Making

I have a couple of major sewing projects on the go, which I'm having a hard time getting to. So I thought that if I stitched up a quick little something, I might feel more motivated. Last night I made these two small bags, perfect for tucking into a purse or overnight bag. They were fun and easy, but the zippers and resulting rounded corners irk me. I pondered the problem during the night (what a silly thing to keep me awake) and think I've come up with a solution. I'll let you know if it works, although I won't get to it for a couple of days.
 

This week I made raspberry jam. Ashley was hankering for a lesson on jam-making so she made a batch of cherry jam. The darker jar there is the cherry. Jam is good for so many things, not just toast or bread.
 

Almond Strawberry Squares are a good example. Of course, these could be Almond/Walnut/Pecan/Hazelnut Strawberry/Cherry/Raspberry/Apricot Squares just as easily. Substitute at will.

On another note - has anyone migrated from Blogger to Wordpress? Why, or why not? I'm thinking of making the switch and would welcome words of advice from anyone who has considered or done it.

Making Things

I love making collages. Doing more of them is on the list of "things to do when I'm finished my degree." The list is getting longer and I'm becoming more impatient. But I'm continuing to focus on studying while doing just enough other stuff to keep me sane. I made the above collage for a friend. It didn't take long and I had such a good time playing with paint, paper and scissors.

Here's something else I made. And oh, it was too good not to share. Ultra-simple and ultra-delicious! Toasted whole grain bread topped with Nutella and fresh strawberries. I also tried it with peanut butter, but the nutella won - according to the tastebud poll. Unfortunately, the strawberries are the sort of crunchy ones from California since our berry season is at least a month away. Try it, you'll love it! 

A Little Housekeeping

I've been looking for a metal bucket in which to put my laundry soap. The biodegradable stuff I use comes in a rather flimsy bag, which is fine by me, but tends to spill all over. And I didn't want a plastic bucket. I found this one yesterday and it fits perfectly in the cupboard above the washer. I made a little label for it (well, a rather big label) using a graphic from Karen at the Graphics Fairy blog. I have a black and white printer but if you've got colour - well, the things you could do with all the beautiful graphics on her site...the mind boggles.

I made some sachets, not too strong. These are just squares of leftover fabrics. For the filling, I dried mint, rosemary, roses and lavender, then mixed them with flax seed to plump up the sachets. Tied in threes with some pretty ribbon and an old millinery flower, I think they'll make nice gifts.

Friendly Flowers

"Daisies are the friendliest flowers." Meg Ryan in "You've Got Mail." These look more like brown-eyed Susans than daisies, but they still look friendly. A page from my art journal.

Summer Art Journal

I've always wanted to begin an art journal and Teresa's latest e-zine gave me the impetus to do just that. It's been a lot of fun, frustrating sometimes when a technique doesn't go the way I planned it to. I've been tempted to stop, but have pushed through and completed them and learned much in the process. And I'll use the techniques over and over. I tell myself, it doesn't have to be perfect, this is learning.
These particular pages are my favourites so far.

I love the blues and yellows. I was in a rather pensive mood when I did this - with a lot of things on my mind. And as I splashed paint, glued paper, wrote words and doodled, a sense of peace came to me and the feeling of being untangled. A lovely sensation.

Rather tired...

after a celebratory week. On Wednesday Ashley's convocation was held, Thursday my parents arrived and on Saturday we held an open house to celebrate Ashley's accomplishment! So much fun!
I glued old maps to thin pieces of wood, applied quotations to the maps and clipped on photographs of the graduate with mini-clothespins. Propped on the mantel and tables, they were fun and added a personal touch. This photo is of Ashley and her father, also known as the Handyman Husband.

Ashley (right) and her friend Sheryl. Ashley has a Bachelor of Science in Linguistics and Sheryl a Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics (with distinction). And now these two friends are off on a great adventure - a five-week trip to Estonia, Finland and Sweden. They are in the air over Canada as I write, my heart flying along behind them.

