New hair .... Literally & Adele

2011-04-27T23:53:00.000-07:00

I got new hair.... literally. I got extensions & bangs!!! Its totally different and I have a love hate relationship with them. I miss my short cute retro curly hair but I sort of love having as much hair as a horse. It's something different and hey I am a hair dresser! Time to change it up.

I did finally figure out how to do my signature "roll" with my new extensions... thank goodness... I was having retro withdrawl...

Other then that... I have been OBSESSED with everything Adele. I love her look. Her clothes, hair and ESPECIALLY her make up!!! Not to mention her insane voice!

Not only does she have great style an amazing voice and an English accent. She also is funny as hell! When I hear her in interviews I feel like she is my best friend hahaha or at least should be!

My favorite song she sings is " One and only" its SSOOO GOOD!

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OOTD #2

2011-03-10T23:21:00.000-08:00

I have my Johnny Cash uniform on:

Poncho- TJ MAXX
shirt- old navy
skinny jeans- Old navy
shoes- target
purse- coach
scarf- vintage
earrings- made by me
bracelet- vintage

Okay so I know I sort of turned a new leaf buying different clothes but I must admit I am a sucker for an all black outfit. I love it. I feel its really classic. My family had to go to the lawyers and we all cracked up when we got out of the car and we were all wearing black. We looked like we were going to a funeral. After we got back I made my mom take pictures of me in her backyard with my hipstamatic....

She couldn't figure out how to get my feet in the picture so there was plenty of pics because my mother is technically challenged. The viewfinder on the hipstamatic is pretty annoying.

Me showing my mother how easy is it to get HER feet in the picture. (her in all black too... shocking)

Then my mom tried to get me to do " model" poses so of course I did the complete opposite

I pretended I was Elle Wood from Toddlers and Tiaras. I was busting out all my moves

the invisible wall rest

kiss the boo boo's

ouchie boo boo!

If you've ever seen that show you know what I'm talking about. The funny part is Elle Wood looks like I did as a kid. Except my mother wasn't a freak and dressed me up like a child hooker.

but she did make me put on this GOD awful scarf that one of her bible study ladies gave her. I said " OH LAWD this looks like Pinata puke! This fun fetti scarf is a SIN!" but I gave in a took a picture for her

Have you seen Toddlers and Tiaras??? It make me realize how good I had it as a kid.

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FOTD- Face of the day & Shellac review

2011-03-07T21:51:00.001-08:00

My outfit was pretty boring today. Just like my day at work. Black cartigan & jeans bleh! Good news is last week I made the most money I have since I've been working at the salon. GO ME!!! So this week most likely will be on the slower side.

I was thinking of posting some pictures of my work I do in the salon. You would think I would remember to take before and after pictures but of course I always forget the befores and so people can't see how fucked up their hair was before and how fabulous I just made them...

On another note I would like to talk about Shellac Its an AMAZING product!!! My nails have never felt stronger and stayed longer then with Shellac. Its pretty much like nail polish but doesn't ever chip. You need a UV lamp to cure it and as of now can only get it done professionally. The manicurist at my salon does my nails. I am HOOKED! I used to wear it with a half moon manicure but this week I just did regular. It last for 2 weeks!!! I am constantly in water and using my hands all day long. OPI also makes one called Axxium that I've also used. It takes a bit longer then Shellac but has a far larger assortment of colors. Personally I only wear classic reds. (big fat surprise!) so thats why I have been using Shellac. I did see that OPI has a gold in the axxium so I might have to try it! Have you ever heard of shellac ? Have you tried it?? What did you think?

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OOTD- #1 & ramblings of a girl having a quarter life crisis.

2011-03-06T20:02:00.000-08:00

Blouse- Forever 21+
Jeans- Torrid
Belt- Torrid
Shoes- Miz Mooz

Okay so apparently I've been missing out on this whole " Fatshionista" concept. Where "plus size" women take on the world and express themselves through fashion and being happy to be themselves no matter what size. Seriously am I the worst fat girl on earth? Never knew Forever 21 had a plus size section? Been into torrid 2 times my whole life. Didn't know ASOS even existed!!! (if you haven't been to the site check it out. They have some fabulous items for most sizes)

I guess its because I can still shop at a majority of the mainstream stores. Plus I was obsessed with having a retro flare on everything so I was SO PICKY about what I wore and pretty much was a combination of pencil skirts, jeans, cardigans, sheath dresses, black, black and BLACK!

Then I became obsessed with this idea that I was only going to make clothing from vintage patterns and or wear vintage clothes. That sort of is on the back burner for many reasons. The main one being I do hair. I use bleach & color everyday so the idea of ruining something that was expensive & has lasted 50 years with someone else only to be splattered with bleach by day 1 with me is depressing. That and I've been working like crazy so my sewing has taken the back burner, as well as cleaning, doing laundry, making crafts, sleeping, paying attention to my loving boyfriend, roller derby... you get it! BITCH is fucking BUSY!

Which has led me to my quarter life crisis. I turned 25. I feel like I've had the same " look" for years now. I wear red lipstick every day. I needed a change. I went one whole week without wearing it.(anyone who wears red lipstick knows my pain... its my security blanket) I was over my obsession with having this retro look on a day to day basis. Vintage will always be part of my life. I love it. Even when I don't try people still identify me with someone from 50 years ago.

my quarter life crisis is not about my appearance. Mostly about things happening in my life. I'm officially ready to get married. I am not freaked out about the idea. I no longer have this mentality that I am a child trying to be a grown up. I have a budding career and talk of buying a house has been in the air. Its a lot to take in. Now I just need my boyfriend to ask me to marry him! HAHAHAHAHA!

I guess everything is just coming together. I stumbled upon a "fatshion" blog just as I was looking for something a little different. I found out that online shopping is fun and ended up spending $800 in a week on some clothes from forever 21, ASOS, & torrid. I love all my clothes!!! WOO WOO WOO! I'll probably be posting more OOTD's and rambling about being plus size and being totally confident in myself. Little did I know its actually called something!!! Seriously I just crawled from under a rock....

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AVOCADOS for the 50 year old.

2011-03-05T21:41:00.000-08:00

So what do you buy a man who buys himself EVERYTHING he wants? Only leaving you scrambling 3 days before his birthday? Something you want, DUH!

My parents bought the house my grandpa built when my dad was a teenager. So pretty much they will probably die there. So whats better then buying them Avocado trees! My dad has a fond memory of a giant avocado tree in his backyard when he was a kid. He still talks about it like its the fucking tree of life. I don't know why he hasn't planted one in his backyard he has now. Especially since we all love avocados. So I figured buying two would be beneficial to ME in a few years when it start to produce delicious buttery hass avocados!

It was actually FUN! Granted the b/f was doing most of the digging and I was doing the directing (big surprise).

I did have to do the dirty work though and mix the soil and get my hands dirty! My mom came out and stole my thunder by trying to boss the b/f around and ended up making him practically trim a whole tree down. It was fun to watch. I like a man who can work outside! mmmm mmmm! Plus we were slipping down the hill because it was muddy! Not to mention he was cutting tree branches that were huge so he was DRIPPING sweat using all his testosterone and muscle (bah hahahaha) doing manual labor. While my mom and my job was to throw the trees over the fence and direct him to the next branch.

While we were driving home I was talking to the b/f and was like " That was so much fun!!!! Don't you think???" He looked at me and his eyes said it all!! HAHAHAHAHA That's why I love him! My ideas become reality with him as my muscle!

Happy 50th Dad!

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Valentines Day In Capo Beach

2011-03-04T20:12:00.000-08:00

SO this post may be painful to everyone who lives where its cold OR has buckets of snow at the moment. But let me bask in its glory and recap my valentines day. This beach is about 2 minutes from my house.

We went there after I got off work from the salon. We had already planned to have Valentines dinner on another day since the thought of going out that night gave me anxiety!

Baby Gus loves the beach!!! Its really funny to see him pull my boyfriend on the skateboard too! hahaha!

I realized that day how much I hate snow! HAHAHAHA! I love looking at every ones pictures and watching snow fall but I am really not very happy when I am cold. I realized that I was just where I wanted to be on Feb 14th with my two loves!

While I was working my Dad brought these in for me

They are HUGE!! It was so funny! Hes the best!!!

Then Juan brought these in for me.... AWWWW!

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Blueberry Jam. DELISH!

2011-02-27T22:03:00.000-08:00

My local grocery store had a 10 for $10 on blueberries and I couldn't pass up the deal. I've been wanting to make blueberry jam for some time. It's the one fruit I haven't really experimented with. I am so glad I did!

I actually made it with a friend who had been wanting to learn " the art of preserving". I am always excited when people take interest in canning. It seems like a lost art here where I live.

After making the jam I thought it would be a perfect filling for my new William Sanoma pocket pie mold. I love it so much! Its makes the cutest little pies ever! Besides my boyfriend thinks they are amazing. He calls them homemade " uncrustables". They are so easy too! YUMMY!

My mans heart is definitely through his stomach. (no pun intended)

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The Metro in DC is.....

2011-02-21T21:31:00.000-08:00

So if DC wasn't horribly and horrifically humid & hot in the summer I think I might live there. But swamp ass always wins and I am brought back to the reality that I'll probably never move from CA if I can help it. Nonetheless rich history always has me coming back for more (preferably in winter/fall). This trip we used to metro A LOT. Every time I was slowly making it down the steep escalator I was amazed by the wonderful architecture. The massive amounts of stone, cement, arches, granite. EVERYWHERE! You would think the metro would be simple, dull, more " to the lowest bidder" of standards but its beautiful. breathtaking. and to my delight with the lack of urine stench....

The lighting reflects off the ceiling in a way that makes the whole place have a feeling of calm.

Granted this was taken later at night around 10pm so rush hour didn't disturb me as I gawked at the wonderful sights. I knew I would regret not taking these pictures. I'm so glad I did. What other places do you go to that have surprisingly wonderful architecture ?

Here is a picture of me riding the metro. I was feeling the 60's that day mostly due to rain and semi-dirty hair... I think I sort of like it!

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Random shots around DC

2011-02-11T22:08:00.000-08:00

I love to upload photos only to find that they turned out exceptionally well. This was a picture I took of the back of a historically building. Something about the barrels and cobblestone wall. I don't know too much about photography. Actually none at all. I have a big ol 8MM camera and have no clue how to use it.

I wonder where I can figure out how to use it. Anyone have any advice? I have a Canon rebel Ti.

I thought I would use it a lot more then I do. Its sort of BIG to carry around. I guess I just have to get used to it.

eehhhh! Anyways. This is sort of a random post. I am trying to find the will to sew. I have been in a weird funk lately. Work has been super busy.... WAH!

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Deadstock Glasses

2011-01-21T22:04:00.000-08:00

I've needed glasses since I was in 9th grade. I've worn an assortment of different styles, all quite statement pieces. I have to say though these are the boldest of them all. I love them. L-O-V-E ! I got them at The Rosebowl flea market in Pasadena by an amazing vendor Allyn Scura.

He has a huge inventory of dead stock vintage glasses as well as his own line. I bought two pairs and he worked me a good deal. I can't wait to get the other pair filled with my prescription!! They are gold and FANCY!

The first time I wore them was on our trip to Washington DC. I got quite a few stares. Anyone that has been to the DC area knows what I mean. Everyone sort of looks and dresses the same. Platinum hair and red lipstick are few and FAR between! So what do you guys think of the new spects?

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Fun With Friends

2011-01-13T23:35:00.000-08:00

I have to say that 2010 was full of F-U-N !!!! I didn't have any crazy new years resolutions but one of them for 2010 was make more friends. Not that I need to have 500 friends to feel good about myself... because lets be honest. If it wasn't for my boyfriend and my dog I would probably lock myself in my house all day making crafts and watching Netflix. hahhaha not entirely true... but pretty close.

I had a party at my house and I invited my old friend from high school,

my craft friends,

my work friends,

& my roller derby friends.

To be honest I was a little concerned... These are all things I like to do but wasn't quite sure they would all mesh well together.... Oh the power of A LOT of alcohol and good food go along way! I love grown up parties!!

How can I forget! MUSIC!!! I love to dance. Especially When highly intoxicated. I have been known to do " high kicks" which I was unaware of while sober until I saw some of my pictures. Shoot me now! My brother came and the next day my mother called saying " Your brother said you embarrassed him with your dancing. I thought you were a good dancer." Oh well! I had a great time and everyone else did to! I sure know how to throw a party!

Lets hope 2011 brings many more!!!

I will end this post with this picture.... This is why the camera should be put away after 11pm. Apparently I have no shame.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

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Canning Peaches

2010-08-27T22:25:00.000-07:00

SO back in September 2008 I made a Honey Do List with a list of crafts I'd like to learn. Well i am proud to say today I knocked another one off my list! CANNING !!!

It was actually not as hard as I thought it would be. I was having nightmares of the lids not sealing and having a horrible death caused by botulism....

But it wasn't so! Each "PING" of the lids sealing made us all so excited. It was pretty funny. Throughout the day we would cheer after each " Ping"... The sign of success !

We made Peach Jam, Canned peaches and Peach Salsa from Putting Up MMMMM MMMM I think that was everyones favorite!

What do you enjoy canning? I cant wait to make blackberry Strawberry jam!! Might have to take a little road trip up to the west coast and pick wild berries!!!

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Making a House a Home

2010-05-16T23:53:00.000-07:00

Here is the start of my living room. Its pretty much the only semi finished room in the new place. I am in LOVE with my lamps, couch, and cowhide rug.... There is a lot that needs to be done and I need to do a lot more thrifting to find some gems... My one lampshade on the hutch came all the way from Michigan in the overhead compartment of the plane !!! hahaha! I need to hang pictures, get my craft room organized... get a bedspread... the list goes ON AND ON!!! I have been really inspired by Welcome to Deluxville's blog and hope one day my house could be 1/10 as cute as hers!

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How to fix a weak set....

2010-02-25T23:03:00.000-08:00
I hot sticked my hair this morning really quickly without adding any product... so by 4 it was looking pretty drab... So I pinned it up... I sort of love it... I hate the way my hair looks up normally but I think I like these curls all pinned up on top. I look like a PUTA in these pictures. Like I'm ready to throw down. Thats what happens when my curls fall out... WHITE HOT RAGE.... hahaha I'm kidding.

Other then that my boyfriend is leaving Afghanistan on tuesday and should be back in california around the 15th.... Ummm can we just say I am going to maul him like a rabid dog once I see him... :) SO EXCITED!!!

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More Cocktail Hats

2010-02-23T12:05:00.000-08:00

These are some new things to The Shop... but not necessarily to Not Quite Vintage. I made these for all of my holiday shows. They are fun and look super cute in your hair!!

The marigold and the aqua are my favorite.

SO fancy and fun!!

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Leopard Cocktail Hat at Not Quite Vintage

2010-02-17T21:40:00.000-08:00
So I am excited to announce that I will be adding some new lovely things to the shop!!! Its been awhile since I have adding anything new to my Etsy but I have been making a bunch of new things for the past 6 months. ( Shame on me ... I know) I have started making more things that reflect my personal style. I have also made a few custom bridal pieces for some girls on Etsy... SO fun!!! I love working with birdcage veiling. I think Not Quite Vintage might have a bridal section for spring... but we shall see.

