ch-ch-changes

OOOOOhh so much has happened the past few weeks! I'm SO happy to say that I'll be able to blog more now but I'm EXTRA happy to say that I have a brand spankin' new job! After a little over 2.5 years with Pegasus, nee Universal Pegasus, I submitted my resignation. It was all so bittersweet, I have lots of happy memories there, I made some wonderful friends and was very comfortable but the times, they are-a-changin' and I gotta roll with 'em. Today marks 1 full week at Bluewater Industries and it's been really good! I like my office, the location is perfect- a little under 10 minute drive, the people are great, very patient and I think I'm going to learn a lot. It's exciting!

With all that's been happening, I haven't been crafting, cooking or playing as much as I'd like, but I did manage to whip out a few Halloweeny things- some little ghosts! I stitched up a little spooky cat and a witch but they have found homes already (shame on me for not snapping photos, though).

My sister and brother in law live in St. Paul, MN where he is a law student and she is a 3rd grade teacher at the Twin Cities German Immersion School. The school has a fall/winter craft sale around Thanksgiving time so I stitched up a tiny MN to donate. I want to do a few more, maybe some variations, like a MN with a smiley face or maybe "You Betcha!" stitched inside.... hmmm..
I hope you're all having a wonderful October... can you believe it's almost Halloween already?? I better get to workin' on my costume!

make-it-happen

This past weekend was a make-it-happen weekend. I resolved to make some new things and I did!

After work on Friday, I went over to the massive Spec's downtown. This is not just a liquor store...they have an amazing and exotic assortment of foods from all over the world! Cheese, jams, fruits and veggies, crackers/cookies, spices and sauces...you could really hurt yourself there..and sometimes I do.

It's been ridiculously hot here...Typically after work I enjoy a glass of red wine while watching the news, but lately it's just been too hot for room temperature red wine. Remedy? Sangria! I don't know why it took me this late in the summer to whip up a pitcher, but I think it will be a weekend staple from here on out in the house. Everyone loved it! I emptied a bottle of Tempranillo Rioja into a pitcher with 2 large handfuls of pineapple chunks, strawberries and grapes. I added 3 tablespoons of sugar, a little pineapple juice and stuck it in the fridge for about an hour. After a good stir, pour over a wine glass with ice, throw some fruit in there and shazzam! It's cool, sweet and refreshing. The perfect summertime substitution for a Cabernet.

While I was browsing cocktail recipe books at Spec's I came across this amazing appetizer. I'm not a huge fan of blue cheese and I had goat cheese at home so I made a little substitution and whipped up a batch of these guys:

You need- 2/3 cups walnuts, chopped (you could substitute pecans or any chopped nut, really) 4 oz cream cheese, softened, 6 oz crumbled blue cheese, 20 loose seedless red grapes

Toast walnuts under the broiler for 2 to 3 minutes or until lightly toasted, transfer to a small bowl. In another small bowl blend and mix together the cheese, cover and place in refrigerator to firm up slightly for approximately 15 minutes. Put one heaping teaspoon of the mixture in the palm of your hand with a grape in the center and roll between both palms until the grape is completely coated, then roll in the toasted walnuts. Place on a plate single layer without touching each other and chill for 30 minutes or until coating is firm, and serve.

Friday was full of kitchen fun!

Saturday was a busy one, too. Ryan and I got up semi-early (read: 9am) and hit the Farmer's Market! We stocked up on mangoes, nectarines, lemons, limes, cucumbers, tomatoes and lots of other colorful fruits and veggies. We had a great lunch at Onion Creek before heading over to Central Market...and regretting that we paid for lunch. You really can just fill up on all the wonderful tasters there. We sampled coffee, wine, bread, salsa, cheese, juice...you name it. We left feeling like we were going to pop. We were supposed to hit the junk shop, but succumbed to a nap instead. That evening, I made my first ever batch of chocolate mousse with homemade whip. oh.. my...want it every day. Recipe over here!

Sunday was nice and lazy...the temp on my car read 104...I'm not doing anything outside when it's 104.

This weekend I took out some bright, colorful skeins of yarn and got to work on an urban guerrilla crochet project I had been wanting to start. I finished and "installed" it on Saturday night and snapped a quick photo Sunday morning. Don't you think it brightens up the corner of Hopkins and Fargo a bit? Gotta love the Montrose.

I'm pretty sure it's illegal...and it would honestly make me sad-face if someone tore it down...but I'm gonna enjoy it as long as it's there.

For more on urban/guerrilla knit, click here!

O say can you see!

Happiest Friday and 4th of July weekend y'all! Hurrah!

I just realized that we (the roommates and I) did absolutely nothing to decorate for the 4th. I didn't purchase or make (wreath, bunting, etc) anything remotely patriotic. We don't even own a flag. And now it's the 2nd. I feel ashamed. We're usually SO good about decking the house out for whatever holiday. So after work I'm stopping by party boy for a few tiny last minute items, just to redeem myself.

