Crafty Thoughtshttp://www.rochellemac.com/blog/en-US2012-02-24T13:22:20ZSquarespace Site Server v5.11.81 (http://www.squarespace.com/)Some of my latest projectshttp://www.rochellemac.com/blog/2011/6/21/some-of-my-latest-projects.htmlRochelleMac2011-06-22T00:36:47Zclothing coral dress green lisette mccalls sewing sewing skirt

I'm trying to make more of an effort to photograph my projects...

]]>Add to the wish listhttp://www.rochellemac.com/blog/2011/5/22/add-to-the-wish-list.htmlRochelleMac2011-05-23T01:18:05Zadd adhd design gadgets mutewatch shiny time management want watchI think I have found the perfect watch.

First, a little bit of the background story. I love my iPhone, and rarely has it ever let me down. A few months ago, I went on a search for the perfect app that would either vibrate or chime on the hour, as a means to keep me on task at work. After some searching, I thought I had the answer... until I realized that I hardly ever heard it vibrate on my desk. I've been shopping online, trying to find just the perfect gadget to help me manage to stay on focus and be more productive.

I think the Mutewatch might be the answer to my prayers. I saw it on Mashable, then watched the following video:

Meet the Mutewatch from Mutewatch on Vimeo.

Not sure about the $259 pricetag, but I'll be watching for reviews, hopefully will make up my mind by July.

]]>Appropriate quote for the dayhttp://www.rochellemac.com/blog/2011/5/18/appropriate-quote-for-the-day.htmlRochelleMac2011-05-19T02:47:38Zcharles caleb colton inspriation personality quirks quirky me quoteWhen you have nothing to say, say nothing.

- Charles Caleb Colton

]]>Dreaming of warmer days - The Front Yardhttp://www.rochellemac.com/blog/2011/1/25/dreaming-of-warmer-days-the-front-yard.htmlRochelleMac2011-01-26T01:05:41Zcold gardening landscape nesting outdoors planting spring winter

Well- I'm sure if I have any readers left, you were waiting for someone to post notification of my death.

I'm not dead yet- I've just been so busy and unmotivated to write. Now that my descriptive drought is over, time to get back at it.

What am I most excited about? The return of warmer weather! Most people don't expect Nashville to be as cold as it is during the winter, but yes, it gets pretty chilly around here. I can hardly wait until it is warm enough to get out in the yard. While I'm waiting for Mother Nature to cooperate, I can at least begin to plan.

I think my first project will be the front yard. I love my house dearly, but there are a few things that bug me. First, there a lovely weeping cherry tree out there that is way way way too close to the front walk. Below that is a hunk of ornamental grass that would look great - if it wasn't directly under the weeping cherry tree. The entire bed is lined with rough stones in this semi-antiquated bean shape. The icing on the cake is the pergola/awning thing that sits (or rather sat- in a moment of frustration I ripped it out of the ground) at the end of the walk beside the driveway. This past spring it was an explosion of vine-y flowers, which looked lovely, but rendered the walkway completely unusable.

]]>My excuse for being MIAhttp://www.rochellemac.com/blog/2010/3/7/my-excuse-for-being-mia.htmlRochelleMac2010-03-08T01:55:26Z30th birthday decor house milestones nestingI decided at the end of January to buy a house. I had been thinking about it for quite a while, but fate stepped in. I was browsing around the real estate sites, and suddenly there it was! I got chills, it was so perfect. I called an agent, and two days later I was seeing the interior in person for the first time.

A short story made even shorter, I closed on my first home February 25th! Now, for the photos:

My new house!!!I have been moving for the past week, and I've bee so preoccupied that I almost forgot my birthday. My 30th birthday. Thank goodness for my wonderful friends and family. They managed to reel me in and make sure I celebrated this milestone in style. Stay tuned for more fun decorating entries.

]]>Intergalactic Planetary... Planetary Intergalactichttp://www.rochellemac.com/blog/2010/1/23/intergalactic-planetary-planetary-intergalactic.htmlRochelleMac2010-01-23T14:05:06ZIBS beads craft fairgrounds intergalactic jewelry jewelry supplies

Two Sundays ago, I went to one of my favorite events- the Intergalactic Bead Show. I'm not sure why on earth they refer to it as Intergalatic, but it is pretty massive and can be overwhelming. The fact that I have to fight the urge to do the robot and sing the Beastie Boys song doesn't help matters either.

