Winter Roses...

Thankfully yet sadly we have had no snow this winter.  And even stranger we have had virtually no rain.  So I realized with all this great weather I better prune my roses back before the snow comes and flattens them to the ground.  Behold this is my reward!  A beautiful Heritage rose that smells amazing.  Thank you mother nature for this gorgeous flower I so admire and enjoy.

And here is my winter rose rendition made of delicious wools and lace.  I used four wools all in grey tones including a plaid.  The lace was added to soften and add feminity to this piece.  One of my favorite vintage buttons for the center finishes it off perfectly.  A pin back makes it easy to wear on a coat or blazer or tote bag. 

This is how I presented it to my friend.  She really liked it and had the perfect grey plaid jacket to adorn with this rose. 
I continue to love making my gifts I give as it really keeps me in total thoughts of that special person I am creating something for. 
As I post this I can hear my wool fabrics pieces calling me to create with them.  I love the feel of wool and how easy it is to work with.  It adds a wonderful richness to the finished piece. 
Do you create with wool fabric?  What do you like to make with it? 
Blissful creating in this fresh new year 2012...

I Made Something...

 I spent time in my studio and I actually made something.  I had an idea in my head and needed a gift for my girlfriend who had her birthday on January 2nd.  Since I had not been creative for so long I was concerned that it would come out terrible and then I would need to rush out and buy something that isn't personal or from the heart...which I detest doing.  You might know that old feeling of not doing something "perfect".  Well, I have been working for a really long time to get over that feeling.  After all...nothing is "perfect" and therefore that excuse just doesn't have any merit.  Relax...and create!  Handmade is the best after all.

This is the little lavender sachet I made her.  She loves snowmen and I thought this would make her smile.  It did and she loved it.  It felt so good to create what I had in my mind and have it come out as cute as I had imagined.  Now, of course, I have lots of ideas from this and will be planning on making additional gifts throughout the year. 
My gift cupboard is pretty bare after the holidays.  I am one of those types who shop and make all year long and keep a cupboard of gifts for recipients.  Actually my cupboard is fairly small so I also have a dresser with the drawers to fill with gifts to give.  It works especially well for me...that is if I label the specific gifts with the name of the person I am giving it to.  :o)  Do you keep a special place where you store gifts throughout the year?  Do you forget you have a gift for someone and then find it much later on?
Our weather is unseasonably warm and we have no rain or snow so far.  You have probably seen how dry Tahoe ski resorts are and the lack of snow for skiers and boarders.  It is almost 200% less snow pack than this time last year.  Oh dear...we may need snow and rain for our water table and economic base.  Mr. C has had to fill our pond with our well water because it got so low.  He ran the hose for two days and just got it to the lowest level we keep it filled.  I would welcome rain.
Wonderful week to each of you as you pursue your New Year goals and resolutions.
I am off to play...

Dashing December...

December is certainly dashing along...thankfully not in the snow.  This month has been very disconnected for me as Mr. C has been out of town helping a friend.  The last two weeks I was with him and staying in strange hotels, on the road and eating all the wrong foods in restaurants.  The very first week his computer battery charger died and that was bad as he needed it for the daytime and I was going to use it for the evenings to stay in touch with my blogging friends.  I am here to contest to the fact that Murphy's law has not been repealed!

Fortunately while sitting in my hotel room day after day after day I was able to prepare my Christmas cards and get them mailed.  Luckily I had begun in August and made my little gifties I was mailing.  The top photo is of some fabric I purchased and knew exactly what I would make with it.  Postcards.  I did add some red glitter bling before mailing them. 

This is one way that I like to send a gift.  Attached to a card and then wrapped in tissue for mailing.  I can show these now because I know the recipient received them and really likes the pink hearts. 

 I made a couple more Origami bags out of this fun girly fabric that jumped into my cart one day at the store. 

 I lined one with this fun zebra fabric.

