onefinepencil

The selvage doesn't lie.....

2012-01-27T16:35:00.000-05:00

The design notations on the selvage of this favorite fabric from my stash reads 2001! Guess I didn't want to rush into anything in deciding what to make with it. I remember the trip to Aurora Sewing Center with my sister Meri and niece Julija. because we did so many fun things that day! Shopping for fabric, breakfast at a favorite Greek diner and a game of Clue when we got home! If you are ever in Williamville or East Aurora NY be sure to take the time to visit the Aurora Sewing Center. They have a great selection of quilting fabrics, sewing notions and state of the art machines for sale!
In keeping with the spirit of this fabric, much loved and long pondered before cutting and stitching, I applied lots of dressmaker details including hand stitching, french seams and bound seams, ans a custom tag that reads "mine".

I still have some fabric left. Wonder if it will be another ten years before I use it........

Who are these kids anyway?

2012-01-25T18:12:00.000-05:00

Back before the days of jobs and kids of their own........ the three musketeers soggy from playing in the snow!

Alex leaning into the corners!

Jackie does not appear to be amused by her grinning companions! Lots of sketching treasure in those photo boxes.

just the right button........

2012-01-17T14:38:00.000-05:00

If you can't find it, make it! You'll need a heat gun, heat tolerant work surface ( I use an old Corning Glass cutting board ), rubber stamp, ink pad, embossing powder, and a smooth surface button. I used a portion of a larger stamp and gently pressed the button on the stamp. Sprinkle on embossing powder, shake off excess and heat until the powder melts and is glossy. To keep fingers safe from the heat, skewer the button shank on a pipe cleaner.

Just the look I wanted for this smock back blouse! The pattern is Vogue 7700.

A little contrast fabric for the yoke, collar, and cuff, and a piece of vintage lace work appliqued on the back finish it all off. Can't wait to wear it!

I have two custom buttons left over and will send them and a mini fabric stash to a lucky winner randomly selected from readers who leave a comment here or on this post on Creatingthehive! Comment by February 1st to win!

I thought of you......

2011-12-29T13:05:00.000-05:00

Like many clever resourceful people, my Grandmother Waldron had a drawer where she kept materials from "interrupted projects". Some were her own and some were tag sale finds. Unfinished dresden plates and sun bonnet sue quilt pieces sat next to partially completed embroidery.kits. She often pulled these out during visits, handing them over one by one to add to my fabric stash saying "I thought of you and what you might do with this". The next part of the conversation was magic to me. When I would begin to describe the many possibilities spinning around in my head, she would say "oh don't worry, it's OK to cut them up!".

So...... a portion of Mary Waldron's never finished ombre embroidered rose linen table cloth has become a delightful set of hangers for the guest room.

If you would like to make this project yourself, just start with a few wire hangers, trace their shape on fabric, and cut out two pieces for each leaving a 5/8th seam allowance on the curved sides and two inches at the straight bottom. Cut a piece of 3/4 inch wide ribbon twice the length of the hanger hook plus two inches. Fold in half right sides together and stitch down each side, stopping an inch from the bottom. Turn right side out and slip over the hook. I like double faced satin ribbon for ease of turning. Place your fabric pieces right sides together, stitch along the curved sides leaving a one inch opening at top and an opening the full length at bottom. Turn right side out, press, and slip the finished piece over the ribbon covered hook. I stitched up the bottom by hand, folding the fabric twice and using more ombre embroidery thread to to make a seam that ties in with the original embroidery work. You could also use a blind stitch or even leave raw edges if the fabric texture lends itself to that effect. Finish by stitching through both the ribbon and fabric cover where the hook meets the main body of the hanger and catch another short piece of ribbon to tie into a small bow. Voila! Elegant, vintage, and possibly a story or two to tell with this little recycle project!

I'd love to see what you do with this idea! Comment and link to your finished project if you wish to share.

the making of silly things......

2011-12-22T15:22:00.000-05:00

Alphabet and Czech glass beads strung on elastic with "squinkies" (Don't ask, I found them in the clearance section in Walmart). Selecting the words to go with the figures was fun,

I ended up with quite a collection of stretchy bracelets to send off in holiday packages to unsuspecting loved ones.

These guys were apparently concerned about the prospect of being skewered as well, but were ultimately spared due to their being a bit too big to make into bracelets!

Simple words for the season.........

