Crochet Leg Warmers + A Video Highlighting Tulsa's Fiber Artists

If you've ever poured yourself into any form of creativity, you might relate to something I've often encountered: Variety keeps it interesting.  Actually, I would apply this theory to lots of things, even beyond the artistic world.  It's easy to get burned out on your job, your town, your daily routine, or any aspect of life if you don't try something fun and different occasionally.  So when it comes to crafting, crochet is my escape.  My little craft desk is one of my favorite places in the world.  Nothing but good vibes are allowed in this corner.  Just ask my husband how quickly he gets shut down when he tries to talk politics when the music is playing and the work surface is open for business.  It's a very safe, happy place for me.

That being said, sometimes I need to escape.  I spend a LOT of time in this corner, not only creating things but also photographing and packaging them.  So occasionally, I start feeling trapped in this space and I have to break away for a change.  That's where crochet comes in.  This medium is very mobile.  I can take it to the most comfortable spots of my home, to a coffee shop to work in the company of friends, or to a sunny park bench with a soundtrack of birds chirping and leaves rustling.   I was so pleased with a recent crochet creation that I wanted to share in case anyone else might be interested in bustin' out the crochet hooks and making some too. 

These fun leg warmers were based on a pattern I found here for only 21 cents.  I wanted mine to be tapered to fit my leg, so I altered the pattern by doing a double crochet decrease halfway around rows 5, 7, 9, 11, and 13.  I also wove a black ribbon through the top of the cuffs to keep them in place during wear and to add a little extra flair.  I was pleased with the results, but unsure of where I might be able to sport these new cuties other than around the house.  Luckily, I found the perfect venue.  I recently started taking belly dance classes (keeping with the theme of variety, I guess I was just craving something new and exciting) so I wore my new leg warmers to dance class and shimmied the day away.

If you'd like to see a few shots of these leg warmers in progress, check out this segment that was featured on the local news last week.  The lovely and entertaining MC Swab of Fly The Coop interviewed knitters and crocheters at Loops, a yarn store we all adore.  Not only can you see friendly faces working on various projects and discussing the merits of fibercrafts, there's also a brief conversation about how much my Gran inspired me to start crocheting.  I hope somewhere out there, her soul did a happy dance when her photo was aired on the local news.  

So now that you know about my creative escape, tell me about yours!  What do you do to recharge your crafty energy?

Dead Boyfriends Club- George Harrison

Before I begin to justify my crush on George Harrison, here's a bit of back story.  For starters, I recently admitted I have a habit of swooning over dead guys.  Secondly, I am a hardcore Beatles fan. Now that those things are out in the open, let's move on to the next dreamboat in my dead boyfriend series. It all started with a few Beatles songs in my late teens.  I fell in love with the music, but then, as if I were transported to the start of the 1960's, the craze hit me.  I fell in love with the band members.  Sure, half of them had already passed since I hopped on the Beatlemania bandwagon, but that didn't slow down my fluttering heart one bit.

So I watched documentaries, listened to interviews, and fully explored the four men who influenced rock music in such a lasting and powerful way.  A few things made me feel especially drawn to the ghost of George Harrison.  He seems to have been the quiet one.  As someone who often has a hard time shutting up, I admire a person who only speaks when they have something very special and profound to say. 

The Beatles were such an influential group, and I think George did a lot to popularize tapping into one's spiritual side.  Some might argue this is not a good thing, and while I agree that a person's beliefs should never be based on a trend, I can also appreciate the courage it takes to explore a realm considered to be loony by some with the confidence of a person who truly values knowledge, wisdom, and connecting with others during our experience in this world.

And did I mention the man I married, my post-high school sweetheart and my best friend for the past decade, bears a striking resemblance to George Harrison?  If I'm being honest, the penetrating gaze of dark brown eyes is enough to make me weak in the knees.  Sometimes my guy looks at me with a stare so intense, I feel like he's peeking right into my core and I have to look away.  Don't tell him this, but he could get me to do just about anything when he looks at me that way.

