Lucious Wools & Lapel Flowers...

I am really loving working with my wool fabrics.  I have purchased quite a few smaller pieces in coordinated color combinations.  It is amazing how quickly they add up into the major dollar pricing.  As you can see I am really into the blues and greys.  I love these colors. 

 Here is one I made with a vintage button as the center.  The blues really stand out on this grey wool blazer.  This flower is not as dimensional as some and I like the way it sits on the lapel.

This wool flower uses some hand woven wool pieces and some tweed wool.  The dimension on this flower is much more 3D and I believe the hand woven pieces give it the fullness.  For the center I used a piece of vintage rhinestone costume jewelry and it gives a nice sparkle to the flower. 
I am not getting tired of making these so you may see more in the near future.  Are you making anything with wool fabric?  Are you tired of seeing these flowers?
This new year is beginning well and I hope you are enjoying good health and creativity.

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...

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...

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...

Surprise Mail...

 Don't you just love to go to your mail box and find a wonderful surprise?  No, I don't mean the spider that scares you who is just trying to get warm inside a safe place.  Certainly not the bills that come way too often!  I am speaking of a package from a friend who sends you something out of the blue.  I love it!

 This is wrapped so cleverly in a sewing pattern tissue.  With a fabric strip tied in twine and a cute little stamped card.  I am totally intrigued...

 There was also a handmade card with a stamped bird design.  Beautiful.  Thoughtful.  Serene.

 I open to find a bundle of joyful fabric pieces.  All random sizes and prints.  Hmmm...

Here you can see the array of fabrics.  What a fun bundle this is.  Thank you Cory Dogwood.  You are the best blog pal a girl ever had.  Please visit Cory at her blog and see what she is up to.  Maybe I will need to find out how she makes her "ticker tape" quilts and use these fabrics to make one for myself. 
Even though Cory has a residence just a few miles from me and we must be shopping at the exact same local crafting store (Ben Franklin) I have never met her and yet we have been blog pals for two years.  I rather like the mystique of being a blog pal...kind of like years ago when I had a pen pal I never met. 
I adore your card and sweet bundle of fabric joy Cory Dogwood and I thank you sincerely. 
My ideas are beginning to churn on what I will do with all of these pieces.  What would each of you create?
Happy week to all...our weather is quite chilly and yet the sun is shining.  Rain is forecasted for the long holiday weekend.  Skiers will be headed up to the resorts and I will be staying home, warm and cozy sipping tea or cocoa.  Maybe stitching something...beading something...gluing papers...

Ghastlie Blog Hop Winner...

Oh how Ghastlie...I won! 

Have you been following Madame Samm and her Ghastlie Blog Hop the past ten days?  I have and I wouldn't miss a moment of all the action in this Super Ghastlie Party. 

There were 54 participants and each one of them made the most amazing creations with some Alexander Henry fabric collection titled Ghastlie.  No two items were alike and it was amazing.  I got so inspired that I will have to order some Ghastlie fabrics and get sewing. 

Thank you Madame Samm and all participants for sharing your fabulous creations.  I certainly enjoyed this Ghastlie Blog Hop Super Party. 

Okay...I know you are in a hurry to go check out all the Ghastlie items.  See you later...

Studio Activity...

Ahh...the studio...one of my favorite rooms in my home.  Mr. C designed and built this room just for me.  It was once a part of the unfinished back part of the home.  It technically is not a basement as it is on the ground floor of our home.  It was all concrete and unfinished studs and not very pleasant.  He transformed it into a beautiful place to spend time.  This photo is of the biannual refinishing of the french door.  Our weather is harsh here in the mountains and due to the snow, rain, sun and just general aging these doors need refinishing every other year.  We have six exterior french doors and they are a ton of work with mega sanding to be done, priming and hand painting around each and every glass pane.  Mr. C is really good at this however this is definitely NOT his favorite thing to do.  He uses very expensive marine primer and paint to help it last better.  It is all oil based and requires massive clean up.  Thank you so very much Mr. C for keeping our home and this lovely studio so nicely.

