tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-135359372024-03-13T12:32:37.304-07:00a patchwork worldAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00325729486417508925noreply@blogger.comBlogger469125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13535937.post-32814996907620790512016-02-28T13:58:00.001-08:002018-06-16T11:14:50.891-07:00Where have I been?That last posts looks so strange to me now over a year later, living in Canada. So much has happened since then. I wish I had posted more photos of us in Seattle. I wish I documented more of the things I made. I've invested 10 years into this blog though so I shouldn't stop now. It looks like kokoleo is kaput but that's not the case; I'm pretty sure I'll always be doing kokoleo to varying degrees for the rest of my life. Here are some things I've made:<br />
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I'm still doing pillow commissions:<br />
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as well as pillowcase commissions...<br />
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and some banners...<br />
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and a special commission kokoleo first - a personalized reversible pet bed:<br />
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I was in a holiday group show at a gallery in our neighborhood:<br />
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I made Annette, the owner, this banner as a thank you for being so nice.<br />
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She gave Erik a solo show this month and his paintings are currently filling the space floor to ceiling.<br />
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I made a custom plush from a kid's drawing:<br />
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I made some beanbags for the Town Run Brewery, a new pub my friend's Todd and Jessie opened in Shepherdstown: <i>pictures to come</i><br />
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I also manically made a ton of hair accessories one week:<br />
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and a few necktie headbands for the holiday show:<br />
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Last week I was getting my car tuned up on Danforth and decided to walk down the street. I found a children's clothing store called <a href="http://merrilymerrily.ca/">Merrily Merrily</a>. They specialize in "New, nearly new, and upcycled whimsy for kids." That's what I specialize in too! I struck up a conversation with the co-owner Jane and gave her my card and by the end of our conversation I knew that the massive hoard of handmade kids' clothes I've been carting around needed to move into their store.<br />
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We set up a day and time to bring them in (last Friday) and the night before I went through the suitcases and trunks I use to store all my kokoleo creations. I separated out the grownup clothes and home decor and unfinished projects and filled my biggest suitcase full of kids clothes - stuff I made for crafts shows (that lifestyle seems so foreign to me now), stuff I retrieved from shops before I left L.A. and then Seattle, stuff I made for no apparent reason. Why do I hoard all this stuff? It does me no good to hide it all in a suitcase in my studio. I figured they would pick a few things to have in their shop. Nope. They picked EVERYTHING! I can't express how wonderful it was to see them love every single item I pulled out. What's more, they offer the most generous commission I've ever gotten from a shop plus they list everything online on their web page. <br />
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So now my kokoleos have a new home in Toronto. This may just be the encouragement I need to get back in my studio and make some more. <br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00325729486417508925noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13535937.post-52735420546852451852014-11-04T11:13:00.000-08:002015-01-15T11:17:44.209-08:00My retro 80s toy children...<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
After 3 years of doing duo costumes (Finn and Jake, Mordecai and Rigby, and Spy vs. Spy) this year my kids decided to go it alone. McKenna wanted to be Twilight Sparkle from My Little Pony and Sage wanted to be an oldskool Gameboy. Both toys originated in the 80s, so that's kind of a theme. Here's our obligatory porch pic...</div>
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And some solo shots. In exchange for one-of-a-kind costumes, my kids know that all I ask for is a few decent pics. It's a small price to pay and they are usually happy to oblige (but eager to go out and collect candy).<br />
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Here are some work-in-progress pics...</div>
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You can read the tutorials I wrote for the <a href="http://www.instructables.com/id/My-Little-Pony-Twilight-Sparkle-Costume/">My Little Pony Costume</a> and the <a href="http://www.instructables.com/id/Game-Boy-Costume/">Gameboy Costume</a> on Instructables.com.<br />
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Whew! The whirlwind Halloween costume-making kokoleo sweatshop is officially closed for another year.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00325729486417508925noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13535937.post-25955832614460757192014-11-03T13:00:00.000-08:002014-11-03T13:00:04.015-08:00I sewed myself a SeaHawk!This logo:<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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is EVERYWHERE in Seattle. I really like it. As NFL logos go, I think we have one of the best. It's based on Pacific Northwest native art like <a href="http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2024548824_seahawksmaskxml.html">this mask</a>:</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7JReLY96Y8M/VE_gAEAAUpI/AAAAAAAAB8A/n0U-pVMDYzQ/s1600/shmask.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7JReLY96Y8M/VE_gAEAAUpI/AAAAAAAAB8A/n0U-pVMDYzQ/s1600/shmask.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Image from Hudson Museum</span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><span style="font-size: small;">So, inspired by Pacific Northwest native art I've encountered since moving here in 2010, oh yeah, and also inspired by the Seahhawks first-ever SUPER BOWL WIN this year, I decided to make myself a Seahawk this Halloween. Hopefully it will come in handy when we celebrate more wins in the future. </span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Full disclosure:</i> I've never been a big football fan and neither has my husband. Last year though, we contracted Seahawk fever and<i> I get it now</i>. Suddenly we find ourselves having to be home on game days, on the edge of our seats shouting at the television to Go!Go!Go! I couldn't care less when any other team plays, but the Seahawks have my heart.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><span style="font-size: small;">Sneak Peek: I'm not saying it's magic, but I put it on at the end of Sundays game against the Carolina Panthers and within a minute the Seahawks scored a tie-breaking touchdown. The next week they won again. Coincidence? </span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IH7tOs6UxYA/VE_oZsIp3CI/AAAAAAAAB8Q/6jOJVRPf2II/s1600/hawkheadTD.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IH7tOs6UxYA/VE_oZsIp3CI/AAAAAAAAB8Q/6jOJVRPf2II/s1600/hawkheadTD.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"></span></span></span></span><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><span style="font-size: small;">Maybe, but I like to think it's the power of the 12th Man infused in my hawk-head that helped.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><span style="font-size: small;">I'm getting ahead of myself though. First I want to show you how I made it. I will title this tutorial: </span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>How to Make Yourself the Most Popular Person in Seattle, in 157 Complicated Steps.</b></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><span style="font-size: small;"> First, </span></span></span></span></span><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><span style="font-size: small;">(fingers crossed the NFL doesn't sue me)</span></span></span></span></span> I took the logo into Photoshop, made it grayscale, brightened it, and enlarged it 725%.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CdVndP4Ztzo/VE_ZaB4tkWI/AAAAAAAAB5k/Lr4tTnGWRsI/s1600/seahawks%2Bprintscreen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CdVndP4Ztzo/VE_ZaB4tkWI/AAAAAAAAB5k/Lr4tTnGWRsI/s1600/seahawks%2Bprintscreen.jpg" height="256" width="320" /></a></div>
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Then I printed it out section by section, pieced it together like a puzzle, and pasted the pages together to be my pattern.<br />
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Next, I put my pattern on top of 2 layers of dark blue fleece and cut out the shape of the head and beak...<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F2KfMMRLQX4/VE_ZttcdgOI/AAAAAAAAB58/VgOpZVHVdlQ/s1600/sh02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F2KfMMRLQX4/VE_ZttcdgOI/AAAAAAAAB58/VgOpZVHVdlQ/s1600/sh02.jpg" height="192" width="320" /></a></div>
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and cut out 2 layers of grey fleece for the neck. Later I cut out 2 green eyes.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zipoetn1KHE/VE_Z0xcCzpI/AAAAAAAAB6E/TLA5K-ZAfYg/s1600/sh03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zipoetn1KHE/VE_Z0xcCzpI/AAAAAAAAB6E/TLA5K-ZAfYg/s1600/sh03.jpg" height="181" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TBSac-wK-1I/VE_aA0MezyI/AAAAAAAAB6M/vY2ZzzHRR1I/s1600/sh04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TBSac-wK-1I/VE_aA0MezyI/AAAAAAAAB6M/vY2ZzzHRR1I/s1600/sh04.jpg" height="151" width="320" /></a></div>
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Then I ironed Heat n Bond Lite to the backs of each piece. DO NOT iron fleece directly. To prevent burning and melting the fleece always cover your fleece with thin cotton fabric before ironing.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Znsl6HIqPFg/VE_aDP5ah4I/AAAAAAAAB6U/yf3vYlcExP4/s1600/sh05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Znsl6HIqPFg/VE_aDP5ah4I/AAAAAAAAB6U/yf3vYlcExP4/s1600/sh05.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here are both layers of the blue and grey fleece with Heat n Bond paper adhered. This paper makes it much easier to cut out the details. <br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QiVkjFTqJHY/VE_aMfedVjI/AAAAAAAAB6c/xe67rqjqi3Y/s1600/sh06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QiVkjFTqJHY/VE_aMfedVjI/AAAAAAAAB6c/xe67rqjqi3Y/s1600/sh06.jpg" height="157" width="320" /></a></div>
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Next, I pinned the pattern to both layers of fleece and cut out the details. <br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gRKuOX1mJWc/VE_aXj5BmeI/AAAAAAAAB6k/VvfGEmr2XbE/s1600/sh07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gRKuOX1mJWc/VE_aXj5BmeI/AAAAAAAAB6k/VvfGEmr2XbE/s1600/sh07.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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I suppose an Exacto knife or rotary cutter would come in handy here, but I didn't have one available so I just used scissors. After several years and several hundred personalized banners, pillows, etc., I have plenty of practice doing this.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R7IpK7r-YaA/VE_aYm0icyI/AAAAAAAAB6s/xHPDKJOy00U/s1600/sh08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R7IpK7r-YaA/VE_aYm0icyI/AAAAAAAAB6s/xHPDKJOy00U/s1600/sh08.jpg" height="162" width="320" /></a></div>
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After I cut out all the parts, I ironed them onto a white background (again using a thin sheet of cotton fabric between my iron and the fleece).<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zDCqtXvAqeM/VE_arJoY4RI/AAAAAAAAB68/9FLMMzlrCFw/s1600/sh10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zDCqtXvAqeM/VE_arJoY4RI/AAAAAAAAB68/9FLMMzlrCFw/s1600/sh10.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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Next, I machine-embroidered the edges of my appliqued fabric using a zig-zag stitch (width 5, length 1).<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pvk0oDKtsuM/VE_2KfuZ5CI/AAAAAAAAB8g/4FEH5Bqqyc4/s1600/sh20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pvk0oDKtsuM/VE_2KfuZ5CI/AAAAAAAAB8g/4FEH5Bqqyc4/s1600/sh20.jpg" height="209" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VDZZsBillfI/VE_ajF4p3DI/AAAAAAAAB60/E8PjFc1-3_M/s1600/sh09.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VDZZsBillfI/VE_ajF4p3DI/AAAAAAAAB60/E8PjFc1-3_M/s1600/sh09.jpg" height="256" width="400" /></a> </div>
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Then I had myself two 4-feet long appliqued Seahawk heads. I put the two pieces atop one another, outsides facing in, lined up their beaks and back, and straight-stitched around the outside edge leaving the neck-area open. THAT was the easy part. </div>
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Here is the part where I start to wing it. </div>
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<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><span style="font-size: small;">I've
seen many elaborate native Pacific Northwest masks in museums
and marveled at both the art and engineering that native people put into
these. How did they get a big heavy beak to balance atop their heads
without falling forward? When I cut my inch-thick foam in the shape of a hawk head and placed it atop my head it was all floppy. </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span>
<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><span style="font-size: small;">I had to give it bones. </span></span></span></span></span>I needed something strong and lightweight and found an old political yard sign in our garage. I cut it into strips and glued them together on both sides and hot-glued them onto my foam. My hawk-head is now reinforced with the bones of our governor's yard signs.</span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nxwA6nVKUw8/VE_ay1UJraI/AAAAAAAAB7E/UGhSZ1z3OaE/s1600/sh11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nxwA6nVKUw8/VE_ay1UJraI/AAAAAAAAB7E/UGhSZ1z3OaE/s1600/sh11.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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Next, so there wouldn't be any sharp parts poking through and to reinforce it even more, I hot glued a layer of batting overtop.<br />
