one sheepish girl

Weekend Baking - Earl Grey Muffins Video

2012-02-27T06:15:00.002-08:00

Once again, I'm thankful for a wonderful weekend filled with creativity and baking. I gave the earl grey muffins a try and I have to say...they are probably the best muffins I've ever had. Seriously. Go make some right now. If you need more inspiration to get baking, I broke out the 8mm iPhone app again and made a little video of the muffin-making just for fun. I hope you like it! :)

It was an especially nice treat to have with a cup of earl grey to soothe the unfortunate cold I caught over the weekend. I hope the sniffles go away soon so I can get through the week...or at least make it through my Monday morning classes. ;-)

How was your weekend?

My Week & Weekend Plans in Doodles

2012-02-24T15:10:00.000-08:00

At one point this semester, I planned on taking a photo everyday so I could blog more about what happens during the school week. Ha! I foolishly thought that would be an easy or interesting task. When I came home from class this afternoon, I decided to blog something different for the weekend. (Side note: Part of this decision was made purely because I was extremely comfortable on the couch with my sketchbook and didn't feel like moving.) So, I decided to do a little doodle for each day of my week, and a special *doodle edition* of my weekend plans. Haha! These were the highlights of my week:

Monday - That evening, I grabbed dinner with one of my best friends. We splurged and got gelato for dessert. I had salted caramel and it was amazing!

Tuesday - I spent the day clicking and typing away at my internship.

Wednesday - After finally deciding on my next, big knit project, I ordered the yarn and I can't wait for it to arrive!! I keep checking the FedEx tracking info...even though it hasn't changed. Haha.

Thursday - Two funny/fun things happened on Thursday. I attempted to take outfit photos by myself with a wireless remote. This attempt failed miserably and I just got really frustrated with myself. Oh well. All of my pictures are funny to look at though, especially the ones when I'm sporting a serious "model face". The fun thing that happened was...I ordered my cap and gown for graduation!! Yippee!!!!!!!

Friday - I turned in an essay this morning with a staple and a smile. I'm so happy that it's the weekend!

For the weekend I plan to...

- Possibly bake these earl grey muffins? Have I been baking too much on the weekends? Nah...
- Finish two books for class. I'm currently reading Blue Nights by Joan Didion and A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry.
- Write yet another paper...yay.
- Impatiently wait for my yarn to arrive. I want to start my fawn-cho! ;-)
- Watch the Oscars! Wait, you couldn't tell that little guy up there was supposed to be an Oscar? Sorry about that...

How was your week? Do anything exciting? Any big plans for the weekend? I always love to hear!!

A crafty collaboration with Ello Lovey

2012-02-22T14:40:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite memories of the Jingle Bash last November was sharing that crazy day with my booth neighbor, Rhianna of Ello Lovey. She was so sweet and helpful during my few panicky, "it's my first craft show and I want to start breathing into a paper bag" moments. ;-)

We kept in touch after the show and she recently proposed an idea for a possible collaboration. Why don't I add a few crochet borders to some of her prints for our Etsy shops? Such a great idea! I was extremely nervous punching holes into her beautiful prints though...haha. I'm so glad she trusts me to do a good job! The prints will be in our shops very soon, so I will keep you posted on the details.

How cool is it working with other creative people? I never thought I would have the opportunity to create something like this with a fellow Etsian. It's just reason number 1,000,001 why I love this community. :)

A Week of Colorful Sweaters Recap

2012-02-20T20:24:00.000-08:00

Last week I decided to push myself outside of my comfort zone and wear my crazy sweaters, back to back, and just see what it did for my confidence. Here's a little recap of each day...

Sunday // I wore this gorgeous and extremely colorful sweater for the first time last Sunday. Since I wore it to church, I guess I expected a few more "oh my's" at the sight of the blinding colors. I got a couple compliments but nothing too exciting happened. I just felt really good wearing it.

Monday // Oh the dot sweater. I don't know why this one makes me so nervous...but it does. I think it has something to do with the fact that the crochet dots are literally hanging off the shirt. It may not be as bright as the others but it is very "Look at me!". I wore it to class and out of sheer embarrassment, kept my puffy jacket on throughout the day. That was definitely the self-esteem low point of the week. It really showed me how much I let the opinions of others dictate even the smallest parts of my life. I don't want to do that again.

Tuesday // As promised, I wore my heart patch sweater on Valentine's day and definitely felt the love. I wore this to my internship and got some very sweet comments from my boss. When I told her that I added the hearts on myself she sounded impressed and I probably blushed a little too much. The best part of the day was the elevator ride with a cute and mysterious guy who smiled at me before I got out at the lobby. I'd like to think that he thought my sweater was super cool. ;)

Wednesday // I should give the swan sweater a name...like Gertrude or something. Haha. This is another sweater that makes me especially self conscious. It was really warm that day so I couldn't hide Gertrude under a coat or anything. Why would I want to though? A girl I never expected to compliment my style immediately said, "Aw that's such a cute sweater!" when she came into class. It really showed me that I judge people to fast, assuming they think I'm weird, just like I think they are judging me.

Thursday // My horse sweater didn't get much love. Who knows why, but it went unnoticed all day at work. However, because of that I actually stopped thinking about what was on my sweater and didn't care that no one said a word. I finally felt like I was wearing something I love for the simple reason that I love it and not worrying about what other people think.

Friday // This sweater is just so cozy! The comfort level of this one supersedes any and all floral-related embarrassment. I could never feel shame when wearing something so snuggly.

Sunday // This one was meant for Saturday, but I never left the house due to rain and paper writing and I didn't want to cheat. ;) So that meant another happy and colorful Sunday.

Here are a few Instagrams from the week. (My username is sheepishknitcrochet)

As the week went on, I noticed how the challenge became less about growing confidence and more about simply wearing my favorite sweaters. I didn't feel particularly daring in my heart sweater (it would be pretty sad if I did) but I did feel more like myself. That's the most important thing, right? To be comfortable enough in your own skin that you can wear what you want without fear. Clothes are such a tiny and insignificant part of who I am, but I know if I can wear a fun sweater or confidently chat with someone in class about my knitting, I'm on my way to a stronger me.

It just might take me a few more colorful sweaters to get me there. ;)

Sponsor One Sheepish Girl in March!

2012-02-20T06:05:00.000-08:00

If only I could knit that fast...haha. ;)

I'm happy to announce that starting in March I am accepting sponsors for One Sheepish Girl! This was a big decision for me to make, but I'm really excited about entering this new phase of my blog. If you are interested, take a look at the "Sponsor" page for all of the details. It would be a great place for advertising your shop or blog. Please email me if you have any questions!

If you want to join the fun, I'll just be here knitting and blogging away in my colorful sweaters. ;-)

Speaking of colorful sweaters...I'm going to post the results of my colorful sweater challenge/extravaganza from last week later this afternoon! Have a great day!

The Blush List - A Tea Party

2012-02-19T16:04:00.000-08:00

Here are a few of my favorite finds that happen to be my idea of the perfect tea party. ;)

Knitting // Of course there will be knitting and of course it will all happen while hanging upside down. ;-) Just kidding! I know this adorable vintage print doesn't exactly go with a tea party...but I couldn't leave it out!

Crochet // A lovely crochet tea cosy by Maria Valles.

Etsy // Perfect for sipping, delicate vintage tea cups from Bella Casella.

Style // I would love to wear any look from the Red Valentino Fall 2012 collection. Each outfit is absolutely beautiful! Found via Honey Kennedy.

Art // We have to watch Downton Abby. That is a must. I love this illustration by Kelsey Garrity-Riley.

Food // For an extra lady-like finish, we can snack on these ridiculous looking Red Velvet S'mores Bars by How Sweet It Is.

Oh how I wish I could have you all over for a tea party this evening instead of writing papers and reading. How was your weekend? It rained a lot on Saturday so I spent the day inside and tackled a big portion of my paper. Now I just have to see it through. :)

Happy Sunday to you all!

Weekend Plans 2/17 - 2/19

2012-02-17T15:33:00.000-08:00

This was one of those unfortunate weeks where I didn't have a minute to knit a stitch between classes and my internship. Those are the times where my countdown to graduation sounds less like a mysterious ticking noise and more like the ball drop on New Year's Eve. I can't wait to be free of required reading and double-spaced essays that the world will never see. ~~Sometimes~~ ~~Most of the time~~ 100% of the time, doing school work is such a struggle when I would rather be blogging and creating. However, all of my time spent studying paid off thanks to some good grades this week. Oh and my happy sweaters kept me smiling through it all. :)

I'm looking forward to another relaxing and crafty weekend...

- ...Even though I have another big paper to work on for Monday. Blah.
- I have a nice stack of spring magazines just waiting to be read. How beautiful is Adele on the cover of Vogue? She is amazing.
- It looks like it might be a little rainy tomorrow, so I think I'll bake some of my favorite bread to have with tea. It is seriously the easiest recipe ever. No yeast or rising and it is super tasty.
- I have lots of Valentine's treats to enjoy too, like my box of Dots. They are way better than the regular kind.
- Oh how I want to knit. I missed it so much this week. I wonder if I still remember how...? ;) I'm looking for a new project to start, like a blanket or sweater, but I haven't found the right pattern yet. If you have any recommendations, I would love to see!

How was your week? Care to share any of your plans for the next few days?

A Sweet Valentine

2012-02-15T13:34:00.000-08:00

I hope you all had a great Valentine's Day yesterday! I managed to have my best single lady Valentine yet thanks to some sweet surprises from my mom. She broke in to my apartment while I was at my internship and left me some flowers, yummy macarons, and dinner in the fridge. I am so lucky to have parents who never let me forget that I am loved. :)

I also wore my heart sweater and cozy heart socks with pride. I received compliments throughout the day that warmed my heart. Have I said heart too much? Haha.

How was your day? Did your sweetheart do anything special for you? Or did you do something nice to show yourself a little love?

Blogging for Confidence #10 - A Week of Colorful Sweaters

2012-02-13T15:53:00.000-08:00

Outfit details: Sweater - Milk & Honey boutique, Nails - Scallop trim tutorial Skirt - Fossil, Tights - Target, Shoes - Vance c/o Blowfish

Through this Blogging for Confidence series, I've discovered that even when the challenge I set for myself seems so tiny and insignificant, it truly makes a big difference. You all know by now of my affinity for colorful sweaters. I don't think there is any deep reason behind why I love them so much except that they are soft and pretty! Lately, colorful and quirky sweaters have been jumping off the shelves at me and I've gathered a little collection. Even though I cherish each sweater dearly...I have a confession to make. Whenever I reach for one in my closet my thoughts of the joyful and cozy day ahead of me shrink away as I ponder, "Oh gosh. What is that girl who sits next to me in journalism going to think of this one?" or "That cute guy in English is going to think I'm some sort of escaped clown if I wear this polka-dot sweater!" The negative thoughts go on and on until I change my mind and pick a quieter garment. This isn't always the case. Sometimes I tell all those negative voices in my head to pipe down, like the day I wore my swan sweater, and go on with my day without a care. However, if I wear a fun sweater one day there is no way I will wear another one the next day. I've got to spread the quirkiness out and give the world a break from the colors....right? Wrong! I need to stop letting others determine anything about me even if it is something as insignificant as my wardrobe. I hope this doesn't sound too lame to you guys. Sometimes when I ramble on about sweaters I worry that I sound like a weirdo...but then that proves my point, doesn't it? No more holding back! My challenge is to wear one of my colorful sweaters every day this week. One after the other, I'm going to wear my favorite knits and document any reactions and hesitations that I have. I started the challenge on Sunday with that colorful striped sweater and will share a round-up post on what I learned about myself next week. I'll let you know how it turns out!

