The weekend is always a little better with Vino.

This weekend was Alex's birthday. (my homegirl, Sharon's hubby)

To celebrate, we headed to my parent's cabin located in the Shenandoah Valley. This area is not only wine country, but is surrounded by lots of mountains, trees and breathtaking views and vistas. It is only an hour east of Sacramento, but being that there are over 40 wineries, it usually takes us about 4-5 hours to get to the cabin. (hiccup)

I only managed to take a few photos, but I wanted to share a winery that is now one of our favorites! Mt. Aukum Winery.

Not only is the vino off the hook, (Petit Syrah won double gold in the San Francisco Chronicle competition, which is one of the most prestigious competitions in the country. so we were told), but the views and wine pourers were amazing. I wanted to share some pics, so you wouldn't have to just take my word for it. :D

We had so much fun, and I hope to visit this winery again. We finally made it to the cabin, that is located on top of a steep ridge, where we bbq'd it up and had a fabulous dinner.

Later, the boys passed out watching tv, and I gave Sharon a tutorial class on making little books out of paper lunch bags. If it weren't for craft hour, we probably would have been passed out like the boys by 9:00pm. (rankers)

Sunday was followed by a wonderful breakfast, some more chillin and then we packed up and headed back to Sacramento. I tell ya, a little time away from the hustle and bustle was just what the doctor ordered!

Do you Twitter?

Madonna Shrine
Originally uploaded by Sacred Snatch Designs

If so, you can add me here.
http://twitter.com//sacredsnatch

Also, please feel free to break it down to me! lol. I noticed there are some big names out there, and darn it, if I don't need another addiction right now, right now.

I do have to admit, some Twitters are a heck of a lot more productive than I am these days!

On that note, here is an altoid tin Shrine I just finished for a swap. My partner loves kitch and collects Virgin Mary's and Madonnas.

I had fun with this one!

Happy Friday people!

Beary Adorable. (A boy meets girl story)

Hey everyone, After my blog on the Bear I made for my nephew, I recieved this wonderful letter from one of my readers! I was so touched with her story, I asked if I could repost it and blog it here for your enjoyment. She gladly agreed, and I hope it puts a smile on your face. I just love Amore and Romance!

Thanks for Sharing Belia! Best wishes to you and your "Sweetie"

(pictures may take a minute to load, but well worth the wait!)

From: *La BabyBruja*C/S
Date: Apr 3, 2008 1:10 PM


Senorita Sacred Snatch-
Yay! After I saw your bear I got inspired and made my own. Here’s the story of my osito... my companero-sweetie always tells me how the first time we met I was wearing this red shirt, which was decorated with the phrase "Enjoy California" in the Coca-Cola logo style.
I felt sorta self-conscious when I put it on because I knew a little about Coca-Cola’s anti-union worker abuses in Colombia, but I figured I wanted to rep California here in NYC, and most people wouldn’t make the connection anyway.
And then I met him, a lefty-Colombiano who had done some organizing against Coca-Coal’s labor practices in Colombia. Of course, he didn’t think the shirt was so cute. But he used it as a conversation opener to ask me about Cali- and then it was on!
Anyway, I washed it, and it hella shrank, but I kept it for the sentimental value and always hoped I could figure out something to do with it.
As soon as I saw your bear, I knew how to turn it into an awesome gift! I even stuffed it with a little mushy love message letter hidden inside.
So, thanks for passing on the inspiration, and I LOVE your blog and all your awesome craftiness.
-Belia LaBabyBruja


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I am so Proud of my SCM Sistas.............

I’m just so dangded proud of my sisters in the Sacramento Craft Mafia!

Handmade, with attitude

The Sacramento Craft Mafia has a social edge ... and a lot of fun

By Alison apRoberts -

Published 12:00 am PDT Tuesday, April 8, 2008Story appeared in SCENE section, Page E1

Melody Claussen-Furry, left, Katie Reeves and Amy Cluck are members of the Sacramento Craft Mafia, a group devoted to making things by hand. Michael Allen Jones / mjones@sacbee.com

Members of the Sacramento Craft Mafia are armed and dangerously intent on making one-of-a-kind merchandise you’ll find hard to refuse.

Wielding the weapons of their crafts, from knitting needles to glue guns, members recently met under cover of darkness on the back patio of the Coffee Garden in Curtis Park to share techniques and cupcakes, and plan some upcoming sales events.