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<i>Side note, it looks like a gun, doesn't it? Ironically, the day I spent
in my studio working on this Pacific Northwest-inspired gun-shaped
costume, I was listening to the local news report the latest school
shooting unfolding less than an hour from my house. A Native American
boy from the local Tulaplip tribe purposefully shot and killed 3 friends
at his lunch table, and then shot and killed himself. I really hate
guns. But I digress... </i></div>
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Then I cut out 2 semi-circle shapes of foam and hand-stitched them to the space I cut out for my head to go.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9VElTAccW1M/VE_bRJcK2NI/AAAAAAAAB7c/tia3pgt_oFo/s1600/sh14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9VElTAccW1M/VE_bRJcK2NI/AAAAAAAAB7c/tia3pgt_oFo/s1600/sh14.jpg" height="400" width="281" /></a></div>
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and carefully turned the appliqued Seahawk face(s) right-side-out and inserted my foam structure.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Yaa9Ng8vWrc/VE_a_shUcVI/AAAAAAAAB7M/ZfDQMKY5REQ/s1600/sh12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Yaa9Ng8vWrc/VE_a_shUcVI/AAAAAAAAB7M/ZfDQMKY5REQ/s1600/sh12.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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After trying it on, I realized there was no way it could simply be a hat. I needed some sort of harness to counter-weigh the heaviness of the protruding beak. After much trial and error, I decided to hand-stitch a rectangle of foam to the back of the head and machine-stitch some green fleece to the bottom of my appliqued Seahawk to cover up the foam. I also filled in the area around the head space with several handfulls of Polyfil. Here's a bird's eye view of the underneath:<br />
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The head-hole proved too deep though - it pressed down on my glasses and ears when I tried to wear it - so I filled it with more Polyfil and hand-stitched a piece of fleece to cover it.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xhBBTKo9xnA/VE_bhhzoxpI/AAAAAAAAB7s/259GmZTnoQk/s1600/sh17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xhBBTKo9xnA/VE_bhhzoxpI/AAAAAAAAB7s/259GmZTnoQk/s1600/sh17.jpg" height="320" width="179" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QxdX-JvLUuY/VE_bo94T23I/AAAAAAAAB70/cAXZCAB2pLg/s1600/sh18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QxdX-JvLUuY/VE_bo94T23I/AAAAAAAAB70/cAXZCAB2pLg/s1600/sh18.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
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So now it sits comfortably atop my noggin.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DJKA9ydt03o/VFfLEWxOJXI/AAAAAAAACAk/3Dec1QFy5Vg/s1600/seahawkclose2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DJKA9ydt03o/VFfLEWxOJXI/AAAAAAAACAk/3Dec1QFy5Vg/s1600/seahawkclose2.jpg" height="225" width="400" /> </a></div>
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It's harnessed through slots in the back with a karate belt I got a garage sale years ago (thinking I'd use it for tote bag straps someday). It just so happened to be green and blue and wrap around my waist 3 times perfectly, so I stitched on a strip of velcro at the ends to secure it and viola! I finally achieved a comfortable fit!<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rsqqJYIHy4Q/VFfLp8c3BWI/AAAAAAAACA8/BSk6khQ9-40/s1600/seahawkharnessback.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rsqqJYIHy4Q/VFfLp8c3BWI/AAAAAAAACA8/BSk6khQ9-40/s1600/seahawkharnessback.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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I wore it for our downtown trick-or-treating and got lots of honks and waves and GO HAWKS! and kids wanting to take their picture with me. My kids wore their Spy vs. Spy costumes I made last year and together we looked like a mama and her baby birds. Here's a pic I took of the 3 of us in the mirrored window of a tattoo shop.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b4VziL9Zt5Y/VE_Zg5R7NFI/AAAAAAAAB5s/3az95u8mzkk/s1600/SHdtr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b4VziL9Zt5Y/VE_Zg5R7NFI/AAAAAAAAB5s/3az95u8mzkk/s1600/SHdtr.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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Maybe next year I'll make a full-bodied suit to go with it. For now, I simply I threw on a fringed poncho
sweater I found that looked like wings and added some see-through sparkly
fabric for the body. I folded the sparkly fabric over once at the edge and
straight-stitched a channel, inserted some skinny elastic and put both
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v_o5rFDawmE/VFfMF7DMawI/AAAAAAAACBM/6zvZfn34DSs/s1600/sparklegreen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v_o5rFDawmE/VFfMF7DMawI/AAAAAAAACBM/6zvZfn34DSs/s1600/sparklegreen.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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This way, I can pull the elastic
through the button and gather the fabric atop my head, or loosen the
elastic and let the fabric drape down in front and show my face. I wish all my costume-bodies came together this quickly and easily!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aEDOzL_z56k/VFfLULZxqdI/AAAAAAAACAs/_J4Ihdc3Cm4/s1600/seahawkcostume.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aEDOzL_z56k/VFfLULZxqdI/AAAAAAAACAs/_J4Ihdc3Cm4/s1600/seahawkcostume.jpg" height="640" width="360" /></a></div>
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This year my kids have decided to forgo the duo theme they've had going the last 3 years as Finn and Jake, Mordecai and Rigby, and Spy vs. Spy. Sage wants to be an oldskool Gameboy and McKenna wants to be a My Little Pony. I hope I can crank them out in time. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00325729486417508925noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13535937.post-84291743256944169032014-10-21T10:44:00.000-07:002014-10-28T10:56:42.941-07:00Post 4. (I should post more.)Oh wow. I really don't update this blog much anymore. Only 3 posts so far this year? I'm ashamed. <br />
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I'm proud of what I've done with <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ClubTeasdale">Club Teasdale</a> though. Two years ago I started my quest to get it open and now I have a successful year of a daily after school program under my belt, I taught 3 camps - craft, nature, and drama - in our building this summer, and we're now 2 months in to our second year of after school activities and we have a full roster. It's not always easy but I can't imagine a better job for me right now.<br />
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I still manage to crank out some kokoleos from time to time. Here are some pillows, banners, and a cape I sent out into the world in the past few months:<br />
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Here are some mermaid tails I made for a paly my daughtrer was in this summer at the Burien Little Theater.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b-iTUunZ_eE/VE_YpqXS4iI/AAAAAAAAB5U/LKbhwjZW4Qo/s1600/mermaid%2Btails.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b-iTUunZ_eE/VE_YpqXS4iI/AAAAAAAAB5U/LKbhwjZW4Qo/s1600/mermaid%2Btails.jpg" height="223" width="400" /></a></div>
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And here's an apron I made for <span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">my friend Carolyn Danza Ossorio, a.k.a. <a href="http://pippimamma.com/">Pippimamma</a></span></span><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">, to wear in her web series entitled "Cookin and Trippin at Camp Ossorio." </span></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HZ1YfnRh3CA/VE_UsNegrzI/AAAAAAAAB5A/4sGATggKFi8/s1600/carolyn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HZ1YfnRh3CA/VE_UsNegrzI/AAAAAAAAB5A/4sGATggKFi8/s1600/carolyn.jpg" height="400" width="300" />,</a></div>
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<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">Here she is wearing her kokoleo apron on my favorite local morning show New Day Northwest!</span></span></div>
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<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">It's fun to see fabric that once in my studio now on my television. </span></span><span class="fbPhotoTagList" id="fbPhotoSnowliftTagList"><span class="fcg"> </span></span> </div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00325729486417508925noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13535937.post-57202208158851982002014-03-20T13:32:00.001-07:002014-03-20T14:26:54.869-07:00A Glasses Holder for a Glasses Hoarder<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Don't judge me by my glasses hoard. At least they're organized! </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IMq4h-IEnL0/UytIfhxk9uI/AAAAAAAABws/S_Edl4__XsA/s1600/glasses00.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IMq4h-IEnL0/UytIfhxk9uI/AAAAAAAABws/S_Edl4__XsA/s1600/glasses00.jpg" height="640" width="212" /></a></div>
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I've been mulling over this idea for a while now, especially since my latest shipment from <a href="http://www.zennioptical.com/?gclid=CO7C_eKGor0CFUNhfgod_wYATQ">Zenni Optical</a> arrived. Years ago I'd pay $300+ for a pair of glasses and wear them until they fell apart but now I spend $75 a year and get several pairs. They were starting to pile up in my bedside drawer, on counter tops, etc. so today I resolved to make this handy glasses holder and hang it next to my closet for easy access.</div>
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It only took about an hour to make. Here's how I did it:</div>
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First, I cut a rectangle of soft brown corduroy 14 inches wide by 30 inches long. Then I folded it in half lengthwise and stitched up the side. </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TvZRJ56UN4Q/UytJ0y2yoDI/AAAAAAAABw0/JHFq8_yk3-I/s1600/glasses1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TvZRJ56UN4Q/UytJ0y2yoDI/AAAAAAAABw0/JHFq8_yk3-I/s1600/glasses1.jpg" height="320" width="205" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V_Rc9mgTh-U/UytJ2c01s3I/AAAAAAAABw8/7iG5ELnzPnU/s1600/glasses2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V_Rc9mgTh-U/UytJ2c01s3I/AAAAAAAABw8/7iG5ELnzPnU/s1600/glasses2.jpg" height="249" width="320" /></a></div>
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Next, I ironed it flat with the seam in the middle and inserted a vintage necktie with the front of the tie facing the seam and then I stitched the bottom closed securing the tie in place.</div>
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Then I turned it right side out, gathered the tie in increments, and straight stitched it to the corduroy. Later, I went over the straight stitches with machine embroidery stitches because I thought it looked better. </div>
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Finally I folded over the top, stitched a channel, and inserted a chopstick to hang it. Viola! <br />
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This area is right next to my closet and faces the mirror where I apply my makeup. Now all I have to do is choose a pair to match my outfit/mood and go. </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ck612TENQ5I/UytJ_ZymetI/AAAAAAAABxc/-UN01PeY-BU/s1600/glasses6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ck612TENQ5I/UytJ_ZymetI/AAAAAAAABxc/-UN01PeY-BU/s1600/glasses6.jpg" height="640" width="387" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-moQy2HCLrzw/UytKBkAW-KI/AAAAAAAABxk/4qH1VDutTBs/s1600/glasses7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-moQy2HCLrzw/UytKBkAW-KI/AAAAAAAABxk/4qH1VDutTBs/s1600/glasses7.jpg" height="640" width="380" /></a></div>
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After I hung it up I found a few more pairs and added them to to top and sides. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fvWg-pDE6pE/UytKEBDD9cI/AAAAAAAABxs/wTHzzqyXrLU/s1600/glasses8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fvWg-pDE6pE/UytKEBDD9cI/AAAAAAAABxs/wTHzzqyXrLU/s1600/glasses8.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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I think I can stop buying glasses now. Any more and I'll have to make another one of these. </div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00325729486417508925noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13535937.post-41350697267244876782014-01-03T13:50:00.000-08:002014-01-03T13:51:37.639-08:00Another kokoleo banner/pillow update<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
That last post makes it seem as if kokoleo is kaput. Nope, just scaled back a little. Luckily, I have some longtime customers who keep me in business with commissions. I haven't done a personalized pillow/banner update in a while, so here's my latest batch: </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FmhyPrI62uI/UscorT01QTI/AAAAAAAABt4/KM9ip85IJTM/s1600/ACD.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="271" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FmhyPrI62uI/UscorT01QTI/AAAAAAAABt4/KM9ip85IJTM/s400/ACD.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div>
