Where did she go?

I moved!!

Well, my blog at least........ http://agreenbanana.wordpress.com/


Come on by and find out what I have been doing.

here

movin' on

It's true, I am movin' on.

Bigger and better things are great and all, but it means making changes.

I'm starting small and moving my blog to wordpress.

I look most forward to having my own website put together.

Wordpress will help with this.

So, kindly go to your blog feed thing-a-ma-jig and add

http://agreenbanana.wordpress.com

It will be better for everyone.

you'll get to stay close and grow with me at the same time!

http://agreenbanana.wordpress.com

Summer Sneak Peak

When I ordered my bridal fabrics this past May, there was a slight meltdown around here. It turned out my fabric was out of stock for two months.

Rather than sulk, I took full advantage of this time, waiting patiently to make the most important dress of my life. I refitted my vintage bridal pattern, twice. I made a few bridesmaid mock ups, and then I created a few things for all of you

I can't believe I made this many pieces this summer! I will be back in full swing come October. Enjoy a little sneak peak of what is to come.

huggles!

Stealin' Time

The natural beauty of the outdoors can be quite restorative. The peaceful flow of nature soothes and calms the mind.

We took a day trip to the forest this week.

Alabama is a beautiful state with so much wonder to discover.


This is the largest canyon east of the Mississippi River

Taking it all in.


Tiny Lizard King.


Passiflora, also known as Passion Flower, is probably my favourite type of wild flower, ever.



Bless up!

Nest Adornment Remix

As a crafter, I keep just about everything. Every scrap of fabric has a purpose.

Years ago, I made a patchy pillow that was very well loved. So well loved, that one of my pups decided to nibble a little hole in it.

Rather than swim against the current of dog ownership, I remade my pillow case into a super snazzy wall hanging.

Check out the free motion embroidery!

I need to find just the right stick to display it.

What do you think?

click the links below to see full size images on flickr

1. close up of free motion embroidery, 2. pillow case before, 3. patchwork recon wall hanging, 4. patchwork wall hanging -- full monty

huggles!!

Dreaming in Water

We had a massive thunder storm roll through here last night. Our neighbourhood looses power just about every time for at least an hour.

In the midst of the monsoon, I was preparing to paint our bathroom. Just as I had finished taping the trims, the power went out.

What is a girl to do with no power!? No sewing or wall painting.

I busted out my lonesome water colours and painted a lil sumpin' by candle light.


It is a scene of a dream, my man and I have for each other. We want to own land deep in Appalachia and build a yurt homestead.

Some day.

It's all about projecting your dreams.

Geometric Love

The only math I enjoy is Geometry.

I use it often in my craft, whether it be pattern drafting, stitching, or appliqué.

There is geometric inspiration all around.

Cruising over the Tennessee River.....

......bouncing back to 'Bama.

Sneak peak

What inspires you?

huggles!

Crafting in my roots.

I can't believe summer has finally arrived. I have had my head to the ground in preparation of my upcoming wedding.

I have been most busy altering a vintage bridal pattern for myself. That's right, I am making my wedding dress. And because I am little bit crazy, I am going to make my bridesmaids dresses as well.

I have big crafty shoes to fill.

mama and her girls

My mom made her dress when she married my dad. She also made her bridesmaids skirts. Throughout my childhood my mother was always making something or renovating some part of the house. I like to say she is the perfect combination of Martha Stewart and Bob Villa. She is Nancy, the maker of all things awesome. I mean she made me, right?

bride and maid of honour

My sister, mom, and step mom threw the sweetest birdal shower for me. My sister and mom painted poenies on martini glasses with some enamal paint for our party favours. It was so easy paint, bake, and sip. They also made a super tastey lunch complete with mimosas.

If you are wondering about my pretty dress here is the scoop.

I finally made myself a dress from one of my favourite designs. My heart skipped a beat when I saw this lonely yellow vintage bed sheet at the local resale shop. Isn't is dreamy? See the green and white tier of the ruffle. I had it leftover from a skirt I sold a few years ago. Hoarding validation.

huggles!

Crescent City Chronicles.

A few weeks ago, I had an amazing trip to New Orleans with the love of my life. We partied down at Jazz Fest, celebrated my quarter century birthday, and fell in love with the city all over again.

