Dreams in Black and White.

So, I recently discovered Catherineholm Black lotus enamelware. I had seen the Catherineholm lotus designs before in all those fun bright colors, but never had I seen it come in black. I about lost my mind upon seeing some of the pieces on Etsy. I mean the TEAPOT, are you kidding me? I sort of put it on the back burner, thinking how silly it would be to spend the cash some sellers were asking. But, kept the idea that someday I will begin a few piece collection.

A few days later, I spent the afternoon with my girlfriend, Shanna. She recently bought a new home and I went to check it out and have lunch and chat. Shanna is an excellent collector and decorator, so after spending the afternoon with her I was instantly re inspired and motivated all over again to start collecting some of these neat old pieces.

I got home and started hunting with my Sister in Law for goodies online just to get an idea of what pieces would be fun to look for. Somehow, I stumbled upon Black Amethyst Glass. Something about high shine, glossy, or enamel black makes me swoon… So, I now have this image in my head of a dining room hutch filled pretty Black Amethyst glass pieces, some milk glass too, and black pyrex. Can you picture it? Perfect. Complete the look with some Catherineholm Black Lotus pieces displayed accordingly nearby. That is my vision.

Cut to today, my Etsy and eBay favorites lists are a bit out of control, but quite beautiful. I am excited to start a collection. I plan to keep scouting eBay and Etsy listings, while also hitting up thrift shops, antique fairs and estate sales this Spring and Summer and beyond!

BlackWhiteCollectionHutch

And the hunt begins!

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Currently.

current

Feeling: A mix of things; Happy overall, for sure, and Loved. A tiny bit Bored, since I have not been sewing much and working out less this year so far. I need to flip the switch and get back to work in both areas. Why is that motivation so hard to find? I am in need of a some serious motivation and inspiration. I hoping getting back to blogging here will spark my creativity once again. I need the outlet.

Watching: Homeland. It is so good and intense and just awesome. The characters are great. I only have 3 episodes left in Season 2 and then I have to wait until he dead end of September for Season 3!!! What is that all about?

Reading: Let’s be honest here, Buzzfeed. And a few blogs, including Enjoying the Small Things. kellehampton.com I love Kelle’s writing. And it does not always matter what she is writing about specifically. She can write things that I can adapt to completely different situations in my own life. That’s what’s so great about the best song lyrics, right? She writes things like this: “Sometimes you don’t know you want these things until fate picks them for you. And then you’re thankful that you don’t get to make all your own choices because that would be kind of selfish and boring, and you’d never get to experience your secret wants–the ones only fate knows.” that make me cry at my computer. Not just because I’m reading a birth story. But because I have my own little realization, and see how true and lovely the statement is. I am not sure why I haven’t read her book, Bloom, yet…

Thinking about: Work. And what I could be doing better to push myself further. It’s a great time here to grow along with the company. When I first started, I was really excited about my position and what I felt I could do with it, and where I could go. I still am. But, I have noticed myself closing up and almost distancing myself socially at work (and in my life in general, actually). I get nervous when talking. I haven’t always been the most outgoing person, but I find myself becoming even more socially awkward lately, like heart pounding and shaky even at times. It’s a bit concerning. It’s something I really need to address with myself and work on.

Eating: Drinking Lattes at work, thanks to our somewhat new Nespresso machine. I love this thing, seriously.

Looking forward to: Sunshine, and more frequent trips to the beach. I cannot wait for Summer and days outside basking in the sun, sunny bike rides, and pool days. I don’t know if this necessarily falls under the “Looking forward to” section but, I have been craving getting dressed up for something. I have nothing planned yet. But, I just want to put on a dress and some heels. Nothing too fancy. Just fancy enough to get that feeling you get when wearing a great dress and heels. I am also looking forward getting tattooed again. Ready and anxious to get into the shop and start working on my long list of waiting artwork…

Making me happy: Our “Full House”. March a quiet yet crazy month in our house. There has been a lot of traveling for just about everyone in the house, but all at different times. It can be weird to be in that full house when someone is missing. You sense the off-ness of it. I get that our living situation isn’t completely conventional. And maybe it’s more normal home life when I or my sister clear out, or my brother and his family take off. I’ve just gotten so used to our commune lifestyle, that it feels normal to me. And while sometimes I look forward to the quiet, I find that during it I’m just bored and want out. Now, that everyone is back home and no future trips are planned quite yet. Home feels whole again and so damn happy.

I love these “Currently”posts. Thank you, Danielle for the inspiration and invitation to join in the fun!

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Currently.

Loving:  My newly re arranged and cleaned bedroom. The last few weeks have been insanely busy. But, I took a couple hours to work on cleaning my room which, of course lead to some furniture re arranging. (doesn’t it always? Just me? okay.) It feels really refreshing to have a new layout and getting sleep in sheets fresh form the dryer is ALWAYS a win.

