what did you do today?

This is how my grandmother spent her day. (To read the whole story, go here.)

So I got to thinking, if that's how my 80 year old grandmother spends her days, I better stop sitting on my rump and start looking for some adventure. How are you spending your days? Are they filled with adventure? Are you trying new things? If not, take a cue from my grandmother (also named Laura!) and do something you have always wanted to do.

(I'm so excited that my mom took this picture! I can't wait to print out a copy and frame it! What a photo to have of one's grandmother. A family heirloom for sure!)

cinco de mayo

Good news for all my newsletter subscribers! I've just added a second issue each month. Don't worry! You will still get my business & marketing tips on the second Tuesday of each month. But now, on the fourth Tuesday of each month you will get a second issue, filled with creative prompts, tutorials and general crafty fun! I'm launching the new issue today! The April "Creative Living" issue has a great tutorial for creating a glittery centerpiece for your Cinco de Mayo party and an insanely good (and strong) Blue Margarita recipe. If you aren't a subscriber yet, sign-up on my website at www.katydid-designs.com.

Oh! And don't forget to check-out my recommendation for Twist Entertaining. I met one of the founders, Heather, at my daughter's school. She and her partner put out a great newsletter on entertaining. It's really fun and free! I've already gotten a ton of ideas out of it!

as the white rabbit says

I'm late, I'm late for a very important date. Yes, I am actually sharing an Easter project a few weeks AFTER Easter. To be honest, I didn't even get the project completed in time for Easter. I am going to pretend I'm just ahead of schedule for Easter 2010. I made this sparkly egg with a vintage ornament I bought at Speckled Egg. Then coated the inside and outside with my new favorite glitter, Art Institute Glitter. (Have you tried their glitter? It's better than anything else I have ever used. Check-out their website, they have some great tutorials!) For this project, I used the Ultrafine, transparent glitter in Mimosa. I just coated the plastic egg with Art Institute Glitter's Designer Adhesive and then sprinkled the glitter on. When it was dry I cut-out a vintage image of a girl holding a bunny and then added a little gold garland and an Easter banner. It was really a fun project.

crunchy granola girl

Crunchy Granola Girl is how I referred to a girl my husband dated before he met me. I never met her, but the stories he told were about a girl who couldn't have been more different from me. A no make-up wearing, hiking, camping kind of girl. So I named her after what I thought might be her favorite hiking trail treat. Crunchy granola.

Yesterday, I made some granola from scratch. I adapted a recipe from this cookbook. It's filled with cranberries, coconut and walnuts. We had some with milk for breakfast and I see a yogurt & granola snack in our future later today. Here's the recipe:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Ingredients:

2 cups rolled oats
1 cup coconut
1 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 cup canola oil
1/4 cup of honey
1 cup dried cranberries

Mix the oats, coconut and walnuts in a large bowl. In a smaller bowl, combine the oil & honey. Pour the oil & honey mixture over the dry ingredients and mix well. Pour the mixture onto a baking sheet and bake in oven for approximately 30 minutes. Every 10 minutes check on the granola and stir it. The granola is ready once it is golden brown & toasty. Cool the granola, then add the cranberries. Store in an air tight container.

I made a little package of the granola to bring over to my neighbor's house. They are always showing up at our door with gifts for my daughter, so whenever I bake, I try to put together a little package for them. Why not make up a batch to share with your neighbors today? (My fabric gift tags look great on packages of granola!)

If you want this recipe mailed to you, go to my contact page and give me your address. In the comments section tell me you want the granola recipe. I'm going to make up postcards with my photos from this post on the front and the recipe on the back. It's a little treat I'm going to start giving my readers whenver I share a recipe (and maybe some craft projects!). Maybe one day, you'll have a whole collection of my postcards!

on being domestic

I'm reading the most fabulous book right now! The Gentle Art of Domesticity by Jane Brocket. I've been wanting to purchase it for forever and a little Easter money from Grandma sealed the deal. The book is even better than I imagined. I am roaring through it an alarming pace, and feeling very afraid that it will be over all too soon. But it is a book that I will pick up over and over again-whether it's to refer to a recipe or to look up Jane's list of domestic movies and books, or even just to look at the pictures. It's like having a favorite blog in book form that I can carry anywhere.