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The customer asked for initials so I did it monogram-style.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C3_Qzn-xGbg/UscpHtuscII/AAAAAAAABvQ/0rMi7iUDp8c/s1600/livia.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="201" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C3_Qzn-xGbg/UscpHtuscII/AAAAAAAABvQ/0rMi7iUDp8c/s400/livia.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H2gZaxGasZw/Usco0epAb9I/AAAAAAAABuY/UrHSplWRC_I/s1600/Karissa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="185" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H2gZaxGasZw/Usco0epAb9I/AAAAAAAABuY/UrHSplWRC_I/s400/Karissa.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KokZ5ctNY2I/UscpAla4EGI/AAAAAAAABvA/czBcEXdKvn8/s1600/Vera.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="197" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KokZ5ctNY2I/UscpAla4EGI/AAAAAAAABvA/czBcEXdKvn8/s400/Vera.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wDmZYTWMlGM/UscpFgM3BsI/AAAAAAAABvI/dCvczf-TtoU/s1600/Walt.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wDmZYTWMlGM/UscpFgM3BsI/AAAAAAAABvI/dCvczf-TtoU/s400/Walt.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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One week I got 2 commissions for the same name from customers on different sides of the country. <br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TmoLAIRcI5U/Usco5vjnm5I/AAAAAAAABug/XJk8B8HLMSY/s1600/Scarlet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TmoLAIRcI5U/Usco5vjnm5I/AAAAAAAABug/XJk8B8HLMSY/s400/Scarlet.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jQLSRYq5wA8/Usco_Uxw_sI/AAAAAAAABu4/Wx6xgm7EQj4/s1600/Scarlett.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="231" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jQLSRYq5wA8/Usco_Uxw_sI/AAAAAAAABu4/Wx6xgm7EQj4/s400/Scarlett.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I made these pillows as a donation for an auction at my old summer camp Peterkin in West Virginia. They made $400!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-59Fn524s3eQ/UscpZh696SI/AAAAAAAABvo/lF7P7jHr3Ww/s1600/peterkin.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-59Fn524s3eQ/UscpZh696SI/AAAAAAAABvo/lF7P7jHr3Ww/s400/peterkin.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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And of course, I had to make this... </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-izzUAMNDHzs/Uscoo2lS9rI/AAAAAAAABtw/5_jH7JUMwhI/s1600/ClubTeasdale.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-izzUAMNDHzs/Uscoo2lS9rI/AAAAAAAABtw/5_jH7JUMwhI/s400/ClubTeasdale.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div>
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to bring a little kokoleo into my new workspace. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00325729486417508925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13535937.post-19975552920718783542014-01-02T15:35:00.000-08:002014-01-02T16:29:40.094-08:00Out in front, behind the scenes.Six. That's how many blog entries I wrote last year. It's an all time low. Let's see if I can do a little better this year. It's not that I wasn't doing anything blog-worthy. In fact, 2013 will go down in my mind as one of my better years, though there's little evidence of this on my blog. This year I learned that sometimes it's best to work behind the scenes.<br />
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In years past, this blog has traced the evolution of kokoleo - essentially, the things I make and sometimes sell online or in shops or at craft shows. I used to spend hours putting together detailed step-by-step tutorials in the hopes they would get featured on the well-known D.I.Y. websites or reblogged with a link and shoutout by some better-known crafter. These were the little victories cherished in my effort to "build my brand", though they were rarely lucrative. More often than not, I was ripped off by people (some who I thought were friends in the craft community) with the same goal - to get featured, reblogged, recognized, published, etc. It's disheartening to see something you shared slightly repackaged by a fellow crafter or worse, reprinted word for word on a for-profit site with no credit given. It was enough to make me second guess sharing my ideas in the first place. So I stopped. Consequently my blog became barren and boring and "building my brand" got put on the back burner. <br />
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As many hours as I used to spend crafting my online presence, in 2013 I spent it carving out a place for myself in my immediate community. I became the PTO secretary at my kids school and helped pull off a 30-act talent show. I taught a Mother Goose preschool class and Nature craft camp at the community center. I joined my Homeowners Association board and designed a neighborhood newsletter. I started attending city forums and neighborhood planning meetings and began to speak up for things I thought would benefit my neighborhood. I met repeatedly with city officials and developed a financially sustainable business model - a fee based program where the teacher (me) earns a living wage and the city shares in the profits - to convert an abandoned city building into a successful after school program - Club Teasdale. Four months into the program, and we're still going strong. There was a story about us in the newspaper and we were featured, along with the mayor, on the cover of the city services guide that goes out to every household in the city. <br />
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All this means little to anyone outside our city. There are no blog badges, page hits, or number of "likes" I can look to for validity. This is what life must have been like before the internet, when the impact you made among your neighbors was all that mattered. What a novel concept!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00325729486417508925noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13535937.post-45515520693243544042013-11-01T13:29:00.002-07:002013-12-17T14:30:42.287-08:00kokoleo-style Spy vs. Spy <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
UPDATE: My tutorial for these costumes won second place in the <a href="http://www.instructables.com/contest/halloween2013costume/">Instructables Halloween Costume Contest</a> this year!</div>
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The last 3 years my kids have wanted to do brother/sister team costumes for Halloween. In 2011 they were <a href="http://apatchworkworld.blogspot.com/2011/10/how-to-make-finn-from-adventure-time.html">Finn</a> and <a href="http://apatchworkworld.blogspot.com/2011/10/how-to-make-jake-from-adventure-time.html">Jake</a> from <a href="http://apatchworkworld.blogspot.com/2011/10/halloween-love-fin-human-jake-dog.html">Adventure Time</a>. In 2012 they were <a href="http://apatchworkworld.blogspot.com/2012/11/a-kokoleo-kind-of-regular-show.html">Mordecai and Rigby from Regular Show</a>. This year, they wanted to be these guys:</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vesRhFIkveU/UnP9MVSf8TI/AAAAAAAABqs/A_9gS8VSoto/s1600/Spy_vs_Spy_by_garrett_btm.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vesRhFIkveU/UnP9MVSf8TI/AAAAAAAABqs/A_9gS8VSoto/s400/Spy_vs_Spy_by_garrett_btm.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div>
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They don't read MAD magazine but they watch the animated sketch <a href="http://www.cartoonnetwork.com/tv_shows/mad/index.html?atclk_gn=picker_MAD">show on Cartoon Network</a> and love the stop motion Spy Vs. Spy vignettes. This may be the last year they want to do a team costume so I had to oblige. I took a few pictures throughout my process to help anyone else who</div>
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may want to sew some Spy vs. Spy masks too. Here's the gist of how I made them: </div>
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I started with some stiff fusible interfacing - one layer in the shape of the mask and one smaller layer for stablity. Between the two layers I inserted a piece of sheer black satin and straight-stitched around the eyes, then trimmed the excess satin. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UiIJHy9j6TA/UnQLdPNO2VI/AAAAAAAABrM/PPE9tqOairY/s1600/spyvsspymask1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="281" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UiIJHy9j6TA/UnQLdPNO2VI/AAAAAAAABrM/PPE9tqOairY/s400/spyvsspymask1.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div>
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Next on top of mask-shaped interfacing, I lightly ironed (be careful - if your iron is too hot the fleece will melt) some white fleece about an inch larger than interfacing, traced and cut out eye holes, and embroider-stitched around the eyes (then went over it with a Sharpie to make it even darker). </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-holIotc3TxA/UnQLqFJ9ZCI/AAAAAAAABrs/rLnZtUasZmg/s1600/spyvsspymask3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="245" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-holIotc3TxA/UnQLqFJ9ZCI/AAAAAAAABrs/rLnZtUasZmg/s400/spyvsspymask3.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div>
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Then I traced with a pencil some eyebrows and a mouth and sewed an embroider stitch over top (and again went over those stitches with a Sharpie to make it darker. </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Fj8a_YceJs0/UnQLlGXZdII/AAAAAAAABrk/Wp01HTJ5K8I/s1600/spyvsspymask4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Fj8a_YceJs0/UnQLlGXZdII/AAAAAAAABrk/Wp01HTJ5K8I/s400/spyvsspymask4.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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Next, I sewed the nose part into the shape of a cone and folded the fleece over the interfacing and sewed all the way around the edge of the mask. Then I hot-glued it to the inside of a hat. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2n_dTHHB2Jk/UnQM44Qg0BI/AAAAAAAABsI/FMmFuj9cZKA/s1600/spyvsspymaskhowto.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2n_dTHHB2Jk/UnQM44Qg0BI/AAAAAAAABsI/FMmFuj9cZKA/s400/spyvsspymaskhowto.jpg" width="327" /></a> </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FOUYI7f1Dog/UnQLrfHj9rI/AAAAAAAABr0/_o2kNYhx5lU/s1600/spyvsspymask5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FOUYI7f1Dog/UnQLrfHj9rI/AAAAAAAABr0/_o2kNYhx5lU/s400/spyvsspymask5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Lastly, I made them these bags to hold their candy.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E1cRINriKcs/UnQLrdnpq1I/AAAAAAAABsA/_OWIvX-WQw4/s1600/spyvsspytnt.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E1cRINriKcs/UnQLrdnpq1I/AAAAAAAABsA/_OWIvX-WQw4/s320/spyvsspytnt.jpg" width="262" /></a> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Dr5MWGggqfI/UnQLdY2ad1I/AAAAAAAABrQ/8WNbpVXDZug/s1600/spyvsspybomb.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Dr5MWGggqfI/UnQLdY2ad1I/AAAAAAAABrQ/8WNbpVXDZug/s320/spyvsspybomb.jpg" width="258" /></a></div>
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And here they are, ready for mischief:<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00325729486417508925noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13535937.post-40582692407079390612013-09-22T02:14:00.003-07:002013-09-22T02:14:53.510-07:00I built this. Whoa. It's dusty in here. I need to brush away the cobwebs. I just remembered I have a blog that I should update. I can't give up now. I've invested 7 years into this cyber-diary, I might as well update it from time to time.<br />
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A lot has happened since the last time I posted. The whole summer, in fact. We went camping at Ocean Shores<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rhtvo60lgCE/Uj6vDhr8AoI/AAAAAAAABnQ/nrAjc2AptZ0/s1600/oceanCity.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rhtvo60lgCE/Uj6vDhr8AoI/AAAAAAAABnQ/nrAjc2AptZ0/s400/oceanCity.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div>
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and Deception Pass<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rc6MVJQdO9I/Uj6voE98HeI/AAAAAAAABnk/UYa533mDhS0/s1600/deception+pass.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rc6MVJQdO9I/Uj6voE98HeI/AAAAAAAABnk/UYa533mDhS0/s400/deception+pass.jpg" width="300" /></a> </div>
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and flew back home to West Virginia...<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ExgSgYRaY7A/Uj6y08pV1NI/AAAAAAAABoA/z35Z7O49y2o/s1600/wv.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ExgSgYRaY7A/Uj6y08pV1NI/AAAAAAAABoA/z35Z7O49y2o/s400/wv.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-35jY7kRJvvc/Uj6vCmHS-sI/AAAAAAAABnE/H_Rq6gYqM4w/s1600/gravatt.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> <br />
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and Washington D.C.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FfMq5MfwA8I/Uj6yYnZVZlI/AAAAAAAABn4/g800ExRFUbE/s1600/dc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FfMq5MfwA8I/Uj6yYnZVZlI/AAAAAAAABn4/g800ExRFUbE/s400/dc.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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and Shepherdstown...<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6lkrEJLD_rU/Uj6xquKsCnI/AAAAAAAABnw/E9DWfCr_c4M/s1600/Shepherdstown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6lkrEJLD_rU/Uj6xquKsCnI/AAAAAAAABnw/E9DWfCr_c4M/s400/Shepherdstown.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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And Peterkin...<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nyEY-YjeWOc/Uj6vDp3cStI/AAAAAAAABnY/3ZU80BfhU2M/s1600/tubin.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nyEY-YjeWOc/Uj6vDp3cStI/AAAAAAAABnY/3ZU80BfhU2M/s400/tubin.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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And then we came home and had birthdays..<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ey8H5XfEbkQ/Uj6zRHLyvEI/AAAAAAAABoI/aJHjfktZP3E/s1600/birthday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ey8H5XfEbkQ/Uj6zRHLyvEI/AAAAAAAABoI/aJHjfktZP3E/s400/birthday.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br />
And then I started a new job.<br />
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It's a job I fought for. (I blogged about it <a href="http://renton.patch.com/groups/kb-vanhorns-blog/p/the-key-to-the-city-or-at-least-one-small-part_4f5226df">here</a>.) I've never fought for a job as hard as I fought for this one. But when there's an empty rec building in the park that's right next your kids' school that doesn't have an after school program, you have to convince them to let you have it. I did! <br />
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I spent all of August moving in. Erik was happy to see the craft supplies I've been hoarding in the pantry and garage finally leave the house. Ikea donated some of their Renton River Days booth leftovers to the City and my boss made sure it got to our then-empty building. Couches and bookshelves make all the difference. And so do kids. I adopted the "If you build it, they will come" mentality and they did! Suddenly we're 3 weeks into the program that for the past 3 years was just a pipe dream for me. And it's just as I imagined it. Suffice it to say, I love my new job, and I don't want to say much more to jinx it.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r852uM3R3q0/Uj6vDFFC-1I/AAAAAAAABnI/QrSIFLL1c80/s1600/clubteasdale.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r852uM3R3q0/Uj6vDFFC-1I/AAAAAAAABnI/QrSIFLL1c80/s400/clubteasdale.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div>
