A Lot Happens In a Year

Blame it on me or facebook ... same difference, I suppose ... but it has been over a year since my last post. I do hope y'all didn't miss me too much. Here are some of the creative highlights of the last year (starting with oldest to newest).

This time last year, I was sending out my completed Peace Felt item:

I was really happy with the outcome, but it was such a struggle getting to this point. I don't think that I am wired for felting.

I went on a big crocheting kick (that I haven't really gotten out of). I can finally (with a lot of help from my friends) read patterns, so I made a small bunch of amigurumi critters ... here are a few of those highlights:

and made a dozen or so belts of the same pattern in a slew of colors & textures ... here's one example:

I actually used the pattern above to create a curtain for our living room window ... I wish I could actually use it, but it has zero privacy, so I only completed one panel. I haven't completely given up the thought (I'm considering weaving fabric through the spaces ... I'm just not certain how much more time and/or effort I really want to invest in the whole project). Time will tell.

I made a bag (this one is actually for personal use, even):

It's crocheted in the round and the strap is way too long, but since I stitched it right into the bag, I'm limited on my options to shorten it ... any thoughts?

Most recently, I did return to my roots ... just a little. One of Sadie's best girlfriends had a 14th birthday not too long ago. I wanted to do something with the last few lines of that famous Robert Frost poem ... this is what I ended up with:

the birthday girl seemed to like it just fine (and if I am wrong, I know her mama will be more than happy to adopt it). Speaking of her mama, she happens to be high on my "favorite people in the whole wide world" list ... she had a birthday just about a week before her daughter. For her, I broke out some new skills ... I used a torch for the first time! I made her a wire woven pendent with some stones inside ... wish I could show you, but unfortunately, I never actually took a photo of it ... one of these days, I might just have to invite myself over for a photo shoot.

and there you have it ... a year of crafty play in one teeny tiny nutshell.

WIP's

OK, I give ... I really do like it when I have more than one thing on my plate at a time ... here's some "Works in Progress" First, I'm working on a new yarnish project & have been testing some squares like:

and:

I think I like the stitch better in the first square, but I LOVE the yarn of the second one ... it's super soft & the earthy colors feel good.

My mom-in-law threw down a challenge ... she wants me to try my hand at making a doll for an ADO (Art Dolls Only) challenge ... the theme is "Grimm's Fairytales" ... do you have any idea how many there are to choose from?!? Tons! I still haven't figured out which character I wan't to do, but figured I better get cracking on making an attempt, so I started by playing around with some aluminum wire I had on hand. I formeded some legs, arms & trunk:

and then started wraping (think hemp necklace knots) the legs in black and red embroidery floss:

here's a detail:

I haven't got a clue where this is going or what I'm doing next, but hey, at least there's something sitting on the table. :)

This one:

is the beginning of a sort of thank you project for a girlfriend. I know where this one (the gessoed cigar box) is going, but shhhh! it's a secret!

Finally, I have been trying to figure out what to make for my Peace Felt project. I think I might be onto something ... started with an aluminum "frame":

I thought I would wet felt an already too small black cashmere sweater, cut it to shape & sort of loosely whip stitch it to the frame ... then I was thinking I could cut a peace symbol out of the felted piece and "stitch" little Swarovki crystals into the open space ... I haven't got a clue if it'll actually work, but hey, I figure it's worth a try.

wish me luck ... lots and lots of luck!

2011 Sketchbook Project

I received my package in yesterday's mail:

... and I'm thinking I might just ask my daughter to go through it and mark uo/scribble on some of the blank pages, so I can get over my hesitation to mar the perfectly untouched journal ...

... did I mention that I let the "order system" select my theme:

if you can't read the text, it says, "Things found on restaurant napkin" ... I'm amused.

Wish me luck!

...

AND

...

There's still time for you to participate, too! If I remember correctly, sketchbooks will be available until the end of October.

Click on ANY of the above images to get more information.

Looking for a project?

I seem to be a person that likes to have projects ... preferably more than one at a time. I am still in the planning stages of the Peace Felt 2010 project and will be posting progress pictures as I (we - I've signed up Don & Sadie for it, too) get working.

Another project that I'm participating in is:



take a minute to click on the image above and check it out for yourself ... sign up is open till the end of October and is open internationally.


Finally, I still haven't decided if I'm going to do this one or not, but definitely think it's one worth sharing ... I can think of a dozen of you lovelies that are simply PERFECTLY suited for it ... Fabrik Magazine is having a juried competition open to artists in all media:

Click the image above for the details.

Entry deadline is fast approaching: August 31, 2010

I'm looking forward to seeing who takes the leap on this one.

Peace Felt 2010

The following was copied directly from the website:

Mission:

To promote peace and connectivity among nations, loving kindness among individuals, gratitude in our hearts and in our consciousness - knowing that WE create our world through our thoughts, words and actions.

To, as Gandhi reminded us, "Be the change we wish to see in the world."
To promote awareness of the ancient art of felt making and the modern craft of needle felting for its qualities of being earth friendly, extremely versatile, and easy to learn!

I simply love this. (thanks again, Danielle!) To find out more, click on either image above to be directed to the website.

Be sure to registered by August 1st.

Happy Peace Crafting!!

one more for the diary project

I am happy to say that Lucy accepted my first submission for the 2011 Diary Project, so I went ahead and sent her another one:

plus, if you get the chance, go grab a copy of:



it's so full of great inspiration and has terrific artists featured this month ... like:

EB of Be ... Dream ... Play

&

Sandy of Sandy's Show n Tell

If you've never entertained the idea of an art journal, this issue could definitely plant the seed.

wishing everyone a day full of craftiness!!

A Winner Announced ... and other news ...

The Royal Palm Marina announced the Seawall Art Contest winner on this past rain filled 4th of July. Congratulations goes to Diane Davidson! Her piece really is pretty special:

Here's a detail of the cool crab (holding a beer from Zeke's - the Tiki Bar located right above this portion of the wall):



and another detail:




Also, the:

Contributions are (mostly) in. I, unfortunately, did not rise to the occasion and submit mine in time ... I did notice that Lucy still had pages that looked like they needed to be done, so updated my design with one of those dates and sent it over to her ... I don't know if the list is current or if she'll use the design, but thought I'd share this one:

I believe if you click on the above image it will take you to a larger version.

and

finally

...

must give a shout out to one super-fantastic

grrl+dog

on a fluke, I picked up the latest issue of Stuffed (been wanting a copy since the first issue, but this was the first time I actually has the chance to buy one from the newstand) ... to my happy delight, Denise and her delightful Fuzels were brilliantly featured ... methinks you ought to go check them out:

you can also find grrl @ her etsy shop HERE