And let's not forget the skills.  You will probably notice a theme among my dead boyfriends, and that is a staggering amount of talent.  Attractive people are fairly plentiful in this world, but not all of them have the depth and finesse to make entire populations fall in love with them.  Just look at the way he pours his heart into his music.

Regardless of whether he was with the Beatles or on his own, this man wrote music which inspires all kinds of reactions in me, ranging from toe-tapping to daydreaming.

Your body may be gone, Mr. Harrison, but a little piece of my heart belongs to you.  ♥

Have a Crafty Christmas

Hello and happy holidays, my friends! I just wanted to drop by and send you all some warm wishes on Christmas Eve. I'm hanging out at home, enjoying some downtime during this season of festivities. Wintertime is always a favorite of mine when it comes to making things. All the gift-giving and decorating make a perfect excuse to dive deep into your crafty side. I'm here not only to wish you the happiest of holidays, but also a season of unbridled creativity and heaps of inspiration. Here are a some of the crafty things I've been up to!

I did a live segment this morning on Great Day Green Country where I demonstrated how to decorate stockings for your pets. These are very kid-friendly because you just use tacky glue with printed cardstock and felt cutouts. The little garlands are made of usable treats for your pet (Milkbones for dogs and catnip toys for cats) which can be removed as you count down the days until Christmas.



Last week, I was featured on Good Day Tulsa with a fun tutorial on how to make your own gift bags and from recycled paper.



If you're like me and you've still got some wrapping to do today, maybe this video will come in handy. You might even have a giggle when the host points out my impressive scissor collection.



When I think about what kind of crafty things I'd like to attempt in the coming year, I feel the urge to dedicate more time crocheting. I'm getting awfully excited about my new-found ability to create functional, wearable items like this purple and black beanie I made from a soft cotton yarn. I was also able to take care of a few people on my list with handmade scarves and hats for winter.



What kind of creative endeavors do you think the next year will hold for you? Whatever they may be, I wish you the best. ♥

Watch Me Sew On Live TV

Yesterday morning, I headed to the local news station with a tote bag full of craft supplies and a face full of nervous smiles. Lacey Lett, co-host of the lively morning news show Great Day Green Country, had contacted me about appearing on the show for a second time to do a DIY segment (if you missed my first appearance, you can see it here). Last time, I was working with power tools. This time, I was using sharp objects. What is it with me and dangerous crafts on live TV? I like to live on the edge, folks. Some people skydive, some speed down the highway on motorcycles. As you can see in the following video, I get MY kicks out through hardcore granny crafts.



Luckily, I didn't draw blood. I did stutter a few times, but I blame the studly co-host for that. Other than the occasional word fumbles and nervous giggles, I've become fairly comfortable in front of the camera. Between promoting crafty events and presenting DIY segments, I've appeared a total of seven times on various local news stations! Don't think I'm getting cocky though. No matter how many times I've done it, I always get a small case of butterflies in the stomach when the countdown begins.

If you are in the Tulsa area and you'd like to join in on the crafty fun, check out the event page for this class. It will be held at the Brookside Library, supplies will be included, and here's the best part: It's free! This class is designed for adults, so if you think kids get to do all the fun stuff at the library, come see me on December 10th and let me prove you wrong! It's possible you've witnessed me getting all sentimental on my blog before when I address the topic of social crafting, but I really do believe that creating beautiful things with people in your community is one of the most satisfying things you can do. So if you are interested, I hope you will come out and have a Holly-Jolly time crafting with me at the library. See you there!

It's Almost Indie Weekend!

This weekend, I'll be participating in something I get tremendously excited about each year- Indie Emporium!

This is one of my favorite craft shows and I am always willing to promote it when given the chance.  So when my friend Christine, who along with her husband Thom is responsible for organizing the event, asked me to make an appearance on a local show called Great Day Green Country I was happy to oblige.  I even got to demonstrate a fun craft project, so you can watch the following video if you'd like me to teach you how to make guitar pick jewelry.