The newest thing in my shop is the Leopard Cocktail Hat

Then i had the lovely Solanah from Vixen Vintage model some pics of it.

Shes so cute! I love her blog and her style!!! So glad she was willing to model me pieces!

If you are interested in the hat you can check it Here

I am constantly looking for new inspiration so any suggestions on what else I should create would be great!!!

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Lazy Days In The Desert

2010-02-11T18:47:00.000-08:00
So my parents and brother love to go to the desert and camp and ride atv's and motorcycles... So do my neighbors...Me...mmmm not so much. But I go because its actually pretty fun to just hang out around camp and Gustus loves the desert because he gets to run FREE!! I don't really love riding around but I will putts around a little bit on our razor. Its sort of... uumm white trash... Like ... " desert people" and its sort of weird to think that 3-4 hours away people can be so different. my mom says I need to stop being a judger... but come on... Everyone hates a bro-ho... I know I do! I did manage to take some amazing photos... The sky is so different at the Desert.

Gustis is my best model. He loves posing for the camera!!!

UUUUMMMM I think burning your tree like this might be borderline white trash but it was fun.... Thing burned up in like 2 minutes!

Everything is nice and peaceful then we went to the drag races... and then I was blown away... these things were INTENSE!!!

I wanted to ride in one!!! They were so fast... I like speed as long as I am enclosed in something hahaha. I'll leave the dirt bikes for the boys.

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Roller Derby Saved My Soul

2010-02-03T11:50:00.000-08:00

So in September I set my mind to joining roller derby. My mother BEGGED me not to. Of course for valid reasons. She thought i was going to get hurt.... break my arm, wrist, leg etc etc... Since I am a hairdresser... losing function of any of these limbs wouldn't be the best for business. I didn't listen like most children and went for it... Honestly... I think its the best thing I've ever done for myself. I LOVE IT!!! Totally 100% obsessed with it. You feel sooo.... alive. Hitting and skating with other people gives you such a good feeling. Probably because I am an aggressive person hahahaahah! The sport actually became really popular back in the 1930s-40's then took off again in the 70's. If you dont know anything about it you should either watch Whip It or this You Tube Video. I skate for a new league in Orange County called South Coast Roller Derby!!! So fun. Anyone who is thinking about it should DO IT!!! It a full contact sport and pretty intense ( I've had some MAJOR bruises) but its also a kitschy event. We all wear cheesey uniforms and have our alter ego derby names... Mine is Marilyn Monrollher hahahaah I think it fits perfectly. Favorite part in roller derby??? KNOCKING people on their butts... HAHAHAHAHA I am really good at it too!

We had our team photo shoot last month and it was super fun! this picture was taken by our photographer Pepper Cherry check her website she takes some amazing family photos but also MY favorite boudoir, glam, & Pin up!!! If you live in the area you should totally get some pictures done by her! She's super nice and makes you feel comfortable posing.... Especially since we took these pictures down at the Dana Point harbor and there was constantly people walking by... one dumb lady was like " HHHEEEYYY U LOOK LIKE LADY GA GA..." Fucking lady ga ga??? I don't look like an alien! my friend started laughing so hard because it was so obvious the lady had no clue about what we were about... and it wasn't trying to look like Lady ga ga.... I should have hip checked her into the damn ocean! hahahah anyways isnt my picture lovely??? She photo shopped me!!! Now I understand how magazine covers are made.... lots of photoshopping!

here are some pics I took with my camera of me and my teammates

this picture is my favorite... This girl is sooo cute. She literally is 4' 10"... Shes wearing her skates in this picture and I'm wearing flat shoes.... She doesn't have a derby name yet but I think she needs to be " Tumbleina"

What would your derby name be?

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Vintage Manicure

2010-02-01T19:13:00.000-08:00

SOOOOOO I've been lurking on The Fedora Lounge and came across this vintage manicure thread.... its for sure a personal preference and my poor nail gal wanted to kill me! She kept on saying... " Let me see that picture again!" Then I told her i want them "ALMOND SHAPED" and shes like " OH noooooo thats too old fashion...." lady.. fucking look at me... does it look like im going for the mainstream trendy look??? UM NO! My hair is curled into an " old fashion hair-do" my make up is vintage inspired and my clothes look like I was sent in a time machine... round these puppies OUT! Dita Von Dess has perfect manicure... She is just so lovely in general..

I like them... I mean up close you are like... these are sort of weird... but while my fingers are at work they look delicate and nice! Next time I will get them not so WHITE on the moons... maybe a more natural look... This was my ladies first time so I had to give it to her... She did a pretty good job.

and since my dog thinks that the world revolves around him he had to get in on the photoshoot!!! But since hes so cute I used him as a prop!

What a sweet pup!!! So what do you think of my daggers? So far my mom and my friend hate them.... but the girls at work love them... so they say... They say.... SO YOU... hahahahah

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The Real Me

2010-01-31T20:42:00.000-08:00

hahaah this was a lot harder to do then I thought. So many of my pictures are me perfectly done up. I hardly take pictures when I'm not wearing make up... I guess the real me is wearing make up... I always wear red lips... I guess this picture best shows me... This was after a fulls day work at the salon. hair not so perfect, lipstick needs touching up and tired eyes.... hahahahah me myself doesn't show so much the real me... but the background of that picture.... MY MESSY ROOM! More often then not my room is a mess. Its actually is a constant battle... I have figured I have more clothes then I do hangers. More craft supplies then I have storage for... Is this a case of hoarding? Quite possibly... but I need more SPACE!!! Probably need to stop buying stuff as well... eeeehhhh... Story of my life... There isn't enough hours in a day...

Thanks to Kat at The Vintage Housewife for making me do this!!! Check out her "Real Me" Shes so cute!

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Weather Wear: what I wore

2010-01-30T00:55:00.000-08:00

If any of you live in Southern California you will know that a) our weather is hardly "harsh" and 2) People apparently forget how to drive when it rains... COME ON PEOPLE F-ING DRIVE... ITS WATER... falling from the sky...

Well since California is right back to its perfect weather I guess its a little late to post this but I am going to anyways because its a rare occasion that I need to wear a coat and scarf... especially to work and all day... My grandma knit me this hooded scarf last year and I love it so much! It kept my curls dry in the horrible storm! My coat was sssoo cozy! I love being snuggled up when it's chilly!

I also wore some black socks and my new Seychelles, Spellbound they turned out to be a great rainy day shoe!

I normally never wear socks with shoes like this but I've been inspired by some pictures I've seen online and thought it looked cute to a rainy day! Beats UGG boots!!! What do you think?

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Hot Sticks Set

2010-01-20T20:12:00.000-08:00
GEE!!! The weather has been horrible these past few days. I am surprised I haven't floated away! Trees are falling all over town. power is going out. TORNADO WARNINGS in Orange County... SCARY! So with that being said I have spent A LOT of time at home. I've been lurking on the Fedora Lounge reading all of the threads... Boy do I have a lot to learn.... Some of these ladies have so much vintage knowledge its incredible. I ran across the talk about these Hot sticks and had to have them!

I normally set my hair in sponge rollers (not so comfortable) or I do a curling iron pin curl set So I was excited to try something different. First set was HORRIBLE! I used EVERY curler so my hair was a poofy mess... NO brushing could save that rats nest! So this is pictures of my second set...

It was super windy... The storm was coming!

Here is my outfit pic... I am wearing nude fishnets but you cant tell... and my heels are sinking in the water logged grass!

and my leopard pillbox hat

wind + curly hair are not friends!

I also was watched a fabulous youtube video by Fleur about Faux 40's Bangs I'm going to go to Sallys and buy a rat to try it out. Im sure it will look bizarre on me though...

As far as my hot sticks set I think it was pretty swell for a second go! Next time I will add some setting lotion or mousse. What do you think?

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Colette Pattern- Sencha

2010-01-18T16:04:00.000-08:00
So I just ordered a few LOVELY patterns from Colette Patterns and I couldn't wait to get started! Normally I do a little trial run using cheap fabric to make sure things will all work out. I bought some of this black polka dottie stuff at Joanns for $2/yard just to be safe. As far as the results I guess I am "eeehh" about them. I feel like it looks like a 1960's pregnancy shirt. It doesn't hang right and is quite short. I think this has a lot to do with the fabric I used. The ones on the model is made out of a light silky material and I think thats what I'll have to do....

Truly though the buttons are what SOLD ME!! I love buttons. Especially ones down the back... they make me swoon... I think I am going to try to re-work the neckline. maybe try a lower cut neckline bring it out a little boat neckish... though I have no clue how to do that... eeehhh. Even if it had a neckline like the Rooibos does:

But for a test run I feel like it went pretty well. I really want wait to make the Ceylon cutest dress EVER!

OMg and my hair is a HOT MESS! Its been raining like no ones business ALL DAY... like SCARY rain...

mmmm momma like me some elbow rolls!

Gustus wants to know what the hell I am doing

I will for sure make this pattern again but for sure in different type of fabric. Either lightweight cotton possibly seersucker or some silky material of some sort. there really is great detail with all the tucks and stuff and with black you really cant even tell... SO who knows... What do you think?

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1950.... living through my grandmas eyes

2010-01-14T19:24:00.000-08:00
I was looking through slides my uncle had put onto a CD and I found some lovely ones of my grandma and grandpa... makes me wish I lived back then... My grandma is sssoooo beautiful. She used to drive around and people would think she looked just like doris day. My dad was soooo proud growing up.

This is Doris Day

This is my Grandma Janice. She is still very beautiful. I hope I age as well as her!

This one is my favorite. Shes in my Grandpas car... UGH I LOVE IT!!!! I love looking through old photos! Isn't she divine?

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Canon Rebel T1i How I love you....

2010-01-06T13:30:00.000-08:00

SO for Christmas I got this .... seriously... Where have you been my whole life... The picture quality is sickening! I hardly even know how to use it still but every day I am trying to get better! I need to buy a book or something to help me! Any suggestions?

here are some of the pictures I have taken... tell me what you think...

Oh before I go there. I collect christmas ornaments from all the places i visit... I have quite the collection from the past 2 years ( since i started collecting)

here is a little vintage ornament I love...

And then my dear son...

the pappa O cookin some eggs

My go at MACRO shots... I came home from work on Christmas eve to find flowers that Juan who is in Afghanistan had sent to me... i cried... it was sad and sweet and who knew I was such a cry baby!

and here is a goody of my ring.... my point and shoot couldnt capture its pure wonderfulness!

Okay so I need some books/ resources that will help me with my photography skills I need inputs!

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Christmas Is A Time Of Giving

2009-12-28T20:33:00.001-08:00

SO for Christmas we ( The Handmade Brigade Of OC ) were contaced by Mercy House to see if we wanted to be part of their Stockings for homeless children living in motels all over orange county... Of course it pulled on my heart strings so we decided to make a craft party out of it!! It was a bunch of fun and good to know it was going towards a good cause. We bought the stockings and then had a crazy amount of crafty stuff to decorate them. People went a little crazy....

Some were literally 2 hours stockings... I made some myself and they were super easy... I turned all mine into reindeer hahahahha...

I guess the kids probably wont really care about the outside of the stockings but more whats inside but it was a good way to get people to come and celebrate Christmas by giving to those who are less fortunate then ourselves. Also got a chance to hang out with fabulous people who always support all our events. One being Frances and her Husband... Shes great! She always helps us with anything we need!!!

We also had a bunch of great sponsors who helped donate food and money to our event.. If it wasn't for everyones great support it wouldnt have been as sucessful as it was! I hope to make this an annual event for the HBOC.

How was everyones Christmas???

Here is a blast from the past... the freaking best Holloween costume since 1960... Honestly... this is genius!

This is my uncle hahahahhaah!

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Pillbox Hat.... MEOW!

2009-12-17T00:51:00.000-08:00

So I have been making cocktail hats lately and I am so in love.... My first attempt was This lovely pillbox leopard hat.... It was great fun to make. Once I made it I couldn't figure out if I was going to have to guts to wear it.... Of course I did anyways! I wore it to a craft show we put on in a bar in Costa Mesa... hahahaha. It was great fun. Why all craft shows are not in bars is news to me. It was the best show I've been to. Not profit wise but on the fun-o-meter it was a ball!

Anyways back to the hat... I couldn't figure out what to use... I was thinking black but then every time I do that everyone says " Are you going to a funeral?" and then it always reminds me of Johnny Cash and I want to say " Well Maybe I am... " Since I love black and I wear it all the time... bbuuuutttttt I also love me some leopard. just accents of it. I love my Cheetah Flats from Target. I wear them all the time. and for $12.99 you can't beat em! So the hat.... I am not quite sure how women back in the day kept them on there head. It seems like every vintage hat I have seen have different shapes to keep them on. I made a more modern way... elastic loops to add bobbi pins to. Worked like a charm! I think its weird that I haven't seem more people sporting cocktail hats... Like literally I've seen 1 girl on Southern California other then me. It seems like they are exploding all over fashion blogs, anthro, & urban outfitters, I even saw one at target!!! What the heck!

So anyways I didn't get a good pic of the hat.... I am sure this picture will explain why....

Like a true lady! HAHAHAHAHAHA!!! SO anyways.... I love my hat and there will be plenty more to come... I need to get the ball rolling and start adding them to my Etsy Shop but of course like all things I have been up to my eyeballs in felt flower headband orders. Hopefully I get the Canon Rebel I want for Christmas and then I will be golden! So I dont have to use pictures like this anymore... HAHAHAHAHAHA I love how cheesey I am.

Oh I just got a new pair of shoes... I love them.... I feel like they make my feet look like I went and got chinese foot binding done... But I love the nostalgia of them.... what do you think?

Anyways... What is everyone asking or doing for christmas??? Anything good? Is it bad that when I go to look for stuff for other people all I can find is stuff for myself.... Should I be ashamed? because I am not... hahahahaa

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Welcome back to California

2009-11-22T01:08:00.000-08:00

Hahahah nothing says HELLO like a giant pair of blue balls.... OH JOY... this was one of my favorite places... Northern California in the Redwood forest.... So beautiful...

I've always wanted to visit and see these HUGE trees.... they were lovely... Just what I imagined... overwhelmingly giant and serene .

Walking through the forest is sooo refreshing... The air is soooo crisp and cool... It was so nice... different from the hustle and bustle. Its was abnormally quiet too. Not even birds. I kept on taking pictures. This is how it went....

Juan: " ugh why are you taking so many pictures of yourself?"
Me: " Well its so quiet which means the little animals are hiding from something..."
Juan: " What?"
Me: " I am taking all these pictures of me because if a bear mauls me as long as they find my camera they will know how to identify me..."
Juan: " Are you serious?"
Me: " Yup..."

This pic I was like " COME AND GET EM BOYS!!! (talking to the bears of course!) Come to find out I don't even think there are bears there...

Driving through the tree was cool but not THAT cool. I thought it was part of the drive... NO you had to pay some crazy old lady in a little hut $3 CASH.... since apparently they dont want the IRS to know they are charging poor little tourist to drive through their big ass tree.... it was cool though...

SO yeah... that was it... Have you ever been to the redwood forest? if not I suggest you go... its something to see... oh but FYI dont use a TOM TOM because you will get lost on a dirt road/ CLIFF OF DEATH overlooking the ocean for an hour only to run into some Prison that I googled and didnt even show up on the map... To be proceeded by a bitchy GF begging her Boyfriend to drive faster because she was totally freaked out....

