Chewbacca has a Taco.

By now you I should think you are all well aware that my favorite and our nation's most overlooked holiday, International National Taco Day of America is coming up in TWENTY SIX days!  Holy sweet baby Jesus that's soon!

What you may not be aware of however is that N.T.D. is also Chewbacca's favorite holiday.  Me and Chewy have so much in common.
 
This print was penned, printed and posted by Paul Friedrich who runs an Etsy shop called, appropriately, I Love Paul.  Paul is also the creater of the NHL's only official cartoon, Cup of Awesome with Stormy the Pig.

If that doesn't make you chuckle then you have a heart of stone. 

Wedding Wednesday: Ruffle Curtain Tutorial

Pictures by Meredith Mascola (c)2011. 

As I have eluded to many times in the past, I got married this past May.  It was a magical DIY-filled day months in the making and I was maniacal about documenting every silly little project to someday share with you, the people of the internet.  Well, it seems that day is today...

Welcome to my first ever Wedding Wednesday Tutorial!

My plan is to feature a wedding themed project and tutorial from my very own wedding every Wednesday until I either, A) run out of projects or B) just kinda forget.  The first project I'm going to feature is a ruffle curtain made from recycled (aka old) sheets, curtains, tablecloths and pillowcases that hung behind CakeTown (above) during my reception.  I got so many compliments on it I thought I'd tell you all how I made it. 

Below (left) is the inspiration for this ruffle curtain- an adorable shower curtain from, where else, Anthroplogie.  It was so so cute and so so expensive but mostly, it was so so pink.  The picture on the Right is what I made  instead.  The entire cost of this project was about $20.  The total cost for the Anthropologie curtain was $250.  I think I've made my case.  

"How-to" after the jump...

For this project you'll need the following supplies:

-Different colors, prints, patterns and textures of similar colored fabric
-A base piece of fabric (I used an old curtain)
-a few different trims- fringe, dingle balls, etc.
-sewing machine
-thread
-scissors
-hot glue (I put this on every list whether you need it or not)
-measuring tape

This is the fabric I'm using below.  I, well, Liz and I, went to a couple Goodwills to find the perfect mix of beiges, whites, textured materials and dingle balls!  The ruffles should coordinate and be cohesive but not match.  Matching is boring.  All together, this fabric cost me about $12.

I also found this 42"x84" vintage (read: old) curtain that I'll use as my base to add my ruffles to.  It was $3.99 from the textile bin at the Goodwill in Davis Square.


Next, I made a mark on the fabric at the height I felt each ruffle should be.  That height happened to be exactly 11".  So, I measured and cut/ripped 11" strips of fabric from each of my sheets.


After I had all of my strips cut, I laid them out on top of the base and experimented with a couple different layouts.  The most important part of the curtain was going to be right at eye level since that is what would show up in pictures of the cake cutting so I made sure to add extra details in that area.  I used a beautiful old lace tablecloth ($2.99) right at the 5' mark and put one of my rows of dingle balls right underneath that. 


When I was satisfied with the layout, I sewed each layer on to the base layer using my sewing machine.  The great thing about this project is that nothing needs to be, or should be for that matter, perfect.  That helped make the sewing part a lot easier. 

At the end I attached some thick twine with my hot glue gun to both of the top corners for the curtain to hang from and Viola!  It's done!  Here it is below being modeled by my front stoop. 

And below, in action at the wedding.  Let me know if you're going to attempt this project or if you've made one of your own like it. I'd love to see it. 

Finally. It's September.

I am head-over-heels for September. 

And she's finally here!  My friend and fellow Etsian, Amy Beth, made an Etsy treasury to celebrate and was nice enough to include my new yellow scales painting.  What a sweet girl.

Now I'm off to drink hot chocolate, pick apples, plan a harvest party, make zucchini bread and/or light a pumpkin scented candle.  Bye!

Christmas ALREADY???

If you're like me, when you see Halloween decorations for sale in July or Christmas decorations come out in August, you skip angry and go straight to irate.  I mean, my sweet Summertime pedicure hasn't even worn off yet and I have to start thinking about my Halloween costume?  Geesh!

I was complaining about this very topic when the husband said to me, "Christmas isn't that far away, I already started shopping."  Mind= blown.  Wow, I thought, maybe he's right.  (NEVER tell him I said that!!)

So, in an effort to actually be prepared and not frantic-running-around-like-a-mad-woman come mid-December, I've decided to jump on the preparedness bandwagon and start making Christmas ornaments early this year, like the one above.  More pictures here and here.

Here are some of my favorites from last year, below:

Email me with your ornament requests this year and I'll get them started. 

Merry Christmas?