In reading the essays, I've had a lot of time to think on the very idea of domesticity as it applies to my life. My long time blog readers know that I was tossed (pushed, really) into the world of motherhood. It's a path I never in a million years thought I would take. If, six years ago, you would have told me that I would have a child and that I would leave my career and spend my days taking care of that child, I would have laughed in your face. And yet, here I am. And I wouldn't change a thing. My daughter's entrance into my life has resulted in a rediscovery of my creativity and my love of being domestic. Do I love to clean toilets? No! Do I love to putter around, playing with my daughter, baking, etc.? Yes. Some days more than others, but yes. And, after reading Jane's book, I'm realizing that it's okay for me to like this new life that has found me. That being a feminist isn't always about going to "work". It's about being able to chose my path in life. Whether it's a childless career woman, a working mother, or a stay-at-home mom, they all count. We are all making a difference and we should all be very happy that the generations of woman before us fought for us to have this choice. Too often, I see women taking sides. We judge each other for the decisions we have made. I will admit that I certainly judged stay-at-home moms when I was childless and working. And then I took a big dose of the humility pill and adopted the very lifestyle I once judged. It was a hard pill to swallow. In fact, it's taken me about 4 years to swallow it. To stop judging myself and thinking I'm wasting my life. You know the saying about walking a mile in someone else's shoes? I've lived it and I can now embrace any choice a woman makes. I count my lucky stars that I have a husband who supports my choice both financially and emotionally. These days, spent raising my daughter, painting, cooking, and going on adventures will be the days I will treasure as an old woman.

As I step off my soapbox, I do want to say that the reason I like Jane's book so much is because the message isn't just for woman who stay at home. It's about finding ways to bring small domestic joys into your life in anyway you feel you can. It's about finding joy in the small, simple moments.

we have a winner!

Kara won the ring! Can you believe it? I honestly used a random number generator and her comment number popped up! I'm so happy because Kara is one of my best blog buddies AND she had been having a bit of tough go of it lately. I'm hoping this ring will lift her spirits.

If you didn't win, I have great news for you too! I'm going to be uploading some rings to my Etsy shop soon and you will be able to buy them. When I do, I'll let you know here, but I'm also going to contact everyone who entered the contest via email and give you a special discount! The people who played deserve a little giftie for doing so many chores! I'll be in touch soon.

how do you say "katydiddy" in french?

Did you know that my all time favorite foreign craft magazine is having a creative blog contest? Marie Claire Idees has a call out for creative blogs. I sent my information in and it was accepted. You can see it here. If you want to enter your blog go here. (Thanks to The Starving Crafter for the heads-up about this contest.)

Don't forget! Today is your last day to enter my ring giveaway. I know I'm asking you to jump through a lot of hoops, but really it's not too hard to enter. If you are already a subscriber to my ezine or a Facebook friend, etc. it counts! Throw your name in today!

I'm off to snuggle up with my magazine, a cup of coffee & clementine. Have I mentioned how much I love preschool days?

laura had a little lamb

This is the first stuffed animal I ever made. It was hard. I called my sewing machine names. I called myself names when I realized I had sewn the wrong sides together. I didn't follow the pattern exactly. I was going to throw it out. But then I decided to keep the little guy around. To keep practicing sewing and, when I am super fantastic sewer, I can look at this little lamby and see how far I've come. I call my lamb "Frankenlamb". Trust me, if you saw the stitching I did on his belly, you would understand why.

If you want the pattern for this lamb, (well, kind of this lamb, like I said, I wasn't so good about following along) visit Turkey Feathers. It's a free download. The pattern and instructions are easy. Any problems were completely my lack of skill as a seamstress. Or better yet, buy Vicki's book, Blanket Statement. I've coveted the book for ages. I just might have to buy it for myself as a reward for finishing up my lamb. To see how the lambs are really supposed to look visit this Flickr group.

pincushion love

Since I've started sewing again, I've fallen in love with pincushions. I'm thinking I just might need to start a collection. Right now, I'm looking for the kind that looks like a tomato with a strawberry hanging off it. I know they sell them in the stores, but I also know there used to be one in my mom's sewing box. (HINT! HINT! Are you there Mom?)

A couple of Goddesses of Craft meetings ago, Goddess Kathryn taught us to make the darling strawberry pincushions you see here. Kathryn is one of the top sewers in group and she did a great job giving us sewing tips. The pattern is from Heather Bailey. (I have my eye on making the pear pincushion next!)

Now, for my favorite pincushion! My little birdie! I pretty much made this one up from scratch. I saw a similiar style in a magazine and then dug through my stash and created this. I love the felt flower petals on the pearl stick pins!

