Feather Headband Tutorial

I made this tutorial a few months ago after realizing how insane it is that people sell feather headbands and barrettes on Etsy for over $20, when it took me less than 10 minutes and $5 to make these suckers. Plus it was really fun!
I thought I would share!

Feather Headband Tutorial

What you'll need:

• Feathers
• Headbands
• Felt, or fabric that won't fray (like faux suede)
• Hot glue & hot glue gun
• Needle & thread

Instructions:

1. Choose the feathers you would like to lay together on the headband. You're going to want to set them up in size order also, with the largest as the first layer of feathers, gradually introducing the smaller feathers as you go along.
2. Cut out two identical pieces of felt. Size will depend on how many feathers you would like on the headband.
3. Sew one side of the felt together (I used blanket stitch) and then hot glue the feathers onto the felt (large feathers first, gradually applying smaller feathers on top.) You do not want the felt to show, so take that into consideration while arranging the feathers.
4. Sandwich the felt around the headband (feather side on the outside, of course) and proceed to sew the other side of felt together. I also hot glued the felt to the headband for added security.
5. You're done! Great job!

Once upon a time, in the land of babes.

Once Upon a time, I knitted a sweet little hat for a newborn named Ada. She's a super cute little cupcake who looks just like her Ma, and you can hear a lot more about her at her Mom's blog, or her Dad's blog.
They are both extremely kind folks who make some of my favorite music under the name Silence at Sea. (They're very good, please check them out.)


As a little bit of a handmade swap, Laura (Ada's Madre) sent me over the most beautiful bag which is made out of some of the most lovely fabric I have ever touched, let alone looked at. And it even smells good. What are the odds of one single item pleasing so many senses all at once?! My goodness!

When I first received it, I was at odds with how to put it to good use.
1.) I didn't want my cat to ruin it.
2.) I didn't want to ruin it by using it for groceries or a knitting bag.
So, I decided to use it for my wool and drop spindle!
It's like they were actually made for each other!
It's love!

Big news in the big woods.

So..........I got into grad school!!


And.......
I feel like this!!

And this!!

AND ESPECIALLY THIS!!!photos by Billy Mack.

Yeah!!!!!!!

The Green Owl

If you live in Madison, WI and are a vegetarian or a vegan, or if you just really enjoy food, you have to go to The Green Owl. The Green Owl is the newest restaurant that has opened on the East Side (Atwood-Schenk, to be exact) and I'm pretty positive that it's the only 100% vegetarian restaurant in town.
Lucky me that I only live two blocks away!
Jason and I went together tonight, so I took it upon myself to play pretend as a food critic and do a little write up on it since I haven't been able to find one online yet.


Jason got the Vegan Schnitzel (it's Wisconsin..what can I say?) and I got the Vegan Crabby Cake Po'boy. They were both freaking delicious, with normal portions that leave you feeling 100% satisfied.
Also, the interior of the restaurant was so welcoming, warm, and sweet. It really makes you feel cozy, like you're eating inside of a hollow tree. I give it an A.

Official Website for The Green Owl.

I've got, I've got a snappy new haircut.

Okay, so I know you're not supposed to cut your own hair.
And especially not bangs....but I chose to do so anyway.
Whoops!



They make my cheeks look chubby and they make me look a lot younger, but I'm not going to be able to be mistaken as a high school girl forever, so I might as well enjoy it.
Plus, Willi enjoyed playing with my scissors during the haircutting session
and Jason thinks it looks "sweetie", as we say in our home.

Thanks Nico.from nicofans.ning.com

The first baby.

This past week an already very loved baby was born in Pennsylvania.
Welcome, Hendrik!
May you gain your mother's love for autumn and things that age beautifully
and your dad's loyalty and respect for his loved ones.I tried my best to represent ma and pa through these onesies and I have to admit, I'm pretty freaking proud of the brass knuck's. Who knew they could look so cute?

Handmade Giveaway Results!

Well, here we are on Sunday night!
And here I am after the drawing of the winner (using random.org!) and I'm here, of course, to report the good news!



And the winner is.......
Lizbert! whom I am actually a friend of on ravelry and just so happen to share a city with.

Yes please.

Congratulations!A big thank you to everyone who entered and who support my blog and creative endeavors!
**A special thank you to Mr. Jem Baker for sitting on the phone with me
for three hours and fixing my computer troubles
this afternoon so that I could post this.
Yikes.

Also, I'm thinking of perhaps doing this every month.
Let me know if you think this is lame.

Albums I couldn't get enough of in 2009.

picture from pitchfork.

1. My Maudlin Career by Camera Obscura
2. We Walked In Song by The Innocence Mission
3. In the Aeroplane Over the Sea (except not really) by Madeline Ava (<--- download it for free here)

If you are like me, and you mostly listen to girls with sweet, soft voices who fit into the indie pop genre, you will probably like these too.
These albums enhanced my year! I hope they enhance your day!

Giveaway! + update

I haven't been around much this week because I have been working like a straight up loon.
I just applied to grad school this week . Again. You might remember me starting to apply last spring, but I dropped it to move to a little place called Madison, WI. Anyway, I got the sudden urge to apply again this weekend. It was like God was yelling into my ear, "Hurry the eff up Connie, how the hell are you going to take your future grandbabies to Disney World every year with History and Art History degrees!"
Point taken, big guy/girl. So I did it.
The cut off date is, oh, I don't know...two week away though, so hopefully good ol' Mansfield University won't be slowpokes with sending over my transcripts. If not, I can always apply next semester at an earlier time.
Wish me luck!




Since I've been neglecting my blog this past week, I thought I would treat my readers to...

a handmade giveaway.

I'll be the first to admit that I forget my reusable mug a lot when I'm on the run, however, I always keep a reusable sleeve in my bag so I can still save the universe a little bit.
Plus, they're super sweet.
This coffee/hot chocolate/tea sleeve is made of all vintage materials, and I was a bit inspired by the Sex Pistols album cover for "NEVER MIND THE BOLLOCKS here's the Sex Pistols.", but I wanted it to still have a sweet and delicate flare.
So here is the outcome!
I hope you like it.




Rules:

• The Giveaway will be open from January 9, 2010 - January 16, 2010 at 6:00 PM, Central Time.
  
• All you have to do to enter is:
  

1. comment on this blog post.
   
2. OR become a follower and comment on this blog post.
3. OR blog about the giveaway and post the link in a comment on this post. Fun!
   

• On January 16, 2010 at 6:00 PM (Central), I will select a winner by using random.org.
  

Best of luck, lovelies!

A late gift. A new item.

Jason forgot about a Christmas gift he had for me, so I got to open one last Christmas gift last night as the cherry on top of a dinner and a movie.
Matryoshka Measuring Cups!! <3333 style="font-style: italic;" size="1">Oh my wordddd.

I've never had anything nice like this before,
I nearly cried when I opened them up!

I feel so unbelievably blessed. xx

Also, I've added a new item to my Etsy!

Upcycled Lens Barrettes.

I like them very much!
I hope you do too!

A Sweet New Year!

Happy New Year, everyone!
I finally feel better, and I promise my feverish rants are through! Yikes!

Now let's start the New Year of sweetly with a little Annette, shall we?