And here's the traveler/graduate doing some last minute sewing (or unsewing) before leaving.

Trésors de Provence

So it was last year at this time that these photos were taken - lovely memories of our long-anticipated trip to France.

I made a little memory box project in the fall - and sent it into Somerset. Yesterday I received an email - my project will be featured in the Oct/Nov issue of Somerset Memories! I'm really excited about it.

And wouldn't you know it - I forgot to take any pictures of the project before sending it - so you'll all have to wait for the magazine to come out. (And when the project is returned I'll take photos and display them then.

Gatherings

When I hike I like to stop and pick up bits and pieces, turning them over in my hand, wondering about their shapes and textures. I collected these treasures on Sunday afternoon, on Portland Island. A piece of slate, a seashell, mossy branches, seaglass and a bit of driftwood.
Sometimes I place them in a bowl or on a plate to admire, but this time, I stitched them to a piece of fabric and sewed on a stick for a hanger. Whenever I see it I remember the day and the warmth of sunshine washes over me.

Cottage Charm Giveaway Update

Here are a couple more items I'm adding to the giveaway...

a sweet book bag with eyelet lace trim. The bag is lined in white and above the eyelet is some flowered ribbon. Just perfect for a trip to the library or the beach.

a cottagey quotation collaged and embellished. So much fun to place in a vignette on a side table, dresser or guest room nightstand.

If you haven't signed up yet for the Cottage Charm giveaway, here's the link to all of the sites with giveaways, and here's the link to mine. Just post, leaving an email address or blog where you can be contacted. The draw will be held Saturday, May 31, so you have a couple more days to enter. There are lots of pretty things out there.

Finishing Stuff

We painted the little social bathroom off the laundry room a couple of months ago. It's a very neutral sort of blah colour and I've been planning to do something with it for a long time. Well, I finally got around to it. I made these 3 collages and had a lot of fun. Each one has a quotation about a specific colour.

Here are some closeups of the quotations. I had a terrible time photographing in this small space.

This mirror was a wedding present. It's accompanied us to South America and back. I've always loved. But I thought the original brass colour was looking a little tired so I had Mr. Handyman spray it black. I might tone down the black with a little aged cream paint in the crevices.

Cottage Charm Giveaway

I've been so inspired by bloggers and wish that I had something to give back. So I'm offering my first giveaway.



Kim at The Twice Remembered Cottage is hosting this lovely event. Visit her for a list of all the giveaway participants - there are some wonderful artists and generous people out there willing to share.

And don't forget to sign up here. I'll be adding a few more things to my giveaway package, but wanted to get started so here's what I'm offering so far
* a hand-embroidered crazy patch pillow to tuck on a bed, dresser, or chair
* a decorated bottle, great for a window sill or bathroom counter - tuck in a few flower stems or greenery
* a creamy Battenberg lace doily
* a tag with some trims for your own projects - bits of lace, ribbon and buttons

The winner will be drawn on May 31, so don't hesitate - sign up now. If you don't have a blog through which I can contact you, just leave an email address in the comment section.

A Linen Bag

I love old linen napkins. Soft and supple, I use them ironed or unironed. And they are great for crafting. I made a small bag, about 6 x 4 inches, to hang on a knob in my kitchen. Filled with a small juice glass and a few pansies, it makes a cheery sight by my sink. I added a few white buttons along the cuff.

Productively Unplugged

Last Tuesday I stayed away from the computer. Rebecca issued a challenge to unplug for a day and be creative. It was harder to stay away than I thought it would be. But in the end it was a great day.

Seeing tangible results of time spent is so valuable for me. Although I'm a writer and spend a lot of time on the computer, I also need time to read and to think. I find that when I create with my hands, my brain is able to recharge and new ideas come flooding in.

When I realized how valuable the time spent away from the computer was, I spent less time on it for the rest of the week. And I accomplished a lot of things in my spare time...

