Amelie Jacket by Amelie & Henri (via Craftsy)

I love this site.  Seriously.  Craftsy is fantastic and full of amazing patterns and project ideas.  It's like Etsy meets Pinterest meets Hobby Lobby if all three were on steroids.  Yes, it is that good.  Anyway, my lovely friend (hi A!!!) and I were browsing this site when we came across this fantastic pattern for a jacket and I finally made it.    I purchased the pattern and finally had the opportunity to make it.  Well, I really didn't have the time for it being the holidays and all, but I wanted something new for once so when I saw the adorable white and black flannel with vintage keys all over it I knew it was meant to be.  I selected a black cotton with swirls to complement the flannel lining.  I could not be more thrilled with the result, it is LOVELY and I am looking so forward to showing it off but I simply had to share it here and give MAD props to Amelie & Henri for such an amazing pattern!  THANK YOU!!

Puppy Chow

I love this recipe.  My kids and I enjoy this munchie - along with almost everybody else I know - and it is SO easy to make.

The initial recipe is here.  But we have some little tweaks and tips to share.

1) Add a lil extra PB to the chocolate/PB combo
2) Add some vanilla and 1/4 c butter to the chocolate/PB combo
3) Try a flavored version of Chex (we liked the Vanilla)

It is SOOO easy to make this and a real crowd pleaser!

More recipes to come along with our Christmas crafts!!

Happy Holidays from Kharmic Chaos!

I've been neglectful.  I own up to it completely.  November is an extremely busy month in our house.  I participate in NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) which means I spend most of my extra time writing.  This year, my daughter half participated and managed to write several short stories and poems which made me very proud.  The kids were heavy into toilet paper/paper towel roll creatures and people so our house is now littered with aliens, the 10th Doctor, a Dalek or two, and representations of our family members.

Now it is December and for us that means homemade Christmas presents and LOTS of baking!  We are cutting down our list of baked goods this year but only slightly.  I will share some of our recipes since I work hard to use family friendly recipes for the kids to maximize their help.  One of our favorites would be the Raspberry Star Cookies found on Allrecipes.com though we do not tend to do the star shapes and often use different flavors of jellies and jams.  

Tehawks, our Elf on the Shelf, has returned to wreak havoc on our house with her mischievous ways.  She's dumped the marker bucket in my son's room along with a few decks of cards, hung from the Christmas tree, fished for Goldfish crackers in the toilet - and all this in just one week of being here!!  It appears that we will soon have her pet moose joining us as well since he is causing too much trouble at the North Pole.  *sigh*

Look for pictures of our cookies and crafts as we move into the holiday season!

The finished Thorin Oakenshield costume

Sorry for the delay, we've had some serious cold and flu issues going on here and since November 1 I have been actively writing for NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month - 50,000 words in one month!).  Football is finally over for my daughter so we should be able to get back in the swing of things with the close of the month.  I have noticed, thanks to my rather observant children, that we do more things that we could post about - the cookie "cakes" I did for the football team, minor projects and helpful hints that make our lives easier.  I will do my best to be more diligent about this in the future, perhaps a "catch up post" to drop some of those things all at once.  Anyway, the name of this post is Thorin Oakenshield and that is what I want to deliver.  It was a rather crappy day here when we went trick-or-treating so the picture quality is not what I would have liked but it happens.  So, without further delay....

Thorin costume part III

Okay, the undercoat and overcoat are now complete.

The undercoat is the same material as the corset/armor as it was made from my sister's wrap around bridesmaid skirt.  I decorated the sleeves with the same pattern as the chest plate.  My model would not try it on again for me as she is currently feeling under the weather so please forgive the lack of photo at this time.

The overcoat is made from a faux leather jacket I wore as Bellatrix Lestrange a few years ago.  I cut it down and trimmed it up a bit, added some faux fur and here you have it!

The 10th Doctor costume

My son settled on the 10th doctor and I have to say, it is a fitting costume.  He wanted me to dress as the TARDIS or a Dalek to go with him but I declined.  It was the easier of the two to create so I am grateful to him for being so thoughtful...he he.

