Washi!

Although yarn is first and foremost in my crafting heart, I also have a love of washi tape, the re-positionable decorative tape that originated in Japan. The fabulous colors, the whimsical designs, the versatility! Here's a few from my collection:

I have used washi tape to decorate countless things: frames, gift tags and cards, boxes, calendars, candles, and even phone cases! It is so easy to use, relatively inexpensive, and adds a little personality to your crafting. Here's a small sampling of my washi crafting:

 (a chipboard box to hold my dry-erase markers, scrap paper, and tennis-ball-eraser-holder)

 (one of the key holders at work; the vintage key washi design was perfect!)

(two versions of the same phone case)

(big wooden clothespins for me and my bestie)

(a plain glass candle holder -- love these colors!)

I hope that inspires you to try crafting with washi, if you haven't already. :)

And just in case you thought that washi was taking up all my crafting time, let me assure you it has not. I make time every day to play with yarn. I am still working on a couple of secret projects but will be able to share them with you within a month's time. So please be patient. :) 

In the meantime, here is a little crochet star pentagon motif that I made one day recently. This is just a proto-type. I'm hoping to expand on this idea and use it for a blanket for my youngest. (On a side note, I made him a blanket for his 5th birthday. He doesn't like the 'holes' in the pattern :\ so this star blanket will be hole-free.)

New Holiday Embellishments

You may remember that I'll be the September sponsor for The Little Black Box. Well, awhile back, the owner of TLBB, my friend Milly, told me that TLBB will have a themed box for July and asked me to participate (as The Lavender Ladybug, which is my supplies shop). The theme is Make it Yourself Christmas in July, and it will feature (but not be limited to) handmade supplies.

With that in mind, here's a sneak peek at what I'm working on:

(tiny gold metallic star)

(tiny holiday tree)

I also hope to create snowflakes, silver stars, and white stars. Be sure to check The Lavender Ladybug because these designs will also be available there.

Where Does the Time Go?

I just realized today that it has been a month since my last blog post. Where did the time go? Well, I stay busy with 3 boys at 2 schools plus the baby at home. (Okay, so the baby is 3 now and talks up a storm, but he is forever and always "the baby".) I serve on a PTA board and a Council of PTAs board and now a Bond Committee board. Then there's my part-time, mostly weekends job and oh yeah, I just got re-hired at a previous job. So to an extent, the things that have suffered the most from my "busy-ness" have been my Etsy shops and obviously, this blog.

I have found time to crochet, though, in the midst of this madness. I am working on a large wholesale order for The Lavender Lizard. Here's a sneak peek:

I'll have more information on these later, so stay tuned!

Plus I've just finished a custom request for silver metallic stars in 3 sizes at The Lavender Ladybug. They will be sewn onto a sweater for a Halloween costume. I can't wait to see how that turns out!

And I did finish both the market bag for my friend's daughter (no pics, though) and the one for my sister:

Sadly, DS3's bookbag is on the backburner. More than likely, it will be a Christmas gift now. After all, Christmas is less than 3 months away, so I do have some time to finish it.

(Proof that time really flies: Happy 12th Birthday, DS2!)