DIY: Heart Sweater

I cannot believe it we are less than a week away from my favorrrriteee holiday!

I will not go on a major rant this year as I did last year, instead I am choosing to just overwhelm and overload you with as many vanentine-y DIYs as I can cram in the next few days!

So lets get going... three... two... one...

Need something cute to wear on Valentines Day but your bank account isn't looking like you can swing it? Here is a super easy way to give something you already have a festive second life without breaking the bank!

1. an old sweater or fitted long sleeve 2. piece of felt (or left over scraps) 3. scissors 4. embroidery floss 5. needle 6. pins (optional)

1. Cut hearts out from your pieces of felt. The size and number of hearts is totally up to you! feel free to play with size and color that will look best on the garment you chose.

2. Position hearts on shirt in desired pattern. You might realize you need more or less hearts to fulfill your design, theres no right or wrong for this project.

small tip! if you get the hearts perfect and do not want to risk losing your design feel free to pin the hearts in place.

3. Take your embroidery floss and thread your needle, dont forget to knot the end! start stitching around the outside of the heart.

4. Enjoy! Support the season of love and look lovely doing it!

Many more projects coming in anticipation of Happy Hearts Day.

Hope you're having a wonderful evening,

xo j

I think I'll go to Boston.

If you "follow" me on any other social media you probably know that over the weekend I ran away. Pretty legitimately too, I was sort of proud.

I am the kind of girl who likes lots of organziation and lots of lists. If I am going on a trip I make lists of what I bringing, lists of food to buy or prep, and lists of what I have packed for each day. I am slightly crazy, its okay if you're thinking it.

But last week was one of "those weeks", when no matter how hard you are trying to stay positive, or surround yourself with encouraging people, or stand back up, something or someone is there to push you back down. I reached a breaking point and no longer felt like I could breathe.

So Friday morning, with no lists, and no preparation we packed a car and left to see our Boston family.

I need it. I needed to be reminded of community, that there are people routing for you. People that would give up their own comfort to have you stay and make you breakfast:)

I needed to be reminded of family, and not necessarily by blood. A family that can set everything aside, stress, deadlines, arguments, just to be together.

I needed to be reminded of how perfectly imperfect life is, how no matter how hard you plan and no matter how much you organize, sometimes you just have to let go and have it happen as it may.

I'm not sure if I have been able to be this clear minded in quite some time.

I am now going to overwhelm you with pictures because I cannot decide between them, our time together was far too enchanting.

one of my favorite parts of the weekend was all the meals being prepared all together.

Girls day out to find B the dress of her dreams. Yes, my best friend and I are getting married in the same calendar year, and yes we are in each others weddings.

delish lunch!

oh we met a bear, I mean dog.

Saturday night bowling with everyone!!

On sunday I went to a church that I would literally move for. I have not felt that in many many years. After we got some coffee and walked on the beach, I had no idea how much I missed the northeastern water or how much peace it would bring me.

they sort of have a bromance.

greg and I collected sea glass along the ocean because its our favorite.

Our last little visit was an awesome place in Salem for lunch.

family. haha

Lin, Greg took this picture for Mike, please be sure to show him:)

You have no idea how grateful I am for these girls. My sisters, for oh so many years.

If you want to see the boys adventure while we were having girl time head over to pal Danny's website Ebersole Photography, he is a genius with a 35mm.

I am so refreshed, and ready to move forward.

xoxo j

ps. I just wanted to give a *big* thank you to Mama Wilkins without which this weekend would not have been possible. You are the best!

Dear friends, you win.

[EKKK! I feel like my friends are going to be so proud..]

On several occasions, friends of mine have felt led to have interventions with me concerning my work, prices, my self worth (ha!), promoting myself, ect. ect.

If you know Greg and I personally you would know we are the worst self promoters.

If a child even touches something on our table at a show we are heartbeats away from just giving it to them. We just are happy we make things and want to make sure they find homes with people who will love our creations. People often ask if we have a website, Etsy, or even a card and the answer is always no (with a very large smile). Usually Miss Lisa Barker is shaking her head at us from her table and I have gotten quite used to this exchange of events.

But sometimes you have to grow and commit fully to your work. I am learning it doesn't mean you are conceited, rather, you just take great pride in what you do, you value you work and yourself and therefore you share it.

I got a package in the mail today, our first step in putting ourselves out there...

That is right, real business cards.

I am so happy to have them and they look just lovely (thanks to my Tree:)

I am getting braver in 2012, I tell ya. And I wont lie I am preeettty excited about it.

xoxo j

its the little things pt.2

This week I was lucky enough to have a craft date with Miss Lisa Barker.

I was having a rather rough morning so I was more than in need of our time together.

I was at a loss for words when I rounded the corner and saw this:

I honestly could have wept when I saw them, just sitting there so sweetly.

Two little roommates I have reincarnated in smaller plush form.

Its the little things that sometimes make all the muck wash away.

hope you have a wonderful morning.

xo j

Thread at Home.

On Saturday, Greg and I were thankful to be invited to a special party at Thread.

They have been working on a really awesome project and invited some of us down for the unveiling...

That's right. Thread has now come out with a catalog.

What does this mean?

Well it means you can order unique, quality, handmade goods, right from your very own home.

And don't be greedy! You can also have Thread parties!

Ya know, like our mamas used to have with tupperware.

The photos are truly stunning. It is amazing to hold something in your hand like that. You can feel all the love, support, and teamwork it contains.

It was a wonderful night of chatting and sharing and being proud of so many people I think so highly of. And it always makes my heart happy to see some of the people I love be do not see quite enough of.

It was a fabulous evening and I am ever so grateful to be apart of such an inspiring community of people.

support handmade, buy local,

xo j