Stuff I found while looking around

If you follow me on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter you already know that I am spending my morning with the orthopaedic surgeon having my tendon reattached. Don't be jeal.

To keep it short: My finger was caught between two large mirror fragments; the tendon is severed and must be reattached; the nerves are also cut so I'm not in much pain (yet); I finally get to live my elementary school dream of having a cast for all my friends to sign.

Since my hunt and peck finger gets worn out pretty quickly that's all the verbiage you get today. Instead, I thought I'd share some things I found while futzing around on the web. Click on the images for source info and details. Enjoy!

P.S. Any tips on how to handle my inevitable DIY withdrawal?

Around the Net

Happy Friday, Y'all!  If you are looking for me, I'm tooling around on Scoutie Girl. Stop by and say hello.

Today I'm coming clean over at Scoutie! Click the image to join the conversation.

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?

And sew on...

Yup, it's another Friday on Scoutie Girl and I'm Tooling Around with the amazing Shelly Leer again! We're talking sewing tools for all stitching levels.

via The Purl Bee

Come check us out!

If you want to know what other sewists recommend, you'll definitely want to see:

On Grosgrain: Kathleen's Top 10 Big Ticket Items Every DIYer Should Own
On Coletterie: The 5 Things to Remember When Buying a Sewing Machine and The Tool Kit
On Casey's Elegant Musings: sewing workshop: drafting toolkit
On Ruffles & Stuff: Disney tells you about Getting Started: Supplies
Om make it and love it: Ashley lists her essential Sewing Accessories

Have a favorite list of your own?  Share it in the comments below or over at Scoutie Girl!

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. 

Smells like...

...it's time for another Tooling Around post at Scoutie Girl!

I talk with Donna of DSO Soapery and Such about keeping a clean set of records.

DSO Soapery's briwn sugar scrub in oatmeal, milk, and honey. Delicious!

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.

Out and About

How could I forget to tell you?  I was over at Scoutie Girl again on Friday.

 
Just tooling around with my friend, Vicki.  Won't you stop in and talk die cuts with us?

What's the word, bird?

The word of the day is Scoutie. As in, that's where you'll find today's post.

Original art by Valentina Ramos. Click on the image for more details.

Word.

Go ask Alice

Today you can find me at

kicking off a series of Alice in Wonderland-inspired themes for your wedding and the related shindigs.

Please stop by Wed Eclectic then, come back and tell me all about your wedding wonderland.

Tooling Around

Looking for me again? Today I am Tooling Around on

with Kay Demlow of

Come say hi!

Around the Net: COLORCRAZED

Lynda Coker, fiber artist, believes you can do anything you want with fabric. Well you won't hear any arguments from me! Especially since the woman who made this

thinks I am an artisan worthy of an interview!

So, my lovelies, you are all hereby officially invited to the COLORCRAZED blog where you can read my interview and snag yourself a discount code.

Thank you, Lynda!

*additional info for Lynda's Winsome Windows fiber mosaic is available here.

On the Edge

Oh my gosh, I am so excited! The incredible Laura Simms, creative counselor and life coach, asked me (me!) to submit a guest post for her series,

Laura is one of my co-contributors at Scoutie Girl and the genius behind Create as Folk. You absolutely must visit. Her site is full of inspiration and guidance for creatives from creatives. I'd tell you more, but you really need to see for yourself.

Check me out - I'm on the edge!

Tuesday's Tooling Around

Today, Scoutie Girl is featuring a post from my Tooling Around series. Pop on over and share your tips for snapping great photos with your digital camera.

Click on the icon to check out my post!

Turn up the heat!

Hello, my darlings!  I wrote I hot little tool review featured on

this week.  Please hop over there and take a look.

Out Scouting

Hello My Dears!
I've been neglecting you something awful lately and I'm sorry.  I've been working, though. I promise. I'd love to have you visit me at Scoutie Girl where I'm Tooling Around.

What're you up to today?

In Plain Sight

You guys, I am so feeling the love right now. Not only have sales been steady, I'm also getting some attention around the internet!  Makes me feel all warm and fuzzy and star-like! Please click on the images and show some love to the people loving me!

Mixing it up at Studio M.M.E.

Limited Edition Print from Studio M.M.E.

Getting top billing at the Spark Team Blog

Team Spark

Adding my Two Cents at Scoutie Girl

Constant Comment

On what blogs can I find you guys hanging out these days?

In Plain Sight

This week you may have seen me:

pinning down indie

at Scoutie Girl

finding things of pinterest

Pinterest

playing with art

EffectiveArt PlayDate blog

This by the way is the first time I've been featured on another blog without me asking first.  In other words, Jeanette found my garter and put me on her page all on her own!  Who feels like a superstar, now?!

adding a little spark

Team Spark on Etsy

What're your favorite internet haunts?

Squeaaaaaaallllllll

Quick! Do a google search for “unique garter.” Now scroll to the bottom of the page. I AM THERE! I am the last entry on PAGE ONE OF GOOGLE EVERYTHING SEARCH!!!!!!!!! Weeeeeee!

(I promise I have not used up the world’s supply of exclamation points on this post).