Creative Valerina

Morning Glories

Morning Glories, originally uploaded by valerina15.

Dusting off the blog to say hi.....hi :) I hope you've had a lovely summer! Mine was filled with gardening, swimming, blueberry picking, farmers market-ing, yard sale-ing, camping and spending lots of time outside in general. This fall I'm hoping to start checking in a bit more often. We'll see how that goes...

Outside My Window....

Baby Robins 9 Days Old, Feeding Time
Originally uploaded by valerina15

fascinating things are happening. I found this little robins nest outside my window about 10 days ago and have been posting photos daily at flickr. Yesterday I was able to get this amazing video, which was cut a bit short during the flickr upload, but the third time mother bird comes back, she feeds them a worm. I'm guessing these growing babies won't be outside my window much longer, but until then I will continue to peek in on them daily.

Recycled Plastic Garden Markers

I've planted a lot of my garden from seed this year, but I can never seem to remember where exactly I have planted the seeds. Perhaps that's because I like to drink wine while I garden; perhaps I'm just forgetful in the first place. Anyway, I really didn't want to spend much on garden markers because I only use them for a short time. Once the seeds come up, I can usually recognize/remember what it was I had planted and no longer need the labels. So after a quick trip to my recycling bin, a little work with a pair of scissors and a sharpie, I came up with these little markers.

I used a plastic cool whip container but any white plastic container would work. I didn't use a template, I just cut free hand and experimented with the shapes. Any water proof pen or marker would also work, but I only had a sharpie available and it has faded a bit but is holding up just fine.

Green beans and morning glories will be going in this weekend and their labels are ready and waiting. I'm off to do more gardening tonight at a friends house. It's the most beautiful day and its finally stopped raining!

My Sister the Acrobat

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She's taking flying trapeze classes, that crazy girl. I'm taking them vicariously :)

Weekends are for playing...

Weekends are for playing..., originally uploaded by valerina15.

because there is simply no time during the week. So many fun things to share with you and so little time! Hating my job for the past 2 weeks but feeling lucky enough to have one. Imagining all of the things I could accomplish if I werent stuck at a desk for 9 hours a day.
I'll try again tomorrow.

Thrifted Art Love

Thrifted Art, originally uploaded by valerina15.

I'm pretty much in love with this, my latest thrift store find, and one of the only pieces art up in the new place. I found it last weekend at the goodwill {for 5.99}. The back says something like "hand screened in the rocky mountains" and like I said, I'm in love with it.

This whole moving thing has pretty much taken over my life. No blog updates, no shop updates, no twittering. I still have so much unpacking and organizing to do, its seems never ending. The new place is totally fantastic though and I am amazed at how right it feels. Tonight I'm headed out to the recycled art show reception and for Mexican food. Maybe tomorrow I"ll be back with pictures. Maybe.

Etsy's New Video Series: There's No Place Like Here

What an awesome idea. Love it.

Happy St. Patricks Day, Jay McCarrol, and Shop Sale!

First things first. I did not meet Jay. I know. I'm disappointed too. I just couldn't make it there in time. However! My mom went to see him and look what she got me.

 

Awesome, right? Go mom. I must think of something to make with the fabric. I.love.it.

Although I didnt get to meet Jay, I had fun catching up with friends and family at the parade. I wore the same outfit I've been wearing for the past few years which consists of a green vintage dress, furry boots, and this year I added the scarf that I spun/knit. It's really turned into more of a costume than an outfit but whatever, I happen to love it. I will note, however, that I am not a fan of long sleeves under short sleeves but I had to because of the weather. There, its been noted. And yes, I'm hiding a beer behind my back.

And finally, we picked up the keys to the new apartment last night and started moving a few things in. In light of the crazy amount of stuff we have I have, I'm having a sale in the shop! The truth of the matter is, the items listed in the shop don't even account for a fraction of the items that I have stuffed in the closets. The more you buy, the less I move, please help :)

A recycled work in progress...

A recycled work in progress..., originally uploaded by valerina15.

So heres your sneak peek at one of my entries for the show. Any guesses? It's pretty easy :)
I'm of to Scranton this weekend to attend the one and only Scranton Saint Patricks Day parade. It's really not to be missed. Find anyone else from Scranton and ask them; they'll tell you. Fortunately-Unfortunately, Jay McCarroll is going to be in town talking about his new fabric line at the same time as the parade is going on. The fabric store is about 40 minutes away which complicates things a little. I really want to go see Jay but the parade is a tradition and something I havent missed since I was a kid. I'm torn. I must find a way to do both!