So do you have any pincushions? I'd love to see them. Let's play show & tell. Blog about your pincushions and then leave a comment here. Then we can all visit.

map, schmap

I'm super excited to announce that one of my photos from my trip to Spain last year was chosen to included in Schmap! Toledo Guide. They found the photo on my Flickr site and asked if they could use it. I feel like a travel photographer today...I just wish I really was jetting off somewhere new exciting...Schmap, take me away!

bling!

Although not posting, I honestly have been very creative lately. That's the problem. It's really difficult to balance creative bursts and computer work, and I've finally figured out I just shouldn't push it. If I'm bubbling with crafty ideas, I need to act on them as soon as possible. That's difficult to do when you have a preschooler running around and it's practically impossible if I'm worrying about my computer duties too. During my little dry spell a few weeks ago, I did a lot of soul searching. I think that my desire to keep to a schedule isn't always conducive to being creative. Whenever I put down something I am working on and turn on the computer, I risk losing my creativity. So now, I do whatever feels right at the moment. If you notice I haven't posted in awhile, it's probably because I'm working away in my little studio. Keep the faith and you will be rewarded with a flurry of posts showing you the goodies later. And that's what is about to happen over the next few days. Eye candy galore! Projects, projects, projects! Visit everyday, you won't want to miss a thing!

I wanted to start the excitement off with these rings I made out of felted balls. I picked the balls up at this Etsy shop. Mainly because I love the colors. And then they sat in a jar for months. And then I figured out I could make these rings. And now I can't stop. Embroidering on them, gluing sparkles. It's all too much fun. And the compliments when I wear them are pretty fun too. And I made an extra ring just for you! I have a copy of the blue ring, sitting in my studio waiting to be put on someone special's finger. Consider it a reward for your patience with me and my creative whims. For a chance to win, you need to do at least three of the following:

1. Leave a comment with a way for me to contact you. You have to do this one, otherwise I won't know you are playing!

2. Blog about this contest on your blog.

3. Tweet about this contest.

4. Follow me on Twitter.

5. Friend me on Facebook.

6. Become a katydiddy fan.

7. Sign-up for my ezine.

Easy right? I will pick a winner on Wednesday, April 22. Once the winner is chosen, I will contact you and verify that you have followed the rules. If not, another winner will be drawn. Good luck!

what the bunny left

(Me & Grandpa in the infamous driveway.)

There's been a bit of chatter about what the Easter Bunny left on the floor at my house. Poop. I thought I should explain myself. The Easter Bunny poop is a family tradition and one of my fondest memories of my grandfather because it sums him up so completely. On Easter Sunday, when I was a child, we would pull up to my maternal grandparent's house in Parma, Ohio. There would be "raisins" spread out all over the driveway. As we were getting out of the car, my grandpa would run out, starting acting mad, and say "That darn bunny pooped all over the driveway again!" We were always amazed by what the bunny left and it was proof positive for us that the Easter Bunny really existed! (I mean, a pretend bunny just doesn't do that sort of thing.) You know how kids love potty humor, so that helped too. What made my grandpa think of that? I don't know. He was a plumber. He dealt with that stuff everyday. It wasn't gross. It was life. It was my grandpa. And I miss him and those moments everyday. And now, I promise, no more talk of bunny poop!

Easter wrap-up

Eggs were colored...

Proof that the Easter Bunny visited was found...
(What? The Easter Bunny doesn't poop on your floor?)

Breakfast was eaten, and not just candy!


Croquet was played and ponies were petted at the ranch...


And "Peep Cakes" were feasted on...

Not a bad way to spend a Sunday. No, not bad at all.

5 questions you should ask before you sign-up for a craft show

Time for my monthly business tip! If you are a newsletter subscriber, you already received this article in your email inbox yesterday. Here's what I have to say about signing up for craft shows:

Most of us have experienced it...eight hours of standing behind our table at a craft show and no sales. All the time and money spent with no return! It's one of the most frightening and sad elements of doing shows. Many times, I have watched artists and crafters end their career over one failed show. Our work is so personal that we sometimes (often incorrectly) blame ourselves for the failure. But your work is rarely why a show fails. There are many factors that contribute to a poor show-some are out of your control and some are within your control. In this economy, it's more important to do what you can to make sure that the odds of a good show are stacked in your favor. Here are some things to think about BEFORE you decide to participate in your next craft show:

1. Remember your target market! If you sell indie style crafts, don't sign-up for a show that's going to draw a crowd that doesn't "get" the indie movement.