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A Diamond Is A Girls Best Friend....

2009-11-20T20:11:00.000-08:00

So we all know at this point that my boyfriend is in Afghanistan.... I miss him terribly but I have a little bauble that make things not so hard... especially when its blinding me in all its beautiful glory... I told him when he left that girlfriend is going to need a friend.... so thats when Gus came along.... Then I told him that Girlfriend is going to need something to remind me how much he loves me and how waiting for him for 1 whole year is going to be shitty especially since hes going ot miss my b-day and christmas and everything important for that matter.... SO he bought me this AMAZZZZZIIINNNGGG ring I am so in love with it you have no idea. Its just what I wanted.... A vintage inspired promise ring ( yes promise ring... not engagement...) that looks like a flower.... and boy did he deliver... its so sparkly it makes my eyes hurt hahah just kidding not that bad but it is fabulous. Its hard to photograph too because it just looks like a flash rather then diamonds here is the best pic I can find of it while we were on a boat in SF....

Hahah dont you love my ghetto fabulous red nails... I call them my hooker nails... they are great I love them.. I miss Juan... my heart hurts... but my finger and eyes are soooo happy for this wonderfulness.... Hahahah I will be posting the rest of our road trip and then finally strt posting some craft stuff.... since that is what this blog started out as!!! hahahaha

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Happy Halloween!!!

2009-10-31T19:17:00.000-07:00

Happy Halloween. I hate Halloween but being a member of Handmade Brigade we had quite a few events! Last night we were part of theYELP.COM Party. Here are some of the pictures....

We had two booths. One painting faces and the other was my booth.... Making masks !!! It was insane! people were going crazy over these damn things. the best part.... drunk people + dim lighting + glue guns= hilarious people with burned fingers!

Happy Halloween!!!! and the best picture of all... Gustus as a DEVIL DOG!!!

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Remembering Oregon: Multnomah Falls

2009-10-14T01:21:00.000-07:00

Here is a little day trip we took to Multnomah Falls. It was so pretty!!! I am really glad we went out of the city to see how beautiful Oregon is around Portland. It was amazing. Of course I wasn't dressed to go hiking so the whole time I felt like I was going through chinese torture because I was wearing flimsy sandals walking on rocks... It literally felt like I was walking barefoot... Here I am looking all stupid.... Plus this was the day after our "voodoo donut" night... so I was HUNG OVER!!! Hung over and hiking in damn sandals... If that isn't love then freaking shoot me!

Here is Juan looking all messed up too!! haaahahahahaha

Despite our failing livers, headaches, splotchy skin, and puffy eyes the scenery was divine. Its so green and lovely.

The falls were so big!!! I was surprised!

We walked up to the bridge so we could get a good photo... and this is what we got hahahahahaha.... I am a trooper...

When we looked down the other side of the bridge at the pool where the falls ended this is what I saw.... A HEART!!! AAAAWWWWWWW PRECIOUS!!!

I miss juan and I am dying without him... hahhaaha not really but it sucks... oh and on a random note has anyone seen the Black jack taco???? Who the FUCK wants a black taco? As if the tacos aren't bad enough they gave them the bubonic plague. UGH GROSS!

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Remembering Oregon: VooDoo Doughnut

2009-10-07T00:35:00.000-07:00

I got to talk to Juan today for an hour and a half today. It was nice but then I was sad to have to say bye.... So to make myself even more depressed I am looking at our trip we took before he left... .hahhaha! Its not that bad. Looking at the pictures make me laugh. We had a good time. Except when Juan got us lost and then I was grouchy because I had to Pee... Thats another day though... Oregon was sssooo wonderful! I loved Oregon. I think if I were to live somewhere it would be there. Portland being my favorite. So being a tourist we had to hit up

voodoo doughnut "the magic is in the hole"

The first time we went it was 2am... We were super intoxicated ordered two voodoo doll doughnuts, took pictures with them, ate them and only remembered them by these pictures.... I couldn't even tell you if they were good because it was just that ugly that night...

and at 2 am... the line was LONG and out the door around the building... It was funny because there was some hip hop show or something of that sort and there was these "Gang therapy" people... aka... cops making sure no one gets shot... and Juan being drunk was like " WHAT? GANG THERAPY?? I'm from DC bitch... I know about REAL gang members im from DC... " SERIOUSLY??? JUAN SHUT UP Just because MS13 tried to shoot you doesnt mean you need to embarrass your WHITE girlfriend!! I wanted to kill him... he was talking soooo LOUD and he never acts like that when hes drunk but apparently doughnuts bring the worst out in him ahahahaha SO yeah...
finally got our doughnuts and took a cab to the hotel... woke up the next day and I wanted another VooDoo doughnut... since I missed the whole "taste" part of it... Juan said no... BOO!!! So then that night after we saw a movie we were going to stay one more night in Portland but then i was like " Lets go get VooDoo doughnuts and drive to Astoria TONIGHT..." and thats just what we did... This time I got an " Old Dirty Bastard" .... it was DAMN GOOD!!!

Juan being sober had a little more heart and felt a little guilty for eating the poor little voodoo doll

Me saying " MMMM I love voodoo doughnuts... So yum... now my stomach is going to have bubble guts the whole night!!! YAY..."

So yeah I suggest if you ever go to Portland to go here. Even if you dont like doughnuts... I am not a doughnut fan but Its so different. they have a doughnut called "cock and balls" "dirty snowball" & "Triple Chocolate Penetration" . How could you resist... Also you can get married there... and its open 21 hours a day.... be a tourist and go!!! What is your favorite doughnut?

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Hypnotizing Our Chicken

2009-09-30T22:31:00.001-07:00
My brother saw this on a skate video or something so we decided to try it on our chickens.... hahahaha Thats me laughing in the background..... No chickens were hurt in the process.... They are just dumb hahahah

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A Sad Farewell...

2009-09-27T00:57:00.000-07:00
The time finally came for Juan to leave... I am hanging in there. Trying to keep myself busy and keep my mind off how much this next 7-13 months are going to suck... I have turned into a leaky faucet. Never know when something will set me off... I feel like I am a combination of a pregnant women PMS and a 14 year old girl.... Emotions running wild. I am pretty good at keeping my emotions at bay but its nights that always get me... When things are quiet and I have too much time to think about stuff... I miss him... I worry for him... and I love him. My heart literally hurts. Its a feeling I can't explain. Its a constant feeling of loss yet worry but still hopeful and proud. To be honest its a horrible combination... I hope you guys keep him in your thoughts as well as everyone else over there....

I love you Pop... See you soon....

(ugh this picture made me cry the second I saw it load....)

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Speakeasy By Handmade Brigade Sun 5pm

2009-09-19T11:50:00.000-07:00

Its here!! Our first show at a BAR!!! I am super excited!!! I hope anyone in Southern California will come!!! I will be there wearing my new leopard pill box hat I made also selling some new styles of my Hair pieces! I was in charge of putting the goodie bags together and I got a bunch of AWESOME Etstians to donate... I also got our favorite indie business who inspired me to get stitching!

Sublime Stitching!!! WWOOO WWOOO WWOOO!!! They are awesome !! They sponsored our show so the first 25 people will be getting a FREE pattern !!!!
Check out more info on our Free Goodie bags
Also check out our upcoming events... We are looking for Vendors for our Holiday Show

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Partying In Portland

2009-09-15T20:39:00.000-07:00
I am not much of a partier.... Which you might not believe because a lot of my post are of me doing dumb things while drunk but that just seems to be the time I use my camera most... hahahaha..We drove in to Portland and SEARCHED for a hotel... Everything was BOOKED... We called at least 20 hotels... SO we stayed at Jupiter Hotel which was pretty cool. Really trendy and modern. You could draw on the doors with chalk which was fun for Juan... He thought the whole room was chalk friendly... No dummy, I mean kind sir... Only on the calkboard door DUH!
Here I am prepping for the night out...

I cheated on my pin curls and curled with a curling iron and then clipped them up... It gives a nice Retro-esque look without having to sleep with pin curls

Here is my favorite thing I always wear. One of my fascinators

This was an exciting night!! I was going to meet Pam fromFasterKittyKill for the first time!!! I was so excited but a little nervous since we only know each other in blog land... What if she hates me?? Thinks I am weird? Doesn't want to talk to me?

NOPE
NOPE
NOPE

She was just what I imagined Funny, super cute, and F-U-N.... FUUUUUNNN! Can't you tell we were a match made in heaven???I gave her one of my Red Roses and she looks so dang cute in it!! Look at her perfect little nose... ugh cute as a button!

She was so funny. She was telling us all about how she hates hippies because they dont shower and how all the people ride bikes in Portland and are super crazy about it and it pisses her off... HAHAHAHA She was soo hilarious!

Juan got a kick out of her... Which is SOOO RARE... He always thinks my friends are weird or annoying...

I didn't tell you the best part yet.... Pams OMP (husband) is in a Ramones cover band and we got to see him play... He was AWESOME!!! Watch here!!

We were all dancing and having a good time! They really rocked! They even had cool wigs to fit the part. It was an overall great time!!! I was so glad I met Pam!! She was a doll and I hope to see her again and again! I want to move to Portland now... especially after she showed me Bolt Fabric (how dare she... It was AMAZING!)

Once they were done playing dear Pam left and Juan and I kept drinking and taking a million photos...

This one makes me sad because Juan is leaving on Monday.... :(

I hardly remember this photo... All I do remember is we were talking about weeniers.... hahahaha

Saving the best for last... Me making fun of all the cougars dancing to a 5 foot white guy rapping and covering Snoop Dog... It was sssooo random but the older ladies LOVED IT! MEOW!

What is your favorite thing to do in wonderful Portland???

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"Hey Candy Cane Girl..." Adventures Of The Handmade Dress

2009-09-14T17:58:00.000-07:00

Soooo I have been taking my creativity and applying it to clothes... Dresses to be exact. I made one mint green one as my first try... It turned out cute but I used cheap poly blend fabric so its like wearing a tissue dress... Well I was at Ikea and I found some heavy cotton in red and white stripe and fell in love. I also bought blue and white. But the red and white was just calling out to me . It had to be a dress! So I was all excited and cut out the pieces and took it to my grandmas so we could sew it. We started the construction and I put up the front to me and was like " AAAHH DAMN IT!!! I look like I work at Rubys.... all I am missing is my queen size support hose and scrunchy white socks... " Of course my grandma thought that was super funny... I was like aahh screw it... lets keep making it. Then my uncle and cousin come over first thing my cousin says " Brookie you look like a Ruby girl" AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH damn honest kids! Then my uncle was like " Looks like you are going to volunteer at the Hospital as a candy striper..." SO I had to take it in stride coming from someone who told me I wore minnie mouse shoes all through my teen years. My grandma gave me the push I needed " Brook wear it in Seattle they don't have Rubys there" YES!! Not that I really cared at that point... I loved my dress but apparently I resembled a cheap waitress and a peppermint!

SO as you can tell... I rocked it!!! Love my dress!!! Everyone was staring at me and I felt like a freak show but I didn't care... I made that damn dress and I was going to wear it. I also think everyone was staring at me because I was literally the only one wearing make up. No one hardly wears make up in Washington or Oregon. let alone RED!!! GASP! And no one had crazy hair color... I guess I was a freak show... platinum hair and red lips.. Who knew... It was actually weird because when I came to Seattle when I was younger I remember crazy grungy punk kids.

Anyways right after this pic
We were walking and all the vendors were calling out " fresh berries, free samples... blah blah blah" So I am walking along my merry way and then we are passing this pasta booth... with some guy trying to get people to try his chocolate pasta... Well I decided I wouldn't pay attention to him because he was fucking annoying...

Then he says this
"Hey Candy Cane Girl, want to try some Chocolate Pasta..."

Fucking candy cane girl??? SERIOUSLY!!! I wanted to say PISS OFF MOTHER F-ER and shove his stupid chocolate pasta up his skinny ass! Who the hell wants chocolate pasta anyways??? Geeze!

Then Juan said " HAHAAHA BROOK he was talking to you Candy Cane Girl!" I was like " Yeah screw that idiot!" Juan thought it was hilarious.

The moral of this story is... I love my dress and no one can change my mind.... not even Noodle dick, oh I mean the pasta guy at Pike market. What do you think about my latest creation???

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Seattle

2009-09-13T20:07:00.000-07:00

So Juan and I went on an almost 2 week road trip from Seattle down back to Orange County. It was a lot of fun, a lot of driving, and a lot of getting lost... which includes a lot of complaining (from me) We flew to Seattle and then rented a coke can with wheelsand were on our way... our first stop was the tourist trap Pike Market!!!

It was a great photo op !! beautiful colors and scene and thank god it didn't smell like rotting fish. It actually was quite nice... It wasn't what I expected. It was more of a farmers market... flowers, produce, fish, knick knacks, etc...

I loved the vintage feel it had. The signs were all hand painted and totally retro!

After that we went to Seattle Antiques Market

It was an interesting place but way overpriced! So we just looked around
I like the model planes.

and the old radios

In the afternoon we went to Experience Music Project Museum

The building was ssssoooo amazing! Whoever designed it is a genius. Its such a beautiful building. As far as the museum... BBBOOOORRRRIIINNGGGG.... I think it was more designed for kids. It was just like rock band. You could play different instruments and record your own album... AKA rock band... as far as artifacts and such it wasn't that great... but there was this cool structure/ sculpture

We sat around and listened to some woodstock music in this room that looked like we were outside... We were bored but the air conditioner was nice... Seattle was so damn hot...
Then we went to the sci-fi museum that was attached and that was a fucking freak show... It was like a treckies wet dream.. weird monster crap everywhere! I don't know if I've said this before but I fucking HATE sci-fi... but the sad part was it was better then the music experience. At the end they had this cool fuzzy wall...

Then we left... and this is how I felt....

YYYYIIIIIIIPPPPPPPPPPIIIIIIIIEEEEEEE get me the hell outta here!

Have you ever been to Seattle?? What did you do?

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HOT OFF THE PRESS!!!

2009-08-31T17:02:00.000-07:00

Here it is Kids!!! We are official... We made it to COAST magazine... HAHAHA Thanks to Jessica at Coast for interviewing us and their lovely photographer. I probably made his job a living hell since I was making myself laugh the whole time... Check out our interview HERE Page 36 !!! Please read it and tell me what you guys think!! Isn't it great that indie crafting is finally coming to Orange County???

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Friday Nights and Road Trips!!!

2009-08-18T12:58:00.000-07:00

So a few Fridays ago me and the rest of the Handmade Brigade went out to celebrate the end of our insane indie intensive month...

We started out at SHOW- The Supper CLub I thought it was going to be the 40's show but instead it was "Arabian Nights" .... It was okay... but not my style. There was one INSANE Belly dancer who pretty much stole the show... There was snakes and fire and white people with brown faces.... CRAZY!

This is the belly dancer who was AMAZING!

Then we got one of our very own belly dancers!!! Melissa!!!

They tried to drag Jackie up there first then me... I was the evil bitch that pointed to Melissa and rooted her on!!! She was super good though it was sooo funny to watch!

