Thanks Ladies!

A big special thank you and a 1,000 hugs to the fabulous women who came out to support St. Louis Children's Hospital at the Needles for Newborns event. YOU ARE FABULOUS! I am truly touched by the time and care that was put in to the adorable hats, blankets, booties, mittens and gowns for the little peeps. Snaps to Nadines Gin Joint, Ferraro's Pizza, Carondolet Bakery, Soulard Coffee Garden and Johnny's for the generous donations of food that kept our tummies full and happy so we could stitch the night away. It was a pleasure to gather with all of you and I'm so excited to have made some new friends and catch up with old friends. Y'all are a hoot! If ya wanna see pics of all the sweet stuff that was made, click here.

Since Needles for Newborns was such a success we've decided to launch a sorta-monthly series of gatherings at Paste for charity called Crafting With Purpose and have Needles be the big annual event. The next event will be on December 13 from 10-8 and will benefit The Haven of Grace, a shelter and rehabilitation center for homeless pregnant women and their children. In addition to needle artists, we've decided to invite the scrappy/card making folks as well. When you're starting a new life, words of inspiration are important! I hope you will join us and bring your big hearts!

Lastly, a big gigantic thank you to my partner-in-crime, Katie of Paste in Soulard.

You are awesome (even if you can't tie your own knots)! Without you and your generous donations of space, time, organizational skills, supplies and snacks none of this would be possible! Thanks for letting me help! Love you bunches, ya big softie!

'Nuff of that mushy stuff, I gotta go start a Twitter fight with @Pastecrafts now.

Go! Go! Go!

I feel like I'm always saying that things around here are busy, but lately, it's been insane. My day job has been keeping me late on the regular and my weekend/evening crafty gig seems to be a flutter with activity in the few gaps between. Don't mistake me, I'm not complaining, I'm grateful for all the new opportunities that the universe has offered up! I am truly blessed to work with so many interesting and wonderful people; it makes hard work a lot more fun!

Last weekend was Indie Underground with my Craft Mafia ladies at the Lumiere Hotel. Although sales weren't what I'd hoped, the people watching was FANTASTIC. I've never seen so many cougars and wacky shoes in one location in my life. The amount of posing and admiring of self that was going on was gut-bustingingly hilarious. About half way through me and one of my crafty girls in crime started keeping a list of famous nearly-look-alikes - there was Phyllis Diller with her cowgirl boots and giant pink feather boa, Posh Spice in her ass-bearing short shorts, Erkel in giant black rimmed glasses and hitched up pants and oh so many more. There were fabulously dressed and sophisticated too, but they weren't nearly as fun to gawk at.

This week has already started off with a bang. Last night I taught a class on polymer clay at Paste, which was super-duper fun. Tonight was my glass class at Third Degree Glass Factory and I got to play with fire! We made beads with polka dots, square ones, round ones and flat ones. I can’t wait to snap some pics to show y’all. Tomorrow is the Wine Tasting…Craft Making event at Paste where I’ll be teaching some lovely ladies how to paint and wire wrap wine glasses while they sample vino. This weekend is the big event I’ve been chattering about forever, Needles for Newborns …Crafting with Purpose. A bunch of knitty chics will be gathering to whip up some goodies for the preemie babies at St. Louis Children’s Hospital. On Sunday I plan to practice lying down horizontally on my couch. All day. Possibly changing channels once in a while.If I don’t bump in to you in my travels in the next few days, here’s to you and hoping you have a great week! Stay crafty!!

Whole Lotta Craftin' Goin On!

This is one of my favorite times of the year with the crunchy leaves, wooly scarves and comfort food galore. My crock pot has been christened for the season and my knitting needles are home to some magnum-sized Cascade hot pink yarn. I'm thinking I better pick up the pace too, because temperatures seem to be dropping rapidly.

One of my favorite parts about fall, other than the food, is the excuse to gather with friends for cozy, crafty fun. I've got plenty of excuses to get the gatherings in queue too - my calendar is jammed with show dates until Christmas. I'm totally excited and TOTALLY overwhelmed all at the same time. I plan to debut quite a bit of new product ranging from new jewelry to holiday accessories. The thing I'm most excited about at this very moment is my new line of fused glass pendants. I'm fresh on the glass scene and I'm thoroughly loving every minute of it. I just wish kilns had see-thru windows! Last night I picked up some new glass and will be prepping it for the kiln over the weekend. I hope to have it ready by my next show, Indie Underground on October 16 & 17 - part of the fashion week extravagaza - it promises to be a good time for all. I'll be there with lots of my fellow mafiosas as well as some of my Show Me Etsy pals. The show will be at the Lumiere Hotel and admission is FREE! Hope to see you there kiddos! I'll be posting again soon, promise, with the big list of show dates.