Happy Birthday Mom!

Yesterday was my mom's birthday!

This is just a little happy birthday note to you mom. Thanks for being the best mom ever :)

I love you, Callie

Beaded Cobweb Wrap

I finished this wrap a little bit ago, but only got around to taking pictures of it last week. It is from the pattern Beaded Cobweb Wrap in the book Essential Crochet by Erica Knight, which I happened to find at Borders for only 5 dollars!

You might remember all the way back to January 29, 2010, when I showed you I showed you some of my works in progress. You might recall the blob of crochet with the sparkle? This is it, although now finished of course :).

It was left unfinished for some months just sitting. I couldn't decide whether or not to do beads. Then I decided to but couldn't find the right ones. Then one day I did at the Tinsmith's Wife, and so I finished it up...
It is actually pretty large and took really long to block it.

It is pretty warm and cozy too.

I love the drape in the fabric, and the added weight of the beads.

Also, I love the way the beads look!

All in all a great project, very easy, loved the yarn. The only complaint I might have is that it was too easy, it didn't really draw me in after going through the second ball of yarn I was bored. I really needed something to spice it up, and that's why it got curbed for so long.

In the end it was worth it though!

Happy Friday!

xoxo, Callie

the magical bean

Great Days

1. Perpanas, 2. come to my window, 3. soft colors*, 4. Untitled

These are great days.

-Winston Churchill

Idea Notebook and A Happy Occurence

When we moved to from Germany this last time, I had quite a bit of free time to fill up with making things.

I did so quite proficiently, my drawings lined the walls. I painted until odd hours in the night. I learned to knit. I created non-stop, all the while enjoying Europe again. One thing I made was a small cardboard book that I filled with drawings.

When we came back to Texas, I made another. This one was slightly larger, and more colorful. This is the second book I made...

I didn't account for the heat here and so when I put on the varnish, little did I know that it would attached itself to anything with fibers, like paper, that it came in contact with. That's why there are the random bits of whitish stuff on the front and back above.

This is the inside cover, I added these little toasts that were apart of a tic-tac-toe game at Jim's, where I added the faces. On the other page were the plans I had to make the deer head that is now hanging in my room, which I blogged about here if you remember.

Aargh!

Behold: a random one armed bear pirate that I doodled in one of my classes and then attached in here.

Foxes, all decked out in proper apparel.

Some more little random doodles that I have been adding more and more to over time.

More doodles on the left page.

I drew a gesture drawing of Werner, on the right page above, while he was sleeping.

Two books, one at the beginning of a journey one at the end.

Maybe I'll show you the first one someday.

On another note, I really want to share something pretty nifty that happened about a week ago. I was at a local thrift store with my mom, and checking out when someone said, "Excuse me miss, but where did you get that bag?"

I was somewhat taken aback, turned around to the next register, where the worker there was pointing to my owl purse, and I simply said, "I made it."

(If you haven't guessed, she was talking about the owl purse I made and blogged about here.)

She said, "Oh! It's so cool!", and immediately went back to checking out her customer.

I was elated to have had such a nice compliment, checked out and went out to the car with my mom, thinking that was all. However when as we where putting things in the car, another worker rushed out and said, "Umm..miss, excuse me but my friend, she umm..wanted me to ask you how much would you charge to make her a purse like that??"

I again was taken aback, this has never happened to me before... I then went inside with her coworker, gave her my card and told her my asking price, which shocked her a bit. I tried to explain how alot of it was hand stitched and all handmade, but I could see I had lost her.

I have to tell you that I was honored that she wanted this purse that bad, and even if I lost her interest, I am honored by her compliment. All in all it was a good experience, one that made me feel proud of my handywork, and helped me build my business skills.

So I left that thrift store feeling elated, mostly because of her compliment and also because of my finds.

It was a happy day!

XOXO, Callie

the magical bean

Rainy Days and kitties...

Its been raining on and off... and whilst doing homework, cleaning the house, and working on some one's birthday gift I was happy enough to enjoy the company of the the trio of sweetest kitties around.

Rosie posie sleeping on my bed in a ball.
(She tried to smack the camera when I took this picture!)

The view from my room has been rather foggy, and rain splattered. When it rains like this I long to be in Germany.

It actually felt a little bit nippy for a few hours and so what did I do? Whip out my cozy handmade socks of course :)

Stay cozy!

XOXO, Callie

the magical bean

Weekend Fun

Last Saturday, my mom, sister Kaitlyn and I went to Gruene for the Metal Arts Festival. We were actually so zealous about going that we went the weekend before because my teacher told me the wrong day for it :). Gruene is a very quaint historical town which thrives on its antique enterprise and country music.

I do enjoy going there although it has gotten to be a little overpriced for my budget since its popularity has risen. The festival was a perfect example of that. There were very many beautiful artworks available. I enjoyed going, spending time with my family, and trying to stay in the shade as much as possible.

My mom actually found some metal humming birds at one booth that were very cute. She got some to put in her beautiful garden.
We browsed some antique stores...
I admired this pretty cactus.

As well as this immense tree.