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So that's where my focus has been this past year. It's not a kokoleo production, just me, KB, working for the City. Kokoleo though, is always a part of me. I'm still hoarding fabric and notions so there's no way around it. I'll continue to sew random things and sometimes attempt to sell them in places like stores and craft shows and I'll still do personalized pillow and banner commissions,
especially for my return customers who have become friends to me. I'm simply moving in a new direction that for now, seems like the best place to be. Finally!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00325729486417508925noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13535937.post-77735995472326289832013-05-16T15:10:00.002-07:002013-05-16T19:46:44.824-07:00Take-Your-Daughter-To-Work day @ The Renton Spring Festival I did the Renton Spring Festival on Saturday. Last year, after I found my handmade one-of-a-kind items amidst the likes of Mary Kay and Cookie Lee, I swore I'd never do it again. But this year I heard it would be different - handmade and fair trade only - so I decided to give it one more chance. I'm glad I did.<br />
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In the past, I would spend weeks frantically making things before craft shows. This time, I didn't make anything. Not because I'm lazy, but because I'm busy doing other things that are suddenly more important to me. McKenna was on a bracelet-making kick though, so I set her up with a pile of pipe cleaners and my container of beads and let her have at it. She made 24 bracelets. I told her she could set up a table in my booth and sell them.<br />
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"For money?" she asked.<br />
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"Yep." I said.<br />
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"And what can I do with the money?"<br />
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"Whatever you want."<br />
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She thought this was a fine idea and promised to be well-behaved and helpful and no whining or interrupting me when I'm talking to customers. She's always been too young to have with me at craft shows all day before. But we thought we'd try it. She decide to name her jewelry line McKennaMade and charge $2 per bracelet. <br />
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Friday night came and rather than meticulously prepare, I opted to have dinner with my ladyfriends, then came home and packed the car with everything I could think of that was kokoleo or a way to display a kokoleo. This was all done around 2 in the morning. <br />
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7:42 a.m. I woke up and went back to sleep.<br />
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8:54 a.m. woke up again. Showered, hair, make-up, dressed myself and McKenna. <br />
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Ack! My phone was only half charged. I needed a fully charged phone for this. So I plugged it in and make a cup of coffee and ran around the house getting last minute items, twiddled my thumbs and then...<br />
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9:59 a.m. We were out the door.<br />
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Ack! I had no money. <br />
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10:11 a.m. I'm at the BECU machine. I withdrew $40. Ack! I needed ones! <br />
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10:24 a.m. I'm at McDonald's. I'm not hungry, so all I order is an iced tea, unsweetened. I pay with a $20 and ask for all ones back. McDonald's makes a great McBank. Except the line is looooong. <br />
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McKenna told me I got a call while I was at the ATM. I checked the message. It's Erik. Our across-the-street neighbor found a tray and a bunch of pipe cleaner bracelets scattered in our street and thought it might be ours.<br />
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Ack! I totally drove away from the house with a tray of McKennaMade bracelets on the roof. (In my defense, it was hard squeezing her in to her seat in my stuffed-full car and I was distracted.)<br />
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10:38 I turned around and went back to get them.<br />
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10:48 We headed back to the show. For real this time. Luckily, I got all green lights and found a parking spot by the entrance.<br />
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10:58 I arrive, find my spot, and with the fancy farmer's market carts (I love those) I fill my spot with the contents of my car. A festival volunteer offered to watch my stuff and daughter while I parked in the garage and I returned within minutes.<br />
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McKenna set up her table and bracelets and sold one before I'd even begun unpacking.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MDQFL6eFYhk/UZVV-c4yCxI/AAAAAAAABkA/LV5CEQ1CY1U/s1600/rsfbracelets.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MDQFL6eFYhk/UZVV-c4yCxI/AAAAAAAABkA/LV5CEQ1CY1U/s400/rsfbracelets.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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I stopped caring about the time and started setting up. It's always at this time that I wish I was one of those crafters that made small things, not giant pillows and massive quantities of kids' clothes with crazy elaborate contraptions on which to display them.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sepLzD59Kno/UZVV5dU7LrI/AAAAAAAABjw/hSlSrrcvKe8/s1600/rsfbooth1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sepLzD59Kno/UZVV5dU7LrI/AAAAAAAABjw/hSlSrrcvKe8/s400/rsfbooth1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The hectic rush of the morning dissolved as my display took shape. No one was beside so I spread out a bit, okay, a lot.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c4Tz3q8UWgQ/UZVV7z_OVtI/AAAAAAAABj4/qGFJV3ZFkFk/s1600/rsfbooth2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c4Tz3q8UWgQ/UZVV7z_OVtI/AAAAAAAABj4/qGFJV3ZFkFk/s400/rsfbooth2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I even found some time here and there to slip away and visit other vendors. The Rely on Renton Family Fair inside the Piazza station was so well organized and chock-full of information on local resources for kids and families. I stopped by the Renton Community Center booth and saw the flyers for my summer craft camps on display. I caught glimpses of the performances throughout the day and loved hearing Casper Babypants on the loudspeakers outside.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h--c9WBsTMc/UZVWEM3o2lI/AAAAAAAABkI/ruQ68b-KBz8/s1600/rsfcasperbabypants.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h--c9WBsTMc/UZVWEM3o2lI/AAAAAAAABkI/ruQ68b-KBz8/s400/rsfcasperbabypants.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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McKenna sold 9 bracelets and spent all her $18 at other people's booths. I saw glimpses of teenager in her as she took her little purse to tables and picked out things to buy. She got (in order) a pink sugar cookie, a one tiny vial of Jasmine oil from a perfume soap stand, and hand-painted Hello Kitty barrette from from the accessory lady, and a big crayon in the shape of a car from the crayon people, and a purse and bracelet from a lady two booths down.<br />
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I did a little shopping and trading too. After McKenna got her tiny vial of perfume, I went back to the booth and bought a lavender one for me.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XW0sCw8zyZk/UZVWLd8lq-I/AAAAAAAABkY/7frWB7WkXgk/s1600/rsfperfume.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XW0sCw8zyZk/UZVWLd8lq-I/AAAAAAAABkY/7frWB7WkXgk/s400/rsfperfume.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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From the metalsmith man, I got two decorative metal stars for the planter by my front door where I have the iron dragonfly I bought from him last year. He always gives me great deals. He said Mayor Law bought a big piece from him that morning and it made his day. I got a heart-linked silver bracelet from the vintage jewelry lady. The owner of Candle with Care lady fell in love with my last Sesame Street sundress and I sold it to her for half price plus a candle.<br />
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I also bought a $3 bag of Kettle corn and when I went to pay with a $20 the kettle corn couple looked troubled. They asked if I had any ones and I said Yes! I got a bunch this morning. The woman came back to my booth and I gave her $3 and then traded 10 more ones for a ten. The McBank came in handy! She was as grateful for the ones as I was for customers like these:<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P7XLGlvESa4/UZVWHfJkQOI/AAAAAAAABkQ/HhCv686dZo0/s1600/rsfdress.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P7XLGlvESa4/UZVWHfJkQOI/AAAAAAAABkQ/HhCv686dZo0/s320/rsfdress.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d5yJ8uwReeg/UZVWzC9_CEI/AAAAAAAABkw/h6bzGduj6nU/s1600/rsffozzie.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d5yJ8uwReeg/UZVWzC9_CEI/AAAAAAAABkw/h6bzGduj6nU/s320/rsffozzie.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FZCc8zjol9M/UZVWude2HII/AAAAAAAABko/UWPfIMZgkxM/s1600/rsfteens.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FZCc8zjol9M/UZVWude2HII/AAAAAAAABko/UWPfIMZgkxM/s400/rsfteens.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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Before I knew it it was 5:00 and time to pack up. I ended up making the most profit I've ever made at a Renton festival and got a few new Facebook likes for kokoleo. The best part though was that my first-ever Take-Your-Daughter-To-Work day was a great experience for both of us. We both saw our creations go out into the world and with the money we received, we went around and bought other people's handmade and fair trade creations. I have a feeling this won't be the last kokoleo/McKennaMade business collaboration you'll see.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00325729486417508925noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13535937.post-44229466443051853742013-04-22T23:05:00.000-07:002013-04-22T23:05:12.465-07:00New kokoleo personalized pieces... <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I haven't done a personalized kokoleo update in a while. Here are the new names now decorating little kid rooms across the country....</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kyD_zCm6740/UXYiyxkyDZI/AAAAAAAABic/qj5GwT7haLc/s1600/audrey.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kyD_zCm6740/UXYiyxkyDZI/AAAAAAAABic/qj5GwT7haLc/s400/audrey.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TIan7Tv_Y4Y/UXYi2NU6z4I/AAAAAAAABis/CYP01b2VUXo/s1600/corinne.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TIan7Tv_Y4Y/UXYi2NU6z4I/AAAAAAAABis/CYP01b2VUXo/s400/corinne.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-olRm68hifqs/UXYjDDnI7EI/AAAAAAAABjQ/w5GQvwZzWXw/s1600/tullia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-olRm68hifqs/UXYjDDnI7EI/AAAAAAAABjQ/w5GQvwZzWXw/s400/tullia.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00325729486417508925noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13535937.post-45586274574096996722013-04-17T15:02:00.001-07:002013-04-17T15:09:07.037-07:00Recapping the past 3 months<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
No post since January? Sheesh. Where has the time gone? There used to be a time where I documented nearly everything I made. Lately though, a lot of what I do soon disappears into the world like it never even happened. It's time I record a few creations for posterity's sake, lest I forget them forever.</div>
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One of my recent creations that I'm most proud of is this:</div>
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Well, not necessarily the banner (which was bright and sparkly and probably my biggest kokoleo banner yet) but the show itself. Several of my PTO mom friends and I organized a talent show at our kids' school. No one could remember the last time there had been one at the school so we were starting from scratch. It was a success! We had 32 acts and over 300 people showed up. I was in charge of the stage crew and got to see the look of pride (and relief) on the kids' faces as they walked off stage. Sage and McKenna did a comedy routine called "the BIG-un-ATOR 2000" where McKenna hid inside the "machine" and Sage put small items in one side, it shook and made machine noises, and larger versions came out the other. In the end he put a doll in and McKenna popped out.</div>
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It's funny how some of the most significant and rewarding projects I do are the ones I do for free. Still, I gotta make a buck somehow, so I've been teaching craft classes at local schools for a non-profit company called Eastside Enrichment.<br />
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Puppet-making, cartooning, egg-art, jewelry making, puffball creatures, mobiles, etc. - these are the activities we've explored over the weeks. I'm even busting out crafts I learned at summer camp 25 years ago. Anyone remember these?<br />
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I'm also teaching a "Learning with Mother Goose Class" at the community center and it's a hit! Every month it's filled to capacity and sometimes even has a waiting list. I've spent a lot of time this year creating a curriculum - researching Mother Goose rhymes, organizing them into themes, and coming up with a craft for each class. I hope to continue this class next year with a new gaggle of preschoolers. I rarely remember to take pictures in these classes, but here are a couple. I'll try to share a few of our projects on my blog in the future.<br />
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I haven't forsaken kokoleo though (however neglected my Etsy shop may seem). I'm still taking commissions and doing occasional seamstress work. I'll share my latest personalized pieces tomorrow, but here are some recent special-order outfits I made:<br />
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A baby gift for a "surfer family that likes funky stuff", and this outfit for a birthday gift for one of McKenna's friends:<br />
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The party was a "Monster High" theme so I made a skull applique of the logo and made a fringy skirt to match. The patch is the invitation that I printed onto fabric and sewed onto the skirt. A kokoleo-meets-Monster-High original.<br />
