blog blurbs!

My Owl be Yours valentines got noticed on Trendinista blog earlier this week. The article is really fun and showcases some awesome cards for valentine's day. Check it out!























These sweet owls also made an appearance in the Baltimore Sun's BaltAmour blog yesterday. Yay!

How much art can you take??

Check out my husband's new etsy shop ATOMKID! He just listed his first item, this LOTR inspired art print, tonight. Yay!


















Chad wasn't the only boy getting his craft on in the Thorson household tonight. Lars painted a fantastic finger painting last week but it got ripped and was pretty gigantic to begin with so we didn't really know what to do with it. Tonight we took the ripped pieces and made magnets. Lars punched all of the paper circles himself and even helped use the button maker. He is so awesome! I really love how these magnets turned out. Such a cool marble effect. Lars wants to give some to everyone he knows.













I love my crafty boys!

owl be yours

owl be yours valentine
Originally uploaded by space oddities

Available in my etsy shop just in time for Valentine's Day!

Say what you will, I still dig owls the most.
:)

late night crafting debacle

late night crafting debacle
Originally uploaded by space oddities

This is what happens when I decide to get the gocco out at 3 a.m. and print while barely conscious.

The sad thing is that this is not the only upside down robot from last night's crafting session.

The good news: I will have lots of TEST material for my next round of screen printing.

Happy Friday!

Organizing, Apartment Hunting

Around this time last week I was fired up about getting my craft area organized. That fire died in no time flat. I have just had no time this past week! I also haven't made much new this week. I am in this rut where I know what I want to make but I am so exhausted by the end of the day that I can't force myself to do it, even though I want to more than anything.

Hopefully my ideas will spring into action this weekend. I want to get out the gocco and print some cards that chad and I have been working on. I want to decoupage several more compact mirrors and some picture frames. And I want to get some of my pin sets into pretty packaging. The organizing might have to wait a few more weeks until I get these ideas out of my system! Hopefully find lots more fun stuff like these sweet bookcovers I came across in my last big organizing overhaul












Chad and I are going to look at an apartment on Saturday. Our lease is up in May and we have decided that as nice as it is to have a 2 car garage, a nice sized yard and a basement, we just can't keep spending such an obscene amount of money on our rent. I'm hoping this place will be the one. We'd be saving a significant amount on rent plus it includes heat, water and CABLE! We haven't had cable in ages so that would be a treat.

So once we decide to move for sure I will pretty much need to immediately begin downsizing the STUFF in my house (and garage and basement and yard…ugh) so that it will fit into a 2 bedroom apartment with a 10'x4' storage space.

I think this move will be good for us. It will FORCE us to get organized and embrace our inner minimalists.

One thing is for sure…I am NOT moving our record collection again. No way.

first date mirror compact
Originally uploaded by space oddities

I finished this mirror compact tonight. It's kind of hard to see what the whole mirror looks like in this picture...these compacts snap closed and have 2 mirrors - one regular & one magnifying - inside. Very nifty. I have been using glitter mod podge on everything lately. I usually do the first couple of coats with regular mod podge and then always feel like it just needs to SPARKLE so I add one last glitter coat.

valentine gift packs!

valentine gift pack - red/black
Originally uploaded by space oddities

Last night I decided to package the raining hearts notecards as gift sets along with heartbreaker pins and stickers. These will come in lots of different colors and I think they would make a perfect little valentine gift for anyone. You can just slip the pin inside the envelope and seal it up with the fun sticker (or keep the sticker for yourself!)

Love it! A card and gift in one!

craftacular, choir, cold...

A few things.

First: CRAFTACULAR!!


















I will be vending at the High Noon Valentine Craftacular on February 9. This awesome event is organized byGlitter Workshop and Emily Kircher who are both fantastic and severely talented. They put so much work into these events and they are always so much fun. Mark your calendar if you're in the area!

I am so flippin cold. I have no idea how cold it actually is outside but judging by how chilly I am in my basement typing this right now, it has to be like negative 175 degrees. Seriously. what the h.

