Its Craft Fair Time Again!

There's one day in the life of Blake's Beanies that is the culmination of a year's work.  That day is this Saturday.  The Clarkston High School Band Craft Fair. 

All year long, I crochet.  This is not breaking news.  We all know this.  But why?  Because I can't sit still while I watch TV? Yes.  Because I am addicted to crocheting?  Yes.  But also because I know that if I waited until September to start getting ready for the crap fair, I'd be screwed.  

This week is called "Hell Week".  I just learned this term this week while talking to my sis-in-law when she was explaining the term for the week before a Civic Theatre production.  I thought it was very fitting to my situation as well.  

There's just sooo much that goes into these fairs.  I can't just show up the morning of, with a table and a box of hats.  Well I could, but my craft table has since turned into the camping cook table and is absurdly greasy dirty.  And I have done this in years past.  When I started doing fairs over 10 years ago, I would show up hungover and completely unprepared.  I also used to do around 3-4 a year, but then realized that I would practically sell out on the first one and then not have enough time to get my inventory back up in time for the next one.  So now, I only do one.  And loyalty wins, so the Clarkston High School Marching Band Craft fair is the one I always choose.  

Branding was always something I wanted and needed and thanks to my bff Jenny, I have business cards, stickers, price tags and bags!  Plus two giant posters.  She's pretty awesome. 

Booth design was another part I knew I needed to work on.  That and not being hungover the day of. 

I would say for the past few years I finally was able get all the pieces together and feel good about how everything, including my product looks.  Felt great!  But I know there's always room for improvement, so this year, I decided to create a mockup of my 10x10 booth square in my living room.  Perfect timing really, due to the fact that Hottie Hubs is out of town all week, because I've made a giant crocheted mess, yarnbomb really, of my living room.  What I found out, is that I have a ton of inventory.  Way more than I thought.  Since I did the yarnbomb bike and stairs at work this September, I was afraid my inventory was going to be smaller than previous years. Wrong. 

Now if I can just stay away from the beer on Friday night, I'll be set. 

Oh, I almost forgot!  I'm selling my Mom's awesome stash of Vintage Children's Books.  Including Dick and Jane!  Next to the books, a basket-o-beardies.

Sneak peek of the main table

The other side of the table

The pile of beards

P.S. Thanks Ruthie Prasil for lending me your amazing cute fabric banners.  They go perfectly with my branding designs! 

Carafe'tin Time!

I love the term Stitch and Bitch.  To me, it represents girlfriends getting together and crafting. But I would substitue Wine for Bitch in our case.  My girlfriends are pretty drama free.  We don't really have that much to bitch about other than our sore abs/ass/legs/arms at the moment due to Booty Camp.  We all are quite content with our lives, our children, our jobs, our homes, etc.  I'm not trying to paint this "pretty, stable, family picture" as one of my DNA counter parts would say, but its definitely not a "group of girls ranting and talking bad about their men/kids/pets/jobs/lives lets-use-the-stitch-excuse-to-bitch type of party.   The two words rhyme and thats pretty much it.  I'm now gonna call it "Craft and Carafe" because that's more along the lines of what happens.  And right now, the wine is flowin because of our recent trip to Walla Walla. :) 

So tonight is another edition of Stitch and Bitch Craft and Carafe.  We are going to make Valentine crafts, more specifically, yarn wreaths.  I love this idea, mainly because I'm half way there as far as materials needed.  You pick the color, I've got it.  So last night I got a head start and wrapped my foam circle in yarn.  On all the DIY blogs regarding this project I've found don't mention the part where it takes a lot of time and patience to wrap a whole wreath.  I was able to get Hottie Hubs help for a wee bit (emphasis on wee but it was the thought that counted) and then I got into a rhythm.  Tonight I'm going to add a few things to it with my trusty glue gun and felt.  Here's the start to the wreath.

Foam circle and purple yarn.

Flash from camera does not flatter this wreath

This better represents the true color.

Happy Friday! 