I want to go back to the Supper club for the Speakeasy show which is more my style... I think this time I will just sit at the bar for $10... $75 for a meal and a cocktail is not in my budget!!!

After we walked to some weird bar called Goat Hill or something like that.. It was super light inside... Which is weird... I like dark bars... It smelled like puke too but we stayed anyways and played pool (or tried too) and took stupid pictures...

I was drinking so much shit... Lord only knows how I didn't puke.... I am not used to drinking and lord only knows I thought i was a fucking sailor that night!

Long Beach Ice Tea... knock your freaking socks off!

Lauren, Nina, & Jackie

Me putting a pool stick up Laurens butt

The Pool Shark...

SISTA, SISTA!!!

Who is the HAM in this group????
NOT ME hahahahah!

Melissas Bar boyfriend.... LOBSTER MAN! He was so gross....

TOLD YOU!!! EEEWWWWWW I couldn't stop laughing because he was so gross...

Then the night ended like this

It was super fun! Especially for a group of girls who never drink and would rather craft all night... BUT this sort of kicked off another event we have planned...

Speakeasy: Indie Crafting, Music and Booze!
September 20, 2009
5-10PM
Detroit Bar, Costa Mesa

Fliers and more info coming soon....

So maybe we are not those granny crafters after all!!! I better see everyone from Orange County there!! Its going to be so fun! We just had our photo shoot there and the bar is super cool! I am excited because I will be bringing a few new items... COCKTAIL HATS!!! I've had the forms for awhile and just started making them! The one I wore on this night is my first one...

ALSO!!! I am going to fly to SEATTLE tomorrow and then rent a car and drive all the way down the coast back to ORANGE COUNTY!! So anyone have any good places to go, eat, see, stay PLEASE COMMENT!!! I've already had some WONDERFUL Ideas from Sherezada, Pam, & Lily. I also will hopefully be meeting them all!!! YAY!!! Crafty internet friends connect!

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Sprinkles Cupcakes

2009-08-09T23:45:00.000-07:00

So everyone is MAD about Cupcakes!!! Cupcake places have been popping up everywhere but I've never visited one! Well they opened one in Newport Beach. Called Sprinkles It was sort of random because we were actually is Newport because Our craft group Handmade Brigade was getting interviewed for COAST magazine!!! Can you believe it??? We are going to be in the September Issue.... So random. I hardly said anything... I get weird about interviews... I did manage to answer one question and in my sentence I said "fuck" .... BROOK come on!!! you are quiet the whole time and FUCK is the word that comes out of your mouth to a person who writes about rich people and their snoody lifestyles.... hahahah She was recording the whole thing and i was like " OOppss dont add that! "

They are even having their photographer take professional pictures of us HAHAHAHA !! I feel like such an idiot.... The last time I got a professional picture it was my senior picture.... SO I feel like a total weirdo going to this shoot.... EEEEEPPPP! I can ham it up for my camera or a friends camera... but a strangers.... my social anxiety kicks in! We will see how it goes... Wednesday is the day... Wish me luck!!!

So back to Sprinkles... The cupcakes were sooo cute... the store was sssooo Cute:

the cupcakes... Not that great.... I hate to say it... Almost tasted stale... Still good especially since I cheated on my low carb diet just to eat one... but to be honest... They were cuter to eat then they tasted....

The best cupcakes I've had are made from a box... with a snack pack jell-o mixed in the batter... yes kickin' it hillybilly style!!! DONT JUDGE ME PEOPLE!!! Sooooo Sprinkles... CUTE CUTE posh little cupcakerie... good on the eyes... okay on the tongue...

This was the beginning of our day.... next blog will be our crazy ass night... The pictures are so funny!! So funny to go party with your craft friends.... Things got ugly!

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Glittered Jesus

2009-07-30T14:58:00.000-07:00

SSSOOOO pretty much my favorite thing EVER! My grandma gave me this statue because its hand broke off and asked if I wanted it because if not she was going to throw it away or something horrible like that... Well then she found the hand and gave it to me... Well I lost the hand never to be found for over 2 years. SO when I did find it again I got some E6000 and made him whole again. Then he just stared down at my from my shelf... Looking all... WHITE ....and actually sort of boring.

Then I went to Jackies house for the first time.... My mother always taught me to look with my EYES not my Hands... Well once I was old enough to realize I do whatever the fuck I want I stopped listening to this horrible concept... I went to Jackies house and touched everything. hahahaha She has mounds of handmade goodness. Felted dinosaurs, knitted plushies, Feltadermy rabbit,sugar skulls, succulents, and then God parted the sea Moses said let my people go.... and thats when I saw her...

Glittered Virgin Mary.... In all her pink glory.... Well of course the first thing I thought was... Well Glittered Virgin Marys immaculately conceive a GLITTERED JESUS... RIGHT?? Makes sense to me. So then my LDS White Jesus was corrupted into the most marvelous thing ever...

(And the angels sang)

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OC Weekly interview and GIVEAWAY!!!

2009-07-28T15:18:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone! Please check out my interview at OC Weekly - Gettin' Made column for a chance to win one of my headbands!!! The wonderful Steph Calvert from Hearts and Laser Beams is now writing for the OC weekly and she chose me as well as the rest of the Handmade Brigade members to interview! Please comment and send it to all your friends! The more views the longer Steph gets to write about crafts!!! YYYAAAAYYYY !!!! hahhahaha the picture she chose to use of me is classic... hahahahaha I guess I have to watch what I put out on the world wide web!!! OKAY go comment!!!

xoxo
Brook

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Handmade Brigade

2009-07-21T23:49:00.000-07:00

Here we are Jackie, Me, Melissa, Nina

SOOOOO June was Indie Craft Month for us Handmade Brigade Gals!!! It was so fun but I am glad its over. I didn't even go to all of the events because I had to work but let me tell you it was a lot of STRESS and freaking out about it working out since it really was our first time as a group organizing all of these events! It went ssooo well! We even got in the Orange County Register!! That was a shock! I found out why I was eating lunch in Zion! My 15 seconds of fame ahahaha!

The first show was in Cerritos which technically not in Orange County but it was the tall mouse with the biggest parking lot. There was a bunch of cool vendors. I bought a bunch of stuff !! haahhah!

Here are a few of the awesome vendors from the Cerritos show

This is Berndt Offerings she makes the coolest "saint" candles she ever has a michael jackson one...

THen there was the Swap-o-Rama which I didn't go to but they said it was crazy busy and people made such cool things.

Here is Ninas boyfriend, Anthony screen printing shirts.

Here is Nina rocking her t-shirt into skirt and Melissa with her t-shirt necklaces that she was making at the show.

Jackie stenciling shit... look at her face! she said it was sooo overwhelming!

Some of the swappers... Does anyone spy The Craft Pig??? I DO!!!

Then there was Indie Intensive but I am too lazy to write about it... eehhh sorry

Then there was the last show in Laguna Niguel. Which happens to be my stompin' ground.

DO you see the bright pink canopy that looks so gaudy and like a circus tent.... thats MINE!!! Of course!

Here is MandaLanda she makes super cool things. We want to hook Jackies sister up with her brother who is photographed here ... hhhahahah he has no clue though! I think someone said he helps sew on the buttons... what a nice man!! Juan would never help me...

This is Palm Puppy I bought a SUPER cute boston terrier christmas ornament from her... I LOVE IT. It looks just like Gus, crazy eyes and all!!! I collect Christmas Ornaments so I just couldnt resist. She makes a bunch of different breeds...

Here is Jackies booth

and Melissas booth

Me obviously not paying attention!

And pretty much the star of the whole show... My precious little man... He was so well behaved just hung out and peeped his head out from the table to say Hello How dang cute is he?

I left out a bunch of pictures so if you want to see more check it out Here!

SO for now I am done doing any major shows until Christmas or until Juan leaves for Afghanistan. BUT a few days after Juan leaves we (handmade brigade girls) are planning to do a show at Detroit Bar. Which I kept calling Chicago and everyone had no clue what I was talking about. hahahaha I am so stupid!! I knew it was some City name. It should be fun though. Everyone says its a super cool place. I've never been but that should be September 20th I think... SO you guys better come!!!

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Lost in Vacation...

2009-07-18T23:06:00.000-07:00
Work, road trip, and renegade have taken over my life... here is a more photos less word type blog of my vacation in Zion National Park. Yes I rode a horse, went ATVing and white water rafting...

In the middle of nowhere

literally in the middle of nowhere!

Las Vegas for a few hours. Won $200... fabulous. Hot as shit!

Zion

Giddy up!

photo shoot while riding... 3 hours I got BORED

My horse Doc

pool time

Our wonderful eco friendly room at The Desert Pearl Inn

my favorite part.... the who-ha washer... I need a bidet so hilarious!

View from the balcony

The narrows... It was raining and it was hot... so amazing. not so wonderful pictures of myself...

Juan looks like a nerd HAHAHAAH backpack boy!

Work it papa!!! Momma like momma like!

My pictures don't do that place justice! It was amazing!

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Roses, Bows, & Moustaches .... OH MY!

2009-06-08T16:10:00.000-07:00
I just listed a few new items to my Etsy. I am excited about it!!! For one I finally got some pink felt. I have had numerous convos on Etsy asking for pink flower headbands.... So I finally made some! The pink is so yummy... Like bubblegum ! FUN FUN! I also got some other wonderful colors I will be listing soon. (The turquoise is to die for! )

Pink Rose Headband$15

Then there is my ultimate favorite. Sort of gaudy a little tacky and totally wonderful! Leopard fur bows!

Leopard Bow $12

Don't they look so cute in fun messy hair? LOVE THEM!

Then of course there is the sibling of my Moustache Ornaments. Moustache pin!! "Since every Tee needs a disguise"

Moustache Pin $5

Fun stuff! I have been making some new styles of head pieces as well. I am going to try to make some pillbox hats soon. I need to go to a millinery store to get some forms. Should be exciting. I am already planning a fun winter collection. I think some more "fur" will be in the mix. What do you guys think? Love? Hate? Suggestions of some things you would like to see??

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Happy Birthday Shwan!

2009-06-07T20:15:00.000-07:00
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JUAN!!!!!

Juan is now 24! I am starting to feel old... We are "almost 30" aaahhhhh so weird to think about. I guess Juan has seen more than most grown men but still I think of us as kids! His birthday actually turned out wonderfully despite our lack of planning because Juan just got Recalled...

We went to Javiers in Newport Beach. Pretty much my all time favorite restaurant. It used to be in Laguna then they moved it to Newport... Now its full of cougars !!

Cougar:
An older woman who tries to score with a much younger man.

It actually is a super cool restaurant and sssoooo delish!!! MMMMmmmmm mmmm We went with another couple we hang out with all the time. It was so fun!

Juan got super drunk and was making us all laugh because he turns into a sap when he drinks. It was sort of semi-sweet we were all sad since Juan was getting sent to 29 Palms (near palm springs) until November when he gets deployed to Afghanistan for 1 year. We ended up making the best out of the night.

then a shot

He was doing shots and I was sippin' on my Strawberry Margarita (best one I've ever had)

Here is a blooper shot but my make up looked good so I thought I would add it.

its my porn star smokey eye hahaha

OHHH and the best part... There is only Spanish waiters at javiers. No waitresses. When it's your birthday they sing and give you flan. The catch... they feed it to you. Juan was drunk so took part of this. We were laughing so hard. If he was sober I think he wouldn't have been such a good sport.

To say the least we all had a blast. This is one day I wont forget. Knowing I wont be seeing Juan everyday like I am used to makes me appreciate the time we have together. Now I just have to figure out what the heck I am going to do for a year when Juan is gone... UGH... It makes me sick inside!

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Patchwork

2009-06-01T23:17:00.000-07:00

So its been a few weeks since Patchwork and just now I am posting... I lag major. Since my life has taken a complete 180 I think I have an excuse. I am pretty sure I will keep on top of things now since I will have some more time.... ( I say that now )

Patchwork was so fun. I think its on my top shows as far as cool people go. They just have a lot going on good music, good food, fun funky people. People who "GET IT". (Unfortunatly the Penis behind the ear boy wasn't there) They also have great vendors! Fun to look at everything!
My friend Chelsea who I have been friends with since beauty school came along. She LOVED the craft show, It was like I took her to Disneyland or something. She was thanking me for letting her come... hahah she was my free labor and was thanking me.... Thats why I love her....

So to be nice I bought her a Shrimp sushi pillow by Eon Creative. She was obsessed with it. They make super cute things. Plus they are the cutest couple ever Stella and Charlie... So wonderful!

And since my moustache ornaments were such a hit at the last Patchwork show I made some moustache pins and sticks.

Here is Juan modeling a felt moustache... He could actually grow one almost if not more impressive but since he is a Marine again he has no facial hair (Thank God)

In case you were wondering... It was hotter than a popcorn fart... literally melting hot. Luckily I was smart enough to bring my parasols. I thought for 2 hours I might puke... I've come to conclusion that I might possibly be whiter then I thought... Me and the heat don't get along... Me and the cold dont get along either... So I guess I am just a California Girl. The best part was I brought some "special drinks". Chelsea and I started drinking at 10:30am... So white trash but it was HOT! It was funny and helped me sort of forget the heat but possibly may be the reason I felt sick for 2 hours. HAHAHAHAHA

Gus came along with his Pa pa Juan and I felt bad for him. He was hot so he laid under the table in the shade. He also met 2 other Boston Terriers... He loved them. Everyone loved him and fed him ice. Hes such an attraction. People love him. How couldn't you? He has the cutest face on the planet! So yeah. This also was my most profitable show FUN FUN FUN! I love MONEY!!! It bought Juan his birthday present, a new Radio for his truck... and of course wonderful things for myself!! HAHAH Thanks everyone for a great show! This Friday is Cerritos Handmade Brigade come and check it out!!! I'll be there with all my Handmade Brigade Girls!!!

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Easter

2009-05-19T11:19:00.000-07:00
Oh man! Where in the hell have I been? I have been SOOOO BUSY! I have been working so much and scrambling to get all my stuff made for the shows I have been in and that are coming up! I am just now posting easter pics!! hahaha! Easter was fun! We all met at my parents house and went to church. Church was so boring. My mom loves her church but every time I go I am literally dying to get out. My Dad made it entertaining by drawing bunny ears on all the people in the program. So to say the least I think my Mom is the only one that was listening. We will all going to hell in a hand basket except my Mom! Church wasn't that boring... I love the worship part just the guy is sooo cheesey.... We did take some pictures! Here I am with no red lips!
Here is me and my Momma

My brohem and me

me and the ol' ball and chain!

Easter was a perfect time to wear my favorite headband!!! I thought it looked cute!

Other then that I just did PATCHWORK , It was my best show yet! I'll post more in my next post!

I also am a member of Handmade Brigade of Orange County and we are putting on a whole month of INDIE CRAFTING!!! We are looking for volunteers to help with the Swap-a-Rama so if you are interested in helping please message me! We had a blast picking out all the vendors! They are going to be AWESOME!!!

I also got into

SSOOOO EXCITED!!!! This is going to be a mondo big show!!!! SSSOOO FUN!!! What shows did you guys get into?? Any fun ones????

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Workin' the 9-5...

