diy sweet summer dress

This diy summer dress tutorial is so easy that you will be amazed - really. In fact, the only item needed is an elastic waist maxi skirt - really.

Be sure to check out the challenge associated with this DIY...there's a PRIZE! (challenge is now closed)

I've had this white crochet skirt for years and actually had it in the Goodwill pile, but something kept holding me back. This weekend, inspiration struck.

What do you have to do? Pull it northward and belt (or don't).

The skirt lining was the ideal length and the ties were already beaded!
I did absolutely nothing.

How's that for gorgeous and easy? My model has a new dress.

Hope you've been inspired.

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***

I'm participating...

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loving

Loving the sweet weekend my family had with wonderful friends. We laughed more than you could imagine - medicine for the soul. Add to that: eating, biking, playing cards, watching old movies, and shopping. But not all at once.

Loving this week, too. On Thursday we're back with Featuring Studio Spaces! This week we're talking with Janet of Singing Woods. And tomorrow I'm HOPING to bring you a new tutorial that is in my mind. I just need to apply that thought today and send it out to you.

Loving a few great macro shots from yesterday...

Kathy from Corilu Designs

Lois from Que Onda Q'town?

Miranda from Fragile Photo


I thought that each Monday I'd start highlighting a few shots from the weekend.
Hope you enjoy them. Be sure to join us this coming Sunday for I Heart Macro.

Have a peaceful Monday.

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i heart macro

I used this picture once before and had to dig it out of my box 'o goodies. SOMEbody took my camera to unknown whereabouts and hasn't given it back. Take my word, you don't want to be SOMEbody right now.

Anyway...

It's time for "I Heart Macro" slash "I Heart Close Ups: Up Close Photography for Macro Makers and the Camerologically Challenged". Join me by blogging your up close/macro picture of the week. Grab the button* to show that you're participating and link up here.

<a href="http://www.waterstonejewelry.blogspot.com"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5024/5613077984_956a8186b6_m.jpg" width="240" height="169" alt="studio waterstone" /></a>

*Instructions for grabbing a button*

Copy the code shown above. Go to your blogger and instead of using the "compose" tab, click on the "edit html" tab. Paste the code you've just copied. Then switch back to the "compose" tab and you'll magically see the button! Finish your post, publish and you are done. Easy peasy.

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tgif, a rant, and a holiday weekend!

TGIF! We've got friends (two adults, two young adults, and two dogs!) visiting this holiday weekend with beautiful weather on the horizon. Can't you just FEEL the love?

Like my new model for the day? Isn't she adorable? (bag is sold)

{ random rant }
If you're reading this on 5/27 and you don't follow me and you're thinking, "Hey! I think I'll follow this chickie!", don't get your panties in a wad because my FOLLOWER tab is completely blank because it's not my fault that BLOGGER is, apparently and for no good reason punishing me and a whole lot of other bloggers. (was that the longest run-on sentence or what?) Which leads me to consider the POLL in the upper right sidebar. Yes, my panties are, in fact, in a wad which is why I need a FUN weekend...not thinking about BLOGGER.

And by the way...
I'll still be around for Saturday's wrap AND "I Heart Macro" on Sunday.
So grab that camera and take a close-up. Then join me on Sunday.

Now I must go clean, do laundry, go to the grocery store and, maybe, just maybe if I can delegate well enough, get into the studio today to finish two new bags before the weekend.

Go plans?

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i made some bread, not the monetary kind either

Really! I'm so not a baker. My model is. She asked Santa for a Kitchenaid stand mixer when she was 10. Since then I've only used it once - for mashed potatoes. Here's the skinny. We had these frozen apples and Mr. W threatened to toss them out if I didn't do something. So I did something. I made applesauce cranberry bread. Really!

But first, join me and the Soph-monster for our daily walk.

Discovered baby blackberries right next to the house. YES!

Sophie cornered a frog.

It was the one that got away.

Oh well. Life goes on.

About that bread...

I found the recipe here, but changed it a bit. Here's my version.

Ingredients

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 3 eggs
• 2 cups white sugar
• 1 cup vegetable oil (I used canola)
  
• 2 cups applesauce
• 1 cup raisins (optional) (I substituted Craisins)
  
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 cup sour cream

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour two 9 x 5 inch loaf pans.
2. Beat together eggs, sugar, and oil. Blend in applesauce, and then sour cream or buttermilk. Mix in flour, baking powder, soda, and cinnamon. Stir in raisins. Pour batter into prepared pans.
3. Bake for 80 minutes. Cool on wire racks.

*****

It was delish. I'm proud. Nobody got sick.

I shall have it for breakfast tomorrow.

And for my afternoon snack.


And evening snack.


Anybody know of a good diet?

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earth shattering, life or death kind of questions

Don't walk behind me; I may not lead. Don't walk in front of me; I may not follow. Just walk beside me and be my friend. ~Albert Camus

If art is to nourish the roots of our culture, society must set the artist free to follow his vision wherever it takes him. ~John F. Kennedy

Wha? Where's the question???

If you haven't already guessed, it has to do with following. Thinking about making a few changes and I'd REALLY love your opinion. My changes have to do with blog platforms, websites, and shops.

I'm thinking of moving my blog from Blogger to Wordpress and adding a shop to that site (in addition to my Etsy shop). My question for you is two-fold. First, will you follow? And second, would you buy from another location or are you strictly an Etsy shopper?

I'm adding a poll to the sidebar to answer the first question since you may feel more comfy answering anonymously. The second? Just give me your .02 in the comment section.

Thanks, and here's another...

Follow your bliss and the universe will open doors where there were only walls.

~Joseph Campbell

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love that tutorial

I hope your week is beginning to chug along nicely. The studio here is buzzing with activity as I struggle to finish work on five new crossbody handbags. It's so busy, in fact, that I'm sending you somewhere else. Yep, you heard that right. But you'll thank me after you visit. So fret not.