Hmmm...what is this photo you ask?  In my waste bin I spotted some wadded up clumps and did not recognize them.  I normally have lots of paper and fabric scraps and even more packaging scraps in the container.  Hmmm???  Cloth?  Painted cloth!  Stained cloth!  Mr. C had thrown his used fabric pieces from the painting of the door and I found them.  Hooray!  Now to figure out the perfect use for them.  The cloth is really quite interesting as it must have been one of the damask sheets I cut up for him long ago for rags in his workshop.  No odor...very good.  Not rough...very good.  Oh to set these aside so as not to let him know I have retrieved them for crafting.  *_*  There are just some things I do that he will never understand. 

I did manage to get this little cover made from wool felt.  I do the three month tracker for my Weight Watchers lifestyle plan and this cover fits the tracker nicely.  Actually our meeting has a Traveling Journal that goes home with someone different each week and this cover is for that tracker.  I made one before and it lasted at least three or more months until it got a little sadly worn looking.  This cover is dark purple and has the heart pocket with a beautiful purple butterfly sticker.  I was thinking of inspiration for those choosing a WW lifestyle plan and a fresh beginning as butterflies represent.
What are you doing this lovely first weekend of Autumn?  Our weather is much cooler and the leaves are falling fast.  There is definitely change in the air.  Autumn is the essence of change. 
Blissful inspiration to each and every one...  

Fabrics, Laces, Inspirations...

I was browsing through my photo archives and found this folder of three photos.  These were taken one year ago.   My how time flies.  I had almost forgotten these fabulous purchases because they sit in a "Project" drawer.  Most of these pieces of fabric are small 1/8th yard of silks that I thought I would make some flower brooches with.  The gray rolled bit is elastic that is very sturdy and I did use some of it when I made some cuff bracelets.  This Autumn which is here already would be a really good time for me to dig out that "Project" drawer and get busy.  It is a shame that the money represented here isn't gaining any "interest" as it sits hidden away untouched. 

 Now this little pile is of delicious ribbons.  Very special ribbons that I just could not resist.  I was in Portland Oregon and absolutely had to visit a shoppe I had always heard about named "The Ribbonry".  Immediately upon entering the door I was on complete ribbon, lace and button overload.  The magic in that room was beyond what I could comprehend.  I just wanted to buy everything I saw in every direction I turned.  However this tiny bit of fluff I could not leave behind did come home with me.  After all it is my investment in my future happiness.  I have used a bit of this however it is definitely time to open the ribbon box and put some of this to good use.  I see some Autumn colors in here that I should definitely be enjoying. 

Then around the corner was a wonderful fabric shop.  Neat clean and ever so expensive.  I purchased these two pieces without having anything in mind.  Due to the outrageous prices of the fabrics I didn't buy very much and so I am struggling with what to make that will be timeless and fit me and not need much material.  The floral fabric has the softest touch and is in my favorite colors which remind me of a peacock. 
Well, this has been a trip down memory lane for me as I found these photos of a road trip we took and enjoyed very much just last Autumn.  Now I am inspired to actually so something with the beautiful fabrics and laces I have. 
Why is it so difficult for me to "Use the Good Stuff"?  I am always saving everything and then someone else gets to enjoy it instead of me.  This is something I shall work on changing. 
I am thinking of my 2011 word...NOW.  Now is a great time to use my beautiful fabrics and laces. 
Blissful inspirations to each of you...

Snail Mail...

 A short while ago one of the blogging community favorites posted about snail mail.  I adore Lori Anderson and her blog so I got busy.  I had been brewing an idea in my head but this was finally time to act.  I got out the canvas and cut out a snail.  Then I got some lace and began my design.  I sewed the lace into a gather and then handstitched it to the canvas snail base.  Got out my Derwent Inktense colored pencils and put some facial features and color to the body. 

 I signed the back and off my little snail went in the mail.  All the way to Lori.  She was very pleased.

I actually made three of my little snails.  I just find them super cute.  Two of them are still home with me.  They haven't decided where to travel.  You know it takes them a while to get anywhere.  Slow and steady.  That is also how my brain works...slow and steady.  Yes, I have been told I am too literal but hey, snail mail in this case really did fit. 
I hope you are filled with lots of inspiration and time to create your art. 
September is surrendering to Fall and the days are less light and the temps are cooling down and the leaves are truly falling...