2009-04-25T20:54:00.000-07:00

So I finally caved and got a job.... I was pretty ready for it. Actually I maxed out all my credit cards so I really had no choice. Either apply for more credit cards or stop being a bum and get a J-O-B. Since jobs are literally no where to be found I was lucky to get this one. My friend actually had been bugging me to come and apply at her salon and finally she just told me " This lady wants to hire you come in" pretty much served on a silver platter. All I had to do was walk in. Of course she was in love with me from the second she saw this big blond beauty... Who wouldn't be? HAHAHAHA I love how people say " Oh my gosh you are so beautiful, thats a plus I already love you" uummm... So if I was ugly I wouldn't get the job? The beauty industry can be quite brutal! Little did she know I had to actually LOOK for my make up bag because it has been awhile since I have needed it. And my hair for the past few months has been white trash roots. I forgot how much my back kills working in a salon. You get used to to it after awhile but MAN! I feel like I'm 80 years old. There is another Brook(e) that works there so they are trying to get me to go by a nickname and I am SO against it. The owner calls me "Marilyn" and its funny and cute but thats not my name. Yes thanks for calling me Marilyn Monroe (wow never heard that before since I have platinum hair and red lips I must be her) but do they honestly think I will respond to a name that is not mine? That I will change my name like I am a rockstar? UM NO! I am so far from someone with an alter ego... (actually that's a lie. My alter egos are little red riding hood and a big black southern gospel singer... )but the weird part is a lot of the ladies in there don't go by their real name... So random... But with a name like Brook you can't really shorten in. Anyways....

It was so depressing this morning I left and as I was driving away little Gus ran to the front door and was giving me puppy dog eyes... It broke my heart... I seriously almost quit on my first day. He seriously melts my grudged heart! hahaha I missed him all day and I could think about was givin' him some suga!!! He loves his mother love!

That's pretty much it right now. I do have an exciting couple of months coming up. A few craft shows, hopefully some trips... Good stuff! I am excited! I just applied to Renegade with Jackie from VozClothingandArt I hope we get in! Are you guys doing any shows this summer?

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American Gentleman

2009-04-11T17:06:00.000-07:00

The Boston Terrier's personality has won this breed the nickname "the American Gentleman".

So I couldn't resist the chance to dress my little handsome devil up whats a better time then Easter??? It was actually sort of on a whim. I was making some more headbands and I had some extra strips lets over so I made a cute bow headband for myself. I think I might add them to my shop since they are so adorable as clips or headbands... Or as little bow ties for my Gussy! He's such a sweetie and lets me put clothes on him and he doesn't mind.

Today was his puppy kindergarden and he is learning out to "shake" and its sssoo cute!

He pretty much is such a love bug and now I don't know what I did without him! hahhaha doesn't he look sooo cute? I just want to eat him up!

He was so patient and sweet while I was taking the pictures then he wanted to eat the camera!

He's all ready for Easter service and Dinner! What are your plans for Easter?

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:::100 SALES:::

2009-04-06T13:15:00.000-07:00
YYYYEEEEEEEE HHHAAAAWWWWW I hit 100 sales (doin' the cabbage patch)!!!! This is exciting! I started listing stuff in my shop in November 2008 and I never thought I would reach 100 sales! Go figure that the last 3 sales were to someone in Kuwait.... WTF! I thought it was a scam at first but... It seems pretty legit. That will be the farthest and randomest place my headbands have traveled. Juan actually has been to Kuwait. That is where the ship dropped them off and then they took helicopters into Iraq. SCARY!!! HE says it smells like shit LITERALLY there.... EEWWW... Other then it smelling like shit its actually a really rich country despite how small it is... So I am just picturing a wonderful girl like Jasmine from Aladdin wearing my headbands. (not literally jasmine but you know... can a girl dream?) Is that weird that I want to see who everyone looks like. I would LOVE if everyone who bought my stuff took pictures of them wearing it. It makes me happy inside. The few that have were ssssoooo stinkin' cute!
Anyways here are a few new items in the Shop

Lavender Lilac Dupioni Silk Rosette Flower On Patent Leather Headband

This one is by far my favorite the red is so bright and beautiful! I loved working with it!
Red Dupioni Silk Rosette Flower On Patent Leather Headband

Then I listed one of my most popular... The red rose! But this one is a dark red and I think I might even like it better then the super bright one!
Dark Red Felt Rose On Black Patent Leather Headband

SO yeah thats it. I am starting to make a little more fancier things and I love it! Fun times! Maybe I am a fool for being so excited about 100 sales but this all started out just on a whim and then it turned out to a mini business! I'm thinking of doing a giveaway but I am not sure what I want to give away.... What do u think????

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Spring is in the air!!!

2009-04-04T12:39:00.000-07:00

Seriously guys.... SERIOUSLY!!!! Are these not the cutest things on EARTH!?!?!?! I am totally in love with my little Chickie's.... Minus the fact that they shit in my vintage train case. It's okay though because I got the cutest little pictures of them!!! AAAHHHHHH I just love love love love them! This was my crazy Moms idea (of course) to get these little babies! They are only 10 days old and sssooo sweet! I've named them Etta, Patsy, and Georgia. I think at this point they sort of all look the same so the names will be chosen once they are bigger! My favorite is the little chubby one... (maybe I can tell the difference). My moms response to getting babies was " Gus and them can grow up together...." WOW... We are a crazy family! It's okay though. We have had chickens in the past. We have a huge backyard and this big ol chicken coop that has been empty for 5 years since the death of " Momma" .... No people we didn't make our grandma live in the chicken coop, who do you think we are? Hooligans? "Momma" was a red hen we used to have... My mother named her.... (HOW ORIGINAL, This is why I have taken over naming our pets) Momma was so wonderful. She used to follow my Mom all around. My mom would open the coop and she would walk down all the stairs and just peck around. I used to hold her all the time and she used to think my freckles were food and peck my arms... It was funny... Then we got puppy Lola (Rottweiler) and Lola thought she was a chew toy so Momma roosted up in the trees and didn't go in her coop... and a raccoon ate her... Mother Fucker! I hate raccoons... I don't care what any of you guys say. They are mean as shit and they eat cats and my cousins bunny (through the cage might I add)... Have you ever seen one? THEY ARE HUGE!!!! Don't even get me started on my hate for raccoons.... My CRAZY old neighbor I mean OLD AS DIRT used to catch raccoons in this cage he made which I thought was really stupid because he didn't do anything but spray them with spray paint to see if he could catch the same one... Plus I think that's mean and cruel... BBBUUUTTT he's crazy and he digs in the grocery store dumpster for food even though he is rich... (grew up in the depression) and to make matters worse He makes us all these baked goods but we always throw them out... I don't want "Dumpster Cakes" He also has like 5 slot machines so I dealt with his craziness so we could play them as kids... HAHAHAHA Wow this post has taken a turn for the worst! All the memories of crazy Bob are coming back to me!

okay moving along in this mind of mine.... Back to the chickies!! These little gals are all going to be white... Which I am not too crazy about and so my Dad is thinking of buying some red ones... (Yes everyone I am the girl on charlie and the chocolate factory... Beruka or something) The red ones are just better... They lay brown eggs. Whatever though we have never had white ones so its a change, I love them anyways! Gus loves them too... A LOT... We let him in the coop and at first he was like WTF!! Now he's obsessed and all he wants to do is get in the cage and sniff them all over. So when he goes over the the parentals house he runs up all the stairs to check on his little chickies.

Here he is... I couldn't even get him to act normal he was not taking his eyes off those babies!

See what we've done.... He's obsessed... oh man...

The funny part is the chicks are not even scared of Gus. My mom was yelling at me to get him out because she thought the chicks would die of a heart attack but when we really held him back the chicks would come up to him to check him out it was funny. I really want to get an "Easter" picture with Gus wearing bunny ears with the little chicks around him... wouldn't that be so funny??? They sell these bunny ears at Petsmart for dogs.... I might need to purchase it...

Do any of you have or had chickens?

Disclaimer: No animals were hurt during these photos (Gus did accidentally step on one of the chicks but its perfectly fine). Etta, Patsy,& Georgia will not be consumed by humans... They have names they are pets... We will eat their eggs though. If any raccoons are reading this.... FUCK OFF!

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Not Quite Vintage

2009-03-31T15:50:00.000-07:00
So there has been a little change in my shop... My shop name was " Knit with Love" since that is my blog name... but if you have noticed I don't have one thing of knitting in my shop OR blog... bad me... But I made this blog along time ago when I was a knittin' fool... SO with that being said I wanted to change my Etsy name before I started applying for some shows.... You know so I can be "professional" with a name that actually reflected my items for purchase! I went to Lazy Daisy Marie actually through twitter and she helped me out MAJOR! I was shocked with how wonderful my banner turned out! I love love love love love it!!! Check out her Shop and message her if you need a revamp! She is super sweet and delivers! SO check out my new banner!!! Tell me what you think! Isn't it so me?

I got so inspired by her wonderful banner I started taking pictures of all the things I had made but not yet listed. This one is by far my favorite:

My apricot dupioni silk headband... :::swoon::: I love it...

I took pictures of it on my vintage train case...

Want to check it out click Here!!!

Also I added this beauty... I normally HATE yellow... but marigold called out to me....

What do you guys think? Which one is your favorite?

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Missing In Action

2009-03-27T20:52:00.000-07:00

So I sort of knew I would totally neglect my blog once Gus came along... But I never thought this much!!! The saddest part is... I've had the camera out more then ever and I still don't have pictures of the wonderful things I have been making... They have been waiting patiently to be listed on my Etsy. Poor Etsy... I am sorry! I have had quite a few sales despite my huge neglect to it as well... So that's good news!

With that being said I have been to a few meetings/craft groups which have been interesting! I went to one on Wednesday night to plan a huge indie craft scene in Orange County. I really hope that it all works out and more craft shows and people come out of the wood work! I would love to be as crafty as the L.A. scene! Orange County as beautiful as it is tends to be pretty dull! So lets all hope for the best! Those of you who do live in Orange County if you are interested in being part of this or volunteering for the Swap-A-Rama please do tell we need as many bodies as possible to make this happen! Once I get more info I will give more details! I think this summer should be an exciting one! I have a few craft shows I have applied for and I really hope they turn out wonderfully! The big one I am applying for is Renegade I am super nervous about it! I am going to be applying with Jackie from Voz Clothing and Art She is so funny! It should be super fun if we get in! Fingers Crossed!

My grandma came down from Michigan and that was fun! She wanted to pretty much sit in the sun everyday since its freezing balls in Michigan and wonderful in California!
Here she is trying to get away from the wave!

This is at Dana Point Harbor

I think this picture is so funny of my G-ma and Gus... hhahahahahah

So since I have nothing else to show you I will post some pics of Gus.... of course!

"NO Ceaser Milan I don't treat my dog like a baby at all!!

letting your children sleep with you makes them dependent on you... Who knew?

Stay out of the sun....

Always cover your mouth...

Take the time to smell the roses

Not eat them

Don't waste water

I didn't!

The End!

I have officially turned into crazy dog girl... And I love it! I now get when people say they just sit and stare at their babies... unfortunately mine is a 4 legged Boston terrier...

Hopefully next post will include my new headbands!

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English Gone Wrong part I

2009-03-12T18:47:00.000-07:00
Here is the first of my "English Gone Wrong" post. My boyfriend was born is Ecuador and moved here when he was around 13... He speaks English with no accent but he still thinks in Spanish so he will say things backwards and funny stuff like that. He also gets American sayings wrong... and pretty much it makes my day... I guess its mean to laugh at him but I do it anyways... I can't help it... Its sssooooooooooooo funny! Well at least I think so!

Here is a few from the other day:

Anyways today Gus was sun bathing outside then got curious and started picking the snails off the wall and tried to eat them. I pick him up and bring him inside

Me: " Ohhhh Juan your son is trying to eat snails......"
Juan: " Oh no now hes going to get warts!"
Me: " Why the fuck would a snail give him warts?
Juan: " If you touch them they give you warts."
Me" HAHAHAHAHAHAHA NO THEY DON'T that's frogs!!!! What you stepped on too many snails in your day so that's why you had that wart on the bottom of your foot?"
Juan (feeling like a dee da dee) " No.... But snails give you warts too..."

Then the other night we were walking Gus and Lola around the block with my mom (Him being bi-lingual has nothing to do with this idiotic conversation... This is just due to him being a man)

My Mom:" Juan, I brought Gus a plastic bag just in case"
Juan "For what?"
Me (cuts in while doing my infamous eye roll) " To wrap around his head and suffocate him while you pick up his shit with your bare hands.....What else would you use it for?"
( My mom tried not to laugh at my naughty behavior but sometimes she can't help herself, Can you really blame her?)

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Pin Curls, Make Up, and about 1,000 pictures of me.... OH MY!

2009-03-08T00:20:00.000-08:00
So a few nights ago I decided to pin curl my hair again just for fun. I used to sponge curl it EVERY NIGHT for almost 2 years. It really isn't the most comfortable thing to do but I loved the way it looked. Well a few months ago I decided to take my shot at pin curls since I mastered them in beauty school... Well they are not as easy to do when you do them on yourself as when you do them on crusty old ladies or discusting doll heads. Here is how it turned out:

So that was a good day... I really tried to make them nice a neat because I was actually doing something the next day.

Well this time I sort of " willy nillyed" it... So it didn't get as much of a curl as I would have liked, but it was do-able... Well it was enough where I didn't give a shit and left the house anyways. Pin curls give you tons of body.... and a lot of frizz... So it sort of makes your hair look even more fried then it already is.... Not really a look I am going for. Most of the time once you "set it" (a nice way of saying brush the hell out if it) You can make it look nice but I think I like sponge curlers way better or just a regular wet set with a bonnet drier. It makes a more glossy curl with the same affect. Now I mostly just curl it with a curling iron. I've really become the curling iron slinger! This is all depending on how lazy I am being that night...

I do stand up pin curls on top and regular on the side. (Don't make me get all beauty school technical on you and tell you all about on base, off base, half off base etc.... )

Here they are the next morning all messy... (as you can tell.... they are not so neat and tidy like I normally do them)

This is the ghetto do-rag I rap them all up in so they don't slip out at night. Please excuse my mug shot... Jayne Mansfield
says it best in The Girl Cant Help It
"Pretty is just how good you apply your base"
I live my that quote... Make up is my best friend!
Lets add this old picture of me with another do rag on with at least some make up on (No mascara) Just so I don't totally shame myself by posting the most hideous photo EVER! Though this one is not much better...(This was when I had brown hair)

Okay moving on...
:::The Results:::

I was playing around with my IPhoto effects if you cant tell! I love a good black and white photo. As you can see it didn't turn out as curly as the time before but it still gave a vintage feel. I brushed it all under and it was not my favorite but oh well...

::: Details:::
Here is true color... No editing! Pretty much me being an ass

I know a few of you have asked what sort of make up I use etc so I will give my beauty secrets (ha ha) away... In high school I had cystic acne (so gross) and so I have quite a few scars because of it. I used accutane and it cleared it right up (I honestly will stand by this drug for life... it changed my life as well as 1,000 of other zit faced teenagers I am sure) So first if I remember I moisturize with DDF Ultra-Lite Oil-Free Moisturizing Dew™ If I don't use that I just use your basic Cetaphil lotion. (Which was recommended by my dermo). Then I add concealer, M.A.C. Select cover up NC 20. I will wear Studio Fix N4 If I am in a hurry but if I am trying to spice myself up I will bust out Precriptives "Virtual skin" in Real Vellum
As blush I use M.A.C. Prism

::: Eyes:::

I like the look of 1940's 1950's make up... pretty basic eye... Normally I wear more make up then I was in this photo but more or less its the same shit... Just if I wear more or less of it.

