Gone Fishing!

While I was in Southern California, I saw my dad's new house... the last tenants were fishers... not only did they leave an old boat in the garage, but tons of fishing equipment.  I saw some tackle boxes and I started scavenging, I found a ton of little gadgets. I don't have any idea what these things were originally used for, but I thought they were too cool to pass up.
Everything I took home smelled like fish juice, nastiness, and was covered in fishing hooks. I cleaned, sanitized, and de-hooked everything and made some adorable jewelry!!

ps... if anyone has any old Fish tackle boxes collecting dust, please let me know. I would be glad to make you something amazing if you want to do a little trade! 

keysforkelsey@yahoo.com

I also used little pieces from the hooks for clasps.

A weight that looks almost like a whistle, the deer is something I already had. 

La la land.

I am so sorry for the delay in posts! I told you in my last post that I was going to be out of town... I was in LA with family!
Last month I met my aunt, and cousin for the very first time.  An entire life spent with out knowing them!

I usually have a really hard time getting to know people... lets be honest, often a little bit awkward with people I don't know. But I was amazed to find out quickly I felt at home with them.
My aunt is an amazing woman who just sort of gets me, and is so willing to get to know me more, and to help me figure some things out... She understands where I am in my life, and just wants to see me thrive.
And my cousin instantly became like a brother to me. We have a lot in common, little things like similar interests, sense' of humor, even down to a common hatred to the same foods.
It is a testament to family, and just how strong a bond can be.

So anyway!! This past week I was able to just hang out with them, go on errands, have dinner, and just spend time together. It was such a blessing.
On my last day my aunt took me with me to work. She is an interior designer, and took me all over LA for pick-ups, drop-offs, and just shopping for samples.  I loved every second of it, but my favorite thing we did was go into different fabric stores.
WOW!! I could spend hours in these shops, feeling all of the different materials, looking at all of the designs and colors, and dreaming about things I could make. I was able to take home a couple of fabrics(thanks Auntie!) and now I am just decided what to do with them.

A few photos to show you some of my adventures..

Wally the Dog:

My cousin Danny and I

 

 Downtown LA

Fall

I hope you are all enjoying the beginning of fall

:)

#18 Make-Up Bags

Awhile back I learned how to make these simple boxy make-up bags. They turned out really cute, but I used a single layer of a fabric that was pretty flimsy. Today I layered the fabric, and tried a newer spandex fabric, and they are much more sturdy :)

Dog Park

I didn't do anything for my challenge today... honestly? I was too tired.

Today I met with the guy who is printing some of my paintings for a 'check-in', I saw a couple of samples that made me really excited! It was so weird to see my paintings that are normally sort of large-in a little tiny miniature format.
:)

After I left the printers, I took Alabama to my favorite dog park. It's right outside of Berkeley, and right next to the sea.  I debated not going today... I had to be at work at 4.30 this morning, and needless to say I was very tired... But I am so glad we went.
The air was so fresh, it felt like velvet. It was smooth and cold and was being pushed in every which direction from the wind.
And the sun! Oh man! The sun felt so refreshing! Was fighting the cold air with its warmth.
It was invigorating.

I love this dog park.
Not only is it beautiful... but the people are great. Maybe its because they are dog people... or maybe because they are Berkeley people... the people are priceless. Sometimes it gets a little messy, although Alabama is an extremely sweet dog, she is very fearful of people she doesn't know.  Even seems a little snobby at times, paying no attention to anyone.
Alright people, get your imagination caps on. This is a story that you MUST get a mental picture of.
On our walk, a woman approached us with her husband, and 2 furry little dogs. She reached out for Al, and of course, she pulled away. Your getting the picture... right?
I tried to to explain to her that Alabama isn't very found of strangers...
Either she didn't hear me, or decided to just flat out ignore me, the next thing I know she is trying to explain to me how all dogs like her and sat on the pavement in front of us. She then proceeds to pull out all of her treats, and toys. Laying them out. Displaying them to us.
Alabama still isn't budging.
Her Husband begins to tell me how dogs will be friendly if they feel like they can be dominant... blah blah blah...
The next thing I know, the woman is laying down on her back rolling around in the middle of the sidewalk.
I'm not sure who was more freaked out. I must of had the most obviously weirded out look on my face, and Alabama took off running towards the car.

I got to the car and just busted up laughing. It was too awkward, and weird, and hilarious.
You guys ever have anything like happen??

#17 Thrift Thursday

Today is THRIFT THURSDAY!! 

On my searching today I found a couple of things that I am really excited about!

Do you ever see a glass, or kitchen utensil, or lamp, or just something you see and are instantly determined to find one for yourself? 

Well... I get that way.

Awhile back, I saw someone drinking from a glass and I have been set to find them since. It's just a simple glass with scallops on the sides, but I have been obsessing over this particular size for awhile, and today I found it! I felt pretty good about that.

FINDS OF THE DAY!

3 really tall-white-scentless candles which I LOVE. 

