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: