Around the 'Net

spider and the inter-web

I have been a busy little spider, skittering hither and thither on the web.

Tooling Around on Scoutie Girl

Now we're cooking! Photo via TheKitchn

Scoutie Girl has a sleek new look that makes it super easy to navigate. You know, so you can more easily find me Tooling Around over there. Okay, some of the other posts might strike your fancy as well.

Shining the Spotlight at Wed Eclectic

Krissy Cartwright's shop postcard.

I have recently been chosen to head up the Member Spotlight Interview Series for the Wed Eclectic team blog. I get to talk with some really amazing artisans each month, and spread the gospel of handmade, homemade, and offbeat! Did I mention I am actually affiliated with these superstars?

Flitting and Fluttering about Etsy's Treasury Tool

A Never a Plain Jane winged treasury

Trying my Hand at Pinteresting Styles

Bantu Knots tutorial via Perfect Locks

Maybe two days after I tweeted this tutorial a friend of mine e-mailed me photos of her attempt to get those tousled, wavy locks.  It went...not well. But I couldn't let her show me up, I had to try it too!

Bantu at bedtime

First attempt to style my knot outs

Second try at styling my knot outs

There is definitely a reason those photos were Instagrammed. Bantu knots are, a. either a two-person job; b. suited for long and/or thick hair; c. all of the above. I think I'll try again when Emily is home and my friend, Sarah, comes for a visit. We'll have a bantu knot party and other general silliness. It'll be grand.

So there you have it, what I've been spinning about the web.  Where have you been toiling lately?

Uncovering Recovery

Raise your hand if you've looked at all the re-upholstery tutorials on the net and thought "I could totally do that!"

Yeah? Okay, now raise your hand if you tried to do that and ended up with a lumpy mass of padding and fabric punctuated by a few injured (read: stapled) fingers. No? I'm the only one. Fine.

But if you have entertained the idea of doing your own furniture recovery you are going to love the lady I'm Tooling Around with today at Scoutie Girl.

Shelly Leer, proprietress of Mod Home Ec, is so cool! She is super enthusiastic about her tools and passionate about her work.

Shelly teaches classes in upholstery for every skill level.

So, if you are far more savvy with power tools than I, check out what Shelly had to say about three of her favorites here. Then, check out the amazing tutorials on her blog.

A little something Shelly whipped up in a weekend.

On the other hand, if you are exactly like me and can only use tools under adult supervision and you happen to live near Indianapolis, Indiana you should definitely sign up for one of her classes.

Smarter, Faster, Stronger

It is Friday! Yea! But you probably already knew that. But did you know I am turning into a super hero?  True story. I'm working on becoming smarter, faster, and stronger.

Smarter

 Today, at Scoutie Girl, it is time to "get smart," but not in a Nick at Night kind of way. Granted, if anyone could rock a shoe phone, it'd be me. For now, I'll start with a smart phone.  Please stop by my Tooling Around post to share your experiences with mobile technology.

Faster

As of 9:00 this morning I finished week seven of my Couch to5K training program.  That means the last four times I ran I covered two and a half miles in 25 minutes. Please allow me to shout that at you.

I RAN TWO AND A HALF MILES IN 25 MINUTES

Each time I run it takes me less time to fall into a good rhythm, less time to cover more distance, and less time to recover when I'm done. It. Feels. Amazing.

Stronger

I totally conquered the monkey bars this week and I have the battle wounds to prove it - one for each hand!

Okay, maybe that doesn't prove it, but I know I finally made it all the way across the playground monkey bars and that's what's really important. I am getting stronger. Unfortunately, the monkey bars in Emily's schoolyard are only10 bars long but this is a photo of the Tough Mudder monkey bars:

from the Tough Mudder Facebook page.

I'm still pretty sure I'll have no problem with these by December.  Because I'm awesome.

I'm getting smarter, faster, and stronger because it is good for me and it makes me better for you.  Don't forget, I want to know the ways in which you have made yourself better and the things you still hope to accomplish.  (You could win a custom garter and you'll definitely find a support system here).

We're changing the world, you and me. 

Happy Friday!

You guys are going to think I am nuts, but the first time I had a chance to stay connected to NPJ while on the road I totally failed!

Today at Scoutie Girl I'm talking about that and a few awesome folk who know how to work it on the road.

Stop by and weigh in on taking your tools to go.