NEW STUFF on Etsy

Just added these to my Etsy page.

I like them.  I hope you do too.

It's got FANGS!

I guess it's inevitable that if you leave a drawing out for any number of days, eventually it's going to get fangs drawn on it.  This experiment has proved that it takes about 55-60 days for that to occur. 

NTD is in 32 days.  Woah.

How's your taco?

My friend Mike asked me about my husband's taco the other day.  I found this question totally offensive for reasons I can't even consider explaining.  The confusion must have shown on my face because then he said, "...you know...his taco...that's what Tacoma people call their trucks...tacos."

Oooooooooooohhh!!

I've basically been riding around in the Mexican food equivilant of the Weiner Mobile and didn't even know it.  Thank you Mike for enlightening me.  You've changed my entire life for the better.

Also- 33 days now:

I have something magically taco related in the works!  I'll keep you posted.

Phantom Pharm Stands

For as long as I can remember I've always loved the adorable signs found at Farm Stands and cute little side-of-the-road shops.  In fact, a lot of times I stop at farm stands just to check out their signs.

Recently I came across this big piece of plywood in the scrap pile at the Home Depot that was practically begging to have an ear of corn painted on it.  I promptly took it home (then left it in my to-do pile for about a month) and was only too happy to oblige.   

So now I have this big 4" tall painting of an ear of corn with some Fresh Prince-esque writing on it and no farm stand to speak of...well, except this one that I painted on a window:

Know anybody with a farm stand who could use some sprucing up?  I'd love to paint them some giant pumpkins for the Fall or some big ol' baskets of apples.  And I'm willing to trade.   

If you know anyone who might be interested have them email me.  Thanks!

NTDC: 35 days

A Hurricane of Productivity (sorry)

This weekend's hurricane turned out to be nothing more than a Summertime Nor'Easter, in my neighborhood at least.  It knocked down a couple of branches and soaked it's share of basements but all-in-all, I'd say she was pretty disappointing.  Our power didn't even go out!  How'm I supposed to get to use my brand new Eucalyptus & Mint scented "emergency" candle without a power outage?  Unbelieveable.  The real hurricane this weekend was in my studio. 

I hate myself for even saying that. 

But I really did get a lot done!  I finished the Hawaiian themed name plate for Maggie (top), made a couple monkeys, one for Kate to give to her friend she affectionatly refers to as "Monk" and another one just cause the first one was so cute (above), and I painted this:

It's a 12x14" chunk of softwood painted with acrylic paint and finished with a couple layers of polyurathane.  There's just a hint of raw wood left on the bottom, between the scales.  It's a neat piece for a room that needs a pop of color or a little playfullness.  More color combos/designs avaiable soon.

I didn't take a picture of the pile of the rest of the half finished projects I worked on this weekend though.  Maybe I'll show you when you're older.

Being a Good Hostess: Hurricane Edition

In preparation for our upcoming Category 3 (already downgraded to 2 and on her way to plain ol' "Tropical Storm" status) visitor this weekend I thought I'd gather some tips on how to be a good hurricane hostess.  

When entertaining out-of-town visitors it's always nice to label items and make directional signs to avoid confusion.   Above is a piece of drift wood I painted to show Irene how to get to the beach to help her find her way.  

It's important when hosting natural disasters to have plenty of activities for your guests.  Below is a pail I've set out that Irene can throw through my window and some treasure she might also want to roll around in while she's there.

As anyone who's ever been to a gathering knows, refreshments are key!  Here I've made our guest a margarita to enjoy while on her rampage, a girl does get thirsty!  And I've laid out guest towels and an umbrella to hurl across our great state.

With any social gathering it is important to keep in mind who you're inviting to ensure an easy going atmosphere and great conversation.  My guest list for this party will include the Crab Brothers, for their shared interested in rolling around in treasure,

and some mermaids from down the shore who are reminding me of another tip: if you are an invited guest it is always a good idea to bring a gift to your host.  Sandra has decided to bring a giant clam, always a hit!, and Kendra brought a Starfish.  What's nice about these gifts is that they're local, unassuming and they fit the theme.  Great job ladies!

Welcome Irene, may your trip be short and sweet and I really hope you don't throw a pail through my window.  Happy Hurricane-ing, stay safe!

National JACKFRUIT Taco Day

During a quick trip to 'Rado last weekend my husband and I finally got to try a restaurant my Fort Collins' friends have been telling us about and were dying to try called Tasty Harmony- where they made me the delicious taco below-

It's a Jack Fruit* taco and it kept making me go, "no seriously, honey, you have to try this."  It was so good and I loved the Jackfruit, I honestly thought it was chicken when I first saw it. 

