Fabricatedends: January 2010

Unrelaxing bubble bath

Saturday morning my husband was at work, and my body was feeling a bit achy from being sick, so I thought it would be a great idea to take a warm bubble bath in our claw foot tub. As I went to fill the tub with water, I noticed that my husband had turned the water off, this seemed odd, but I just turned the water back on and filled the tub. The bath was wonderful, but the whole time I was enjoying my warm bubble bath, there was this thought in the back of my mind that something bad was going to happen as a result of this luxiourious soak.

As I pulled the plug and let the water begin to drain, I noticed that the cat was intently stairing at somthing under the tub, so I leaned over the edge to inspect what was so interesting to her, only to discover the tub was draining all over the bathroom floor, I quickly replugged the tub, and began to wonder if this may have been the reason that my husband had turned off the water. So I grabbed a bucket and took all of the water out of the tub and poured it down the shower drain, then took old towels and dryed the floor, I thought I had escaped a disaster. However, Sunday morning as we were leaving for church my husband noticed water dripped from the ceiling. It seems that although I thought I had turned the water off, I instead had turned it on full force and the pipes were a bit leaky. We never made it to church, as my husband needed to pull up part of the bathroom floor to determine where the leak was coming from. Luckily it was nothing serious and he was able to get it fixed. However it seems that there will be no bubble baths in my near future. Lesson learned, if the water is shut off, there is probablly a reason.

Tea Party

I've been home sick in bed the few days, and have been craving cup after cup of hot tea. So in the moments while awake I decided to some searching for tea related items and plan a tea party! So first step is to find a fun and wonderful invitation. I really enjoyed this one by Cheerupcherup with the many different images of tea pots. Check out the shop for this invite as well as other great designs, put through an order and get all of your favorite lady friends together for a fun and relaxing tea party.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/Cheerupcherup

I just loved these colorful and unquie cup holders, these would be great to use at your tea party or to give as a party favor, check out this great ship and choose what color you like best.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/EtsyWedTeam

I just love this idea of getting your homemade tea in jar. Try something new at your tea party and put through an order of a few jars of tea, drink it hot of drink it cold.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheIdleGoat

I"m a big fan of these tea wallets and I have thought about getting one for my mom. Tea always soothes my stomach when traveling, and this is such a great thing to keep in your purse to be sure you have tea bag with you at all times. This shop offers tea wallets in many different colors and patterns, so go and explore and choose what pattern best suites you and your friends.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/Quiltdream

I loved this simple piece for a party favor. A nice elegant piece of paper used to create an evelope around a tea bag. Place one of these at each party guests seat. This would also be a good idea for a bridal shower, just request that the outside envelope be in the wedding colors. http://www.etsy.com/shop/kristynskards

On a cold winter day these great lights hanging throughout your home will give a great warm glow.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/narayabags

I love these pendants to hang around your home to add some color for your tea party. These come in many different colors and patterns so be sure to choose one that goes with your invitations and color choice for party favors. So go ahead and enjoy your tea party, or at least enjoy a cup of tea while checking out these great etsy shops. http://www.etsy.com/shop/nestables

Parts of my home

I love decorating our home, but never seem to have as much time to get things done as I need for my ideas. Here are a few of my current favorites in our home. The yellow couch came from my grandmother. It was one of my favorite things in her home, while I was growing up. When she had to move out of home, she gave away her furniture to the grandkids and I was lucky enough to get some great pieces.

This room is our dining room and only has one small window, so we needed more lights, but I didn't have any piece of furniture that was suited for doing the job. So I looked through our house and collected books and magazines that we never read, piled them up, and there was a perfect light stand.

I completed this painting shortly after Dan and I got married. I decided that I wanted to do a painting of my husband and I ever five years that we are married. I am not a big fan of painting, so I thought that I could handle it if I only had to do one each five years. This painting is fun for when people come over, as some are able to see the image of Dan and I right away and some have to sit and stare for awhile before they are able to see the image. Do you see it?