I managed to get the shoes at the Converse outlet for $20 and other than the sonic screwdriver, they were the most expensive part of the costume.

The suit, shirt, and tie were thrift store purchases - $19 in total - and big enough that he can wear them for some upcoming conventions we are looking to attend.

I made the trench coat with some excess fabric I had in my collection.  It was a bit tricky since the only pattern I had was Simplicity 5386 (Adult Male, The Matrix knock off costume pattern) and I needed to seriously size it down.  On top of that, I had to literally create the collar and alter the neckline.  It doesn't lay as well as I would like but he loves it and the overall effect works.

The sonic screwdriver can be found at Barnes and Noble, on Amazon, and honestly, if you Google 10th doctor sonic screwdriver there are several results.

Thorin costume - part two

The armor was going to pose a challenge any way I sliced it so I started with it.  My sister gave me several of her old dresses a while ago - including her bridesmaid dress from my wedding which happens to be a navy blue iridescent two piece.  The top is a corset that zips up the back and fits my daughter just so when she wears her costume shirts beneath it.  It is plenty loose and thanks to a fantastic silver fabric pen it now looks like Thorin's armor.  Fortunately, she has two more layers so I didn't have to go all the way around the corset with the design!

Thorin costume part one

ea this costume could get so complicated -or expensive! Consequently, I had to make some adjustments.  I pulled from some old costumes and some scrap fabrics - as pictured below:

AdI wore this coat when I dressed as Bellatrix Lestrange. A few alterations and it will become the outer cloak.

Fur purchased at Joann Fabrics, faux leather from the coat and scrap black fleece.

The bridesmaid dress my sister wore in my wedding.  It will become the armor and under coat.

You can see I have my work cut out for me...more pics coming soon!!

Things we've learned...

It's been a while, I know and I feel guilty about it.  We moved, school started, I started working full time again, my daughter was playing football and crafting took a back burner...but we've still been busy.  So, some things we've learned in the last few months:

1. Not all laminate furniture can be repainted as we are two for three on the furniture repaints.  The desk and file cabinet came out fantastically but the bookshelf turned out so-so.  (Pictures will be posted soon)

2. While it is often said that women/girls change their minds frequently I would argue that boys can be just as (if not more) infuriating when arriving at a decision on Halloween costumes.  (Final decision: the 10th Doctor)

3.  No matter how awesome a costume idea is, the completion of the costumes can become pricey so be prepared to make some concessions.  (Just wait until you see the finished Thorin Oakenshield for my daughter).

4. There is this amazing site that I have just been introduced to that is my new guilty pleasure... Craftsy.  Say hello to patterns, online classes, and project ideas galore - some of the patterns are even FREE!

5. There are so many amazing ways to inexpensively decorate a home and bring a cohesive design out of next to nothing.  I will be do a breakdown of our new living room space though in many ways it is still a work in progress.

6.  You actually can have too many paper towel and toilet paper rolls for projects.  (I promise, we have two plastic drawers overflowing with blank ones and I have a dozen new figures on my craft table....from Dr. Who to a Dalek to some random "people" my kids created).

7.  The new show, Sleepy Hollow, is fantastic and I cannot wait until the kids are old enough to watch it because I LOVE the mythology involved!

8.  If there were a way to add more hours to a day, I would because there is never enough time to craft or write or just snuggle with my kids.  I do work very had to fit in that last one wherever and whenever I can.  Life is too short and they grow up too fast.

Stay tuned, we will have pictures soon...but I will be at a convention for work the next three days!

Our last sidewalk sale of the season = SALE

We will be in Grove City for our last Sidewalk Sale of the season and that means SALE for Kharmic Chaos!  If there is anything you are really interested in, now is the time to grab it up because there will be a lot of markdowns to make way for new inventory for the holiday season.  I am hoping to debut a few new pieces that I've been working on - at least the samples of some so stay tuned.  In the meantime, I want to unveil one of our remakes for the awesome Boho theme the kids and I have adopted for our new living room.