Everyone seems to be VERY excited about the beloved swag bags given to the first 50 guests at the opening of the show.  I've contributed something to the swag bags each year, and I always try to find interesting promotional items.  This year, I made glow-in-the-dark star magnets out of polymer clay.

My booth will house many new creations. Here is a peek at some of the animal sculptures I'll have with me.

I'll be in a larger space this year, so you can expect to see a nice assortment of handmade jewelry, decor, and garden goodies.  I hope to see you there!

Fitness Friday #13- Love Handles Be Gone

Love handles, muffin tops, no matter what you want to call them, it can be quite the tricky little area. They even make an appearance on skinny girls from time to time because, unless you specifically target this area, it can easily get squishy. But the upside is that if you DO target the muscles in your waist, it has a cinching effect over time. The results are noticeable and beautiful. The muscles I'm referring to are called your obliques, and I've chosen the following diagram to demonstrate their location just because it's hilarious.



I love this exercise because not only does it work a difficult area, but it also requires very little equipment. All you need is a body ball, so if you've got one (or if you're willing to shell out as little as 10 bucks to get one) let's get started!



Like I mentioned on the video, it's a good thing to be a little sore. That means it's working! But you will want to find that perfect balance between working these muscles hard enough and working them too hard, so go easy at first to test the waters. If you incorporate this kind of exercise into your routine on a regular basis, it can really transform your body. I'm a huge believer in a combination of cardio and weight training, so pair this workout with a brisk walk or run and show those love handles who's boss.

Have a happy, healthy weekend!

Fitness Friday #7- Go Raw

Happy Friday! Today's post won't make you sore, it won't leave you sweating, and you might even find it enjoyable. I want to discuss something that's been heavy on my mind lately because the approach I try to take with my Fitness Friday posts is the acquisition and maintenance of a healthy lifestyle. It's not always about looking good, because it's more important that you feel good (and as an added bonus, looking good can easily result from taking care of your body). The focus of today's post is raw food.



You really just can't go wrong eating raw fruits and veggies. They are low in fat and calories, yet high in vitamins and nutrients. They are easy for your body to process. In their natural state, these foods are completely free of chemicals and preservatives. And on top of all that, some of the most delicious things you'll ever taste come directly from nature! It is absolutely possible to eat the most healthy food possible without skimping on flavor or enjoyment.



If munching on raw fruits and veggies is not something you find inherently rewarding, I can provide you with a bit of motivation to help you incorporate more fresh produce into your diet. There is a fantastic documentary that will open your eyes to how kind you are being to your body when you sit down for a meal.



I was really affected by this film. I typically think of myself as an overall healthy person, but the honest truth is that a lot of my diet is overly processed. Much of what I was eating came from a box, can, or plastic bag. Here's the trailer if your interest is sparked.



Since I watched this documentary, I've been shifting my focus from calories and fat grams to the amount of human interference involved in my food. If I'm eating fresh produce, fat content is not much of an issue anyway. And as far as lifestyle changes go, this one has been quite painless. I just make sure that fruits and veggies are present in every meal and snack. Visit the Food Matters Website for more information and to watch the film online.

Now that I'm done rambling on about the benefits of raw foods, I'd like to know what your favorite fresh fruit or vegetable is. Lately, mine has been ice cold watermelon. It is HEAVEN on a scorching summer day!

Fitness Friday #2- The Elusive Abs

Good morning, my gorgeous readers! I think one thing every girl wants is a flat stomach. When setting realistic goals, we may not even try to attain a 6-pack that is perfectly chiseled in every way, but I think it is one area that gets a lot of attention in the fitness world. There are so many gadgets, videos, and diets floating around out there, all claiming to trim your middle. I know it can get a little overwhelming if you're simply looking for a no-hassle way to target this area.