Sweater details: Polkadot - Milk & Honey boutique, Heart elbow patches - Sweater from Target, DIY by me!, Swan - Joy the Store, Horse - Aritzia, Blue floral - Milk & Honey, Pink floral - H&M

Bring on the stares and "What a colorful sweater you have there Meredith." comments. I'm wearing what I want! :)

Footnote - I wore the polkadot sweater today and failed one of my goals for the week. I didn't take off my jacket in my last class because I was embarrassed of the dots. I kept my sweater hidden underneath my puffy coat for over an hour, sweating the entire time. Hopefully my confidence will improve as the week goes on...

Weekend Baking - Red Velvet Heart-Shaped Donuts

2012-02-12T15:13:00.000-08:00

I think my mom was hinting at something when she got me a heart-shaped donut pan for Valentine's Day. Last time I attempted to make these red velvet donuts, well....they didn't look so red. It was a failed baking attempt that stung especially hard because of my intense love for anything red velvet. So, as a result of the not-so-subtle gift from my mom, I gave it another try this weekend in between studying. We are pretty sure the red didn't work because I used low-fat buttermilk instead of regular. That's what I get for trying to be healthy...

I'm pretty proud that I finally achieved red velvet success. It was the perfect Valentine treat and great study fuel along with a cup of tea. I think I'll have one right now as I get ready for a big test in the morning. Ugh. However, there is the possibility of a "wintry mix" this evening. Am I too old to pray for a snow day?? ;)

How was your weekend? Bake/make/create anything fun?

Knit Espresso Machine Handle

2012-02-09T15:29:00.000-08:00

I will begin by stating that I am oddly proud of this knit project.

Thanks to my new milk frother, I can fuel my cappuccino craving without going to Starbucks. However, I've burnt my fingers a few times picking up the handle. I tried using my oven mitts, but I felt like it was going to slip through the bulky fingers and spill all over the floor. As Vanilla Ice would say..."If there was a problem, yo I'll solve it!" Haha. (Yes that was a Vanilla Ice reference. Word to your mother.) So...last night I made a little handle cover using 100% cotton yarn and I love how it turned out! I can just slip it on and off whenever I wash the machine.

Since a lot of espresso machines are different, it's hard to give an exact pattern. Here is what I did and I'm sure you can adapt it for your handle size!

Materials: 100% cotton yarn, I used two different colors for the stripes.

Needles: Size 8

Dimensions: About 5.5 inches long, 4 inches in circumference at the top and 2 inches in circumference at the bottom. These dimensions vary on the machine you are using.

Cast on 16 stitches.

Row 1-7 (odd rows): Select one of your colors. Knit all the way across

Row 2-8 (even rows) : Purl all the way across. For rows 3 and 4, change to your second color. Repeat these two rows with your alternating stripes for about 1.5 inches, or until your handle begins to get smaller.

Row 9: Knit two together, knit the rest of the row, knit two together. Now you have 14 stitches on the needle.

Row 10-20 (even rows) : Purl all the way across

Row 11-19 (odd rows) : Knit all the way across

Row 21: Knit two together, knit the rest of the row, knit two together. Now you have 12 stitches on the needle.

Row 22-26: Continue your knit/purl stripe pattern until your reach your desired length.

Bind off, sew up the sides, and make yourself a latte!

Uh oh. Now I'm making crazy sweaters for inanimate objects. Somebody stop me!! ;-)

Time is Flying

2012-02-07T06:09:00.000-08:00

My clock is broken. The hands keep whirring and whirring, round and round, and there's nothing I can do to stop it. Ok...that's not true. That's not true for two reasons 1.) I don't own a clock with hands. I have this crochet one, but other than that I'm all digital. 2.) I'll be the first one to admit that my skills of reading a clock quickly are not up to snuff. Give me ten minutes and I'll give you the time. ;-)

Apparently my time spent studying in college has been somewhat of a waste. As much as I would like to slow down time before graduation and the big, scary future that lies beyond May 12, my studies of Charlotte Bronte and Jane Austen have been little help in the time machine invention department. Ah well. I guess all I can do now is attempt to capture the moments I have left. The little moments between the stress, like my socks on sick days, books, notes, and sleepy eyes. The day I wore my typewriter shirt and how I like to doodle what's on my shirt during class. This is sometimes awkward as I look down and pull at my shirt to get a better look at the design while my classmates stare at me sideways and wonder if I'm trying to swat at a bug or if I'm just that strange.

There have been yummy treats when I'm feeling down and days of dressing up and feeling pretty. So many Valentine's and hearts are around me this year even though I typically play the single and bitter role on the love day. And of course there is knitting to keep me sane, happy, and crafting, even if it's only for fifteen minutes in the afternoon. Somedays that smidgen of knitting time is all I need to keep from worrying so much about my future during the other 1,425 minutes.

The Blush List - Pretty Pastel

2012-02-05T11:56:00.000-08:00

Knitting // Pretty mittens taped to the wall by Sarah McNeil

Crochet // A lovely granny square blanket in a lovely room. Photo by Mialiv

Handmade // DIY Paper Sheep Puppet Kit from Animalia

Style // I really do love these floral jeans ...but could I actually pull them off? That is the question....

Art // Sweets & Cupcakes by Teri Chung

Food // A sweet surprise for a milk and cookies snack, heart milk cubes from A Subtle Revelry.

I don't like to stick with seasons and trends when it comes to colors, my clothes, yarn choices...well pretty much anything. This week I fell in love with all of these pretty pastel finds even though Mr. Punxsutawney Phil just declared that springtime is still several weeks away. As far as I know, a pale blue sweater is just as warm as a black one.

I had a great weekend at home working on my valentines, knitting, and watching movies. Now it's time for reading and homework before some major television event starts...you know....

....Downton Abbey. ;-)

How was your weekend? All of your plans in the last post sounded great to me!

Weekend Plans 2/3 - 2/5

2012-02-03T15:44:00.000-08:00

If I wasn't aware of this before, I've finally come to the realization that I live for the weekend. I guess these "weekend plans" post should have tipped me off months ago. It's not like I do a "Monday Morning Plans" or "Midnight Studying Plans" or "This Week You Will Have a Week-Long Stress Headache Plans". Haha. That last one was especially true this week. So, I'm trying to find a way to be better at capturing what goes on during my week of classes and studying even though it's not too interesting. I think I've come up with a way to document my last few months of college on the blog and I'm excited to start next week. For now, I think I will take some Advil and get ready for my weekend plans...

-Make some crochet valentines out of my 2011 calendar for my sweet friends, family, and the giveaway winners! (I didn't forget!)
-I need to restock on wrist warmers in my shop! The weather has been uncharacteristically warm and humid (just ask my hair) in Texas lately. If you have colder weather, send some my way! ;)
-Eat ice cream and watch Clue. Is there a better way to de-stress after a busy week? I think not.

As always, I hope you had a great week! What are your plans for the hopefully relaxing weekend ahead?

Knitting Inspiration - Studio Meez

2012-02-02T14:58:00.000-08:00

Do you ever come across pictures that make you sigh with happiness? I did just that when I stumbled upon the blog Studio Meez. I love the way she photographs her knitting in such a clean and simple way. It really shows off the beauty of the craft. Her entire blog is so relaxing and inviting. The way she captures her morning cup of tea makes me want to brew a cup, pick up my needles and settle in for an evening of inspiration. Besides, knitting is always my favorite way to relax after a stressful week of class. :)

Sweater Makeover - Duplicate Stitch Heart Elbow Patches

2012-01-31T06:03:00.000-08:00

After the fun I had adding pretty patches to this chunky knit, no sweater in my closet is safe! I was inspired by Karen Barbé's intarsia patch tutorial on mending her well-loved arm warmers. I decided to use the duplicate stitch technique and try to give this old sweater a new, more colorful, life. Thankfully this sweater is a thick knit, so it didn't take me too long to stitch on the hearts. I decided to add the hearts around the cuffs because I wanted the awesomeness of this sweater to be visible from all angles. It's like wearing little heart bracelets and I love it!

The elbow patches were a little trickier because I had to make sure they covered my elbow and didn't end up floating too high around my biceps. Ha. Biceps. I printed out a simple heart shape from Microsoft Word, attached it to the proper elbow-centric location on my arm, and outlined the heart with a running stitch. I started out simply trying to fill it in with duplicate stitches, but it looked a bit off and wouldn't stay in even rows. So I did my best to work within the heart shape and create an even pattern. I'm so glad it worked because I couldn't be happier with how it turned out!

I love all of my crazy sweaters, down to the last swan and polkadot, but I think this one might be my new favorite. I guess it's the DIY pride in taking an old, bulky, Target sale-rack sweater and making it my own. Plus, the hearts are just in time for February!

So what do you think? Should I sport this beauty on Valentine's day? Too obvious?

Blueberries and a little blue camera

2012-01-30T06:05:00.000-08:00

Baking and crafting all weekend long. So...not too much to complain about over here. ;) Like everyone else, I really try to appreciate my time away from classes and pretend like the weekends are my everyday. I finally baked the blueberry galettes. What? You doubt me? Yes, if you can't tell, the pictures above are supposed to be the blueberry galettes. Haha. I have no idea how the recipe creators got such perfect pieces of pastry. Oh well. They were still very tasty! Besides, if I'm not willing to mess up every now and then, what's the point of trying new things? There's a lesson for me in there somewhere...

I also finished up my plush camera from craft night last week. I used Elycia's exact pattern, colors, and everything because I needed the visual help with my entry level sewing skills. Thanks to a lot of sewing wisdom from my mom, my toy camera now has it's own toy camera!

If you follow me on Twitter or Instagram, you saw my other project from the weekend....my sweater patches! I am so excited to share the finished product with you tomorrow!

How was your weekend? I hope you had a chance to relax and do something you love! I know I'm thankful for the time to reboot before the long week of classes ahead.

Weekend Plans 1/27 - 1/29

2012-01-27T15:47:00.000-08:00

I feel like this week went by so fast! I'm not complaining one bit because it was definitely a busy week filled with lots of reading and William Faulkner induced headaches. Oh, the pains of an English major. I spent most of the week running around town for my internship and finishing homework for my other classes. I'm definitely looking forward to a very crafty weekend. Here are my plans...

1. Ever since I posted about this intarsia sweater patch tutorial I've been dying to try it! This grey sweater is probably the least crazy in my collection....for now....

2. I really want to bake the blueberry galettes I posted about earlier this week too. They just look so scrumptious! I find all of these delicious recipes but rarely give them a try. That should change, right?

3. I write some letters and need to catch up with my pen pals.

4. I participated in Elycia and Chantilly's first craft night on Tuesday evening. It was a lot of fun! They did a live, streaming video together on how to sew a camera plush. However...I'm slow. Seriously slow. It took me ten minutes to get the needle threaded. When I looked up from my battle with the sewing needle, feeling all proud and triumphant, I discovered they had already finished over half of the camera. So....I'll be finishing that up this weekend. At my slow, beginner's pace.

Thanks so much for all of the sweet comments about my crochet valentines! If you decide to make a few for your loved ones, would you mind sending a picture my way? I would love to do a valentine's post with all of your creations!

Also, for some reason the reply button in the comments section isn't working. I try to click on it but nothing happens! I hope to get this fixed soon so I can start replying to your wonderful comments. :)

What are your plans for the weekend? Are you working on any fun craft projects too?

Adding a Crochet Edge to Paper - Valentines & Frames

2012-01-25T12:31:00.000-08:00

I am so excited to finally share this fun crochet project! For the past month I've been trying to come up with a way to use my old 2011 calendars. They were far to pretty to just put in the recycling bin so I decided to recycle them in my own way. I initially thought I wanted to make a bunting, then a photo album, but I knew I had to incorporate some yarn into this project. So I decided to add a pretty crochet edge to the paper to make some art for my walls and valentine cards!

