I've been crafty again...

SOAP!

Making my own homemade soap has been on my "dream tree" for a couple years now.  I finally got to a workshop and learned how.  I made a half-batch of Cedar, Sage, Patchouli with a dash of poppy seeds for exfoliation.  Once it solidified the next morning, I cut it into 6 blocks.  It smells super yummy and I'll be using some very soon!

Recently, my friend Paula gave me some flannel material with butterflies on it.  I decided that I needed another pillowcase for my king-size pillow and this was the perfect material to use (seeing that I'll be in Iowa soon).  So I whipped out the sewing machine...
It turned out nice and cozy  :o)



For years I've been donating all my paper maps from trips I've been on....  Well, last year I came across these instructions to make map baskets - giving me the ability to Upcycle into something more useful.  I took my little project to work one day and while I was waiting for the next Emergency, I pieced it together.  My friend, Wendy helped me because it ended up being easier having four hands  :)

A year ago made some pajama pants at The Stitch Lab, and...well I'm still on the PJ PANTS Class page - Check it out.  super kewl!  I love those pj's....

The other day I was visiting with my friend, Lily, and did some beading.  I made two necklaces...here is one of them.

It's amethyst and moonstone.  Amethyst promotes peacefulness, happiness, and contentment.  Moonstone is said to be for "new beginnings" and promotes inner growth and strength, while enhancing intuition.  I'm liking the combo.  It feels good  :)

And then there is POETRY!
I enjoy poetry in all forms.  When I was in high school, I thought Emily Dickinson was really cool.  These days, I read quite a bit of Rumi which I find inspiring for many aspects of my Life.  The past few days, remnants of phrases come to my mind.  I continued to write them down and piece them together in various ways....I just finished it and would like to share it with you, so this comes from my poet within:

From Time to time,

thoughts of you

Whisper through my mind.

Like gentle summer breezes

cool the air,

You warm my heart.

Like a hummingbird

creates a song,

You sing to my Spirit.

Like lightening beckons 

the echos of my mind, 

You electrify my soul.

I've been sucked into your sweetness.

Minimizing...a preferred change

Today's update comes to you from the cool, beautiful, glowing-under-the-full-moon, city of Austin...

on the bus headed downtown for yoga

Today - I celebrate my dreads...6 months.
I don't think they are minimizing, but I've committed to them for 365 days.  My hair was much simpler to deal with prior to it's dreadiness, but I like them still the same!

Today -  I celebrate educational opportunities.
I'm taking action to go back to school and complete my degree.  Maybe even a Masters =)  The University I have chosen is known for minimization...sustainable community, vegetarian diet, one class per month, meditation twice a day, sobriety and health.
My kind of place, for sure!!!

Today - I celebrate Project 333.  It is showing me that my outer appearance doesn't always reflect my inner self.  And my clothes certainly have nothing to do with who I really am - they are only one representation of me.  It's been a challenge not to reach for something else in my closet, especially when half of my clothes are dirty, and when what I have on doesn't go together - but I have overcome :-)

well...I have 'cheated' some. 

During the 3-day Austin City Limits Music Festival I worked in the Medical Area.

Those make for very long 12-hour days and it was pretty hot this year.  I wore shorts.  Mind you, there are no shorts on my list, but I made the decision that comfort was a priority if I was to stay in a compassionate, helpful state-of-mind.

ACL 2009

I think I mentioned that I was going to a clothes swap...

This is what I went with: 

And here is what I came home with:

So I gave away about a half bag of items and got a lot of very cool stuff to wear next year ~ Thanks girls :-D

Second, I left my sandals somewhere for over a week (oops!) and with it being in the 90's in October - I had to put on a pair of flip-flops or I was going to die from schweatty-foot, a diagnosis common to those living in hot, humid environments.  OH! and one more thing ;) I switched my multicolored flats for a pair of plain black mary-janes, as the other ones just weren't working out.  Otherwise, my personal adventures in Project 333 are great.  I look forward to experiencing more.

Today - I celebrate creativity and family.

I made this Halloween ensemble for my minimal little family in Kerrville.

 I sewed this purse myself while at a Stitch Lab class - my first zipper.

  Maybe it will help me to help minimize how much I carry around!

Today - I celebrate Life and Love. There is nothing minimal about them.

ENJOY your life and find compassion in your heart.

Nature's Treasures!  I love this place...

some very crafty updates

I often read Danielle LaPorte's blog White Hot Truth.  

It's regularly inspiring and honest.  I love that combo!!!

