Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Vintage Linen and Tiny Bowl Pin Cushions

This past summer, I found a small collection of tiny glass bowls at various estate sales.  I think they use to be little salt or sugar bowls because they came with tiny spoons.  When I spotted them at the estate sale, I immediately saw tiny pin cushions and that is what they have become.  

 It was a challenge to use the vintage linen with the birds.  I really like it but it had some pretty sizable holes so using them in a dressform pin cushion would not work.  I created this set...a tiny glass pin cushion and a larger one.  The red bowl is a purchase from Anthropologie.  This is one set of pin cushions I will be keeping for my own little collection!
 Here are some more pictures of the little glass pin cushions.  You can see I found two different size sugar/salt bowls. 


I also made a couple of pin cushions using the small vintage tart tins.  I will have these available for my upcoming craft fairs.  One of which is this Friday and Saturday at:

CreativiTea
Friday and Saturday
October 28th 9 am - 5 pm
October 29th 9 am - 4 pm
Free Admission
Original Artwork
Fall, Holiday & Christmas Crafts
Bake Sale & Tea Cafe

at
South Suburban Christian Church
7275 S. Broadway
(just north of Dry Creek)
Littleton, Colorado

Staci and I have been working hard.  We will be sharing a double booth since we both have made lots of stuff and are looking forward to this upcoming craft fair. 




Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Vintage Linens - Upcycled by creating buttons

Working with the vintage linens I collected over this past summer's estate sales has resulted in many wonderful projects.  With these vintage linens I have created various size dress-form pin cushions, smaller ceramic bowl pin cushions, stuffed decorative birds and now, buttons!  Nothing went to waste!  Talk about green projects.  Many of these linens were damaged or stain; so with some creative cutting one linen could become several projects. 

1 1/2 size Buttons

1 1/4 size Button

7/8 size Buttons

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Don't Quit

Only three weeks ago, I received news my brother in law, Robert had passed. I continue to grieve for him as does my family.   This morning, more sad news.   My aunt Rosie died.  She was my dad's baby sister.  I have to be honest, distance and time had drifted Rosie and I apart in more recent years.  This morning I have reflected on the many memories of her from my childhood and  adult life.  Rosie was only 5 or 6 years older than me, so growing up she was more of a big sister than an aunt. The last time I saw her was at Robert's wake and funeral...never could I have imagined that was the last time I would ever see her.  At a time like this, we can all chose to focus on the good or the bad.  I have to chose the good.  I will cherish all the good memories of Rosie, because there are so many more of those. 


My favorite memory of her is from many years ago.  When I was 21 years old, months after I had moved to Houston, TX I was extremely homesick.  I missed my family...all of them, my immediate and extended family.  Starting a career in a new city was definitely one of the biggest challenges of my life but one that proved to give me my biggest reward.  Months after I moved, I spoke with my aunt Rosie on the phone and although I did not tell her how I was really feeling (trying to be strong), she knew.  A few days later I received a card in the mail (I still have it).  The card had the poem, Don't Quit.  Inside she wrote me a note that let me know she really knew how I was feeling.  This encouragement and her belief in me meant so much to me.  Whenever I have felt down or discouraged, I read this poem. This has been her gift to me...all these years, I remember and will never forget her.  


Don't Quit

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you’re trudging seems all uphill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest, if you must, but don’t you quit.
Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As every one of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns about,
When he might have won had he stuck it out;
Don’t give up though the pace seems slow–
You may succeed with another blow.
Often the goal is nearer than,
It seems to a faint and faltering man,
Often the struggler has given up,
When he might have captured the victor’s cup,
And he learned too late when the night slipped down,
How close he was to the golden crown.
Success is failure turned inside out–
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems so far,
So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit–
It’s when things seem worst that you must not quit.
- Author unknown

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Love to Decorate for Halloween!

I don't know exactly why, but I love Halloween!  I love to decorate and love taking pictures of my kids in their costumes.  When it comes to scrap-booking supplies...although I have plenty of Halloween papers and embellishments to last me a lifetime, I have a really hard time not buying some of the new stuff that comes out each year.  Everyone who knows our household knows we always have bowls of candy/chocolate on the kitchen island.  Every year, around Halloween there is extra candy but this year, I had extra fun decorating with candy.  I used labels from my scrap-booking stash to decorate some clear jars. Most of the labels are from Recollections Midnight Magic Stack & embellishments  from Michaels



Fun to decorate with candy and chocolates!




 
All the main living areas in my house get decorated with Halloween.  It's everywhere.  Here are some of the highlights from around the house (didn't include all the decorations because it would be too many to post).
All items I created with paper and or paint and felted wool.

This year I purchased many pumpkins and gourds!  I made the Halloween banner several years ago...one of my favorites.  I painted the mouse box (center of mantle) and witch (used to be a chair leg)  and decoupaged the Halloween Star with paper.


Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Published in Haute Handbags...again!

With everything going on last week, I forgot about the Autumn 2011 issue of Haute Handbags was due to come out.  When I received the new issue from Stampington & Co. in the mail, I was thrilled!  I feel so lucky to have once again have my work published.  Months ago, I was asked to write two articles...The Wonders of Wool and Continuing to Grow.  I can't express how exciting this is for me.  My Texas Bluebonnet bag was selected to be published in the Gallery Section...again, so grateful.

You can either purchase the issue online here or find it at your local Barnes & Noble Bookstore and JoAnn's.







Saturday, October 1, 2011

Dressforms, Birds and Vintage Linens

At this moment I am exhausted in every way possible but I need to start this coming week by hoping it will start like any other normal week.  Before my family and I had to abruptly leave to El Paso, TX  this last Monday, I had made some progress creating more dress-forms and birds.  I loved making these birds.  After I completed all the vintage linens birds, I decided to add some birds using some of my favorite text fabrics.  I love fabric that have words, text whether it's print or scripted.  At this time, I have many dress-forms still in progress and birds to complete....honestly, my table in my craft studio is a mess.   I like to think of it as a happy mess. Life returning to normal.  

My sister has a hard road ahead, having just lost her husband but I have faith in her and in God that, in time, she and her boys will create a new "normal" for themselves. Saying goodbye to a loved one has been difficult for me, my husband, my kids and everyone that knew him but we all have to continue living.  Robert was truly the life of the party and I found myself telling my sister  "Robert is probably heaven's social director by now."  She smiled...she agreed.

I am grateful for all my friends support but I have to say I am especially grateful for my friend Staci.  This week she helped me so much.  This year Staci and I applied for a craft show she and I have enjoyed for several years.  Littleton's Annual Friends Craft Fair held at  Ketring Park.  On Monday, we were 8th on the waiting list.  On Tuesday, Staci gave me the news that we made it!  Unfortunately, I could not be there...I was on the road all day today.  Staci, along with her daughter handled the booth today.  Staci's not only had to setup all of her craft items but also handled all of mine.  Thank you Staci...I owe you big time!