Fabic Pouch Obsession...

 These are the same Origami Pouches I have been making and sharing but with new fabrics.  This time in some gorgeous Christmas fabric.  This fabric has some gold sparkles in the threads and the colors are vibrant and elegant. 
I have used buttons in place of the charms on these and really like the look.  I also turned the flap up a bit to show the lining fabric and make it just a wee bit more fun. 

 Here are two of my favorite blue fabrics.  Each bag uses the exact two fabrics...Fairy Frost and a floral fabric my friend Margaret gave me after she finished her project.  It was merely a matter while making these which side I chose to be the feature leaving the other fabric to become the lining.  The floral pouch has beaded dangles while the blue one has buttons for trim. 

This is probably the most fun pouch I have made so far.  It all started with seeing the chocolate covered strawberry fabric at my local Ben Franklin.  I didn't buy it but my girlfriend did.  Then a few days later I was looking for a special bead and came across these glass strawberry "earrings" that my girlfriend had purchased but not done anything with.  Yes, I do have her bead box here in my studio as we almost always bead together and we share and divide most of our beads.  Well...I was obsessed with getting some of the strawberry fabric I had seen and making her this little pouch.  Hmmm...how could I do that without asking her permission to use her "earring" beads?  So I shared my idea with her and she agreed the two had to go together.  Back to Ben's I went and lucky day they had just enough fabric left on the bolt.  I lined this one with a very sweet black with red polka dots fabric.  The gathering ties are just right with the red and white polka dot ribbon.  An entire theme and I super love how it turned out.  So did Saucy Chick Lorraine when I gave it to her. 
I am having so much fun making these.  With my obesssion in fabrics I think I can make them until the world runs out of thread.  :o)
Enjoying my end of summer holiday weekend.  Staying home, visiting with friends, doing some much needed Fall cleaning (I probably missed my Spring cleaning since we never had Spring for all the seven months of winter), weeding which never seems to end and overall enjoying every moment of every day.  I even spent time organizing and putting away tons of stuff in the studio.  Amazing how my 4' x 8' work table can get so cluttered and I find myself working in a space of only inches. 
May you each have a safe and wonderful end of summer weekend and celebrate our Labor Holiday if in the USA. 
I am seeing lots of Halloween goodies...what are you working on these days?

Making Reversible Tote Bags...

 Making reversible tote bags is something I have done for decades.  I love the utilitarian aspect of a good tote bag.  It can hold so many things...art supplies, groceries, books, electronic gadgets, return items back to the store and the list goes on and on.
Pink toile is just dreamy.  The scenes of daily life and the stories that can be told just looking at this wonderful fabric.  A couple of removable fabric and lace pins.

 Fun Parisian themed fabric on one side of the tote.  Good sturdy webbing handles covered in gathered coordinated fabric to add style and strength for carrying those heavy loads.

This one has a generous pocket either inside or outside depending on which fabric you turn over.  This pocket on the Parisian side is embellished with a lace doily and a lace and fabric removable flower pin.  Spending time sewing.  Making gifts.  Making items to sell in my etsy shoppe.  This is my favorite way to spend my waning summer days. 
Christmas in August has been a very good way for me to get a head start on the busy holidays that always get too stressed and hectic to enjoy.  I feel this year will be much calmer and much more enjoyable.
I have my list and I am checking it twice. 

Now for dinner...I let the crockpot do the work today.  Country Ribs slow cooking all day and Bushes Baked Beans with embellishments (oh yeah...embellishments aren't just for crafting!) and homemade cole slaw will complete this last of August Summer dinners. 
I am thankful Irene was calmer than expected and I pray for anyone still suffering the effects. 

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...

Squeezing Summer Sunshine Cards...

 I recently went into the studio with nothing in mind and this is what was created.  I took some fabric given to me by Sherry of http://sherrysimpleblog.blogspot.com/ and some card and envelope stock and began cutting, gluing, stamping and adding buttons and lace.
Our weather this summer has been so perfect that I just wanted to "squeeze every drop of summer sunshine" possible. 

