Time to hit the PAUSE button

    This has proved to be quite an interesting week.  I went in to the doctor last Friday for what I thought was a pulled muscle. It turned out I was having contractions. After a few follow up appointments we learned that this little guy in my belly is really eager to meet the world sooner than he should.

   I've been put on complete bedrest.  For those who know my crazy schedule this is quite a drastic change.  This not only means I've stopped teaching/directing children's theatre until next year... but all of my upcoming craft shows and classes have sadly been canceled/postponed.  No more big belly's selling crafty goodness for now.

    My emotions have been all over the place. I go from worrying about his health, to being selfishly sad about all I'll be missing out on (like Nick Cacciola and Jamie Price's wedding, aka The Wedding of the Century in NY, which we were supposed to attend at the end of the month), to being overwhelmed with gratitude because my family and friends have been so helpful and supportive, to feeling empowered by the choice to stay put and make the health of our new family most important.

    The first night after learning about my new "condition" my friend Chris Shin posted this lovely video on Facebook with the comment "Breathing."  While I know he had no idea what was going on in my life at the time, I could not believe how apropo this sweet little song was.

    This has become our new theme song. Hang On Little Tomato!

Just hang on, hang on to the vine
Stay on, soon you'll be divine
If you start to cry, look up to the sky
Something's coming up ahead
To turn your tears to dew instead

And so I hold on to his advice
When change is hard and not so nice
You listen to your heart the whole night through
Your sunny someday will come one day soon to you
    

Marketplace at Dragonfly - This Sunday in Orange

So, if you can pull yourself away from Vogue Knitting, you should make your way to the Marketplace at Dragonfly Shops and Gardens in Old Towne Orange.


Here's a few of the pieces I'll be bringing to welcome in the fall followed by the show info.

I'm also planning another make and take felted moustache table. Learn to needle felt your own mustache!

Vendors from all over Orange County will be selling their wares: 
Clothing, Vintage Handmade Jewelry, Hats, Bottle Cap Jewelry, Feather Extensions, Button Wraps, Fabric Flowers, Lighted Bottles, Decorative Cake Plates, Shell Art, Gourmet Cookies, Swarovski Crystal Accessories,
Holiday Decorations, Hair Accessories, Home Décor,
Children’s Fashions, Baby Clothing and Accessories, Candles,
Homemade Soaps, Wind chimes, Scarves, Tole Painting, Photography,
Mixed Media Artwork, Potted Succulents, Handmade Wooden Boxes,
Beautiful Butterfly Art, Yard Décor, more Jewerly,
Skin Care Products, Gourmet Food and much more!
Raffle Prizes-No Purchase Necessary

Dragonfly Shops and Gardens
260 North Glassell Street
Orange, CA 92866
714-289-4689
Dragonflyshopsandgardens.com

Fall Felting Classes...

Spent a lot of time with my calendar and I'm happy to announce my Fall Felting Classes.  Locations are TBD... but classes will be in or around the City of Orange.

A Few Felted Nursery Items

I've started making a few pieces for our little man's room.  We're going with a Forest Theme - with a mid century modern flair. These pieces don't really hit on the MCM side of things, but there's more to come.


This first pic is of a needle felted Forest Mobile. I'm still going to do a few adjustments cause I'm worried some of these guys might be a bit creepy. Work in progress!

Here's a 30" x 20" wall hanging I needle felted with the help of my niece. She did the wool canvas which was super time consuming - so yay Jessica!

I took a few pics along the way - so here's the process in reverse.

Search for the perfect nursery

One majorly weird thing about my pregnancy is that I've not been stressing about it AT ALL! I'm usually one to worry and get worked up, but little Frankie seems to have a somewhat calming effect on me. Maybe it's the cutting back on coffee. 

That being said... I do need to get some sort of fire under my booty. Hubby and I keep saying we'll start making nursery, registry, and baby prep class decisions in September... which is just around the corner. 

So, in honor of our approaching due date, here's a few images I'm hoping will inspire our nursery.