2011-12-11T15:25:00.001-05:00

A coat of chalkboard paint, embossed metal label brackets, and few choice words! These little boxes look right at home with last year's special project, a "snow people" homage to my grandparents Mary and Marshall! May peace, joy, and tasty cookies be part of your holiday spirit!

snips n snails n puppydog tails.........

2011-12-02T16:16:00.001-05:00

I re-purposed some of Jackie's favorite jeans from "yesteryear" and added an applique doggie inspired by a cute children's fabric print to make grandson Reed a travel bag. Lots of other recycled materials including a felted sweater, an outdated leather jacket, and two shirting fabrics went into this "green" project.

attack of the killer pencils,,,,, or subtitled "I've been drawing"

2011-11-01T21:17:00.000-04:00

Look close... everything old is new again

2011-10-12T18:57:00.000-04:00

Major material up-cycle on this lined18 by 18 inch bag with a 3 inch gusseted bottom, and zipper closure. I am re-upholstering a sofa and saved all the old tapestry fabric. This is the "wrong side" of the material and it almost makes me wish I had just removed and reversed the original fabric instead of replacing it!

I really enjoyed the piecework, selecting vintage embellishments, and adding the hand stitched details.

I love the crazy lining and of course I had to add a label to finish it all off! This one is headed off to my Etsy shop!

Beatrice's Good Fortune

2011-09-26T15:32:00.000-04:00

A little soft sculpture doll making with a story to tell.......................................

studio garden harvest

2011-09-22T11:15:00.000-04:00

This has not been a gardening summer at our house because we are still trying to transform the mud lawn into a green lawn, much less any planting of fruits, vegetables, and flowers. I did however manage to harvest some recycled fabric scraps to make a pumpkin, and added a homemade tag that reads "lucky find".

Halloween Snippets

2011-09-22T07:25:00.000-04:00

An old favorite and some new friends tucked into a shadow box make a fun Halloween display for Jackie and Reed's new apartment!

A little crepe paper mixed with vintage graphics and topped off with a pipe cleaner handle!

A thrift store mirror embellished with more crepe paper and some silly spooky stickers!

A Martha Stewart owl invite template gone 3D on a crepe paper covered base!

Jackie's skelly marionette hangs out with his new friends! Reed likes to be chased around the house with this little laughing puppet!

secret garden

2011-09-01T22:07:00.001-04:00

When she first saw it, my baby sister Nancy thought this was a picture of me! Silly girl, it is her standing by the flower beds of our childhood home. Of course it can't possibly be me, I was a very grown-up five year old when we moved there!

I am sending her this mixed media piece to remind her that as the oldest sister I am always (or almost always) right!

things to put things in to make things......

2011-08-30T22:26:00.000-04:00

It's true, they don't sell proper containers to hold tubes of vintage printing ink or an over abundance of wired chenille. So I make my own! Start with empty cardboard or tin snack containers, spray black with a coat of acrylic medium add paper of your choice and seal with another coat of medium. Voila!

second chance dress

2011-08-25T23:07:00.000-04:00

The bodice is cut from a piece of rayon I bought in a vintage shop some twenty years ago and the skirt is from a much loved and well worn silk skirt that has seen better days

My favorite part, a little dressmaker detail of narrow ribbon at the neckline. Can't wait to wear it!

sewing bliss in the new studio

2011-08-24T20:53:00.000-04:00

I never met a grommet I didn't like.....

It's all in the details, the fun that is........

OK, I don't really need a pattern in order to make a peasant blouse, but who can resist Butterick patterns for a dollar....

Finito and ready to wear!

My favorite piece in the sewing section of my new creative wonderland, the boys old model car case filled with thread and presser feet!

I am glad my husband suggested painting the back wall red!

night sky

2011-08-24T19:44:00.000-04:00

A super cool full moon shining out from behind the clouds over the roof line of the barn. The moon was so bright it illuminated the entire cloud bank. I shot this and a series of other photos at 11:45 PM on August 13th. It was eerily beautiful that night!

And now, back to the studio..........

up North ADK

2011-08-01T00:01:00.001-04:00

A trip up north with my daughter and grandson to visit family.... our lovely accommodations at Dad's guest cottage,

the little red cottage across the foot bridge........

and our bunk mates , my sister Meri and niece Julija.

The babbling brook is beautiful to watch and soothing to listen to.

Dad with great grandson Reed!

Jackie and Reed take in the view on the Heron Marsh trail

Later Reed and I climb the big rock.

Ice cream for the tired hikers!

Good bye brook, I'll be back!

fly away fly away, fly away home!

