mustachioed

Isn't that a funny word?

A co-worker sent me this diagram yesterday (click on it to make it bigger). I'm not a huge fan of facial hair, but since I was the tattooed lady for Halloween this year, now I can't stop thinking which style I'd go with if I'm the bearded lady next year! What do you think?

I'm currently torn between the French Fork, the Ducktail, or the Klingon...

too cute to ignore

It's been a loooonnnnnng time since I posted random cute stuff, but I saw this little birdie necklace on Craft Zine (or was it Craft Gossip?)...

...and clicked through to Chinacherie's etsy shop, I got a sudden urge to blog (and shop!).

Her stuff is just too cute to pass up! And super affordable. Anyone else thinking of Christmas presents?


Heart-O-Meter Spinning Arrow Copper Plated Necklace
$14


Original Bow Necklace Silver Plated Ribbons and Bows
$11


Love Letter Necklace Brass Ox Envelope with I Love You Enclosure
$16

Eek! Where has the week gone?

How is it the end of the day on Thursday already? What happened to Cute Stuff Wednesday? And what do you mean GnR is scrimmaging Puget Sound TOMORROW? This week is flying by!

How does Cute Stuff Thursday sound?

Here's a peek into what I've been checking out on Etsy lately. Any guesses what I'm making next?


Speaking of etsy, did you see that my glittery Audrey Hepburn is for sale? This is gonna be a tough one for me to part with, I've got such a crush on her!

Lip-smackingly cute

Happy Cute Stuff Wednesday!

I gotta say everything in Fashion Candy's shop is so cute, it was hard for me to pick just one to picture.

Luscious Lips Resin Necklace
$15
by Fashion Candy

This is everything I love in a necklace. Glitter? Check! Hearts and Kisses? Check!
Bright, fun colors? Check!

I've been having my own adventures (and misadventures!)with resin lately, so I have a new found respect for anyone who does it well.

I have more luck with charms and beads. Have you seen my new high rollers vs. guns n rollers earrings? I think they'd coordinate quite nicely with those sparkly lips!

Is an Earth Day dress in order?

If Earth Day was the kind of holiday you had to dress up for, I would want to wear this dress:

The Shell Collector
$160
by Gaia Conceptions Organic

It's made of organic cotton and looks very soft and cozy, especially for a summery dress. I adore the pockets; pockets are exceptionally cozy.

I need something cozy because I am in a foul mood this Earth Day. I think I'm grumpier than Grumperina or Oscar the Grouch. Why?
1. The sunshine is gone.
2. General icky feeling about the current state of roller derby. I feel confident that the amazing High Rollers/Betties bout Saturday, a couple of team/captains meetings, and an upcoming rules change will clear this up, but at the moment, ick.
3. My computer sucks. We probably would have broken up by now except he won't move out on his own, and I'm afraid of what life would be like without him.
4. Polar bears are drowning because the ice caps are melting. Drowning!(If I've said it once, I've said it a thousand times- PLATFORMS FOR POLAR BEARS! We need to get on this. Who is with me?)

I think a new dress might be the only solution. Anyone got $160 I can borrow?

the meaning of life

Since I'm obviously feeling philosophical this week, I thought I'd try to figure out the meaning of life.

First I checked wikipedia. Then I turned to Etsy. This is what I learned:
1.Keep calm, carry on.

Scrabble Tile Pendant - Motto for Life
$5.95, by ThePendantFactory

2.Live Within Your Means.

Live Within Your Means Tote.
$16.50, by bunkleberrystudio's shop

3.The Meaning of Life is to Give Life Meaning.

Meaning of Life Bookmark
$1.00, by Miyazawa

3. What if the Hokey Pokey Really Is What It's All About?

Hokey Pokey - Understated Greeting Card
$2.50 by time2cre8

Hmmm. All good points. I might need to think on this a bit more.

I'm not a bunny nugget!

One little known fact about me is that I used to be the voice of peta2's "I'm not a Nugget" chick. Here is a sample of me as the voice of a cartoon chick.