For this project you will need:

- Yarn. I used a relatively thin yarn to make sure it would fit through the holes and not be too bulky.

- A crochet hook. A smaller crochet hook works best, so I used a G6.

- Thick paper, not easily torn. You need to make sure the hole doesn't rip when you are crocheting around the edge.

- A single hole punch or needle to puncture the paper.

Directions:

1. Cut out your desired shape. For the valentine I simply drew a heart and cut it out. It's a little lopsided but I think that's cute!

2. Punch holes around the edge of your shape far enough away from the edge so it won't tear easily. I spaced mine about an inch apart.

3. Slip your first stitch into one of the holes. Chain a desired amount of stitches (I did about 3 or 4 chs) and slip stitch into the next hole. When you come to a corner, slip two stitches into the same hole. Repeat this process around until you are back at the beginning and join with a slip stitch (sl st). I used two types of edging, scallop and picot.

For scallop edging (pictured above)....

- Sl st into the space underneath the chains from the previous round. Add 1 single crochet (sc), 1 double crochet (dc), 1 sc, and then end with a sl st in that same space. Repeat this pattern all the way around until you reach the beginning. Join with a sl st and bind off. Weave in your ends.

For picot edging (pictured above)...

- Sl st into the space underneath the chains from the previous round. Add 2 sc, ch 3, sc into your last sc stitch, sc, and end with a sl st. Repeat this pattern all the way around until you reach the beginning. Join with a sl st and bind off. Weave in your ends.

4. If you are creating a piece of art to hang on the wall, ch your desired number of stitches so you can decide how high or low you want it to hang on the wall. I ch 30 for my string.

5. All finished! Hang it up or mail it to someone you love! :-)

I hope you all enjoy this project! I certainly did. I'm addicted to crocheting on paper now. It's such a great way to give something I would normally toss out a new life!

Because I love you all so much I would like to send the first five U.S. citizens who comment on this post a crochet Valentine from me to you! Please leave your email address and I will contact you shortly. I wanted to do this just for fun because I love getting mail and I'm sure a lot of you do too! :-)

A Warm and Windy Outfit

2012-01-23T06:05:00.000-08:00

(Whew. A little dizzy.)

// Top - Milk & Honey boutique // Skirt - Milk & Honey boutique // Tights - Target // Boots - Target //

Instead of doing my typical rage at Texas for having such warm weather in January, I decided to take advantage and snap a few outfit photos. It just seems to work out that I only have time to take pictures of my outfit on Sundays when I am all dressed up after church. I really don't wear skirts and dresses all the time. I need to get some pictures of me in just a fun sweater and jeans. My typical uniform. :)

I love this outfit because it's a bit more daring than I tend to dress. Wow. That sounds silly when 80% of my body is covered in fabric. Hehe. (Remember who's talking here.) I guess daring to me is when I question three or four times whether or not I should change before I leave the house. Anyway, I love the mixture of the fancy-awesome-puffy-sleeve top with the long floaty skirt and casual boots. It doesn't exactly match, but I really like navy and mustard together. Also, I cut my hair! This is the shortest it's been in quite awhile and I like it a lot!

These outfit posts are definitely inspiring me to have fun with what I wear. They are also inspiring me to be ok with my goofiness. I thought if I ever wanted to post outfits on this blog I would have to suddenly become a model. Ha! Yesterday all I did was stand in front of the camera, look fondly at my shoes, get tossed around by the wind a bit and, when I felt especially awkward, pop up on my tip-toes for no reason at all. I learned that one from Tyra.

Has anyone else decided to put themselves out there and take a few outfit photos? I would love to see. I hope you all have a happy Monday!

The Blush List - In case you haven't smiled today...

2012-01-22T10:55:00.000-08:00

I hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend! I certainly am even though homework is once again in my near future. Here are a few of my favorite finds from this week that will hopefully bring a smile to your face! :)

Knitting // I am obsessed with this tutorial by Karen Barbé on how to add intarsia elbow patches to knitwear. A few of my sweaters are about to get a makeover.

Crochet // Adorable russian nesting dolls via People Webs

Etsy // Sweet, porcelain face brooches by Minini

Style // How beautiful is this sheep sweater? I found it on Fixed Forever, a Tumblr photo diary. It reminds me of Princess Diana's famous sweater. I've always wanted one just like it.

Art // Ah college!! The end is near!!! Such a perfect illustration by Hello Heute for how I'm feeling right about now.

Food // Mini Blueberry Galette recipe via Spoon Fork Bacon. Wouldn't these be perfect with a cup of tea?

I've been feeling the stress of balancing my blog schedule with my school schedule once again. I don't know what it is, but every new semester I panic when I can't do as much blogging as I would like. Very few of us have the time to blog as much as we would like though, right? And that's ok. I just continue to tell myself to just enjoy it all! Blogging is fun! Haha. Mini pep talks are happening a lot over here if you couldn't tell.

Enjoy these lovely finds and have a happy Sunday!

Exploring Dallas - Milk & Honey Boutique

2012-01-19T17:17:00.000-08:00

Last week when I was out and about taking pictures for my photo an hour post, my mom and I stumbled upon Milk & Honey boutique. Words cannot describe and pictures cannot properly illustrate my love for this store. All I can say is thank goodness I had my camera with me because from the moment I stepped inside I probably gasped a total of 73 times. Every rack held a dress, sweater, or top that I immediately wanted to get my hands on. The clothes are beautiful but the displays are just amazing. I mean, how cool is that moss covered arch over the sale section? And any store that has yarn balls floating around the ceiling is the place for me. I hope these pictures make you feel a smidge of the happiness I felt when I was inside. I found so many pretty pieces that I wanted to take home with me. Since the prices at Milk & Honey are extremely reasonable, I was able to walk away with a few of my favorite finds.

This store is new to the area and located smack dab in the middle of my two favorite places in Dallas, We Are 1976 and The Pearl Cup. Basically that means I will be there a lot. I know this shop isn't exactly handmade, but I love supporting small, independent businesses in the area! You should definitely stop by this store if you are ever in Dallas. Get ready to fall in love fast. :)

Settling in for my last semester

2012-01-18T16:52:00.000-08:00

I can't believe it. My classes for my final semester of college have officially begun. What?! Who?! How did this happen?! Oh yeah, just four years of hard work finally coming to an end. Now I remember. ;-)

I finally finished settling into my apartment after spending the holidays with my family. I had a little technological hiccup yesterday when my TV and Internet stopped working. That seems to be a tradition when I go back to school with this apartment. One semester my air conditioning broke, the other the heater. Oh well. It's nice to have a tradition, right? Now that everything is working, I'm happy to be back in my colorful little space as I gear up for the semester ahead. Little by little I'm getting back into a class schedule. You know, the "wake up early, drink lots of coffee, go to class, knit, blog, study, read, rinse, repeat" schedule? My new milk frother is helping in the "drink lots of coffee" department so I can make my own cappuccinos in the morning! I feel so fancy. And yes, as evidence by the first picture, I plan my outfits for each day of the week. It just makes things easier when I'm rubbing the sleep out of my eyes.

Now I'm listening to some records and getting caught up on my already required reading assignments. And so it begins...the countdown to graduation that is. ;)

Generations of Knitting

2012-01-16T12:01:00.000-08:00

While I was away running around with a bunch of sweet 7th grade girls this weekend, my parents went to visit my great aunt Lois and came home with a few treasures that belonged to her and my grandmother. My grandma Virginia passed away several years ago, but I have great memories of her love for knitting and crochet. Along with a bag of knitting needles, I was so excited to see this amazing Bernat knitting pattern book. There isn't a date printed inside, but it looks like it is from the 1960s. I just love all of the beautiful images of knitwear! It's all so classy and stylish. I hope to try a few of the patterns someday too.

Aren't my Aunt Lois, on the left, and Grandma Virginia, on the right, absolutely stunning? I am so thankful for every moment I spent with them and that I have the opportunity to learn more about their past. My grandma was the craftier of the two because she could do it all: sew, knit, crochet, and even tat. I hope one day my grandchildren cherish my knitting tools in the same way as I do of my grandmother's now.

Unplugged for the Weekend

2012-01-13T14:15:00.000-08:00

Image - Knitted Power Cord

This weekend I will be as quiet as a church mouse on all forms of social media (Twitter, Instagram...etc.) because I will be helping with a youth camp at my church! (Haha, see what I did there?) I attended this event all throughout high school and I am so excited to have the opportunity to lead a group of sweet girls. I'm also a little nervous because...leading...that's not my "thing". I'm just going to do my best and try not to be intimidated. Since I will probably have to struggle to get the phones out of the clutches of the girls in my group, I thought it would be a good idea to set an example and keep my phone tucked inside my purse.

I really enjoy taking a break from the noise of the Internet every now and then. It helps me put things in perspective. Also, this will be a great way to refresh before the start of my last semester of college next week.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! Do you have any fun plans?

A Picture an Hour of January 12

2012-01-13T06:41:00.000-08:00

9:00 a.m. - Coffee in my favorite mug.

10:00 a.m. - Morning workout at the YMCA.

11:00 a.m. - Getting ready for the day.

12:00 p.m. - In the car (not driving!).

1:00 p.m. - I picked up my last box of books for my final semester of college! So crazy.

2:00 p.m - It was really cold yesterday. Thankfully my horse sweater kept me warm.

3:00 p.m. - Coffee and tea with my mom at The Pearl Cup.

4:00 p.m. - I discovered my new favorite store, Milk & Honey, and a few new crazy sweaters to add to my collection!

5:00 p.m. - Clementines are my current favorite snack.

6:00 p.m. - Working on a custom headband order.

7:00 p.m. - Grilled cheese for dinner.

8:00 p.m. - Listening to my favorite record, Nat King Cole live at the Sands.

9:00 p.m. - Keeping up with my one-line-a-day journal.

10:00 p.m. - A little lip balm before bed.

I think every blogger has a "blogging bucket list" of posts they want to try and I've been struggling to accomplish a photo an hour post for months! I tried to do it on class days, but three or four hours of a picture of my desk got pretty boring, so I gave up. It was Rebecca of The Clothe's Horse and her picture an hour posts that inspired me to give it a try when I started blogging. Now, I love Miss James', Elycia's, and Kaylah's picture an hour posts too! It is such a fun peek into a person's daily routine. This day turned out to be surprisingly fun even though I thought I would be dragged down by the weight of my new books for a new semester and the realization that Christmas break is almost over. I didn't let that get me down and my mom and I ended up having a surprisingly great day! It's simple days like this that make me so happy. Oh and finding out that the most perfect store in the entire world exists and is in Dallas, TX is a real treat too. ;-) I took a ton of pictures inside Milk & Honey and will be sharing them next week.

Have you ever tried a picture an hour post? It is actually pretty tough to keep up with, but I'm so glad I finally did it! I took a total of 257 pictures though...that seems off, doesn't it? Haha.

Blog Mention in Let's Knit Magazine!

2012-01-11T15:03:00.000-08:00

Well, I never thought this would happen. A few weeks ago a lovely twitter follower let me know about my blog mention in Let's Knit Magazine! It is a knitting and crochet magazine based in the UK. I thought I might not be able to find a copy around here but thankfully my local Barnes & Noble saved the day. It's just so crazy seeing my blog name in a magazine...in print. *Pinch* Ok. It's real.

All I can say is..wow! Thank you so much Let's Knit! :)

I Love You a Latte - Crochet Latte Art

2012-01-11T08:10:00.000-08:00

I am so excited to share a new twist on my crochet teacups just in time for Valentine's Day! You can now find these mugs of crochet latte art for sale on Etsy. They were inspired by my favorite local coffee shop, The Pearl Cup. Mmm...I could really go for a latte right about now.