I've got quite a few tricks up my sleeve for this notorious section of a woman's body, and all of them are tried and true. Today I've got a Fitness Friday post that your abs will love. It's a set of two pilates moves that are simple to understand but will seriously work your stomach. And in case you're a visual learner like I am, I made videos! The reason I'm showing these to you today is that they don't require any equipment whatsoever, so if the whole fitness thing is new to you and you have yet to acquire any supplies, you won't be left out. You can do these moves on your living room floor! I would recommend using a yoga mat if you have one, or choosing a carpeted area of your home to cushion your back.

The first move is what I'll refer to as "The Scissors".



Start by laying flat on your back with your arms alongside you, palms down. Lift both your legs straight into the air so that your body makes an "L" shape. Move your feet so that one crosses over the other, then alternate. As you are taking these little scissor steps, you will lower your legs toward the ground. Count each time you move one foot in front of the other- it should take you about 8 steps to get to the bottom. At that time, you will take 8 more steps to get back to your starting position. Each time you scissor your way toward the ground and then back up again, that counts as 1 full move.

Dr. Holly* recommends: If you are new to working your abs, you should probably start with a set of 4. If your abs are accustomed to occasional exercise, do a set of 8. And if you are a seasoned pro whose abs are so trained that you find it difficult to make them sore anymore, do 2-3 sets of 8.



I call this next move "The Figure 8".



You will be starting in the same position as the last move. Keeping your feet together the whole time, trace a large figure 8 with your toes in a very controlled motion. Your feet should be close to the floor as you complete the lower part of the shape. Once you reach the top, back to your starting position, do another figure 8 in the opposite direction. Each time you complete a figure 8 in both directions, that counts as one full move.

Dr. Holly* recommends: The same as the last move- a set of 4 for beginners, 8 if you consider yourself intermediate, and 2-3 sets of 8 if your abs can handle advanced training. I would like to add that while you are doing either of these moves, DO NOT HOLD YOUR BREATH! They require a lot of concentration and control, but make an effort to take regular breaths. You will get fatigued much more quickly if you're depriving your body of oxygen. So breathe deeply and often if you want the stamina to really work those abs!

*Disclaimer- I am not a real doctor, just a know-it-all fitness enthusiast who wants to help others find the fun in living a healthy lifestyle. Please do not attempt any exercise moves unless you can do so without injuring yourself.

I'm hoping you will find these to be a worthy addition to your fitness routine. Don't overdo it, just give them a try and see how they work out. If your abs aren't even the slightest bit sore the next day, take it up a notch the next time. The important thing is to find a good balance for your body and go from there. Stay tuned for more Fitness Friday posts!

Nature Girl

Hello and Happy New Year, my friends! There is something right in my backyard that brings me great joy, and I'm hoping to share a little bit of it with you. I am a total nature girl at heart, so I was thrilled when we bought a house with a backyard full of trees. If you've been following my blog for a while, you have probably seen some of the things I did to draw animals to my balcony when I lived in an apartment. Now that I've got all these trees, the possibilities have really expanded. We hadn't lived here for very long at all before I started hanging feeders from the limbs. I am happy to say that our yard has quickly become a major hot spot for all kinds of wild critters. I often joke that a Disney movie lies just beyond my kitchen window, and now I've got some proof to back up that statement.

Here's a short video to show what kind of action goes down in our trees. If
you look closely, you will see doves, sparrows, cardinals, and a very creative squirrel.



The squirrels eat the food spilled by the birds, but they also like to run up the pole of the shepherd's hook to shake down more when the supply on the ground runs low. Clever little things, aren't they? I know a lot of people consider squirrels a nuisance, but I always want animals to feel safe and welcomed here. I make sure they have plenty to eat and drink, and they have started to rely on my yard as a food source. They visit our place all year round, rain or shine.



Anytime I'm near a window facing this area, I like to stay for a moment and watch all the creatures eat, flitter around, bathe, and perch in the trees. I find a lot of my inspiration from this little piece of nature..



