A Sticky Situation

So, I’m pretty sure I need this sticker in my life. I’m actually not sure why I don’t already have it. I appreciate everything about it: the clever wordplay with my home state, the creative feline drawing skills, and the subtle yet effective use of a calico cat background for contrast.

Then I started thinking, “What if I make an entire United States out of stickers?” I already have an Oregon sticker from a trip to Portland, but I’ve still got a long ways to go to compile a full map. Although I can guarantee it will be a lot more fun than filling out the U.S. state quarters map over the span of ten years. Sounded like a great idea in 1999. Not so much in 2009. Why did they make it take so damn long to fill out?! I don’t have the kind of patience for that. Stickers however, I will always have patience for.

Just as fun as it looks

 Another question to consider: where would I put this state sticker map once it’s completed? Despite the unconventional medium of stickers, I do believe it could be a beautifully crafted masterpiece. I’m just thinking it probably won’t quite fit in with my current apartment decor. Adults aren’t supposed to collect stickers, let alone display them, right? This sticker map is an idea that I should have had in 2007, when I was in the midst of my formative college years and I still thought “decorating” meant covering my dorm room with posters and photos.

Maybe I need to think this idea through a little bit more before I start getting too excited. Don’t worry, I’m currently getting my collage/cut-paste fix from another project that I’ve been thinking about for a while. I have several piles of magazines that have accumulated in my apartment over the last few years. I rationalized keeping them by telling myself that there might be recipes I want to keep. A trip to Staples later, I was clipping out all the recipes I wanted to keep and organizing them in a three-ring binder. Goodbye, magazine clutter. Hello, organized adulthood. Well almost, I think I still like stickers too much to be an adult.

These still make me incredibly happy

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My Homemade December

Over the past week, I’ve been absolutely flooded with Black Friday and Cyber Monday emails. I’m really thankful I created a separate folder a while ago for stuff like that so it’s not the first thing I see when I log in. “Good morning, now go to our site and buy everything!” As you might recall, last week I gave my sassy little PSA rant about Black Friday. I suggested staying away from the chaos in stores, and try shopping online instead or checking out smaller local stores that need the business. But I forgot to mention my all-time favorite holiday shopping alternative: crafting.

December is the perfect month for crafting. It’s an activity you can do inside by a warm cozy fire while you . You get a final product that you can give as a holiday gift. Every time I look at Pinterest or Etsy, which is more often than I’d like to admit, I get the crafting bug! I’m a hands-on type of gal and I like the experience and satisfaction of making something from start to finish, whether it be a painting or a pot roast. I have to be realistic though. It’s easy for me to get excited about too many things. I have to accept that even though I have a long wish-list of crafting, I can’t possibly make it all. Maybe over my entire life, but not in the next month. To help me, I’ve got the three p’s of crafting: prioritize, plan, and put on this tee shirt (see above). I’m glad I found a picture with a manly dude wearing this shirt. Hmm, maybe I can make my own…

As I embark on my December of crafternoons, and tastelessly include “craft” in as many words as I can, I will be on the lookout for new and fun ideas to try. My seemingly aimless online searches will now feel a little less aimless. I’m on a mission, a mission to craft. Stay tuned for a possible series of “crafterthoughts”, and check out my projects as I post them on my Pinterest board (fully completing the crafting circle of life). No need to feel left out. Join me in Homemade December! If you think of or come across a cool idea, I’d love to hear about it.

Happy December!

Fall Can Be a Crafty Bastard

It finally felt like fall this weekend. Now that it’s here, I’d like to express my appreciation for my favorite season. Having grown up in New England, I will always expect four separate seasons, leaves changing colors, and a continuous hint of pumpkin pie in the air. I love pulling on worn-in boots and wrapping myself in a scarf while I sip hot cider. I think fall is the most nostalgic time of year, and it give me lots of warm fuzzy feelings. I’m so FREAKIN excited!

If only I had that sweater. If it were up to me, fall would be the beginning of the calendar year. It’s when kids go back to school, tv shows come back, and football season starts. I’d rather think of new year’s resolutions in the fall than in the middle of winter.

Fall is also outdoor festival time. It seems like every neighborhood in D.C. has its own street festival. That’s okay. It’s gives me something to do so I’m not causing trouble on the streets. This weekend was the Crafty Bastards Arts and Crafts Fair in Adams Morgan. Even though I live only a few blocks away, the walk over felt like it took forever. I was not dressed for the weather. Despite being cold and wet, I was easily distracted by all the vendors. If you want an overall sense of the fair, just visit the website Etsy or Put A Bird On It. Now that I think about it, Etsy may have had its own booth at the fair.

Not sure if punching bears is in style? Just ask Sharpshirter; it's all the rage now.

Despite my slight mockery, I not-so-secretly love the hipster crafting trend. If you happen to be in the market for a quirky t shirt, an offensively ironic greeting card, or an ugly-cute monster stuffed animal; then Crafty Bastards is the place to go. You could also arm wrestle a DC Rollergirl or decorate your own notepad if you wanted to. They even had a crafts table for kids (or adults that sneak their way in). It was super crowded, which I thought might help provide some heat. Alas, I was still freezing and rushed my way through. I didn’t end up making any purchases other than a bratwurst, but I still enjoyed my day of knick-knack perusing.

Okay, so maybe this weekend wasn’t the best example of beautiful fall weather. I just wasn’t ready to jump in the deep end. But guess what? I’m ready now. Bring it fall, you crafty bastard. Just one request: let’s skip over the windy and rainy part.

For more about Crafty Bastards, please visit their site on Washington City Paper and blog Cut the Craft. Also, be sure to check out the Social Studies recap of the event.