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One of my most important projects though, is top secret. I've seen a need in my neighborhood and am making an effort to enact change for the good of my community. It's a project I've been dreaming about for years but just recently joined forces with the right people to possibly make it happen.<i> </i>I don't want to say too much for fear of jinxing it, but hopefully I'll have good news to share someday soon. Fingers crossed! <br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00325729486417508925noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13535937.post-2737835016574256162013-01-07T22:59:00.000-08:002013-01-08T15:58:39.341-08:00McKenna's House of Liquor At the risk of looking like a big old lush, I'm going to admit that one of my favorite Christmas presents to receive is a fancy gift set containing a bottle of liquor and glassware. This year, Erik got me a bottle of Chivas Regal Scotch Whiskey, aged 12 years, that came in a box with 2 funky-shaped rocks glasses. Even the box was deluxe - it had 3 windows and a swing door with a magnetic latch. We couldn't just throw it out.<br />
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McKenna said she wanted to keep it so it could be a house for her dolls but I didn't think it would look right for her to have an empty liquor box laying around her room, so we decided to paint it. First, I covered the windows in sticker paper and spray painted it yellow.<br />
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Then, she painted it. <br />
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She added trees and flowers on the sides and windows and a door on the back and her signature smiley sunshine on the front.<br />
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And the Polly Pockets quickly moved in.<br />
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It makes a nice hamster house too. (You can follow the adventures of our hamster Mr.Goomba Roo on facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/YourDailyGoomba">https://www.facebook.com/YourDailyGoomba</a>.)<br />
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I'm teaching a new series of craft classes for kids this semester. Liquor box dollhouses probably won't be one of them. Some crafts are best kept within the family.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00325729486417508925noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13535937.post-44021183788161093542012-12-20T11:52:00.000-08:002012-12-20T21:26:14.724-08:00Now I know how Santa's elves feelIt's been a busy month in my studio. In past years I've stopped taking commissions in December so I can focus on making things for my family and preparing for the holidays. This year though I took on every project that came along, and they kept coming. Consequently, there are kids all over the country that will be getting personalized kokoleos for Christmas and Hanukkah and my kids will be having a fabulous Christmas as well thanks to the cash I earned in the process. Here's my latest batch of personalized pillows...<br />
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Those last two were a last minute project I accepted this weekend. A return customer who lives in Seattle emailed me to ask if there was a possibility I could make a pillow for her by Monday evening. She was going to be in my neighborhood visiting a friend's new baby and wanted to be able to take her a kokoleo pillow, and if I could squeeze it in she wanted the Jonah pillow for another friend's kid too. We exchanged a few emails to determine the best fabrics and I sewed like a banshee and literally snipped my final thread as she arrived at my door to pick them up. It was nice to meet her in person and see her reaction when I handed them to her (she loved them). Usually I just package my work up and send it out into the world and pray they arrive safely and the recipient is happy. </div>
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Another return customer contacted me to make Hanukkah gifts for 4 little boys. She wanted personalized capes like the <a href="http://apatchworkworld.blogspot.com/2009/04/cape-and-apron.html">one I made for a friend</a> years ago. Here's what I came up with...</div>
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Modeled by McKenna...<br />
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Then an old friend from <a href="http://peterkin.org/">Peterkin</a>, our church camp, called me to ask if I would make banners for each of her family members with the Peterkin "Halleuiah Kids" symbol on them. After a few days of exchanging emails with fabric combination options, here are the 4 we came up with:<br />
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And now I'm done with my commissions for the year. Last night I made these chocolate pretzel trees for the staff at my kids' school...</div>
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After teaching two preschool Mother Goose classes plus improv acting classes at 2 different elementary schools the past few months, I remember what it's like to be a teacher. And after what happened in Connecticut, I remember why it's important to tell people you appreciate what they do for your kids. </div>
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For my kids' teachers I made these tiger print totes - one for Sage's teacher, one for McKenna's, and one for the teacher who found this super soft luxe tiger print fabric (their mascot is a tiger) at a yard sale this summer and bought it for me.</div>
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She knows I collect fabric because she's seen the PTO displays I've created in the front hall of the school. Here's the one I did a few weeks ago:<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cxvPFUwsN4c/UNNrWZ_ceoI/AAAAAAAABdY/79vDg4RzfCc/s1600/snowman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="336" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cxvPFUwsN4c/UNNrWZ_ceoI/AAAAAAAABdY/79vDg4RzfCc/s400/snowman.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Whew! That's a lot of kokoleo for one month. I wonder what I'll make next year..<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00325729486417508925noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13535937.post-11718499365780998692012-11-25T00:05:00.003-08:002012-11-25T22:21:57.696-08:00EtsyRAIN Handmade Holiday RecapThe day after Thanksgiving I lugged all my kokoleo wares into the heart of downtown Seattle and spent my Black Friday and Small Business Saturday here:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UEP_Um48XOc/ULHD36Kb7HI/AAAAAAAABYA/oN_AF4vpmUs/s1600/sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UEP_Um48XOc/ULHD36Kb7HI/AAAAAAAABYA/oN_AF4vpmUs/s400/sign.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo from the<a href="https://www.facebook.com/EtsyRAIN?ref=ts&fref=ts"> EtsyRAIN facebook page</a></td></tr>
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at the EtsyRain Handmade Holiday Show located at the Marion Oliver McCaw Hall, home of the Seattle Symphony and Pacific Northwest Ballet. The show was in their magnificent lobby. Here's my booth:<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tByuBm3GKOc/ULHDxGThaeI/AAAAAAAABXI/SFHOpG52hwY/s1600/kokoleoboothfull.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tByuBm3GKOc/ULHDxGThaeI/AAAAAAAABXI/SFHOpG52hwY/s400/kokoleoboothfull.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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and my tower-o-accessories and coffee mug pin cushions:<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W1CTSBlbO38/ULHDtVXjuAI/AAAAAAAABWw/-OgYPACMjWU/s1600/kokoleoaccessories.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W1CTSBlbO38/ULHDtVXjuAI/AAAAAAAABWw/-OgYPACMjWU/s400/kokoleoaccessories.jpg" width="273" /></a></div>
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The view from where I sat:</div>
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and the view from the second floor...</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UTC84UpUHl0/ULHDwOcSweI/AAAAAAAABXA/CuLIUbNXqbQ/s1600/kokoleoboothabove.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UTC84UpUHl0/ULHDwOcSweI/AAAAAAAABXA/CuLIUbNXqbQ/s400/kokoleoboothabove.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Friday was super rainy, but we still had a line outside at the beginning and it ended up breaking previous Etsy RAIN event attendance records. I didn't take many pictures during the event because I was too busy using my phone to process credit cards for kokoleo purchases. This was my first time using my Intuit GoPayment App and I love it. Who wouldn't love money instantly deposited into your bank account? I made all my money back and then some on the first day and made even more today. The only thing I like better is knowing a whole bunch of kokoleos are going to be wrapped and given as gifts this Christmas.</div>
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Speaking of gifts, I got a few for my family too. Sage is going to love this piece of wall art from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/pixelparty">pixelparty</a>:</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T--mUhEoB1Q/ULHD0x_6YQI/AAAAAAAABXc/8t99hMhH_ag/s1600/pixelparty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T--mUhEoB1Q/ULHD0x_6YQI/AAAAAAAABXc/8t99hMhH_ag/s320/pixelparty.jpg" width="273" /></a></div>
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And from <a href="http://kateendle.com/">Kate Endle</a>, I bought McKenna this calendar and Casper Babypants CD. </div>
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I also did some great trades, like a coffee mug pin cushion for this ceramic snowflake ornament (though I can't remember her business' name).</div>
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And I traded a necktie headband for a fabulous assortment of treats from <a href="http://www.sweetcoconutbakery.com/">Sweet Coconut Bakery</a>. I tried to save them for my family, but ended up eating most of them at the show.<br />
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I trade some stuffed ducks I made (for a Renton River Days window display) for this necklace by <a href="http://www.cyncitypendants.net/">Cyncity</a> and some magnets I'm going to put in my husband's stocking:</div>
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And from<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/scarywhitegirl"> Scary White Girl Designs</a>, I traded a Mickey Mouse sundress for this flower barrette and some arm warmers.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kxL1NhnCf_0/ULHD2haIVyI/AAAAAAAABXw/cHL-6gx_Wo4/s1600/scarygirletsy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kxL1NhnCf_0/ULHD2haIVyI/AAAAAAAABXw/cHL-6gx_Wo4/s320/scarygirletsy.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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It's nice to be home with a lighter kokoleo load, money in my pocket, and a bunch of new handmade things. My best sellers of the show were my Seattle baby tees I whipped together just last week. <br />
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Driving home tonight after a fun show, I appreciate this skyline even more.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00325729486417508925noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13535937.post-20744797536532778892012-10-31T23:30:00.000-07:002012-11-01T00:11:46.153-07:00A kokoleo kind of Regular Show<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FRDgxh3YULo/UJIOO4R8CtI/AAAAAAAABTQ/4AS2A4wHuIo/s1600/11studiomess.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>This year, my kids decided they wanted to be these guys for Halloween:<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rUW_tTRqhlI/UJIM1EoVtKI/AAAAAAAABR8/iI7YnyfTFo8/s1600/mordecai_and_rigby.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rUW_tTRqhlI/UJIM1EoVtKI/AAAAAAAABR8/iI7YnyfTFo8/s400/mordecai_and_rigby.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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It's Rigby and Mordecai, from Regular Show on Cartoon Network, and most people have never heard of them. Just like Adventure Time (their costumes last year), it's one cartoon they enjoy watching together. It was quite the challenge though, and I only had 3 days to do it. Fast forward forty dollars of fleece and fourteen hours of cutting and sewing and here's what I came up with.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Fe8lDe6jac8/UJIOdRLCRII/AAAAAAAABT4/X_tmu7bmbsM/s1600/16regularshowrigbymordecai.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="327" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Fe8lDe6jac8/UJIOdRLCRII/AAAAAAAABT4/X_tmu7bmbsM/s400/16regularshowrigbymordecai.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div>
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Here are a few pics of the process:<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EYbQ3fA70ok/UJIWddf05pI/AAAAAAAABUw/OP7KnI_ISs8/s1600/group.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EYbQ3fA70ok/UJIWddf05pI/AAAAAAAABUw/OP7KnI_ISs8/s400/group.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I would have written up a tutorial but I was manically making it up as I went along and not taking many pictures. I did discover what is destined to be my new favorite textile - FOAM! It makes everything all Muppety, I love it. The kids both remarked how soft and warm and comfy the costumes were and plan to wear the pants as pajamas after Halloween is over.<br />
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On Sunday, after a morning spent skipping church to sew the finishing touches on their costumes, we took them trick-or-treating at <a href="http://www.thelandinginrenton.com/">The Landing</a> in Renton. Most people didn't know who they were but a few kids yelled out "Mordecai and Rigby!" and some of the hipper parents were impressed. A few asked "Where did you find those?" to which I replied that I made them and they looked at me in disbelief. <br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tio_3TLg7IU/UJIOeBVd9EI/AAAAAAAABUA/Z1RVa-7d_Rs/s1600/17regularshowrigbymordecai.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tio_3TLg7IU/UJIOeBVd9EI/AAAAAAAABUA/Z1RVa-7d_Rs/s320/17regularshowrigbymordecai.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Still, most people had no clue who they were. One mom said, "Wile E.
Coyote and an Angry Bird! How cute!" One little girl in a princess dress
looked at McKenna in horror and started crying. That was funny.