Loving these prints from Roy Fleeman's Etsy shop

I love everything in Helen Dardik's etsy shop. I bought this print, and love it. (Although I do wish it were bigger) She has so many prints that I think would be perfect in a girls room... but might be a little too girly for our little mister. 

And, of course - I'm loving Charley Harper these days.  They carry several books and this memory game at one of my favorite shops... Otto in Downtown Fullerton. Planning a trip there again sometime soon. 

What are your favorite Mid Century Modern inspired Nursery ideas?

Wonderful Wisconsin Wool!

While on a family trip to Wisconsin, we went to the County Fair to see our niece, Olyvia's blue ribbon winning 4H cow, Loosy Moosy.

After seeing her beautiful dairy cow, we headed toward the sheep. I met a lovely sheep shearer named Dan, who offered to give me 200 POUNDS of wool. He needed the space, and wanted it to go a happy home. WHAT!!!???

We called him the next day and took a quick field trip to his farm.

This was the only actual sheep he had onsite. She was too old to breed, and he saved her life by giving her a retirement plan. We got a giant bag of her wool in addition to a few bags from sheep of different breeds.

While we were taking pics, my amazing Mother-in-law spun up some of the wool in the car.

Here's some of the Leicester wool straight out of the bag.

Dan told us, we could gently unravel the wool and it would stay together in one piece. Then, we could easily remove the dirtier pieces. he was totally right!

Here's some wool from a Jacob sheep. I am so excited about these colors. 

After we picked out the really dirty chunks, we used my in-laws mini vacuum to suck out the air so the bags would fit on the plane. 

Such a fun adventure! I'm so glad we were able to thank the little Dorset for her wool. She gave a very loud "You're Welcome"

I've been busy...

making a baby boy!

My blog and Molly Made craftiness slowed down there for a bit while I did my darndest to stay up past 9pm. But, I made it into the 2nd trimester and I'm getting my energy back. 

While the little one has been baking I've managed to accomplish a few tasks

Co-Directed a Production of Into the Woods at www.TheMusicRoomTMR.com with EIGHTYSEVEN children.

Took a trip to San Fran to meet my adorable new niece.

Coreographed the Swing numbers in a production of "Swing!" at www.MacHaydnTheatre.org in Chattham NY. (which I was nervous about being prego... but it was amazing and seriously made everything feel so much better)

Made it to my dear friend Mark's 28 acre NY farm for an afternoon off.

Met up with great friends in NYC.

Spent a week assisting the summer production at The Music Room, You're a Good Man Charlie Brown

Taught a felted soap class to some of the kids on Mary Poppins tour which was in Orange County

And, tonight, I finally got back to my spinning wheel!

Tomorrow we head to Wisconsin for a music festival, and then round out the summer with the www.adbacademy.com recital and the Anaheim Performing Arts Center's big Great Gatsby themed 2 day fundraising event! 

      Now, my blog is all caught up! Hope to be posting some classes and shows soon. 

Here we Go! New Classes and another show!

After the fun we had at the shows last week, we are rockin and rollin! Several exciting bits of news...

1.  Molly Made will be participating in Patchwork Santa Ana this Sunday! Please check out the Facebook Event for updates and more details.


PATCHWORK SANTA ANA 
may 29th 2011
11-5pm 2202 north main street * santa ana * ca * 92706 
this event takes place on buffalo street @ main street & in the harvey’s parking lot in the middle of the street




2.  I discovered the sweetest little shop in Fullerton called Belly Sprout! And I'll be teaching a  Mommy and Me Felted Soap Making Class there on June 17th. Belly Sprout features organic eco friendly goodness for babies, toddlers and moms. And, they have the cutest Craft Show display ever!

This pic is from their website. I don't believe the stilt walkers were around when I saw them at Patchwork. But, they add a nice touch.

3.  Molly Made will be joining forces with The Orange County School of Domestic Arts!  This great group of crafters and cookers are here in the OC and ready to get domestic on you! There's so much to be gained by checking out this group.