Brushes:
I'm just going to list my two favorites

M.A.C. #252

M.A.C. #224

Primer: M.A.C. paints in bare canvas

Eye shadow: (Almost all of my eye shadows are M.A.C.)
Pictured: M.A.C. Dazzlelight
Pictured: M.A.C. Romp (crease)
Other M.A.C. shadow basics Brule, Vanilla, Naked lunch, Satin Taupe, Blanc Type, Rice Paper, Bronze, Antiqued,

Eyeliner(Of course I use liquid eyeliner)
My favorite eyeliner you actually buy at the drugstore... It looks like a fat pen. It works wonderfully. It has a felt tip... (maybe I'll edit and add the name once I remember)
Another favorite is M.A.C. Fluidline in Blacktrack (that one must be added with a brush M.A.C. #210) or M.A.C Liquid Eyeliner in Boot Black

Mascara:
Mascara is my life line... I love it and use a lot of it. I have tried all the expensive ones but my ultimate favorite are made by Max Factor and can be found at a lot of drugstores... I think walmart as well.

MAX FACTOR 2000 calories (This is what I used to use ALL THE TIME)

then they came out with this one

MAX FACTOR Volume Couture

Both make your eyelashes look super long and thick! I love love love them!!

:::Lips:::

This one is super easy since I wear the same thing all the time.

Mahogany Lip Pencil

RubyWoo

Soooo that is pretty much it... Now that I am looking at this post I am wondering why I am posting it... oh well...

What's your must have beauty product???
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
I'm thinking of adding every once in awhile little " English GONE WRONG" post. Its the randomness of having a bi-lingual boyfriend who doesn't always get "english" sayings correct. (Pretty much I make fun of him and laugh my ass off... Hopefully you will too! )

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Baby Stuff!!!

2009-03-04T23:02:00.000-08:00

So before I got my sweet babe, Gus. I was making baby things like it was going out of style.I said I was against doing anything Whinnie the Pooh I actually found some decent Whinnie the Pooh fabric at Walmart of all places.... So I made a fabric covered wet wipe case. I think I love it!

I am not the biggest fan of baby pastels, so I made some of my own style baby items. Since Juan will be back in the military when the baby is born I made a few camo things... Just for shits!

Another wet wipe case... Since you can't have too many!!! I want to keep it for Gus... Juan liked it too!! hahahaha....

I also followed a tutorial on how to make burp cloths here (It was pretty obvious but in case you want to check it out) I cheated and pretty much just did it my way... I used the left over Whinnie the Pooh and camo to make matching burp cloths and then bought some flannel with bubbles and fish since we live 2 blocks from the beach and they live 6 hours from the beach... You know just to rub it in.... Hahaha not really but I thought it was a cute gesture!

I think the camo is my favorite! Which one is your favorite? I am trying to think of some other things that would be cute to make. If you have any other ideas please send them my way. I just bought 2 yards of this fabric that I am itching to use on something! Other then that... lil' Gussy got a sweater.... Its his grandpa sweater!

here is modeling it... In case you were wondering No I didn't get all crazy and knit him a sweater in 2 days. I bought it at petsmart for $3.95 since it was 75% off....

He's a little handsome devil!

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Lookie what I have!!!

2009-03-01T21:58:00.000-08:00
So... If you have read my blog long enough you would know that I love things that are not your everyday "cute" I like things with character! Well my dream dog is either a French Bulldog or a Boston Terrier.... Oh boy oh BOY!!! Well Good ol Shwan (Juan my boyfriend) made my DREAMS come true!!!! He bought me the most precious pupper! He is sssssssooooo cute and I love him!! I seriously am turning into one of those crazy mothers who thinks their kids do NO wrong when in reality they are the first ones to be the biggest assholes known to man.... He is perfect! minus the fact that he farts, snores, and has peed on the floor 4 times.... I can deal with it... I'm dating Juan aren't I? Minus the peeing on the floor.... That would just be.... bizarre... Though I have seen an episode on Jerry Springer...

So let me introduce you to the new sheriff in town....

General Gustavo Aka "Gus"
Born November 15, 2008

Isn't he a handsome devil??? Those goldfish eyes sent me over the edge! I love him! The best part is hes really a great dog. He loves to play but loves loves loves to snuggle!! If you sit down he is curled up in your lap snoozin! He gives kisses and loves to stand right behind you so you almost step on him!

So to say the least I am crazy in love! I don't even want to know how crazy I am going to be when I have my own kids...

So yeah.... I hope this blog doesn't turn into " I don't craft because I am a crazy Boston momma... I love my Boston so much I take pictures of its poo because even thats cute..." Come on. You know those people are out there!

I do have quite a few new post lined up. I was crafting before Jesus sent Gus in my life. hahahahaahahahahahahahahaha! Hes an Angel a freakin' angel! Okay so I hope you guys know I am half kidding... Sorta... Now I have another being to craft for!! Here comes dog sweaters, dog beds etc etc.... hhhaahahahahah What do you think of Gus?

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What I did last night...

2009-02-23T18:43:00.000-08:00

So my boyfriend is really possessive of his headset for his Xbox Live because he knows all I want to do is talk to people and make fun of them.... Well Last night he let me have free range. Unfortunately there wasn't too many people with their headsets on but I did find a few suckers! At first he was letting me play and I was getting my ass kicked! So then I just wore the headset while he was killing everyone. It was hilarious!! People have the stupidest names EVER!!! One guys name was "loueylongsack" What the heck... Who are you? I was teasing him to no avail... (he never replied). SO then I just started saying " BANG.... You're dead"
Then I heard the most angelic voice.... Elliot... the 12 year old from England! I talked to him for like an hour... He was telling me all these funny things. All the good games and how he loves Guitar Hero and he sings in it... He also sang to me for like 10 minutes until I told him to stop...He said that Americans are crazy because they like to fist fight. He said the girls over here are crazy too because they beat each other up... WHAT? Not me! He was telling me how his brothers girlfriend hit his brother in the balls.... So I was like " Whats the capitol of Thailand?" " BANGGGG CCCCOOOOOCCCCKKKK". He pretty much peed his pants laughing... I'm glad I have to same sense of humor as a pre pubescent 12 year old English boy. SO to say the least Elliot became my new little friend but I didn't get to harass as many people as I would have liked... Maybe Juan will let me use the headset again soon!!!

**** Obviously that picture is NOT me... I stole it from the internet, its Rhianna with the xbox live headset on.... unfortunatly she doesnt look like that anymore thanks to the wonderful Chris Brown! This makes me so mad... Mostly because he will get away with it... Hopefully she will learn from the famous Tina Turner!

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The Craft Club

2009-02-20T23:43:00.000-08:00
When I was getting my second "craft group" together I messaged Nicole from The Craft Kitchen to see if she was interested in coming. She said she would love to come and that she also was going to be putting a craft group together, So of course I was going to come to hers as well!!! She also blogged about it here. She gets into more detail then I plan on and I also stole her photos she took....
So I woke up Thursday feeling like I had been sucking on razor blades while I was sleeping.... Not good... Took a few swings of "The good stuff" (Day Quill) and went on my way. Late as always. I arrive and there was a few peeps I already knew and plenty I've never met. It was fun. I wasn't feeling too well so I wasn't too talkative but it was good to get with fellow crafters. The only part I didn't like.... I was sitting next to the cheese platter... and it smelled like a fucking stinky ass shoe!! Gross! I'm not too fond of stinky cheese... hahaha other then that it was great. I liked seeing what everyone was making. Some wonderful things were going on! The llama mobile had to be my favorite!

I was embroidering but started to get super bored with it. See how I look when I don't feel to great... Pretty pissed off HAHAHAHA( but I wasn't ) I also wore one of my new creations in my hair! I will soon show you the whole " collection" once I get them all finished. I am really excited about them. I think they really reflect me as a person... Vintage sass!

Everyone was doing completely different things and it was GREAT! I loved seeing everything!

People shared some of their crafty secrets, their favorite glue, materials etc. It was really nice to talk to people who enjoy talking about things such as glue... hahahaha! (I was thinking of making a hot glue gun shrine... To ward off all extreme burns that it causes!! hahahaha)

Its nice to feel part of something. Especially something that is so important to me and is such a huge part of my life. Its a connection I think women are losing as time goes on. I am just glad that more and more people I am meeting sees this as well!
Other then that I am in another treasury!! Local etsy artist Elsiee is the one who made it! Its dedicated to Etsians with blogs... And boy do we know I have a blog!

Other then that... Other things to be happy about:
Joann is having $1.99 on all MCalls patterns next Friday-Sunday!
My G-Ma Judy from Michigan is down
I've been making fun baby things for Juans sister (pics soon)
My face doesn't have any major zits
All bills are paid off
Leopard satin ballet flats from target
Roasting marshmallows

What are some things that make you happy... Other then reading my wonderfulness?

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Happy Valentines!

2009-02-14T19:37:00.000-08:00

SO for everyone who likes a good laugh please go to The Two Twins blog. They are so funny they had to make two of them! For Valentines day they have dedicated a few post to date horror stories! They are hilarious! I love reading their blog because they are honest and don't sugar coat ANYTHING! They talk about spending their lunch hour on "Electric lunches" , puking, lying to boyfriends, getting more drunk, football, fighting with each other, their older sisters sabotage, crazy family members etc etc... you get the point! They are a bundle of fun and I love reading what they have to say!

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Cowboy Baby Blanket and Babies

2009-02-13T13:59:00.001-08:00

Juans sister is having a baby. I feel like everyone and their mother are having babies! I am jealous! I love babies... Like almost as much as those Octuplets Mom... She takes the cake for the love of babies... 14... Holy mother! I watched the dateline interview with her and she seemed like she really loves her kids... BUT HELLO!!! Shes fucking BROKE! She was living off student loans and her disability... Now those are all dried up she has nothing.... The lady hit it on the head when she was interviewing her... She's selfish. Don't worry crazy lady... California will pay for your 14 children! The only thing that really bothered me about the interview was they were getting on the Doctors and her case about implanting 6 embryos. Well as I was watching I was thinking about John and Kate plus Eight... They had twins first, then they went for a second go and ended up with SIX kids... None of them are identical twins so that means 6 or more embryos were implanted in Kate... Right? So it must not be that uncommon... I thought it was funny that they were calling the octuplet Mom an Angelina Jolie wanna B... So true! The most hilarious part was Angelina said she was "creeped out" by her.... WTF!!! Angelina Jolie is fucking creepy! She has the same addiction... Babies! I just think something is totally off with Angelina... At first she was doing it all right, now she is becoming a "collector" of human babies... Who knows. At least she has the money to take care of them.

Okay I totally went off on a rant there... I want 6 kids so maybe I am just as creepy as the rest of them! hahah! ANYWAYS! I made this blanket for Juans sister who is having a boy. I love love love love the cowboy flannel. Its so adorable! Don't you think? I used some of the minky I bought almost 4 years ago... Its ssssooo Soft! I'm not sure if she will like it because I was asking her if she has a "theme" (nautical, jungle, Winnie the pooh, dogs etc) She wrote me back and said she doesn't have a theme but Winnie the Pooh sounds fine... WTF? NOOOOOOOOOOOOO! That's lame! SO I did the total opposite of what she asked for and did cowboy... Is that bad? I don't make "typical baby" things, Pooh bear can be for the people who will just be buying her stuff...

I also am going to make her some onesies (Of course, It will say Mom instead of Dad)

I also was looking at some other cool things like this covered wet wipe case! More info how to make them here. They are really popular in Southern California in the posh boutiques.

I also wanted to make her a sling. Some are selling for $70 on Etsy!!! So I decided I can make one I am trying to find the right pattern but I found this wonderful Tutorial for one...
Here is a BBBEEAAUUUTIFUL one she made

I'm trying to figure if it will be too difficult for me. OHHH GGGRRRRAAAANNNDDDMMMAAA! Besides if she doesn't use it I'll be so mad I spent all that time making it. So I was thinking of making just the normal O ring sling. Who knows.... I am making a million things! HAHAHAHA Anyways... The only things that I've made so far is the onesie and the blanket... The baby isn't due till July 4th! I have some time.... If you guys have any super cute ideas please send them MY WAY!!!

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Craft Group Meeting!

2009-02-08T14:39:00.000-08:00

So I had the second meeting for the craft group that I got together! It was fun! I met a whole batch of new crafters! 10 people ended up coming which was great! I put kits together so we all could make strawberry pin cushions and it was fun to see how everyones turned out! I didn't finish mine yet but Nicole from The Craft Kitchen was wonderful enough to take pictures of the event!

I normally use a sewing machine to make the strawberry part but it was funny to see how they turned out when you stitched them by hand... It took a lot of time thats for sure.

I love to meet new people who love to craft its such a huge part of my life and being able to talk with other people who feel the same way is great! Here is a picture of one of the finished pin cushions!

Its rainy day schedule... Maybe I'll go finish mine! So... Good news for Southern California Crafters! My group isn't the only one around!!! Nicole from The Craft Kitchen is also holding a meeting at her shop on Feb 19th 6-9PM. Be there or be SQUARE!!!

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Tattoo Flash Embroidery

2009-02-04T14:09:00.000-08:00
So I have finally finished Lilys quilt square. I love the way it turned out! I actually think I might have to make one for my quilt as well.... Since we have the same theme... I sort of jacked her... but I am a sucker for pin up/ tattoo flash... I am in a flickr swap with her and a few other of my favorite embroiderers! I got this image from flickr as well... Isn't flickr grand?

For this I used tons of satin stitching! It was quite a chore... After an hour or so I started seeing double! I used all 6 strands for the outline of the roses, which I normally don't like to do but I thought it made them pop a little more! This was actually really fun to stitch. It was a pretty simple design just a lot of it!

The lettering was the hardest part. It wasn't small enough to do just plain backstitch but it wasn't big enough to do satin stitching with an outline... So I made due...

My favorite part is the little stem! Its weird how the smallest things can be my favorite part... hahaha... So Random! There is still solvy pieces on the square but she just has to wash it once it gets home. I wasn't sure if I should wash it or not... OH WELL!!!

So other then that... I am having my second craft group meeting on Saturday... If you live by me and want to come message me! Maybe this time I will get some pictures.... Nothing like looking like bigger freaks then we already are!! hahahaha.... I already have put all the kits together to make these little gems. I think it will be a fun time! I can't wait!

So Juan and I weigh ourselves every monday and we keep a chart!! (Seriously that thing is hidden so no one can see it but me!!) So this monday I weighed myself... I have lost 3 lbs. For a total of 11 lbs!!! YES! Lets hope I can keep up the good work! I have cheated quite a few times this week... Dipped cone and corn dog with the cousin... Fritos at the casa... You know... Things that you just cant say no too... Maybe I am like Oprah... Everyone likes me better when I am fat... HAHAHAHAHAHAHA

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New in the shizzy!

