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

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!

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........

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My sister Nancy's friend shared some out of date upholstery fabric samples with Nancy, which Nancy then shared with me.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?

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

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

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.

onefinepencil's view to the studio november 2010

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

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.........

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!

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?

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....................

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

Words and Pictures

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 .....

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.......................

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!