This is our desk, or well, it was our desk after we sanded and primed it.  It had been a dark espresso color but we were so excited to get started that we forgot before pictures!

Then we painted it and it turned out even more beautiful than we'd hoped!

We opted to line the drawer with a cool paper that the kids modge-podged in place and we sealed the top of the desk to protect it.  Our last little upgrade has not happened yet because we haven't found the right piece but we all agreed that the handle on the drawer needs to be replaced with something, well, more bohemian! It was not difficult at all and my daughter found the whole process especially enjoyable.  Since we were having so much fun and so much of our furniture is already old and or mismatched we opted to refinish a file cabinet too - again, we forgot the "before" picture so this will have to do for now:

The kids and I intend to replace the handles and we're going to use fabric or some cool paper for the drawers to make it look even cooler!  The room is really coming together and the kids and I are very comfortable in our new digs.

We will keep adding new updates because we are doing a lot of pieces and working on ways to make the most of our limited space.  Our situation continues to improve, it always will because I will keep working at it, keep moving forward - onward and upward!

busy, busy, busy

I have two kids bearing down on me about their Halloween costumes.  Kid you not.  They are mad about Halloween (I simply cannot imagine where they get that from!) and they are particularly excited for this year as they have picked outstanding costumes.  Outstanding for SO many reasons to be certain.  My daughter has selected Thorin Oakenshield and my son has selected Legolas.  Now, once I get beyond my pride over their love for all things Tolkien, I began to break down what these costume selections would mean.  Work, work, and MORE work.  While I am excited to begin these feats I wonder how I am going to make them happen.

I wanted to take a moment to introduce my new coffee clutch - this is a team clutch for the local team but I have so many different options and am excited to show them off!

M.I.A.

Yes, we've been absent.  It's been a busy several weeks.  The kids and I moved to a new place and it is a lot more difficult doing it by yourself.  Thankfully, my brother was able to help or it would have been impossible to move with the two kids.  Just another thing I need to learn to navigate as a single parent.  Thankfully, this has allowed me to be extra creative as we set up the new place.  I have to say, we are just about finished and we have some amazing things to show off!  While there is still more to do - there is always more to do! - we have settled a lot of things out and we have stacks of wonderful new things!

So, it is sad that we've been gone for so long but we have been ever so busy and really quite productive.  Some things we'll be posting soon:

Re-purposed shelving
Our new "couch"
Costumes!!
Art wall
Window dressings

Stay tuned!

As promised, the FandomFest 2013 costumes

First, Steampunk Alice which is for sale on my Etsy store -  Steampunk Alice.

I wore my Mad Hatter costume on Friday, but Saturday I was Steampunk Willy Wonka....

And Sunday I was Steampunk Dorothy from Oz (which will be for sale in my Etsy store soon).

It was SO much fun and the costumes were a huge hit - especially Willy Wonka!

FANDOM FEST in LOUISVILLE

We have been in a frenzy around these parts, working hard to prep for Fandom Fest.  My Mom is going to arrive in a few hours and tomorrow she'll be driving with us to Louisville, KY for Fandom Fest!  We are terribly excited for this opportunity for our alter egos, Violet Patterson and Trace Broyles.  Kharmic Chaos will be represented via costumes and a few random items (bookmarks and theme-appropriate coffee clutches).  Stay tuned, we will definitely have more, we've just been really busy crafting and prepping for Fandom Fest!!

Fandom Fest

New bag in the team store ~ Another Buckeye tote

It's more feminine and I think pretty darn cute.  I am seeing it in more than just team colors but for now, it's a stylish way to show your team spirit anywhere!

Team shop day 2 - OSU tote bag

How about a team tote bag?  Pockets on the inside, block 'O' on the side complete with felt buckeye :)  This one is available now - I'll have it at the sidewalk sale in Grove City on Saturday - and I can do others via special order.  Oh, and I will do one more before Saturday with black lining instead of the white I used for this one.

