garbella

My beautiful sister got married this past weekend. The wedding was so much fun (after all the stressful planning, organizing, prepping was over). We had a great time. My mom is super crafty and has always been a do-it-yourselfer. Since I was a child, she has always made the curtains, pillows, pajamas, house decor, you-name-it. So when it came to my sister’s wedding, she did it all! Admittedly, it was a stressful ordeal, but my Mom’s touches made the wedding really special for my sister and her new husband. I helped out along the way too with the initial design of the invitation (we made them), the favors (see below) and with my sister’s jewelry (below too).

Things we made: save-the-dates, invitations, favors, bouquets, boutonnieres, place-cards, jewelry, centerpieces, flower arrangements. I am sure that there is a lot more, but that is all I can remember for now.

Necklace from the front

Necklace from behind

wedding favors (magnet) love in different languages

Now that the wedding is over, I can get back to crafting for the upcoming shows.

Handmade Arcade

Hunt Armory in Shadyside- Pittsburgh, PA
Saturday Nov. 8th- 11 AM-7 PM
Sunday Nov. 9th- 11 AM- 5 PM

Craftland!
Providence, RI
235 Westminster Street, Providence, RI
Craftland 2008 will be open 7 days a week from December 5-24, 2008.

CityCraft Handmade Holiday Happy Hour Market
Thursday, December 18th, 2008
5-9 PM
Navarra (next to Bossa Nova) 131 Seventh Street (Downtown)
Pittsburgh, PA

Bazaar Bizarre- Cleveland
Sat. Dec. 13th (12 PM- 9 PM)
Sun. Dec. 14th (12 PM- 6 PM)
78th Street Studios: 1300 W. 78th St to 1305 W. 80th St., North parking lot, North entrance — accessible from W. 78th OR W 80th St.

As it gets colder outside, I was trying to warm up by thinking about some summer highlights. One that stands out was getting to see some of my neighbors and students perform their original songs and dances in a few different venues.

I designed and printed the “Lil Kiziguwaz” shirts for the dance troupe and hip hop group. They performed at the MGR Foundation Youth Peace Rally in Market Square in front of hundreds of people, at a Somali wedding for hundreds of friends and family, and at the Lawrenceville United Summer Celebration at Arco Park at the end of summer. Mayor Luke Ravenstahl was there to watch them perform! and to honor Lawrenceville United for their programming for Lawrenceville Youth this summer.

I am designing some new shirts for the Lil Kiziguwaz and they are hoping to set up some more performances for this Fall.

Mayor Luke Ravenstahl watches the Lil Kiziguwaz perform wearing the shirts that I designed and printed for them!