Missybug's Craft-tastic-ness:

I heart Oregon

Did I mention that yet?  I did?  Are you sure?

Okay...well that is very much the case.  I have never been a California girl.  When I was a wee one, I had family that lived in Washington, and decided at a very young age that I was going to live in Washington.  When it was time to go away to college, I was convinced that I was going to go to school in Seattle.  I got accepted to my top choice...and then sadly, it turned out that I could not afford to attend that college.  I ended up staying in California for University (I like to pretend I'm British sometimes).  I studied abroad my sophomore year in Salzburg, Austria...at which point I fell in love it Europe and put on my Life- To Do List, that it would be fantastic to live in Europe at some point...or at least have a summer home!  Maybe be a teacher and travel their every summer? 

At the end of my junior year of college, I moved to Portland, OR for a summer...and then fell in love with Oregon.  Yup, it seems that my longest lasting love affair has been with the Pacific Northwest.  I've tried to move their a couple times, and it seems that the universe doesn't have that in my immediate plans....I'm still holding my breath though. 

For now...I visit a couple times a year, and wear my new favorite, adorable, fantastical necklace.

This was made by my friend Nicole.

I hope you have something that you hold on to that makes you smile.  :)

xo  Melissa 

99 things

Here are the rules: Bold the things you’ve done and post on your blog!

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea.
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child (hope to)
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris (been at the bottom, but not top)
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy (still have my cabbage patch kids)
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone (only a toe)
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Kissed a stranger at midnight on New Year’s Eve
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee (yellow jackets actually)

Missybug the Teacher

So remember how I told you that I would be starting to teach classes? Well here is the info on the classes that I will be teaching, as well as all of the other wonderful classes that are offered at the Craft Kitchen in Santa Ana.  My classes are the Knitting 101 and the Monday Knitting and Crocheting Drop-In (I am still looking for a good name for that one, and would love to hear your ideas). Can't wait to see you there!  Happy Crafting! MARCH & APRIL CLASS SCHEDULE