The Favorite Heart

I was going through my fiber stash the other day to find something suitable for spinning. When I came upon this red roving I knew instantaneously what I would do with it. My thought process went something like this "oooh! etsy hearts..., favorites...., needle felting...., magnets..., right now" And that was that!  Many months ago I had a brief obsession with needle felting these little hearts and the obsession is back again. They're so much fun to make and look so cute and fuzzy on my refrigerator...and my filing cabinet at work...ahem :)  

 

I'll be including one little heart magnet with each VintageValerina purchase and I've also listed a few in my shop.

I'm happy to finally have a start {a teeny tiny start} on being part of the handmade community at Etsy. That's been bugging me.

PS. I stayed up way to late working on my piece for the recycled art show. Sneak peek tomorrow.

What I've been up to!

 

Well…over the past few days I’ve been working on my shop. On Sunday I found some lovely things at an estate sale and managed to get them all photographed and listed yesterday. I’m very surprised with myself! With this latest batch of items I focused on trying to take better pictures. One thing I learned last week while making poster sketches/treasuries was that none of my photos were front page worthy. Browsing through all of the beautiful and not-so-beautiful photos on Etsy taught me very quickly what works, what’s eye catching, and what’s not. I think I’ve made a {small} improvement this time around.

Its also time for the recycled art show again. I’ve got a few things in mind and only a week or so to get them finished!

But my really big news? I’m moving! I guess I should say we’re moving. My sister, J and I have found a new place in the same charming neighborhood, {as I could not bear to leave it}, and we move in two weeks. I can not tell you how excited I am about this. I will soon have: a dishwasher, a garbage disposal, central air, a parking spot in front of my house and not 2 blocks away, a fenced yard in the back and front, a living room big enough for more than 3 people, and a bigger kitchen. What more could I ask for? Oh yeah, and an outdoor spigot for watering the garden. Perfect.

Sunshine and Leather Vintage (and handmade) Favorites

Sunshine and Leather Vintage Favorites, originally uploaded by valerina15.

Another poster sketch....

Poster Sketch Addiction

I may get be getting fired soon. I did absolutely no work yesterday. I spent almost the entire day on etsy and flickr. I started playing with the poster sketch feature on etsy and couldnt stop. I'd love to work for etsy and make treasuries all day, but who wouldnt, right? And speaking of treasuries, have you ever seen one open up? I'm wondering what the chances of actually timing that correctly are.  

 

It's funny, because peach and orange are probably my least favorite colors but I am in love with how this turned out. I love looking at these items and trying to pinpoint why they work so well together. Their similarities, their differences...and then rearranging them to see how it affects the look. Do you spend any time playing with this feature on etsy? Has one of your treasuries ever made the front page? Do tell! And if you haven't tried it, then go do so right now, and post your screen shot in my new flickr group! Its a group that focus on art form of grouping 12 indivitual items into one work of art (regardless of if you make the front page or not!).

Thinking about blogging

Handspun Scarf, originally uploaded by valerina15.

I have been. Really I have. I left you hanging about my awesome birthday gift, I know. It was a spinning wheel, an ashford traveler and it's effing awesome. Its a zillion times better than spinning on a drop spindle. That thing has been retired, for now anyway. I've been spinning like crazy and spun up enough yarn to make the scarf above. I love love love it! The wheel, and the scarf.

Happy {belated} Valentines Day

Heart Beet, originally uploaded by valerina15.

to you!
And happy birthday to me!
Stay tuned to find out about the amazing birthday gift I received. I am thrilled. Seriously.

25 Random Things (because I did it for facebook so why not here too)

Hearts, originally uploaded by valerina15.