This Blue Jay Bookmark was completely inspired by the actual blue jays which eat right out of a cup of seed I have on the deck. Doesn't this guy have the cutest little beak?



My space reminds me of a tiny, contained forest. It's only 1/4 acre of land, nestled firmly into a suburban neighborhood. But we've got a wall of trees surrounding our backyard, and everything seems quite perfect in this one little spot of the world.



When I applied this concept to my work, this was the result:
The Enchanted Forest In A Jar Pendant.



And then of course there are these guys...



Since all of these things I make are so close to my heart, it is not unusual for me to make extras so that I can keep some for myself and list some in my shop. This was definitely the case with the Glitter Acorn Necklace I recently listed.



In fact, I ended up making one of each color to keep.



My backyard really comes in handy when it's time to photograph my items too.



The tree limbs worked out perfectly for photographing the acorn necklaces, and I actually used the birdbath as a backdrop too. I read that birds are more likely to use a birdbath when there are stones inside to draw them to the water and to provide many different depths for birds of all sizes. I was trying to achieve the look of a crystal-clear stream, but now you know the truth- it's my birdbath!



I truely love the inside of our house and the various nooks and crannies where I make myself comfortable, but I think this little outdoor world is my absolute favorite part of our home. Which part of your dwelling are you particularly fond of?

P.S. I recently participated in my very first swap with a blogger I completely adore. She perfectly grasped my personality overall, including my love of nature. Watch for my next post to see the magical things I received in my package from down under!

More kitten videos!

Hi guys! Today, I thought I might fill you in on how my dad's kitten, Little Ricky, is doing. If you don't know the back story on how this kitty wandered into my dad's life, you can find out more here and here. She's growing up so quickly, so I thought you all might like to see a little more of her while she's still a kitten.



That was actually my second attempt at filming this video. My first attempt took place last week, but Little Ricky wasn't cooperating. I mentioned that she loves people, but that's a huge understatement. She can't stay away from people- she constantly wants to be held. Which is why she started climbing my leg when I was trying to do a little intro in this next video. As you can tell by the look on my face, having kitten claws driven into your thigh is not very pleasant. It made for a pretty hilarious outtake though.



Oh man that cracks me up. She was climbing my leg from the very moment the video started, so that's why I'm making such awkward faces. When I uploaded this video, my boyfriend and I watched it over and over again, laughing hysterically. We're easily amused. But in my opinion, life would be so boring if we were unable to put away our egos and make fun of ourselves every once in a while.

Since the topic of today's blog is how fast my dad's kitten is growing up, I thought I'd show you something else that has been growing here at home. My miniature rose bush has been blooming like crazy, so I decided to follow the growth of a single bud by photographing it daily. Here's a little collage I put together with some of the photos I took.



What kind of growth have you been experiencing lately? Personal growth? Spiritual growth? A growth on your big toe? ;-)~

Musical Monday + Etsy Features

Some songs, if listened to under just the right circumstances, make me cry. I'm just being honest here, even though I'll be exposed as the truly obsessive music nerd that I am. This particular performance of this song has moved me to tears in the past. It is part of a five-song set which took place on a rooftop in London. This was the last time The Beatles ever performed a concert together. I feel like they must have known that this moment would go down in music history.



To me, this was very significant because there are SO many people who can relate to this band and would place them among the top musicians of all time. The Beatles have a way of reaching people of all ages and lifestyles even to this day. I'm comforted by the fact that I'm not alone in my fixation, so I'm going to highlight some lovely Beatles-themed items that I found on etsy.


The Beatles Print by point blank design.

Let it be 8x10 print by letter happy.

The Beatles Mice by The House of Mouse.

All You Need Is Love original photograph by Pepper Beaumont.

Yellow Submarine pinback buttons by Dazzle Bella.

Sgt. Peppers Record Album Purse by Rock N' Recycle.