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UPDATE:

These are pictures I took during the crafting party, and have been a little lazy in getting them on here to show you the end results.  M

Almost done wrapping the pink string.  

This took quite some time.

Done. For the night anyway.  

Still need to put some hearts/flowers on it.

Jenny's wreath all wrapped up.

Her amazing felt flowers. 

Booty Camp

I can't believe I've agreed to this, but to be quite honest, its the only way I can get back into shape.  I'm going to boot camp. Tomorrow. Morning. Early. Real early. With my two biffs. Thats the other reason I've agreed to go.  Because I can only really truly commit to a workout schedule if I have a friend doing it with me.  Or else the fat chubby version of me sits on my shoulder and tells me to eat another Sour Patch Kid, then another Reese's, then tells me in the morning to stay in my warm bed.  The skinny version of me on my other shoulder tells me to get my arse outta bed because my friends are counting on me.  She also tells me to drink loads of water and eat raw spinach for every meal.

I won't tell you my start weight, or show you before pics, but trust me. My pants are tight. And they're not my skinny jeans either. I'm thisclose to being the perfect candidate for wearing pajama jeans to work.  My tights are too tight. I'm muffin topping practically everything I wear.  People tell me to shut it because I look fine, but trust me, I know how to wear my clothes and how to hide the slight weight gain I've been experiencing since Halloween. And its not pretty. I'm trying to nip it in the butt bud before it gets outta hand and I have to buy new clothes.  I always want to buy new clothes, but not new sizes.  Thats where I draw the line.

So wish me luck. Last time I did this I couldn't sit down gracefully.  I had to just commit and fall to the couch/toilet/chair. I also had to dry my hair by practically setting the hair dryer on the counter because I couldn't lift my arms.  This will be good for me. This will be good for me. This will be good for me.

2013=Year of the Wifey

Do you remember my 2011 resolution?  It was a crazy one. I decided to do or not do a particular thing each month.  For example, January I abstained from alcohol. February - No cable TV, March - No meat. I actually stuck to it each month, which is a first in terms of New Years Resolutions for me.  I really wanted to do it in 2012, but at the same time, I needed a break from the constant focus needed to succeed. I thought about doing a video blog everyday of 2013, but thought about how extremely boring that would be for any viewer.  I also thought about journaling everyday, but then I realized thats kind of what this blog is, and I don't have to stick with the everyday thing.  So, after finally getting a chance to look around my house (instead of looking down at a ball of yarn I'm about to turn into a beard) I have figured out what 2013 has in store for me.

I'm not that into interior decorating.  Obviously for those who have entered the Harrington House.  But that doesn't mean I can't get into it.  Its just that normally my time at home after work is spent on crocheting.  And watching *Catfish the TV show (or insert any show, really).

My biff Jenny is super into interior decorating, as obvious to those who have entered the Purington House. Or those even driving by.  So, when she had a party for her 3 year old a couple weeks ago, Hottie Hubs noticed how awesome her house looked/felt.  And he let it be known to Jenny that I needed help.  Well duh, I already knew this.  Didn't hurt my feelings at all when she told me what he said to her in private, because I know this about myself.  And I'm ready to take this project on.

I think of it like I think of my wardrobe.  Back in the day, I didn't have a "wardrobe".  I had clothes that fit.  And kept me warm.  That was about the extent of my thinking for what clothes meant to me.  Now, I have aquired quite the closet, complete with accessories.  Now it takes me longer to get ready, but I get compliments on how I look, and that makes me feel good!  It took practice and time, but now I like getting dressed for work and choosing the best earrings for the day.

I'm going to take 2013 on as a interior decorating year.  And I will showcase the Befores and Afters in all their glory right here, in my little blognest.

Pretty much every room needs work. When we moved in, we did a little painting, and remodeled the kitchen (which needed it asap), put carpet in the basement and called er a day.  It's kind of embarrasing really, to think that I'm 30 and still haven't put my "womanly touch" (a term I've heard thrown in my house around a few times) on my house.  I love that Pinterest is a thing now, because I've already stolen  many ideas for what I'm going to do! I plan on DIY-ing most of it because, well, I can DIM.

