late to the party again!

 I always find myself behind the trends it seems.  When I saw sashiko boro patches (Japanese method of mending) show up on Pinterest, it sparked something in me.  I've been doing small sashiko projects for years but never thought of pairing them with fabrics to create small pieces of art ... art that could enhance clothing actually. 

The last couple weeks my arthritic fingers have been super busy producing these pieces for my sharny etsy shop . . .

The denim pieces are ones that can be applied with a simple running stitch to jackets, jeans, etc. The other two can be applied as well or hung from chopsticks as a wall ornament.

And a table runner that got me started . . .

Wish someone would tell me what the next big thing is so that I could get a jump on it!  Anyone?

Dashed off a greeting card

 Thinking it's easier, cheaper, and much more personal to make a little card for a friend or relative than to go out and buy one.  So I quickly made this one for my granddaughter this morning.

What takes the most time is going through my stacks of papers to find just the right ones!

Doodling

 I've begun enhancing some of the eco prints made on a warm summer day with my favorite crafting friend Karen using plant life from right outside my home.

The first one using a black micron pen . . .

and the second one using brush pens mostly

Trying to decide which path I should take?

It's a long slog 'til April

 Snowing again! Looks like a long long winter and being stuck at home, my options are limited.  Either I clean house 'til it sparkles and shines or I go up to my craft room and while the hours away.  Guess which one I usually choose?

I have a huge stash of fabrics in all sizes and styles (mostly scraps).  Lots of cottons so I'm digging in and making small quilts and pillow tops and anything else I can think of to use up some of it.  Been working on a little quilt this past week.  Just enough vintage check with tiny roses for the squares along with other mostly mid century cottons.

Then there is always my stacks of papers. I will never use it all!  Time flies when I'm cutting and pasting them for my gluebook, notecards, greeting cards or tags.

I guess I'll make it through but it's a long way to April

I'm baaaack

 Lately I have been reminded of the fun I had posting to my blog.  I miss that, not only because it was a record of my time and state of mind in the moment.  It was my diary so to speak but one I was willing to share.

Mostly doing it for myself, but loved sharing it with other bloggers, friends and family

So . . . I'm back!  And this is one of the crafts I'm up to lately.  Painting Fall leaves.  It's been an experience, and I've learned so much on how to "dot" them and then how to preserve them.  A lot of leaves have given themselves up in the process.

Always looking for new art mediums and techniques

 I'm loving the big detailed amazing dot mandalas posted on my facebook page by other artists and featured on Pinterest (check it out).

Of course I had to get all the tools and try it for myself.  I have plenty of acrylic paints so it wasn't too costly.

I have no room for the large mandalas nor do I wish to create and sell them, as I will never become as proficient at it as those already offering them up.  Besides, my space is limited.  But ... I'm happy to be dotting my Spokane river rocks and other little pieces.

A few are decoupaged fabric (ladybug) and paper (upper right checked)

If you live anywhere near me, you may find one hidden in your garden or among other rocks!

It's fun and something anyone can do.  Believe me because I am just a beginner.

Somedays

 I just want to throw around some paint with wild abandon!

I liked the way this turned out. I may frame it

A Garden Surprise!

 Rocks can be a brand new canvas for art and I've been dabbling with it quite a bit lately.

Simple stuff like small decorated hearts and messages on the back, but my most detailed is this frog ~

I hid it (in plain sight) at one end of Derek's koi pond near a place where a real frog took up residence a few years ago. Haven't heard yet if he's found it. 

Making long distance friends

 I am still enjoying a once-a-month greeting card trade with Carol.  We will probably never meet, but I so enjoy her monthly artistic card and the opportunity to create one for her.  Notes back and forth bring us closer together as friends. 

Flower pressing has always held a fascination for me and this card holds a feustia blossom from the hanging flower basket gifted to me on Mother's Day.  Though very fragile, I think it turned out well and hope it makes it intact to New Mexico!

and here is a closeup ~

I think I've found my groove

 Up 'til now, I have mainly painted realistically taking a few diversions into impressionism, but I had a few days last week where I just "let go".  Threw paint on canvas board with wild abandon. Guess I needed some color in my life and some freedom with the brush!

Here is how it all turned out . . .

