More Crafting!

Remember the day's blessings, forget the day's troubles--American proverb

Hi Everyone! I've been making braided rugs! Whenever I feel like I need a break from making beaded flowers (admittedly, not often), I still try to stay creative. I decided to make some new knitted braided rugs for our bedroom. Now before you think I am really crazy a fast knitter, let me say I have a knitting machine. It's just a basic no frills type of machine that I bought probably 18 or 19 years ago. I've make a sweater or two, a lot of afghans, and several braided rugs. I'm still trying to use only supplies that I have, and here are the colors I came up with:

Now I know you are thinking she is crazy these don't go together, but on top of a red carpet...they really look cool. So here are the knitted strips which were each 5 stitches knitted 45 feet long!

Braiding took years days because it was tedious with the longs strips and a bit boring. But look how nice they came out:

Next came sewing the braid around and around to form the rug. One down, one to go!

I'm ready to bead some flowers now!

IA Challenge: Texture

"Counting Time Is Not As Important As Making Time Count"

Friday already??? Where did the week go? I just about had time to make my entry for the Inspiration AvenueChallenge hosted by Maggie who prompted us with the word "texture".

I did a little research and found one definition of texture refers to the tactile quality of an object. I was off and running with that thought! I started this aceo with a leather-like fabric that I made myself from muslin fabric, gesso, and paint. I wish I could have gotten a better photo so you could see all the rich color and feel the leather-like texture with your eyes. The little foot print at the top was made with sandpaper & embedded in snow texture medium. Of course, the feather adds fluff & softness...and well, I'm sure you get the idea! Thanks for letting me play along. These challenges have really helped me move out of my comfort zone. Thanks for a fun one, Maggie!

Have a happy, creative weekend everyone!

Diva IA Challenge

Here is my entry for this week's Inspiration Avenue Challenge curated by Hettienne. Don't forget to stop by on Sunday to see all the other artists' entries!

I created my Diva Bird from marbleized pink & white polymer clay. She is totally hand formed and every inch the diva from the top of her fluffy tail to the bottom of her gold shoes. She absolutely made me put her on this little spool pedestal! As you can see she has a springy neck and lots of attitude.

Thanks so much for letting me play along!

Have a happy, creative weekend everyone!

Happiness

"True happiness consists of making others happy."-Hindu proverb

Today I am sharing some photos I took with my camera phone the last time I was in Massachusetts. Enjoy!

Finished Arrangement

Happy Monday Everyone!
I added a few more crocuses and finished the arrangement over the weekend.

There are seven flowers in all: 3 yellow, 1 snow white, 1 purple, 1 blue & 1 pink.
I'll be listing them in the shop soon!

Here Comes The Sun IA Challenge

Linda of Gemma's House is co-hosting the IA Challenge this week with Hettienne. She asked that we be inspired by celebrations honoring the sun and the upcoming season of Spring. My interpretation is simply the first flower of Spring, a rebirth, in sunshine yellow: Crocuses!

Don't forget to click on the IA link above and visit all the other artists participating this week. Play along if you wish--new challenges are posted on Mondays & you have until Noon the following Sunday to link up!

Have a happy, creative weekend everyone, and thanks Linda for a fun challenge!

A Big Thank You!

Just wanted to say thank you to everyone for your kind & helpful comments on my last post. It appears that it was my motivation that was stalled, not, thank goodness, my creativity!

Walking away and doing something different for a bit definitely helped. Since I don't live near a museum, yesterday I went to my favorite place to browse: the library! Spent an hour or so just looking at gardening books and all things floral. I also picked up an old book that is just perfect for me to alter. When I got back in the afternoon, I just picked up wire & beads & started something.

It worked so well, I went out this morning, too. Not as exciting...just a dollar store, but it was enough to put my mind on something else. This afternoon I (almost)finished my piece for the IA challenge this week--but you'll have to wait until tomorrow for the unveiling. Until then, Thanks So Much!

As I am sure many of you have already heard, Google is discontinuing Friend Connect as a means to follow blogs using Blogger. I have installed the new Mr. Linky follow tool which you will see at the top of the page. If you wish to continue following my blog, please set up your free account & follow me there. Thanks!

Playing Hooky...

in more ways than one! Hope you all had a nice weekend, enjoyed your Super Bowl parties if you had or went to one. There was a "riot" at our daughter's college Sunday night after the game. For sure the college is located in Patriot's territory, but with 30,000 students, you know there have to be some Giants fans, too. Not sure how/why it started--I mean which side was upset over what--but it required the Police, 3 on horseback, smoke & flash bombs to disperse the crowd. Our daughter, her boyfriend & several friends had ring-side seats watching from her dorm room window.

I'm in a bit of a slump right now. I can't seem to get going on any projects even though I desperately need to stock up my Etsy shop. I think it is all the hot & cold weather we have been having. About the only things I have accomplished this week is cleaning the house, cooking, and making this:

What do you mean, what is it? It is a perfectly obvious Swiffer sock! I found free directions on Ravelry here. I did mine in navy blue & purple & it works great! I see another in my future so I can always have one available when the other is in the wash.

There is a Chinese Proverb that says, "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." So tell me you all have times like this when you just can't seem to kick start your creative juices. How to you get back in step?

IA Challenge: Rocking Horses!

This week marks the first Inspiration Avenue Challenge that is co-hosted by a regular participant in the challenges. Co-hosting along with Shelly (Shelinwa) is Elizabeth of Elizabeth and Bluebeard. If her name sounds familiar, it is because I just introduced you to Elizabeth in my previous post as the one who will be teaching the altered book class online. Anyway, Elizabeth chose as the subject of this challenge...rocking horses! I don't think anyone was surprised, since she is an avid collector of them and has over 450 in varying sizes!

I picked up this unfinished wood rocking horse ornament at an after Christmas sale a while ago and every year it makes it to my desk, and I say this is the year I'll paint it...but he sadly stays unfinished. So thank you Elizabeth for giving me the push I needed. If you have ever visited my blog around Christmas, I have mentioned before that I've made our daughter one ornament every year since she was born that I put aside in a box. It will be a surprise some day when I present her with this gift. So even though my hands are not as steady as they used to be...I present her 2012 ornament:

I forgot to take a photo head on...the other ear is red. The rockers were stained with wood stain & I attempted to paint the holly. The rest was painted with acrylic paint--except for the poinsettias which are decals.

Thanks so much for this fun challenge! Have a happy, creative weekend everyone!

New Flowers...

Since the other two rose arrangement sold so fast...I created one more super duper arrangement of 3 large roses. I put them in a matching porcelain vase.

In other news....I have been wanting to try making an altered book for the longest time. Total newbie...don't know where to start or what to do. Then along comes Elizabeth from the blog Bluebeard and Elizabeth who just happens to say that she is offering a free course starting next Monday! Woo Hoo, I'm in! If anyone is interested, stop by her blog; I am sure she would love to have you join in!