The Rule of Threes

If you want your students to disregard your hours of preparation and write things like, "I like teacher's clothes" on your evaluations, I've got a tip for you; think three. Three interesting pieces on top, that is. Start by not thinking too much.

Grab a couple items that you think kind of match, but haven't tried together before-- it helps if you're really pressed for time.
Then add another piece that you think makes it special. Normally you would probably be done, but this is where it gets interesting. Take a bold leap and grab something else. Edit in the mirror, but usually after this step you'll just be admiring your creativity.
I know some of you are way ahead of me on this. For you, know that I've been watching, taking notes, and trying to copy you.

References:
jcrew.com

shade style guide 11/09

shade style guide 09/09

Credits:

Alicia's: closet, backyard, camera, Photoshop, afternoon

Parking Lot

With my calling in nursery, I've volunteered to be the one to take out the trash after church. This motivated us to change up our usual parking spot (from the one in front of the otter pond) to the one right next to the dumpster.

Pretty nice.

Do you need a button?

Yes, the yellow one is called a "plastic goofie."

Which is your favorite?

The paperweight? Steel points?

I don't have a fancy camera like you guys, but you get the picture.

This is about half of the button collection at the Lightner Museum.

Free to St. Johns County residents!

Texas Birds

This morning when we opened up the garage, I said to Noah, "It feels like Texas." I couldn't put my finger on why until I saw the mockingbird singing on the oak tree. The fog and cooler temperature also reminded me of waiting for my ride on a school morning. When I got to work, this guy was singing a song, and I had to find him.

I saw those red feathers and little cap and recognized him as my first school's mascot.

400 pennies

That is roughly the cost of this skirt.

Alicia and I saw the shirred floral skirt at shade and decided to create our own take on it.

Off to the Wal-mart sale section again.

Why is it that as I am imagining and making something, I love it so much...

and after it's finished I mostly hate it/have angry feelings towards it?

Any advice?

valentine

We celebrated with food and friends. This was how the day started.

What did you do?

Christmas Gifts

I made about 50% of my Christmas gifts this year. I guess if you wait until February to put them on your blog, there is absolutely NO CHANCE that your recipients will see them before they get unwrapped. I'll call that strategy and not blame it on the still-absent computer.

Michelle and I made at least a half-dozen of these. We combined the Buttercup Bag and Birdie Sling to make our own pattern for this not-to-small and not-too-big bag. I know. You want Michelle as a friend.

I made three in coordinating fabrics: this shimmery stuff, this, and the one below. The exterior is the coolest "denim" herringbone from the Wal-mart sale section. (Boo and hiss all you want; this was (said to be) made in America and just way too versatile.) I really wanted to get a glamorous group shot, but I guess I got too excited to give them all away.

My favorite part (and that says a lot!) are the tags I made at spoonflower.com.

Alicia got a freezer paper tee. I described my vision and Michelle made it better than I imagined-- are you laughing at that evil cat, too? The message couldn't be more accurate. The colors for the mystery gift were picked by Alicia, and I put them on quite deftly. I meant to put that big blob under the "E."

I won't put the picture of her puzzled face examining this on Christmas morning; I'd rather she still talk to me. But use your imaginations and then multiply the expression times two!