Little Mini Makeover

I don't know if I am going through a phase but suddenly I can't stand to look at some of things hanging on my walls, especially the living room. My least favorite room in the house because of its awkward shape, impossible lay-out and plethora of doors leading nowhere. Not to mention the huge brick hearth left over from a giant wood stove we removed but didn't have the good sense to remove the hearth as well. It provides all of us with plenty of toe stubbing opportunities and excuses to use an "expanded" vocabulary.

Anyway, a couple of weeks ago I just took every dusty picture down and stacked them against the wall. Better to look at nothing I thought. But last night I had a notion to hang up a garland of vintage wool pennants that I have been saving for years. The kids nixed that and said it looked like a dorm room and why didn't I start a collection of beer cans while I was at it. I have to agree that it didn't turn out the way I had envisioned.

So I looked around and what do I have the most of? Actually stacks of? Vintage fabric...oh yes. Out came my trusty staple gun and some blank art store canvas (I ran up to Job Lots to pick up two more right before they closed because once I get started on an idea I need to do it right then!).

Easy as pie to create new "art" and a splash of color. The hardest part of this project was clearing off a space in my studio to lay it out!

The room doesn't look half bad in this shot. You can't tell that you have to pass through it to get to all other rooms in the house.

The rug was given to me by a friend who had it in her barn ready for the discard pile. It is awkwardly positioned because one section of sofa kept moving and bunching up the whole thing. I think it happens at night when my daughter is wrestling with the dogs. I am hoping it will stay put now.

Not bad for one evening and I love the challenge of using what I have. I kind of like this room again.

Little Japanese Treasures

Take a look at these cuties. I got them from Yozo Craft which is a on-line store with the most darling little items. Not sure what I will do with these just yet. Maybe they will make their way into one of my journals. For now, I am enjoying their quiet little parade.

I couldn't resist this little notepad. I have an idea for some fairy tale boxes and Red Riding Hood will definitely make an appearance.

And these little rubber stamps look like my Maminka dolls. I love them! Oh, the internet is a wonderous and addictive place. Even when you think you are at home minding your own business, these little temptations cross your screen of vision and voila.... the next thing you know the postman has a package and your paypal account is a little thinner.

Have a happy day.

Mother and Me Class

I am teaching a Mother and Me Class along with Racheal Scott at the Walpole Artisans Cooperative on Sunday May 23rd. We will be making this sweet little felted mother bird and her basket of eggs. There will only be a charge for materials ($10 per couple) so call and register and then come on in for a fine afternoon of arts and crafts.

Shoe Fetish

I stumbled across this tutorial on a lovely blog called Artful Affirmations. So I had to make some of course. These are so much fun and quite addictive- like real shoes!

I think this would make a lovely addition to a wedding or shower gift!

Get out the glitter, paper and lace and go make some pretty shoes of your own!

Happy Mother's Day

I thought I would share one of my favorite photos of my mother taken when she was just a young women in the fifties. Even though she doesn't read my blog (no computer)...Happy Mother's Day Mom!

Days of Wine and Mothers

Here are some lovely Sunny Lavender pillows that I created for the gallery for Mother's Day. My whole studio smells soooo good! I love lavender. It really does soothe. The fabric is a very special vintage natural linen with embroidered daisies. I have avoided cutting into it but life is short. I can't take it with me.

Our local artisan group, The Walpole Artisans, is having a fundraiser called "Wine, Women and Song". It consists of wine tasting, education, appetizers and live entertainment. We needed to create centerpieces for some of the tables and here are my offerings: Wine Lover's Journals
I stamped some fabric and used vintage linen and lace to sew the cover. The inside is filled with wonderful Crane stock in two signatures and hand bound with a simple pamphlet stitch. The whole thing ties together with a wine cork and seam binding. Not being much of a wine drinker, I was quite proud to come up with something. Apparently there are people out there who record their wine tastings. It makes sense if you love wine. Perhaps I should be keeping a cookie journal!