Fabric Gift Wrap

Innovative

I thought that this was a clever way to display birthday candles...

Flower-Button Hair Clips

I was listening to the Jamie Lidell track Multiply when I got to thinking about the scrap pile of fabric that has been accumulating for the past couple months. 


A few minutes later I came up with an idea, this is what it looks like: 

Antique Store, Needle Case

I went for a bike ride today and found myself in an over priced, china-dish filled antique store. I bought a piece of jewelery and then I saw something else: A needle case. Not just any needle case but a vintage, cute needle case. It was also three dollars, so I had to get it.

My New Bag

This is my new bag, I love it. I got it for 18 dollars at a consignment store called Artifacts, in Iowa City.

I wish that it had a wider shoulder strap.

And I really wish that I hand't spilled coffee all over it this morning.

New Project

Working on a new project, I like to call it "journal as art". 

These are the first two pages:

Maple Syrup

Last year was a record Maple Syrup year, production in Wisconsin was at 200,000 gallons, which is the highest on record and 33 percent above 2008. In 2009 maple syrup sold from 25-45 dollars per gallon.

This year Wisconsin had a rough year for Maple Syrup, not enough cold nights and warm days. Projected Maple Syrup collection is down by 40%.

This means that the 40 gallons of sap that my parents collected, which has been reduced to one gallon of syrup, is worth somewhere between 35-55 dollars per gallon.

Napkin Tags

Why is it that inspiration is at its best at night? Late at night, after everything that I'm going to get done is done, I suddenly get the urge to create. The night feels like it stretches on forever, as I sew and cut and paste, and draw. But why? Why is it always late at night?

This is a project that I did in preparation for a craft fair, late at night.

     

I have to admit that the playing card idea is not my own.

Spring Apron Collection 2010

         

The Beauty of Shoe Polish

Sometimes we cannot afford new shoes, this is when shoe polish comes in handy. With the shoe shine rag in hand and a tin of shoe polish one can do wonders to their old shoes.

Felt Blocks

One, two, three...

        

 ABC's  

Question Marks? 

Button Thumb Tacks

Buttons                    Super Glue           Thumb Tacks 

Finished Product 

Embroidery Hoops and Fabric

Youth

Generally I don't like it when people put photos of kids on their blogs, in fact in the blogging world, of serious bloggers, it's sort of an abomination. But now I am going to give up a post these shoots of my niece and Nephew. Think of them not as photos that show children with chubby faces and short arms and legs, but as an expression of spring time. These children have what we do not have, youth, they are so close to the beginning. 

Hold the Phone

If you want to see a good blog, check out Moriah's Midwest it's really good. Okay the writer is my sister, but I'm not lying because I love her, the blog is great. 

Blurred Vision

Angles and Light

Late Valentine

Basmati Rice Pillow

 

Inspirational

When it comes to wood working skills my father has them. While I was at home he was busying himself with the making of wooden creations for his four grandchildren. Our own home is filled with forgotten wooden trucks and hand shaped rolling pins, relics of our childhood, made by dad years ago.

I went to the wood working shop to spend time with him. He told me over and over again that I was making him nervous. When he finished the truck he was less than satisfied with the product. I didn't know what to say, because I thought that it was beautiful.