A really awful way to find out people care about you - **Updated**

I've been cleaning up the hugest mess all day. Earlier today (Friday), my Gmail account was hacked. The one I've had forever, the one that's linked to everything. And then, shortly after, my outdated but still linked to lots of things Yahoo email was hacked. And then, apparently, an old Facebook account that I can no longer get into. And then I'm pretty sure the world burst into flames.
To sum up, no, I'm not mugged and penniless in London. Actually, I've never been to London. I'm home with a newborn. These shysters made up quite the worrying message to beg money off of everyone I've ever emailed.
I've been utterly inundated with concerned phone calls, texts, tweets, carrier pigeons, etc etc etc making sure that I'm okay, and that I know I've been hacked. (I know.)
If you received one of these horrid email turds, please delete it. And accept my sincere apologies that you had to look at such nonsense. And accept this metaphorical ice cream cone.
If you're one of the concerned ones who contacted me in some way, the above still applies, but please accept TWO metaphorical ice cream scoops. I love you.

**Update - 4/30**
I just received a screen shot of the email that was sent out. Turns out, they want you to reply to an Yahoo email address that is very close to mine that they set up for EVIL. I don't use Yahoo, haven't for a few years.
I am so creeped out and frustrated right now. Eeeep.

I wanna blog!

I've been a terrible blogger lately, but I have the very best of excuses.
I had a BABY!

and
I have writer's block!

For awhile I was convinced that no one would want to hear what I have to say anymore (see BABY, above). Or that I had nothing to say. (Again, BABY.)
It turns out that I want to hear what I have to say. And really, isn't blogging just shouting into the void, anyway? In all honesty, it feels like there's a step missing when I make stuff if I don't post about it online somewhere in hopes of having someone say "Ooooh, pretty."
All this is just to say hey, I'm not going anywhere, it's just taking me awhile to get there. Ooh, there's a depressing turn of phrase.
AND!
If you're a crafty/making stuff kind of momma, I want to hear from you. I'm planning a new interview series. Email me if you want to be featured! absolutelysmall {{{at}}} gmail.com

Flickr Finds - Craft Room Organization

There's very little that is as inspiring to me as looking at a vibrant, organized studio or craft room. Possibly because my own vibrant studio is never that organized.



1. Fat Quarters/Half Yard Bundles, 2. sewing space 2, 3. My creative space, 4. Craft Room

(pssst! If you can't get enough of this sort of thing, check out the Craft Rooms group on Flickr!)

If you'd like to see one of your Flickr finest in an upcoming feature, post it to our group: http://www.flickr.com/groups/absolutelysmall/

Baby crafting, the first three months

It took me awhile to get my crafty mojo back. Actually, I'm still working on getting it back. Ideas and motivation aren't lacking, it's simply lack of time that's the problem. Oh, and energy.
Anyway, I did manage to squeeze a few projects in here and there. Such as these little shoes:

The pattern is from Making Children's Clothes by Emma Hardy. I'm not usually one for using or following patterns, but the pattern for these shoes was super easy to use. I can't wait to try out more patterns from this book.

The top fabric is from my beloved Superbuzzy, and the polka dot lining is vintage. (Another under the house find!) The soles are made from suede.

These shoes went so well that I decided to make a dressier pair out of pleather.

Yeah.
Ahem.

This pair went fine until the strap. Okay, sleep deprivation + inside outy lefty righty shoe construction = misapplied straps. Ooops. I'm too embarrassed to let her wear them in public, actually.

Here's hoping the next three months will contain a little more time and energy to make stuff.

Tweet, tweet.

Instead of showering or finishing a shrug that Olive will never wear or cleaning or eating lunch, I've been fiddling around with That Can Be My Next Tweet.
I blame The Bloggess.
Basically, the site takes what you've tweeted previously, and churns it into new and exciting tweets you can use, such as:


And:

New post on TYoLS! Luke, use the last night! Who designed these things? Seriously, it's out again? Agggh.

Doing OK, how to prove it! Joss Whedon ftw! Ahhhh!! Yes. I know WHAT YOU'RE SINGING!

It was the last week of all things- including moderation. Jaques Pepin photo by Headache.

Thanks for all the creative response to cry. Nice! Ha! I can't waddle around anymore!

Really happy with felt scraps in the search. ^_^ I'll make Joss Whedon wearing a disturbance in felt...

Apparently, I tweet about Joss Whedon more than I thought I did.
But it's not just a handy funhouse snapshot of what you tweet about. There's also profound gobledygook, such as:

This one was my personal favorite:

Visual Caffeine

You will do foolish things, but do them with enthusiasm.

-Colette

Your turn! Do you have a quote or a photo that you think would make a good Visual Caffeine post? Email me using the Contact tab above!

10 Fantastic Creativity Quotes

1. While most people in the arts think they have to be constantly looking forward to be edgy and creative....the real secret of creativity is to go back and remember.
-Twyla Tharp

2. Creativity comes from trust. Trust your instincts. And never hope more than you work.
-Rita Mae Brown

3. Anyone can do anything with a million dollars. Look at Disney. But it takes more than money to make something out of nothing, and look at the fun I have doing it.
-Tressa Prisbey

4. Don't worry about originality. You couldn't get rid of it even if you wanted to. It will stick with you and show you up for better or worse in spite of all you or anyone else can do.
-Robert Henri

5. The secret of the creative life is how to feel at ease with your own embarrassment. We're all in the dirty laundry business and we're being paid to take risks and look silly. Race car drivers get paid to risk their lives in a more concrete way; we get paid to risk our lives in an emotional way.
-Paul Schrader

6. One does not discover new lands without consenting to loose sight of the shore for a very long time.
-Andre Gide

7. What if you just did it your own way - no rules, no right or wrong, just what you think is beautiful?
-Sandra Magsamen

8. Stuff your eyes with wonder, live as if you'd drop dead in ten seconds. See the world. It's more fantastic than any dream made or paid for in factories. Ask no guarantees, ask for no security, there never was such an animal. And if there were, it would be related to the great sloth which hangs upside down in a tree all day every day, sleeping it's life away.
-Ray Bradbury

9. Always be a first rate version of yourself, instead of a second rate version of somebody else.
-Judy Garland

10. Just stop thinking, worrying, looking over your shoulder, wondering, doubting, fearing, hurting, hoping for some easy way out, struggling,gasping, confusing, itching, scratching, mumbling, bumbling, grumbling, humbling, stumbling, rumbling, rambling, gambling, tumbling, scribbling, scrambling, hitching, hatching, bitching, moaning, groaning, honing, boning, searching, perching, besmirching, grinding grinding grinding away at yourself. Stop it and just DO. Try and tickle something inside you, your "weird humor". Don't worry about cool, make your own uncool. If you fear it, make it work for you- draw and paint your fear and anxiety. And stop worrying about big, deep things such as "to decide on a purpose and way of life". You must practice being stupid, dumb, unthinking, empty. Then you will be able to DO! Try to do some BAD work. The worst you can think of and see what happens but mainly relax and let everything go to hell.
-Sol LeWitt