The Big Booty Club (BBC)

Hello friends!
If you've been following me on Facebook for a while, you may have heard of a thing called The Big Booty Club.

   In the beginning of May, 2014, (my newly sister-in-law) Angie and I founded The Big Booty Club (BBC). It all began when we made skirts from online sewing tutorials and continuously knocked down things in her room with our "rumps".

   "It's because we both have big butts."
   "Big booty club!"

5/3/14 Making skirts

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   So Angie and I started a shared album on Facebook that we of course titled "Big Booty Club (BBC) Craft Sessions". There, we detailed every photo with dates, memories, and the specific craft we were working on. We also frequented Taco Bell and shouted "BBC!" a lot, which, as we more recently discovered, means something else...don't google it please.

Mother's Day mosaics! May 2014

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Making cut-off shorts June 2014

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​   So basically, we continued to upload numerous crafts for about a year. Literally a month after I started the BBC Facebook album, I created the blog. Hence why the name "Grins & Needles" references sewing. We were in a craft kick, okay?

   But the question is: why did I stop documenting our craft sessions? Was it because she and I both got too busy and tired to document our crafting and thrifting adventures? Why did I never put anything on the blog? Well, today, I bring to you...
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Dayton Photoshoot and Beaded Crafts: June 29, 2018

   Angie and I, both rather introverted and anxious, decided collectively that we both wanted to get out of our comfort zones and try new things. We've done photoshoots and crafts before, but she and I both want to create more. We want to get out more. We want to explore new places together.

   So we started the day by going out on the town, near the Oregon District, taking some fun, quirky photographs for the blog and for Instagram. Plus, I told her I wanted to start bringing the BBC to the blog. So we wanted to embrace all of the cool plants, sculptures, doorways, and walls.

   
   It's embarrassing how many shots and poses we tried to use against the same walls, but come on, when you have a cool wall, you have to do the absolute most in hopes that at least one shot turned out decent.
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   And, as I mentioned, there was a lot of fun doorway action as well. This was one of those moments where we'd pose by a doorway that was literally on a street corner. Cars and pedestrians all about. It was definitely a moment of stepping out of our comfort zones. Not to mention me wearing a crop top. Definitely a weird thing I'm trying out.
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   In general, our walk around the block was super relaxing. We both put our artistic vision to work every time we saw cool plants, potential with angles, and different lighting techniques. She and I are both very artsy, so we just enjoyed trying out all kinds of things with the camera. And I definitely loved coming home at the end of the day to edit our shots.

   My top spots to shoot photos are definitely those that include plants and architecture, especially buildings and walls that seem to be breaking down a bit. To me, those have the most character. Spots that Angie suggested were bright, colorful, and ones that incorporated beautiful art pieces. She also liked that brick wall, though. We both were undoubtedly in love with that one. So yeah, Angie found these cool mosaic murals and we decided to make the most of them. These were definitely some of my favorite shots to brighten up.

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   I also love that Angie picked that spot because, not only is the artwork gorgeous, but the imperfections on the sidewalk below add that extra bit of character that I mentioned previously. Our next artistic shots revolved around a school of arts. There, we found fun plants, cool sculptures, and plenty of gorgeous photo opportunities. Okay, I got a bit carried away with the plants. But I just couldn't help myself.

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   And finally, we made it to the fun sculptures and things. Like I said, I got a bit carried away with the plants on the way there.

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   It was just so refreshing to get outside, take artsy photographs, and wear something different than I normally wear. Going out with Angie helps me relieve any stresses and depressive thoughts that I've been experiencing lately. Just taking a camera with me and using it as a creative outlet helps so, so much. And the fact that she and I both have felt like hermits lately lets me know that I'm not alone in this feeling of needing to get out of my comfort zone.

   When we got home, we pulled out her plethora of beads and began creating little things. I made myself a key chain and a little rear-view-mirror-hanging-thing, and she made herself a little bracelet. Finally, all two of us BBC members reunited and completed a craft together (joined by some kitties, of course).

In the works: My rear-view-mirror-hanging-thing (w/ a reminder to breathe)

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My finished skull key chain

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Angie's final product: a bracelet

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   So yeah! I guess that kind of wraps up the first of (hopefully) many Big Booty Club posts. It's always so exciting looking back on the memories and seeing what all we've made and how we've changed! I can't wait to make this a big part of the blog (and so people will finally stop asking what "needles" refers to in my blog title). Thank you guys for allowing me to cram a lot into today's post! Maybe next time I'll split them up and create some DIYs as well so you can also become members of such an exclusive club.
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June 2015

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June 2018

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Thank you all for reading! What sorts of crafts would you like to see Angie and me make next?

Keep on grinning!

​Lydia