2011-05-23T20:07:00.000-04:00

I made a batch of paper mache cups and other shapes several months ago using silicon cupcake molds. I have been puzzling about how to color them and finally decided to try markers, not good, then watercolors, very good!

I added butterfly cutouts scanned from a vintage silk scarf and printed on lightweight paper, (fiskars) paper punch flowers, a little daily wisdom from a recycled children's book, and a bit of wire. I'd love to add glitter but half my studio is moved to the new house and the glitter is not here in the remaining stash This was a fun distraction from the painting and cutting and hanging mill work!

snail trails

2011-05-19T23:27:00.000-04:00

The snail prints found a home on some pins fashioned from resin coated dominoes. I think I will send one to a friend who studies mollusks.

I made some bottle cap and button pins too using more snail prints and some graphic paper from an earlier print series.

More domino recycle, and my favorite piece, the fruit bat necklace! Not my graphic image but a snippet from an piece of domo stationary I kept forever and finally cut up!

pencil therapy

2011-05-18T22:29:00.000-04:00

Regaining my equilibrium with a little colored pencil therapy. A quick sketch from a photo I took last month on a rare warm day walking the dogs on the Catherine Valley trail.

more lost and found: playground snails @" @"

2011-05-11T21:00:00.000-04:00

I often find schoolyard flotsam and jetsam when walking the doggies past the local school playground. I found a pink eraser on out last walk, brought it home and carved a snail stamp.

I liked using the intact side to make a small color block to print the image over. Small art, big fun!

More Golden Book Recycle!

2011-05-09T17:39:00.001-04:00

I love the print on the inside cover of Golden Books! I saved the covers from a previous recycle project and used paper tape from Martha Stewart to make this super cool picture frame for a Mother's Day gift for my daughter. Of course I think my grandson is pretty adorable too!

If you'd like to make your own, trim off the bound edge of the front and back covers, cut out the center of one side with a craft knife, finish the edge with paper tape, place your picture between the covers and tape the edges to seal the two pieces. I added an easel back made from a recycled greeting card, but you could also add a ribbon hanger or mount in a scrap book. I'd love to see what you are recycling so send me links to your posts!

a little walk around the pond

2011-05-04T08:40:00.000-04:00

Taking a little break from building the house to walk around the pond with the doggies

So this is what it looks like when the rain stops!

High water!

Smells like spring!

I can go no further!

Our favorite tree!

Time to head back to the old house!

getting ready for the show!

2011-04-23T19:23:00.002-04:00

My block print on mulberry paper is framed and ready for the East Shore Festival of The Arts at the Lansing Town Hall, 29 Auburn Rd Lansing NY. My friend Robin Schuttenberg has organized this 2nd annual show, and this one promises to be even better than last years. Come enjoy the opening reception at 6:00 PM on May 13th and meet the artists. See you there!

when in doubt.....

2011-04-09T15:05:00.000-04:00

sketch!

Where I want to be when the black flies are biting, or the fish are biting them)

2011-04-03T16:01:00.000-04:00

The Eight Irresistible Principles of Fun

2011-04-02T21:21:00.000-04:00

The Eight Irresistible Principles of Fun

A Little Light @ the End of the Tunnel

2011-03-30T22:26:00.001-04:00

The final block in this series, time to work them into a larger multi-media piece!

Run Rabbit Run!

2011-03-29T21:16:00.000-04:00

My third block and a sneek peek at the full series, with fourth yet to be cut.

Keeping all the Balls in the Air

2011-03-28T22:22:00.000-04:00

Second stamp in this series.... more to come

My Year of the Rat

2011-03-27T23:17:00.000-04:00

I have been wanting to cut my own rubber stamps for some time and finally bought a sheet of speedy-carve which is made by Speedball. This material is nice and soft for carving and also easy to transfer a pencil drawing onto by just using a warn iron. Next step is printing on fabric, although I think I will carve a few more so I have some different elements to choose from for my design!

Be a giving Bear at the Handmade For Japan Benefit Auction!

2011-03-23T19:50:00.000-04:00

When I learned that one of my favorite potters Ayumi Horie has contributed some of her wonderful work for this important benefit effort I just had to help spread the word. Get out your checkbook and log on to Ebay to participate starting this Thursday, March 24th, 8 pm EST through Sunday, March 27th, 8 pm EST.

All details below. You can preview Ayumi Horie's work and the beautiful contributions of other generous artists on the facebook page Handmade For Japan Benefit Auction.