NEW CLASSES: check out our new classes for including kids classes, knitting and more! PROMOTION: 10% off your second class when you sign up for 2 classes! 15% off your third class when you sign up for 3 classes! HAPPY HOUR: instead of the usual drinks & dinner get together- gather a group of 4 or more pals to take any of our classes together and you each get 10% off the class!  feel free to bring drinks & snacks!  dont forget if you're not near us we can do the class at your place! OC CRAFT CLUB: FREE!  open house for all local crafters and crafty indie business owners-come down and congregate with other local crafters for a night of drinks, snacks and informal crafting... RSVP required! INTRODUCING ONLINE REGISTRATION FOR CLASSES! to register click on the SIGN ME UP button next to the class you'd like on the website! for full descriptions of the classes click here registration closes 5 days before the class. NOTE: late registration is sometimes available - just ask! MARCH & APRIL REGISTER ONLINE @ WWW.THECRAFTKITCHEN.COM ----------------------------------------------------------------- SEWING 101-PILLOWS $45 saturday march 7th * 12-3pm click to sign up tuesday march 24th * 6-9pm click to sign up saturday april 11th * 11-2pm click to sign up thursday april 23rd * 6-9pm click to sign up ----------------------------------------------------------------- TRUFFLES: SIMPLE & SINFUL CHOCOLATES $30 + $5 supply fee sunday march 15th * 12-3pm click to sign up sunday april 5th * 12-3pm click to sign up ----------------------------------------------------------------- FABRIC VINTAGE INSPIRED YO-YO NECKLACES $40 wednesday march 11th * 6-9pm click to sign up wednesday april 8th * 6-9pm click to sign up ----------------------------------------------------------------- KNITTING 101 $45 thursday march 12th * 6:30-9pm click to sign up saturday april 11th * 3-6 pm click to sign up ----------------------------------------------------------------- MARBLE COLLAGE ACCESSORIES $40 + $10 supply fee saturday march 14th * 11-2pm click to sign up wednesday april 15th * 6-9pm click to sign up ----------------------------------------------------------------- KNITTING FINGERLESS GLOVES $40 tuesday march 17th * 6-9pm click to sign up wednesday april 1st * 6-9pm click to sign up ----------------------------------------------------------------- VINTAGE INSPIRED ECO-PAPER MACHE BROOCHES $50 saturday march 21st * 11-2pm click to sign up ----------------------------------------------------------------- KNITTY CRITTERS $40 sunday march 22st * 11-2pm click to sign up saturday april 18th * 3-6pm click to sign up bring the kids!!! ----------------------------------------------------------------- SEWING RETRO APRONS $45 thursday march 26th * 6-9pm click to sign up ----------------------------------------------------------------- SPRING EGG CREATIONS -unique egg dying technique using vintage ties * $30 + $5 supply fee saturday april 4th 11-2pm click to sign up bring the kids!!! ----------------------------------------------------------------- CANDLES 101- creating scented soy candles & decoupaged matchboxes * $45 + $10 supply fee tuesday april 7th * 6-9pm click to sign up ----------------------------------------------------------------- SEWING PAJAMA PANTS & APPLIQUE CAMISOLE $45 + $10 supply fee thursday april 9th * 6-9pm click to sign up ----------------------------------------------------------------- KNIT YOUR OWN SOCKS! $40 tuesday april 21th * 6-9pm click to sign up ----------------------------------------------------------------- PURSES 101 $45 wednesday march 18th * 6-9pm click to sign up saturday april 4th * 3-6pm click to sign up ----------------------------------------------------------------- CREATING NATURAL HANDMADE SPA GOODIES: soap, soy candles, scrubs, beeswax lip balm, lip gloss, spritzers & bath bombs $45 + $15 supply fee saturday march 14th * 3-6pm click to sign up wednesday march 25th 6-9pm click to sign up wednesday april 22nd * 6-9pm click to sign up bring the kids!!! ----------------------------------------------------------------- SCREENPRINTING 101 $100 + $75 supply fee saturday march 28th * 1-4:30pm click to sign up saturday april 25th * 1-4pm click to sign up ----------------------------------------------------------------- QUICK CRAFTS WORKSHOP:mini-blank books, soy candles, marble magnets & felt pins $45 + $15 supply fee tuesday march 10th * 6-9pm click to sign up thursday april 2nd * 6-9pm click to sign up ----------------------------------------------------------------- THE OC CRAFT CLUB MEETING come down and congregate with fellow local crafters for snacks & open studio crafting FREE thursday march 19th* 6-9pm click to rsvp thursday april 16th * 6-9pm click to rsvp ----------------------------------------------------------------- TRANSFORMING TEES (sewing, embellishing & stencil printing old tees)  $40 + $10 supply fee sunday march 22st* 3-6pm click to sign up thursday april 29th 6-9pm click to sign up ----------------------------------------------------------------- HOW TO USE A FLOWER LOOM to create vintage inspired flowers with cathy of california $50 + $15 supply fee saturday april 18th * 11-2pm click to sign up ----------------------------------------------------------------- CREATING SUSTAINABLE MOSS TERRARIUMS with robert mahar of mahar dry goods $45 + $10 supply fee saturday march 21st * 3-6pm click to sign up bring the kids!!! ----------------------------------------------------------------- BEGINING KNITTING AND CROCHETING MONDAY NIGHT DROP- IN CLASS $15 one class - $50 five classes every april monday night 6:30-9pm click to sign up ----------------------------------------------------------------- for full descriptions & pics of classes please go to the website www.thecraftkitchen.com OPPORTUNITIES ---------------------------------------------- the craft kitchen has opportunities in the following areas- intern: assist with classes, planning patchwork indie arts & crafts festival, assist with retail instructors: share your expertise in crafting with others by teaching a class at the craft kitchen. please email nicole@thecraftkitchen.com if you're interested. 2202 1/2 north main street santa ana, ca 92706 714.547.2787

I'm the smartest woman alive!!!

Soooooooooo....have you noticed anything new????  Hmmm????

