meet birdie

Hi everyone!

Today I'd like to introduce you to a new lady in my life...

My new Ladybug spinning wheel!

I've wanted to take up spinning and create my own yarn for years-- My parents got me my first bag of roving (whatever fiber you're using to spin yarn) when I was still in high school.  And now I'll finally get to spin it!

One of my favorite things about my new wheel is this sweet little ladybug.  Schacht, the company that makes the Ladybug, puts one of these little cuties on every wheel.  That's how I affectionately dubbed my wheel 'Birdie'--- from ladybug to ladybird to birdie! 

this is my first yarn on the bobbin-- it's not super-even, and it's over-spun (too twisted and curly) in some places, but I love it anyway!

I was really curious how the kitties would react to the presence of a new thing with moving parts and one of their favorite things-- yarn.
Bucky obviously has no problem with it-- he loves to watch the wheel turning and the roving going onto the bobbin!

...In fact, he loves it so much that he sits right next to me while I spin.  I love this picture-- doesn't he look like a tiny little kitten next to that ball of roving, like it's the size of a ball of yarn?  But it's an illuuuuusion-- it's actually just slightly smaller than a volley-ball.

Here are my first two bobbins!  It's been really cool to see the progress even in this small amount of yarn.  Now I'm going to ply these (twisting them together into one yarn) and wash them to keep them twisted nicely, then I'll show you all my first real skein of yarn!

Are any of you lovelies spinners?

Thank you so much to Jan at The Gentle Arts, who helped me so much during the process of choosing a wheel and learning how to use it, and to my wonderful family members, without whom I wouldn't be spinning, especially my mom.  I promise to make pretty handspun things for all of you!


♥

22

So I'm officially 22 now.  Well, I will be at 11:56 tonight-- as my brother kindly reminds me every year, I technically have a four minute birthday.

But anyway.

Here's what I've been up to so far!

lounging around with the kitties

(have you noticed they're not the best at sharing space?)

running around in my cute new Ugglebo clogs

prodding Bucky's cute little paws... awwww, I love when he sleeps with his chin on it.

meandering around the yard...

aaaand more sleepy kitty-snuggles.

Since it's a little hard to tell in that first photo, Cocoa's actually yawning there.  He's a tiny cat, but y'know how snakes can, like, distend their jaws to eat stuff?  (Well, if you didn't, now you know.  They do that.  Gross, but interesting.)  I think Cocoa must do that, too.  And if you understand why he's shouting "KHAAAAAN!" we're probably friends.

(it's a Star Trek reference.  don't feel too terribly left out if you didn't know that.  I'm just a fount of information today.)

Have a wonderful day, everyone!  

♥

birthday girl

Hi everyone!

My new macbook cord has arrived, hooray!

So, guys.  Guess what tomorrow is.

My birthday!

Didja guess?

new mug cozies, yay!

I'm having a little celebration over in my etsy shop!  

heart bobby pins made with recycled leather

Just enter the coupon code 'birthday' at checkout to get 15% off your order!

monogrammed sweetheart bobby pins

I'm so excited to have my computer back-- I missed reading all of your lovely blogs!
Are any of you Cancerians too?

♥

much love, monday

Hello sweetpeas!
Here's what I'm loving this week.

this lovely green stove, found via Hilary


this beautiful Victorian photograph


this adorable illustration


this photo of Alison Sudol, of A Fine Frenzy
(She has a new album coming out in October-- I'm so excited!)


this pink ombré desk


and this photo/collage combination.

What are you loving this week?
Have a fantastic day!
♥

cosmic string

Hello, starshines.  

One of my favorite things about being out of Manhattan is being able to see the night sky.  So today I'd like to share with you some of my favorite cosmos-inspired art.

1.2.3.4.5

I also wanted to let you know that my macbook power cord has zonked out, so although I managed to schedule a few posts before my battery completely ran out, I won't be able to answer comments until my new cord arrives on Thursday or Friday.  I hope you have a lovely couple of days!

♥

caturday

Good morning sunshines!

Here's what the kitties have been up to lately...

treats and snoozin', snoozin' and treats

cocoa's aerial entrance

snuggling

totally their kitty-cat engagement photo.

Have a beautiful day!

♥

home away from home

Lately I have just been loving vintage campers.

I love the idea of having a little home that could come with me wherever I go! 

And when I say 'home' I really kind of mean 'mobile studio.'  Of course.

How cute is this one, with polka-dots and bunting?  And that window-box of flowers is just perfect.

I love the bright, cozy feeling of this camper. It's in one of my favorite color combinations.

I'd feel like Belle answering the Dutch-style door of this cutie.  And you all know how much I love to feel like Belle.

Of course, I couldn't talk about vintage campers without mentioning Miss Kaelah's adorable Honeybean!

1.2.3.4.5.6

I hope you're having a wonderful evening and that it isn't too hot where you are!

♥

one pretty thing

Well, hi there!  Time for another edition of One Pretty Thing.

I found this robin's egg shell outside our house a few days ago while my mom and I were working on our front flower garden.  It's the prettiest color-- robin's egg blue, of course!  This little shell is truly one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen.  What a wonderful reminder that even in our intensely digital  and technological age, some of the most purely amazing things are simple and natural.  It's so inspirational to have in my studio.

I hope you're having a great Thursday!
♥

fae flowers

I'm so excited about these pretty floral crowns!  They're a perfect way to bring whimsy to a bridal, prom, or graduation ensemble, or to add a little bit of magic to every day.  Check out more photos and choose one for yourself in the shop.

If you'd love a fairy-crown but you'd prefer a different color, just let me know!  Just click the little email icon in the top right-hand corner of the blog, or send me a conversation on Etsy.  I'd love to work with you to create something special!

Have a beautiful evening!

♥

blog redesign!

Hi everyone!

I did a little redesigning on Julie Rose Sews yesterday.

(If you're looking at this in an RSS reader, click through to check out the changes!)

I kept the overall colors and feeling of the blog, but now there's a horizontal navigation bar so you can more easily find what you're looking for, a cute new banner with some of my little illustrations, and fun new social media buttons so we can be friends all over the internet!

I'd love to know what you think of the redesign!

Have a wonderful day!

♥

much love, monday

Good morning!  

First, thank you so much for the sweet comments and emails about yesterday's post.  They mean so much to me and I so appreciate your taking the time to share your experiences and kind words.

Now it's time for another edition of Much Love, Monday!  

Here's what I'm loving this week.

these star jars

this cutie-pie

this wintery lantern and falling snow

this astronomy clock from 1410, in Prague

this lovely painting

these rustic votive holders

Have a beautiful Monday! 

♥