When

Thursday, March 24th, 8 pm EST- Sunday, March 27th, 8 pm EST

Where

Handmade For Japan’s eBay store http://stores.ebay.com/handmade-for-japan

What

One hundred pieces of unique handmade art made by more than sixty artists will be auctioned over a three day period. Handmade for Japan will be donating 100% of the proceeds through eBay Giving Works, which is partnered with MissionFish, to Global Giving's Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Relief Fund. Handmade For Japan aims to raise over $25,000 to help the victims of this disaster recover.

Global Giving

Why Global Giving?

Handmade for Japan will donate all of its net proceeds to Global Giving because they support grass root organizations active in stricken areas who may otherwise be overlooked by traditional foundations. We were quickly convinced that Global Giving’s use of online networking is a highly versatile, flexible, and rapid way to organize international donation efforts. Moreover, this approach allows donors to be kept updated on the use of funds. Global Giving's dynamic team played an important role in supporting the start-up efforts of Handmade for Japan. As testimony to the reputation of Global Giving, its Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Relief Fund is endorsed by ABC News, the New York Times, Huffington Post, and Time Magazine. Global Giving's updates on use of funds can be monitored at: www.globalgiving.org/projects/japan-earthquake-tsunami-relief/updates/

How

On Thursday, March 24th, at 8pm EST, the eBay will go live, opening the auction to bidders.

Until then, the items will not be visible on eBay.

Please preview the items on our Facebook Photos page.

parts and pieces

2011-03-20T23:45:00.000-04:00

Inspiration image before I begin a little jewelry production. All arranged in a lotus bowl from the To Every Nation thrift shop in Vero Beach Florida, shells collected from the beach in Vero, and beads and silver from a great little bead shop there as well.

cherry blossom

2011-03-06T20:53:00.000-05:00

A quick little pieced bag using some of my favorite fabrics. The cherry blossom motif is cut from wool felt and is based on a Japanese crest design.

chicken koop!

2011-03-01T23:04:00.000-05:00

I was channeling my Grandparents for this one, and harkening back to memories of playing in the old chicken koop in the backyard of their Schenectady NY home. There were never any actual chickens there when we were kids but it was fun to imagine them! My favorite part of this recycled quilt and felt scrap bag are the bluebells I stitched in memory of Gramma Mary Waldron.

yippie skippie! PUBLISHED! and a finished project.....

2011-02-27T17:28:00.000-05:00

Check out the March April issue of cloth paper scissors to read step into a story! Try your hand at making a pair of paper mache, graphic paper, and stitched shoes. My pattern is included right in the magazine.

I had so much fun creating the pieces and writing the article. The folks at Interweave are great to work with! So, for anyone out there still hesitating to submit work to their favorite publication, stop putting it off and just do it!

Last week's project is finished! I like the pocket detail made using a vintage embroidered linen napkin and covered button. It also has "cookie" pocket that my sister Meri and I started adding to our clothes long, long ago.....

This fun pullover top is adapted from a a pattern I bought in 1976! I did have to make it "slightly" larger this time around, and I can't remember when I last bought a pattern for $1.75!

Happy stitching!

A mixed bag

2011-02-21T09:19:00.000-05:00

A certain color palette is running through my head today!

Subtle but warm.....

......and I will be stitching up something to wear!

these are a few of my favorite things!

2011-02-17T22:47:00.001-05:00

Presenty wonderfulness from Meri! Ok maybe I whined and wheedled a little to get one of these super cool marcel dzama shrinkydink pins. Check out Meri's posts to see more http://meriwinkle.blogspot.com/2010/11/marcel-dzama-shrinky-dink-pins.html

http://meriwinkle.blogspot.com/2011/01/nubby-filled-shark.html

A CD loaded with a zillion images from my childhood, including "the lost photos" from my year in Turkey and the family cross country camping trips, "from sea to shining sea"! Thanks Dad turning all those slides into pics for us!

OK, this is officially the last time I was taller than my sisters! Also...I still have that haircut!

Sewing up a storm!

2011-02-13T17:36:00.000-05:00

Start with a Marci Tilton Wearable Art pattern from Vogue. Give your serger a tune-up and breakout that funny orange knit fabric that's been in your stash for years.

Add some details to make it your own........

and voila a fun pullover for walking and taking in the spring weather that I am sure will start any minute now!

Pigtail Alley finds!

2011-02-10T20:37:00.000-05:00

Fun finds from a great antique shop here in Watkins Glen NY!