New team gear - OSU skirt for little girls :)

So, after last week's sidewalk sale I opted to purchase some Buckeye fabric and launch my "team" line.  I can do these in any colors and if the fabric is available, I can do specific team fabric.  This particular skirt is lined with an elastic waist and is a size 6.

Fish Tote Bag

Yes, another one of these bags, but they are so awesome and quite popular at this point so I'm expanding my options.  I really love this one!!  This is a really pretty brown with light blue polka dots and a cool retro print lining.

Steampunk Alice in Wonderland

It is no secret by now that my alter ego, Violet Patterson takes to dressing as a Steampunk Mad Hatter for her events.  It is also becoming known that Violet will be making an appearance at Fandom Fest in Louisville, KY at the end of the month.  So, with that in mind, my kids have opted to join her for the event and my daughter intends to dress to impress as well.  If she had it her way, the little crafter would match me, er, Violet, all three days of the event.  I doubt we have time for that much.  Long story long, she will be a Steampunk Alice and this is what we came up with:

She is pretty excited about the whole thing and I have to say, I think it turned out well.  I'm hoping to get a Steampunk White Rabbit Plushie made for her - but don't tell her and ruin my surprise!

Girl's dress and matching doll outfit - a mother/daughter project

As I mentioned some time ago, my daughter has decided she wants to learn how to sew.  I am VERY excited about this new venture and am thrilled to present her very first project!

Now, because it was her very first effort, I helped with the hem and I actually made the doll's outfit but my kiddo did 95% of her dress.  It turned out VERY well and she has proudly worn it a few times already.  She was so proud - but not as proud as ME.

Look for a few more mother/daughter projects along this vein because she is really getting good at this!

Passing the torch....no...sharing the torch!

I am so excited.  My daughter asked me to teach her how to sew!  We spent a few hours last night picking out patterns and fabric and the lessons begin this week!  So, here's what we have in store:

Teaching:
Girls' dress with matching doll dress
Pillowcase and tote for sleepovers

Costuming:
Steampunk Alice for my daughter
Steampunk Willy Wonka for me
Steampunk Dorothy for me
Steampunk Chesire Cat for my son

Ereader/Tablet cases
Gnomes/Dwarves (we like The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings just a teeny bit)
Stuffed animals from socks
My son's rag rug

Busy, busy, busy.  We are oh so very busy around this house.  And it is WONDERFUL!!

As promised....more Wine Couture

This is one of my "women's" cozies....with more options on the way.  They are SO much cuter than those cheapo wine bags!

Imagine this in white satin with lace overlay?  An excellent gift for a bride!!

Big event this weekend!

Kharmic Chaos is making an appearance at Grove City Wine & Arts Festival this Saturday and I am thrilled!  My Wine Couture line will be making its debut along with a few other pieces I have been putting together.  You may recall my "Men's Dress Shirt to Wine Cozy" post from a while back but I've expanded that particular post into a very fun line that is now available via My Etsy Shop.

More pictures to come!

Updates!

Busy, busy, busy!  We have all been SO busy!  My kids' birthdays are VERY close together so I've been up to my ears in birthday and my ill-planned next engagement.  It may not have been the best idea ever to sign on for the Grove City Wine & Arts Festival smack dab in the middle of the two most important birthdays in my year.  *sigh*  However, I did sign up for a 10X10 table to show case my book and some of the awesome wine-related stuff I've done for Kharmic Chaos.  I will have several awesome wine cozies, a few paintings, and of course my books.  So, needless to say, the kids and I have not embarked on any new projects because we've been building an inventory (yes, they help).  Here's hoping that Saturday June 8th brings some awesomeness our way!!

Happy Birthday to my oldest!

My daughter turned 8 today.  Sadly, she has the flu so all of the wonderful things I had planned today have kind of fallen by the wayside.

8 balloons for each of her eight years attached to seven little gifts and a card letting her know of one coming surprise:  Check!

Cute cookie cake for after her softball game: Check!

