Treasury Tuesday 6: Clouds, Clouds, Clouds!

It was a cloudy day in central Arizona today, and it put me in the mood from some cutesy fluffy cloud items.  You can view the entire treasury here on Etsy.

8x10 Black and White Billowing Thunderstorm Canvas by keithharding

Have I ever mentioned that I am a sucker for black and white photography?  I began my passion with photography on a beginner's 35mm SLR, and shot in black and white from the beginning.  There is something about the absence of color that makes a photograph more striking, more influential.  I agree that color has it's place, at my heart I'm a purist.  Give me my Minotla (circa 1969), my slew of manual focus lenses, and a few canisters of hand-rolled 35mm Arista and I'm ready to go.  This photograph illustrates many of the qualities I love the best about black and white stills; the dreamy farmland, stretching flat to the horizon, leading up to the stunning texture and contrast of the cloud itself.

Rain Storm Bangle Stacking Set of 5 by DrCraze

Stacking bracelets?  Like.  But stacking bracelets that let you design your own weather patter?  LOVE.  Totally adorable and great for fidgety folks like myself.  Neutral enough to go with any outfit, and certain to put a smile on your face.

Dreamy Little Clouds Set of 3 by Babycakes & Decor

These clouds are almost unbelievably realistic.  I can imagine that hanging these in your house would feel like having your own captured clouds.  So simple, but so inspiring in their creativity.

Getting in to Sewing Again!

I'll be the first to admit that I have a short attention span, especially when it comes to projects.  For instance, I got tickets to a great play in Phoenix for Christmas, and some lovely lace yarn.  So I decided that I would (finally!) get around to making myself a shawl and wear it to the playhouse.  I crocheted like crazy for a week strait, but didn't manage to finish.  I was so focused on getting it done in time for the play and now....well, I have like half of the edging rows done and haven't touched it in 2 or 3 weeks.

So after making about 2 dozen little amigurumi animals for my shop, stuffing them, embroidering them, embellishing them.....I'm a little burnt out on crocheting.  I'm finally at a point where the horrors of trying to use my very basic Brother sewing machine to make cloth diapers while I was pregnant have faded in to my memory, and I'm starting to get the itch to sew again.  But did I mention that my sewing machine is buried somewhere in the 3rd parking space of my garage, which is still stacked five feet high with boxes from moving?  Oi vey.

I did brush up my hand-sewing skills on the head of a little vintage-inspired teddy bear pattern, but so far only his head is done.  It brought a lot of lovely sewing memories back, and also the memory that plastic safety eyes are a little difficult to place on a sewn item unless you use your measuring tape.  (The result--slightly demented looking crooked-eyed dismembered bear head....but I digress.)

In my quest for a few simple patterns to brush up my machine sewing skills (once said machine is either found in the bowels of my garage, or I simply buy a new one), I came across this great article on Craftster that I had to share.  Nine Great Sewing Projects for Beginners by jungrrl.

I will admit that I did very little studying before I first started to sew in my late teens.  I simply asked for a machine and went at it.  Needless to say, I never learned the proper way to do a few simple tricks, and since it's been nearly 2 years since I touched my machine, I figure now is as good a time as any to start sewing the right way.  Hopefully I will be able to share with you a few little projects and tips on sewing very soon.  In the meantime, I'd love to hear what kind of sewing machine y'all use and love, since this little Brother (if it can be found) will probably be destroyed a la Office Space after the 100th time I have to rewind the bobbin because it ate/snapped my thread.  ;)

Don't judge too harshly....he's a little special.