I have since been replaced, but I still have a soft spot for nuggets and not a nuggets so yesterday when I saw this free pattern for "Bunny Nuggets" on Ravelry, I found these little knitted bunnies completely irresistable. Last night I hosted my first craft night at my house, and I knit my very own Bunny Nugget who I have now named the "I'm not a bunny nugget". I'm sure peta2 will start making "I'm not a bunny nugget" stickers right about now.

The Bus and Analog enjoyed craft night, even though The Bus thought the I'm not a bunny nugget was a sock at first.

Won't he be surprised on Sunday morning when he opens an Easter egg and finds that sock has grown ears and is now stuffed with catnip!?!

Here's I'm not a bunny nugget posing with chicken bunny, who is a Cadbury bunny that really clucks when you squeeze her paw.

These are the two funniest bunnies I've ever met. They seriously crack me up. And look at their tails! Too cute!! I'm not a bunny nugget was supposed to have a little pom pom tail, but I wanted to avoid any yarn-y bits that Analog could bite off and swallow.


If you like I'm not a bunny nugget, you should definitely visit Rebecca Danger's etsy shop, Danger Crafts. There's a whole family of cute knitted creatures!

Danger Craft Knitting Patterns
by Danger Craft

B loved I'm not a bunny nugget too. Awww...

camera shy

Sorry I haven't posted in a few days, I've had a very good excuse. I very diligently took photos of the fireplace and the kitties and a new glittery project I'm working on, but my camera is refusing to cooperate. It will take the photos, but I can't get them off the camera and onto the computer.

Since it's Wednesday, I thought maybe if I posted photos of cute hand made camera-related items using photos that are already online, my camera might get jealous and start playing nice again. That'll work right?

Hey camera, look at this really adorable camera ring!

mini camera ring
by kaylah7 AKA The Dainty Squid
Jealous yet?

NO? Well, look at this-

Vintage Polaroid Camera, Large Pendant
by uniqueartpendants
A POLAROID camera would always spit out my pictures when I need them. Unlike some cameras I know...

Oh camera...are you above bribes? What if I bought you a cool strap?

Camera Strap- Amy Butler Lotus Temple Garland Pink
by VMJESS

You like Amy Butler right? No go? Sigh...

birthday mania

My Mom and Dad's birthdays are only one day apart, and my Papa's birthday was the same week. I've always had a very hard time keeping them straight, so when the week of March 25th rolls around, I just go into birthday mode and start making phone calls and sending e-cards like crazy.

I planned ahead and packed Mom and Dad's birthday presents in my luggage when I went to North Carolina for Christmas. My sister has been hiding them for months, and she'll give them their gifts for me this week. I kind of can't remember what I got for Mom, but I remember I thought she'd like it...

I always wish I could bake them a birthday cake, but since I live all the way across the country, maybe something like this is a more practical solution?

The ULTIMATE 3 TIER FaiRy PriNceSs CAKE
by Palm Tree Princess
$29.95
It might be a little girly for Dad...

my strangest purchase?

I'm not totally sure about this, but I think I may have made my strangest purchase yet. I bought a fireplace from Target.com. It will be delivered in 5-7 days. Last year I bought a little electric "wood burning stove" for my apartment, which I also thought was funny. Actually, the fact that I already own one fake fireplace probably makes this purchase even weirder. But this one burns gel and it's non-toxic and it makes real flames and that nice crackling sound. And it didn't involved building a chimney or venting to the outside, and I'm 99% sure I won't die of carbon monoxide poisoning or have birds get stuck in the flue, so I think it was a good buy.

Since I missed cute stuff Wednesday yesterday, I'm declaring this cute stuff Thursday. The only downside to my gel fuel burning fireplace is that you don't get to enjoy the smell of wood burning. Maybe this candle would do the trick?

Fireplace Soy Candle
by lilyladyscreations

Wednesday? It can't be Wednesday!

