Make: Baby Love

I have been doing some secret crafting. I really like to make gifts, I sometimes think I like to make gifts a lot more than people actually like to get them, but I don't really care. BUT I know that this little set is going to a home that wants a hand made gift from me and that made it all the more fun. I've named them the "Baby Love" hat, sweater and blanket because the soon to be born little lady is already so loved, and because it was leading up to Valentine's day when I was working on them, and because I had this idea that I should name all the baby things I'm working on this spring/summer (more on that in the next few weeks) after songs I love. So here you go: All the good stuff on the "Baby Love" set:

Here are the details, the hat and sweater are my own design - I am working on a pattern for the sweater and will surely share it once I get it worked out. Both are made using knitpicks shine worsted in Flamingo.

The blanket pattern is called "Flowers in the Snow", I think that I would tweak the pattern a little bit if I were to do it again. I'm kinda a grump about Granny squares because there are so many ends to weave in. I do really like the look of the blanket so I'm going to try and come up with my own circle motif pattern. Anyway it is worked in knitpicks shine worsted in Flamingo, Begonia, Serrano and Cream. They Blue is some of that stichin' bitch stuff from red heart, I don't remember the color.

P.S. I wonder if the mama of this girl has guessed this stuff is for her. Don't worry though, if you think it is for you and I give it to another, chances are I have something different up my sleeve for you!

From the makers of Anthropologie . . .

Yay! Wedding stuff from the people who bring us Anthropologie! My brother Sam is getting married (which has made him extra lovey by the way, he not only gave his loverly fiancee flowers for Valentine's day, but also his mother and sisters) so I feel like it is part of my job as a good sister-inlaw to make sure I am up on all the latest wedding-y stuff out there, you know so no one misses out on something awesome (okay twist my arm and I'll tell you that I follow at least two wedding blogs and read a few others regularly). So with that in mind behold BHLDN.

There is way to much to love. I spent hours clicking through on Monday night. I can't even begin to tell you what I love the most.

P.S. They have this wonderful section of vintage wedding photos. This is my fave of the bunch. Oh a brass band, what a dream!

Flowers Starting to Spring Up

So question - what do you think of this sweater from Old Navy? Thumbs up or down? I kinda like it - but I'm a little unsure of the v-neck.

Not Doing It

Okay friends here's the thing, there will not be a before and after this week. I did not finish the project I was working on, instead I:
Chaperoned a girls lock-in at church
Went shopping at the fabric store
Didn't get enough sleep
Ate to much Valentine candy
Took a great nap at my mom and dads
Had a long phone conversation with a good friend
Smiled and Laughed and enjoyed the mild weather (if you can call 40 mild)
And I went to see this movie with my sister and my cousin's two little girls - it is cute, you'll like it if you like: silly stories, James McAvoy, Elton John music and garden gnomes (for the record I love them all!)

St. Vanlentine's Day - I love all of you!

A Bell's not a Bell 'til you ring it, A Song's not a song 'til you sing it, Love in your Heart wasn't put there to stay, Love isn't love 'til you give it away!

- Oscar Hammerstein

P.S. I'm switching things up this week. "Change Something Good" will be up tomorrow, today enjoy one of my fave quotes about lurve.

Work in Progress Weekend

I plan on spending some quality time with this project this weekend, oh and I guess there will be some craftroom work and maybe some snow clearing if it warms up a little. I hope your weekend is great friends!

Better Than Candy Hearts

Somehow without my notice I have become one of those people who likes wreaths on my front door. Not just any wreath, but a holiday/seasonal wreath. What? I know 20 year old me would be cringing at the cheesy-ness of it all. However good for you 27 year old me has learned to embrace the cheese and just move on. So to finish up our Valentine DIY's I put together a tutorial of my latest wreath.

I used a large round wreath base. And started by wrapping it in yarn (I just used some cheep stuff, Vanna's Choice maybe)

This step is not necessary but I thought at first I wouldn't put as many hearts on so it would be nice to have a little something extra on the base. Wrapped some red and white Christmas ribbon around the wreath.