So how will you be celebrating? My friend Virginia, ironically enough, is en route to San Francisco as I type. Monday she's going to visit Alcatraz. What better way to celebrate your freedom than by going to prison? It's been pooouurrringg here all week and it looks like it's going to continue through the holiday weekend but we'll make the most of it anyway! Weather permitting, we may fit a little lake-time in on Saturday and Sunday is the Miller Outdoor Theater/ Houston Symphony Star Spangled Salute complete with fireworks! WOO! Ryan and I both have Monday off so hopefully if it's sunny we can grill and swim.

I'm back over at my old office--- that Galleria contract job just ended so I'm kinda...twiddling my thumbs at the moment. Hopefully I'll get a new assignment soon. (fingers crossed!)

I guess I've been a little crafty-busy this week. I think when I get a bit stressed out it helps me cope. Last night I made a few of these little brooches. They kind of remind me of those little peachy/orange carnations.

This wreath has been my WIP this week, I'm sort of in love with the color scheme- the teal with the different shades of green. Still have a little more work on this one but will definitely be done by the weekend. Looking forward to seeing it completed!

And I FINALLY finished the Sublime Stitching Russian doll! I started her back in March and she sort of just sat on the back burner while I worked on other things..played with the sewing machine, etc. She was hastily finished, poor thing.

I hope you have a wonderful, safe independence day! Eat all the hamburgers, hot dogs and apple pie you can handle and pop some firecrackers or sparklers in your driveway!

Inspired!

Erin from Sunshine and Carousels posted this little photo and I was like "must.... do...". I've never tried to use felt applique on any embroidery project, but now that I'll be finishing my owl today, it's a good time to try!

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What a perfect little housewarming gift!

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Happy Tuesday!

New Mades!

I guess I was busy this week? Finished a few projects and am ready for more! This is Dad's little fish- I'm going to swing by Gander Mountain this afternoon and snag a gift card for him too, let him pick out something he needs.

For my friend's Tati's birthday (Happy birthday Tat! Hope you have the best weekend!) I made her this little (and my first ever) tote bag. It turned out pretty good and I think it will hold up as long as it's not filled with... like.. textbooks. I can't wait to make more!

Also found these cute little fabric button brads in the scrapbooking section of Hobby Lobby this week. I clipped off the metal brad part and stuck some jewelry blanks on them to make a little set!

The lighting in my bathroom is horrible. Sorry for the crap-photos.

So yeah! I guess it was a crafty and busy week. Heading to Austin tonight for Ryan's Birthday Extravaganza Part Deux. So excited to visit with an old friend and see a great show...maybe thrift a bit, go swimming, eat some BBQ. Heading to the parents on Sunday for some Dad-celebrating. Should be a fantastic weekend- hope yours is the same!

1st giveaway! OOOOooohhh So exciting!!

OH HAAAYYYY! Giveaway? What's exciting? Why?! Because today marks Notes from the Republic's first blogiversary and.. you can't have blogiversary without GIVE!

Do you like baby bears, birds, bluebonnets or all 3 at the same time? Do you like free things? If so.. ooohh it may your lucky day.

Up for grabs is this little bear embroidery on light pink and white polka dot fabric. This little guy is on a 6" wooden hoop and was made with love! I found the great pattern on this flickr set by the crafty lady at Badbird and added a few of my own little touches.

Think this guy would look cute on your wall? Here's how you can win:

Leave a comment with your name, your city and tell me what you look forward to or love most about summertime!

Do you go on a road trip? Visit the beach? Stay indoors with the AC cranked and watch movies? Do you go to a music (or some other kind of) festival?

I can't even count all the things I love best...beach trips, grilling, lake trips, beers on patios, extra hours of daylight, suntans, chlorine.. so much to look forward to!

One winner will be chosen randomly and I'll ship him off to his new home. Giveaway ends this Friday May 7th at 11:00 am central and I'll announce the winner shortly thereafter.

It's only been a year, but I've really enjoyed having this little corner of the interwebs. I've been introduced to some extremely crafty and talented ladies and I'm constantly being inspired. It's been fun chronicling my little adventures and sharing fun ideas and I can't wait to see what next year will bring!

Thanks for coming over!

the great outdoors!

Ohhh boy was this weekend gorgeous! And so busy!

I kicked it off with a mini-hang out with my crafty friend Tara. We paid a visit to Mr. Bob McDougal who advised me that no, my sewing machine is not a piece of crap, I just don't know how to use it. (Fair enough) Bob-visit followed by a trip to High Fashion Fabrics where we spent almost 2 hours (easy to do..) and found 3 great new fabrics and a few do-dads.

Had a delicious dinner with Lindsey at Oporto, a tapas cafe and wine bar. Ohmygodtheclams. The food here is fantastic and easily one of my new favorites.