This seven drawer chest was made in Japan and has the sweetest cast brass pulls in the shape of pine cones and bamboo trim. The drawers are lined in a green ribbed velour. A perfect find for odds and ends in the studio!

I also found a beautiful vintage embroidered and brocade piece that I plan to use as a dresser scarf after I have scanned all the incredible designs into my graphic library. I love the grays and reds in the brocade! The backing is stamped "made in china" and looks to be late 1940's.

new year and special day... february giveaway!

2011-02-05T12:47:00.000-05:00

Year of the rabbit.....with two lovely pieces of jewelery gifted from Meri.....a few of my favorite things I am wearing frequently this winter!

FEBRUARY GIVEAWAY!!!

Sweet treats and fond thoughts for Valentine's Day. Leave a comment on this post for a chance to win two of these little treat boxes. I will draw a name on Thursday Feb 10th so they can arrive in time for the 14th!

They are fashioned from recycled cardboard tubes, Martha Stewart tissue paper, vintage french wired ribbon and finished with a red ruffle trim I found at my favorite second hand shop "The Bargain Bin" in Montour Falls NY. I don't think they have a website but they sure have bargains!

winter fantasy......winter reality

2011-01-29T18:06:00.000-05:00

I am a member of great group called "cloth and clay dolls" and this is my contribution to the current "winter fantasy" challenge! I really enjoyed the process but have a lot to learn about crafting a complete figure! Adding the melted beeswax as a finish on the paperclay was fun though. I've had the wings kicking around the studio for bit. In think it's been a year since I made them, but they found a good home. Check out the full round of submissions for this challenge by visiting http://clothclaydolls.ning.com/group/winterfantasy/

theme and variations II

2011-01-26T23:23:00.000-05:00

This is the giveaway bag all assembled! It is off in the mail to Ziggy who opted to have me stitch it up for her! I'm always up for some sewing. Check out Ziggy's website at http://ziggysemporium.blogspot.com/ and watch here for onefinepencil's February giveaway!

check this out! a great giveaway via lori anderson

2011-01-24T12:15:00.001-05:00

http://lorianderson.blogspot.com/2011/01/metal-stamp-giveaway.html
I love to pound things flat, bottle caps, odd pieces of wire, old metal buckles, but I've yet to do any stamping! Well, if I don't win this cool letter stamp set from impress art, I think I will have to buy a set!

I also love Lori's piece on teaching a jewelry making class, time for me to find a venue to share what I love! Thanks for the inspiration Lori!

Hedgie is done, and the winner of "a chance to win" is.............

2011-01-23T20:43:00.000-05:00

I really wanted to feature the grommets that are part of the decorator fabric samples this bag is fashioned from and use them in the closure. I ended up making toggle buttons from pieces of wooden dowel and running ribbon through the grommets, toggle buttons and back through the grommets again. It worked out quite nicely!

and the winner of the bag kit is....... Ziggy Stardust! Send me your mailing address Ziggy! Thank you to everyone who commented here and on creatingthehive.com and watch for a fun February giveaway next!

bag zen

2011-01-18T23:06:00.001-05:00

Eventually I will run out of half finished scrap bag projects! I couldn't resist adding a few little umbrellas to the back of this one fashioned from a favorite pair of velvet pants that had seen their better days! The front is pieced from ends left from a soft fabric box I made last year (pictured below).

city of mystery

2011-01-09T19:56:00.000-05:00

Another scrap bag project. The cityscape reminds me of places I visited during an exchange student year in Turkey. I have been finishing up a number of pieced and appliqued projects hanging around the studio recently. Time for some fresh ideas!

Golden Book Recycle

2011-01-09T09:27:00.000-05:00

When I found this Little Golden Book "Ten Little Animals" in a free bin there was only about two thirds of it still intact. Unfortunately the story suffers for the missing portion, but the illustrations are so adorable and remind me of growing up in the Adirondak Park in NYS, so I decided to recycle it into several projects. Here's the first of those that are completed! The owl pins are one inch punch outs modpoged and easy cast on vintage buttons with added pin backs. The sweet little birchwood box was a dollar bin find from Michaels with a two inch punch out also finished with modpodge. The oval image was also cut with a punch tool (I love the Fiskars brand because you can see the image you will get as you punch it out). The oval badge was placed in embossing metal cut with pinking shears, set grommets and coated with easycast acrylic resin. You should plan on coating your graphics with modpodge or other medium before gluing or sealing with easy cast or you might get bleed through from the other side of a book page. I'd love to see what you're recycling, so send me links to your "second life" posts!

hedgie goes a hunting

2011-01-06T22:43:00.000-05:00

More to come on this project, but could not resist sharing my mushroom hunting hedgehog!

theme and variations (and a chance to win!)