Up early to make her breakfast - cake batter pancakes:  Check!

Plans for pizza and gatorade:  Check!

All of the above, put on hold for a few days while her tummy rebounds:  Check!

I'll try to put out some pictures later but right now I'm taking care of her.

Cutesy Satchel - The Cupcake

I LOVE these bags.  Fun to make, kids are invested, and the options are endless.  My kiddos have given up their regular backpacks in lieu of their totes (Maddox the Panda and Autumn has the Cupcake).  We are busily working away at more variations and different upgrades that the kids have come up with.  They are so excited about these.  But, for now, I have The Cupcake to add:

Available for purchase here: Etsy Store - Cutesy Totes

Acrylic Painting

The kids left to go with their dad.  These days are always difficult for me so I made a plan.  I pulled out my brand spanking new acrylics and some canvasses that have just been begging for me to work them into something.  I am out of practice - as in not painted in over a year - and consequently started small.  But, I'm pleased with how it turned out.  I am considering adding a quote to the bottom right square though.  Anyhow, this is my first painting in a LONG time.

Girls' jeans to cute skirt

My daughter grew out of these jeans with her last growth spurt and they had holes in the knee but were otherwise in good shape so I opted to alter it a bit into a skirt.  This too is available in my Etsy shop and I hope to have more as she continues to grow.  It was pretty easy to do actually.

I cut off the pants to the desired length (well above the knee holes) and trimmed out the inseam.  It took a bit of trimming and tucking to make the pants lay right as a skirt but this was not overly complicated.  I should have taken pictures (*face palm*) of the whole process but it went so quickly I didn't even think about it.  Next, I took some cotton scraps I had (did not use more than a 1/4 of a yard) and cut it into strips a few inches wide.  I finished the lower edge of each strip and then machine-basted the top edge for gathering.  The strips had to be cut down so they could be layered in a pyramid shape and stitched into the skirt (front and back).  Lastly, I trimmed the bottom edge of the final ruffle and stitched it on the skirt.

Front of the skirt

Back of the skirt

Ruffle t-shirt skirt

I keep seeing these skirts everywhere and I've done a similar one before but now I think I have the whole system perfected.  I will be incorporating these into my Etsy store since I like them so much and I can see the "school color" version being a HUGE help for parents like me.  My kiddo loves sports but they do not make a lot of cute NCAA/NFL/NBA (these are the only sports we really follow, don't judge!  LOL!)  clothing for girls.  It is sad really.  But, now that I have worked out these handy little skirts, I can make her one for every team we follow.  This particular one says O-H-I-O since it is made primarily from old OSU t-shirts that no longer fit my kiddos.  It turned out even cuter than I anticipated to be honest.

If you are interested in purchasing this particular OSU ruffle skirt it is available in my Etsy store.  I can also do made to order via that posting.

Cutesy tote - the Panda

My son has two favorite animals - the giant panda and moose.  I will be making a moose in the future but I had the materials to make a panda today so here you have it.  Though the others to this point are available for purchase, this one went to my son for his library books.  I can custom make one if requested though.

This is primarily cotton but there is some felt (the bamboo, nose, and inner eyes).  I hand stitched the panda and bamboo.

The inner pocket is actually a dual pocket.

Cutesy satchel - the penguin

I said there would be more to come....well...there are..... A LOT more.  My kids and I brainstormed more than two dozen ideas for tote bags/satchels.  They have some fantastic ideas though sometimes I think they think more of my skill than they should.

The penguin features are hand-stitched but I machine-sewed the rest.  It is all cotton and approximately 12" wide by 18" high.  This version is reversible too!

Cutesy satchel - the Owl - first of many!

I've seen something like this on Pinterest - Owl Bag - so I decided to mess around with some of my ideas and create my own.  This is my first one, also an owl, but I have a cupcake in the works and layouts for a hippie-style bag, a penguin, and a butterfly for starters.  I'm so excited for this addition to my repertoire!

I guess I'm making one of these in purple this weekend for my daughter....she is loathe to sell this one....