Anticipating 2008 (Midwest)

We have one last day to go in 2007. Yip Ya!

This weekend I've been sketching in between sledding adventures with the family, and trips to the grocery store. It is very slow going. I'm needing some inspiration. As I spun my wheels sketching, I decided to step back from the design stage and go back to the planning stage. So, I'm back to looking at papers, colors, etc. I think the first step might be to select a color palette. Probably about 5 colors. I'm posting the spring colors as per the color aficionados at Pantone. I'm really liking that Snorkel Blue and of course the Rococco Red. In general, I think most reds and blues please me. It's the yellows and greens that can go wrong. Nothing ticks me off more that a painfully printed, bright yellow on a white page. Except maybe a muddy black. Bleck.

Ok. Enough color rant. I'm off to look at papers.

Brown Paper Packages Tied up with String (Midwest)

I got a box of presents in the mail from Miss Laurie today. I had to take a shot of this one. I love how this package is simple and fancy at the same time. Laurie, did you make that glorious bow? It's too cool. Also, I see Mr. Owl, from the ornament swap. I can't wait to see him in person and love the tie in with the gift tag.

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Finally, another goodie from the package in my favorite colors. Yippee!

8! (Midwest)

This little guy came in the mail today. He made me squeal he's so cute. This is from Dawn. Love him.

7 Ornaments So Far (Midwest)

I had a minute to take pictures of the ornaments I've received thus far from the 2007 Cake & Pie/Freshly Blended Ornament Swap. For those not in the know, there are something like 600 people participating. We have all been divided into groups of 10. The deal is you create a set of handmade ornaments, one for each group member, then mail them out. It has been fun to find these little surprises in the mailbox every other day or so.

All of the ornaments are sweet. I like the ornaments from Kari because they are something I would do. She felted old sweaters to make a wreath and ball ornament. I have a huge pile of already felted sweaters from last year that may just find a similar destiny. The tree from Laurie (not The Hive's Laurie) is very unique. Look closely at the photo and you can see that the stem is some sort of vintage wooden dowel. Sarah made a charming snowman with great little acorn hat. Veronica made the little girl with the muffler. So cute. Geri sent a bunch of paper ornaments of which I like the green paper ornament best. It is very glittery on my tree. Danielle sent the ribbon ornament which looks really nice next to my letterpress ornaments (I should've taken a picture of that). And, last but not least I received the perfect felt blue and white snowflake circle ornament from Michelle. Thanks so much everybody!

(Not) Snail Mail (Midwest)

I love this time of year. Every day there is a surprise in the mailbox. Today I received an order I placed from Matatabi. I bought this last Sunday, and it arrived all the way from Japan TODAY! That's 5 days! Can you believe it.? I'm stunned. I bought some fabric and tapes to sew into something fun over the winter break. As I write this I am remembering that I still have children. Yeah, them. The ones who hinder my artsy crafty side, sometimes. I guess I could teach them how to wind bobbins. Or, iron? Maybe they will entertain themselves and I will get lots of sewing and printing done. It could happen.

I Have Blue Fingers (Midwest)

So the girls have been bugging me to make felted bead ornaments again. We did this last year. I think that project was one of my first posts. Back then I was very happy with how the whole project played out. The results were way better than I had planned and the kids were so into it. I guess it's time to do it again. Last year my friend Stephanie gave me some natural wool roving. I have read that roving felts up very easily, so we are going to use that. I googled these directions for dyeing the wool with food coloring. The color is very nice. I'm hoping that it doesn't rinse away during the felting process. Stay tuned for more photos of the felting in action.

Fair and Square (Midwest)

I'M DONE!!! I had my final craft fair of the season yesterday. I'm posting a few photos from the fair. These are shots of Boh Bon Soap Co. Chrissy, was my boothmate and as you know I designed her packaging. It was nice to see and sniff her fabulous soaps in person. And, of course to chat with her and Joanna. (Thanks ladies!)



I now feel so free to focus on personal things like Christmas. Today we will go fetch our Christmas tree. Tonight we decorate.

Have a nice weekend everyone!

Ornament Swap (West Coast)

These little guys have been keeping me busy. I decided to do something opposite my normal crafty self, and make felt ornaments this year. I really liked the way the little animals turned out last year and decided to give it a shot! Besides, I don't yet have a letterpress to make cool paper ornaments like you Miss Amy. Hopefully that will change soon! I like the way these are turning out. I just need to find the perfect hanging string. I found I sample of something I like from another hanging object, but I need to get down to the fabric store to see if I can find it.

While It Snows (Midwest)

We are having a winter snowstorm outside. Several inches on the ground already. It has totally put me in a Holiday mood. I decided to take a stab at making my own gift wrap this winter. This morning I carved a few stamps (designs inspired by Paper Source). This is my practice sheet to see if the stamps came out correctly. I think they did. So, after I do my last craft show (Dec 8th), and after I finish and mail my swap ornaments, I can pull out some papers and get wrap making.