2011-01-05T21:37:00.000-05:00

The front of this bag is pieced entirely from scraps from other projects. I couldn't stand to toss them because they are some of my favorite prints. Added a little machine quilting using my favorite bamboo batting and silk thread, rat tail strap finished with vintage beads from a necklace I bought at a rummage sale when I was ten. Nancy supplied me with an endless quantity of invisible zippers (which I do not bother to install very invisibly) and the bag is complete!

Leave a comment on this post before January 15th and I will draw one name and send a kit with all the parts and pieces you will need to make your very own theme and variations bag!

happy happy birthday nancy!

2011-01-03T20:47:00.001-05:00

More fun with crazers! a birthday bracelet for Nancy, made from a biscuit crazer, beads, elastic cord, and a closure made from plastic clips found in the office supply section of our local big box. Who knew, you can punch and set grommets in those clips! I made packaging for this sweet little b'day gift using the box the clips came in, with cutouts from the crazer package. If you haven't seen crazers yet just find a tween and ask them them! They will clue you in right after they tell you about silly bands!

scrap bag bliss or ...... that's where I put that!

2010-12-31T09:40:00.000-05:00

The benefit of tidying up the studio is finding sweet little pieces of fabric and trims that you have hidden so well from yourself that you forgot you even had them! I am happy to reclaim the great fox fabric that I pieced some ten years ago during a visit to Meri's! Joined to other scraps and some recycled beads, (I drilled out the holes so the rat tail could pass through) a fun little bag emerged! I know that winter has just begun, but the blues and greens put me in mind of spring!

Forest Friends say Happy Holidays!

2010-12-21T17:50:00.000-05:00

Nancy asked for a stocking........ it was fun to stitch up! The little deer were fun to design too!

reason number 947, why it is always a good idea to share........

2010-12-18T20:59:00.000-05:00

Your craft stash, patterns, good ideas, your time.....

My sister Nancy's friend shared some out of date upholstery fabric samples with Nancy, which Nancy then shared with me. I stitched them up into a string pack, based on one my other sister Meri made for me long long ago! I am sending Nancy this one for Christmas. I like the way the grommets on the samples could be used for the string carriers on the bottom of the backpack. I posted the detail of Meri's string pack so you can see how she fashioned fabric carriers for the strings. Here's what you need to make your own!

two thirteen by eighteen inch pieces of fabric for the outside

two more same size for the lining

three and a half yards of rat tail or other narrow cord cut into two equal pieces

fabric scraps for pockets or applique, rubber stamps and ink pads, trims, what ever you want to embellish with!

I like to use my serger to sandwich the lining and the finished outside pieces together and then straight stitch the pieces right side together and then turn it rightside out. I fold over the top on the outside to make the casing and let the lining show on the right side. You will need to thread the rat tail both ways through each side to make a draw string and tie off each piece to itself . Bust out your fabric stash and make one for a friend. Or better yet....... swap some fabric with a friend and challenge each other to make a string pack!

more snowpeople?

2010-12-12T14:25:00.001-05:00

I made these two snow people last year in honor of my grandparents. They are comprised of repurposed materials with most parts salvaged from an old coat that belonged to my great grandmother! In case you can't read their scarves, one says sugar and the other is snow! They remind me of a great story my grandfather used to tell my husband, about how he courted my grandmother by telling her he is an excellent roller skater. Apparently she thought so too because they celebrated many anniversaries together!

snow babies

2010-12-11T23:32:00.000-05:00

Three little snow babies fashioned from scraps of micro fleece and felt. The faces are drawn on gessoed linen and coated with beeswax. I made a dozen or so faces and keep using them in different projects. These are off to friends and family for holiday gifts. I love this time of year and making presents!

snowpeople on parade

2010-12-07T22:08:00.000-05:00

Eight little snowpeople from last year's christmas card from Nancy! Oh the things youi can make from tissue rolls, paper, and of course glitter! I filled them with chocolate kisses to send them off as tokens of holiday cheer!

feeling snailish...................today.

2010-11-17T13:23:00.000-05:00

onefinepencil's view to the studio november 2010

2010-11-12T09:29:00.000-05:00

new and old, all fun... all the time!