Reading: Does checking Buzzfeed on Lunch breaks count? Other than to do lists and work emails I have had zero time for trying to read anything else lately. Someday, I’ll pick up a book again though.

Watching: Catching up on Walking Dead. Giants Baseball! And, I did just finish watching the Bachelorette. I’ve only seen 1 or 2 seasons, but this has to be the best one, right? I <3 Jef, alot. Excellent choice! And the Olympics are starting! So, Walking Dead may get put on hold for a bit…

Anticipating: Moving with my company to our new office and starting my new 6am-3pm shift! :/ I’ve been with the company only 3 weeks and currently my commute is a solid 5 minutes, but we are moving 20 miles away. Back to the commute! Shouldn’t be bad at 530 am though ;)

Listening to: Lana Del Rey. I sort of hated her when I first saw her perform on SNL… :( It was not good. Suddenly, I cannot get enough of her album, Ready to Die. LOVE it.

Planning: A bridal shower for Lisa, and a Bachelorette weekend shortly after in Disneyland!!! Can. not. wait.

Working on: Still training a bit and trying to learn all I can at the new job. Finishing up a few custom orders I received from Renegade Craft fair in San Francisco this past weekend. Watching the launch of hiipsf.com !!! And starting to pound out new hiip bags. I have a mountain of fabric I am cutting up into the hiip pattern. Getting ready to start production this weekend! Holy moly, when do I get that vacation?

Wishing: For my Daddy to get well. I know it’s till to early on in this, but I just want the cancer to go away forever.

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Summer striped hobo bag.

I have so many fun, new things to add to the shop. It sort of keeps piling up. I hope to get the rest up tomorrow night when I can sit down and spend some time adding everything. But, tonight I was too anxious and had to be sure I could get just one new bag in. So, here it is! She is quite lovely.

Summer stripe slouch hobo bag. Get yours, here.

<3

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Gradient Greys.

Let’s get this party started.

I’d like to introduce the first full new set of new bags. I did a nice little zippered clutch, a classic everyday hobo bag, and a weekender bag! Because, I like HUGE bags. And I have been wanting to do a weekender for a while. It’s finally here!

All the new bags feature a nice soft vinyl, or faux leather base! Great for keeping clean, if you set your bag down on the floor. Because, who doesn’t?

So, these are the 3 basic styles and sizes for the new line. And, I have more designs to come soon!

Check the out in my Etsy shop.

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Re-organizing, rethinking, retrying.

I thought I’d check in with an little update on some of the new stuff I have been working on.

 Tuesdays are my day to work on nothing but sewing, and my Etsy shop, my future business, and creating new designs and what not. They are my favorite days!  So, here in this post you get a peek at what last Tuesday looked like for me! I was extremely productive all day, and am really proud of what’s coming out.

I am really excited to get these bags finished, but I have limited time nowadays, since I have taken on quite a few other things. I am working on another great line of bags with an old friend form high school for a really exciting project that should be revealed soon! As well, as starting a part time job. So, I’m still figuring out how to organise my time so that I do maximize sewing and creating new things!

 I’ll be sure to share more, very soon.

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Weekend!

I had a really great weekend. Pretty sad to see it end.

I went on a few bike rides! Ate pancakes, got a tan!!!! Saw a scary movie, and hung out with some friends. Damn near perfect. I am so looking forward to more Summer and Summer-like weekends like this.

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All of the STRIPES!

I recently did a bit of treasure hunting and collecting and have compiled a bit of spread of some GORGEOUS and stylish bloggers rockin’ their striped zipper clutches! It’s definitely my most popular bag, and my favorite. It goes with everything! Check out these lovelies and how they have styled theirs…

Juley of Swank Heights.

 I Love Juley’s outfit photos. I feel like I’m looking at my bag in an ACTUAL fashion spread.

Home girl has some serious style.

<3

See more here, here, and here!

 

Stephanie of Mrs. Stephanie T., Mandy of Harper’s Happenings, and Elsie of A Beautiful Mess.

 

Such an honor to see these ladies carrying my bag. A couple of my favorite and inspired by bloggers.

See more of Stephanie looking adorable (red jeans and stripes? prefect) here.

See more of Mandy sporting her bag in one of  her Steppin’ Out Saturday post here!

See more of Elsie with her bag in her Daily outfit post titled Red Velvet (!) here.

I so hope I get to do more posts like this. I Love stumbling upon outfit posts that happen to feature a pretty little bag that I remember putting together. I get all warm and fuzzy.

If you have any pics of you carrying your itsKrust bags, please send them my way! itskrust@gmail.com

<3

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