I think Ms. Golightly was actually complaining about Thursday in Breakfast at Tiffany's, but either way, I can relate. March is sneaking up on me fast!

Normally this wouldn't result in panic or unexplained absences from blogging, but GnR has a bout this Saturday (AND I'M ON THE ROSTER!) and then B and I are leaving for Hawaii the very next day. And there is so much to do before then!!!!!! Eek!

My to-do list included figuring out what to wear to the bout so before RollaReina was gracious enough to lend me a skirt, I began desperately searching etsy for anything short and animal print. This was a fav:

Leopard Cherries Mini
$30
by WinterLights

Too bad it's not my size!

Now I just have to go to the bank, print out directions to the hotel, yurt, and cottage, research the volcano, do my stretches, drink lots of water, give the kitties extra snuggles, pack, get my work type stuff in order, do the dishes...Eek.

There's something in the basement...

Oh wait, that's just my dad.

The snow put the porch finishing plans on hold temporarily, so dad holed up in the basement. When I came home from work yesterday, this is what it looked like.

The Bus has appointed himself as building inspector. Every few hours he comes down, sniffs some new construction, and meows at my dad. It's nice to know he's got it all under control while I'm at work.

Just out of curiousity, I searched etsy for items containing the word "basement" in the description, and the first thing I see is these adorable cherry earrings.
Vintage Cherry fused glass and wire dangle earrings
by Shoozles
$12
And I'm Cherry Lipsmacker, remember?

Then since I suppose the earrings didn't technically have anything to do with basements (except they were made in one), I searched for items with "basement" in the title and found her:

Itty Bitty Black Basement Cat Animini
By orangecatblues
$2.50
Isn't she the spitting image of Analog?


I'm taking this to be a good omen for my basement. The stars are obviously aligned in our favor.

cupcakes vs. muffins

Is the frosting the only real difference?

Last night I made banana muffins. I always use a veganized version of my mom's recipe, and they're really easy. The nicest part is that if I have the bananas on hand, I usually have all of the other ingredients in the cupboard, and I can use up bananas that are about to go bad.

3 bananas- the riper, the better
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup applesauce or the egg replacer equivalent of 1 egg
1/3 cup vegetable oil or melted margarine
1 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 cups flour

Mush the bananas with a fork. Add sugar, applesauce (or egg replacer), and vegetable oil. Stir it up. Mix in dry ingredients. Fill muffin tins 3/4 of the way full. Bake at 375 for 20 minutes.

Last night I added chocolate chips and walnuts, which raises the muffins vs. cupcakes question. Are they still healthy, wholesome, virtuous muffins when they're this sweet and chocolatey? Or do they slip into the cupcake category? I don't really think they can be cupcakes without some sort of frosting or topping...

Speaking of cupcakes, wouldn't you love to store your freshly baked muffins in this cute cookie jar? It's so adorable!!! And definitely a cupcake.

$49
by fruitflypie

It sure beats the resused, gnarly old plastic ziplock I'm using now!

Steelers mania continues...

This is the week of all things Pittsburgh. Apparently, my cat is not the only feline Steelers fan out there. Check this out!

Bailey the Steeler cat necklace
by AnnaLeahDesigns
$10.50

I guess that's a real photo of little Bailey. He climbed up a Steelers banner! I think he and The Bus would be friends, if only The Bus didn't hate every living non-human being except Analog...

A girl can hope...

It's Wednesday. That means cute, hand made stuff.

At first, I was going to look for something straight up Obama in honor of the Inauguration yesterday. But this is a big week for me for another reason. This Saturday is my first time on a GnR roster. I've been skating for 2 years. I've been on this team since July 2007. However because I've been injured, and our team is really good, and only 15 out of 20 girls skate each bout, and a myriad of other reasons, I have never bouted with this team. This Saturday might be the first time. So I picked a new word. Hope.