I will post more cup colors soon! I love you all "a latte"!! Haha. Ok enough puns. Have a great day everyone. :)

Outfit Post - I wear my heart on my dress.

2012-01-09T05:52:00.000-08:00

// Glasses - Warby Parker / Sweater - Zara / Dress - Zara / Tights - Target / Shoes - Target / Brooch / The Merriweather Council //

Look out! I'm at it again. Thanks to all of your unbelievably sweet words of encouragement on my first outfit post, I decided to give it another try. I went back to my new favorite woodland-fairyland, that now looks a bit grey, to snap a few photos in my new favorite outfit! I discovered Zara for the first time during my trip to NYC last month. After browsing the store for a matter of seconds, I started wondering where it had been all my life. I was also thankful for major discounts that resulted in the purchase of this sweater and dress. Also, my sweet friend Danielle surprised me by sending me an embroidered brooch for Christmas. I love it so much and I never want to take it off.

I don't know why, but I am really starting to love these outfit posts. What is it about posting simple pictures of what you wore one day that makes you feel....dare I say it...pretty? This could be just me, but I definitely don't usually think that well of myself. It's the magic of the outfit post I tell you! I guess all I can do now is keep working on my self-esteem through posts like these, right? I ~~think~~ know it is working because the other day my friend told me how much she loves seeing me come into my own. You know what? I love it too.

The Blush List - The Colors of Happiness

2012-01-08T12:08:00.000-08:00

Knitting // Too bad this beautiful vintage bird sweater sold, but I am still very inspired by the pattern and pretty color combination.

Crochet // A lovely crochet blanket and beautiful space for crafting by Super Ninon.

Etsy// Such a sweet calendar by Gingiber

Style // I love how these unexpected colors work together. Found via All This Happiness

Art // A cute and cozy animated illustration by Hello Heute to further fuel my GIF obsession.

Food // Cherry-vanilla layer cake recipe via Sprinkle Bakes. Wouldn't this be a sweet cake for Valentine's day?

I have been uncharacteristically happy this week and all of these bright and bubbly colors just pushed me over the edge! I am so thankful to have the time to spend on my knitting and my blog during Christmas break. It is truly my passion and I try to cherish every moment I get to spend doing what I love. Plus, I received emails this week from lovely readers that left me sniffling and pushing away happy tears in the checkout line at the grocery store. It is so hard for me to believe that I could inspire anyone, because it is really you who inspire me. :)

I hope you are all having a wonderful Sunday!

Weekend Plans 1/6 - 1/8

2012-01-06T15:02:00.000-08:00

Hooray for the weekend! I hope you all had a great week getting back into a routine now that the holidays are over. Although, I still have a few weeks of Christmas break...hehe. I guess there are some good things about college. ;-) Here's what I have going on this weekend:

- I started organizing my film photos from last year in an album. Now I need to go through and write little captions about each one so I can remember where and when they were taken. I'm definitely getting into this new year organization kick.
- I tweeted about my cute desk calendar from 2011 earlier this week trying to come up with ideas on how to reuse it. Everyone had so many amazing ideas! I think for at least a few of the squares I am going to mount some of my printed Instagram photos and display them around my apartment. I will definitely share the finished product.
- There are a few hearts and lovey-dovey knit and crochet ideas floating around in my head for Valentine's day. I can't wait to get to work and put them in the shop!
- Oh Frank. I love reading this book, Frank - The Voice, and I can't wait to discover more about his genius. Fun Fact: Did you know Frank Sinatra was only 5'7''? Oh well. Even though I'm 5'11'', Sinatra is still my dream man. ;-)

That's pretty much it! What are you doing for the weekend?

Finished Knit Stirrup Socks

2012-01-05T05:51:00.000-08:00

I am so excited that I finished these knit stirrups socks (made from this pattern) before the end of Christmas break! I just really wanted to try something new with a challenging stitch and I love how they turned out! So comfy and cozy. They are keeping me warm as I type. It's important to me to still work on other knitting and crochet projects outside of my Etsy work so I can develop my skills and not get burned out. This pattern worked perfectly! They are especially too pretty to just wear inside. I need to show off my handiwork to someone other than my cat, right?

Yes, another GIF. I just couldn't help myself.

"These socks are made for walkin', and that's just what they'll do..." ;-)

New Goals for 2012!

2012-01-03T13:05:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year friends! I hope you had a wonderful celebration ringing in the new year! I had a pretty low key evening accompanied by a few sips of champagne (sometimes I forget that I'm 21! Haha.) Plus I haven't been feeling too well the past few days, so it has slowed me down a bit. I won't let a little sickness ruin the beautifully exciting (and terrifying) year that sits before me. Here are a few of my hopefully attainable goals for 2012:

1. Graduate!! I filed for graduation a few months ago and the date is set. May 2012...here I come!
2. Find a good "post college" job. I know it is unlikely that I will get my dream job the minute I cross that stage, so I hope I can find something that will pay the bills and help me find my place in this world.
3. Rid my life of fear. I'm not sure if this is something I can accomplish in one year, but I will definitely work on it. I'm very hesitant when it comes to many aspects of my life.
4. Date more. I feel so embarrassed putting this one out there...but I'm trying to be less fearful right? So there it is. I don't even know if I can control this, but I hope to meet some nice guys who like coffee and good movies this year. :)
5. Tackle another craft show. I would love to enter as many craft shows as possible this year! I will set my sights on two for now and see where the year takes me.
6. Get ready for change. It's coming. Now that my college career is winding down I need to get ready for what comes next...the rest of my life. Yikes. I sometimes struggle with change so hopefully I can work on that this semester and be prepared for a new direction in my life.

So...here we go! It's time to tackle another year. Like always, I want to be open to learn new things, like making an animated GIF for the first time! So fun! I think I am addicted.

If 2012 is anything like 2011, I think I will be just fine. :) Do you have any goals for the new year?

Final 2011 Resolution Complete - Yarn Bombing!

2011-12-30T14:06:00.000-08:00

I can guarantee every single one of you would have been laughing your heads off if you saw my shaking hands and nervous glances over the shoulder as I attempted my first yarn bombing this morning. Sheesh. I decided to give it a try when I noticed it was the only resolution I didn't complete for 2011. So, last night I gathered some scrap bits of yarn, got out my giant knitting needles, and knit up something chunky and fast. When I got to this little fence I started stitching my piece up right away flinching at the sound of every car that drove by. Then...there it was! Something I knit, something representative of my colorful and yarn loving self, sitting out there for all the world to see. Ok maybe not all the world...but hopefully it will make the people who pass by stop and smile. :)

2011 has been an amazing year. I can't believe I completed all of my resolutions:

- Increase confidence in myself:
I definitely achieved this goal! Through my Blogging for Confidence series I took little steps outside of my comfort zone that had huge results. I am finally feeling comfortable in my skin and boy does it feel good.
- Take more time to create:
I am so proud of the new additions I made to the shop this year like my granny square cowls and crochet bows!
- Apply to a craft fair:
I had the most amazing time at my first craft show, the Etsy Dallas Jingle Bash! I can't wait to enter another show and go through the craziness all over again.
- Submit my work to blogs and magazines:
I am so humbled to have my work featured on Craft, Frankie Magazine, and Lion Brand Yarn's blogs this year. Thank you to all of the bloggers who took the time to write about my blog or shop. I appreciate it more than you know.
- Increase my social network stamina
I am finally getting the hang of Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest...all that jazz. I wonder what new form of social media I will have to master this year!
- Attempt some yarn bombing
I did it! Yay!
- Be happier!
Check. Check. Check. This year I found my voice and I will never let it go silent again.

Pictures from NYC + a Video Memory

2011-12-29T08:03:00.000-08:00

Last week my mom and I packed our bags and took a little trip to visit New York City during the holiday season. This has been a big dream for the both of us so we were really excited. We had an amazing time right from the start. We had our first meal and a delicious cup of coffee at Chelsea market then we went on a holiday light tour to see all of the shop windows (Macy's was our favorite). An unexpected surprise was looking around the New York Public library. Inside it was warm and filled with so many books and free exhibits! Then we stopped by the Lion Brand Yarn Studio and I oohed-and-aahed over the pretty colors. We saw "the tree" at Rockefeller Center, ate some yummy macarons, and just had fun running around the city. I was toting three cameras and doing my best to capture every moment. I even took a little iPhone video with the 8mm app.

Such a fun memory from an amazing trip.

New York, I can't wait to see you again!

Knitting Inspiration - In Black & White

2011-12-28T08:23:00.000-08:00

one / two / three / four / five / six / seven / eight

When it comes to knitting inspiration I'm usually inspired by bright colors and fun patterns, but I couldn't resist sharing these beautiful black and white photos and illustrations. All of these women just look so classy with their needles and yarn. I like to pretend that I am a classy "dame" too when I knit and listen to my Frank Sinatra records. ;-) If these pictures don't prove how elegant this craft is, I don't know what does.

Also, you should take a look at the Life magazine image archives on google. I typed in "knitting" and stumbled upon a wealth of gorgeous, vintage photographs. In 1941, the cover story was about teaching people how to knit and included step-by-step pictures with instructions. How cool is that? I hope you enjoy browsing through these historical memories.

P.S. - Did you see this post of more old hollywood actors and actresses getting their knit on?

Sparkly & Sweet Moments from Christmas

2011-12-27T07:19:00.000-08:00

Another Christmas, come and gone. I certainly enjoyed every minute of it! However, I am struggling to be productive again and do things outside, not wearing my new Christmas pjs. Here's a peek of my family's Christmas Eve & Day:

1. I give my mom an ornament every year for Christmas. She just loves this little version of my crochet teacups! This little cup will definitely be in the shop in time for Christmas next year. ;)

2. We just spent the day relaxing around the house. I had a little too much fun playing with bokeh again...haha. It's just so addicting!

3. Frank, Dean, and Johnny were the perfect mood music for baking sugar cookies.

4. Sugar cookies: pre-icing.

5. Sugar cookies: post icing! I even tried a couple granny squares, but they were not even close to the pretty ones I posted about last week. Oh well. They still tasted good.

6. More cookies and a name tag just for me.

I always love spending Christmas with my little family. I hope we can maintain these traditions for the rest of my life. :)

How was your holiday? What are some of your favorite traditions? Are you getting excited for the new year?

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-24T09:34:00.000-08:00

I tried bokeh for the first time and snapped some pictures of the pretty Christmas lights on our tree and staircase. I just love how it turned out! So magical! For the star bokeh I used this tutorial from The Friendly Fox. I highly recommend it! You should give it a try before the decorations are put away. :-)

I can't believe it is Christmas Eve! Today my family is going to spend the day baking sugar cookies, listening to Christmas music and remembering the importance of this holiday. I just want to wish all of you a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. I can't thank you enough for reading and supporting my blog this year. The sheer awesomeness of this community never ceases to amaze me and I am so thankful for each and every one of you. I wish you and yours a merry and safe holiday.

Love, Meredith

NYC Christmas Instax Pictures

2011-12-23T11:14:00.000-08:00

I am home from NYC and had such an amazing time! I will post more pictures later (and possibly a video!) from my jolly adventures in the big city, but here are a few of my favorite Instax pictures.

1. The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree.
2. Macarons from Bouchon Bakery
3. The ornament wall in Macy's.
4. LED star lights in the Time Warner Center.
5. Manhattan pigeons doing their thing.
6. A pretty fountain in Bryant Park.
7. The Bryant Park skating rink and tree.