Later that night, I walked down to Mango's and had a few beers with some pals I hadn't seen in a while. By then, I was pretty tuckered so I called it a (pretty action packed) day.

Saturday afternoon I went down to the Bayou City Arts Fest with Nora! Was my first time and will definitely attend the one downtown in October. It was almost 80 so it was pretty warm, but the park was shaded by lots of trees and there was no shortage of beverages to enjoy. There was so much to see!

I made only one small purchase but I'm very happy with it. One of the first booths we stumbled on featured some great paper craft, paintings and handmade journals. The artists name is Lisa Norris, a Chattanooga resident and graduate of Parsons School of Design. She works with old photographs, vintage fabrics and papers, buttons and other found objects. I purchased one of her "Love Notes", a little note card made from an old map of Europe and folded into a heart. I'll have to scan it, it's so cute. I bought it with a specific person in mind, but I have to admit I'll have a hard time parting with it. (what's the opposite of buyer's remorse?? That "Damn! I should have bought more!" feeling.

You can see and learn more at her site Made By One Girl.

Here are a few more (quite random) photos of sights from Saturday!

Pretty woodcut birds- I really liked this artist: Dolan Geiman, from Chicago.

RAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!!!!!!!

(Oh haiiii dixieeeeeee!)

I love everyday objects-turned-faces!

pretty enamel blossoms wide shot of a booth

above: this was a person. on stilts....mildly creepy.

above: this is paper!

So that was Art Fest! After the day at the park, we enjoyed a few pounds of crawfish, potatoes and corn. After all that sodium, I was craving dark chocolate espresso brownies (specific..), so I nommed those while watching episodes of The Ricky Gervais Show (true love).

I didn't have much slated for Sunday afternoon so after cleaning up a bit, I was getting hungry. It was a breezy 72 degrees and I wanted lunch, but I also wanted to sit outside... I need a grill. After a little visit to Target and the grocery, I was grilling in no time. Actually that's not true. It took about an hour to assemble the damn thing, another hour to get a fire going, and then an hour and a half later when my shrimp-jalapeno-goat cheese en brochette still weren't cooked because of my weak, weak fire I gave up and stuck 'em in the broiler. Oh well- I'm not entering any BBQ contests any time soon. I'll just have to practice more! I'm thinking veggie kabobs sometime this week!

They wanted to cook... they really tried.

Post grilling- fail, I went up to my little work station and got busy on a new little envelope clutch, using some new fabric I bought on Friday.

I like the little frog closure, although it was a pain to sew on.

Whew! That was a lot. I really should get to work... I hope your weekend was filled with sun, tasty things and good people!

Blogger/ artist crush: Geninne!

Her name is Geninne D. Zlatkis. She's an artist, illustrator, designer, photographer, bird watcher and mom living in Queretaro, Mexico. Her art has been purchased to sell at Urban Outfitters, so you may have even seen her Lovebirds print!

She just posted this free embroidery pattern- so cute. Can't wait to start on it! (after my Matryoshka...which should take another month..haha)

I''m feeling so inspired! So much I want to do and work on AND it's going to be gorgeous outside- Hope your weekend is beautiful and inspiring!

Crazy bag lady

My first foray into sewing yielded a little clutch handbag. Sew Crafty Houston's Intro to Sewing class is 40$ for 2 hours and all materials and instruction provided (but I brought my own fabric because I'm a nerd...)

The first hour was dedicated to learning the machine and the second hour was for actually working on your project, so I felt a smidge rushed (I was the last one sitting at my station when everyone else was done, gone and home having a snack...). I would mess up a stitch, grab the seam ripper, get a little overzealous and stab and tear the fabric like a scene out of some slasher movie.

It was a good class and I recommend it to anyone wishing to dip their toes, but I wasn't happy with my final product. It just looked a little misshapen, the top flap larger than the bag, stab wounds right on the front.... blood... guts... (ok no guts...but I was the only person in my class who pricked her finger on the needle and actually DID draw blood...)

Yesterday I decided to give it another go. I went to Joanne's on lunch, bought some Pelltex interfacing for the inside to make the bag sturdy, went home after work and... well.. got to work. I had the freedom and time to experiment more with embellishments and shapes and I'm pretty happy with my second attempt. I was going for a little springtime envelope kind of look:

Here's a peek inside: It's the same pattern as the outside, just an orangey/red instead of yellow/white. I really liked this fabric so I bought it in 2 different colors. Thanks, Mrs. Reese! I'll be back for more!

Close-up!

This is the bag I made during the class but I reformed the top flap and added a matching bow to hide the stab wound. I love this fabric too (found here, a pattern playground!) it reminds me of a mermaid.

Better, I think. A little more flash...

Both bags are about 9 " wide and 7" tall.

More to come!