1. I have been chewing trident gum every day for almost 10 years. Im pretty sure Im addicted to it, if that’s possible.
2. I once took an aerobic dance class with Mario Lopez. I can hardly describe how cool that was or how hot he is.
3. I haven’t owned a microwave in 4 years. Most people find this pretty shocking, but I really don’t notice the difference.
4. I really dislike getting my hair cut. Even if the outcome looks ok, the actual cutting process is upsetting and traumatic for me (and their sinks hurt my neck really bad).
5. I once attended the real groundhogs day in Punxsutawney PA. It was a totally surreal and bizarre experience.
6. I love food, and almost as much, I like talking about food in great detail and at great lengths.
7. The best concert I ever saw was the Rolling Stones. A close second was Juanes, a Colombian rock star.
8. I think Spanish love songs are ten thousand times better than American love songs.
9. Ive seen the Dead and their bands more than 10 times in the past 5 years.
10. I talk to my dog a lot and treat him like a person. He sits on the couch, sleeps in my bed, comes on vacation with us, and my family buys him Christmas presents. I could go on and on...
11. I have never had a nose bleed, ever. I imagine totally freaking out if I ever do get one.
12. My favorite and most interesting job was working as a dental assistant to an endodontist. I assisted with root canals all day long and loved it.
13. I met my husband in sixth grade English class. We got married 15-ish years later (which sometimes freaks me out when I think about it).
14. I hate driving and would truly love to have a chauffer.
15. I love red wine. I forced myself to drink it at dinner parties and eventually began to like it. Now it’s my drink of choice.
16. I did the same thing with olives because I thought they were cool and wanted to like them.
17. Camping with Jason and Winston is one of my all time favorite activities.
18. I despise coffee. I can’t even stand the smell of it.
19. I’ve never had acrylic nails. I never plan to.
20. I started playing the violin when I was 3 years old. I quit playing when I went to college which was a really really stupid thing to do.
21. I spent my honeymoon in the smoky mountains of Tennessee and I absolutely can not wait to go back there this year.
22. I recently became somewhat of a cat person. This happened after I found the most adorable cat living in my somewhat abandoned car.
23. My favorite food ever is nachos from fuel and fuddle in Pittsburgh. My obsession and addiction to them is borderline ridiculous but they’re just so amazingly good.
24. I really like bird watching. I’ve seen more than 15 types of birds in my own back yard and can identify most of them by their call.
25. I love hot sauce, particularly Tabasco, and have been known to bring it with me to restaurants that I know don’t have it.

Valentines and Red Wines

Last night I got together with some girlfriends for a night of lasagna, wine, and Valentine making. I love Valentines day; I have always loved Valentines day.  In grade school I use to love going through the pack of cards, and selecting certain Valentines for certain people. I use to pick the best ones and give them to the boys I liked. The scratch and sniff valentines from Avon were my absolute favorite and my sister and I would hand them out every year. They smelled so good!

 

 

 

This year I wanted to play with some of my photos and use them to make cards. There is something about the birds on a wire photo that I just love. I brought extra copies of my photos for the girls last night and that one seemed to be their favorite too. It was so much fun and so cool to see the variety of cards that the seven of us came up with.

 

I really like the heart photos too. They actually came from a red beet photo shoot I did last weekend but never blogged about. I need to upload those photos, lots of possibilities there! I wanted to make some valentines/prints for my shop but it’s probably too late for that. I might make some anyway. Hearts aren’t just for Valentines day right? Right. What about you? Are you making Valentines this year? You totally should J

Happy Groundhogs Day!

Gobbler's Knob, originally uploaded by Eddie~S.

I went there once, to Punxsutawney, to Gobblers Knob, to see Phil. Unfortunately all of my photos were lost in a mishap with an old old laptop that crashed. But anyway, I was in college, it was J’s idea, and of course Winston was there too, lest we go anywhere without him. In the movie (you know the movie, right?) the event takes place in broad daylight, in town square. In real life, you park at walmart, and walk a few miles down a dirt road, in the middle of the night, while drinking spiked hot chocolate until you finally arrive at a clearing in the woods with lots of bon fires and a little wooden stage. It was a totally surreal and bizarre experience that I will never forget.
And - along with six more weeks of winter, February is here! My favorite month. My birthday and Valentines day (my favorite days of the year) are right around the corner...

Steelers Watercolor via Cell Phone

Stones and Steelers Watercolor, originally uploaded by valerina15.

The t shirt I designed and wore to the super bowl 3 years ago is back in action tonight. The Rolling Stones were playing half time and the idea for this shirt came to me the night before we drove to Detroit. I drew and colored the design with sharpies and love how it turned out. I saw no other shirts as cool as this one at the Superbowl. I should probably be a t shirt designer :) Who says crafting and football don't go together? Off to watch the game!

My Kimberly Mug

Kimberly Mug, originally uploaded by valerina15.

I've finally found one!