I am very new to this blogy-ness...but have just figured out how to upload my adorable, fantabulous, amazing new banner.  Isn't it puuuuurty?  It took some time, a little bit of coffee, and some good use of my frustration tolerance and coping skills (can you tell I spend too much time working with kids)?

Anyway...

I still have lots to learn about the blogging world, but I am very excited about my new designs.

I found the most amazing designer on Etsy:  Rio Oso Designs

Angie is wonderful and was very patient with my Obsessive Compulsive Tendencies.

Look how fantastic these are:

My Blog Banner: 

My Etsy Banner: 

My Business Cards

I'm so very happy with everything.  I ordered my business cards today and can't wait to receive them.  I also ordered those business card magnets...who wouldn't want this adorable design on their fridge???

Well thanks for reading.  Happy Creating!

Let's get this party started:

Since soooooo many of you have asked to know more about me (well, maybe not...this is my first post and no one knows yet that I have a blog)...here is a semi-revised version of Facebooks 25 Random things about me, now entitled:

25 Random things you didn't know that you wanted to know about me.

1. I'm thinking of starting my own blog (check). Yes, I am that interesting...and Yes, you would read it and love it. I am pretty darn crafty. I have an idea for a craft/pattern book...and have taught many people to knit and crochet. I also wanna write a series of childrens books.

2. I can...sometimes...on occasion be just a little bit bossy.

3. I m the wurst spellur in the hole wurld.

4. My birthday is in December, I started kindergarten early, was always the youngest in my class and went to college when I was 17.

5. College was the greatest time of my life....I was an R.A., played volleyball, and studied for a semester in Salzburg, Austria. I was a graduate assistant while getting my M.A. and think someday I'd like to teach Undergrad Psychology classes.

6. I thought dogs were okay, until I met Bailey (the greatest chocolate lab ever)...fell in love...and it's been all over since.

7. Making up songs is one of my favorite pastimes....I sing random "original" songs to myself in the car, and songs that I make up to my dogs in which I insert their names, but would be far too embarrassed to ever let you hear. I am pretty weird...and am hoping to keep that secret.

8. My love language is Quality Time.

9. I'm kinda nerdy. I love learning. Pretty much about anything at all. If there is something random that I don't know, I will google it and text you an hour later to give you all of the necessary info that you never wanted to know.

10. I watch re-runs of Will & Grace and Friends daily.

11. I love love love books....the texture, the smell, the way they look on shelves. Love them. My new book shelf is my favorite piece of furniture.

12. I looooooooooove jamies. Sometimes I day dream of leaving a tough day at work and going home to a cozy pair of jamies. I got footie jamies for my birthday this year....they are fantastic.

13. On occasion I have been told that my order at Starbucks is "high maintenance". Some friends refuse to stand next to me while I order...others who are ordering for me will hand their phone to the barista so that I can deliver the order personally.
I only drink decaf. I did a detox over the summer, and kicked the caffeine...just can't kick the junk completely. At this point...it's more a psychological addiction.

14. I played volleyball, basketball, and softball for 4 years in high school, and was MVP of all 3 my senior year (and athlete of the year).

15. I can't wait to have a family, but hate dating, and kinda like being single.

16. I refused to play charades until I was 25 years old (I was too embarrassed)...now game nights are my favorite.

17. "Hooker" is my all time favorite word...now that I crochet, I can use it on a more regular basis (in socially acceptable ways).

18. I want to adopt children someday.

19. I was raised as an only child (see #2).

20. My grandparents are my favorite people on the planet.

21. I loooooooooove my work. I can't imagine not having a job that contributes to others. If I had to work at a desk, or punch a 9-5 time clock, I would jump out of a window.

22. I like to say that I want to punch people in the throat...(but I hardly ever actually do it).

23. I love therapy...doing it and being in it. Self reflection, growing, and enlightenment are neat.

24. I think I'm pretty hilarious.

25. I could easily go on...and on...and on...

Thanks for reading....we'll see how all of this unfolds.  :)