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The
best was the several different groups of teenagers who told them they
were awesome. It's not every day a teenager tells a 5 and 10 year old
that they're awesome.<br />
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This may be the last year they want to do a bro/sis costume combo so I had to do it. <br />
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As Rigby and Mordecai would say, I did them a "<b><i>solid</i></b>." They totally owe me...<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hahuCoSuk3o/UJIdJn7M_LI/AAAAAAAABVY/jb07wQuQReg/s1600/12regularshowmordecai.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hahuCoSuk3o/UJIdJn7M_LI/AAAAAAAABVY/jb07wQuQReg/s400/12regularshowmordecai.jpg" width="215" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IJr5nhMxQio/UJIObxQAqdI/AAAAAAAABTw/eYfT1LPt1UI/s1600/15regularshowrigby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IJr5nhMxQio/UJIObxQAqdI/AAAAAAAABTw/eYfT1LPt1UI/s400/15regularshowrigby.jpg" width="253" /></a></div>
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...lots of candy.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00325729486417508925noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13535937.post-48062619679748358142012-10-15T11:33:00.002-07:002012-10-15T11:36:33.833-07:00Adventure Time! Times Two<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
What time is it? Adventure Time! And Halloween season too. Last year my kids went as Finn and Jake for Halloween. (you can read my Finn costume tutorial <a href="http://apatchworkworld.blogspot.com/2011/10/how-to-make-finn-from-adventure-time.html">here</a> and my Jake costume tutorial <a href="http://apatchworkworld.blogspot.com/2011/10/how-to-make-jake-from-adventure-time.html">here</a>.) I made their costumes because at the time, there weren't any officially licensed Adventure Time costumes available. Now there are some mass-produced Made in China-kinds available <a href="http://www.spirithalloween.com/product/Ht-Jake-the-Dog-Adult/">here</a> and <a href="http://www.spirithalloween.com/product/ht-finn-m-8-10/?w=finn%20human&UTM_campaign=Search:SC:finn%20human">here</a>. They even have Ice King and Princess Bubblegum costumes and a <a href="http://www.spirithalloween.com/product/ht-fiona-med-10-12/?w=finn%20human&UTM_campaign=Search:SC:finn%20human">slutty Fiona</a> costume too. Still, some prefer the one-of-a-kind variety. While searching the internet for Finn and Jake costumes last month, a woman found some photos of my kids in their costumes, discovered this blog and my kokoleo website, and wrote to ask if I would make the same costumes for her sons. Luckily, last Halloween I made some extra Finn hats and backpacks so I already had an adult-sized version available for her teenage son, but the Jake costume I had to make from scratch. And here it is:</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uiiCMTqn3cA/UHxDjHFKW4I/AAAAAAAABQw/gmxM2kO0tas/s1600/jakeclose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="267" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uiiCMTqn3cA/UHxDjHFKW4I/AAAAAAAABQw/gmxM2kO0tas/s400/jakeclose.jpg" title="Adventure Time Jake the Dog Costume by kokoleo" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BB0Cd9wIz2A/UHxDoHxxQoI/AAAAAAAABQ4/WmkBMmtrXZI/s1600/jakecostume.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BB0Cd9wIz2A/UHxDoHxxQoI/AAAAAAAABQ4/WmkBMmtrXZI/s400/jakecostume.jpg" title="Adventure Time Jake the Dog Costume by kokoleo" width="267" /></a></div>
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Her younger boy is 10 and small for his age, just like my boy who was nice enough to model it for me.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kdxo2xyicZg/UHxDsyZhYWI/AAAAAAAABRA/4p8wkcWI1do/s1600/jakeladder.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kdxo2xyicZg/UHxDsyZhYWI/AAAAAAAABRA/4p8wkcWI1do/s400/jakeladder.jpg" title="Adventure Time Jake the Dog Costume by kokoleo" width="267" /></a></div>
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And here he is with his sister who can still fit in her costume from last year. I think the yellow I chose for the bigger costume is closer to the actual color of Jake.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PuQ1EMwQgdM/UHxD384nlKI/AAAAAAAABRQ/qCy-Kov1Otk/s1600/jakex3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FsHhv-MRF2Q/UHxDyz6MeJI/AAAAAAAABRI/I9vSCeMbRGs/s1600/jakex2.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FsHhv-MRF2Q/UHxDyz6MeJI/AAAAAAAABRI/I9vSCeMbRGs/s400/jakex2.jpg" title="Adventure Time Jake the Dog Costumes by kokoleo" width="267" /></a></div>
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And here they are with our real-life doggie:<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PuQ1EMwQgdM/UHxD384nlKI/AAAAAAAABRQ/qCy-Kov1Otk/s1600/jakex3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PuQ1EMwQgdM/UHxD384nlKI/AAAAAAAABRQ/qCy-Kov1Otk/s400/jakex3.jpg" title="Adventure Time Jake the Dog Costume by kokoleo" width="267" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00325729486417508925noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13535937.post-31759511517778943902012-10-06T17:18:00.001-07:002012-10-06T17:29:53.529-07:00The Day We Made a MosaicBack in January I wrote <a href="http://apatchworkworld.blogspot.com/2012/01/mosaic-inspiration.html">this blog post</a> about my vision for a mosaic in our Children's Park. Guess what? We did it! I applied for a grant through the <a href="http://rentonwa.gov/living/default.aspx?id=2234">City of Renton's Neighborhood Grant Program</a> and it was approved. We were awarded $700 to install a one-of-a-kind mosaic in our park. My goal was to have it be a community-driven project (I certainly couldn't do it alone) and have as many people in the neighborhood as possible contribute items to be included in the mosaic. Here's the blurb I wrote for our homeowner's newsletter:<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Victoria Park Receives Art Grant</i></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Our Children's Park is a hidden gem in
Victoria Park. Last year, a group of parents came up with an idea to
create a mosaic in the park. A proposal was written and a grant was
applied for through the City of Renton's Neighborhood Grant Program
and it was approved! The Victoria Park Homeowners Association has
been awarded $700 to create a one-of-a-kind community-based art
project in our park.</i></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>We want you to be a part of this
project too! The idea is to create a mosaic around the bench that
faces the swing set. In it, we plan to embed colorful marbles, tiles,
rocks, and tiny trinkets. We are asking every person who lives in
Victoria Park to contribute one item to this project. Items should be
no larger than 2 inches across and non-biodegradeable. Examples are:
A rock from your front lawn, a marble, a plastic or metal toy, a
broken tile or dish, and other small, solid trinkets. Please note
your item will not be returned, but instead it will be embedded in
cement and on display forever in the Children's Park.</i></span></b></div>
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Little by little, donations were dropped of in a basket on our porch - coins, toys, broken jewelry, seashells and rocks - and over the course of the summer I began amassing mosaic materials at thrift stores, yard sales and antique shops - marbles, tiles, and polished glass stones.</div>
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In mid-August we finally broke ground...</div>
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and the friends who encouraged me to apply for the grant came out to help us.<br />
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There was no going back at this point. We dug a 12 ft. by 12 ft. hole 10 inches deep. We couldn't leave it like that for long, so we scheduled a date when we could all meet again and install the mosaic. Over the next two weeks I shopped for supplies, arranged for cement delivery (54 bags!), bought water and ordered 10 large pizzas to be delivered that evening. A few days before we were scheduled to install the mosaic, I stopped by <a href="http://www.uptownglassworks.com/">Upton Glassworks</a> in downtown Renton to ask if they had any broken bits or leftovers that we could include in our design. To my surprise, the owner, Paul Sullivan, brought out a big heavy box full of beautiful glass orbs and said we could have it. Free! </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a0DGL63oTto/UHCG7P1ZS_I/AAAAAAAABKM/xxnWoge2Hg4/s1600/uptonglassorbs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a0DGL63oTto/UHCG7P1ZS_I/AAAAAAAABKM/xxnWoge2Hg4/s400/uptonglassorbs.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I knew then that we were ready to begin our project. These were the big, beautiful, colorful, Renton-made objects we needed to make our mosaic complete.</div>
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September 16th was the day we converged on the park with shovels and wheelbarrows to make it happen.The kids helped mix cement (but soon learned how tiring it was and quickly left to play on the playground while the grownups did the dirty work.)</div>
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While the big strong men mixed and poured the concrete...</div>
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The moms started laying out the materials and coming up with a design so we could easily transfer it when the cement was ready.</div>
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And suddenly it was! </div>
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Everyone quickly tackled certain parts...<br />
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The area in front of the bench ended up a "sealife" theme with fish, crabs, frogs, turtles, an octopus and a mermaid...<br />
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surrounded by an ocean of clear, blue, and green marbles... </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-whKxU27HJGU/UHCzo6mNBnI/AAAAAAAABMw/Zy3AhvajfNY/s1600/mosaicsea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-whKxU27HJGU/UHCzo6mNBnI/AAAAAAAABMw/Zy3AhvajfNY/s400/mosaicsea.jpg" width="300" /></a> </div>
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and a "barrier reef" of seashells.</div>
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Then we moved on to the marbles...<br />
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And finally we let the kids place their toys and all the trinkets we'd collected into the cement.<br />
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Then we had a pizza party. (I factored this expense into our budget when I applied for the grant.)<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QgLxOIYGXrw/UHCzfcRXANI/AAAAAAAABMA/ZaHFm9M7OCA/s1600/mosaickids.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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Yeah, my neighbors are awesome. I'm pretty lucky to live here.<br />
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A week later we applied a few layers of cement sealant to strengthen and weatherproof it. I also threw in some glitter to add some sparkle.<br />
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And now it's done!<br />
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We walk past it everyday on our walk to school...<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4E_safX4_Ms/UHDFtEELMsI/AAAAAAAABPo/XzJpxn3_4xI/s1600/mosaicswings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4E_safX4_Ms/UHDFtEELMsI/AAAAAAAABPo/XzJpxn3_4xI/s400/mosaicswings.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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and remember that one day in 2012<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EsfQC4v2Bj0/UHDF-Fk3tRI/AAAAAAAABP0/ZtOWj3D0_20/s1600/mosaicdone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qUbGV1tuADk/UHDIPn5qFCI/AAAAAAAABQQ/ibWP4X0a6ys/s1600/2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qUbGV1tuADk/UHDIPn5qFCI/AAAAAAAABQQ/ibWP4X0a6ys/s400/2012.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c4vg6fA2omY/UHDGXQ5Dd7I/AAAAAAAABP8/Jrl2N0l3wLs/s1600/dollcar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
...when we made a mosaic.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00325729486417508925noreply@blogger.com46tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13535937.post-3277200705223722042012-09-03T12:44:00.001-07:002012-09-03T12:58:23.138-07:00Birthday Cakes and a Prize Winning PieAugust is always a busy month for us with vacations, picnics, and the kids birthdays just 10 days apart. I couldn't let it come and go though without sharing some of the cakes and pies I made last month. Here's McKenna's birthday cake:<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xF7e2PDkQtU/UEUA1hIr8VI/AAAAAAAABIc/_pVzbeVEmkU/s1600/mckrainbowcake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xF7e2PDkQtU/UEUA1hIr8VI/AAAAAAAABIc/_pVzbeVEmkU/s400/mckrainbowcake.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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She wanted a "rainbow" party so I made this cake using 3 circular cakes - two stacked and one cut in half and then placed on top of the other two, then propped up with marshmallow "clouds" and decorated with Skittles.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2lQsv7IT2UA/UEUA5aB9OOI/AAAAAAAABIk/MMyfDOxIpBo/s1600/mckrainbowcake3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2lQsv7IT2UA/UEUA5aB9OOI/AAAAAAAABIk/MMyfDOxIpBo/s400/mckrainbowcake3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bR8ok9XdYMY/UEUA8-ptTxI/AAAAAAAABIs/wXbqhcHl6yA/s1600/mckrainbowcake4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bR8ok9XdYMY/UEUA8-ptTxI/AAAAAAAABIs/wXbqhcHl6yA/s400/mckrainbowcake4.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J9cMXvQfEfw/UEUBBbG_hyI/AAAAAAAABI0/jlpaoO1FCmc/s1600/mckrainbowparty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J9cMXvQfEfw/UEUBBbG_hyI/AAAAAAAABI0/jlpaoO1FCmc/s400/mckrainbowparty.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Then, two weeks later I made this campfire cake for Sage.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qabx2n6Zw4A/UEUBGQvPpdI/AAAAAAAABI8/6NNNHs_wAWI/s1600/pie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mkPLmewcK6w/UEUBLwc51EI/AAAAAAAABJE/HJNl6rNlFwo/s1600/sagefirecake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mkPLmewcK6w/UEUBLwc51EI/AAAAAAAABJE/HJNl6rNlFwo/s400/sagefirecake.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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It's composed of a rectangular cake cut into 3 "logs", iced and stacked and topped with 3 fondant "flames". My boy is 10 now. 10! Double digits! He had a camping-themed party complete with fire pit, roasted weenies, s'mores, and friends camping in our backyard.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gduT7edqWGU/UEUBPK0-FiI/AAAAAAAABJM/Kc7wkhJH3RI/s1600/sagecampingparty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gduT7edqWGU/UEUBPK0-FiI/AAAAAAAABJM/Kc7wkhJH3RI/s400/sagecampingparty.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Another great thing about August is all the fruit in bloom - blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, apples, rhubarb - and that's just in out backyard! My husband's company had a pie contest and I won second place for my AppStrawRhuBlackBlue Pie:<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qabx2n6Zw4A/UEUBGQvPpdI/AAAAAAAABI8/6NNNHs_wAWI/s1600/pie.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qabx2n6Zw4A/UEUBGQvPpdI/AAAAAAAABI8/6NNNHs_wAWI/s400/pie.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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This picture was taken after it had been sampled by all the picnickers, hence the mess. I won a $25 Visa gift card and a ribbon. Not bad considering most of the ingredients were free. I've been making pies all summer and sticking them in the deep freezer to save them for special occasions this winter.</div>