The Purl Bee discovery was a sweetly serendipitous moment as I was attempting my first handbag and needed to brush up on embroidery. The color and pictures alone get my creative juices flowing. Some day, if the redecorating bug bites, I'm making a set of pillows just like this...

The Good Life. It just sounds like a happy place, don't you think? Sarah is a wellspring of fantastic tutorials. And if you're a fan of Anthropologie, you'll flip over her entire section of Anthro DIYs. I'm highlighting two today. One is for a delicious pleated dress made from an old skirt (you'll do a double take) and the other is an amazing tee.

and

Doesn't it make you want to run out and find the nearest pleated skirt?

Oh and that necklace she's wearing? There's a tutorial for that, too.

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dreamy monday

Me thinks I perused a little too much this weekend because I've got lots of new favorites.
Perusing, in my opinion, is good. The new faves are good, too. Enjoy.

I really kinda need this recycled wood "breathe" sign from William Dohman

Margaret Stamp Set from Pretty Tape

Lapis earrings from Corilu

Vintage Egg Crate Light from Junkyard Lighting

Textured Lace Bead from One Clay Bead

Nest Necklace from Blue Hour Designs

Vintage Seltzer Bottle by Brooklyn Retro

Coral Vanity from Poppyseed Living


Hope you're inspired and drooling a little, too.
Have a great Monday.

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i heart macro

( I also heart weeds like this )

It's time for "I Heart Macro" slash "I Heart Close Ups: Up Close Photography for Macro Makers and the Camerologically Challenged". Join me by blogging your up close/macro picture of the week. Grab the button* to show that you're participating and link up here.

<a href="http://www.waterstonejewelry.blogspot.com"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5024/5613077984_956a8186b6_m.jpg" width="240" height="169" alt="studio waterstone" /></a>

*Instructions for grabbing a button*

Copy the code shown above. Go to your blogger and instead of using the "compose" tab, click on the "edit html" tab. Paste the code you've just copied. Then switch back to the "compose" tab and you'll magically see the button! Finish your post, publish and you are done. Easy peasy.

Read more...

it's a wrap: studio saturday

Two recycled leather handbags, both with applique flowers.

Both in the shop.

New for next week - about 5 new crossbody handbags for summer!

***

How was your week? Did you document something?
Care to share with the rest of the class? I'd love to see.

Have a good one.

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randomly speaking

Love this idea from Kelly a.k.a. The Pretty Bee. She has added a page to her blog called "Happy Customers". Essentially, when you purchase a beautifully delicate piece of jewelry from Kelly's shop, take a picture of yourself wearing said purchase, then email it to her, she will add it to this page. In return, Kelly will send you a sweet little 15% discount code! LOVE that and, Kelly, I'm joining in with the same idea as soon as my ducks are in a row.

I'm in the studio today trying to finish up a few crossbody handbags - gotta love convenience and hand's free shopping! Details to follow on Facebook and/or in tomorrow's wrap up.

Persistence, perseverance, good old fashioned motherly harping is what got me the almond and orange biscotti dipped in dark chocolate promised on Mother's Day. Want the recipe? I'll have to tackle the baker and, well, you don't want the full description. But I will get it for you if you'd like. I'll use my motherly wiles - force.

Sophie says hi.

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morning and other thoughts

morning sun.

peace. quiet.

and then I walk into my studio...

and think...

who could do such a thing? what creature is this? certainly no one I know.


How's your day looking?

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earth shattering, life or death kind of questions

Denzel Washington was the subject of this past week's sermon. Nice subject, huh? Okay, maybe that's a stretch. The sermon discussed one of his books called, "A Hand to Guide Me".

We were encouraged to look back and pinpoint the one person who made a positive impact on our life's course, whether it was a constant presence or a 15 minute encounter. Then we were asked to write a letter thanking this particular person and explaining the difference they made.

Personally, the one who immediately popped into my head was James Biggers, my junior high art teacher. His encouragement at such a young age let me know that I was good enough. For me, he began the path for a lifetime of art.

Now it's your turn. Whose hand guided you?
And would you consider a thank you, if this person is still around?

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cranberry nut granola: a story of addiction & a recipe

Addiction is putting it mildly. I made a rather large batch of cranberry nut granola over the weekend and (cough) half is missing. I'm not sure what happened to it. But I must say that nibbled alone or atop your morning yogurt with a few fresh blueberries thrown in for good measure is simply the bee's knees.

The recipe originated here on Food Network and, of course, I tweaked. I'll pass along my version cuz it's better. :)

Cranberry Nut Granola

1/3 c. pumpkin seeds
1/3 c. sunflower seeds
1/4 c. quinoa
3/4 c. almonds
1/3 c. maple syrup
2/3 c. packed brown sugar
2/3 of unsweetened cranberry juice
1 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
2 c. old fashioned rolled oats
1/4 tsp. sea salt
1 1/2 c. dried cranberries

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Spread the pumpkin seeds, quinoa, almonds, and sunflower seeds on a baking sheet. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes until lightly toasted. Set aside to cool.

Reduce the oven temperature to 325 degrees F. Spray a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.

In a small saucepan, combine the maple syrup, brown sugar, cranberry juice, and cinnamon over medium heat. Cook, stirring constantly, until the sugar has dissolved.

In a medium bowl, mix together the oats, almonds, quinoa, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, and salt.

Pour the maple mixture over the oat mixture and stir until combined. Spread the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 20 minutes. Remove the baking sheet from the oven. Stir in the cranberries and bake for an additional 10 to 15 minutes until the mixture begins to brown. Cool completely. Store airtight in a plastic container for up to 1 week.

Enjoy!

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