Magical Snail Mail

One of my other fun craft ideas, a result of my Utrecht explorations. I actually found this idea online but the concept of the shoe is entirely my own. My best friend and I have a big-time consumer crush on Christian Louboutin heels. But then who can resist these beauties? Funny story, this past January we both went to Vegas, though on separate trips (a few days apart), and we each asked our respective travel-buddy to photograph us in front of Christian Louboutin stores. Best friends do think alike!

The concept of this project is simple. Using multiple blank postcards arranged into a canvas format, draw, paint, charcoal, etc. an image, design, or message. Once finished and completely dry, scramble up the postcrds and send one postcard every few days to one friend (or other penpal). They must save each postcard and arrange the postcards to see the final image, design, message. 

My first step was to actually draft my design in light pencil and then go over the design with watercolors.

 Be patient and be prepared to spend some time on this project. It's worth it!

Mail the postcards every few day with an encouraging note, funny anecdote, new recipe, etc. and exercise great strength not to send them all at once!

An Instagram Sushi Date

My Favorite Sushi Place in Berkeley

 Soup

 My Favorite Person to Pass the Afternoon with

Happy as a CLAM

California Rolls and Avo-Cu Rolls

You Make Me the Happiest Person in the World!

I have been obsessing over Instagram for the past few weeks. I don't have a smart phone or an iPod touch, but Mike does, so I like to think that I do by association, at least when he is here. I have been bugging him to let me play with his camera and (yippeeee) he finally gave in! First he teased me and downloaded the Instagram App only to tell me I couldn't use it, but he eventually had pity on me (the sushi softened him up) and he let me play with his iPod to my heart's content! 

But besides this, I had such a great time hanging out with him and stuffing my face full of delicious California rolls (8 of them!) and Avo-Cu rolls <3

Love you, Bub! And love you too, Tako Sushi!

Chunky Hardware Friendship Bracelets

I love receiving friendship bracelets, but I am not the biggest fan of wearing them because they tend to clash with my clothes, the rest of my jewelry, etc. After ruining one of favorite necklaces (I accidentally flushed part of it down the toilet), I started looking around in thrift stores for old chains that I could potentially take apart and use. While searching for chains, I found the most amazing, chunky gold chain. Unfortunately, it was sewn to the neckline of a shirt as part of the design. The shirt was unflattering and not really worth buying, but for $1.50, I figured the price covered the chain alone. Once at home, I realized that the chain would look amazing paired with some color. Even better, it would look prettier combined with a different texture, like...embroidery thread!

 My first step was to cut the chain. I figured half chain and half friendship bracelet would look nice. 

 I then picked my colors of coral, beige, purple and, forest green.

   I then folded the strings in half and tied them into a knot around the end of the chain.

 Organizing the thread into a perfectly symmetrical pattern, I begin to tie the Chevron pattern. 

 Starting with the string on the far left, loop the string over and under the string to the right. Pull snug and repeat so that each string has two knots. Continue until the middle is reached. Begin on the right side and move to the left. Tie the two middle pieces together and repeat steps starting on left.

Braid remaining pieces into two braided strands and tie them around the loose end of the chain.

Pair with other fun pieces and ENJOY!