Amy Cluck, founding crafter of the group, called the meeting to order by pounding a gavel, ingeniously created by another member using mini-flower pots and empty thread spools.

"We decided at the last meeting we’re going to use parliamentary procedure," Cluck explained as she called the group to order.

The group, which has about 20 active members – all women – and just celebrated its first anniversary, is part of a much larger do-it-yourself movement that brings an indie-alternative vibe to crafting.

Some of the techniques and implements being used here would be familiar to your grandmother, but there are no blue-hairs tatting antimacassars in this group. Instead, there are a few tattoos and some hot-fuchsia and goth-black coifs among the group of crafters, mostly in their 20s and 30s. Some have day jobs and some are stay-at-home moms; they all have crafting in common.

The crafts they create are edgy variations on tradition, including earrings made from guitar picks; coasters adorned with the image of Lizzie Borden on one side, her trusty ax on the other; necklaces made from buttons; baby clothes adorned with whimsical appliqués; and handmade coffee-cup cuffs.

"We’re big on googly eyes and glitter," says Cluck, 29, who lives in Carmichael.

From virtual to reality

The Sacramento Craft Mafia arose in an utterly modern way – an Internet-enabled cultural phenomenon that transformed a virtual community into a group that meets face-to-face and hosts events in the real world.

Cluck had seen the Web site of the original Craft Mafia, started in 2003 by nine women in Austin, Texas. Since its founding, the Texas group has spawned more than 40 other Craft Mafias – from Anchorage to New York City and even abroad to Glasgow, Scotland.

Cluck decided to start a Sacramento Craft Mafia group and began with a MySpace community page. Now, the group has a Web site, including a logo with a double-barreled sassy attitude: a silhouette of a ’40s-style moll holding a glue gun with the Capitol dome behind her. (Cluck, who is a Web designer professionally, created the logo.)

The growing crafting scene, including the local Craft Mafia, relies on the Internet marketplace, particularly a site called Etsy (www.etsy.com) where even the smallest-scale crafter can easily sell handmade items. Unlike eBay, it’s not an auction site; prices are set, and it feels and looks like an online crafts fair. Etsy charges 20 cents to list an item for four months, and it takes a 3.5 percent commission on sales.

Etsy, which started in June 2005 and is based in Brooklyn, claims that more than 100,000 sellers have opened "Etsy shops." These micro-entrepreneurs are part of a global and ultimately revolutionary enterprise, according to the Web site, which says, "Our vision is to build a new economy and present a better choice: Buy, sell and live handmade."

Dream globally, act locally

Such global dreams are part of the crafting phenomenon’s social-movement dimension, complete with a countercultural, political tone that appeals to those interested in living more simply and greenly (many popular crafts use recycled material). Its earnestness shows up in terms like "craftivism" and the online circulation of "buy handmade" pledges.

Not sure if handmade is really hip and artsy here in Sacramento? You’ll be certain if you take the time to check out the crafts for sale during Second Saturday art events.

The Sacramento Craft Mafia has grown large enough that only those referred by current members are eligible to join. It costs $20 for six months to be a member.

The group’s craft-sales events represent a chance to get some collective publicity and provides an opportunity for those members who have sold only online and never experienced the thrills and chills of person-to-person transactions.

"As a group, it’s easier to bring attention to ourselves," Cluck said.

None of the Craft Mafia members has struck it rich, but they seem to be happy if they can feed their craft-hobby habit.

"To break even is awesome," says Katie Reeves, 25, who lives in Oak Park and embellishes baby clothes with hand-designed and stitched appliqués.

Have glue gun, will craft

The meeting feels like a mix of support group, tea party and summer camp craft table. The get-togethers are clearly relished gatherings.

"These girls are great; they’re a community," said Briana Monroe, 26, who works as a project coordinator for a construction company. In her crafting life, she paints chairs and upholsters them into works of art.

Besides a night out with gal pals, the gatherings keep the members crafting.

"This feeds the desire to be creative," says Stacey Ball, 32, who makes crafts using vintage buttons, including knitted hats.

Just being around this group is enough to make a noncrafter consider making something by hand.

"My sister joined first, and I became an honorary member," said Angel Walsh, 30, who lives in Citrus Heights. The Craft Mafia embroidered its way into Walsh’s heart, leading her to take up paper crafting, creating cards and flowers. "I finally decided to get off my butt and craft."