- sewed a set of curtains for the guest room
- painted the guest room closet
- cleaned out and reorganized the linen closet
- made four sets of note cards and some bottles for future gifts
- made a spring banner
- read two books
- did some serious thinking and journaling about goals and dreams and how to put them into place

I decorated a few glass bottles to use as gifts for the future. Spring and summer are coming and I love sharing a flower or two from my garden with friends. These bottles are all recycled - they used to hold everything from pancake syrup to coffee flavourings to vanilla. When I purchase a product at the grocery store I now evaluate the shape of the bottle it comes in to see if I'd like to use it in this way.

I had a sheet of old wrapping paper. It decorated a gift given to my daughter several years ago and at the time I thought it just too pretty to throw away. I used it to make these cards and the banner below. For the cards, I just tore rough shapes of the flowers and words and glued them to cardstock - blue, green, yellow and pink. I like the mosaic effect. They are all different and I've packaged them in groups of four cards to use as gifts.

The banner uses the same gift wrap - it covers the bottoms of the card stock triangles. A simple ribbon threaded through the top, letters printed on pale yellow paper and voilà, a banner to brighten up the mirror on the landing.

Write It Down

I once heard Elisabeth Elliot say that a person doesn't really know what she's thinking until she writes it down. I find that true. When I write in my journals, I clarify what I think - I bring my thoughts together into some sort of cohesive (or sometimes incoherent) mass.

When I take the time to write down ideas of things to make, recipes to try, projects to complete, I find the very act of writing stimulates me to think of even more ideas.

And I refer back to my journals - they are more than diaries, they are the developing story of who I am.

I've never decorated a journal before - this is my first, but it won't be my last. So much fun.

For Me

It seems like I make most things for other people. Don't mistake me here, I love giving presents, especially ones I make. But sometimes I look around and wonder where all my creativity went - literally. So I made these sachets, sweetly scented for my own closet. I had fun with the buttons and trims.

How much of what you create do you keep for your own enjoyment?

Hope

I am having so much fun with the Winterbella crafts designed by Teresa McFayden. I don't have time to do all of them right now, but this is one I completed last night. It will sit on a side table in my living room for awhile and can easily be changed or taken apart.

Hope sings, sometimes ever so quietly, at other times with raucous joy. Without hope life is silent and colourless.

Be joyful in hope!

Theme for 2008

I made a small collage last night to hang in my office/studio. The words are my theme for 2008. The more I make collages (and I've only made a few), the more I enjoy them. Time zipped by as I cut, rearranged, pasted and embellished.

I signed up for Teresa McFayden's WinterBella magazine - a new craft project every Monday, Wednesday and Friday of January. This collage is based on the first project. It's so much fun!

Pretty Bottles

Over the holidays, during my days off school, I created these "à la Anna Corba." I save the bottles from sauces, vinegars and such when they have interesting shapes such as these. One of my favourite things to do with them is to line 3 or 5 of them up on my kitchen windowsill and poke a single flower stem into each one.

These are intended for a friend - I just need to get them into the mail.

Boxing Day

I've always been glad to be Canadian - for many reasons. But here's one reason in particular. We get two days off for Christmas! Boxing Day, on the 26th, is a time to relax and do just about nothing. I've puttered around the house picking up bits and pieces, snacked on leftovers, watched a little television and read blogs. My husband and I took a quick trip to the furniture store - just looking - but we soon came home to do more of nothing.

My daughter stacked some toilet paper rolls on the stairs to take to her downstairs bathroom. Then she thought they looked a little bit like a snowman...so she got a marker to make a face...then her father suggested arms...and here is the result. The most ridiculous snowman I've ever seen. But so much fun.

Christmas morning breakfast - just four of us - husband, daughter and friend. A quiet meal, eaten in the breakfast room before the hustle and bustle of the day. The other two children and their spouses came over around midday and we had a lovely, lovely time. I hope you all had as enjoyable a day as we had.