I made seven sets and then mailed them out to some of my followers as a surprise.  I put the card and envelope into a larger envelope so they were receiving an unused card that they can either send along to someone else or put in their handmade stash of goodies.
I had fun and love spending time in my studio.  It is always extra nice when I have no preset notion and then the end result makes me very happy.  I smile each time I see these photos.  Of course I didn't keep one for myself.  You know how it is...make for everyone else and send them along.   At least I thought to take a photo. 
Very simple, very quick and very Summer!
Hope everyone is enjoying the remaining days of sunshine...For those of you with extreme heat I wish you cooler weather to enjoy.
In true Summer style I made potato salad for dinner tonight along with cold roasted chicken in pure picnic mode.  And of course watermelon for dessert!  What's for dinner at your house?

Halloween Origami Pouches...

With less weeds to be pulled I am finding more time to be in my sewing room where I love to sew. There is something quite calming and relaxing about sewing...provided I am not attempting a new pattern or technique unfamiliar to me.
So here are a couple of Origami Pouches in Halloween fabrics.

This is very vintage fabric that I have owned forever. I added a cute charm to each side flap. The lining is the same bright yellow as the cording. These are so simple to make that I actually made two at the same time.

This is some new fabric I bought this year and I adore it. This photo does not do justice to the fabric but that is for another day...photography and I do not see eye to eye. It has such a graphic flair to the standard spider web look. "Hallowgraphix" by Jason Yenter for "In the Beginning" fabrics. I only wish I had bought more than one yard. Each little pouch takes an 18.5" square of fabric and lining.

On this one I sewed buttons to the flaps and like the look.

I am already planning a few more of these little fun pieces for gifts this year. With fabric choices and flap embellishments the options are endless.

Do you sew? Do you prefer fabric or paper or ???

Happy mid week to all...

August Snowmen...

More Christmas in August. These are snowmen ornaments for the elementary school holiday sale in December. I find being prepared can never be too soon as time slips by so quickly.

Made of foam and fabric. They will look so cute hanging on our faux Christmas tree displaying all the ornaments for sale to the first, second and third graders. Parents and public are also welcome to shop after the kids have lots of shopping time to get presents for friends and family.

This is a short quick post as I am headed to our local very small Farmer's Market before I spend my day volunteering at the local Chamber of Commerce hostessing the Visitor Center. I love meeting people from far and near. I also learn something new every time I am there.

May your weekend be full of bliss...

Butterfly Bag Sewn...

Do you sew? Are you passionate about fabrics? Do you adore bags to put things in?
Oh Yeah! I do love to sew and I am passionate about fabrics and yes, I love bags to put things in. This is a fabric called Fairy Frost and has a silvery shimmer to it.

This is one of my favorite butterfly fabrics. I have owned this fabric for a long time.

Being part of this amazing blogging community is one of my greatest joys. So many talented and generous people all sharing like-minded hobbies.

While reading one of my daily blogs I check http://lacelovinlibrarian.blogspot.com I found this little bag Diane had sewn. Instantly I knew I just had to make one. Luckily Diane gave the link to a tutorial. http://quiltsalott.blogspot.com/2009/01/origami-pouch-tutorial.html

Thank you so much to these kind and generous people who love to create wonderful things.

Here is my sewn pouch with a beaded charm detail. I love butterflies and use them whenever I am able to. Butterflies represent 10,000 happinesses.

This little bag is also referred to as origami pouch as it has a wonderful way of sewing and folding to create it. This photo shows the inside lining fabric and the outside pocket. Both sides of the bag are this way.

Here is the completed bag with the flaps down over the outside pockets. Drawstring cords pull the top tight and close in the contents.

I am so thrilled to have sewn this little bag. Now I am planning on sewing many more as I can think of lots of gifts I can give.

Fabric choices are endless. Embellishing is endless. Diane used buttons on her flaps and that is very cute. I already have a lot of fabrics which will be excellent choices for these wonderful little bags.

Thank you once again to the generous sharing of knowledge and information and talents that blogging affords all of us.

May you have a wonderful week of creativity and enjoy these waning days of summer...