The other one with the cheetah fabric.  Both turned out pretty with the red ribbon and button accents.  Filled with some little items and some moolah my granddaughters each liked them.  They are young adults but still girly after all.
I was feeling very disconnected while gone because I never seemed to accomplish anything...especially creative.  Even shopping can fill a void for only so long.  And believe me the shopping where I was...well let me just be polite and say it lacked a lot! 
No settling in by the fire for me.  Mr. C has come down with a bug and he is trying to share it with me.  There were tons of people sick everywhere we went and I really tried to stay on top of the sleep and pre-meds. 
I am doing my best to stay current with each of you and the beautiful things you are making and decorating your homes with.  I have lots of mail to get through and I feel so fortunate because I can see some really interesting envelopes addressed to me. 
Thank you to each and every one for your patience with me this December.  I can positively say that January 2012 will be a very good beginning to a wonderful new year. 
Jingle Bell Hugs to each and every fabulous friend in blogland...

Friends Are Blessings...

 Some people are true angels here on earth.  After my beloved Sasha BooBoo kitty had to go to heaven the loviest lady got busy and made me some wonderful gifts that I shall treasure forever.  These gifts came all the way from AUSTRALIA from Judy of Fabrications blog. 
This adorable wall hanging is a kitty angel.  This is bringing me Joy Joy Joy. 

 Judy even backed it with kitty fabric.  And do you see the wire hanger shaped like a kitty head.  So very clever.

 Included is a wonderful fabric tray.  I can honestly say I am so making these for some upcoming gifts.
Do you see the cat card, cat charms, angel and heart buttons, bookmark, cat note pad, tiny cupcake tote and beautiful beaded flower?  Miss Judy was so very generous.  I am truly touched. 

 And included are some articles, patterns and a scone recipe.  Plus a birthday card. 

Judy is such a dear and she really helped me deal with my huge loss and sadness.  Thank you my dear friend.  You are a blessing indeed. 
Thank you to all my commenting followers.  You did a great job sharing your stories of shopping...or NOT!  I do enjoy each of your comments and always look forward to reading them. 
Nothing creative from me as I am spending my time handwriting my Christmas cards and hand addressing each and every one of them.  In this day of technology I just really enjoy the time and effort I spend on each holiday card I mail.  Do you still hand address your cards or letters?
Jingle Bell Joys...

Off to the Studio...

 Is this my studio?  Did I leave it in this condition?  I know I have been busy but who made this mess and where is my worktable surface?  Let me walk around to the other side...

 Well this is quite the crowded space.  Where ever shall I work?

Oh here is a small spot I can work in.  I need to wrap some gifts for mailing.  Wow...this table is over 4 feet by 8 feet large and here I am trying to work in about a 1 foot space.  Elves?  No, I see nothing accomplished by elves.  Well, let me work on another project that I might have enough space for...

Printing some business cards for an upcoming boutique sale.  I punched each card with a heart and tied some red ribbon so each card is uniquely mine and maybe the person taking it will remember me and need some gifts in the future. 
Maybe I should tackle the studio worktable and put things away and clear a larger space in which to work.  Hmmm...maybe later as I have much more pressing things on my list to work on and complete.  There is something about horizontal surfaces and me.  They never stay empty.  I always manage to fill them up and pile too much stuff on them.  Hmmm...maybe I will work on this in 2012.
Right now I am so thankful for having my spaces and being able to create gifts.  I am thankful for my family and I am thankful for each of you...my blogging friends. 
Please take time to enjoy the moments and the joys of all we have during this busy season. 

Birthday Gifts...

Happy Birthday Sisty.  Mr. C's sister is celebrating a milestone birthday in just a few days and we won't be together to celebrate it.  We live quite a distance apart and this is such a busy time of year.  Independent of Mr. C honoring her day I made Sisty this Origami Pouch in some beautiful fall fabrics with golden highlights shimmering throughout. 

I also put together this necklace and earrings set which utilizes the new acrylic beads that are super lightweight and very popular right now.  I am showing these because Sisty has received them and no surprises will be spoiled. 
My little studio has been quite busy lately as I am certain each of you have been.  This time of year can get so overloaded so easily and so quickly that it is important to stop and take a break from the hectic and just be grateful for even the smallest of things.  I am grateful for having my wonderful sister-in-law in my life.  I am also grateful for my family and my youngest granddaughter who is having a birthday this month.  Happy Birthday Amy.  I have so much to be grateful for and I feel very blessed. 
Now we interrupt this calm to get back to being busy and productive. 
Wonderful week ahead...

Excellent Read...