2009-01-31T17:55:00.000-08:00
New in the SHOP

Little Rosettes on Elastic headbands!! FUN FUN!! and only for $8 !!!

I've sold a few already and they actually look SSSOOO cute in the hair!!!! I need to take some more professional photos.... I am lagging in that department right now... I was too excited to post though!! hahahah

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Opps... I'm featured!

2009-01-30T12:26:00.000-08:00

I got featured on Debbie Gootters blog! I thought it was today but it actually yesterday! shit! So go check it out and leave some COMMENTS!!! Also check out her store she has some cute jewelry ! Click HERE

Other then that I am stitching up Lilys quilt square and I am in love with it!! I think I will have to add one to my quilt as well!!! I will post progress pics soon! Until then here is my inspiration!

A quote to remember

Mother love: " Brook please come to Israel with me next time I go"

Me: " HELL NO !!! I don't want to die, I'm not going!!!"

Mother Love: " There is so much history, Jesus was there"

Me: " Yeah well, I am not Jesus and if I die I'm not going to be resurrected three days later"

Mother love: " AAAHHHHH HAHAHAHAHAHAH"

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Pretty Much Amazing!

2009-01-28T18:10:00.000-08:00
So as I was being a flickr addict I ran across this...

Motherfuckin' Cowboy, originally uploaded by Stitch Out Loud.
I love this

Come to find out she just recently opened an Etsy Shop Stitch Out Loud I love all of her stuff! She even has a Cross word Sticker set with my favorite word! I love her store! Go check it out, if anything it will make you laugh! She also has a blog

So other then that... I have some good news.... Well its sort of good news... 2 weeks ago I weighed myself at my grandmas house, She has her scale in her bathroom so I always feel the need to weigh myself before I go to the bathroom. Ummm.... YEAH... I was NOT pleased at ALL with the results... I was like " MotherFUCKER!!! Pretty much I wanted to rip all my clothes off to see if it would magically drop 20 pounds... (You know as if my clothes all the sudden weighed at much as metal) So since that day I have been on my little "fatty fatty girl diet" Well I weighed myself on Monday and I lost 8 pounds!! YES!!! So wonderful!!! I am hoping I will lose more since now I go to the gym!

I did eat Gelato today though...

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::: Strange Days :::

2009-01-27T01:06:00.001-08:00

So I wasn't quite sure if I was going to blog about this... but I HAD too!!! To be honest I don't have too many things in my life that happen that totally catch me off guard... That literally shock the living shit out of me.... Well... Apparently in Corona, California my luck changed. I went with my friend to go see her boyfriends band play.. in Corona... little did I know that it's literally the armpit of Southern California. The show was a benefit show for the SPANISH drummer of Nekromantix who recently died in a drunk driving accident.

So we walk in and there is a freaking kid my cousins age in the bar (9)... I seriously thought I was Reese Witherspoon in Sweet Home Alabama.... (If you haven't seen the movie you wont get it) I was like " Why are there kids in the bar?" (since there wasn't just one there was actually 5 of them... all ages below 17). So come to find out they are the first band... A Family band... I am thinking we are having the fucking Osmond family play, No no no... Far from it, they get on stage and I am looking at them... They are all wearing matching grey dickies and either chucks of combat boots with white laces and one kid with red laces. Then I see the red suspenders hanging down... Toto we are not in Kansas anymore... It was a SkinHead family band. SKINHEAD... I live in South Orange County... I haven't ever seen a skinhead... I know of them and where they hang out but haven't ever seen them walking around. The only reason I even know that they were skinheads was from watching American History X, The Believer, and a few other MSNBC Documentaries (which we will get into more detail in a second.) I was thinking in my head " what the fuck should I do? Do I leave? I don't get it! This is for a Spanish guy and we have the freaking KKK singing!" The part that pissed me off was that these kids were so influenced by their Dad. At that age (9,12,14,15,16) Do you even know what "labeling" yourself as something really means??

So I did what I thought was the best at the time... Go to the bathroom... That is when I saw HIM!!!

HELLS BELLS!! Our eyes met and all the sudden I felt a mixture of pure terror and an interest that was overcome pretty much by an obsession... He was COVERED in tattoos!!! I mean... COVERED!! He had FACE tattoos... His eyebrows were SHAVED off and replaced with "Lost Hope" tattooed on them... He had a heart next to his eye. His head was shaved and his whole skull was tattooed... Neck everything.... He looked SCARY!

Okay lets rewind a little bit. I am not sure if I have mentioned my obsession with prison life/ murders/ criminal minds etc... But I can watch 60 minutes, To catch a predator, 20/20, but my FAVORITE of all time is MSNBC Lock Up... Its pretty much amazing... Its a reality show/ documentary about the life in prison, prison gangs, death row etc etc... So when I saw this guy he was like a celebrity on my favorite TV show....

Well of course the second I saw him I knew what I had to do... GET A PICTURE!!! I was ssoo scared to ask him... This other girl was like " Well when are you going to ask him?" I was like " ummm when I get over the fact that I might get stabbed..."
SO then I spy him with just a wife beater on... OKAY its official... Brook if you don't do this no one will EVER believe you! SO I did what I thought was best... Go to the bathroom come back and then order a drink right next to him...

So we walk out ,order a drink right next to him and play stupid as if we hadn't been trying to get the nerve to ask him for a picture for the last 2 hours... He told us that him and his friend were eyeing us and thought we were pretty but needed to smile more because we looked really intimidating... HA coming from Mr.Prison Tatts... (We were the whitest people in the bar... I think that might have had something to do with it as far as intimidating... didn't you know I am LOCO???) Well pretty much I knew after that comment it was going to be easy as PIE!! All I did was laugh and say "I want to take your picture" ( I don't ask... I pretty much demand... There was no option I was getting this fucking picture!) So he asks me " You want the whole deal?" being a little drunk I said "YEAH!" without even taking into consideration what that might include... He took both his shirts off... WHOA I am a little tipsy but I am feeling a little VIOLATED! I didn't even look just posed for the camera...

Here he is in all his glory!! Once I actually looked at the pic did I realize the only thing that wasn't tattooed was his nipples... and the only hair he had was his soul patch... WOW... Seriously I am framing this picture... When they say a picture is worth a thousand words they were not kidding!!

The sad part was... I wasn't even really scared of him... I figured he would probably be nice to two girls. He was nice, actually super nice. He asked if we had boyfriends and we said yes and he was a gentleman... Didn't say anything other then the first comment and I asked him about the Skin head band and he told us they were " Skinheads against prejudice" (which I totally don't quite understand) I felt bad for him... but at the same time ... Face tattoos? I mean I understand if you are serving life in prison because hello... You ain't gettin out brother! It was like he got them thinking he was staying in for life and then didn't get the memo that hes going to have to live in the real world. Granted he was a tattoo artist... Besides that he was really interesting, If I could have talked to him longer I probably would have! Once I actually looked at HIM not everything that was on him he wasn't even bad looking... People who are so different from me always fascinate me. Plus... I think I might have seen him on MSNBC Lock Up : Chino Hills Prison.... To say the least my mom was sort of concerned that I felt so compelled to ask for his picture but once I told her that his eye brows said "Lost Hope" she felt sad for him... I guess any mother would....

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Craft Group!!!

2009-01-25T02:16:00.000-08:00
Okay so I don't have any pictures of today's events but I finally organized a day for some crafters to meet up! I was a little nervous that I would be the only one there!! But 5 people came it it was SSSOO fun! A few of the people were my fellow bloggie friends Wet Paint, Craft Pig,and
Auntie Em. It actually really made my day. It really felt nice to meet people that I've been talking to on blogs, craftster, etc... Especially since they love the same things I do... CRAFTING!!! I was talking to my mom about it and I was like " Yeah I want to do it again tomorrow" hahahah! I pretty much didn't get anything done because I was being a chatty cathy but it was fun to see what everyone else was working on or made! Also I think I could eat The Gypsy Dens Caesar salad everyday of my life.... garbanzo beans and homemade croutons... mmmm.... Does that make me a horrible person for strategically meeting at a place I wanted to eat at??? HAHAHAHA probably... oh well! I can't wait to meet up again! Possibly before valentines day so we can make some cute little sweets! aka... the pin cushion/ scissor bauble I was talking about! hahah!

I really hope we can make this a regular thing!!! I would love to see everyone again and possibly meet some new people as well!!! Hip-Hip- HHHHHOOOOOOORRRRRAAAYYY... (Yes I am that lame)

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New Years Resolutions

2009-01-22T18:45:00.000-08:00
Okay so since its almost February I thought .... Maybe I should make my new years resolutions. Here they are!!!

1) Get a Job! I am currently unemployed and I would love to say that I feel really bad about it and feel like a disgrace to the human race... but in reality... I love it and I can care less! I guess it shouldn't be too hard for me to get a job since I am a hair stylist and all... but I sort of am trying to figure things out... AKA... enjoying crafting and not having to wake up early :)

2) Lose some major LBS!! I know this is like numero UNO on almost every ones list... but this is serious business... I am not going to eat myself into 300lbs... I don't have this unrealistic goal of weighing 120 lbs because lets be serious... I don't think my skeleton even weighs 120 lbs. I mean I think my head weighs a good 30 pounds ... ego not included!!! According to a BMI for a 5 foot 8 inch person I should weigh 125-165 lbs.... Oh boy... I will do this by pants size I want to be a size 12 or 10 by 2010! I've started by quitting soda. Drinking way more water and doing a little portion control and eating healthier. Also I started the gym thing again... (KILL ME!!!) I don't know what the deal is but I feel out of place in the gym... I mean thank god the thong leotard over spandex is no longer in style because I would just be SCREWED! SO yeah... Its a start. Don't think I am going to get all Oprah on you... hahaha Lets take a look down memory lane...

Here I am at 2 with my mom

Here is me in High school... I always thought I was fat and ugly... hahahaaha I would kill to be that weight again!

I think I just got out of high school at Temple Square in Salt Lake

A few years ago...

2006

2008

2009 - The double chin is a comin in strong!!!

hahaha oh boy... looking at all those pictures was so funny! and depressing! Once I get in relationships I start packin' on the LBS hahaha!! Maybe kicking Juan to the curb will give me the jump start I need... HAHAHAHAHA Just kidding!!! Next resolution!

3) By 2010 only say "FUCK" and its fellow ways of saying it " Mother Fucker" " What the FUCK!" "Fuckface" " Fucktard" 3 times a day.... ( Come on I have to be realistic!!!) The reason is because I was driving yesterday and talking to Juan and he said something and my response was " Thank FUCKING God!!" Who says that? apparently me! I am going to hell in a hand basket! I use Fuck to really let people know I am serious.... hahahahaha My mom says its not so bad because I always say it in such a funny way and not to be evil.... but still... SO I need to try to get down to 3 times a day... That doesn't include Text... i.e. I can say it in text, blog, emails etc... I am trying to be realistic in my goals....

4) Take a quilting class, make a quilt and finish the one I started 6 years ago. This goal is already in the works. I organized an embroidery swap with a few flickr girls and I sent out quilt squares. My theme is tattoo flash/ 1940's sailor jerry style.Here is one quilt square I've already made for my quilt!

5) Get 100 sales on my Etsy. I have 76 so far so lets hope for the best!

6) Take a ceramic class... I am always looking for new ways to waste my time :)

7) Be a better girlfriend... ( How is that possible?) I have the Owens temper... and I always feel I need to be right. Like if I know he's wrong I will make sure he knows it... Such as googling it and showing him, making bets... You know all the things that men hate for you to do! I need to learn that I don't always need the last word, I don't always have to be right, I don't always need to make my point... Hes a pretty easy going guy and I think he would really like to punch me sometimes... hahahahaha... Poor guy! But I cook him dinner so that makes up for it. hahahah

8) Get a passport so I can go on vacation out of the country. I think this is the year!! I've been to Cabo San Lucas but that was before you needed a passport. I want to go either to South America, Europe, or Japan.

9) Get on a skin regime. I think I am getting wrinkles... I'm 23! Any recommendations would be great! (No Fragrance)

10) Make 1 new true friend. A real friend who isn't lame and doesn't stab you in the back, is jealous, or drama. I am looking for a funny actually they don't have to be funny, just think that I am HAHAHA and likes to craft! I KNOW SOMEONE IS OUT THERE!!

So that's it folks!! There is my list.

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My Aunts Apron!

2009-01-18T00:42:00.000-08:00

So my aunt will literally give you the shirt off her back. You really have to be careful what you tell her you like because she will give it to you. LIKE LITERALLY... She loves to give stuff to people. She says it took her years to go from a Pack Rat.. To a giving Pack Rat! She just moved to Virginia this summer so when I went to the D.C. area I stayed with her a few days. Juan dropped me off and while we were there he told her he liked her fruit stand.... (I know don't ask... Its my mothers doing... She's turning him into an HGTV decorating host nightmare) So she was like " You do? You can have it! I never use it!" Juan refused.... but... ended up taking it as his carry on when he flew home!!! HAHAHAHAAHAHA
So when I was there she was trying to buy these cheap ugly aprons at an Antique store. They may have been from the 70's but no way was I letting her buy them for $12... I told her I would make her an apron and she didn't believe me... Well here it is sister!!!! And the Fabric line or collection is called " Flea Market find" or something like that. I think it will be perfect for her. She has a chicken kitchen with old vintage tins around.... She better like it. It was my first "big" project on my new machine... I haven't named it yet...I was thinking of Mabel... That's a good name, No? It means "Lovable" I thought this was hilarious and so typical of things I love... look at this chart... Looks like I picked a winner!!! hahaha... So Since Mabel didn't even get a blip on the radar since 1960... Mabel it is!!!

Okay I am totally off topic.... SO the apron! My best work comes from my G-mas house... Since she actually knows what the fuck she's doing... And she irons everything so pretty... Everytime I bring something home my Mom tells me she knows that I slave labored Grandma into making it all for me.. (Thanks MOM!)
So, I need to learn to do things on my own.... Time to trade in the pull ups for big girl panties ( LITERALLY) ... My G-Ma told me since I don't have a piece of a shit machine anymore ( that sounds like a semi while sewing) she doesn't think I'll ever come over.... How sad... (She didn't say POS... I did)
I assure you thats not true though. I see her all the time!!!! Am I the only one seeing this manipulation? Old people are so good at it!!! HAHAHA Just kidding... My G-Ma is great... I have to say though, I called my Grandma before I even started sewing... Me and directions... Don't get along! Especially driving directions but thats for another post. Thank God my Grandma knows how to semi work a computer because I took a picture of the directions and sent them to her email... HAHAHAHAHA... She saved my sewing life again and I proceeded to work all on my own... Just me and Mabel... This is what she spit out!

*Note: Sexyness is not included.... HAHAH just kidding... I was totally being stupid since I was wearing spandex and feeling a little like a hamhock, especially since I just saw the pic my mom took of my ass and I was APPALLED!

My favorite part is the pockets! They are so cute!

Bias tape is sort of a pain to work with but I love the way it looks.. After making like 50 of these Oil Cloth bibs... I became a professional bias tape sewer !!!

SOOOOO What do you think of my first Apron without the complete help of ol' G-ma?

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What I've been working on!