2010-11-07T11:48:00.000-05:00

Cool stuff you can make from recyled materials in your craft stash, just add some inexpensive puff stickers or crazerasers and have fun!

Supplies I used: an orange juice cap trimmed with pinking shears, a plastic stem piece from some old silk flowers I took apart and turned inside out (glued to an old button). The bottle cap pin has sheet music and a little poly clay turtle that was about to disinegrate before I permanently embalmed it in easy cast. Two important tips when working with the crazerasers; glue the larger parts together, and spray seal the entire piece so the smaller parts will not fall out (and to keep it from getting grungy). Scrap On.... and have FUN!

whoo? wednesday new moon.........

2010-10-10T22:04:00.000-04:00

so named because the body of this no tape/no glue paper sculpture owl is an outdated calendar I trash picked, and you can read "Wed New Moon" through his eyes. I love the image of a boat on his right side and the musical feathers!

This piece is stitched and folded with a few small silver brads holding it together, and a small toggle switch light in the base fashioned from a repurposed plastic fruit cup.

More melty melty fun! It's done!

2010-10-09T20:01:00.000-04:00

I made another small panel for the bottom and stitched it together on the serger

grommets, craft rings, and recycled strapping

might make a cool lunch bag!

I like the inside!

sushi anyone?

2010-10-08T23:41:00.000-04:00

ah the joys of melting recycled plastic bags!

couldn't wait to share this!

will post again after I fashion it into a bag!

go get some parchment paper, plastic bags and an iron and rock it out!

i see pumpkins and such....................

2010-09-26T22:03:00.000-04:00

First I put out the sweet halloween shadowbox that Nancy brought me last season!

then I arranged my day of the dead bottlecap pins, they were super fun to make!

this cap is from my own drawing... a little batty

and another one!

This grinning jack-o-latern is on it's way to Nancy

This one will get a bat buddy, and stay here with me!

They are made from tissue paper mache and lots of glitter!

sometimes I sew.......sometimes I draw

2010-09-21T21:28:00.000-04:00

Words and Pictures

2010-09-08T22:41:00.000-04:00

The view to the woods from our host's home in Raybrook NY, a morning sketch with a cup of hot coffee

and damp feet from the dew on the grass!

Breakfast at the Blue Moon in Saranac Lake with Nancy!

After a day of treasure hunting, a late day lunch at the Left Bank. Almost like being in Paris!

The view across Lake Champlain from Essex NY. Good to take a break after along motorcycle ride

from Saranac Lake to Vermont and back again!

somethings old and somethings new .....

2010-08-29T21:49:00.000-04:00

Rubber stamped muted floral linen,

combined with lots of repurposed recycled hardware,

and finished off with a bottle cap pin!

I think I might keep this one!

It's the perfect size to hold a sketchbook and pencils!

cat tails.......................

2010-08-22T22:51:00.000-04:00

right cat on the wrong side

(the back)

wrong cat on the inside!

(I always like the part you don't see the best)

layout and lining plus a bonus pocket!

three layers of grosgrain ribbon and strapopolooza!

button customized with a deco brad and light coat of acrylic

ready to go!

something for Meri........shhhh don't tell her

2010-08-21T12:32:00.000-04:00

what's inside?

maybe Meri will show you on her blog http://meriwinkle.blogspot.com/

I made the packaging from packaging Meri recyled from catalogues, and leftovers from my projects.... so it is recyled recycle!

Halloween redux, gail and nancy's 2009 studio mix!

2010-08-21T11:58:00.000-04:00

Walk this way........

to play truth or dare

Come to the halloween planning party!

Wonder what we will create this year!

paper box mania

2010-08-14T11:17:00.000-04:00

ok, these have been fun but it might be time to make something else!

from sketch to graphic magic!

2010-08-04T22:20:00.000-04:00

I am experimenting with making my own graphic image papers using scans from my sketchbooks .... this is big big fun!

takeout art

2010-08-03T22:51:00.000-04:00

A little printer fun, sewing on paper, folding, and voila!

silly easy cast fun!

2010-07-25T15:10:00.000-04:00

step one make the cool little baubles from bottle caps and old buttons..... step two make something with the cool little baubles........more to come!

like yesterday............only better

2010-07-12T22:16:00.000-04:00

Reconnecting with AFS friends in NYC....could it really be thirty years since we spent an adventurous year in Turkey!

A morning visit to the flea market in hell's kitchen where I found a ginko tree.....