In other news, my little nephew Ransom was on the front page of the Wisconsin State Journal today








He is the one who looks like he's screaming. I love it! The article is about the Madison boys' choir and how popular it has become in the past couple of years. Ransom is awesome and passionate about singing. I'm sure he's super excited about being in the paper!

We are taking the kids to the babysitter and going to see friends for dinner tomorrow night. I desperately need a break and haven't seen these particular friends for close to a year and a half. Maybe more like two. And they just live on the west side of Madison. Dear god, how is that possible? One of my goals for this year is go on a date at least once a month with Chad. This month is slipping away so this will have to count. We get out SO little that it will have to!

Stay warm.

hobos are the new unicorns.

Last autumn during Renegade in Chicago I had the pleasure of staying with my dear friend Leah for a weekend. One night after coming in super late we managed to make it even later by having a stupid youtube-video-watching-marathon. One of the videos Leah showed me that still has me laughing whenever it's mentioned is the Hipster Olympics. If you haven't seen this, you should watch it now.



When you're finished watching you will understand why THIS Urban Outfitters Christmas ornament (pictured below) had me laughing uncontrollably yesterday when my friend Jessi sent me a link to it via email.

















Happy Friday!

getting organized.

I spent some time getting organized tonight and quickly realized that it's going to take a LOT longer than I imagined to get everything in its place. And I am just talking about my craft area...I won't even begin to write about the other 90% of the house! I did get some important things accomplished tonight, though. Really, it wasn't a total loss...

First, I went through all my gocco ink and got it all into one place. I even wrote down a quick inventory of colors so I know what I have and know what I need. It's taped neatly to the inside cover of my new ink box. This little bit of organization is something that will save me a lot of time when planning projects. Yay!

















Next I started a box for thread, string, ribbon and anything else thread, string or ribbon-like. I have a lot more sorting to do so I may need a bigger box before this project is complete.















I also found an old scrapbook with tons of space to add more memories. This is something I really need because I have so many little things (concert tickets, photobooth pictures - I am a packrat!) that are just scattered about all of the time. So I started taping things into that book. Yay!

Then I came across some awesome finds including some fun fabrics












I looove the leopard print fabric. I thought I used the last scraps of it around this time last year to make valentines like these


















I am thrilled to have a little fabric left over to play with! I really liked how last year's cards turned out so maybe I'll try something similar.

Well, that is about it. Tomorrow night I will start chipping away at my paper stash. If I keep this up I just might be organized by this time next week!

xo
andrea

I just finished wrapping up some orders to ship out tomorrow. I decided to snap a few pictures along the way. I have been going all out with extra special valentine prettiness on every order lately and it makes me happy.































I normally hate packaging things- but for some reason when I make an extra effort to make it pretty, it makes it more fun.

I'm going to get my craft area organized if it kills me. I'm on a mission from god.

Valentine Gift Guide!

My etsy shop has lots of offer for Valentine's Day so I thought I'd show off a sampling. The guide below is clickable so you can click on any item for more details. Ah, can you feel the love?


All screen printed totes are still on sale for only $6.00 through this weekend. I am hoping to clear out a little inventory to make room for new designs.

Tonight I want to decoupage some picture frames. Well, first I have to prep the frames so maybe I will at least get that much done tonight. The area where I craft is so cluttered and messy right now, I am having a hard time wanting to work! Perhaps I should focus on getting organized.

See, this is the problem. So many things, so little time. Where to begin…! It's a miracle that I finish Anything, really.

xo
andrea

raining hearts

raining hearts notecards
Originally uploaded by space oddities

For some reason I am obsessed with it raining things.

I printed these 'raining hearts' note cards recently. So far I printed them in red/black and light blue/black. I can't decide if I should offer these in sets or individually. Because I can't decide anything. I am so very indecisive lately.

My goal for the coming week is to get my state taxes done and to get my craft area organized enough that I don't have to start a major search every time I need a scissors or a glue stick.

it's not even nine a.m. and already I can feel that it's going to be a long day. My computer is being weird and not letting me listen to music. Music is what gets me through my days at the office so this is a little disenchanting. Thinking happy thoughs...

paper hats
Originally uploaded by space oddities

It's been a lazy weekend. Our highlights included baking coconut cake (Lars helped!), a mellow breakfast at the bagel shop, and making paper hats. I have been so tired lately. I haven't felt like crafting very much.

wax paper cards galore

my bloody valentine
Originally uploaded by space oddities

I added a few wax paper cards to my etsy shop this week and also decided to give them their own section to better showcase them.