2. Ask the organizers how they are going to advertise. If you are paying a booth fee, they should be doing some pretty serious advertising, including newspaper ads. Ask them how big the sign for the show will be (outside the venue) and if it will be seen from the street. (This will tell you if there will be any walk-by traffic.) Again, keep your target market in mind. If you are sell primarily kids stuff, you may want to ask the organizers if they are planning on inviting any moms groups...

For the rest of the questions, read my archived newsletter here.

can you help a girl out?

I know, I'm a bad blogger, but I'm going to redeem myself. I've been working with one of my friends on getting her business launched in the virtual world. She now has a blog and I would love it if you would stop by and visit her. Maybe leave a comment. Remember how good it felt to get your first comments? Spread the love.

Her business is model is super cool-she can explain it better than I can, so I'll let you visit her blog to get the information. She's not an artist or crafter, but she does want to change the world in a positive way and I think that's what blogging is all about.

Here's her blog: http://thegameofpossibilities.blogspot.com.

And...I promise to come back soon with more eye candy! Happy Easter and/or Spring and/or Passover.

happy birthday grandma!

My grandmother turns 80 today. At just half her age, I'm already tired, so I'm amazed by her vigor! On Sunday we had a little party at the senior living facility she lives at. My mom hired a magician and much was fun was had by all. To honor her (and make sure everyone knew who the party girl was), I made a corsage for her. I know that her generation was quite fond of marking special occassions with beautiful corsages. It's actually sad to think we only use them for weddings and prom now, isn't it? I had so much fun making this one. It's made with silk flowers, so it's a lasting keepsake too.

You know how the craft community was all into crowns for awhile? Well, I'm thinking of starting a new fad-corsages! What do you think? Will it fly?

Oh! I wanted to share the wrapping with you too. I love to wrap gifts. I know that I get incredibly excited when I receive a beautifully wrapped gift, so I take extra care with presentation when I give gifts. Lately, I've been rifling through the scrapbook embellishments to make my gifts stand out. For Grandma's gift, I used a fabric covered brad by K&Co. I just punched it through some cream tulle to finish off the bow. Do you raid your craft supplies for gift wrap? If so, tell me about it!

fluffy eggs

Fluffy eggs, that's what my daughter calls these darling fabric eggs I made. I used Retro Mama's pattern. Have you seen her blog? Very fun! I used the Berry Delicious Charm pack by Moda. It's a brainless way to combine fabrics-they've alread done it-and the size of the charms are exactly the right size for the pattern. I'm cutting challenged (I can't cut evenly if my life depended on it!), so the less cutting I have to do the better. The eggs are super quick to make, so you still have time before Easter to whip-up a few.

hippity hoppity

When I was a little girl, I always decorated my bedroom for every holiday. I would plan ahead and draw and cut and paste. My goal was to decorate every month, so some months I had to get creative about what was considered a "holiday". At Christmas one year, I made a tree out of a large (about 3" high) walking doll box. (Remember "walking" dolls? They were so great!) I had to enlist the help of my siblings for that project. I gave each of them a few sheets of plain paper and had them color the paper green. Why I didn't ask my mom to just me some green paper is beyond me. Then I drew in ornaments and taped the paper to the box. It was spectacular in my 10 year old mind. I think the sibs were impressed too!

Fast forward 30 (ahem) some odd years. I have a new room to decorate for every holiday! My daughter's! And I now have resources to do it the way I always dreamed & imagined. Lights, real trees, the works. So here's a glimpse of what's in her room for Easter. I gathered all her stuffed rabbits, added some of Jorabeel's Candy Lights, and a little Easter tree. I even made the parasol the bunny is holding out of scrapbook paper. Maybe I'll do a tutorial for it one day.

I think decorating for the holidays is important for kids. Whether it's their room or elsewhere in the house, it helps them mark time. It builds anticipation. It teaches them the symbols and rituals of what your family considers important. I'd love to see what you did to decorate for any of the Spring holidays. Leave a link in the comments and I'll go explore.

Speaking of Spring, I'm trying to clear out the Easter goodies in my Etsy Shop, so I'm offering my blogger friends a special. Buy one, get one (of equal or lesser value) half off of EVERYTHING in the shop. Just type: April Blogger Special in the comment section of the order and I'll refund the discount. You still have time to order for Easter. The offer is good through Monday, April 6th.