My love affair with the apple (repost)

 Should have known I would end up living in Washington State.  My favorite subject for arts and crafting has been the APPLE and so this beautiful state and the area I live in called me early on.  Apple orchards abound in here and across the state.  So many varieties, so little time!

My first project and what got me started was this counted cross~stitch . . .

I then went on to paint miniature oils . . .

a short stint with watercolors/mixed media awhile back  . . .

and my last (but not final) painting was in acrylics . . .

Decided to frame these

 and put them in my etsy shop.

What I was playing with in 2018

 My latest obsession is decorating small tins. This one began as a Whitman candy container. I have transformed it with ephemera (old and new) buttons, lace, glitter, faux flowers, jewels and pearls making it a little work of art. It stands on four faux pearl buttons.

The lid is covered with a perfectly fitting paper doily upon which is a vintage carved button with a jewel atop, picture of a Victorian lady, some silk flowers, pearls and more. The tin is just 3.5" x 3.5" and stands 1.25" tall including lid and feet.

 Couldn't stop at just that and had to decorate the bottom and inside lid as well!

Time to Spread Some Love

 Above all holidays, my favorite is Valentine's Day.  I love hearts, doilies, cards and everything about it!  The making of them and especially the receiving of them.  I'm starting early this year as part of my attitude adjusting.  There have been difficult days lately and this is what I'm doing to get over the hump . . .

 Just the beginning!  Until I run out of doilies, red paper, ribbon and burlap, this will be my entertainment 'til Feburary 14th

Happy New Year

 It has to be better than 2020!!

One small bright spot in my year was meeting and trading cards with an artist from Santa Fe, NM. Each month I look forward to one of her beautiful cards, notes and paper goodies in the mail.

Dropped this one, from me, in the outgoing mail this morning. It expresses my feelings and hopes for the new year. My wishes for everyone is more peace, civility and graciousness in everyone's life for 2021.

Found a trading partner in Santa Fe

 So much fun (and motivating) to find someone to trade art pieces with.  This is my November trade with Carol.  A once-a-month greeting card.  No messages inside and free to create in any genre.

So happy to find a way to use the old 1940s photos from Ireland.  Isn't she adorable?  Wonder if she's still alive and would recognize herself.

Out of the Blue!

 Yesterday I received a big ole manila envelope filled with paper ephemera, sheet music, playing cards, a whole book and some rubber stamps!  Even though I don't deserve, a good friend sent this just when I needed some crafting mojo!

So ... I quickly put together page 25 of my glue book using only items from her gift.  No theme, no rhyme or reason.  It got me off my butt and into collaging again.

Inspiration from Scotlynn

I've been AWOL for two months.  Kinda down from all the bad news of late and trying to get my creative mojo back.  Finally this morning I had a light bulb moment while thinking of my sweet little great granddaughter rarely get to see.  Why don't I collage the feelings I have when I think of her and that smiling face.  Luckily her mother and grandmother send photos as she grows and changes.  She is nine months old now, starting to think about walking and getting around one way or another!

Thank you for the inspiration Scotlynn.  Created this collage for just for you.  Hope we see you on your very first birthday ~~~

Happy Find, Happy Easter 1928

One perq, and there aren't many, to growing old and forgetful is that you can find something put away years ago and be delighted by the finding!  Happened to me yesterday.  Buried on a shelf in my craft room were two very vintage tattered and beat~up magazines I forgot I had.  One was a Ladies Home Journal from April 1928 and the other was a Journal from May 1948.  Couldn't wait to tear into them for a page in my "glue book.

Appropo to the moment ~ ~ I am so old, I can hide my own Easter eggs!

Learning new techniques

I recently joined a wonderful Yahoo group and have learned more than I ever knew about collages and techniques.  This past week I was introduced to a paper technique called "masterboards" wherein you take a 12" x 12" scrapbooking page and paste, tape or glue pieces of interesting papers randomly to the whole page.  Then you can cut it into postcard sizes (perfectly makes six) or tags or whatever you need.

Here is the postcard that I liked best so I made it page 3 in my glue book ~

With this group's inspiration in mind, I have also started what they call a glue book.  Take a regular book, journal or whatever and collage over the pages.  Here are my first pages in a journaling book I've had for years.  Now ... this is just what I've been saving it for!!

And I can use all the paper ephemera I've been hoarding as well.  Like this cancelled check written out in 1913 ~ in pencil no less!