Beatles Psychedelic Peace Pendant by Oliviamoon.

If I was asked to choose a single band that stands out among all others as my absolute favorite, it would have to be these guys. I know it seems cliche, but the fact that they have millions (billions?) of fans says so much about the talent they possessed. What band/musician tops all else in your book? That's right, I'm asking you to choose just one. Can you do it?....

Squirrel Videos!

As if the endless squirrel photos were not enough, now I've got videos too! There were just so many cute things going on right outside of my sliding glass door, and I couldn't help myself.

I recorded the first one to document this crazy little behavior I've seen in these squirrels. I like to refer to each squirrel I see as "Mr. Squirrel", likes it's always the same one. But there are actually quite a few of them coming here. I have seen both males and females, and occasionally I have seen more than one at a time on my balcony, which usually causes one of them to chase the other away. I wish I could tell them that there's no need to be so competitive; I'll leave out plenty of food for everyone. I noticed that these squirrels occasionally start to wildly flap their tails. It looks really funny, and it makes me giggle every time I see it.



I wanted to know the meaning behind this, because I knew that it had to be some sort of squirrel body language. What I found out was pretty interesting:

"The most commonly heard sounds are a sort of "clicking," given when agitated, and what Woods (1980) describes fairly accurately as "a series of rasping whicks." Next time you hear either of these sounds, watch the squirrel. You'll see that not only does its tail flick furiously, but its whole body may also vibrate with agitation. Surely this behaviour gave rise to the slang term "squirrelly" to describe someone acting in an irrational, agitated, or odd manner." (source)

That makes perfect sense, because he was just lounging about on the rail of my balcony like so:



Then, all of the sudden, he started doing the tail thing. I was lucky that I happened to be sitting there watching him with my camera nearby. I guess there was another squirrel approaching, and this little guy was trying to tell him to back off. I didn't hear the clicking noises if he made them, but I was on the other side of the glass so I'm not really sure if I would have been able to hear it anyway.

In the next video, you can see a squirrel using the feeder I made for them. I think it's adorable when they grab it and start chewin' away, which is why I placed the feeder so that it could be easily viewed from the living room.



As you can see, the feeder turned out to be rather sturdy. They yank and tug on it every time they come around, but nothing has fallen apart. Not bad for a handful of bamboo skewers, some string, a few decorative stones, and a dried-up piece of corn amiright?

Yee-Haw!!

Hello, Bloggers! I'm feeling awfully perky for a Monday morning, how about you guys? My friend Christine will be attending a really nifty craft show this weekend in Fort Worth called Funky Finds Spring Fling. And she's such a sweetheart- she has agreed to take some promotional items and give them out for me. So any of you who may be planning to attend this event, make sure to stop by the Weather and Noise booth to pick up one of these cute little magnets for FREE!


I make them in a rainbow of colors, each with a matching Swarovski crystal rhinestone!

Plus they serve as a constant reminder of how amazing you are! Everyone needs to be reminded of that every once in a while.

I really wish I could go, because there will be quite a few wonderful sellers there. Including Stelabird and Rose of Sharon Acres (who sells the most fantastic goats milk soaps I've ever used). Are any of you planning on going?

Why am I so bouncy on a Monday morning you ask? Well there are two reasons. One, that's kinda just the way I am. And two, I cleaned the everloving crap out of my balcony this weekend. I swept, reorganized, and pulled up my dead annuals from last year. So this morning, upon awakening, I threw open the blinds and watched the sun shining down through the branches. One thing I love about being on the third floor is that I feel just a little bit like I'm living in a treehouse. Here's the view:



I've also been listening to my homegirl Patsy all weekend. I have loved this woman's strong, silky voice since I was a teenager. I can remember being made fun of by my rocker friends for listening to country music. But what they didn't understand is that Patsy is different. She's so classy, unlike today's country stars who constantly try to out-redneck each other. Just look at how graceful she is.



How was your weekend? Did anyone else get some spring cleaning done?