One day I got an email telling me I had won this book.  Very exciting and I was very pleased.  Then I forgot about this until months later when I received a package in the mail from the publisher.  Wow!  Claudia of Mockingbird Hill Cottage is the lovely lady who gifted this to me.  Now more time passes by while this lovely book sits waiting for me.  I had previous books to finish before I allowed myself to begin this one.  Last week the time came.
"The Kitchen Daughter" by Jael McHenry is riveting.  I could not put this book down without reading the entire thing from front to back cover. 
I never read much as a child or young adult.  My sister Marie is the reader.  She goes to the library regularly and checks out approximately two dozen books and finishes every one of them before they are due back.  She has always read voraciously.  It is a well known fact that if you want to spend time with her, do not go into a book store as she just goes into another world of reading.  Now that I don't work and am not consumed with other peoples companies I find I am enjoying reading a lot more than ever before.  Now I love to read.  I don't really have a favorite author or style of writing.  I am not especially fast at reading but I am getting more adept at it. 
If you like reading then I think you just might like "The Kitchen Daughter".  As a bonus for those of us who like food or to cook it does involve some recipes too.  I hope you enjoy this book if you decide to read it.
Thank you very much Claudia.  Yes, I will be sharing this with Marie as I am certain she will like it too. 
Cooler days of Autumn are here.  The light is fading sooner each evening and it is a great time to sit and read in a nice cozy chair after spending a wonderful day creating art. 
September surrenders to Fall...

Creative Blogger Gift...

 This may sound silly however I am drawn to people with the same name as mine especially when it is spelled exactly the same.  So when I "met" Sherry on a blog one day I was intrigued.  It turns out she is extremely creative and talented and a wonderfully generous soul.  We have been blog friends for a very long while now. She surprised me with a lovely package in the mail for my August birthday.  See the packaging and details?  I said she is creative.

 This is the back of my gift which I did crop so as not to show her email address.  She also hand wrote a special Happy Birthday note to me which was super sweet.  Please visit Sherry's blog and I know you will be smitten if you don't already follow her. 

Here it is.  So precious and I adore this little birdy.  She used some very clever techniques with this piece and you can read about it on a previous post she wrote.  The little metal tags that spell fly.  The 3D bird cage.  The beading. This precious bird with texture. 
There is a Zumba routine where we "fly" and it has to be my very favorite of all.  So I can relate to this wonderful message. 
Thank you so very much Sherry.  I feel very special.  This came to me all the way from Romford, Greater London, United Kingdom so that was a very long flight.  Whew! 
May each and every one of you wonderful bloggers find your creative passion and fly with infinite inspiration...

August Christmas Continues...

 Every year I stockpile gifts for Christmas as the year progresses.  I keep a cupboard and a dresser just for these gifts so I know where they are come time to wrap and give.  However each year I find myself wanting to do more handmade gifts and every year I run out of time.  So this year I decided August would be my month to make some things ahead and have them ready.  I picked August because I missed July.  ;o)

 Here I am making very simple fabric postcards.  I love to mail things that surprise people when they get them and these postcards just might be the surprise. 

I bought this fabric and knew it would make great postcards.  The sizes are just slightly under the required 4" x 6" postal requirements but I knew how to work that.  I already had a stash of these very sturdy Strathmore watercolor postcard blanks so they became my base.  Then I cut Warm and Natural batting to fit the blanks.  I sewed the three pieces together and it looked too plain.  So I took a green stamp pad and rubbed the edges with the ink.  Now I like the look and consider these done.  Of course I am making more than the three I show in the photo. 
I hope this gives some of you inspiration and some easy ideas for your holiday gift giving. 
Thank you everyone for the birthday wishes.  I have had a wonderful month of celebrating.
Happy week to all and I do pray the weather is kind to each of you...

Another Generous Blogger Friend...

 I have said that August is my birthday month.  Well this must be proof.  When I opened the brown shipping box Mr. C told me these are my gifts he got me.  Hmmm...I don't think so! 

I happened to know this box came from the uber generous Celestina Marie.  Please visit her site http://larearose.blogspot.com/ if you aren't familiar with her blog or her beautiful designs. 

Needless to say Mr. C was simply hoping I would give him credit as he is not good about celebrating birthdays or holidays.  I am totally fine with this as he is very thoughtful and generous throughout the year when least expected.