So pretty!

After the festival we went up to Austin.

Once there, we stopped by the Stitch Lab.
Where I found the niftiest fabric ever!!

I was so excited, my mom noted that I was bubbling over with joy. I practically was that's how excited I was with these finds. I plan on making some needle cases with them. This material described me perfectly, the owls, the green, everything.
MUSHROOMS!!! :)

What else is there to say?

Gnomies!
This echino fabric I have loved since I first saw it in high school on a website which I can't recall and wanted it so bad. Several years later I stumble upon it. Coincidence? I think not.
After all this fun, I went to Hill Country Weavers were I took a spindle express class. In which, I made...wait for it... yarn! It wasn't very pretty yarn mind you, and I am still having issues with drafting, but it is yarn, and I made it. I DID IT!! I'm very proud, don't worry pictures will follow.

Now all I have to do is save up for a spindle so that I can make some more yarn...

My teacher recommended a Schacht. Any spinners out there have any recommendations?

In another note, I have been rather vacant from blogging due to school work load, unfortunately. Anyways, whenever I feel out of it and tired from school I listen to music, like this song Radar Detector by Darwin Deez.

Music makes me happy.

Have a happy Saturday!

XOXO, Callie

the magical bean

As the sunsets

Do not dwell in the past,

do not dream of the future,

concentrate the mind on the present moment.

-Buddha

Fools Rush In

I thought I'd share a song I have heard recently and loved... It is Fools Rush In covered by She and Him. This was already one of my favorite songs and then to have them cover it just makes it perfect :)

This weekend was so much fun for me. School has really been wearing me down with all the homework I've had, leaving little time for anything fun. But this weekend changed that and I am glad for it! I finally got to do some crafty stuff which I will try to show you later when blogger is acting better. In the mean time, sit back and enjoy!

Happy Sunday,

Callie

the magical bean

my swap gift for Pip

My partner for the swap was Pip, of Pip and Life,which is kind of cool after she'd already won my giveaway a while ago. So the other night I felt so happy to see her post that she had gotten it. Be sure to check out her post here. It is so sweet! I am so glad she liked it.

This time I actually remembered to take some pictures of some of what I made...so as you can see I made:

a sunflower pin...

tiny cupcakes...

a crocheted necklace...

and of course a card and packaging...

all these made up my swap package.
Thank you Pip for your kind words about my creations for you. It does my heart good to see that you like it so much. Thank you thank you.

I am so happy you like it :)
That's me right now, happy happy happy!
XOXO, Callie

the magical bean

Crafty Goodness Swap Received!!!!

Yesterday, the bestest thing was waiting for me on my doorstep after getting home from school. My swap gift from Shannon of Quilting in Pink, Bulldogs at My Side!!
All in all I love it! There was so much thought put into every part of the gift. It came in a fabric decoupaged box, as you can see in the above photo, and a sweet handwritten note. Inside the box were so many goodies, including this owl ribbon, an owl bookmark, four vintage post cards, some Lion Brand Yarn(already have a project in mind to make something with it), and a little tote.
This bookmark is perfect for all the books I read, and the ribbon is sparkly!
Oh my goodness!!!

Then on top of that there were these little postcards all from Florida, somewhere I'd like to travel some day.
Each one is so full of nostalgia, from a family of Glen, Otto, and Millie, detailing their trip to the everglades.

And then to top it all off there was this little tote, hand sewn by Shannon herself, which she suggested I use to carry my lunch, but I already have a new crochet project inside it, the flat bottom of it is perfect for storing. I love the material she used, the oranges, the yellows, the greens, the reds, all my favorites colors.

Thank you so much Shannon for all the beautiful gifts you gave me.

Everything is just so lovely!

:)

Be sure to stop by Shannon's blog, Quilting in Pinks, Bulldogs At My Side.
Thanks again Shannon!

Callie

Owl Purse

Well, as school was egging closer and closer I realized I needed a new purse.

Almost every year, since middle school I have made a purse in honor so -to -say of the new school year. This year I had this idea bubbling around in my head about a purse shaped like an owl. I wanted mine to be very specific, with many pockets, which is something I need to keep organized.

I used a purse my sister had as a jumping off point, and sewed away!
I didn't use a pattern or anything, just kind free-styled it :)
I hand stitched everything on the face.

I added pockets for my phone, for pens/pencils, one on the front for my sketchbook, a key holder, for my mirror, and one for chap stick.
So many pockets, so little time :)

To make it all better, a while ago I found a black wallet with two little owls perched on a branch. It suits my bag and me perfectly.

I love it when a project comes out so wonderfully!

Recently, my mom rescued three abandoned kittens. They are the sweetest things ever! Can you blame me for falling head over heals for the them?

Stop by my mom's blog Maria's Secret Garden for the full story or my sister Jessica's blog as well...guess it seems that everyone is writing about them :)

I made some Sunny Day Cookies today, the easiest cookies ever to make, they are sweet and soooo good!!!

Well, I'm off!

I've got to go attend a meeting, get some painting done, and work on some one's shawl...

Have a happy Thursday!

Callie