We stayed at our favourite hotel, the historic French Market Inn. It has all of the Southern Charm and architecture you could ever want.


The one.


Here we are in front of the St.Louis Cathedral. We later had a magical meeting with a fellow artist for the first time in person. You can read all about it here.


Our first day of Jazz Fest started with Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers. Be jealous, Dad!


Our good friend Josh went with us for the festivities.


Widespread Panic was so rockin!


Check out the sweet tribute flag to Mikey Houser.


Say Cheese JB!


One pound of powdered sugar per beignet and steaming cafe au lait. Repeat.


Late night Toubab Krewe to kick off my birthday. Who doesn't love a birthday show?!


We boogied down in a super intimate small show.

The three of us enjoyed a gourmet four course lunch to do my birthday up right!

Our buddy Josh, took us on an amazing home tour in Uptown. I didn't snap a single picture, but c'est la vie.

We went to the awesome and psychedelic premier of Phish in 3D in uptown. Check it out if it's showing in your area!


Savouring our last night in the Crescent City, we let her lead us. We ended up on lower Decatur at this super fun Russian themed bar named Pravda.

"...To get her in a conversation, Drink a little red wine...." - Paul Simon


The court yard was complete with classy music and turtles.


This is the skirt I made to wear on my birthday. This vintage fabric brings tears to my eyes it's so awesome.

Our second day of attending Jazz Fest ended with Pearl Jam. It was incredible.

~~~~~

I feel so recharged and inspired after a little R & R. It is way too easy to let work, family, and all the other details of life distract you from stopping and smelling the roses.

Even if you can't get away on a vacation, remember to make time for yourself.

huggles!

Saved from the Trash #2

Hot tea soothes my mind and tantalizes my palette.

I just restocked my nest with a bunch of new teas.

In my opinion, loose tea makes for a better tea experience than a disposable pre-measured sachet.

You don't have to take my word for it. Just ask this friend of mine, she makes some really cool reusable tea bags.

Whatever your day entails, I guarantee it will be better with a spot of tea.
........................

Now let's move on to the dumpster diving madness.

This is how I store my loose teas.


When ever we finish a nice jar of jam or salsa, I meticulously clean the jar and lid. That's right, I saved these innocent and useful jars from the trash. I don't usually fight the label, I'm not that tidy.

Check the spiddle of herbal orange spice tea. Embrace the clove overload!

I love having nice glass jars and tins in my pantry rather than boring wasteful boxes. It makes me feel connected to those of you awesome people who can and preserve your produce.

One thing that I can share about reusing jars is that they are not all created equal. Pickle and olive jar lids can be really tough to get rid of the vinegary smell. What's a crafter to do?!

Toss the lid out and embrace what you can do!


Bust out your hot glue gun and attach some schnazzy fabric. My pen cup is styin' in stripes. My bountiful bud vase is rockin' in some free motion quilting by yours truly.

.......

These red roses were saved from the trash for now.


My place of work replaces their flowers weekly. I generally deposit the old flowers straight into my compost heap. This past week's roses still had plenty of beauty to share before returning to the earth.


~huggles!~

Check it.

I have a slurry of new stuff trickling into my etsy shop today.




huggles!

Stilts

I use my stilts to get closer to the sun. I am an Icarus of sorts.

The sort that lathers on sunscreen, wears hats, and naps in the shade.

HA!

Enjoy a little haiku I wrote inspired by my wrap pants.

:::::
Silly girl am I!
Too short to model the pants
wears ugly high heels
:::::






huggles!

I believe.

There are changes ahead.

Check out this mosaic. It was inspired by my April Team Challenge.

Click for flickr album.

My Etsy team is moving forward to share it's message with the world.

I am so pumped to be a part of it. Seriously, we have so many bad ass creative people working together. To find us, search Etsy for gypsydreamteam , we are all still in the process of updating with this tag so feel free to hit up the forum and check out our profile pages for shop links.


As many of you all know, I tend bar when I am not covered in thread and barefoot in my sewing studio. I have been at the restaurant way too much because we lost a team member. I am attempting to shift my balance, but my ducks are not yet in a row.

Needless to say, a girl's gotta create.

In my stolen moments I have managed to put together a few pretty spring diddys. I only have a sneak peak, but I am waiting for my next "day off" to have a major photoshoot.




huggles!