As for the goodies inside this box!  Look at the dreamy pink French inspired paper, the pink silk petals, the soft pink tulle ribbon and the details on the boxes.  I was giddy like a little princess on her birthday getting ready to open these beautiful presents.

 This feminine gorgeous bottle complete with pink glittered roses and stopper.  Swoon...

 This adorable little birdhouse ornament handpainted by Celestina Marie herself both back and front. 

More swooning...

 Now my photos are out of order however this was an unexpected item she included.  A small very heavy handpainted paperweight book.  The tole painted roses are exquisite.

 And completely over the moon swooning on this piece.  My very own pink with rhinestone bling Eiffel Tower.  It is also a bank and I can put my money in it to take a trip to Paris...Do they make $1000 bills as this bank is tiny and I will need a lot of money?   :o)

 Oh dear...my photos are so out of order however I am very comfortable using blogger as my excuse since I am not familiar with the new version.    I think I am lucky any of my photos actually got onto this post. 

This is the trio of lovelies that Celestina Marie actually offered as a give to celebrate her 38th wedding anniversary.  Go figure...our good fortune due to her good fortune.  I am still convinced that bloggers are the truly most generous giving souls on this planet. 

This spoon is probably my very favorite of her pieces.  I had been coveting these on her etsy shoppe waiting for just the right moment to acquire one.  I am truly blessed as now I do have my very own spoon and it is even more exquisite in person.    I do have some gifts in mind that I shall need to purchase for and these are perfect.  I hope you take a very close look at her shoppe to see what you might fall in love with. 

Thank you so very much Celestina Marie.  I feel so fortunate to be able to share you as my blogger friend.  When I went back to your profile and read your credentials I completely understand how you would be chosen to visit the White House and create ornaments for one of the annual Christmas trees.  Your work is truly special and I am so proud to be the lucky recipient of your generosity. 

I will be thanking you properly very soon my dear.

Happy weekend to all and may you enjoy this end of summer to its fullest...Labor Day is just ahead...

Christmas in August...

Christmas in August. Not so far fetched an idea since the days, weeks and months are flying past so fast. I felt I would work on Christmas in August and this past week that is exactly what I did. My girlfriend came over and we spent an entire day preparing Christmas ornaments to donate and sell at the local elementary school annual holiday sale. It is so fun to watch the kids do their Christmas shopping and we donate 50% of our sales money to the school funds.

We aren't looking to get rich, merely pay for our supplies. These are some purchased snowflakes that we embellished with torn strips of fabric tied in a bow. I know it is hard to see them here but you can imagine how simple these are. We are trying to keep the price at 50 cents each for any of the ornaments we are decorating on a 5 foot tree.

Here are simple ornament balls, plastic so no breakage, embellished with more fabrics and then tied with a loop.

All of this takes a lot of time but we always think of the little first, second and third grade students looking to shop for just the right gifts they can afford. We usually make lots of various items which we plan on family members just loving what they get when they open their gifts. Bookmarks, towels, charms, note cards and tags, ornaments, and whatever else strikes our fancy. We try to cover all genders and ages which can be really challenging.

I also completed another gift item this week so I will share that soon.

The great outdoors is still requiring lots of my time and efforts as the weeding and plantings and yard re-do is taking lots more than I thought. I am grateful our weather has been very pleasant. We have not had any extreme heat unlike so much of the country. I think our elevation and all the pine and cedar trees are helping to keep it cool. We also are benefitting from what is called the "delta breeze".

Now I am off to get productive. I was found at the local Ben Franklin yesterday purchasing more fabrics and jewelry findings.

Wonderful Weekend to each of you...May you be enjoying your days relaxing and being creative...

P.S. Are you working on any Christmas projects? Can you share what they are?

Lace Wrappings...

I was giving a card recently and decided the envelope was far too plain. So I wrapped it in some delicious lace and stitched the sides to hold all in place.

The back flap was now really too plain so I stitched some more lace onto it. Then as a closure I stitched a circle of lace to hold the flap closed by sliding it onto the envelope. No photo of this part but I added a name label to the front with some more lace. No more plain card envelope for this gift.

Now for the gift box. Wrapped it in gold foil paper. Then a sleeve of more delicious lace. And to mate with the card a band of lace to hold it all together.

Oh how can I stop yet? No. More lace. This time I made a lace flower complete with pin back that can be attached to the package and then removed for additional uses by the recipient.