Here's a few of their upcoming classes - I'm teaching the class on July 2nd : )

July 2nd - Noon
FELTED SOAP CLASS
GOOD FOR ALL AGES
Class is located in Orange
$20 plus $10 material fee
Email MollyMadeMe@gmail.com for reservations



Sunday, June 26, 2-4pm
DELICIOUS CHEESE GIFTS
This workshop will cover two different, totally homemade cheese projects you can produce with inexpensive, readily available items to treat your family and friends. Learn to make your own butter (no churn involved) and flavor it with herbs. Create a tasty goat milk chevre and marinate it in garlic-infused olive oil. You will be the life of the potluck when you say that you made your cheese from scratch, and everyone loves a cheese-y gift! 
Event cost: $55. Email info@occheesemaker.com for reservations.















Sun. June 26th, 11am, Sat. July 23rd, 11am & Sat. Aug. 13th, 11am
Homemade Beauty Basics, 
Learn how to keep your beauty regimen toxin-free in this DIY balms, scrubs, screens and soaks session. All students receive a pencil-tip facial and a tube of homemade lip balm.
Event Cost: $50

Craft Show Wrap Up

I participated in two great craft shows last weekend. The Art Craw Experience (ACE) in Anaheim and Patchwork in Long Beach. I had such a great time spreading the knowledge of felt making and getting a few kiddos on the spinning wheel! 

I was so happy with my new display grid. While it's not super quirky or eclectic... It is SO FUNCTIONAL! I love love love it. If you are in Orange County and looking for display pieces I highly recommend the Orange Pico Supply Store in Anaheim. 

Directions to Patchwork

Hi all -

There's weirdo construction on the way to Patchwork.  Here's directions for the show in Long Beach.
See you there!
Molly

directions to long beach patchwork...

we were informed that there is construction going on in long beach which has caused some street closures ie. 7th street - so here are some directions to help you all make it to the show. 

COMING FROM LA

take the 405 south to the studebaker exit

take a right at the studebaker exit

take studebaker until  it comes to westminister ave

take a right

once on westminister ave, get in the right lane

cross over pch and stay in the right lane marked for right exit only

take the exit ramp and get in your left lane

turn left onto appian

go thru 1 stop sign

continue up & over the bridge

you will see patchwork on your right

street/neighborhood parking availble


COMING FROM OC

take 405 north

exit at seal beach blvd

turn left onto seal beach blvd

get in the right hand lane

the first signal will be westminister ave

take a right on westminister ave

stay in your right lane on westminer ave

cross over pch and stay in the right lane marked for right exit only

(westminister ave turns into 2nd street)

take the exit ramp on the right and get in your left lane

turn left onto appian

go thru 1 stop sign

continue up & over the bridge

you will see patchwork on your right

street/neighborhood parking availble

Best Craft Show Ever!

I'm so excited about the upcoming Patchwork Show! Of all the shows I've been to and Participated... Patchwork is the BEST! I'm so excited.  I just have to make sure I remember I'm there to sell and not to shop!

Will you be there? Sunday the 15th in Long Beach? 

xo

mo

A match made in Heaven

My cabaret at the Anaheim White House was this past Friday! It was a totally blast.  I'm so happy to say I found a way to combine my love of PERFORMING and my love of CROCHETING.  Check out this video to see how I Crocheted a Molly Made Dahlia while singing Twisted.  I was so lucky to have such a great band lead by the amazing Dan Barrett.

I also brought in my love of TEACHING.  I was joined by two of my students from The Music Room School of Performing Arts.  We did a little Sondheim ditty, "Everybody Says Don't."

How have you found ways to combine Crochet with other art forms?

Happy as the Day is Long - help me choose a flyer

I've been busier than a 16 armed Octopus! So many great things on the horizon!

In addition to putting on productions of "Peter Pan", "Mary Poppins" and "Into the Woods" and teaching all around town... I've also been working on a show of my own at the Anaheim White House.  It's set for April 22nd. Just around the corner!

The show titled "Happy as the Day is Long" has a kickin band, 3 great guest artitsts, AND a 3 course meal.  And, to top it all off, a super talented friend designed flyers!

I'm planning on using both flyers, but I'd like to choose one to use for advertising with people who I don't know.  I'd love your help deciding between the two.