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Oh summer, you were warm and sweet like a fresh-baked pie, and we gobbled you up.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00325729486417508925noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13535937.post-1932121556143581782012-07-25T14:41:00.001-07:002012-07-25T17:54:37.154-07:00I never saw a hot pink cow... till now.My latest custom plush commission started with this drawing by a little girl in Oregon.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ujy8OO6Q_KY/UBBbfGfU33I/AAAAAAAABIQ/9bKkS9ggifY/s1600/marly0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ujy8OO6Q_KY/UBBbfGfU33I/AAAAAAAABIQ/9bKkS9ggifY/s320/marly0.jpg" width="232" /></a></div>
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Its name is "Marly" and it's a cow. I immediately thought of the old nursery rhyme:<br />
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<i>I never saw a purple cow.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>I hope I never see one.</i></div>
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<i>But I can tell you anyhow,</i></div>
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<i>I'd rather see than be one.</i></div>
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When I went to the fabric store though, the hot pink fleece matched the color of the drawing better than any of the purple fleece, so I went with the best match. Fast forward two weeks and here it is in huggable form:<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zjZq0fJxb3U/UBBRBDTEjwI/AAAAAAAABHs/Evtxdp2IgFA/s1600/marly1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zjZq0fJxb3U/UBBRBDTEjwI/AAAAAAAABHs/Evtxdp2IgFA/s320/marly1.jpg" width="248" /></a></div>
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Sometimes it's tricky interpreting the back of a child's drawing. The difficult tasks with this one were figuring out a way to make supportive legs and devising a skinny, yet supportive neck.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wtq0FpH5uPY/UBBREuE-VtI/AAAAAAAABH0/YCmqQOzw0bw/s1600/marly2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wtq0FpH5uPY/UBBREuE-VtI/AAAAAAAABH0/YCmqQOzw0bw/s320/marly2.jpg" width="222" /></a></div>
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I did it by giving the cow a triangular rump and inserting a sewn tube of vinyl that extends diagonally from the base through the neck and into the head, then hand-stitching the back part, front legs, and head together.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nprxvntJko4/UBBRHf_mDfI/AAAAAAAABH8/ScnYDCM-srg/s1600/marly3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nprxvntJko4/UBBRHf_mDfI/AAAAAAAABH8/ScnYDCM-srg/s320/marly3.jpg" width="226" /></a></div>
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Soon it will be sitting on the bed of the little girl who designed it.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JrfKw_cxa0E/UBBRKM9UGnI/AAAAAAAABIE/31vdNOUbEhQ/s1600/marly4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JrfKw_cxa0E/UBBRKM9UGnI/AAAAAAAABIE/31vdNOUbEhQ/s400/marly4.jpg" width="400" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JrfKw_cxa0E/UBBRKM9UGnI/AAAAAAAABIE/31vdNOUbEhQ/s1600/marly4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<i>I never saw a hot pink cow</i></div>
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<i>But now I'm glad I did.</i></div>
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<i>I took a drawing, flat and small</i></div>
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<i>And made it plush and big. </i></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00325729486417508925noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13535937.post-73490109704020147492012-07-19T17:23:00.001-07:002012-07-19T20:44:57.536-07:00Vintage Pattern Meets African Batik Meets kokoleo<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W86AzeO_xPw/UAiNX3YwhLI/AAAAAAAABGk/ioqQYzEnb7k/s1600/dress0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>Last month I got a commission to make a sundress using authentic batik fabric that was purchased in Kenya, Africa. The customer wanted it to be a 1950s style cocktail dress based on this vintage reprint Vogue pattern:<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-szSVATJHmks/UAiOlWtNKUI/AAAAAAAABHM/51edlr45T6g/s1600/dress1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-szSVATJHmks/UAiOlWtNKUI/AAAAAAAABHM/51edlr45T6g/s400/dress1.jpg" width="287" /></a></div>
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To be honest, I'm not a fan of patterns, especially vintage ones. You'd think with all the sewing I've done that following a pattern would be no problem, but I much rather prefer devising my own way of doing things, be it <a href="http://apatchworkworld.blogspot.com/2011/12/custom-kokoleos.html">custom plush monsters</a> or a <a href="http://apatchworkworld.blogspot.com/2011/10/kokoleo-kind-of-cupcake.html">cupcake costume</a> or any other weird one-of-a-kind. Fancy grown-up dresses with darts and gathering and interfacing and buttons and hidden side zippers still intimidate me. Which is precisely why I said, "Yes, I'll do it." To prove that I can. And I did!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W86AzeO_xPw/UAiNX3YwhLI/AAAAAAAABGk/ioqQYzEnb7k/s1600/dress0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6hpFzJNSEQQ/UAiNd_KmZVI/AAAAAAAABGs/vp8mBERr7eQ/s1600/dress1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6hpFzJNSEQQ/UAiNd_KmZVI/AAAAAAAABGs/vp8mBERr7eQ/s640/dress1.jpg" width="316" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A0PdcdvfMYg/UAiNhf_LKZI/AAAAAAAABG0/ZZsl3efD03Y/s1600/dress2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
It took a few weeks of careful planning before I got up the nerve to piece it together. One wrong cut and I would have been screwed since it's not exactly the kind of fabric you can pick up at JoAnn's. Luckily, I remembered reading somewhere that vintage patterns run about 6 sizes smaller than their modern counterparts, so while the pattern I had went up to a size 14, that's really a modern size 8 and I needed to make it a 10. Argh! Math! I checked the measurements against those I took from my customer and realized that the pattern was too small so I simply trusted my seamstress instincts and cut about a 3/4 inch extra on the sides, top and bottom and followed the basic shape of the original pattern. Thankfully it fit her perfectly.<br />
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Here's the back view. The skirt is nearly 4 yards gathered at the waist.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5i5nnxaDwis/UAiNmwgt8fI/AAAAAAAABG8/mTMjBP-iFDc/s1600/dress3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5i5nnxaDwis/UAiNmwgt8fI/AAAAAAAABG8/mTMjBP-iFDc/s640/dress3.jpg" width="419" /></a></div>
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The only materials I purchased for this project were the shoulder buttons. I have a billion buttons in my studio stash, but not 10 identical ones.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A0PdcdvfMYg/UAiNhf_LKZI/AAAAAAAABG0/ZZsl3efD03Y/s1600/dress2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="295" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A0PdcdvfMYg/UAiNhf_LKZI/AAAAAAAABG0/ZZsl3efD03Y/s400/dress2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1831494055" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a></div>
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<br />
Working with the free-form, assymetrical pattern was a bit tricky. I took extra care to line it up in a balanced, flattering
manner, making sure not to let the circles be two giant bullseyes on her
boobs. I thought the cummerbund needed a little something extra so I
added this oversize vintage plastic button that matched the colors
perfectly. I've had that button for probably 6 years now knowing it
would be perfect for <i>something</i> some day. </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m3rb8lWa3VU/UAic3IYKwJI/AAAAAAAABHY/xaamahUXzMw/s1600/dress4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m3rb8lWa3VU/UAic3IYKwJI/AAAAAAAABHY/xaamahUXzMw/s640/dress4.jpg" width="401" /></a> </div>
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And now it's done! My confidence in my vintage pattern-following abilities has grown and my customer got a one-of-a-kind, custom-fit, African batik, vintage reproduction, kokoleo cocktail dress.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00325729486417508925noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13535937.post-34391210465128251552012-07-18T23:56:00.000-07:002012-07-18T23:56:09.177-07:00Summer Games and Baby NamesOooo the summer is flying by. I haven't posted since April! Sheesh. Where does the time go? For me it's gone into entertaining the kids, organizing a neighborhood bike parade and picnic, gathering materials for a community mosaic in our park, and teaching a craft class at happy delusions every Thursday:<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZffHFWaunco/UAeqD2VFzzI/AAAAAAAABEg/m1nYDJNvMGc/s1600/glittercraftflyer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="340" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZffHFWaunco/UAeqD2VFzzI/AAAAAAAABEg/m1nYDJNvMGc/s400/glittercraftflyer.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I've also been busy with a steady stream of <a href="http://www.kokoleo.com/personalized.html">personalized pillow orders</a> lately. Here are some pics of the ones I've done in the last few months:<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WCwLLNa-8es/UAerIbVPVDI/AAAAAAAABEo/esPU_xzf6HU/s1600/aidan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WCwLLNa-8es/UAerIbVPVDI/AAAAAAAABEo/esPU_xzf6HU/s400/aidan.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DSwNxgTjUTM/UAer_I7ttII/AAAAAAAABGQ/kFop4Y1nHrQ/s1600/alaina.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DSwNxgTjUTM/UAer_I7ttII/AAAAAAAABGQ/kFop4Y1nHrQ/s400/alaina.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yTdsOKtnCdE/UAerNUHpc_I/AAAAAAAABEw/OyUBGw6ZmTU/s1600/alice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yTdsOKtnCdE/UAerNUHpc_I/AAAAAAAABEw/OyUBGw6ZmTU/s400/alice.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3RDQlOFSrXA/UAerOlOeKzI/AAAAAAAABE4/A3MmPFX6E3A/s1600/arla.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="218" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3RDQlOFSrXA/UAerOlOeKzI/AAAAAAAABE4/A3MmPFX6E3A/s400/arla.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jtgppEcDZqw/UAerYEYqaNI/AAAAAAAABFI/T1_uXpcaYm8/s1600/dean2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jtgppEcDZqw/UAerYEYqaNI/AAAAAAAABFI/T1_uXpcaYm8/s400/dean2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BYxLcFykxy8/UAerg9OqgoI/AAAAAAAABFQ/USxVQ-_-8TM/s1600/evie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="205" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BYxLcFykxy8/UAerg9OqgoI/AAAAAAAABFQ/USxVQ-_-8TM/s400/evie.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rCs_VSnRoQA/UAeribj9w7I/AAAAAAAABFY/gKeG4XlZdig/s1600/hazel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rCs_VSnRoQA/UAeribj9w7I/AAAAAAAABFY/gKeG4XlZdig/s400/hazel.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I4KnnrRyR6M/UAerjhTxZkI/AAAAAAAABFg/94mLc_fpYQE/s1600/lizi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I4KnnrRyR6M/UAerjhTxZkI/AAAAAAAABFg/94mLc_fpYQE/s400/lizi.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Such great names!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00325729486417508925noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13535937.post-87187612408843513012012-04-29T00:39:00.000-07:002012-04-29T12:55:29.683-07:00Kokoleo Custom AcklayHere's my latest custom plush creation: An <a href="http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Acklay">Acklay</a> from Star Wars.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hXkY67R4wT4/T5zq5-2NTnI/AAAAAAAABDI/dFDcWujU10Y/s1600/acklay01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hXkY67R4wT4/T5zq5-2NTnI/AAAAAAAABDI/dFDcWujU10Y/s400/acklay01.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Now, before you think I must be the biggest Star Wars fangirl ever for undertaking such a complex project, I have to admit that before last month I had never even heard of an Acklay. A woman who had seen some of my other custom plush creatures that I had made from kids' drawings wrote to me to ask if I would make an Acklay for her son, a Star Wars fan who for years has been asking for a stuffed Acklay. She had looked for one but unfortunately they don't exist. Normally I don't accept requests to recreate licensed characters (I get these requests often) but this time I made an exception and accepted the challenge. <br />
<br />
<i> </i>I started by Googling images of Acklays