Things I want

Lapomme's Etsy Shop

One of favorite evening activites, is to go browsing through etsy to find new and creative sellers. I've looked at these wonderful applies serveral times, and wanted to share them with you. As a teacher myself I think these would be a great teacher gift, I would love having these somewhere in my home.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/lapomme

MyissaG Etsy Shop

I'm not a big fan of doing dishes, but might enjoy it more if I had these wonderful dish clothes. I just love these colors. What a great gift idea!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/MyissaG

Sharona Nissan Etsy Shop

I origanlly was focusing on soft things for this blog post, but stumbled across this belt buckle and totally forgot what my theme was I so excited. I really enjoy the combination of materals. What a great piece to add a fun and fashion to your outfit!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/SharonaNissan

Great Finds

Check out this great etsy treasury that one of my scarves is part of : http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=108602

Have a bunch of photos that you want to print, Go to snapfish today. I just found out that ending today you can 100 4x6 prints for free. All you have to do is pay for shipping. I did it, and it does work. Just type in PRINTSNEW, when checking out. http://www.snapfish.com/

Check out this blog for an awesome giveaway, it ends Friday: http://www.tangledandtrue.com/

Lirola

I love this dress, it's so stylish and comfortable. What better than to a have dress that you can wear 7 different ways to keep it from getting boring. To buy this dress visit this great etsy shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/Lirola

Things that make me smile

This week I"m trying to finish the many projects that I started. Yesterday I completed this brown flair scarf, I just love the soft ruffles, and how itdrapes around the neck. To get scarves like this visit my etsy shop http://esty.com/shop/amberkane

I was introduced to this wonderful jewelry shop last night and just couldn't wait to share it with you. Check it out http://www.etsy.com/shop/tomlindesign

I haven't been taking as many photos of the kitten as I wanted to. I'm trying to take more photos this year of friends and family when we are all together. Velo the kitten that we adopted several months ago is growing up quickly. She has become the sweetest cat, she purrs if you just walk into the room, and just loves people. Her and peca, our dog, still aren't the best of friends, but we'll keep trying.

Wedding Planning

My older brother is getting married this summer, and I am thrilled to be a part of the planning process. On Saturday I met with the bride to be, her mom, and the florist to begin determing how the venue will be decorated for the big day. We came up with some great ideas, and I can't wait to see everything come together. I'm sure it is going to beautiful. So in the spirit of wedding planning I did some browsing through the wedding category on etsy and picked out some shops that I really liked. I was very drawn to the pompom shop. For my brother's wedding we were just discussing making something similar to the stemmed pompoms to have placed along the wooded pathway that leads the guests to the ceremony. I think these big bright flowers posted along the pathway will look lovely and almost magical. They remind me of Willy Wonky's Chocalote Factory.

What was the most creative thing that you did to decorate for your wedding? I love to hear people's stories and see photos.

PomLove's Shop

Get your own in any color from PomLove's Shop : http://www.etsy.com/shop/PomLove

Check out these great earrings from Alexis Earrings, buy these today and get free shipping. http://www.etsy.com/shop/BGBJewelry

http://www.etsy.com/shop/BGDesignstudio

My Favorite Things

On this rainy Sunday afternoon I could think of nothing better than snuggling up on our couch, wrapped in blankets with a cup of hot coffee, looking at wonderful handmade pieces. I was browsing through my list of favorite things from etsy and decided to share of few of them with you. What is your favorite etsy shop?

I love this vase, it looks so soft and smooth. Check this vase out at this great etsy shop : http://www.etsy.com/shop/dbabcock

I just love these towels made by Michelle Brusegaard. Check out her shop : http://www.etsy.com/shop/MichelleBrusegaard

I just love these creative and unique pieces by giia. http://www.etsy.com/shop/giia

This necklace looks like so much fun to wear, and I love the bright red color.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/jezek

Silver and Orange Flair Scarf

I recentely went the Mannings to purchase some black yarn, and of course I bought much more than black yarn. I was excited to use some of new colors I had purchased. I decided to use this shade of orange with my favorite silver yarn. The silver yarn is almost irrediscent and I love it everytime that I use it. What do you think?