Recently she released The Fire Starter Sessions and knowing that I would flourish personally, in one way or another, I purchased it!  I'm in the process of absorbing all of the juicy information & inspiration...i'll get back to you when I finish it.
If you happen to decide to purchase it - please give my name as a referral   =)


So...as my craft room gets more organized...my craft stuff yearns to be played with!!!  I think you know already that I am learning how to sew.  In order to do this 'properly' - I needed an ironing board.  Since I believe in supporting individual crafters, I found this lovely cover on Etsy....


Made by City Chic Country Mouse It fits perfectly, on the ironing board AND into my decor!

















Here is a painting I created a couple years ago...

my heart & soul felt empty for years, but once I became willing to connect with the Spirit of the Universe...the Light warmed my soul and began to heal my heart. As my mind also becomes healthier - one day at a time, my Life gets better and better!

One of my jewelry creations, made in a Jennifer Perkins class at the Stitch Lab last year...I gave it to my cousin, Tomi, for her birthday.  Hope she loves it as much as I do  :-)










And last but not least...

The Crafty Superstar is a super-fab book for anyone wanting to learn more about the craft biz!  Grace is full of wisdom on the storefront.  The book is an easy read, flows well, and makes a lot sense...I read it in one day b/c I couldn't put it down!!!  (this in itself, says much)  Buy it!  Read it if you have the slightest interest in crafts.

But wait - there's more!!!  ...I just received the new StampinUp catalog and simply cannot wait to order more from it.  I already love the few items I was able to order and preview as a Demonstrator.  I'll be making a few things for you to see ASAP.  If you wanna take a peek at the Retiring Items, order them now from my website keli.stampinup.net because they are 1st come, 1st serve until midnight June 30th - then they are "gone forever"

Super-great SUNDAY

I started the day, bright & early, by heading to the Stitch Lab for a class.  I learned how to make pajama pants from Hayley.  LUV her!  After some yummy, fresh coffee...we all were alert enough to dig into the pattern tracing process.  Then we learned to use a surger.  The surger is pretty intimidating...but Hayley simplified it for us and we felt confident enough to surge our own pj pants!  She is a fantastic and patient instructor - which made it much more enjoyable for us all, especially when something went wrong  ;-)

So here I am in all my pj pant glory!  (do you like my DeathProof t-shirt?)

The fabric I used is designed by Debbie Mumm's Happy Planet collection.  The design I chose for the majority of my pants has "Planet Green" Earth on it.  The bottom cuff has a 'think green' theme.

I wore them last night & they are soooo comfy!  I plan on taking them on vacation with me.






While I was there, I got one of Jenny Hart's  Sublime Stitching embroidery patterns.  I love ALL of her designs - it was hard to choose. This particular one is perfect for keeping my hands busy while I travel next month.  Stay tuned for my finished product(s). 

So i left there and scurried off to the HOPE Farmers Market to use my Groupon coupon, which happened to be eight 5-dollar ticket vouchers I could use at any booth. and free bag...very cool!

FIRST - I stopped to get some Sweet & Spicy Mango Chutney from Kala's Kuisine.  Oh, it's so good!  I'm thinking on using it with my next tofu meal.

Next, I picked up some sauteed Tempeh w/greens from the Energy Foods booth.  I'm having it for lunch today - so if you are interested, please ask me how it is.

I'm SO happy I finally picked up my GoLocal card to support Austin's local businesses.  I've been wanting one of these for literally years.  Only $10 gets discounts all over the city...hundreds of places...and the list grows constantly! 

Okay, three tickets down. Mind you, there are a ton of fantastic vegetables and fruits, fresh from the local area, but I'm not cooking anything soon since I have no time and I'm getting ready for vacation.  Futristically, I will return for those luscious items!

For now, I just made my way through the art area.  I picked up some lovely Abelone earrings from Elementals, a book (the Master Cleanser) from Inside Books Project, and a beautiful "peace" night light from Third Coast Art Glass.  It looks so pretty in my entryway. 

Also at the Hope Market, Empower Yoga and a weekly, local band.  Due to my timing, I happened to miss both...BOO HOO!

When I got back home that afternoon, I put some finishing touches on some of the cards that I am making and played Apples to Apples with my peeps  I really like the game - we had a lot of fun!

                                                                                                                           

 Later last night, I watched Dirt! the movie

It's a great film!!! It's eye-opening, educational, inspiring, and even touching in parts (i shed a couple tears).  I liked it so much that I plan on watching it again while I finish a card order.

This week, I am sharing my Craft Room with my friends  - I'll post some fun pics of the event at the end of the week!!