Actually, my Instax was really popular around town. Several people came up to me oohing-and-aahing over the camera and one guy even asked to take a picture of it! Haha! So funny. I am so glad to be home for Christmas with my family. We are already playing Christmas records non-stop and making all sorts of delicious goodies. Merry Christmas Eve-Eve everyone! ;-)

Granny Square Cookies from Sugar and Meringue

2011-12-21T07:01:00.000-08:00

When I saw these granny square cookies from Sugar and Meringue I'm pretty sure I squealed with delight! Baking cookies on Christmas Eve is a tradition at my house so I think I will have to slip a few granny squares into the usual mix of snowmen and Santa Claus.

Only a few more days until Christmas! I'm getting so excited!!! What are some of your favorite holiday traditions?

Travel Project - Knit Stirrup Socks

2011-12-19T06:58:00.000-08:00

Thank you so much for all of the sock pattern suggestions to take with me on my trip. I decided to go with this pattern from Lion Brand. I thought it was really cute and the yarn needed for the project was readily available in my town. I love the stirrup sock idea to wear around my chilly apartment this winter. I brought this project along so I could knit on the plane and in the hotel, but hopefully I will be having too much fun to knit much, right? ;)

What's in my carry-on bag?

2011-12-18T05:06:00.000-08:00

I'm all set for a few days of vacation in...New York City! I can't believe I get to experience Christmas in New York" Last time I went on a trip to Canada, I shared a "what's in my bag" post, so I thought it would be fun to do the same with my carry-on bag!

Here's a peek inside:

Bag from Urban Outfitters// Etsy tote bag for my knitting // Diana+ // Instax Wide // Glasses // Sock knitting project (thanks for all of the pattern suggestions! I think I found a good one!) // iPhone // Gum // Snacks // Magazines // Wallet // Zip bag for liquids

I'm all packed up and ready to go! I have a few posts lined up this week and I will be posting pictures of my adventures on Twitter and Instagram (username: sheepishknitcrochet). I'm so excited for Christmas in the city! The lights, the tree....I will see it all soon! :-)

Knitting Inspiration - Searching for Sock Patterns

2011-12-15T22:02:00.000-08:00

one / two / three

I've been feeling a bit run down the past few days. I haven't fully caught up on my final exam sleep schedule (or lack thereof) and I think I'm in need of a break from Etsy knitting so I can make something just for fun. After all of the Jingle Bash prep and busy holiday rush, knitting is actually making me feel a bit...*gasp*...stressed out. That's not good. Not good at all. Some days, knitting is the only thing that keeps me from breaking down. I definitely don't want to lose the stress relieving beauty of this craft, so I've decided to look for a fun sock pattern to work on over Christmas break. I just love knitting socks. The combination of portability with new, challenging techniques keeps me inspired and engaged so I don't give up halfway through like I tend to do with larger projects. Bonus, I will be traveling next week so knitting a pair of socks will be the perfect airport distraction.

Have you tried knitting socks yet? This pattern was my first attempt and it was a great introduction into the world of socks. Oh how I wish that first photo was a pattern! They are the perfect mixture of colorful and crazy. Over the next few days I will be browsing Ravelry and Lion Brand in search of an interesting pattern, but I would love to see some of your favorites. If you have one, would you mind posting it here so I can check it out? Thanks! I can't wait to get started on something new! :)

P.S. - Thank you times a million for the sweet comments on my outfit post! I will definitely try one again soon. :-D

"Our Paper Shop" Photo Shoot

2011-12-14T16:17:00.000-08:00

Yesterday my friend Emma Robertson asked me to do a little "modeling" (I use that term loosely) for the launch of her new paper line, Our Paper Shop. Have you heard of Our Paper Shop yet? It is a collaborative online shop for all things paper created by Emma and the lovely Breanna Rose.

I was so excited to take part in the photo shoot experience, even though I felt a bit like the ugly stepsister next to this gorgeous couple. ;) I just went where the amazing photographers, Sara and Rocky Garza, told me to go. Hopefully I did the beautiful paper justice. Overall, I had an amazing time. I was too intimidated to bring out my camera with real photographers in the house, so I just snuck a few Instagram pictures throughout the day. We played with pretty paper, stamps, and cuddled with the Garza's adorable goldendoodle puppy, Samson.

I can't wait to see the finished photos! Their shop is scheduled to launch early in the new year, so be on the look out. Thanks again Emma and Bre for asking me to join the fun!

Blogging for Confidence #9 - My First Outfit Post

2011-12-12T06:25:00.000-08:00

~ Sweater: Anthropologie ~ Dress: Topshop ~ Tights: Target ~ Shoes: Target ~ Glasses: Warby Parker ~

Don't worry. I am not becoming a fashion blogger nor am I convinced that I could be one after this post. I've been talking about doing an outfit post for months now as a part of my blogging for confidence series. Being in front of the camera really freaks me out, so I thought what better way to challenge myself to get over that fear than by putting my entire 5'11'' frame and new Topshop dress (that I just couldn't resist) in front of the lens. So, after church yesterday, I wrangled my mom into being my photographer for a few hours. We went off in search of a cool place to take photos since most places in our neighborhood are covered in dead grass. I remembered there was this pretty walking trail next to one of the playgrounds near by and...voila! A woodland fairy land smack right in the middle of suburbia. Ok...maybe it isn't that magical, but all I know is that I wanted to build a little cottage in the middle of all of the shady trees. It would be just big enough for my yarn, bookshelves, and record player. *Sigh*...enough daydreaming Meredith...

After I got over the initial awkwardness, I really had a lot of fun! I even tried a jumping picture like Kaylah does so beautifully. That is my "I'm so happy it's Christmas break and I survived final exams" face. Overall, it was a lot of fun. I got to jump around in the woods wearing my new, end of semester treat to me. I'll take frolicking in the leaves over flipping through flash cards any day. ;-)

P.S. - Things in the Etsy shop are flying away fast! Get your orders in before December 14 for shipping by Christmas!

Study Buddy Guest Post - DIY Notebooks with Her Library Adventures

2011-12-09T15:30:00.000-08:00

Hi, it’s Sophie from Her Library Adventureshere. I’m so delighted to bepopping by one of my favourite blogs, One Sheepish Girl to share with you a funlittle DIY to transform your notebooks into lovely works of art.

I’m an avid list maker, so I always keep anotebook in my handbag with me and I love to make mine a little bit specialsimply by altering the covers the way I did for school, using old fashionedself-adhesive contact or brown paper. There are so many ways to transform your notebooks, so today I thoughtI’d share three of my favourites that you could use for work, school and athome on your desk.

Whatyou will need: To create these three covers I’veused; a notebook (I’ve used 9’ x 7’ exercise books for this project, clear self-adhesivecontact, coloured self-adhesive contact (I love polka dots), brown paper,wrapping paper, white paper, some paint chips from the hardware store, afavourite greeting card, a hole punch and glue and scissors. Optional is some pretty tape to decoratethe inside covers.

Card and Wrapping PaperNotebook:

This is a lovely way to keep and display afavourite greeting card and pretty wrapping paper.

1. Find a lovely greeting card andsome wrapping paper to co-ordinate, you can use new or recycled paper, which iswonderful for after Christmas or birthdays.

2. Using glue, apply the wrappingpaper to the notebook. It is bestto work from the front to the back making sure to cut the corners as yougo.

3. Cut the front of the card andglue it to the front of the notebook.

4. Using clear self-adhesivecontact cover your notebook. Thiswill protect the paper and card and keep your notebook looking lovely. For detailed instructions on applyingthe contact see the inside of the roll.

Love Heart Notebook:

This notebook cover is inspired by the bookmy grandmother used for home economics. It’s wrapped in brown paper and filled with all kinds of lovely images,recipes and even advice on how to iron a shirt.

1. Cover your notebook in brownpaper using either glue or tape.

2. Ensure you cut the edges thesame length so they line up inside and you can add tape for a pretty effect.

3. Using coloured contact cut outshapes and adhere them to the front cover.

4. I made this small cluster ofhearts using this red polka dot contact. Feel free to alter your design or find a template online to use as aguide.

Confetti Notebook:

This is such a funcolourful notebook and would be great to make as a holiday activity with kids.

1. Pop down to your local hardwarestore and pick up a few paint chips in a variety of lovely colours. They are perfect for crafting!Alternatively you can use coloured card or paper. Grab a hole punch and make a bunch of colourful dots.

2. Using glue to cover yournotebook in paper. I used white paper from my sketchbook

3. As with the others, make sureyou cut the corners to help create a smooth finish

4. On the front cover, add someglue in a pattern of your choice and stick on the paint chip dots. This can be a little fiddly but alsolots of fun. To keep thedots in place, use clear self-adhesive contact. For detailed instructions on applying the contact see theinside of the roll.

Top Tips for using Contact:

Work from the front to theback and do one side at a time.

Cut the corners to createa clean finish

If you find air bubbles,smooth them out using your hand or a ruler

I’ve found that betterquality contact is thicker and easier to work with

Take your time andremember practise makes perfect!

I always find a lovelynotebook inspiring to write in! They also make lovely handmade Christmas giftsfor stationery loving friend. Sonext time you are out and about, grab a notebook and some contact and get creating.

Thanks so much for havingme Meredith! Best wishes for your final exams.

*Thank you Sophie! I love the idea of a handmade notebook for a Christmas gift. I know a few friends of mine who would love these! This is the last Study Buddy guest post this week. Thank you so much for all of the support as I completed this semester. I finished my last final today and did a little heel-click when I left the class!! It's officially Christmas break!!

Thanks again to all of the guest bloggers and sweet comments this week. You really helped me make it through. :)

Study Buddy Guest Post - Craft Show Tips with MaieDae

2011-12-08T18:20:00.000-08:00

Hello Sheepish readers! I'm Savannah from MaieDae. :) I run a full-time lifestyle blog, a handmade shop and a small graphic design business. I'm here to share a couple tips for being in your first handmade show! I've only done a couple shows for MaieDae Handmades, but each time was a great learning experience and an incredible memory. Meredith successfully completed her first handmade show recently, which was way fun to read about! Great job Meredith!

I'm no expert in the realm of handmade shows, but here are my top tips for prepping for your first show. :)

Finding a Show
1. Research -- Take time to look at shows in your local area/state. Find reviews on the show and email a couple of past vendors about their experience. It's always important to find a show that has organized, friendly people working behind it and good marketing.
2. Scope it Out -- If you are able, take time to scope out shows yourself before deciding to sell at them. This is what I did with my first show and it was so helpful to know what to expect and get a great idea about the space ahead of time.
3. Word of Mouth -- When you attend your first show, chat with other vendors about their show experiences and ask them if they suggest any shows personally.
4. List -- Keep a running list of shows you are interested in selling at and subscribe to their newsletter or Facebook page to be kept in the loop and updated on opportunities.

Prepping for your Show
1. Producing Product -- First things first, you need product for your show. Calculate how much of each item you would like to bring and how many days you have to complete everything. Look at your calendar and schedule out studio days for yourself to begin work and set attainable goals for each of those times. Be sure not to wait until the last minute or schedule studio time up until the day before. You'll need the few days beforehand to prep everything else.
2. What to Bring -- Keep a running list of everything you need to bring. As something pops into your head, be sure to write it down so that your packing list is set and ready to go. (Here is a post about the list of things I brought with me to my first show)
3. Inventory List -- Keep yourself and your products organized by creating a quick and easy inventory list of all of your products. Be sure to list the item, quantity and price. During the show you'll want to use this to keep track of what you sell. This is a great tool to quickly calculate your earning and also see what items you sell the most of.
4. Display -- One of my main strategies for any show is to create a great display. The idea is to catch the buyers eye among a sea of booths. Take time to really think about your display. Do a mock set-up beforehand to see how it looks. Take pictures of the display once you like the look and bring the photo with you for quick set-up. (Check out this post with pictures of my first booth)

During the Show
1. Keep it Clean -- It's easy to get disorganized in the excitement of being at a show, but be sure to take time to straighten your space and keep yourself organized so you don't misplace anything important.
2. Network -- During lulls take time to network with other vendors. Ask them questions about their business and make new friends!
3. Pretty Display -- As buyers look through your items, things might get in disarray. Take time to straighten and make your products look pretty throughout the day.
4. Market Yourself -- Help the buyers remember you by including your business card in each purchase. Maybe put together a special coupon code to include in their purchase to prompt them to take a visit to your online space?
5. Relax -- Have fun! This is a wonderful experience. Take time to enjoy your buyers and the other vendors. AND don't forget to eat. ;)

I hope this was helpful!! Thanks again Meredith for letting me guest post on your wonderful blog and good luck with your finals. :)

*Thank you Savannah! Your booth looks incredible. I will definitely keep these tips in mind when I prep for my next craft show.