We ate...we drank... we laughed til we cried...........

Sad to say goodbye.......and now home again by train

There's always next year!

worried shoes

2010-06-21T21:58:00.000-04:00

a special request for nancy..... who should never worry

never ending box of goodness

2010-06-20T09:57:00.000-04:00

Pictures can not do justice to the never ending delights that came out of the box that arrived from my sister Nancy today. I can't say what my favorite thing is because there are soooooo many!!!

However, a super special prize is the cool owl necklace my niece kendra made special for me! : )

I did a little coloring with Nancy's birdy pattern!

and i love this sweet envelope of adirondak memories that includes my mother's art

puppetman hangs out in the studio

2010-06-03T19:43:00.000-04:00

Yes puppetman lives! Meri made him many years ago and he has graced my work spaces and studio ever since. I especially like his peace symbol tattoo..........................http://meriwinkle.blogspot.com/2010/05/puppet-man.html

scrap bag

2010-05-25T23:38:00.000-04:00

really..... it's all made from scraps from other projects. the button is from the great aunt helen collection. off to nancy it goes! lucky lucky nancy!

2010-05-24T22:07:00.001-04:00

sillie katz and a crab? blue moon...............

2010-05-23T16:31:00.000-04:00

forgot about this one.... hee hee

lunch with the tent catepillars

2010-05-23T08:25:00.000-04:00

Lunchtime sketching Friday May 21st. Of course you can not see them in this drawing, however there must have been thousands of them all looking like they were trying to get somewhere else. I shared my sketchpad with a few as well, but they didn't have any interest in my lunch!

look what i made!

2010-05-16T22:09:00.000-04:00

it's a dog's life

2010-05-16T08:27:00.000-04:00

It was a cold day for a walk in January, but even then there was the promise of sleeping in the sun in May..................................

Found Art

2010-05-05T22:37:00.000-04:00

My sister Nancy hooked me up with this super cool concept of found art! Mine is really lost and found because it is made of lost things I found while walking the doggies; now those lost objects become something new for someone else to find. I hope it inspires you to give this concept a try. Be sure to visit this page and leave a comment if you find this recycled glove bunny! The packaging is also made of recycled materials including a re- purposed tyvek envelope with a milk cap button closure. Go to http://foundartists.blogspot.com/ to learn more about this concept of creating and sharing art! Check out http://partymice.blogspot.com to see what cool stuff Nancy made for her found art! Keeping checking back to learn if ........what was lost.... was found again!!!!waiting to be found..............

upcycle favorite tee shirt to a book bag!

2010-04-25T18:25:00.000-04:00

my favorite paul frank tee lives anew! my art inside and out and some swell rubber stamp images. Let me know what you create from your favorite old tee shirt! Nancy is helping design the straps! @"

shorts

2010-04-18T21:28:00.000-04:00

Hippo in the river with little bird and many many fish and one crocodile. another extremely short story made possible by the power of a blue gel pen i found on the playground..........

a little story for nancy...... in case she has a sad day

working tools

2010-04-18T16:55:00.001-04:00

art therapy for owls and other sentient beings

2010-04-16T22:25:00.000-04:00

Wanna go to art camp? pack your pens and pencils........

welcome to the hood

2010-04-16T20:25:00.000-04:00

robot buddies discuss the merits of cake and other important topics..............

hedgehog thank you

2010-03-27T07:50:00.000-04:00

go to meriwinkle.blogspot.com to see the sweetest story! the post is titled

hedgehog in the fog..............................

robot exchange project

2010-03-23T22:45:00.001-04:00

how much trouble can you get into doing a craft swap with your sister...........we'll just have to wait and see......................stay tuned

bits of glass

2010-03-19T19:36:00.001-04:00

the wayback machine

2010-03-15T21:10:00.000-04:00

natural history week........

2010-03-10T21:57:00.001-05:00

go fly a kite!

2010-03-03T20:42:00.000-05:00

Thanks to my dear sister Nancy for introducing me to the delight of melting beeswax over artwork! Torn paper collage, a bit of drawing, all covered with melted beeswax .

cupcakes and party hats for spring

2010-03-02T18:50:00.000-05:00

It all started innocently enough with cupcake papers...........and then it got a little out of hand......................

easter parade

2010-02-27T21:11:00.000-05:00

nancy has named her bethany bunny, an errant ballerina who has skipped out on dance class to see a matinee

sweet

2010-02-27T12:56:00.000-05:00