil bottle, with the name 'oil' written in different languages, including korean, arabic, greek and hebrew! I also made some coasters - well I covered some bamboo coasters from dollar shop with nice paper and dimensional Mod Podge. They both make nice gifts ideas - just sayin'.

 

Found some time

Fifteen minutes here, one hour there, a baby on my lap or on my back, I was able to make, to create, to do things I wanted to do for a while. A lot of upcycling, I bought only the frame ($1) and the white and black board paper rolls ($2 each).

A mosaic frame made from sea glass

A kitchen rug made from puzzle-like foam squares (you know, the ones everyone has in the kids room?)

A flower brooch made from an old t-shirt.

 A "family information center" - calendar and note board (made from white board paper), menu board (made from black board paper), magnetic board (cut some metal sheet and covered it with scrap paper) and pen holder .














Oh, and I found a lot of inspiration on Pinterest.

How to get nowhere with your craft projects

(You could also replace 'craft projects' by 'house clean-up', 'blogging', 'website'...)

1. Have a 6 months-old baby next to you while working
2. Have a 6 months-old baby on you while working
3. Work while 6 months-old baby sleeps... for 20 minutes
4. Work while 6 months-old baby sleeps, with a 6 years old and a 8 years old boys around
5. Watch TV or play Angry Birds while everybody sleeps at night.

Teaching what I love

I was invited to make a painting workshop for teenage girls at the local mosque. I decided to show them how to make henna patterns to create nice details on a wooden mirror.

First step was to practice on paper. Then they had to draw, on paper always, the patterns they would like to have on their mirror. Painting the background of the mirror was next. Most of the girls didn't finish the patterns yet but I think they are doing great already! They should be done by next week. Cannot wait to see the final result!

Baby Toys

It took me about 6 months to finish them... but I'm finally done with my mushroom rattle and soft cube toy (also rattle). I used different kind of material (supposed to help baby's sensory development) and added some ribbons to the cube.

Here's my little secret, if you ever feel like making some rattles: I used cat toys (you know those little plastic balls with a bell inside?), they are perfect for that.

Pins Spring Collection has arrived!

I promised I would make more pins, and I know some of you were waiting for them for quite a long time... Well, here they are, brand new, colorful and, in my opinion, even better then before!

I'm not going to list them on Etsy as they go really quickly, but if you're interested, just contact me and we can arrange something. They are 3 inches long, and have a clutch to secure them. I sell them 5$ each + shipping if necessary.

For those who had the previous pins, the new ones are a wee bit longer - just to let you know.

Mirror, mirror on the wall...

I tried something new this time - a one color only mirror with golden details. I also added some crystal and mosaic 3D stickers. It gives a nice bling bling/indian look to it!

Adorn Your Ears

I have 4 pairs of earrings made of seaglass that I'm going to list on Etsy. Have a look!

...and a baby sweater

Again, just by following simple video instructions I was able, to my amazement, to crochet that baby cardigan. Quickly and easily! I did something wrong (not sure what exactly) so the front part turned out like an inverted 'V' instead of being straight, but I actually like it. I just need to add a cute button and... voilà!

Hooked... continued!

I'm spending most of my time crocheting these days. Completely addicted! The fantastic thing about crochet is that it's so easy, I'm just following videos and was able to make things I thought were for experts only.

I had some material left from my baby blanket and tried making a hat and baby booties with it. For a first try I'm quite happy with the final result.

Now working on more hats for the kids, a baby sweater and a cardigan for me. I'm having so much fun!

Now toys

After making useful stuff for the baby (and it's not over yet, as I just bought some new fabric and wool today), I felt like creating some little toys. I made this stuffed giraffe and a mushroom rattle and a sensory soft cube are on the way - need to finish them up and will upload some photos as well.

The giraffe is one side with color bubbles (a nice Micheal Miller's piece of fabric I got from an old Swap-bot fabric swap) and one side yellow and has a rattle inside. Perfect for little hands and very colorful... We'll see how baby NoName will react :)!

Jewelry Holder

It's always a great feeling to do something by yourself instead of buying it. I love to browse on Etsy, pick something I like and just try to make it.

Lately I saw that nice jewelry holder and decided I wanted to make one myself. I had everything I needed, so the thing didn't cost me anything. I used an old mirror (that already had the three hooks at the bottom), a nice sheet of scrapbooking paper, old wooden buttons and some kind of black screen material. I took off the mirror from the frame, painted it, put the paper and screen instead and added the buttons. Not only it looks good but it's very useful.

Another accomplished project!

Done!

It took me 3 weeks to finish it - my first crochet project, a baby blanket.

Now what will I do of my evenings? I should quickly learn how to make hats and cardigans!