I love making these and think they can make particularly awesome valentines. I dig the way the emellishments are muted by the wax paper and how delicate the final product is. I plan to hole up and makes lots of these tonight.

Have a great weekend!!

scattered

raining hearts - back of card
Originally uploaded by space oddities

So about 2 months ago I lost the stamp that I've been using for the back of my cards, my packaging for button and magnet sets and everything else. I know it's someplace in my house but I cannot figure out where. Last night it occured to me that I have a computer and I have photoshop. So instead of not stamping my site info on the back of some new cards, I printed it on the back of them. I am happy with how it looks. And I have no idea how it's possible that this never occured to me before.

I think that I am very used to doing everything very manually. I like hand stamping every card. I like cutting and pasting each image or hand pressing with my gocco. But last night I realized that using an inkjet printer for a project every now and then isn't so bad.

So anyway there it is. My epiphany of the week.

WTF?

what the--?
Originally uploaded by space oddities

I made this card last night. It had me laughing at like 1:00am.

The little heart was cut from an old star wars comic and seemed appropriate at the time.

I am tired today.

It's thunder storming in January.

xo
andrea

perfect match

perfect match
Originally uploaded by space oddities

I've finally got around to making some matchbook valentines. I'll be adding these to my shop today.

I'm looking for feedback about what you might be looking for when valentine's day comes around (if you buy card for this occasion.) Do you like to buy individual cards, sets for friends, sets for kids, etc.? Please leave a comment if you would like to share. I am always curious about what people are looking for!

It's been a rough weekend. Both of my kids are sick and kind of miserable. It's so nice outside I feel like taking them to the zoo or something...but we'll probably be stuck inside. Oh well, perhaps I will accomplish more crafting!

SALE!

I am having a sale in my etsy shop this weekend. All screen printed tote bags are 50% off!! That's only SIX DOLLARS! Sale will continue through Sunday 1/6/08. I am clearing out inventory to make room for new designs! These fun bags are roomy and adorable. Perfect for a trip to the library or grocery store!

CLICK HERE to see what's available.

vinyl love valentine

vinyl love valentine
Originally uploaded by space oddities

I made a weird array of things in the middle of the night last night. This valentine is one of them. I hope you like it.

xo
andrea

Stuff that has made me happy this week

*Old episodes of the X-Files
*Listening to music at work at: optical atlas & slacker
*Seeing Chad's new designs and ideas for his etsy site, AtomKid
*Making this pin in the middle of the night
*Seeing my mom on New Year's Day even though it was super brief.
*Having a short week at work
*The fact that the music in the Care Bears Big Wish movie is alright
*Matthew sweet/susanna hoffs album

Can you feel the love in this room?

I know it's only the beginning of January but I am already thinking about Valentine's Day. It sounds silly, but I looooove Valentine's Day. I love it! I love celebrating love. I am a big geek. I have said it before and I'll say it again - if I could make a living just making valentines all year round that is what I would be doing. I love paper hearts, candy hearts, cryptic love messages, deep shades of red and pink. I am not even big on celebrating valentine's day specifically with my husband…but more so with everyone. Everyone! Everyone should share the love!


















I have just barely starting making valentines this year but plan to crank out lots more in the coming weeks. I plan to make some of my signature wax paper valentines, matchbook valentines with a pin included, valentines that will appeal to the nerd in your life, and a mushy valentine's day take on our owls in love design. All of these items will slowly be added to my etsy shop as they become available. Can you feel the love?

the last 24 hours.

*delicious mediterranean cuisine: yum. falafel, tabouli, m'hamra, grape leaves, etc. plus turkish coffee. sooo goood.
*i am legend: effing scary. want to read the book.
*visit to see family for christmas/new year celebration: easiest car ride with my 1 yr old and 3 yr old EVER!
*planning vacations to san antonio and iceland.
*off of work until thursday. just don't know what to do with myself (or where to begin, that is)

xo
andrea