Snowflake Garland Tutorial on Sunshine and Carousels

2011-12-07T16:14:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone! I just wanted to pop in and say that the tutorial for my snowflake garland is up on Sunshine and Carousels! I am so happy to be part of her Making Christmas series. I hope you enjoy the tutorial and have fun decorating your home for the holidays. I think this garland is perfect to keep up all winter long! :-)

Also, I'm so glad you are enjoying the guest posts this week while I study for finals. I just finished my first one and I think it went really well! Thank you so much for all of the support! I'm sending happy thoughts to my fellow studious students. We're almost finished!

Study Buddy Guest Post - Knit Stockings with Bear Ears

2011-12-07T06:29:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone! I'm Audry from Bear Ears and I'm delighted to be able to fill in here at One Sheepish Girl while Meredith is busy with finals. I've been following Meredith since March and have really enjoyed seeing her grow her business and attend her first (of hopefully many) craft shows.

I learned to knit in 2005 from the book Knitting For Dummies and my needles haven't stopped clicking since. I've been designing my own knits for awhile, but it wasn't until this year that I started to publish my patterns. Today I'm happy to share my latest pattern, Silent Snow. Silent Snow is a matching stocking and ornament set. It is a good introduction to sock and fair isle knitting. And from now until Christmas, if you enter the coupon code "sheepishknits" the pattern is free! Just head over to the Silent Snow page and add the pattern to your cart. To the left of the "check out now" button will be a spot for you to add the coupon code.

There are many knitters who suffer from "SSS" or second sock syndrome, which involves making one sock, but not the second. The best part of knitting a stocking or ornament is that you don't have to make a matching one! It's also ok if your gauge isn't exact. The stocking and ornament will still come out just fine.

Good luck with your finals Meredith! I'm excited to see where your life takes you once you finish up with school.

*Thank you so much for sharing this beautiful pattern Audry! I can't wait to give the ornament a try this weekend. What kind of Christmas knitting and other crafty projects are you working on right now?

Study Buddy Guest Post - Sweater Style with Sock Monkey and Gee

2011-12-06T06:20:00.000-08:00

hello one sheepish girl readers..

my name is megan and i run a little style blog called sock monkey and gee.

i am so thrilled to be guest posting for meredith while she is away making A's on those exams!

i have been a faithful reader of meredith's lovely blog and have come to realize that we have many things in common. the two that really stand out are..we both have a deep love for reading and a even deeper love for cozy sweaters.

so, i thought it would be fitting to wear one of my favorite cozy sweaters for the guest post.

i always believe... the more grandma looking it is, the better!

dress: modcloth | shoes: vintage | sweater: uo | belt/purse: thrifted

i hope you all have a wonderful december and a happy holidays.

Thank you so much Megan! You are quite the beauty and I just adore your sense of style. Now I'm feeling even more inspired to give an outfit post a try... ;)

Check out Megan's vintage-filled Etsy shop too!

Study Buddy Guest Post - Apple Pie Cheesecake Bites with Sunshine and Carousels

2011-12-05T06:07:00.000-08:00

Hello! I'm Erin from Sunshine and Carousels, I blog about small business, DIY projects and baking. I'm so tickled that Meredith has asked me to share a recipe here on her blog. I'm quite smitten with Meredith and all her knitting and crocheting talent. Meredeth asked me to share a college student friendly recipe and let me tell you....this is it. It is one of the easiest and most tasty things I've ever made. You just need two bowls, plate, knife, two spoons, toothpicks and a baking sheet. (recipe below)

Apple Pie Cheesecake Bites:1 package of puff pastry (found in the frozen section), 1/2 package of cream cheese, 2 tablespoons of sugar, 3/4 teaspoon of vanilla, 3 medium apples, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, 3 tablespoons of brown sugar. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Your puff pasty directions should say something like open pastry and let it thaw for 40 minutes, so lay this out to thaw first. In one bowl mix your cream cheese, white sugar and vanilla and mix thouroughly. It's best to use room temperature cream cheese for easy mixing. Next, peel and cut your apples into small cubes. Put your apples in a seperate bowl and add brown sugar and cinnomon. Stir your apples so that they are covered in the cinnomon sugar coating. Your puff pasty should be folded into thirds making three visible sections when you open it up. Cut 9 squares out of each pastry sheet (there are two in a package) and lay them on a baking sheet. Spoon your cream cheese mixture to the center of the squares, about a tablespoon or so. Now top your cream cheese centers with a spoonful of apples (about 4-5 cubes). Take your pastry squares and fold the corners upwards (see my photo for the example) and use tooth picks to keep your corners up. You can fold all four corners or just two..it'll work either way. I think the double fold is prettier myself. Bake your pastries for 20 minutes or until the pastry starts to turn a golden color. Let it cool for a few minutes and then serve. To take your tooth picks out without unfolding your pastries slightly twist your tooth picks out as you pull. Refrigerate for up to 3 days if you don't serve it all immediately.

You can also put your squares into a muffin tin and fill your pastry twice as much to make minature pies. It's up to you. Both ways turn out great. Be sure to remove your mini-pies immediately after baking so that they don't stick to your muffin pan.

This is honestly one of the most simple recipes, you don't need a blender, pots and pans or anything. So easy. Enjoy!Thanks for having me Meredeth. Love, Erin

*Thank you so much for sharing this recipe Erin! I can't wait to try it after finals! xo Meredith

"Study Buddy" Guest Blogger Week

2011-12-04T17:13:00.000-08:00

"Reading" by Jessie Wilcox Smith

I am so thankful for the wonderful bloggers who took the time to help me out and share guest posts this week while I take my final exams. Get ready to bake, knit, craft, and ooh-and-aah your heart out. I'll try not to be too jealous while my nose is stuck in a book all week. ;-)

Enjoy the hard work and beautiful posts from these talented ladies!

P.S. - To all the other students taking finals this week...I salute you. We're almost finished!! What are you going to do when you take your last final? Do a cartwheel? Skip to your lou? Throw your hands up in the air and say "Ayo! Gotta let go!"? Haha. I think I'm going to try all three.

Weekend Plans 12/2 - 12/4

2011-12-02T15:12:00.000-08:00

Well I'm exhausted...and it's still a week away from final exams! I basically sat in front of my computer all week typing my final papers that resulted in an annoying center-of-the-forhead headache. It isn't helping that my neighbor's dogs are barking like maniacs at the moment. Oh well. I won't let their yapping ruin my weekend plans...

- Unfortunately I have to study a lot, but this is the last push until Christmas break! I'm so close! I can't wait to relax, go on an exciting trip, and work on a big blog makeover.
- No matter how much studying I do, for the sake of my sanity, I need to take a break this weekend.
Last week I found a lovely surprise in my mailbox: a copy of Frankie magazine from Sophie! I can't wait to finally read it.
- I'm looking forward to re-reading Emma since it was one of my required books this semester. Don't you agree, it's hard to enjoy a book when someone tells you to read it? I just love this edition too.
- For Christmas, I'm knitting my grandmother a cable scarf in her favorite color...purple! I need to get started.

It's time to take some Advil and get the weekend started! What are your plans?

I'm crazy for crazy sweaters.

2011-11-30T06:15:00.000-08:00

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5

"My name is Meredith and I have an obsession with crazy sweaters."

"Hi Meredith..."

Is it weird that this page is basically my Christmas wish list this year? I think my swan sweater needs some company.

So for all of the friends and family who don't know what to get me this year, basically a $465 pear sweater is all I want. ;)

My Thanksgiving Break via Instagram

2011-11-28T15:35:00.000-08:00

These are a few snapshots of my wonderfully relaxing Thanksgiving holiday. No class, no papers, and minimal knitting. I tried to give my hands a rest after the insane Jingle Bash prep.

1. Sporting my woodland creature rings from Urban Outfitters around town.

2. Chopping up sage for the mini pumpkin and goat cheese pies I made! They were delicious. I highly recommend the recipe.

3. My beautiful apple pie that almost never existed! I tried to be extra prepared and make the dough the day before Thanksgiving. However, when I took the dough out of the refrigerator, I looked down to find a crumbled mess. Disaster!!! So I high-tailed it to the grocery store, bought more ingredients, and whipped up a mighty fine pie in record time. Whew.

4. We always decorate for Christmas the day after Thanksgiving and not a minute before. These pretty ice skates are my favorite ornament on our tree!

5. I put together a snowflake garland DIY that I will share with you soon!!

6. I wore some pretty awesome houndstooth tights and oxfords (both from Target!) yesterday to brunch with my family. I've pondered the idea of doing outfit posts for the blog, but just the thought of it makes me so nervous!! Eep!

I hope all of my American friends had a wonderful Thanksgiving with your families!

I am thankful that I had the time to relax after the Jingle Bash and gear up for final exams.

So much time, and so little to do! Wait a minute. Strike that. Reverse it. (Gotta love Willy Wonka, right?) ;-)

The Blush List - Golden Yellow

2011-11-27T17:56:00.000-08:00

Lately, one of the only colors I can think about is yellow. I even made myself something yellow from my shop (finally!!), one of my granny square cowls! ;-) Here are some of the golden yellow goodies I discovered this week.

Knitting // Fair isle slippers from Toast

Crochet // Crochet hexagons by Valerie

Etsy // Bird brooch by Depeapa

Style // You can't go wrong with Audrey Hepburn and a yellow coat.

Art // Have Mercy Hand - screen printed poster by Jordan Grace Owens

Food // A breakfast cupcake...?? I'm in!!

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend! Can you believe we are less than a month away from Christmas? Yikes!! I only have two weeks left of class, so you better believe I'm burning the midnight oil on multiple papers at the moment.

What did you do this weekend? Who did a lot of Black Friday shopping? ;)

I have so much to be thankful for...

2011-11-24T06:19:00.000-08:00

- My family. We are a tight-knit (pun!) group. We love each other, annoy each other, and are always there for each other.

- This. Sometimes I don't know what to call it. My small business. My blog. My hobby. My passion. This little sliver of the internet that I can call my own. There are no words to describe how much it means to me.

- You. Each and every one of you. Each comment and email, they all mean the world to me. I know I don't always respond in the most timely manner...but I can never thank you enough for the time you take to read and comment on my silly, sheepish musings.

- Netflix. "Wow...how very sentimental Meredith." Haha. Silly I know, but gosh I love Netflix. Maybe it's more expensive and they try to change it up every few weeks, but there is something so comforting about having every season of Lost, Dr. Who, Parks and Recreation, Psych, and The Office at my disposal. ;)

- College. ~~Sometimes~~ Most of the time, I complain about reading and writing papers, but all in all, I am very thankful for the opportunity to go to college. I never ever want to take it for granted.

- Blog friends. I feel extremely blessed to have so many amazing, albeit far away, blog friends. I would love more than anything to just hop on a plane, grab a cup of coffee, and spend the day with such sweet ladies.

