The Rachel Apron

I made this apron for my sister Rachel. Lucy has the matching "Lucy-sized" apron. They came to visit this past weekend. It was glorious. (Pictures to follow!) Cotton fabric, flowers have wooden button accents. Enjoy!

Chile, In Photographs

In July 2010, I travelled with 12 other students to Santiago de Chile for five weeks. Everywhere you travel in Chile, you have a spectacular view of the Andes Mountains. Also, Chileans put avocado on everything. I’ve found my second home.

I could write a novel about my experiences in Chile. Instead, I decided to pick my favorite photos and tell you about them. There are quite a few, so buy a hat and hold on to it, ladies!

Santiago de Chile

First day out, first picture taken. Downtown Santiago. The city is quite smoggy. Those are the Andes Mountains in the background. No, I did not go skiing.

Pomaire, Chile

Pomaire, Chile is about four square-blocks in size, but boy does this tiny town pack a punch. This is the place for fun, cheap souvenirs. Each vendor is fully stocked with handmade pottery, pots, vases, toys, home décor, clothing, jewelry and antiques. That last picture is of my dear friend Kayley. She made my trip. We fell in love durig our day in Pomaire.

Festival de la Virgin Carmen

Latin America loves their Virgins. Our trip fell during a weekend festival for la Virgen de Carmen ... or something. Fun costumes! Dancing! Music! Fue muy divertido.

Valparaiso, Chile

We visited Valparaiso twice. Once as volunteers for TAC, an after school program for high schoolers; and a second time as tourists. Both trips were a blast. We helped upgrade a terrace/park that was previously a trash dump. I worked on a mosaic of a fish on a bench! Arts and crafts are universal among all cultures.

Our second trip to Valparaiso involved much less crafting and much more alcohol. We explored downtown Valparaiso during the day and played on the beach in the afternoon. Our guide, Valentina, took us to Vina del Mar, a neighboring city, to watch the sunset over cocktails. Hilarity and alcohol abuse ensued (not photographed.)

....More Chile in the new year. Happy 2011, everyone!

The Year Academia Ruined Crafting

Hello, my pets. Mama’s back.

How long it has been, my faithful readers! I’ve missed all eight of you terribly. My whirlwind year has kept me insanely busy, leaving only nanoseconds for the things in life that really matter (like buttons and glitter.) Scoobie is literally starved for attention. It’s time for our comeback into the blog-o-sphere. I have about seven months worth of brain kief stored up and it is about time to light that shit.

Since my last post, I travelled in Chile for five weeks in July/August. I have quite the little folder full of photos that need to be shared with the world. Before departing for Chile, Miss Corina Lander and Ellen Murphy spent a day with Scoobie and me at the arboretum photographing a trunk full of aprons. Posts to follow soon.

This summer, my roommate Jenn began fostering kittens until they’re ready for adoption. Cuteness overload, photo op heaven! In August, I started working at a fantastic little restaurant and bakery in the South End. I love the South End because people there say things like “waistline” and “sass” in passing conversation. Two weeks ago, they promoted me from hostess to floor manager! This past semester was my last taking class at Northeastern. I’ll travel for five weeks in Peru this summer and then diploma, here I come! Finally, I have a new baby niece named Eloise. She was born October 3rd and is just perfect. She looks just like Lucy!

My personal and academic life crushed my creative drive this past year, just as the makethings bug bit me. In the coming year there will be more time for me to sew, glue and bedazzle! …And blog, of course. I should have my etsy store up and running by the end of the month. I’ve spent much of Christmas break making accessories like headbands and jewelry. So much to do! So much to catch up on! Here’s some Scoobie (ears) to hold you over:

Miss Me?

Well, here I am. This is the "Allie" apron. That's Ellen. Isn't she the prettiest? Corey took her picture.

Oh I just love that button. To be on Etsy soon. But in the meantime, have you seen regretsy?

Sneak Peek....

Beautiful lady, beautiful aprons. More to come, folks. Keep your panties on.

green thumb, my ass!

Last weekend I decided to plant an herb garden for my new apartment! (I'm moving July 1st and I simply CANNOT WAIT.) Fresh parsley, basil, mint and cilantro will soon be ingredients in all that I cook. Be jealous. Or don't be and grow your own goddamn herb garden!

My basil plant already started sprouting! Yum!! I bought the jars at Boomerangs for $0.50 each. I'm using the lids for another fantastic project... stay tuned for that post!

Before and After

I found this at GoodWill for $1.00.

Heinous, no?

I really don't know who would want a Happy Birthday bulletin board. Aren't birthdays an annual thing? I feel like bulletin boards are for year round use so WHY on earth would you decorate it for a birthday? I took severe offense to the birthday/diner-esque theme portrayed in the decorative part of this bulletin board and decided it was time for a REDO.

