Happy New Year

Happy New Year, just in case I don't manage to stay awake for the next 54 minutes. December has once again been a whirlwind with a house full of crazy, excited children. After working nonstop to prepare for the two craft shows in November and a flurry of custom orders for Christmas, I have created very little the last two weeks. My sewing machine is in the shop and every flat surface is covered in Legos or board games. I decided to take a break from the toys and cleaning and put together a few little creativity kits to list in my Etsy shop. It gave me a chance to play with my supplies without committing to a project in the mist of Christmas vacation chaos. Very fun for me and hopefully I will be able to inspire someone else to make the jump into fiber and mixed media.

Pink Refractions

Make sure to hop over to Twelve by Twelve and check out all the new pink quilts and our next colorplay theme!

Custom Journal Complete!

Yay! Another thing checked off my list. I've spent the last week working on this custom journal. I'm not typically a warm color, especially brown, person, so this was a bit of a challenge for me. Plus I've been having major sewing machine frustrations. It just doesn't want to do the metallic thread. I need to take it in to be serviced, but just don't have the time for it right now. I really like how the journal turned out. It is filled with watercolor paper so it is ready for the artist to fill. I hope everyone likes it!

Busy, Busy, Busy

What can I say--I, like so many of you, have been crazy busy and have sadly neglected to write. Please forgive me! I had a wonderful time at both the Etsy Rain and Indie Banditas holiday bazaars. I did well with sales and now have my own Christmas budget to spend. Plus, I saved money by having no time to shop. No Black Friday shopping when I'm half asleep and buy things I wouldn't normally just because they are a good deal. I wasn't sucked in this year! Instead I've been creating!

I've been posting lots of new stuff in my etsy shop. I have holiday cards and gift tags featuring fiber art plus sized inchies. Plus bookmarks, treasure boxes and original art. I would love for you all to check it out and let me know what you think!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thank you all for your love and encouragement. I am blessed to have such great friends, both in person and all of you that I have met on the internet!

The Secret is Out!

I've been so busy that I haven't had a chance to share some VERY EXCITING news... The Twelve by Twelve artists are excited twelve times over to announce that: (drum roll, please.... ) Sterling Publications/Lark Books will soon be publishing a book on our Twelve by Twelve Collaborative Art Quilt project! We are thrilled beyond words to have this wonderful opportunity, and so happy that our art endeavors and friendships are turning us into authors, too. We know that Lark was impressed by the loyal folks who follow our blogs and website, so thanks to all of you friends-of-Twelves for your encouraging words through our explorations! We'll keep you posted as we know publication dates. We are lifting a virtual glass of champagne to each other and to all of you for your support!

Matchbook Notebook Fun

I've been busy creating these fun little matchbook notebooks to give away in the swag bags at the Etsy RAIN Holiday Show. Each is 2"x3" and filled with blank paper, ready to fill up with secret notes. I just love these. My daughters create little books filled with pictures and stories. Santa even used one last year to keep track of his naughty and nice list. They are the perfect size to slip into a pocket or little purse. Be one of the first 50 customers either Saturday, November 21st or Sunday November 22nd at the Etsy RAIN Holiday Show at the Intiman Theatre in Seattle. Or if you can't make the show, I will be giving them away as a free gift with all orders from my Etsy show through the end of the year.

Spin, Spin, Spin

I've been spinning in so many ways -- the most enjoyable has been this beautiful yarn. Each skein, except the dark grey, is hand dyed light grey Corridale wool. I then plied it with metallic thread to create a soft, wavy yarn. Very fun! Right now I am building up my stock for the two craft shows I'm doing next month. And then I will list it all in my Etsy shop. I thinking $5 per skein, plus $.25 per yard. $17.50 for a 50 yard skein, $30 for a 100 yard skein. It seems reasonable for hand dyed, hand spun yarn. Let me know what you think!

Busy Days filled with Feelings

I really thought with 3 of the 4 kids in school I would have more free time. I'm now realizing that isn't going to happen. I'm just busier driving around, volunteering at school, supervising homework and entertaining the four year old. I guess, it's just time to get used to it and get to work.

These are a few more from my "I Felt" series. The small format seems to be about all I can accomplish these days--even the 12"x12" size seems larte. It's a season, right? Just wanted to let you know I'm still around and my intentions are to be a better blogger.

Oh, and look for posts coming up for the EtsyRAIN Holiday Craft Show and Indie Banditas Bazaar because I thought I need a couple more things to do this fall!

Check It Out!

Make sure to head over to the Twelve by Twelve blog and check out our latest quilts based on the theme "Twelve." I bet you'll never guess what mine is titled, unless of course you know obscure geometry facts. We have a lot happening over there as we finish up our first 12 sets and begin the next!

Mr. Lemur is Finished!

I finally had the opportunity to finish Mr. Lemur. I was able to add his tail this week. The girls have started school and Emitt and I are trying to get into a routine at home. Many days I feel like I had more free time homeschooling. Everyone tells me that things will settle down, so I'm counting on it. I am desperate to get back to my art! And my apologies if you have left me a comment or sent a message over the last couple of months. I appreciate the encouragement and feedback so much.

Black Sheep Dreams

The latest in my "Dreams" series...

Sweet Dreams

My latest in my Dreams series: "Sweet Dreams." I love the fabric beads wrapped in wire core yarn and had to continue using them. Quite a number of friends are pregnant, so babies are often the topic of conversation. (Don't worry, I can successfully hold a baby with no desire to have one!) I thought to combine these too to create a fun art piece to celebrate a new baby. I could easily see these sitting on a high shelf in a nursery or hanging on the wall. Just don't let the kids get their hands on them!

Recycled Dreams

These dreams, like so much of life, were created from cast offs. The backgrounds were left over from making a bunch of Tea Boxes last Christmas. The bits of fabric for the beads have been laying around for a while. The yarn is spun from recycled sari silk. I didn't use the thing typically found in the recycle bin, but what in life is really typical? My heart is always busy taking my past experiences and using them to dream about the future.

A Scooby-Doo Day

I'll admit it, I let the kids watch way too much TV yesterday. I usually try to limit the time they spend watching TV, playing video games or using the computer, but yesterday I got busy with my art and just didn't want the fight. Everyone barely managed to get dressed before Dad got home from work. I did have a very productive day though. I finished over 20 little "Dreams" and they all turned out very fun!

For my "Wild, Wiry Dreams" series I used wire core, hand spun, wool yarn to wrap the beads. They have so much energy and are very scuptural. I love how they jump out at you and refused to be bound.

My "Wild and Woolly Dreams" is a softer version, using hand spun, wool yarn without the wire core. The bright colors are also filled with energy and life. These are the dreams that I love to dream.