Too much 'gawking'....

I have been pretty busy lately, and have not had a ton of time to work on crafts and/or take pics of things that I finished in the recent past.

But...somehow I have had some time to spend in the 'gawkerverse', navigating through wonderful things found on craftgawker and dwellinggawker.   While I use my time for playing on the computer instead of working my real job or working on my crafting, etc, I will share some of the wonders I have seen...

Flying carpet rug?  Yes...I do think this looks way fun.  Check it out on this site.

Simple tutorial on light box photos...I am pretty sure I need to create a simple light box this week (or weekend)  to help me get caught up with photos to share....

Remember the TARDIS from Dr. Who that I made?  Well, look at Haley's creation from Zen of Making!  I love it!

Ok...back to work for reals.  Check out the gawkerverse...but be careful not to get sucked in and get lost out there! 

Ash

Do you Pinterest? How about Ravelry?

I have to say, there is almost too much inspiration out there!  Between Pinterest and Ravelry....it gets a bit crazy.  But I do enjoy both of these and have a profile on each.  How about you? 

If you do hang out on either site, I'd love it if followed!  And comment below with your Pinterest or Ravelry so I can follow you!

Find me at: 

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/23point4degree/

Ravelry: http://www.ravelry.com/people/civicstitchings

(You might notice the differing names for my Pinterest vs. Ravelry...well....that is because soon 23point4degreetilt will be my new biz name!  I am almost ready for the roll out!  Yay!)

Now, to pull myself away from the computer and all the inspiration (so much...too much....) and get to work!

Ash

Trash + Mod Podge = Fun!

I have to admit that I keep a lot of things that should probably be put out to be recycled or trashed.  But one of my favorite thing to do with the 'trash' I keep is to make it new with Mod Podge!

One of my New Year's Resolutions (my 2012 Manifesto post tells all) is to be better at saving for the things we want to do.  I decided that a fun way to kick it off was with new piggy banks.

First, I took old tea canisters that I have saved and cut some scrapbook paper to fit each.  Then....grab the Mod Podge!

And slather it on!

Then coat the top and find embellishments!

One for travel....

One for a house fund...

And one for our new businesses!  

(I seem to find other things to do right now than actually get the biz off the ground....but soon, by golly!!)

And after they are dry.... ta da!!  

I decided not to make slots in the tops, as I figured I'd hurt myself doing so.  But I am sure you could puncture the lids easily enough if you wanted and snip out a coin slot.

Now I totally have the bug and I am on to boxes and and other random items I am finding in the house....

Ash

Playing in the snow...

Last week I got to go to Bend area of Oregon to house sit and play in some snow!  Here are some pics from the fun....

View from the backyard of the house I stayed at....

I got courageous and went snowboarding!  Above is the pic on the way to Mt. Bachelor and below my self pic...hehe.

Fell several times but had a great time.  A pic from the lift...

The funny animals I was watching.  The dog loved to take 'snow baths' and the kitty was cracking me up in front of the tv...

So pretty!  I have decided that I really like visiting snow, but I am just fine with my rainy home in Eugene.  (Funny how you have to leave to truly appreciate where you live.)

Happy trails!

Ash

Super easy DIY Plant Markers

So I read an idea out of a cute little garden book recently called Apartment Gardening that I just loved and had to try.  They mentioned taking Shrinky Dinks (remember those!?) and making simple little plant markers.  I liked the clean look of just black on the white plastic.

First, I drew on a little design the width of the plastic and about 2 inches tall.  You need to write your labels on backward on the dull side, so you have it on the shiny side when you are all said and done.  

Then, put it in your oven at 225 degrees or so (I can't actually remember...so if you have instructions, check those. ;)  And then you have these cute little signs!

I am gluing mine to second-hand silverware and will have them in my happy garden soon!

As I mentioned, I liked to look of the plain black and white, but you can go crazy with color and design in you like!  Just remember to use permanent markers!

Ash

UPDATE!  I recently experimented some more and had fun creating some even more personalized shrink plastic markers.  Check that post out here!

Pretty little things...

As I mentioned before, our trip to NY was bittersweet.  We mourned the loss of a great woman, but also met family we never knew before, got to be with family and friends, and see new things.

But one of the things I truly treasure is that I was allowed to pick out some china tea-ware from our Aunts' house.  Sad circumstances, but happy to have these beautiful pieces handed down and kept in the family.  I must share these pretty little things....