3 different sizes of hurricane vases which I have some crafty ideas for, but I also like them as is.

4 different colored zippers.

Challenges #15 AND 16!

This post is for 2 days for my challenge..
A long time ago, I decided that I wanted to make some prints of some of my paintings to try to make a few extra bucks...
Part one: Yesterday I went over the 3 paintings I wanted to have prints of, I added some color, added some extra lines, and just cleaned them up a little bit... it took awhile because I am sort of a perfection about these things.

Part two: Today I met with the printer!! Ryan and I went together... I was so glad he was there with me!
We talked a lot about what I wanted and expected and he showed me about a million different papers that were available...

I hope these come out well... he is going to try some stuff on photo shop to make these look a little more polished... and if I like the outcome, I will bring different paintings to him.
What do you guys think??

#14-Pickled Ginger

I recently discovered cooking with vinegar! I have always used it when washing Alabama's beds, and with getting weird smells out of things... but I have never used it with cooking(besides balsamic vinegar in salads! YUM!!). Until about a month ago.
Apple Cider, Balsamic, Distilled, White Wine, Red Wine, Rice.... I mean... the list goes on and on and on. Last month I went nuts over using apple cider vinegar to make Peach Salsa, which was SO good! And last week I made a really simple salad with Cucumber, tomatoes, onion, s/p and White wine Vinegar. I am also dying to try a quinoa recipe with Red wine vinegar....

But today I made picked ginger.  It's the ginger that they serve with sushi next to the wasabi. I happen to love it, and it really settles my stomach which I really need.  I am fortunate enough that Ryan hates it, and is more than happy to give me his portion! YUMM!!!
I thought I would try to extend my vinegar cooking extravaganza and give it a shot!

8 oz of Gingerroot

1 1/2 Teaspoon Course Salt

1/4 Cup of Sugar

1 cup White Wine Vinegar

1. Peel ginger, and slice as thinly as possible!! Add the sliced ginger to a bowl
2. Add in salt, mix with your hands, and try to make sure all of the ginger is coated
3. Let sit in refrigerator for about an hour
4. Here's where it gets weird... the goal is to get rid of the liquid that the ginger has just shed, I put it on a paper towel and just squeezed it over the sink
5. Add ginger to a jar
6. Add sugar and vinegar to a non-reactive pan, let simmer until all of the sugar is liquid, only a couple of minutes
7. Pour mixture into the jar over the ginger, replace cap, and refrigerate for 3 days!
DONE!

Step #2, this is what it should look like after you have sliced it and salted it, Now shove it in the fridge!  

After you have added the vinegar and let it sit for a little while, the ginger will turn pink! 

#13 Team Challenge.

So today I didn't do a project challenge. 

But my sister did a challenge and I helped her... sort of. 

Today my sister ran the full Nike's Women's Marathon in San Francisco! 

26.2 miles! That's insane!! 

Honestly guys?? She's my hero. 

She did a challenge today that most people, me included, will never do in their life time, and she did it with style.

My challenge today was to make sure she reached her goal. 

No I didn't run... but as my sister crossed the finish line, I felt like I crossed the finish line. 

I feel like we are a team. 

She is so inspiring! 

Strong, beautiful, wise, driven, encouraging, caring, fun, and so-so-so-so much more.

I don't think I could ask for anyone better for an older sister. 

I am so blessed.

I love you sis!

#12 Tin Magnet

Sweet, and simple, and so, so cute! 

Perfect for adding an even more vintage feel to my already 'harvest gold' kitchen. 

One of the perks... or.... strange things about living in an old condo! 

Just take an old tin, and glue on a magnet! 

OR! 

Take any old spice tin and cover with a cute scrap book paper, or some fabric.

#11 Finished the little cabinet!

So I sort of went against all of my previous thoughts for color for this cabinet. 

Check out the first two steps for this little guy here. 

I decided to make a dark, greeny-bluesy-GREY!

I sort of love it.  

I'm pretty glad that I went with this color! What do you think?

I know I will probably switch up the goodies inside this about 100 times

...but I don't mind...

Sometimes, you have to compromise.

Over the last couple of months I was craving sushi, twice a week.
Not saying I got it everytime I wanted it, but because I love it, I still craaaaave it!! YUM YUM!!

Lets face it, sushi isn't the most economical meal and well- I'm BROKE.
I started making a VERY cheap, and easy version of sushi, and although it is nothing like going to a sushi shop, it definitely satisfies my cravings!

Ready for the easiest 'sushi' ever?

Recipe time!
Packet of seaweed (trader joes brand is my favorite)
White rice, sticky, or jasmine (I use those microwave pouches from trader joes)
Soy-yoki, or Soy-Vey, this is a soy sauce/teriyaki sauce blend, that is amazing.
1 sliced avocado if you want to splurge!
and I also get pickled ginger, which is completely optional, I just happen to LOVE it!

