New Knitpicks Shipment!

Here’s a pro tip: if you want packages to come for you in the mail, order stuff yourself. Like me, you’ll get a surprise every once in a while! Today’s was my new array of Knitpicks.com yarn! I decided to try out a bunch of different kinds, since I usually stick to the their Shine Worsted yarn. I’m going to make a couple of swatches and see how they feel. I feel like a kid after trick or treating. So many to choose from!

 

Letter Buttons

 

I’m not really the clay type, but I am all about buttons, which you probably didn’t know. This How-To is from Design*Sponge, a blog I need to look at more! Matt got me some Sculpty clay for Christmas, in red, and I’m tempted to try this out! I didn’t know the clay was so fast to “cook” in the oven. All I need is a film canister… I’m pretty sure I have one somewhere in my desk. Maybe I can incorporate a K button into my work :) 

Upcycled Headbands

Alisa Burke is an artist in San Diego that’s living the dream: being a full-time artist. Her blog is full of beautiful photos of food, paintings, ideas, and fun. This recent post is something I’m definitely thinking of taking on, as I too have unruly and awkward growing-out hair right now. I wear hats that I make constantly, in a effort both hide and accessorize my hair. Headbands are a bit painful, I must admit, but she does have an alternative at the end. Click on the picture to go right to her post!

I want to get married in this…

Is that weird? And no, I don’t have marriage on the mind. Etsy.com is just teasing me with wedding stuff today, I’m not sure why.

IKEA Lamp Makeover

My cats are still pissed at me for leaving them alone for almost a week, and they completely destroyed my $15 IKEA Lamp. Shredded. I’m sure it was fun, too. Anyway, I still have the top and bottom circular frames, so I was thinking about recycling it and making a new shade out of an old green sheet or muslin from Jo-Anns, and freestyle sewing all over it to make it more exciting than a sheet hanging on a lamp. Also, before you say anything Mom, it’s not a fire hazard.

That is, of course, if I can get my sewing machine to work. It’s too fancy to fix properly, so I’ll probably have to go back to Ol’ Faithful. Funny how that works….

Wow.

Guys, it’s your responsibility to make sure I never end up like this.

Talking Wedding Rings

A while ago I came across the Soundwave Ring, which had a soundwave of anything cut out of the ring… “I love you” or some wedding vows. Now here’s a fully (…more or less) playable ring where you can record and playback anything! The Phonograph Ring. A truly special and unique way to celebrate love. Too bad neither of these rings are available to the commoner (like myself). Luke Jerram, the talking ring creator, has a couple more interesting items on his website.

In looking for an image of the Soundwave Ring, I found a whole page on interesting nerdy rings! I especially like the ring that burns you when it’s your anniversary.

Sunday at the Skatepark

Somehow I’ve become a soccer mom… Or skatepark girlfriend. Matts lifelong passion is skateboarding, and he hasn’t been in a year. Well, with a bit of encouraging (and some research) we are at the South Pasadena Skatepark, only about a mile away! I think it’ll be good for his brain, and I’ve been sketching, which is good for mine.

Identity Crisis

My tastes change daily it seems, and reinventing my own identity (design-wise) is just something I like to do when a) I get a couple new fonts, b) I’m bored. Besides the new theme of this blog, my portfolio and my book, I made a simple one to go on my invoices. I’m not in love with it, but I like the direction it’s heading.

I was trying to find a one one-word name, but it’s nearly impossible to be original it seems. Given names are usually a safe bet, unless you’re John Smith, etc. I also like the idea of my first name, Katherine, as a simple solution.

Or maybe with a funky geometric variable font.. Who knows. I need to figure this stuff out someday. Or I could be like Nubby Twiglet and change my identity annually. Instead of bi-weekly!

Thank You Note from my Very First “Fan”

It says:

Dear Lorie,

Thank you so much for the wonderfull hat. I wear it just about every day now and I get tons of compliments on it. Your son’s girlfriend is very talented! Thanks again.

Love,

Rachael

oxoxo

My first commission was to make 5 hats for Lorie (Matt’s mom) for her to give out as Christmas presents to the kids she tutors. It was quite a challenge, but it seems that they were well received! Below is a very quick picture before I gave them to her at Thanksgiving.. not the best documentation, but Poladriod makes everything better.