Are they not wonderful?  Such cute patterns.  I can't wait for Spring tea parties (but for now I am making due with indoor tea parties.)  I also got the cute little chicken (which I actually have no idea what it is for, there is like no room inside of it, but it is adorable nonetheless) and those awesome vintage Pyrex bowls hiding in the background.

Happy tea party!

Ash

PS...remember my post on New Year's Resolutions?  One was to try new types of teas (I know...I am a dork) but I am excited that these will help with that resolution for sure! :D

A little blogger love....

And this is so very timely, as we are closing in on Valentine's Day!

As I mentioned in my last post, I was very, very excited to have been recently chosen for a blog award!  It is called the Liebster Award....

Liebster is German for "dearest" or "favorite" and the Liebster Blog Award recognizes up-and-coming bloggers with fewer than 200 followers.  I am so excited to have received this award from Sneezy Detour, a fellow blogger in Eugene! Thanks, friend!!

The rules for the Liebster Blog Award are:

1. Thank the person who gave you the award and link to their blog;
2. Copy and paste the award into your blog.
3. Reveal the five blogs you have chosen for the award and let them know by commenting in their blog.

Soo... drum roll please....here are my five wonderful blogs!  Please visit to see awesome in action. 

1) A longtime friend and wonderful artist, Annette and her blog waxy pin, is always a treat to check out.  Whether it is her adorable prints, her whimsical soft sculpture friends, or her yummy recipes, you are sure to find something you will fall in love with.  

2) Remember that friend that I said I made the TARDIS for on a previous blog post?  Well, that friend has a seriously fun blog at Paper Elephant Designs.  Seriously. She is one of the best photographers that I know, and she takes her time on everything she works on to make sure it is absolutely perfect.  And you can see this in her work on her blog.

3) Gluten Free?  No problem, I have the blog for you!  I am bugging Gabrielle to give us more of her delicious recipes and tips (and I know first hand folks).  I know she is a busy, busy person, but she cooks up some awesome food.  Head on over to Gluten Free on a Budget to see more.

4) Digital design is semi-elusive to me.  However, I have had the pleasure to work with the up-and-coming designer, Andi, over at Digital Design.  Actually, one of her recent posts where she created an album cover, my hubby and I got to be 'models'.  So fun!  She has also created my logo for my soon to open business.  (I know I keep teasing..but soon, I promise!)

5) And, as many of you know, I am a new-ish runner.  I am training again for the full marathon here in Eugene, and when I came across this blog, I knew she was a kindred spirit.  Heather at From Here to There has a beautiful blog with fun posts and tips for runners AND non-runners.  Check her out!

I hope you enjoy these blogs and look for the blogs that they recommend!  

Happy blogging!

Ash

While I have been away...

I am sorry to have stayed away for so long...these last couple of weeks about killed me, but I am back.  Sadly, a big part of the chaos was a death in my husband's family.  A Great Aunt that truly was someone special and will be missed.  I have to tell you that it really says something about you if your plumber and hairdresser come to your funeral.  I hope that I can be that awesome.

But it also brought time for travels, great memories, new experiences and meeting new people and seeing old friends.  The trip took us across the country to an adorable town on Long Island, Hauppauge.  Here we are on the approach into JFK airport at night....so pretty!

The adjoining town, Smithtown, is full of yummy pizza, fresh baked goodies, the cutest and most well stocked little grocery store I've ever seen and super friendly people.

While in NY, we had to go into the city.  The time difference messed with us quite a bit, and therefore we got into NYC later than we had hoped on a Sunday...therefore we spent time walking the city and eating, but a lot of places had closed before we could get there.  Still, we had a blast.

NYC pizza in Penn Station (talking with our new friend, Joe.)

Blurry NYC at night...

My hubby trying out authentic steamed buns.

But a few other things happened while I was away.  One, I was handed down some beautiful china tea-ware.  It is such a pleasure and honor to have these passed down and I will share pics of these gorgeous pieces soon.

The other thing is that I was given the Liebster Award by a fellow blogger!  I am super stoked, and I can't wait to tell you more about that.  But in the meantime, here is the link to the wonderful blog that gave me this award with more info on it - Sneezy Detour.  Thanks so much, Tracy for thinking of Civic Stitching for this award!

So much to tell you...so little time.  More soon!  

Ash