Melody Claussen-Furry, a founding member of the Sacramento Craft Mafia, made these necklaces. Michael Allen Jones / mjones@sacbee.com

Craft Con Gala (Last Saturday)

Last Saturday, Krissi and I packed our box of Crafty Chica Goodness and hit the road to San Francisco. (I don't know why my words are underlined, and it is annoying me, because I can't undo it)

Anyhoo, we arrived early, so we got a good grubbin bite to eat at the Connecticut Yankee .
(Thanks Krissi!) After a big ol sammich and some cold beer, we headed over to the Urban Art Farm. Where we proceeded to spread out our crafty station. You see, We were going to school these Craftistas on the art of Shrine making, courtesy of the Divine Crafty Chica!

Right out the gate, people were parking themselves in front of our table and getting busy! We originally set up our station to accommodate 3 people, but because we were rawkin the house, before we knew it, we had up to 7 people standing around at a time gluing, cutting and shaking LOTS of GLITTER all around! Krissi and I were embedded with glitter. For real! I left a pile of it at the gas station on the way home!

Before we knew it, 11:00 was fast approaching, and I told Krissi, we better start breaking down, or we would be here all night. We even had to graciously turn some late comers down:(

After packing up our pony show, we headed home (90 minute ride) after dropping off my fellow Craft Sista, Amy of Peptogirl (Do Check out her blog!) at her hotel in the HEART of the Mission.

Ok, enough chat, picture time...............


Here are a couple of Chicas jumping right in and getting busy!



I was putting out like nobody's business! Here are a few of my creations.






This was an awesome shrine made by a very cute crafty Chico! I ooohed and awwwed over it so much, he gave it to me. (Score!)



Most creative goes to this Chica! A G string Shrine! Genious!


lol! Thanks again Kathy, we had a ball and you know we always "Got your Back!"

Crafty Style Gala at Craft Congress in San Francisco!

Crafty Style Gala at Craft Congress!

Come out and visit me and my partner in crime, Krissi at the Crafty Gala this Saturday. We will be giving tutorials on Matchbox shrines and we will be reppin and utilizing Crafty Chica's new product line. Be the first, to sift your fingers through her glittery goodness! Trust me, it is all muey bueno!

See you Saturday!



Craft Con and Pandora's Trunk present
Saturday, April 5 8-11:30pm

Crafty Style Gala

Urban Art Farm SF
1345A 17th St @ Connecticut (MUNI 19/22/T)
http://craftcon.org/gala

Live Music - Cake and Sake - Live Art
$4 formalwear or costume / $7 general admission

Live art and fashion construction by Onerary and Architect G from Pandora’s Trunk

Magical realist paintings by Alfonso Kellenberger

Live ambient soundscapes quartet with Mika Pontecorvo
electric cello, guitar/flute, electronics/percussion and drums

Photobooth (play dress-up)

DIY craft station (make yer own souvenirs with Yoli from Sacred Snatch Designs!)

Food and drink

Meet n Greet indie artists from nationwide: Savvy indie artists and artisans from all over the country are visiting in town to attend Craft Con, http://craftcon.org, a business development conference for the craft community. The Crafty Style Gala is an opportunity for San Francisco's unique local arts scene to meet the nationwide leaders of the recent craft resurgence and show them what is unique about our culture!
http://craftcon.org/gala

Before and After! Muah to Missy B!

Before..................................... (11-04-07)




After..............................................(3-31-08, Ok, I still need to stitch shut his leg, but I was too excited and wanted to post)

My how they grow so fast! teejee, Actually, the first pic is my adorable nephew. Last August, before he was born, I bought him the I Love New York sleeper when we were on vacation. Yes, it is true, I love New York, so I just had to by the cheesy sleeper for him. I don't think my sister was feeling it, because after he was born, I would ask her, "Have you put the sleeper on him yet?" She would always make up some lame excuse that it was too big for him. Whatever! So in November, I offered to change his diaper and as I changed him, I ransacked his drawers and found the sleeper, threw it on him and snapped away. I figured, it would be the only time he was going to rawk it, and he would be outgrowing it soon.

Guess what, I was right, and to my sister's relief, it no longer fit him. I was sad to know that it barely served it's purpose, so I asked for the sleeper and told her I would donate it or do something fun with it.

Fast forward to a few weeks ago, and the ever so Hawt and clever Missy Ballence.
offered a free Bear pattern on her blog. I downloaded it and finally, last night I put it to work! Now Lil Anthony can continue to show his support for NYC! Genius! Thanks Missy!

Buahahahahahahha ::evil cackle::