I found out about this quarterly show from my jewelry teacher, Nancie Roark. She warned us that it is a dangerous place for your wallet, and advised that is best to go with a set amount of cash, and leave the credit cards at home. I have been very good at obeying this little law. I also have a process that helps prevent me from becoming overwhelmed.

I try to make a list of the things I'm looking for - Do I need more chain or findings? Is there a particular color that I need for a project?
Visit the website to check out the vendors. I have found that there are only a few vendors that have the things that appeal to me, so if I can narrow down my options before walking in door, bonus!
Print my coupons! There is an admission fee for the IBJS, but if you join their mailing list, they send coupons for discounted admission, or in my recent situation, free admission! They also include a coupon for a friend...
Eat and caffeinate before you head out to the show. Wear comfortable clothing and bring a bag to carry home your treasures. There's nothing worse than getting a hunger headache while you are trying to calculate the number of beads you need for that special project.

Ok- now to the beads:

My haul from the IBS

I can't wait until I have time to play with my lovelies!

]]>Meet Lualla (tentative name)http://www.rochellemac.com/blog/2009/12/30/meet-lualla-tentative-name.htmlRochelleMac2009-12-30T15:51:00Zclothes craft crafting dressform sewing sewingAs an early Christmas gift to myself (actually I bought it on my way home from Thanksgiving in Gatlinburg with the family), I finally purchased a dress form. I have been making clothes for myself for some months now (mainly out of frustration in the options in stores), so this purchase was WAY overdue.

I'm still trying to think of a name for her, so if anyone has any suggestions, please let me know.

Dritz Sew Simple Dressform from Joann.comThis has been one of those life changing purchases! I feel so much more productive with my original designs, especially since I can't draw my ideas very well. Now I can drape and pin to my heart's content!

I've been really lazy about taking photos of my clothing designs lately, and only part of is is because of the holidays. I will try to do better, starting tonight.

]]>How I spent my weekendhttp://www.rochellemac.com/blog/2009/11/16/how-i-spent-my-weekend.htmlRochelleMac2009-11-16T22:00:32Zbutterick b5321 dresses fabric floral fuschia gray patterns sewing shirt simplicity 2594 top weekendThings are finally getting back to normal in my life, now that the big event for my day job is over (it was a huge success, btw).

I have been able to catch up on some crafting, some of it was mandatory, some was just for me. I also have a pretty large backlog of projects that need to be photographed and posted from the last few months.

I had the luxury of having nothing to do this weekend, so I spent it sewing. I wil have to do a follow up post of the finished products because I either don't have the photos with me, or the product isn't completely finished, but here are some teasers:

I made this top on Friday night in a fuschia based gray and black floral. I can't wait to wear it to work tomorrow!

I worked on this one for most of the rest of the weekend. I'm making the version with the cap sleeves, but in gray.

I will have one of my co-workers take a photo of the shirt tomorrow, and will post it as soon as possible!

]]>This made me smilehttp://www.rochellemac.com/blog/2009/10/29/this-made-me-smile.htmlRochelleMac2009-10-30T02:31:09Za little happy crafty cross stitch inspiration technology text messages

Text Message Embroidery from Ginger Anyhowvia Apartment Therapy. There are several more fun ones.

]]>Monthly Trip to the Flea Markethttp://www.rochellemac.com/blog/2009/10/26/monthly-trip-to-the-flea-market.htmlRochelleMac2009-10-26T13:30:00ZOctober architectural salvage collectors fall flea market gathering jewelry necklace suppliesI have been sick with the flu for the past week, but wild horses couldn't keep me from going to the Tennessee State Fairgrounds Flea Market this weekend. I try to go each month, but it seems as if something has come up for the past three months. I was not going to miss what is billed as the biggest month of the year.

Glasses from the Tennessee State Fair Flea Market

Architectural Salvage Heaven!

When I go, I have a few vendors I regularly visit, so that I can stock up on the bits and pieces I use in my jewelry. Here is just some of the pieces I brought home:

This is the focal piece of my new piece of jewelry! I'll post soon with more detail on the Keyhole, seen above. It has already become part of a commissioned piece for a silent auction!

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