- My every-growing-ever-shrinking-always-changing-confidence. Somedays I'm up, somedays I'm way down, but I'm starting to realize that it's not such a bad thing. I am who I am. So what if I have to repeat myself a few times because my voice is so soft. So what if my face turns red when I chat with the cute barista at Starbucks. I can only do my best to get rid of my fears and be as comfortably confident as possible.

These are just a few of the many, many things I am thankful for this year. If you make a similar list on your blog, I'd love to see!

Happy Thanksgiving!

New Items + Black Friday Free Shipping

2011-11-23T07:31:00.001-08:00

one / two / three / four / five / six

I am so excited to have the Etsy shop fully stocked for the holidays and chilly months ahead! This Friday and Saturday, all items marked "Ready to Ship" will have Free Shipping from 12:01 a.m. CST on Nov. 25 through Nov. 26. This offer is open to international shoppers too! :) Also, with your purchase, you will receive a 10% off coupon for orders in the month of January.

I hope all of my American friends have a wonderful Thanksgiving with their families. That is exactly what I plan on doing. I can't wait to take a break from studying and knitting like a mad woman for the Jingle Bash. My hands will be making pie dough this afternoon, a welcome break from all of this month's creating.

What are you doing for Thanksgiving? I hope it is filled with love! :)

Etsy Dallas Jingle Bash 2011

2011-11-21T09:09:00.000-08:00

From set up to clean up, I had the best imaginable day at the Etsy Dallas Jingle Bash. My mom was the perfect assistant and we kept each other calm during the hectic moments. I loved setting up a booth for the first time using my diy chalkboards and fun lighting techniques to show off my knit and crochet pieces. I used this dixie cup light tutorial for the lights behind me and a few extra strands underneath the mesh baskets for a space saving glow. All in all, I could not have asked for a better first craft show experience.

I know I've said thank you about a million times, but THANK YOU so much for stopping by my booth on Saturday! I loved getting to meet so many awesome people. If you couldn't make it to the Bash, thank you for sending your sweet words of encouragement via Twitter, Facebook, Instagram...etc. I felt your love from around the world and it truly meant the world to me. ;-)

It's official...now that I have one craft show under my belt, I'm already itching to do another! Maybe I should get through final exams first...

"Extra Yarn" by Mac Barnett

2011-11-20T13:11:00.001-08:00

"On a cold afternoon, in a cold little town,

where everywhere you looked was either white of snow

or the black of soot from chimneys,

Annabelle found a box filled with yarn of every color."

"And when Annabelle and Mars went

for a walk, Nate pointed and laughed

and said, 'You two look ridiculous.'

'You're just jealous,'

said Annabelle.

'No, I'm not,' said Nate."

"Things began to change

in that little town."

"News spread of this remarkable girl who never ran out of yarn.

And people came to visit from around the world, to see all the sweaters

and to shake Annabelle's hand."

Could this be the perfect book? I think so. I found it via Where the Lovely Things Are and I couldn't wait a single second before I shared it with you!

"Extra Yarn" by Mac Barnett is filled with cozy and colorful illustrations by Jon Klassen. I just love the watercolor look of the knit stitches. The book will be available for purchase in January and I can't wait to get my hands on a copy!! Too bad I can't ask Santa to bring me one for Christmas...

Now I'm heading out to dinner with my special helpers from yesterday...mom & dad. ;-)

One craft show down...

2011-11-19T20:56:00.000-08:00

...and hopefully many more to go.

Before I crawl into bed and sleep for a few days, I just had to say thank you to each and every person who stopped by my booth today. You have no idea what your sweet words mean to me. I almost cried each time someone said, "I just love your blog!". Well, I just love you!! ;-)

Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for all of the amazing support. I never could have made it through these past few months without it. You helped me make it to this day and I can never thank you enough.

Today was absolutely magical. I can't wait to share more pictures with you next week.

Now it is time for sweet dreams of one of the sweetest experiences in my life. :)

DallasMADE - Visit My Booth at the Etsy Dallas Jingle Bash!!

2011-11-17T06:10:00.000-08:00

In case you haven't heard...I will be selling my knit and crochet accessories at the Jingle Bash this Saturday!! I can't even describe the variety of nerves I have been feeling this week. I've never experienced anything like this before, but all I can do is try my best and have a lot of fun. :) Plus, I am so thankful to attend such an amazing event with such talented artists around me at my first craft show.

Just look at all of the crafty goodness to be found at the Jingle Bash this year...

• Over 60 handpicked artists selling a variety of unique goods
• Free DIY crafts
• Two full bars
• Tunes spun by the in-house DJ
• Photo booth by Etsy Dallas, benefiting a local charity, DFW Rescue Me.
• Free admission
• Tons more shopper space!

• 50 free Bash Bags for the first 50 people in line! (Be sure to look for my bows!)

If that doesn't sound like the perfect holiday shopping experience, I don't know what does. ;)

I am just so excited to set up my booth on Saturday morning! If you are in the area, I hope you can stop by and say hello! If not, I will definitely be tweeting pictures throughout the day. Thank you so much for all of the support this past month! You have no idea what it means to me. Well, I better get back to work. I seriously can't believe it is almost here!! Eeek!

Staying Sane in College - Guest Vlog Post by ♥elycia

2011-11-12T20:26:00.001-08:00

I am so excited and thankful to have the super sweet Elycia here today! She was kind enough to help me out as I work on some big projects for class and finish prepping for the Jingle Bash (FIVE DAYS!!!). Take it away Elycia! :-)

Hi everyone!
I'm elycia from the blog ♥elycia and I am so happy to be here today to lend Meredith a hand. I think Meredith is so so adorable and awesome and I'm sure you all agree :) I thought I would share a few tips vlog style on how I stayed sane in college/university. So without further babbling, let's get to the video so that you can really hear me babbling.

Thanks for having me Meredith!

Thanks for being awesome Elycia! And yes that last bit did stress me out...just kidding! ;-)

I hope you all enjoyed Elycia's tips and general adorableness as much as I did! I definitely need to make good use of her advice as I tackle this crazy week ahead. Have a Happy Monday!

This and That #5

2011-11-10T11:30:00.000-08:00

A little This & That...

- This: Fall has finally arrived at my doorstep.
- That: It feels a little silly sometimes, but I write notes to myself during class and when I'm studying to encourage me to keep going. Does anyone else do this? I'm always surprised how much it helps. :)

So this morning I put in my contacts, did all of my makeup, and then for no reason at all I took out my contacts and started washing my face like I was getting ready for bed. Oh boy...

...The "What day is it? What time is it? Where am I?" point in the semester has arrived.

How is everyone else doing? If you are equally stressed out, I'm sending happy thoughts your way.

DallasMADE - Where to Craft in Dallas

2011-11-10T09:00:00.000-08:00

Once again, I'm happy to show off my city's creative side with another DallasMADE post! This week I wanted to share some of the best places to learn a new crafty skill in Dallas.

Oil and Cotton // This cool, neighborhood spot is the perfect place to take a class and try something new. The owners and instructors, Shannon Driscoll and Kayli House, opened their doors in September 2010 and have been a fixture in their community ever since. They offer a wide variety of classes taught by local professionals. From week long craft series, like DIY silkscreen printing, to a crochet holiday garland workshop, Oil and Cotton is full of variety! Just take a look at their jam packed calendar!

Make Shop & Studio // Another local favorite, the Make Shop & Studio is located in the popular Bishop Arts District. They offer a huge selection of classes, like sewing and embroidery basics. Also, they have an in store shop carrying all things handmade!

Shabby Sheep // No surprise here, but this is my personal favorite crafty place in Dallas. Remember when I went there and bravely confronted my fear of being a blogger in public? Well, inside this adorable little cottage, the ladies of Shabby Sheep offer classes ranging from beginner to experienced. They also have a lot of fun events, like their knitting club and movie nights, where you can sit back with your needles, some really awesome people, and enjoy the craft together.

So if you ever make it to Dallas, make sure you stop by these awesome places for some crafty inspiration!

Staying busy...(and colorful)

2011-11-09T07:00:00.000-08:00

I'm just over here...staying busy and knit-knit-knitting away. For your sake, I wish life was a bit more interesting at the moment, but this is pretty much it. Days filled with lots of knitting, reading, packing up orders, more reading, and writing papers.

Sometimes when I'm sitting here, knitting a long cable scarf and watching Dr. Who, I wish I was doing something a bit more adventurous. You know, like getting out there and taking on the world one crazy sweater at a time.

But...preparing for this craft show in addition to finishing up college is a different kind of adventure and I'm doing my best to enjoy each stressful step along the way. (Only TEN days to go...!!!!!)

The Blush List - Quirky & Cozy

2011-11-06T09:56:00.000-08:00

It's finally "snuggle weather" and I couldn't be happier. I would love to cozy up to these quirky and cozy finds...

Knitting // I must admit, foxes get me every time. Donna Wilson - Fox Cushion

Knitting #2 // I love the design for these Henrik Vibskov knit laptop cases. So unique!

Etsy // These mittens by Tiny Toadstool are like a piece of art!

Style // I think I need to add this Bolla sweater by Monki to my collection!

Art // This print is like a self portrait! ;-) I love all of Nan Lawson's work. "Green Sweater" by Nan Lawson

Food // Is there anything cozier than bacon? Add the words "brown sugar" and "biscuits" to the mix and I'm sold! I have to try this brown sugar biscuit recipe!

I'm feeling pretty good about my Jingle Bash progress, so I might take a little break this afternoon...to study. Haha. I'm just taking it all one day at a time. :)

Happy Sunday everyone! I hope you get a chance to relax too!

Weekend Plans - Work Zone 11/4 - 11/6

2011-11-05T09:21:00.000-07:00

With one cup of coffee down already, I'm all set to get started on a weekend filled with...

- knitting and crocheting like a mad woman
- lots of coffee
- watching Dr. Who on Netflix! (I just started season 2 and it's official...I'm hooked!)
- reading Emma, Middlemarch, and In Cold Blood for class. (Quite a spectrum of reading, huh?)
- writing papers
- working on my booth set up

I only have two weekends left until the Jingle Bash, so I really want to make this time count! I'm getting really nervous though...lots of butterflies already. Oh man, I can only imagine what I'll be like on the day of the Bash...deep breaths everyone...haha. ;)

Thanks again for all of the support as I try to balance my school work, Etsy, and craft show prep this month. I just can't get over how awesome you guys are. Sometimes I don't feel much support from my "real life" friends and family, but your kind words will definitely keep me going through this crazy month ahead.

What are you up to this weekend?

19 Days of November...

2011-11-02T13:11:00.000-07:00

It's only the second day of November and I feel like I should start breathing into a paper bag. You could say I'm a bit stressed out about everything going on this month, from writing final papers to, oh you know, preparing for my first craft show ever. The moment I finish my reading for class I immediately pick up my needles and get to work. Today, bits of white yarn fell out of my copy of Emma when I opened it up in class. Nice.

I know that all of this hard work will be worth it in the end. I hope you forgive me if the blog is a little less active this month. If I had another set of hands or even a clone, I would have no problem doing it all. From now on though the majority of my free time is completely dedicated to knitting and prepping for the Bash.

Let the countdown begin!! :-)

A Fall Instagram Weekend

2011-10-31T07:01:00.000-07:00

Happy Monday everyone! How was your weekend? I had a great, productive time at home. My weekends are now fully dedicated to day-long knit and crochet sessions, but I still had fun as I....

- Crocheted mugs of hot chocolate and listened to Christmas music. (Wait...what's today again??)
- Baked a tray full of pumpkin cookies.
- I even unclenched my knitting needles long enough to put on some makeup, go outside and enjoy the cool weather in my horse sweater. I think it's official that fun sweater collecting is going to be my "thing". I'm addicted. ;)

I hope everyone has a Happy Halloween! What is your favorite candy? For me, it's a toss up between candy corn and those caramel apple lollipops. Mmm!

