What's on my work table

Here's what's been on my work table:

 Remember those Zentangles I started?  Well..I decided I needed a carrying case for them. And when looking through my fabrics, I came across a needlebook kit I received from Charlotte Lyons.

I didn't need another needlebook -- but it was just right for making a book to hold my Zentangle squares and writing implements.

The outside is this beautiful red and green vintage quilt piece; I edged in in some matching thread and tied it with a piece of cloth ribbon that was also included in the kit.  I just love it!

More little hearts...

I was going to decorate them more, but decided they looked adorable with some bright pink seam binding, crinkled and tied around each one.

This is a Valentine I made the other day for my dear husband.

Don't worry, he never reads my blog so it won't ruin the surprise!

I used an old cabinet card with a nice looking guy on it.  He reminded me of my husband.

He clutches a cane or a stick of some sort, and at first I was going to glue a flower motif over it, so it looks like he's holding a bouquet.  But then I got distracted when I decided to open up a tiny envelope containing a watch spring...and it came out so sweetly curled!

I attached it to the card using washi tape, and used the little envelope, too.

I really love how it turned out.

Here's what I did with some of those wooly hearts I stitched: I sewed a pinback on each and secured them with seam binding to packages of Conversation Hearts (Sweethearts)

My crazy quilting class is moving along; here's my class block, pieced and hooped.

It's far from perfect but I am still quite proud of it.  Piecing is not my strong suit.
Actually -- nothing that takes a lot of precision is.

Next I will begin embroidering fancy seams!

 And...here is the completed cage doll.

 Since I showed it to you last, I dry brush painted the "cage" pink... 

 and hung all kinds of pretty findings to it!

 The little watch parts vial is glass and I poured some glitter into the bottom of it.

 Other danglies include a Scrabble tile with my initial on it, beads, various textile trims,

 a tiny tag, a vintage bobbin...

 buttons and a pretty chandelier crystal.

 

What do you think of my flower-y tablecloth?  It is a thrift store find, by Ralph Lauren.  I always love his fabrics.  It matches my kitchen "green" very well and has lots of dark reds and purple in it, which is also a theme in my home.  Best of all, it was 50% off and I got it for $1.98.

A Valentine banner, and other hearts

 I've been free form hand stitching little hearts.

 These are the wool ones I showed you last time; thank you for all the encouragement, by the way!

I covered them in stitches with bright perle cotton

 I edged these hearts in black thread; their shapes are very "loose"

 I couldn't resist doing a white on white heart with vintage laces over it

 I might add three perfect little pearl buttons to the front -- I bet you can guess just where!

 More free stitching, on tiny hearts

The red one looks a little too Christmas-y, no?

I think I like this one best.

I told you I was going to take some time out for paper art last Saturday, and so I did.  I made a Valentine banner.

 I bought the chipboard pennants very inexpensively at Tuesday Morning a while back...

 and covered them front and back with a selection of papers.

 I wanted it to have a vintage feel, so most of the elements are antique.

 I really enjoyed the process of choosing some good stuff to use, like very old doilies...

 and this antique crepe paper Valentine.

 I mixed old and new and I really had a ball!

 I strung them together with red tulle and decorated each of the holes with tiny silver toned brads.

I wanted to put something, like coffee filter roses, on the back of each pennant -- maybe I will in the future.

Are you festooning your home with pink and hearts and flowers for February?



Born to do this

I had a very peaceful time at my table, creating this canvas the other day.

 I made it on a canvas covered board and used paint, gesso, and mostly new papers.  But also some antique wall paper.

 The quote on this scrapbook paper really spoke to me: I am not afraid, I was born to do this.

The pen tells you what that destiny is -- writing:

all the story-telling I have been wanting to do, and how important it is to me, and how much courage it takes to put my words and stories out there.

Funny -- I sat down to make a Valentine canvas and this is what happened!

Maybe it is just my valentine to myself.

 



Newsflash: Karla has opened up registration for Bird Song 5 coming up June 5 & 6; it always fills up so if you are thinking of going, get in touch with her as soon as possible!

You know if you have read my blog for a while that it is my favorite art event and I never miss it -- alas, I will have to miss it this time.  The timing doesn't work with all the graduation celebrating we'll be doing around here for Benjamin.  I am so sad to miss it!

Me, Suzanne and Karla at the inaugural Birdsong



So I hope you can go and, if you do, let me know, and then go, enjoy, take pictures and tell me ALL about it!  You will have the most fun with wonderful people and teachers, making great projects and enjoying Karla's warm hospitality!

Happy sunny Saturday

Hello there friends!  I can't stay long as the sun is out for the first time in a few days and I can't wait to get outside and watch the snow melt!  But I had to say Hello and Happy Saturday, and I have some fun to show you:

One day soon it will be warm enough to wear these Mondo Crocs I just bought online.  Project Runway fans will remember that Mondo was a designer on Season 8 and later an All Stars winner -- and I just adored his style.  He did a limited edition of colorful Crocs and they have just now gone down in price to become affordable.  (At one point they were selling for hundreds on eBay.)  They make me very happy!

 Then again, it doesn't take much to make me happy.  Like playing with my flower frogs -- I think you can say I have a collection now!

 The square and green one are new to me -- I bought them at a vintage market last weekend, along with...

this really fun ephemera -- little oil change reminder tags!

At an estate sale I found I this decorated Christmas box...

 and a trio of little Santas.

Inside the box: someone's supply of Christmas crafts including hand made patterns, half-finished projects (I don't know what they are -- do you?), and really cool little tubes of sequins, beads and glitter -- way too much fun!

 After a very quick stop at a thrift store I came away with this unopened (until I did) package of Hallmark foil doilies...

and these heart shaped stencils that reminded me of Spirographs -- they will make a really cute display for Valentine's Day.

I've been stitching hearts to decorate...

like these, which started out as a fabulous Pendleton wool blanket that my husband inadvertently felted for me a couple of years ago.  I finally recovered enough to begin cutting it up.

I love the texture of them and I just keep stitching them -- even though I'm not sure what they will become!

I currently have Valentine's Day crafting on the brain.

I have assembled Valentines day supplies on the dining room table and can't wait to get to them!

After some sun and some exercise...priorities, people!

I hope you have a lovely weekend and a creative week ahead!