TaDa! My new, official Dog on Lap ideas board. I sanded the wood a bit to give it a softer look, and then I added fabric flowers and other ADORABLE things like BUTTONS. I really love being unemployed. It makes crafting so much easier.

back in action!

WHY HELLO, FRIENDS! How I've missed you so!

Dog on lap had to take a brief hiatus these past few months due to my life completely falling apart. HOWEVER, I've had a lot of free time since I'm recently unemployed and I have been crafting up a storm. Our upstairs has turned into my own little sweatshop. It's rather charming.

Today, I'm taking a trip to the arboretum with Corey and Ellen to take some beautiful shots of the FIVE new aprons I've made (including a mother/daughter set. Are you stoked?! I am. Scoobie is. She's missed you all, her adoring fans.

Stay tuned, kids! Many posts to follow in the next day or so.

Made To Order

My dear friend Julia's mom placed my very first custom apron order. Her friend's daughter is getting married and for her wedding shower, Renee gifted a dog on lap original. Here is the single SASSIEST apron I've ever made:

I know, right? I can really pair my fabrics. Buttons!

Seriously guys, I'm pretty great at this. You should probably buy an apron from me. Also, I'm out of a job as of May 29th so that means lots of time spent sewing away in my little Jamaica Plain sweat shop. I'll keep you posted.

C

DONE!

All of my classes and work are officially OVER. So now I can devote all my time to the three S's: sewing, Scoobie and SMOOSHING (with girlfriend, obvi). Oh and updating the blog. I've been so neglectful.

In the past month or so, I've started a new job, been raped by this new job/finals, made a few aprons and .....a DRESS! (Happy Birthday, Emma!) Soon, I'll have a date with the ever beautiful Corey Lander for a photo shoot (at the arbs, perhaps?) of all my new goodies. Oh, we also have a new cat! Her name is Nimbus and she's currently in heat. She and I still need to have a photo shoot.

For now, I'm off to make aprons! Stay tuned!

UGH.

School and work are just the worst. Why can't I just make aprons all day and play with Scoobie?

I promise to be back soon with many new aprons and fancraftical things. I've just been so busy lately! This GODFORSAKEN semester ends on April 29th. Wish me luck until then, kids. Lord knows I'll need it.

Here's Scoobie at the arboretum to hold you over.

Adventures!

Sleeperchino

Porn for Michael

Spencer's visiting us from his semester in Germany. We played arts and crafts today and Spencer made a tank top. He looked quite dapper in the process...

"M" is for muscles. Growl.

My Craft Corner

Since moving in to this apartment, I've been fortunate enough to have a designated corner for my sewing and crafting. Having my own space really helps me focus and get my craft on in the most bitchin' of ways. Yesterday, I moved some furniture around and re-arranged my goodies and I have to say, I'm pretty pleased with my craft corner:

Bright and sunny, right next to the window.

My dear friend Michael was gracious enough to let me hold on to a few of his sewing supplies since he's not using them. Among all my presents?! A dress stand, named Betty (below), and an EPIC pair of fabric scissors.

Pictured: The Katie Apron. On sale on Etsy!

Here's the decor above my sewing table. I bought the smaller frames for $1.00 each at target, sprayed them red and re-framed some pictures of pin-up girls that I had. The larger center frame I bought at Boomerangs for $1.50, but I've yet to find a picture for it. Any suggestions?

Fabric in it's new home (thrifted basket, $2.00)

So, guess what I'll be doing this weekend!!!!

Magnet Tutorial(ish)!

Oh, we're just SUCH a crafty bunch here at 18 Dolly.

A few days ago, Tori showed me how to make super cool, mini magnets out of old beer bottle caps. Being a fan of beer, all things small, AND magnets, I couldn't resist this fantastical craft-ical project!

Some of my favorites:

Fun fact: The "branch" in my new life magnet is actually a stem from my most recent pot purchase.
I'm so fucking clever I could puke!

You will need:

• beer bottle caps
• paint, glitter, magazines, beads or buttons (basically anything that will fit inside a bottle cap...)
• small, round magnets
  
• pour-on ultra gloss epoxy finish

Step one: Decorate your caps
Step two: Let them dry, pour ultra gloss into caps. Be very careful! Wear rubber gloves and use a cup with a spouted edge for precise pouring (not a solo cup like I used. Very messy!)
Step three: Let dry for 8-72 hours. My recommendation? Go make other crafts!
Step four: Once varnish completely dries, use a super strong glue to glue them to your magnets and then put that shit on your fridge!

Hope you had fun! Feel free to send me pictures of your creations at crascal1125@gmail.com and I'll feature them on Dog on Lap!

Happy crafting!