Next I cut about two dozen hearts out of red, white, light and dark pink felt. Again cheep craft felt, though I think it would be that much better in a wool blend, however my fabric store doesn't carry wool felt in any colors that I like.

To finish it off, I added embroidery and some buttons. I then just glued the hearts onto my wreath. Voila a little love for my door.

I hope you have enjoyed all our valentine crafts the last few weeks.

On tap for next week some secret crafting that I'm ready to share.

XOXO,

Libby

Matchbook Girl

I love, love, love, love, love all the great online magazines out there these days. A few years ago when all of my favorite magazines were slowly going out a print I feared I wouldn't be able to find a replacement; lifestyle mags for girls like me. Girls that have a chic slightly quirky (okay in my case really quirky) style, but don't have thousands upon thousands of dollar to spend on say a rug or a coat. Needless to say I am thrilled with my latest find Matchbook. Read the description from the website and tell me you are not falling a little in love with it already.

The matchbook girl...
views the world through rose colored glasses • loves to throw dinner parties, but has been known to burn the roast • values eccentricity over convention • is the first to laugh at her own bad jokes • knows the cha-cha, the charleston, and the tango • paints her nails bright coral when she's feeling blue • is infinitely curious • could happily live off of red velvet cake • pens hand written notes to her grandmother • has a signature shade of lipstick • secretly thinks she may be babe paley reincarnated • received an iPAD for her birthday, but will never give up her library card • has a bucket list a mile long and dreams a dime a dozen • is smart, but never a show-off • listens to the day's forecast, but trusts her own intuition • never says no to a sunday matinee at the theater • is quick to blush, but never short of a witty reply • has a skip in her step and a twinkle in her eye • always shares her last piece of gum

Hit the Target

So the other day on my weekly trip to Target I noticed something, something about the clothes they have out right now.

At first I thought it was just the one dress, but then I saw a sweater and then I saw a top. And before I knew it my little inner monologue was saying I'm going to have to blog about how Target has a ton of Boden/Anthropologie-ish stuff right now.

This is just some of my favorite stuff, plus my Target had some of this stuff on sale already. You can get that black dress for less than 10 bucks.

So if you need some retail therapy to get over the winter blahs. Check out your local Target before you head to those pricier stores. (If you are like me you already do)

I know at least one of these cardies will be added to my wish list.

Oh and this jacket, killer!

Oh and before I forget, the shoes are also rocking this late winter/spring.

Hi blue T-straps.

What girl can live without purple Mary Janes? Not this one.

Okay Target I am waiting for my commission check I name dropped five times

Dreamy

I love this new behind the scenes video of a Kate Spade photo shoot. If only we could all live in such a colorful way.

Project restyle

Maybe you have noticed the little Project Restyle button over on the left side of my blog. Project Restyle is a group of blogger all commited to making over broken or unused items in 2011. I have already started on a few projects or my own for this group, one I hope to share with you next week. But in the mean time, here are a few of my faves. Check out the flickr group for more amazing before and afters from some awesome bloggers.

You've never what?

After last months new fiction this month I'm on to a classic. A classic I have never read. Yep that's right, I have never read, nor seen any adaptation of the Harper Lee classic To Kill a Mockingbird. I some how maneged to get through high school and even college without ever turning a page of this beloved work. So finally many years later than I should, I am correcting it now. Please read along, if are like me and need to catch up on a staple of American Lit, or you just really love the book. Props to my friend Mel for loaning me her copy.

Chrome

Okay folks I want to talk about Google Chrome today. I downloaded chrome when it was new, used it once or twice and ended up going back to good old Internet Explorer, but this week after someone suggested that I give it another try. And while I'm still trying things out I must say I'm kinda digging it. I like the apps, I have used the Quick Note, Grooveshark, NPR and Biblia apps so far, plus I love that my browsers has a Cath Kidston design, so sweet.

So do you use Google Chrome? Are there apps you recommend? Is there are reason why you hate it? I'm all ears.

Snow Day

Okay half a snow day as I actually went to work for a few hours. But I am giving myself the rest of the day off. I'll be back tomorrow to talk about my new favorite thing online.

P.S. no post yesterday way to many brain cell devoted to snow related issues. Yes I am blaming everything I don't do on the snow.