To make this scarf yours visit my etsy shop http://etsy.com/shop/amberkane

This weekend I"m dressing my loom and getting it ready to use some more of fun new yarns. I'm also trying to teach myself how to make a Viking Knit Chain, however that isn't going so well. I am not very good at followoing directions, but I"m getting closer. I'm hoping to master this process so that I can teach my jewerly studnets a new way to make a wonderful chain. I'll post photos when I finally figure it out.

Wallpaper Envelope Design

Recently I have been working to use the materials already in my house to make new things. When we bought our home my husband and I put wall paper on one wall in our living room and dining room, and of course there were many scarp pieces leftover. I've had the scarp box sitting in my studio for awhile, not sure what I wanted to use it for, but knew that it should be put to good use. This week I decided that I would make envelopes out of the wallpaper. It's really easy, and makes fun decorative envelops.

Step one: gather your supplies. You need your old wallpaper, scissors, marker, and another envelope that is the size you want to make. Take the envelope apart and it becomes a perfect and simple template to trace to create your own unique stylish envelopes.

spread out the wallpaper and begin to trace your envelop template.Then cut all of the pieces apart. Fold along the edges and glue. You're finished!

black and white flair scarf

My week

The last two weeks have been extremely busy and I have not completed nearly as many projects as I had hoped to. At school we just began a new semester, bringing a whole new group of teenagers through my door. It is also fun to get to know the students and see the work that they create throughout the semester. This semester I am teaching, darkroom photography, jewerly/metals, and sculpture. The variety of classes does keep my day from ever getting boring, as I am always teaching new and different techniques.

So far today I woke up later than I wanted to, but still early, responded to email, went swimming, wrote lessons on the board, made up a sculpture packet, and will welcome my students into my room in about 20 minutes. This evening I hope to go home, walk the dog, play with the cat, finish the scarf that is on my loom, photograph 2 scarves, photograph the envelops that I am making, and update my blog with new pictures. We'll see if that all happens. I tend to have grand plans in the morning, and as they day goes on my plans seem more and more daunting and much less fun then they seemed in the morning after two cups of coffee. I hope you all have a wonderful creative day!

Amsterdam cats

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Originally uploaded by Amber Kane

I just love how the cats tail becomes part of the handle. You can get this mug here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/houseofharriet

Canary Mug

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Originally uploaded by Amber Kane

I just love the Canary sitting on the handle. Find this mug and others like it here : http://www.etsy.com/shop/laurawallstaylor

Peacock cup

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Originally uploaded by Amber Kane

On a cold day, nothing is better than a warm cup of coffee, tea, or hot coco in your favorite mug. I just love the colors and playful design of this one. Check it out http://www.etsy.com/shop/catherinereece

White Woven Scarf

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Originally uploaded by Amber Kane

This scarf is light weight and woven from 100% cotton yarns. The center of the scarf is woven with very thin yarn, creating a translucent middle section. This scarf goes great with any outfit. This scarf also comes in gold. Check it out. http://etsy.com/shop/amber.

Fun with pillows

To visit the shop click here
http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheHomeCentric

For as long as I can remember I have held a great love for pillows. Growing up my bed was filled with them so that no matter which way I rolled there would be a pillow to snuggle with. While in gymnastics my favorite thing to do was jump into the large foam pit, I could think of nothing better. I began to dream of the idea of having my own pillow pit in my home. I envisoned the floor sliding open, and there being a large pit of pillows to jump into. I felt that it would be both functional and fun. A pillow pit would serve as a comfortable place to sit and sleep, and a great place to play in. However, I haven't gotten one of those in my home yet. So I have to settle for just having many pillows all around the house. Check out some of these wonderful pillows from etsy shops. The Home Centric has so many lovely stylish pillows. http://wwww.etsy.com/shop/TheHomeCentric. So go and buy a bunch of pillows and make your own pillow pit.