Now you see the package completed with it paper, laces and flower. This is a gift I am proud to give.

What is your favorite style of wrapping a gift?

Happy middle of the week to all...

Quick Packaging...

Hello faithful followers. Do you ever have those days that just get lost? I completely lost yesterday while it was happening. Today I have decided that there is just no catching up so I shall merely move forward from here. Even my computer has been misbehaving for no known reason. Right in the middle of my post yesterday it decided to just lose all capability of functioning. Maybe my computer was relating to how my day was not progressing well.
I have always been told I am unfocused and therefore not able to stay on task. I like to think that is a good thing as I get more done...or not. :o) So anyway today I have been flitting from task to task to task and I will admit I feel like I haven't accomplished a thing, however I have cleaned and cooked and helped Mr. C put together a BBQ by fetching and holding, which is something I am very good at by the way, sewed two more lace bunnies as Easter is approaching quickly, opened the mail and paid a few bills, visited with a friend who stopped by, answered the phone several times and been able to put away some winter themed candles. Whew! Even I am impressed with all that I have accomplished and it is only early afternoon.
Let's get to the title of this post. Quick packaging is what I made for a couple of my Sister's birthday gifts. I used a beautiful ribbon that I knew she would like. Stitched the sides of the folded ribbon. Then I wrapped a blue Swarovski crystal tennis bracelet I made in tissue paper and slipped it into the ribbon case. I am sad I didn't take a photo of the bracelet as it really is stunning and Marie loves blue as much as I do. In the shorter ribbon case I placed a dragonfly key ring wrapped in tissue paper. As for the closure I decided to keep it very simple and used a small red colored safety pin that I attached a charm to for decoration. I am sorry my scan did not come out very straight or clear. I think you get the idea of how simple and quick these ribbon cases are for giving gifts inside of them. Next I will use the beautiful gold embellished ribbon Marie gave to me on my present as her next packaging for something I shall make and give to her. Ribbon is not only for wrapping around a gift. It can be the gift as well as the packaging. Now her delicate bracelet has a safe case for storage as well.
Let me see what shall I accomplish next? Maybe I better file the stack that has grown taller on my desk that also looks ready to take a dive over the edge. Of course better the papers than me. Oh thank you bloggers for staying with me as now I feel a little better realizing just how much I have completed today.
Happy mid-week to everyone...

Powder Room Towels...

My home has a powder room that is quite Victorian in decor. It has very dark navy blue with pink roses wallpaper. Being that this room is quite small it is dramatic. I have never found any hand sized towels that look right. So while shopping several months ago I came across a large very luxurious navy blue bath towel. Well, I bought it knowing what I would do. Next I got out a couple of fabrics I liked. Here is my plan...cut the bath towel in half across the middle. Cut a fabric strip to sew to the cut end of the towel.

Here is the towel hung as you would any purchased towel. This is Mr. C's favorite version as he prefers everything super plain.

This is the floral version. The fabric mimics the tiny roses in the wallpaper. I added the lace just because I could and it reflected the more feminine Victorian flair of this powder room.

This is the not so feminine version using a beautiful blue fabric named Fairy Frost and it shimmers with the light. Once again the other end of this towel is the standard plain version so it can be hung either direction.

In this photo I realize it is hard to see but if you look very closely you will see the small stars stitched onto the fabric. It is this detail that really sets this towel apart from a purchased one from the store.

Now instead of the skimpy little hand towel hanging on the rod there is this larger luxurious towel personalized to my powder room hanging ready for use.

Years ago I personalized two complete sets of towels for my grandparents. No photos but I certainly remember all the work put into them. I purchased brown bath and hand towels along with matching washcloths. I purchased some fabulous horse themed fabric. With careful cutting I then machine appliqued the horses to the towels. My grandparents were thrilled with their gifts and it was something they could use. Maybe this gives you some ideas for gifts this year.

I am thinking of making more of these large luxurious hand towels for other bathrooms in the house. Hmmm...maybe even some for gifts for my list this year.

How would you use this idea for your gift giving or personal use?

We are still having a ton of rain and very gray days. In just a few hours we got almost 3 inches of rain. More predicted and the possibility of snow later this week. Spring where are you?

Happy Spring and Birds Who Sing to each of you...