Let me know if you try it, or if you like it, or whatever :)

#10 is THRIFT Thursday!

So! I know I am behind on my challenge... SORRY GUYS!!
My dad was in town this week, and I got a little distracted... hope you understand!
So today I just did some errands, and I went to some thrift stores!
I found some really cool stuff!! Some glass Pyrex jars with white lids, a couple of things for more PROJECTS! I found a couple of things for my website, and the best finds were these old radios. One is a GE brand clock radio and is SUPER retro, I sort of love it.  It goes so well with some of my bright colored furniture!
The best find EVER is this wooden radio! It works like a dream, and is so beautiful! When you turn it on, the tubes take a few minutes to warm up, but when they do, there is a light behind all of the numbers, this little guy just has SO much character. I'm obsessed with it and am just scouring my place to find the PERFECT spot for it...

#9

I am really excited about this one!
You see- when I do these projects, there is not really any reason or rhyme to them.  I find materials that I want to use, and then eventually find a purpose for them, I know this is a little backwards, but it seems to work for me. Last week I found some chalk board paint in my 'supply' closet, I pulled it out so I would be reminded to use it.
I love using chalk board paint.  As some of you know, I write everything down, especially lists, and reminders, so I  love to use this stuff on everything.

While rummaging in a thrift store this weekend w/ a friend of mine, I ran across this broken in sketch-clip-board.  It was kind of gross, covered in crayon marks, and stickers, but after a quick sanding, and about 100 layers of paint, this little beauty is a new favorite of mine :)
If you want to do this, be careful. Unless you want to buy a sealant, which I choose not to do, painting these guys can be tricky... It's made from a partical board, and as you know-that's not real wood.  When it gets wet, it puffs up, and makes this really awful texture that is beyond repair.  
I am thinking of doing a DIY on this, if your interested, let me know (on here, or on facebook)

(this first photo is after the first sanding, just so you can see what I was working with)

#8

A looooooong time ago, Ryan bought me this little tiny cabinet from some thrift store in hopes that I would restore it. I saw it in my closet and decided it was time to start it! I stripped all of the paint from it, and sanded it! It was hard to sand because of all of the sharp angles, but I got the majority of it done.
I need some help deciding the colors!
1. turquoise, to match my chair
2. simple distressed white, shabby chic
3. super bright orange, or hot pink
4. distressed black with turquoise and sanded down like crazy

A couple of weeks ago I was talking with my cousin about how cool paint thinner looked when it was doing its 'thang. It would be really cool to figure out a way to make it stay this way, don't you think?

Challenges #6 and 7

AHHH!!! I am so behind on my challenge!! I am playing a little bit of catch up now, and hope to be all caught up by the end of the day tomorrow!
So...
#5
I made a couple of heads out of a polymer clay.. I want to make a ton of these, an entire village maybe... or just a variety of them.  I think they are hilarious, and I was having so much fun drawing these little characters... again... more of these to come!

#6
Reminder rocks
These little guys could be used as paper weights, or just placed on your desk, or entry way for little reminders for yourself.
I took some garden rocks, and painted them with chalk board paint... easy!

Well Spent.

Today I saw an old friend, Amber.  We hadn't seen one another, let alone spoken with one another, in over three years!
It was like we picked up right where we left off.  Like not a single second had gone by.  She is one of those rare friends in life that just.... gets you.
She's unreal.  Gorgeous in every way, kind hearted, genuine, and creative.  She matches my appreciation for great coffee, lo-key diners, and thrifting... among other things.

Needless to say, today was well spent.

(2005)

#5

I have been looking into having some prints made from some of my drawings... today I just doodled, I wanted to something simple and brainless, but fun at the same time :)

This a page of doodles, thinking of making a fabric sample out of the first one, and the bottom one...

October Challenge-#4

I had to work today, so I choose something simple.  I would like to re-visit this with better paint...
A garland made of hand-painted roses.

October Challenge #3

For Day 3, I made some bracelets! These are made out of polymar clay, and because I am trying not to spend any extra money for this challenge, I painted all of them. 

I think these are really cute... I think if I made them with colored clay, I could sell them. What do you think?

Hehe I thought they looked like shrimp sushi when they were drying! 

All in all, I thought they looked really cute.  

Is it just me, or does it look a little bit like leather?

October Challenge #2

I love fall. It's easily my favorite season.
Something about the weather, or all of the colors, or the fact that it leads to Christmas, I am obsessed with it.
For #2, I wanted to do something VERY simple, and  something that any one can do.  On a walk with Alabama today I collected as many acorns, and fall goodies I could fit in my pockets.
Strangely enough, on the trail behind my place are a ton of oak trees, but each one had different acorns. Some had thin ones, others were HUGE, and my favorite ones were little tiny buttons. no bigger than a finger tip.
I was also watching squirrels scrounge up as many as they could because of the weather change as of late.
Don't worry-I only took the brown, or damaged ones!

So today my project was just to decorate for fall... show me photos of your decorations for fall!