Weekend Plans 10/28 - 10/30

2011-10-28T16:52:00.000-07:00

I'm afraid my weekends are going to be a bit boring from now until the Jingle Bash. It's all knitting and all crochet all the time over here. Good thing I love it so much! My hands started cramping up really bad the other day...whew.

Here's what I have planned for a yarn-filled weekend...

1. I'm so excited to bake these chocolate chip pumpkin cookies again! I saw Naomi of The Rockstar Diaries baking them up all the time and had to give them a try. They are probably the best cookies ever. No. Definitely.
2. Knit, knit, knit, crochet, crochet, crochet and repeat until my hands go numb!! ;)
3. Since it is Halloween weekend, I'll definitely squeak in some candy corn snacks and an annual viewing of It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown, my absolute favorite!

I'm a little bummed that I don't have a reason to dress up this year. What are you wearing for Halloween? I'll try to live vicariously through your cute costumes! Haha. ;)

Have a great weekend!

DallasMADE - Handmade Jewelry by F is for Frank

2011-10-27T06:26:00.000-07:00

Monday afternoon I was lucky enough to get a tour of the F is For Frank studio thanks to one of the designers, Casey Melton. After seeing Casey's and Shannah Frank's work at the Dallas Flea, I was hopeful I would get the opportunity to take a closer look at their process for making jewelry. Casey was extremely sweet as she and her two dogs showed me around the studio. (The pups even have their own side yard for running around!)

Casey showed me into their open and airy workspace where they make every single piece of their beautiful jewelry. All of the sudden, Casey took me by surprise and actually started the process for making a pewter medallion. She placed one of their many molds into the centrifugal casting machine and poured the 500 degree, liquid pewter into the top. After a few minutes, she took the mold out and voila, a set of pewter medallions ready for jewelry making. I guess I never really thought about how their beautifully crafted and architectural pieces came to be...maybe they carved them or something? I was completely fascinated by this machine. I have to admit, I was also pretty amazed by how the shiny, liquid pewter resembled the grey, bubbling metal used on Wolverine's bones in X-Men. That's where my nerd mind wandered and I'm not ashamed to admit it...ok?

Casey and Shannah have been making jewelry for around 3 years, in addition to their work in housewares and designs of custom architectural elements. F is for Frank jewelry has expanded beyond Dallas and is in shops all across the country. They also go to a lot of large trade shows in addition to the smaller craft shows. As a result of my general craft show cluelessness, I had to ask her thoughts about doing craft shows. She said that they enjoy doing local shows, like the Jingle Bash, because...

1. It helps them test their product so they know what to sell.
2. They are able to promote themselves locally.

Sounds like great tips to me! Thanks Casey for showing me your beautiful jewelry and how it's made!

I just love sharing other great Dallas artists with all of you. I hope some of you are able to see what an awesome handmade community we have. It's finally setting in on me! ;-)

When the things I love become stressful...

2011-10-25T17:48:00.000-07:00

I take a step back and...

- pray

- scream into a pillow

- cry into a pillow

- punch the pillow

- ...put down the pillow...

- take a walk

- call up a good friend

- watch a funny tv show (Parks and Recreation at the moment)

- laugh

- breathe

- pick up my needles, hook, pencil, laptop, or all of the above and remember why I love this so much

Now that college is coming to an end, I'm faced with so many decisions about the future that I'm not ready to make. So, you could say it was "one of those days'...

But I have to admit, this system for de-stressing is highly effective. Just follow the steps, rinse, and repeat if necessary. :)

50 Bows Finished for the Jingle Bash Bags!

2011-10-24T17:29:00.000-07:00

Whew! All 50 of my bows for the Etsy Dallas Jingle Bash bags are finished! One of these beauties will be in each of the Bash bags given to the first 50 people in line, along with a lot of other awesome swag. So if you are coming out to shop on Nov. 19 try to get there early for one of these highly coveted goodie bags. I wish I could stand in line for one! But no...I will be inside...frantically setting up my booth. Eep!

Oh my goodness. It's only 4 weeks away. I don't like energy drinks, but if I did now would be the time to start chugging. I'll just stick to coffee, thank you. ;)

Thanks for all of your sweet words yesterday, my sinuses are feeling much better. I guess the tea really did help! Time to refill my cup and get back to work!!

A bit under the weather...

2011-10-23T14:34:00.000-07:00

{ "A Cup of Tea Solves Everything" by Nikki McWilliams and Brett Manning Drawings }

Dallas finally gets some cooler weather and I end up with a stuffy head. Thanks to a roaring case of sinuses, I spent the weekend drinking tea on the couch and missing my ability to smell. Even after multiple cups of Sleepytime tea, watching Funny Face, and reading my favorite magazines, I'm not feeling much better. On the bright side, it did give me the opportunity to stay home and get a lot accomplished, like finishing my 50 crochet bows (more on that later!).

To everyone else suffering from sinuses, I raise my mug to you. Feel better soon! :)

This and That #4

2011-10-20T14:05:00.000-07:00

A little This & That...

This: To continue the fun sweater trend, I was so excited when I found this floral beauty at H&M the other day. I've decided that this is going to be the winter of colorful sweaters, all to be worn without fear. ;-) (Thank you for all of your amazing and thoughtful comments yesterday. Seriously. Wow.)

That: In addition to sweater weather, the cooler temperatures bring out my love for tea and honey. It looks like I need to get a new honey bear before the weather really turns chilly!

I think I will make myself a cup of tea right now as I finish typing up this paper for class. I hope everyone is having a great week. Happy Almost Friday! ;-)

DallasMADE - Dowdy Studio Wagon Tour

2011-10-20T06:22:00.000-07:00

I saw Pam and Dylan's Dowdy Studio Wagon in person for the first time several weeks ago at the Dallas Flea. Due to crowds and time, I couldn't explore their handmade shop as much as I wanted to, so I knew that I would have to go back and pay them another visit. Thankfully a journalism assignment prompted me to visit them even faster and on Saturday afternoon I went out to do an audio story about this adorable couple.

After getting married, the husband and wife duo brought together their individual talents (He: music inspired, screen printed shirts, She: wooden necklaces, art prints, illustration) and decided to fulfill their dreams of opening up a mobile shop. Since their grand opening in March 2011, the Dowdys have set up shop at markets all over Dallas and beyond.

For such a tiny space, their wagon is so warm, colorful, and welcoming that shoppers couldn't help but come inside and explore. Every inch of usable space beautifully displays their unique, handmade items. My favorite of their display techniques is the use of little desk drawers to hold their art prints on the wall. Brilliant and adorable! The detail they put into making their wagon beautiful perfectly mirrors the handiwork put into their creations. It's just a fun space to browse some really cool stuff! Plus, the fact that I was able to maneuver my 5'11" frame through the wagon without hunching over (and only hitting my head on the doorway once) is definitely a success.

So basically what I'm saying about the Dowdy Wagon is...when can I move in?? ;)

Have you had a chance to visit the Dowdy Wagon yet? Check out their events calendar and answer the age old question "Where's That Wagon" so you can see this awesomeness yourself.

Blogging for Confidence #8 - The "nerd" word...

2011-10-19T10:54:00.000-07:00

{ two & three }

Yesterday it was cold enough to wear a sweater. (Yay!) So what did I choose? A nice hoodie? A cute cardigan? Nope. I went with a swan sweater...a sweater with a swan on it. It is cute, comfortable, and one of my favorite colors, so what's the big deal right? For reasons unknown to me, most people in this city wouldn't choose to wear a sweater with a you-know-what on it. So when I went to my classes I suddenly became extremely aware of how different I looked from the other sorority t-shirt wearing girls. I started tugging at the sleeves and nervously crossing my arms in an attempt to cover the bird. I convinced myself that some of the other girls were looking at me funny and probably thinking, "Where on earth does that "nerd" shop?". As I gathered my books to quickly escape the embarrassment happening in my own head, a couple girls stopped me and said, "Meredith, I really like your sweater!" I was shocked and stammered, "Oh, thank you. Oh! Thanks!".

This same sad little scene happens whenever I tell someone that I like to knit and blog for fun. At first I feel like that superhero knitter, suddenly revealing my hidden talent. However, all too quickly that strength weakens and the only thing I can hear bouncing through my head is "nerd. nerd. nerd. you are a nerd." until my face turns red. The worst part about this is that the only person who has ever called me a "nerd" to my face is...me. (Minus a few cootie-ridden boys in elementary school who called me "four eyes" and then "three eyes" when I had to wear an eye patch...) I'm the one who still isn't confident enough to wear what I want and be interested in something just because it is different.

The fact that I even wore that sweater to class shows me that I'm slowly getting over this self-conscious stuff. For me, I think it's easier to assume that everyone else thinks I'm this weird, awkward, nerd girl who doesn't fit in, instead of coming to terms with the fact that I'm the one who thinks all of those things about myself.

Until I stop putting myself down, I'll never appreciate the unique little quirks that make me, me.

* I know it's been awhile since my last Blogging for Confidence post, but this was something that I really wanted to share. I'm going to try to do a few more before the year is up and I hope you do too. :)

The Blush List - A Little Red

2011-10-17T07:03:00.000-07:00

Red is always inspiring, perfect for fall, and a great warm color to craft with as the temperature drops outside. I couldn't help noticing somewhat of a "Little Red Riding Hood" theme happening as I put all of my finds together. Haha. Enjoy!

Knitting // I love these gorgeous, knitting Eames wire chairs.

Crochet // What a warm addition to a morning cup of coffee. I love Kate's coffee-cozy creations at Knit Storm.

Etsy // The perfect compliment to any cardigan. Little Red Riding Deer wood framed brooch by The Storybook Rabbit

Style // Ashley's red cape is simply stunning.

Art // "Girls Like Superheroes Too..." by Gemma Correll. It's true! My favorite is Batman. ;)

Food // Mmm mmm. I'd love to warm up to a bowl of this cajun tomato soup any day.

I know this is a day later than usual, but I spent yesterday getting ahead on homework. Now I'm just looking forward to a week of knitting and studying in the much anticipated 60 degree weather coming to Texas! I can't wait!! :)

Happy Monday everyone!

Weekend Plans 10/14 - 10/16

2011-10-14T15:26:00.000-07:00

Even though it was a short week, I still had one last midterm to study for, so Friday can never get here fast enough...can it? Here's what I have planned for the weekend:

1. Go to the pumpkin patch. Check! ;-)
2. I got a shipment of yarn in the mail today so I see a lot of granny square cowls in my future...I think I will start one now!
3. I got this pretty copper, sparkle nail polish from Sephora last week, but couldn't decide how to use it...until now.
4. I'm really excited to get the opportunity to merge homework with my blog! In my journalism class we have to make an audio slideshow, and I chose to do it about the Dowdy Studio Wagon. They will be set up at the Deep Ellum Outdoor Market tomorrow afternoon, so I will be snapping pictures and recording audio for my project. I will share the pictures here for another DallasMADE post so you can see the ins-and-outs of their super cool wagon. If you would like, I will try to post the finished project on the blog too!

Well, that's about it. What do you have planned for the weekend? I hope it's a great one!

This and That #3

2011-10-13T09:47:00.000-07:00

This: I'm always working on bows in between studying and class. I only have a few weeks before I need to turn in 50 bows for the Bash bags! Yikes!

That: I love the Fifi Lapin postcards that I bought from her Etsy popup shop a few weeks ago. Could they be too cute to use? ;-)

I hope everyone is having a great week! I'm having a little trouble getting back into the swing of things after the long weekend, but hey, tomorrow's already Friday! Yay!

*As always, if you want to give This & That a try, leave your links here. :)