2009-01-15T18:40:00.000-08:00

So I finally took some pictures of my current projects! I still am not 100% satisfied with the photos... but oh well... They will have to do! I made these first with the idea that they would be called " Yoga Snaps" and be a cute little addition to peoples yoga gear... Since it seems like some Yoga people really take their outfits seriously. Then I decided... eehhh.. I would wear these everywhere! They are so cute and fun! I added some Swarovski rhinestones in the middle... I think I love it!

What do you guys think???

Now listed in my Etsy Shop just in time for Valentines Day!!!

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Skiing and how I almost killed my friends!

2009-01-13T13:05:00.000-08:00

So Mother Love and her whipping boy... I mean boyfriend invited Juan and I to go Skiing in Big Bear. To say the least I was DREADING going. I was having flashbacks of my times snowboarding and pretty much using my ass to polish the snow. Mother Love skis so I decided I would too since I was better at skiing than snowboarding. I still was just PISSED I decided to go... Mostly because my ski pants are tight as shit and I wasn't wearing black underwear so if I did fall and rip my pants in half it would be pink granny panties bustin out! So in my head I was being negative nancy. Juan has been buggin' me to go so I thought oohhh lets just DO IT!

I went to rent my ski boots (aka Chinese foot binding torture devices) and skis... I told the guy " Please give me the shortest slowest skis you have... NO I am not kidding!" He thought it was so funny... um I AM SERIOUS!

:: see how my skis go to my shoulder they are supposed to go to my nose... ::

::Juan looks like a scary cholo...::

So we get to the lift... BUNNY SLOPE PLEASE!!! I went up with Mother Love and started getting anxiety about getting off... Falling off the lift is my specialty! I get off... NO FALLING!!! YYYYAAAAYYY!!! Its a miracle! I go down and I was the BOMB!!! You can just call me Peek-a-boo or however you spell her name. Mother love was like " KID I thought you sucked! You are just as good as I am!!!" So we were having a blast! We did the bunny slopes a few more times then we went to lift 2 which takes you to the top of the mountain! It also allows 4 people per chair! All of us got to ride together! It was so fun! I went the whole day without falling.. What the heck? Who knew I was an expert skier this whole time!

We stopped to have lunch and decided we would go down the mountain one more time... BAD IDEA!!! My boots were literally killing me.... SO I put them on the loosest I could even though I've been advised NOT to! We go up and I am just not getting a good feeling about this... It turned from nice to FREEZING WIND!!! The snow was turning into ice and I was CCCOOOOOLLLDDD!!! We go to get off the lift... I didn't even get a chance to stand up I was already on my ass and everyone came tumbling after me! The worst part was they didn't even stop the lift! I just remember a guy in a red jacket zipping by me... My skis were all tangled in Mother Loves boyfriends snowboard as a 5ft tiny old lady was trying to pick me up... umm.... Lady lets be serious... I need the fucking abominable snowman to pick me up... not some frail old lady. The weird part was... Mother love was sitting next to me and she was no where to be found... She was ducking on the far right so the lift chair would n't decapitate her! Once I got up from the help of a huge burly man I realized Mother Love took one for the team... Just like me she loosened her boots and twisted her ankle... She had to take the death toboggan down the hill and she ended up in Snow Patrol.

They made it seem like she was dying and they wrapped her foot all up and put it in a shoe box thing...She couldn't really walk once we got back to the condo so we wheeled her in a luggage thing!

I think I am done skiing until next year...

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Arlington National Cemetery

2009-01-12T12:33:00.001-08:00

So I lied... I have 2 more non craft related post before I post my craftyness... While driving to my Aunts house we stopped off at Arlington National Cemetery. I've never been before and either has Juan. I wanted to see the changing of the guards since I heard that was supposed to be cool... Also we had another reason for visiting. Juans Sargent Major is buried there. He was killed in combat by a suicide bomber in 2007. I thought I would be fine but walking around I took it all in. Not to mention while we were looking for the grave site another funeral was going on. It was so beautiful. Horse drawn carriage with the coffin covered in the American flag.

It made me really think about all the people that have died for our country. How lucky Juan has been to come out of 2 tours in Iraq without an injury. How now that he been recalled I have no clue what his future may be. All of this was going through my mind. How his Staff Sargent left kids and a wife behind, The guy buried next to him was one day younger than Juan... Then they started playing "taps" ... I started crying... Taps always has this effect on me! It was beautiful and sad all at once. It made me proud and sad. All the graves covered in wreaths was something you have to see. Its something that pictures can't capture.

Though I was all the sudden overwhelmed by a near emotional breakdown I am glad we went. I think it was a good experience and really was beautiful!

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Museum Madness!

2009-01-11T14:35:00.001-08:00
While I was in D.C. I had to hit up the museums I missed last time... I love museums... There was so many there I only went to a few. I told Juan if he didn't take me to the Holocaust museum I was going to do bodily harm to him... The Holocaust Museum was one thing I will never forget for the rest of my life! It was intense and SSSSOOO interesting, I am fascinated with the Holocaust. I read tons of books about it, loved studying about it, watched countless movies and documentaries about it. That may come off wrong but the idea that about 50 years ago this happened is mind blowing to me. I am also obsessed with all things 40-50's WWII era. This museum taught me so many new things... ( I thought I pretty much knew most of the details) It also had exhibits that really put you back in time. One was the thousands of shoes. That Nazis collected before they put the Jewish "prisoners" in the gas chambers. It was... sickening...

But it really made you SEE... You related to the pure innocence of shoes and what a huge impact they have when you know what they represent... The death of millions of innocent people.

Most of the "everyday" items are what really hit home to me... They had piles of rusty sewing scissors, hairbrushes, and toothbrushes. I put myself in that situation... If I had to leave and not know how long I would be gone I would bring my sewing scissors (for crafting of course!)... It actually broke my heart. I guess that is the best word for it. To say the least... That museum was AMAZING.... Everything about it was done just right. The time and effort put into that museum really showed. I would say that should be on your top 5 things to do in DC if you go.

I also went to the Smithsonian Museums. The Air and Space was pretty cool... Not my favorite since I can really care less about all things space related... I felt like I was in a Star wars museum.... I took some fun pics anyways.

My mom thought this space suit had a real guy in it.... aye... What did she think? We were at Disneyland? Geeze! Shes like " Juan was hugging that guy?" AHAHAHAHAH OH MY MOTHER!!! The sad part is, I'm slowly turning into her. That's another post though...

My favorite Smithsonian was the Museum of Natural History. It was sssooo cool. I've never been to a museum with dinosaurs in it! I always read about this museum in books and I was so glad to actually go to it!

Look how little I look next to this thing!! I was doing my best impression of T-Rex... Children were scared!

Here is Juan with the moose... I should have made him pull up his pants so he would be next to the Moose with a "mooseknuckle" HAHAHAHA... If you don't know what that is... Well maybe that's just for the best...

Here I am with a big grizzly bear... How ironic that Juans image is inside the grizzly... Since he is a huge Papa Bear himself...
They also had a bunch of other animals. I've decided that I would love to have a Mole as a pet... They are so ugly I just love them!

My favorite room was the "GEMS and JEWELS" It was sssoooo beautiful! My favorite was Marie Antoinettes earrings. It was said they she was wearing them when she was arrested before she got the axe!

They are GIANT!!! I would DIE for a pair of these!!! I was sort of mad they didn't say how much all of the artifacts were worth... They said they were "priceless" but hello... I need a number... $$$CHA CHING$$$ There was a bunch of cool stuff in there. like this:

The French Emperor Napoleon I (1769-1821) gave this piece of jewelry to his second wife, Empress Marie Louise. The diadem was a wedding present in 1810. Made by the French jewelers Nitôt et Fils. Marie Louise, who was Austrian-born, bequeathed the two pieces to the royal family of Austria.

Isn't it beautiful? I don't think I would mind being a Queen... Especially back in the day... I would be perfect I like bossing people around, I'm fair (nice word for ALBINO), chubby, love big expensive gaudy things... Wasn't that the requirements for Queens back in the day? The bigger the better??? hahahahaha

"You want some milk with that shake?"

Since this is a craft blog I need to blog about my crafts I have been doing... I have one more non craft related post... About my experience skiing in Big Bear... It was wonderful until I made me and all my peeps fall off the lift... Good times!

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The Adventures Of The Hooded Red Scarf...

2009-01-08T20:37:00.000-08:00
This is by far my favorite scarf.... If you are interested in the pattern its here It was PERFECT for D.C. .. Since you know... it rains ICE... WTF... It was like needles on my face! Also I did my hair despite the horrible weather... My curls were just as fabu as when I first left.

This scarf I talked about making myself back in Septembers Archives... So.... I didn't make it. I started to and then realized I didn't want to learn how to use a cable needle... I also knew my grandma would make it much better AND much faster... So we shared the job... She knitted it up in one night and I did the seams. For some reason she UBER sucks at seams now... Who knows why... but I am proud to say I am much better... Just call me " The Seam Machine" (That was so lame... I wonder how I have any readers)

The scarf was so cozy and warm. Like I said before... DC is cold... VERY COLD... mix frozen rain... and possible screwed up hair = One miserable Brook... So the scarf was my savior. I took a bunch of pics in it... Since you know... Juan can't get a monument in the shot... ("Yes Juan I am standing in the muddy grass so you can get a close up of my face... NO no... No reason I am standing in front of the capitol...") He wonders why I always look at the photos right after... Moving on... Lets look how cute the scarf is... Shall we??? It may be a little over the top for some of you... But hell I LOVE IT!!! Little Red Riding hood... WATCH OUT!

Yes I love to be Asian with the peace sign... Except I am smiling which they don't do... Oh how I love Asians... I wish I was one...

"Juan I didn't see a flash... Take it again"

Fuck my eyes were closed....

JUAN what the HELL... Your not even getting the Capitol in the background!!!

UGH.. HURRY I AM COLD!!! Come take one with me... SMILE WITH YOUR DAMN TEETH!!!

Whoa.... Vampire smile...

Disregard Juans shit patch... Oh I mean soul patch... It is the devil and I hate it... I will shave it in his sleep... The last time He grew any form of facial hair I would pull it... He eventually got the picture.... I guess he forgot :)

Where I was standing in these pictures will be FULL of people... Thousands and Thousands of people for Obama to get sworn in... I am glad I wont be there. I hate large crowds of people... It just ain't my thang... Well except for Disneyland.... They had already started to put up the bleachers! SO yeah... Should be interesting... Its going to be CCCCOOOOLLLLDDD!!!!

Next post "Museum Madness"

P.S. is it just me or is everyone getting preggos?

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IIIMMMM BBBAACCCKKK!!!

2009-01-07T22:27:00.000-08:00
Honey, I'm HOME!!!
So for all of you that don't know I was in Washington D.C. area for 1 week.... It was AMAZING... I love it and wanted to move there, until I woke up this morning and it was 70 degrees without a cloud in the sky... California really is good to me! Besides that I love D.C. I think I could have stayed another week and still not seen all the beautiful things! I did a few memorable things that I will never forget in my life!!! (I will give them there own "post") I had such a wonderful time. I went to meet up with Juan and see his family. My Aunt recently moved there too so I got to spend a few days over there! Juan's abuelos (grandparents) were in from Ecuador. Its funny how the language barrier didn't seem to affect some ones personality. Juan's grandpa is hilarious... I have NO CLUE what he's saying but he's the cutest little man ever!

He still spoke to me in Spanish as if a miracle happened and I understood Spanish five minutes after I just gave him a blank look and a big cheesy grin... I would just smile and look at Juan for assistance..." CAN I GET A TRANSLATION PLEASE OR A FUCKING ROSETTA STONE!!!" I need Rosetta stone... badly... I would like to say its because I want to make myself more worldly and smart but reality is... Juans family only gossips in Spanish... and they watch a super SUPER good novella called " Las Tontas No Van Al Cielo" :) hahahaha

I wish we had the Metro in Laguna Beach. Its so easy and practical! I loved it!! We zoomed all around the city. I made this girl take a picture of Juan and I... Juan was so embarrassed I asked her, but who cares... It turned out to be my favorite picture of us so far.

Here I am across the street from the spy museum... SO LAME... Everyone told us how cool it was... Um... It sucked... My favorite part was the metal capsules they shoved up their ass full of tools and poison. All for the good ol' US of A

OH yeah.... In case you were wondering.... It was cold as SHIT... And since God apparently hates me he chose to make the two coldest days be the 2 days I was walking around DC.... Thank you Jesus. Also I want to thank Juan for telling me its not very cold... Well it was 10 degrees with massive wind storms (note hair below)

Also if you look at my Flickr you will notice most of the pictures taken of me, the monuments are cut out of them... Juan is a great photographer and thinks I strategically stand in front of monuments / sites of interest just so he can get my close up... NO BITCH... Get the Background too!!!

At least Juan was miserable with me... hehehe.... (NOTE: Hes freezing his little huevos off but...FULL MONUMENT IN PICTURE)

Here we are cheesing it up!! (I just wanted to try the Polodroid app)

This week will probably be a week full of DC pics and adventures... I also have a few new things I will be adding to my Etsy Which should be up.... eeehh next week... I can't wait to show you guys!!

My next post will be "The adventures in the hooded red scarf".... if you read back that far in my blog you would know that I had been dying to make myself a hooded red scarf... well I started it... but let the G-MA finish it for me... until then...
If you have been to DC what was your favorite thing?

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Have You Been Naughty Or Nice?

2008-12-23T10:51:00.000-08:00
Well I have been a little NAUGHTY !!! Okay so.... I have never said I was a mature adult... Things that are inappropriate completely make my day. My family are no help... If anything they instigate my crude behavior (My brother and Dad). I love to make things that are beautiful and innocent and turn them into something else.... I did a Christmas Swap with Amy. Her style is "cutesy cutesy" so I really had an idea of what sort of things she would like.

I started off with some inspiration from This. I thought.... eeehhh... I can make these WWWAAAYYY cuter. No offense to whoever made them... I just am not a fan of googley eyed snowmen. Besides I am having a little obsession with deer at the moment. At first they were just so stinking adorable. I colored the mini bottle brush trees a light green, painted the inside of the eggs aqua blue and the outside light light pink! I added some glitz and then added some mini deer... HOW FREAKING CUTE! Topped it off with some fake snow and a ribbon!

As the deer were laying out on the table my 18 year old brother started playing with them.... One thing lead to another and the "procreation ornament" was born... No pun intended. We laughed about it and didn't show it to our mom until it was glued in... My mom was appalled... She told me not to give it to Amy... Why the hell not?? Its freaking hilarious! I should list these damn things on my etsy! They are ssooo cute yet so naughty! Its nature!

I also made her a few more things....

This is my new creation I have made... This will be for Christmas 2009... So here is your year early sneak peak! WIENER DOGS!!! They are in memory of mother loves weenie dog Grettle... The biggest bitch ever!

So this was the "big" project I made for her... A deer from my Japanese craft book Juan got me for my birthday! Its so cute!!! I LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!!! It had detachable antlers... Which was my own personal touch! I thought I would make them detachable so she could display the deer year round if she wants to.

Here is its peeking around the felt tree I made.

Other then that I made it to a treasury!!! Its my first time as far as I know! I love the things she picked out (mine is the rose headband)! IF you want to see the whole thing click HERE.

I don't know if I will be posting again before Christmas if not MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

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