*Jackfruit (above)» A huge fruit that grows in Southeast Asia. The bulk of the fruit is starchy with a slight artichoke flavor and when cooked has a meaty texture.

National Taco Day is in FORTY EIGHT DAYS!  Better get started on that mini sombrero.

The Ol' Switch-er-oo.

These are some light switch covers I painted for a brother and sister combo.

His name is Dylan, he likes baseball.

Her's is Madi, she is quite convinced that she is a princess.




These are painted with acrylic paint and sealed with acrylic sealant.  Able to withstand years of abuse from little sticky fingers.

I Love Fabric Bliss!

 Long overdue thank you "card" painting made for Aurora,
head crafty lady and Owner of Fabric Bliss in Denver, CO.

 Not only is Aurora a super duper double crafty lady, business owner, cat lover and hockey playing bad ass, she is also the most thoughtful and talented girl in the Northern 48 States.

 When I approached Aurora with the idea of making bow ties for my wedding in May she not only shared my enthusiasm for the project but took it to a whole 'nother level with multiple emails on color selection and fabric choices and she even sent me an entire Excel spread sheet dedicated to the topic.  Amazing!

And the results were spectacular:

The boys all loved their bow ties, even if they needed youtube to teach them how to tie them, and it added such a special, personal touch to our wedding day.

Thank you SO much Aurora!  Love you!!

It's a Family Affair

In other National Taco Day related news, my Sister and her family had a taco extravaganza yesterday.

Starting with my brother-in-law placing 3rd in the hot sauce competition with his aptly named hot sauce:

And followed closely by Sister *almost* finishing second in the taco eating contest.  She said ghost peppers really are wicked hot.

And then on to the main event!  

For the kid's taco eating contest Matador made special 4" mini tacos!!  Oh man.  Here she is shovin' it in and wearing her special 'I love tacos' shirt we ordered her from Apericots on Etsy.

She loves it!

She didn't technically win but she told Sister she won "cause she finished her whole taco."  So proud of her!

National Taco Day is in 59 days!! 

NTDC: 61 days

Rodolfo the Taco is just beside himself with excitement. 

USA!  USA!  USA!!

ONE HUNDRED SALES!!!

Cue the confetti...I made my hundredth sale on Etsy today!

**allow time for confetti to settle**

I am pleased as punch with myself...not unlike my 100th sale himself, below:

It's fitting that it was my giraffe character to hit this mile 

marker with me as he was the first character I ever 

got paid to paint on a wall in 2008.

Since then, he's shown up on other walls and even added a Missus:



Here's a small run of giraffes I've painted and sold on Etsy in the last 3 years, it's been a long, slow road and I've learned so much.  Hopefully it shows. 

Starting in 2008...

And ending in 2011!

Thank you to everybody who's ever helped me, critiqued me, taught me or bought from me. 

You like me...you really like me!

NTDC: 62 days

Taco Themed Etsy Item of the Day

A taco pendant from Etsy seller sillychic, necklace available here.

National Taco Day is in 62 days!!!  Oh man.

My New 12-Pack

Many of you who know me in real life know that I quit drinking almost 3 years ago. 

There was a millieu of reasons that led to this decision and if you'd like to talk about them please feel free to contact me and we can talk about it for days...BUT this post isn't really about the reasons I quit drinking but rather just acknowledging that I've changed and grown and done so much since making that decision.  

Three years ago a 12-pack could have only meant one thing: beer. 

Now, 3-years and a lot of effort later, a 12-pack looks like this:

Note I didn't say I had matured just grown.

I am SO excited about my new glitter 12-pack!

BIDMC Farmer's Market

My newest creation on the window in the EU is a farm stand celebrating a bunch of things I used to be horribly allergic to.  From the age of about 18 to 29 I developed an allergy to all things with seeds.  Seriously.  Cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, oh God peppers were horrible, apples, watermelon...you name it, I've passed out because of it.

My allergist was so amused by my freakish situation that she usually just laughed whenever I was in her office.  She couldn't figure out what it was.  Her advice?  "Ya, just don't eat those things."  Awesome.  Luckily, I've grown out of it now which I hear is pretty normal for allergies.  It's so nice to be able to order food and not worry about having to send someone for Benadryl or reach for my EpiPen.  I was a horrible dinner guest, needless to say.

This particular farm stand apparently also boasts the absolute lowest prices in town, or so I'm told.  Look, I just started eating these things, how am I supposed to know how much a cucumber costs? 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The left side of the window protects you from scurvy. Which will come in handy in case you need your energy to fight off pirates. You just never know these days.

 Come see it in person.
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center is located at:

One Deaconess Road, Boston, MA 02215