and based my plush on these pictures:<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kOzioa0SOk8/T5zmnz_oMYI/AAAAAAAABCM/69lD4Yxnp9o/s1600/413A42MPWFL._SL500_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kOzioa0SOk8/T5zmnz_oMYI/AAAAAAAABCM/69lD4Yxnp9o/s400/413A42MPWFL._SL500_.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cz6sQtjfU_c/T5zmnmjI64I/AAAAAAAABCE/dt_9hrpB9s0/s1600/132419.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="378" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cz6sQtjfU_c/T5zmnmjI64I/AAAAAAAABCE/dt_9hrpB9s0/s400/132419.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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And referred to them often as I pieced together the creature. Here are the arms:<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-orUjtDnbysM/T5ztnEOc-RI/AAAAAAAABEI/zbGqwBV_PIU/s1600/arms.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="283" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-orUjtDnbysM/T5ztnEOc-RI/AAAAAAAABEI/zbGqwBV_PIU/s400/arms.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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It's the only picture I took in while I was making it. <br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Jw4OYu9aTHQ/T5zq8NEFHWI/AAAAAAAABDQ/kpdRU6fDvC4/s1600/acklay02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
The Star Wars Wiki, <a href="http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Main_Page">WOOKIEPEDIA</a>,
describes and Acklay as <i>"a
three-eyed amphibious <a href="http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Sentience" title="Sentience">non-sentient</a></i>
<i>crustacean native to</i> <i><a href="http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Vendaxa">Vendaxa</a></i>.<i> Though
acklays lived <a href="http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Water" title="Water">underwater</a>,
they could go on land to hunt, which they frequently did, as the <a href="http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Lemnai" title="Lemnai">lemnai</a>, a
creature that lived on the plains of Vendaxa, was their main source of
food... </i><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Jw4OYu9aTHQ/T5zq8NEFHWI/AAAAAAAABDQ/kpdRU6fDvC4/s1600/acklay02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="243" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Jw4OYu9aTHQ/T5zq8NEFHWI/AAAAAAAABDQ/kpdRU6fDvC4/s400/acklay02.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>As they resided in the <a href="http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Ocean" title="Ocean">oceans</a> of
Vendaxa, their <a href="http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Eye" title="Eye">eyes</a>
enabled them to see in darkness, although they were near-sighted...</i><br />
<i> </i> <i></i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d0vROuXSGT8/T5zrH_YpVvI/AAAAAAAABEA/kDl91DnZOzk/s1600/acklay08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d0vROuXSGT8/T5zrH_YpVvI/AAAAAAAABEA/kDl91DnZOzk/s400/acklay08.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Despite their crustacean-like nature,
acklays also had
characteristics
possessed by reptiles, such as their powerful jaws filled with sharp
teeth... </i><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G_QpPnNCkm4/T5zrFEZVOxI/AAAAAAAABD4/tDqjZNE3gW8/s1600/acklay07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G_QpPnNCkm4/T5zrFEZVOxI/AAAAAAAABD4/tDqjZNE3gW8/s400/acklay07.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>The acklay had a tough, leathery skin that ranged in color from <a href="http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Green_%28disambiguation%29" title="Green (disambiguation)">green</a> to <a href="http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Brown" title="Brown">brown</a>,
another trait from its reptilian heritage...</i><br />
<i> </i><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r_VofV3dfTA/T5zrDts5c5I/AAAAAAAABDw/xSzrA-VMeR4/s1600/acklay06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r_VofV3dfTA/T5zrDts5c5I/AAAAAAAABDw/xSzrA-VMeR4/s400/acklay06.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Its belly was more vulnerable
than other parts of its body, as the flesh covering it was not as tough
as it was elsewhere...</i><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QQ5K0f7E7TM/T5zq-KiTd_I/AAAAAAAABDY/tgzA3cQ4rtc/s1600/acklay03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="261" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QQ5K0f7E7TM/T5zq-KiTd_I/AAAAAAAABDY/tgzA3cQ4rtc/s400/acklay03.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div>
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<i>Acklays had a bony crest around their neck, used
for both intimidation and protection."</i>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iOSofuHwoLI/T5zq_RJr3DI/AAAAAAAABDg/P-t5GMqMC8A/s1600/acklay04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="203" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iOSofuHwoLI/T5zq_RJr3DI/AAAAAAAABDg/P-t5GMqMC8A/s400/acklay04.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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They did not, however, have kokoleo labels on the backs of their necks, but this one does.<br />
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Now go, weird creature, to the boy who wants you. May the force be with you.<br />
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<i></i>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00325729486417508925noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13535937.post-31564080818843439312012-04-18T12:12:00.000-07:002012-04-18T17:13:24.521-07:00Hamster Crafts!Meet the newest member of our family - Goomba!<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kOFm3cU0zXA/T48H1O8CV4I/AAAAAAAAA_8/gaCAsEoqA2I/s1600/woodsy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kOFm3cU0zXA/T48H1O8CV4I/AAAAAAAAA_8/gaCAsEoqA2I/s400/woodsy.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div>
<br />
He's super cute and tons of fun and looks right at home in the <a href="http://apatchworkworld.blogspot.com/2008/04/retro-woodsy-wednesday.html">Woodsey House</a>. He also fits right in to this vintage Kenner Family Tree Tots Tree House:<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DIV2Lm9STBo/T48Hzgb72aI/AAAAAAAAA_s/Ruy9V_tqbEQ/s1600/treehouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DIV2Lm9STBo/T48Hzgb72aI/AAAAAAAAA_s/Ruy9V_tqbEQ/s400/treehouse.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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But his favorite place is snuggled in a pocket. </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OtnWIlxjjn0/T48Hxwz4cGI/AAAAAAAAA_U/2kglD6LcPdQ/s1600/pocket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OtnWIlxjjn0/T48Hxwz4cGI/AAAAAAAAA_U/2kglD6LcPdQ/s640/pocket.jpg" width="390" /></a> </div>
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McKenna carries him around in this fleece bag I made, which we now call the <i>Hamster Holder</i>.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ORSraFDin3Y/T48H0TLtwOI/AAAAAAAAA_0/HwgeI32iipI/s1600/walk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ORSraFDin3Y/T48H0TLtwOI/AAAAAAAAA_0/HwgeI32iipI/s400/walk.jpg" width="280" /></a></div>
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I had originally intended it to be a project for my "No Sew Pillows and Totes" craft class last week, but realized it was a little too difficult for the younger kids in my class so I scrapped the idea and gave it to McKenna instead. Goomba loves to snuggle up and sleep in it.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZpB0hY7bbwk/T48HsjWD8-I/AAAAAAAAA-k/LF-zuAhwAvc/s1600/1bag1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZpB0hY7bbwk/T48HsjWD8-I/AAAAAAAAA-k/LF-zuAhwAvc/s400/1bag1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Look how adorable he is!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4Jq7pY67bis/T48Hye6B28I/AAAAAAAAA_c/6DvbiyNx6w8/s1600/sleep.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4Jq7pY67bis/T48Hye6B28I/AAAAAAAAA_c/6DvbiyNx6w8/s400/sleep.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I made another <i>Hamster Holder</i> today. It only takes aboout 10 minutes. Here's the pattern:</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t8vMEYVthDk/T48HtpnnwII/AAAAAAAAA-s/x5Etzklrbmo/s1600/bag1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="325" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t8vMEYVthDk/T48HtpnnwII/AAAAAAAAA-s/x5Etzklrbmo/s400/bag1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Take 2 pieces of fleece, cut in a circular shape with a flat top. Then all around the edge (except at the top) make 2 inch cuts, about a finger's width apart. Also, cut a long strip of fleece for the strap. Next, tie each fringe bit together with 2 knots all the way around and then tie your strap to the top knots. Viola!<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uQpYZjMKXyI/T48HueZbtPI/AAAAAAAAA-0/GL4aqHfw7xY/s1600/bag2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uQpYZjMKXyI/T48HueZbtPI/AAAAAAAAA-0/GL4aqHfw7xY/s400/bag2.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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You've got a hands-free <i>Hamster Holder</i>.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sUHKe4S-AP8/T48HvAo6v_I/AAAAAAAAA-8/Xwv99QJ6RLY/s1600/bag3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="355" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sUHKe4S-AP8/T48HvAo6v_I/AAAAAAAAA-8/Xwv99QJ6RLY/s400/bag3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Yesterday I saw a project on Craft Magazine for a Pocket Fleece Pet Hammock posted on <a href="http://craftnectar.com/2012/04/07/pocket-pet-fleece-hammock-tutorial/">Craft Nectar</a>, so I immediately went in my studio and made this for Goomba:<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XF5Gg5icXcU/T48HvweJDSI/AAAAAAAAA_E/gVxZgsUpJbo/s1600/hammock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XF5Gg5icXcU/T48HvweJDSI/AAAAAAAAA_E/gVxZgsUpJbo/s400/hammock.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I made it a bit differently though, in a triangular shape with fleece strip ties instead of grommets and hooks. <br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WqFTczrX6Lw/T48HxCj3GII/AAAAAAAAA_M/VxsF6ofTBDo/s1600/hammockpattern.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="271" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WqFTczrX6Lw/T48HxCj3GII/AAAAAAAAA_M/VxsF6ofTBDo/s400/hammockpattern.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I may just abandon all my other kokoleo products and become a full-time hamster-crafter. Okay, maybe not. But this little guy has been a sweet source of inspiration lately. He's even with me right now, hanging around my neck helping me write this blog post. <br />
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Awwww....<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4Jq7pY67bis/T48Hye6B28I/AAAAAAAAA_c/6DvbiyNx6w8/s1600/sleep.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00325729486417508925noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13535937.post-33929759288499473022012-04-16T14:50:00.001-07:002012-04-16T14:51:28.661-07:00Kokoleo Windows and Craft CampWell it seems I failed in that that resolution to blog at least 10 times a month. I promise to better this month though. Oh wait, this month is already half over. Where does the time go?<br />
<br />
Last month I spent a lot of my time preparing for this: <br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ba5v9GXPOqE/T4yFDdpA8FI/AAAAAAAAA9s/dpKT3stALfs/s1600/window1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ba5v9GXPOqE/T4yFDdpA8FI/AAAAAAAAA9s/dpKT3stALfs/s400/window1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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An all-kokoleo display in the windows of happy delusions in downtown Renton. That's the inside view, here it is from the outside:<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pN2oCDGB3N8/T4yFFty_0dI/AAAAAAAAA98/IcxQnX1uvro/s1600/window4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pN2oCDGB3N8/T4yFFty_0dI/AAAAAAAAA98/IcxQnX1uvro/s400/window4.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div>
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I said <i>windows</i> plural because directly across from this is another huge window that I decorated as well:<br />
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And in the middle is <i>another </i>big window. <br />
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It was fun filling these spaces with my stuff. Mary, the owner of happy delusions, gave me free reign to do what I want
with them. On the day I decorated them, McKenna didn't have preschool and I
worried she would get restless but she was an awesome helper –
handing me nails, clothes pins, and glue dots. She said, “Some day
I'm going to work here. I'm going to sew things and sell them here
like you do.” Since I technically don't have a real job, it was as
close as a “Take Your Daughter to Work” day as I'll get.</div>
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The following night was "First Friday," a downtown art walk where some of the businesses stay open late and the community comes together to enjoy wine and cookies and art. My friend Dacia, who owns the <a href="http://www.oldrentonbooks.com/">Old Renton Book Exchange</a> came and purchased this shirt for her boy Bo off my clothesline display. How cute is this kid?</div>
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To kick off my Spring Break Kids Craft Camp that I was going to be teaching at the store the following week, I offered to set up a table in front of the shop and let
people make some of the projects I have planned for my class. </div>
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The
results were adorable. Here are just a few:</div>
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And here are some pics of last week's Craft Camp. Monday was <i>Fun with Puppets</i>:<br />
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Tuesday was <i>Monster Mania</i>:<br />
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Wednesday was <i>Puffball Power</i>:<br />
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Thursday was <i>No-Sew Pillows and Totes</i>:</div>
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And Friday was <i>Arty Party</i>:<br />
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Turnout was great and we're even thinking about doing it again this summer and possibly next winter break as well. Stay tuned!</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00325729486417508925noreply@blogger.com5