Here's my list:

(in no particular order in which work will be completed)

• Living room:  I would like to paint the fireplace, make the mantle bigger, change out the carpet, add more pictures
• Hallway:  Paint and add pictures
• Bathroom 1: Floors, paint, new sink, possibly new tub, possibly paint tub
• Bathroom 2: Add pictures as its been remodeled already
• Master Bedroom: Pictures, new curtains
• Rodney's Man Room: Curtains
• Blake's Craft room: Paint, organize, pictures
• Basement storage room: Paint floor, organize
• Basement bathroom: add shower, mild remodel
• Laundry room: Add pictures, shelves possibly, paint floor
• Outside Backyard: Possibly add deck??? 

Pretty much gonna make this house a home after 8 years. Bout ding dang time Blake.



*Have YOU SEEN this show?!?! Wowie. Its a gem. Just when I was needing something new on my Roku to watch, here came Catfish the TV show. I promise you won't want that hour of your life back. Its that good. 

My blog does not have ADD

As you have probably noticed, my blog has had a few different looks.  This is mainly due to the fact that I'm still figuring out all the kinks to blogging.  My friend Jenny is a graphic designer and had designed my Blake's Beanies Banner for my Etsy page, and also designed all my logos, signs, stickers, business cards. So when she saw my latest attempt at making a blog banner she puked a little in her mouth wanted to help.  So I let her. And now, I have a banner that ties everything together!!! (I believe thats called branding)

So, here's the final look, hopefully. I apologize if you don't deal with change very well. Oh, and if you need any graphic design work, get ahold of Jenny Purington @ Northwest Media Productions!!! She makes a bomb baked french toast too.

Stitch Fix

When I was little, I didn't like to dress up. I hated having to wear frilly dresses to recitals or Easter Sunday church.  They just didn't fit my personality. In high school and college, I mainly wore thrift shop t-shirts and jeans.

When I graduated college, my sister had just moved back to town and was helping me with my new wardrobe I desperately needed for my new job selling real estate. It was at that point that I started actually caring how I looked.

Now, over the last 8 years, I've acquired a closet I'm somewhat proud of. I started buying lots of jewelry and accessories from Forever 21.  Have you ever seen their prices? You can literally get 10 earrings, 10 necklaces, and 10 bracelets for a combined total of $40. Their crappy jewelry is really cute, stylish and cheap.  Perfect for me because if I lose something, its no biggie. And I lose 1 earring quite often due to the previously stretched earring-hole in my left ear.  (whole nutha story for nutha blog)Fashion does not come all that natural to me. I have to really work and try to look presentable/cute/my age.  This is where Stitch Fix comes in. Because who doesn't want a personal stylist mailing you clothes to try on and send back if you don't like them????

So, do I have your attention?  

Stitch fix is basically your online personal wardrobe styling BFF.  And believe me, in the Lewiston Clarkston Valley, thats something a few most us desperately need. Its a website (that is currently still in the beta testing stage...don't ask me what that means exactly) that asks you a bunch of questions regarding your size, style, price range and then they send you clothes to try out! In your own home! And you don't have to buy ANY of it (or pay ANY shipping)!  Its nothing short of amazing.  Lets dive right in, shall we? 

Here's my package:

First off, can you say Christmas in July?!?!

I have NO idea what is inside, but I'm giddy.

The tag is reminding me that if I buy all 5 items, they take 25% off entire order.

                                     

Inside were instructions and a free set of post-its!

There were 5 items. Each has a description tag that shows the outfit in 2 different suggested ways to wear it.  So thats helpful. Mainly because a few of these items would NOT look good just worn right off the rack. They need to be paired with other accessories or clothes that I would not have known or tried.

