Wednesday, January 26, 2011

L O V E ?

You can call me irrational, insane, or just plain crazy. There are some holidays I absolutely love. There are some I tolerate. And there are some I just don't like. Take New Year's Eve. Never liked it. 1. I don't drink. So what is the point of celebrating it really. And 2. I don't have a special someone to share it with. However, I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Valentine's Day. I always have. Maybe it's the paper doilies. Or the candy message hearts. (I only eat the white & pink ones). Every year I make my own Valentines to give. One year I had a party and forced everyone to make a Valentine to exchange---even the boys had to make one.

Well this year I've been on a quest to find the perfect crochet heart.

This is my first attempt. I wanted a puffy felted heart. So I double layered the hearts and joined them with a decorative border. Then I felted the wool in my washing machine. The result: LUMPY. Yuck.


Second attempt. This heart turned out really cute. I should have used a smaller hook. But I didn't like all the steps. Too much fastening off and rejoining yarn.


My final attempt. WINNER! WINNER! WINNER! This little heart it so cute! The only problem I had is that I ran out of stuffing. So I had to borrow some from another unfinished crochet project. But it's adorable, right? You can get your very own for FREE when you make a purchase at FlyAKite now through January 30th. We're celebrating our 1 year Etsyversary and want to give every customer a little something to show our appreciation.

Part of the reason I love Valentine's Day is that I am a hopeless romantic. It's true. I believe in soul mates. I just think my soul mate has gotten lost. I hope one day we find each other. My Mr. Wonderful is out there somewhere. In the meantime, I will continue to re-read my Jane Austins and dream.

Share love!

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Guess Who's 1?


It's our one year anniversary at FlyAKite on Etsy!

= Etsyversary!

We've expanded our line from the initial kite design we started with. 
It's been fun.
And we're adding new things all the time.

Now thru 01/30 save 10% on your entire purchase
by using coupon code:

CELEBRATE

Plus, you'll receive a darling hand crocheted gift with purchase.
Just in time for Valentine's Day.

Who doesn't love a sale & free gifts?
Stop on by & tell your friends!



Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Share the L O V E


Had so much fun taking photos today with D.D.'s camera. Thanks for sharing sis!

To be listed soon on FlyAKite!


Monday, January 10, 2011

THE. King. Of. Cool.


For Christmas this year in our family we didn't exchange gifts. Santa found us just the same. A few thoughtful gifts. Under the tree for me was Steve McQueen. The Life and Legend of a Hollywood Icon by Marshall Terrill. This is Terrill's second McQueen book, and in my opinion, the better of the two. (I also own the first book, Steve McQueen: Portrait of an American Rebel). Terrill explains why he wrote the second book himself when he says, "I was 25 and a recent college graduate" when he wrote the first book. Which incidentally became an instant best seller. "I fell prey to the 'McQueen Mystique.'"




The second book takes a deeper examination of McQueen's childhood and young adult years, and with the help of clinical psychologist Peter O. Whitmer, attempts to explain how these events shaped McQueen's character and influenced his thought processes.




Your heart with break for a young Steve, who after being abandoned by his irresponsible father and his promiscuous, alcoholic mother, finds himself in reform school. He never went home for holidays. He had no home. You'll ache for the boy waiting for his mother, "Steve got up early in the morning and had his bag packed and was sitting out on the front porch waiting for her. All day long he waited, and she didn't show up. He finally gave up at ten o'clock at night and went back inside and burst into tears. He cried very, very hard. He was destroyed by this."



His emotional problems partially explain his behavior later in life, and make it a little easier to understand why he behaved as he did. If you're like me, you will still hate him for the way he treated the women in his life and certain friends and acquaintances. 


There is no denying the magnetic way McQueen dominates the screen. His subtle acting speaks volumes. I am currently on a McQueen movie marathon. I don't own all his movies, yet.


After McQueen married his third wife he found God and discovered his spirituality. He didn't make amends with everyone he had wronged, but tried to apologize to the ones he could. He also always made time to visit the reform school he was sent to as a boy. He visited with the boys and supported the school with donations. He was also a good father to his children.



Unfortunately Steve McQueen's life was cut short by mesothelioma. Working with asbestos while in the Marines and hard living contributed his abbreviated existence. He crammed a lot of living into 50 years.


Most people remember the first time they watched a McQueen film. I was in high school. It was Papillon. I watched it with my dad. It was then my love affair with McQueen began. I know he is no role model, but I can't help myself. 


In some small way I feel that Steve McQueen is part of my heritage. My parents first date was to a Steve McQueen film, The Towering Inferno


The KING of COOL.






Friday, January 7, 2011

Our BIGGEST Sale Ever!

We've gone a little crazy over at Sylvia-Louise
Our one of a kind handbags are 25-60% off! 
PLUS buy one bag and get another bag 50% OFF the already discounted price! 
WOW!!!


SUPER Sale runs January 7-9.
Refund will be given on the lowest priced bag through paypal.

We're in the process of re-strategizing Sylvia-Louise. Take advantage of this once in a lifetime sale.

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Happy 2011!


Seeing as it is the new year, we'd like to start off the year by giving back. 
The only catch? We need more blog followers. 
Follow us with google friend connect. 
Help us reach 30 followers by the end of January and we'll put together a neat package 
full of Sylvia-Louise and FlyAKite goodies to give away!

Tell your friends!

And Happy New Year!!!