Detroit Urban Craft Fair and kickoff to Handmade Ornament Event

I'm so geeked for this weekend. It's a big weekend.

Why?

It's Detroit Urban Craft Fair weekend!

Also known as one of the reasons I fell in love with the handmade community. One of the biggest inspirations that led me to explore my own creative side and take up sewing. I owe a lot to this event, truly!

If you're in Detroit, you going? You should! There are 60 vendors and I swear, something at each and every table will strike your fancy. You'll be blown away at the collective creative energy and talent you see. And the friendliness. That too.

I'm extra excited this year, because I've turned my annual trek to the craft fair into a Day O'Detroit Shopping. My mom and aunt are coming with me. We're going to fit up many wonderful shopping places in downtown Detroit. The biggest problem will probably be remembering to buy for Christmas gifts and not just for me me me!

I really cannot wait. I'm going to take a lot of pictures this year and will recap the day o'shopping fun next week.

Also next week (on Friday, to be exact), I'll be sharing a handmade Christmas ornament tutorial over at the 12 Days of Handmade Ornaments event at Sew Woodsy. It kicks off today, so click on over there when you get a chance. The first ornament is up, and it's cute. And really easy, too.

Announcements and what have yous

I was really excited to see how many others are loving the vintage sheet trend. Always nice to know you're not alone. I'm definitely going to be sewing with my sheets in the near future. So stay tuned for that!

OK, two quick announcements. I joined Google+ yesterday. Is anyone actually using this social network? Seems like, mostly, no. But I had training at work and was encouraged (ahem) to join, so I'm there. If you're on there, leave me a note and I'll add you to my circles. Or whatever the lingo is. :)

And finally! Guess what? I'm taking part in a fun event in December. Katie from the blog Sew Woodsy is having a 12 Days of Christmas handmade ornament event and asked me to participate. Today she announced the event and the full line up of bloggers. I'd really honored to be included and will be checking out all the other participants' blogs soon! Look for all the handmade ornament goodness starting on Dec. 1. Yeehaw!

And because every post needs a good photo or two.... Check out these finds from an antique store I was in last week or so. I didn't get anything -- not the fabric or the vintage buttons. Mistake?!?

I seriously might go back for the fabric. If only the antique store wasn't a good 45 minutes away....

Monogram pillow tutorial in the Button Down Rehab series!

Today is a little bit exciting for me. My first guest post is live over on Jen's blog My Own Road as part of the Button Down Rehab series! The challenge was to take an old button-down shirt and remake it into something -- anything -- else. Here's a sneak peak at what I came up with!

Go see the story behind the monogrammed pillow and see the full tutorial at My Own Road! I hope you'll come visit me there and maybe say hi in a comment?

I can't wait to see what the other bloggers came up with. I actually snagged a few button downs at Salvation Army over the weekend for $1 a piece. Hoping they turn into some cute new projects!