*FULL DISCLOSURE* I'm not a model, nor do I believe I am, or ever will be.  If you are a FB friend, you will notice I have no myspace mirror shots, duck faces or glam shots . I rarely photograph myself, and if I do, I probably won't post it for all to see because I don't often like pictures of myself.  I am an absolute DWEEB MCDWEEBY and I am ok with that.  My hubs thinks I'm a total hottie, and thats all that matters!!! :) Now enjoy the extreme dorkiness from the photoshoot my BFF Jenny and I had a couple nights ago.

Item #1.

Pink Stitch Top : Blouse liz accordian blouse

Peek-a-boo(b)

Styling suggestion on the tag!

First pic of the night.....just a smidge akward, thats all!

It was a sleeveless accordian blouse. With a lower back than front. Although it looked much cuter on than on the hanger, I just couldn't see myself wearing it, well, ever.

 

Item #2:

Miilla Outer Layer : Jacket flicka elbow sleeve hooded anorak

Front and back. My brother asked if I was going to start doing hair.

What? It was a question!?!?!

(inside joke involving a "To Catch a Predator" creep)

Want to instantly look 40 lbs heavier? Or possibly hide a six-pack candy for the movies?

Ok, whats with the back being longer than the front? Its like reverse maternity wear. I'm seeing a trend, and I'm not liking it.  This item is a tad too hip for me. Its a cargo style jacket (that looks downright silly from the backside) with 3/4 length sleeves. Too much goin on if ya ask me.

Item #3:

Amour Vert Dress : Casual Dress vivianne ruched jersey tunic dress

Perfect for blue bras and big butts

(neither of which I had at the time)

I imagine this one for someone with a bangin booty or large fupah. Only because it really draws attention to that region of the body, and not just the back. I love the material.  I own a lot of jersey knit stuff.  Its just ultra comfy.  It looks WAY better on the body than on the hanger.

 

Item #4:

Hourglass Lilly Dress : Casual Dress lyra 3/4 sleeve jersey tunic dress

I thought hourglasses had a smaller middle.

CHEEEEESE

Lola Rae blending in with the curtains

This NEEDS a belt. It literally has no shape to it. I actually put this on in the morning to wear to work on Monday, but decided I may want the day to think about it before I ruin it with my first sip of coffee. They actually would of had me with this one, because I can wear leggins for work appropriate-ness, and then shed them at 5pm for a cute mini. However, the elastic on the left sleeve was tight, and the elastic on the right was loose. I'm guessing the designer has a huge right forearm.

Item #5:

Pretty Persuasions Accessory : Scarf mixed striped lightweight scarf

Nevermind my stained pj shirt I combined with it

I really liked this one.  I like to wear scarves, but I also like to sew my own scarves. (translation: do not like to spend money on something i could make myself)

Now, here's the deets:  I spent $20 for the "fix". That $20 is now a credit towards any of the 5 items sent to me. If I don't keep any of the items, I forfeit the mulah. (I paid no shipping charges)

Notice I didn't tell you any of the items prices.  I did mention these are items you'd find in a boutique and not Forever 21, right? SOOO, they're quite a bit more than I'd spend. 

I also didn't mention the price right at first, because sometimes you just gotta give things a chance before the price can sway your decision.

The SEE THROUGH BLOUSE? $80.

The silly cargo jacket? $75.

The jersey knit dress? $86.
The no figure casual dress? $48.

The scarf? $38.

So basically take $20 (that i've already spent) off of each price and you can possibly justify it.

I'll just say I'm not in love with any of them really, but I've seen other people's stitch fixes, and they do have cute stuff.  Oh, and you are not in any sort of contract where they demand you order.  I can stop here, be out $20 and continue to shop where everyone else in this valley shops-Ross or TJ Maxx or "the mall".

Each time you order, you give feed back to help narrow your style down a little bit better so they can get an idea of how those items worked, and if they need to change how they style you for your next fix if you so choose.

If you are interested, please refer me by clicking on this link:

http://stitchfix.com/users/signup/?referrer_id=3018648

You'll sign up, be assigned a rad stylist, and in a few days, they'll get back with you and you can get started!  It was really fun, and I will probably do it again sometime soon.  I love the whole concept.