Jimmy Thunder

Here's a sneak peek at a Christmas present I'm working on for Tom's best friend and best man, Jimmy.  


It will be a reversible felt bunting banner to hang off his drums or over his kitchen sink when I'm done with it.

To remind him where he came from (high school star QB), and where he's going (local drummer for The Lindsay and solo artist, Jimmy Thunder)...

This was really a test project to see how easy felt bunting and stitching is, and it's SO easy and so inexpensive. I love it. 

And it's extra fun with a dollop of complete absurdity, like a 'douche bag' banner.  I know this isn't probably to the taste level of many crafters, but I enjoyed the process as much as the end result, so no complaints here. It was a test run and solemnly swear to up the ante when i try to do felt bouquets or wedding-decor felt projects.

I still need to stitch the two sides together, do some trimming and finishing of the edges, and sew it all together with some ribbon as the tying top stitch, but it made me laugh more with every letter I completed, and I think it's right up Jimmy's alley, humor-wise.

Merry Christmas, ding-dong. xo

Where the Craftin' Happens

Just thought I'd share where my crafty, DIY projects happen.  It's a little cramped and cozy, but it does the job and Tom doesn't mind me spreading out to take over the guest bedroom when I need to get my craft on.  I just realized how wedding-y it's starting to look in here as I collect things from garage sales, antique stores and Etsy shops! I've started to put up some inspirational things on my bulletin board and have just made a trip to Joann's for supplies, so I see many projects to attack in these photos. I'm go excited to dig in over the winter!

 Have a great weekend!

Fun goodies from Hindsight Bride and Flora Design I won! 

Mom and Dad cutting their cake - February 12, 1976

A favorite image from a Real Simple magazine that reminds
me of my mom's backyard and a button that says, "I'd rather be at Pemberley." I'm a die-hard Jane Austen fan.

My mom on her wedding day. So beautiful. I love her dress so much!

Cute bird feeder / decoration from future sister-in-law, Jen, given at 
our engagement party. So cute. She knows how I love birds! Not ready to put 
this outside yet. Maybe next Spring.Also can see my finished oilcloth 
chalkboard fabric banner from my Wholly Craft class.

Grandma Dot's Kenmore sewing machine I love and my new glue gun!
Comfest mug (filled with coins for the craftin' budget) and some felt 
and paper for some of my possible wedding decor projects!

Garage sale found canning jars and cigar box, engagement cards from friends 
and family, sand dollar from childhood, and another favorite Berkley Illustration 
print.  Also engagement ring box and Paloma's Nest bouquet adornment 
I can't wait to add to a beautiful bouquet of dahlias!

Can't have too many tea lights or glue gun sticks! I got 'em on sale.
Another thrift store candy bowl find.  Amazing nested tea tins I got
for $10 total. A bunch of stamps and some other childhood finds. 

My heart belongs to...

I stole this idea from Peaches by Plums. I had a collection of buttons from local bands and other random events and people from over the years that I wasn't doing anything with.  Then I saw what she did for someone for a birthday, and thought this was a great use for my buttons and a fun little project!

You need: 

-1 shadowbox frame

-planter's foam or styrofoam

-crafting glue

-1 black t-shirt or fabric (I got mine from goodwill) to cover the foam

-collection of buttons

1. cut planter's foam /styrofoam thinly (1/2 inch or less) and into a square shape (glue pieces together if you need to)

2. cover styrofoam with black fabric and glue on the back side

3. stick button pins into foam in heart-shape (or any you want)

4. place in shadowbox frame. done and done!

My Love Letter to AmyD

So, my first intro to Columbus craftin' was through Amy D of Made by AmyD.  I hope she she knows this, but I love her dearly.

Here she is, looking as adorable as ever, showing off some of her wares at the North Market:

She was so enthusiastic about the CMC when we first met and also about local music and I loved that about her! Did I mention, she's HILARIOUS too? I had a girl crush on her instantly. We would often chat at Earwig shows about all kinds of crafty ideas, our love of all things Ohio and other juicy local topics. A girl after my own heart.

Amy D made me 2 amazing custom skirts to wear while rockin' out (when I was broke as hell). I told people about her amazing skills and wore her skirts while rockin' out to help cross-promote. That's how we do. And she also made some CMC coffee coozies (here's an image of one of her awesome Ohio State ones):

Through her, I found out about Wholly Craft, Craftin' Outlaws (one of my favorite events of the year), Ohio Rollergirls, crafty classes and lots of other fun events and awesome people. I'm not sure she realizes the impact she's had on me and the CMC.

One of my favorites of her new collection, which was shown off at the Wholly Craft 5th Anniversary Party / Made by AmyD fashion show is... wait for it... CAPES!! I love these!

Pic by Aaron/ Tsururadio!

It's the perfect weather for a cape. Too warm for a coat, too chilly for just a t-shirt. I think everyone should add one of these to their fall wardrobe this year. Support your local crafters and check out Amy D at her website and on Etsy!

Hello World!

Yesterday, I decided that I was going to start a blog to capture many of the DIY projects I'm thinking about tackling for my upcoming wedding, also the holidays, birthdays and whatever else may inspire me along the way.

My name is Jess and I live in Columbus, Ohio. I have a regular 9-5 job and I also run a non-profit organization for local musicians (Columbus Music Co-op) with my best bud Erin and I'm a local musician myself (Bush League All-Stars, The Celebrity Pilots). 

I like to grow veggies and flowers and dig in my garden, bake gluten-free goodies, watch movies, take naps with our two cats (Squiggy and Neil Patrick Harris), go bird-watching and hiking, and do all kinds of DIY crafty projects. I'm a DIY dabbler, if you will.  I like taking classes at Wholly Craft, our local resource for crafty individuals who want to sell their wares on commission or learn new techniques.  I knit a little, do felt projects and origami, make my own vodka infusions from time to time, make lots of holiday gifts for friends and family, sew on the 'ol Kenmore sewing machine, draw a little, scrapbook and decoupage abit, re-hab old furniture and just generally enjoy DIY projects and good design.

I'm engaged to my soulmate - an insanely caring and supportive, smart and witty guitar-wielding bad-ass electrical engineer - Tom, or T-bone as we call him sometimes. He does his own DIY projects - building effects pedals, synths, sequencers and amplifiers and modifying his arsensal of guitars. Anything having to do with LOST, baseball, Tron, Daft Punk, builiding things, Nikola Tesla or Stephen Malkmus' gear makes him happy.

I hope you'll follow along if you find something that interests or humors you here!

Wishing you all the best in your own journeys...

-Jess

Testing, Testing, 1, 2, 3....

Is this thing on? Check...check..check...

Great print from BluLima