As in I hope I get to skate at least once...
...I hope I don't have some freak accident or injury before Saturday.
...I hope my team wins.
...I hope my friends and family are proud of me.
...And sure, I hope this country is moving in a new direction.
...I hope Obama does a good job.

Hope.


ceramic dish by Mudhutt
$12

I don't wanna work, I just want to bang on the drums all day...

B got me a drum set for Christmas and last night was my first lesson. He's my teacher.

We don't have a hi hat yet, but that's okay because all I got to practice was drum rolls on the snares.

To celebrate, I've picked not one, but THREE cute handmade items this week with the theme (you guessed it!) drums.

I may not have a hi hat, but I do have drum sticks. Maybe I should organize them in this cute carrying case. I've seen similar sets for knitting needles, but I never would have thought to make one for drum sticks!

by HRene
$59
www.HRene.etsy.com

My motto is to fake it til you make it, so surely I'd *look* more like a drummer wearing this, right?

by Model Citizen
$26
www.ModelCitizen.etsy.com

And technically these are designed for that Rock Band video game, but it's a really clever idea. I bet they'd work at least as well as practice pads.

by FunkieFresh
$40
www.FunkieFresh.etsy.com

sparkliest knitting needles ever!

My co-worker knew I would be powerless to resist these gorgeous, glittery knitting needles. Look how pretty!

They're handmade by a lady who was kind enough to share her secrets here on Craftster, but she'll also sell them to you on etsy for $25-$35. I have only recently started experimenting with cast resin and can't really imagine pulling these off without creating a huge, toxic, sticky mess!

She also makes these really cool, jumbo-size 19 needles with yarn actually embedded in them. So rad!

She sands the points by hand, so each needle really is a work of art in it's own right. Visit her etsy shop at www.OntheNeedle.etsy.com.

perfect for snowy weather...

With the wind howling and the snowflakes flurrying here in Portland, I'm craving warm, cozy, comfortable clothes, but I feel a little bad for B and the kitties when they have to look at me when I'm wearing my 2 sizes too big naked lady party PJ's AGAIN.

So I searched Etsy for some alternatives for cute stuff Wednesday that look warm, comfy, and actually stylish.

This snuggly hoodie dress by emilyryan was my hands down favorite:

photo from emilyryan's etsy shop.
$154, comes in sizes s/m and m/l.

Paired with some legwarmers or leggings, I'd be toasty and cute all winter long!

cutest tea pot EVER

I'm trying to live simply and only buy things that a. I can afford and b. Will truly improve my life and make me happy in the long run, not just make me smile for 5 minutes and then collect dust, take up space, and make me feel guilty about buying things I don't really need.

Things that are necessities for me include:
-roller derby gear, dues, physical therapy, anything that keeps me skating
-craft supplies that I will use ( I have to have a specific project in mind, and not just buy things because they are sparkly and/or cute, which is hard)
-food- I spend more on groceries than B and a lot of other people, but I really love to cook and bake. It makes me feel calm and healthier and comforted. So I'll pay the bigger grocery bills every month. To a point.
-The occasional glass of cheap white wine out with friends.
-Supplies and marketing materials for Glitzed, that's the online shop I'm working on launching on etsy right now, that's an investment in my future, yo.
-Improvements to the house, also categorized as an investment.

Things that are not necessities...cute teapots...more clothes and jewelry with cherries or skates on them...more cookbooks...exquisite jewelry I will never wear...perfumes that smell like smoke and grass and candy...

Up until now I just saved those cute things to my del.icio.us with the tag "shopping" so that I can look at them from time to time. But now that I'm on etsy almost daily the "shopping" tags are piling up!!! So once a week, probably on Wednesdays, I'm going to post a handmade item or two that is irresistably cute that I may or may not ever buy. It's like virtual shopping, guilt free!

The first one is this teapot. She has a cold! And a hand knit hat! Or a scarf!! And she's from Argentina!!! I'd name her Nellie. Or Bea. Or Suzie Q.

by Lola Goldstein
from http://www.lamadesigns.com/
$120, tea cups not included.