Art Class for Grown-Ups!

If you are a regular reader or my friend in the real world, you know that: A. I love learning new things, especially even art/craft-related things, B. I am a huge nerd and actually enjoy talking classes, C. I adore new supplies. D. I would like to design my own embroidery shop and design my own patterns. True story.

Last week, when the favorite guy and I were on our weekly library date, I found this gem:

52 drawing labs! I am so excited. I rushed out to stock up on more supplies and jumped right in.

I have spent a little while everyday working on a lab or two. It is challenging yet rewarding. 

Some samples from Lab 1: Drawing Cats in Bed

WIP Wednesday: SO many awesome projects!!

I love fall. Okay, I really love summer, but you can't beat fall for getting down to some serious crafting. I am right in the midst in play rehearsals, yet oddly, it is also when I get the most stuff made! Currently, I am working on:

• a double crochet/lemon peel scarf
• a "rick rack rib" knitted cowl
• a crocheted lace shawl
• just starting some felt brooches
• completing my octopus embroidery piece...just french knots left
• busily working on a Gandhi/floral piece (see below)
• starting another embroidery that says "whimsy matters"

We also just made homemade chili powder from chili peppers that we grew ourselves and dried. Many types of homemade hot sauces will be coming soon.

This shot is a bit blurry, but there are 11 types of stitches in the flower alone. Super excited!

Planning my next big gift project, a veggie tote from a design that I found in Doodle Stitching.

I simply adore making things! Can't wait to show you how they all turn out :)

Sunday Funday: Doing What I Love

This was one of those weekend that a crafter dreams of: research, projects, new skills, progress. It was a balm for my busy week and cluttered mind.

 I had an absolutely stellar trip to my local library!

 I am so excited to dive into these books as I plan projects, posts and gifts :)

  We also had a great stop at our local reclaimed sewing supplies store. 

I was able to score this awesome horde for only $16.74!

 Weekends were made for this kind of dinner with my sweetie. 

Cheeses, rice crisps, apples, olives, almonds...LOVE!

 Followed by pumpkin carving...so much fun!

 I indulged in some awesome treats for myself. Yay for 50% off coupons and inspiration!

Spent some time redoing my double crochet/lemon peel project. 

It will make a great holiday gift!

Stay tuned for some great roasted pumpkin seed recipes. As you can see, it was an absolutely wonderful weekend full of many blessing, quality crafting and bonding time, yummy dinners and much project progress. I am one lucky girl!

Stitchy Saturday: Embroidered Sketchbook

Fall is a time for new beginnings, I think. I know that Spring is a more commonly held time to start anew, but the new school year always makes me more creative. I adore Moleskin notebooks of any kind, but wanted my fall sketchbook to echo that sense of what could be. 

Thankful Thursday: Upcycled Cookie Tins

This has been one of THOSE projects. Boom! Great idea. Get supplies. Try it. Mess it up. Stash it for a few weeks. Try again. Another mess. Finally, quasi-success! 

WIP Wednesday: Embroidered Sketchbook

Today was a rough day. As a gal with MS, there are little challenges that I have to deal with daily. Tinglies, numbness, fatigue are part of my life. Not that it is a huge deal and not that I am not blessed, but some days it just adds up. I had a MRI scheduled for this morning. I got to the Imaging clinic on time, changed into my gown and was ready for a slightly loud and annoying process. Little did I know how annoying...

WIP Wednesday: Re-purposed tins...sorta

Sometimes, a project just doesn't work out the way you hoped that it would.

You think that you are prepared with the right tools. You are excited for the outcome.

And wham. Failure.That can really take the wind out of your sails.

Re-purposing cookie tins seemed straight-forward enough. 

Some cans, some paint, some tape=something cool and usable. 

Seem being the primary word here. This is what I did and what I will do to actually fix the problem. I hope.

How Tuesday: Paint Chip Dry Erase Board

I have been in love with paint chips since I was a kid. As a child, I would carefully place folded chips in my kiddie purse. They were my make-up compacts, my palettes, my tiny yellow brick roads. With the uber-popularity of Pinterest, paint chip projects are everywhere. This is my interpretation of the paint chip dry erase board. And yes, that is a framed photo of David Tennant hanging in my kitchen. 

Regrouping

Three steps forward, four steps back.

 Just as I was starting to re-focus and re-align my priorities, life has thrown me another curve ball. Everyone deals with hardship, it is true, it just seems like I have gotten more than my fair share recently. I have to have surgery...nothing life-threatening or even huge, but still costly and a more than a little stressful. That being said, my sweetie and friends are super-supportive and caring and they bolster me everyday.

I have been taking baby steps towards normalcy as I prepare for my "work"--I have cooked more seasonal dinners, reconnected with more friends, resumed my half-marathon training (though barely), begun work on my script for the fall play and have walked back into my studios.

Projects lay unfinished. Fresh supplies lay heaped on my cutting table and bundled on my work bench. New tools cry to be used and patterns beg to be begun.

So I have started to organize...chose what projects I want to complete first...brainstormed themes for upcoming posts...planned more yummy dinners...and move forward.

I want to finished my bird embroidery, complete my TARDIS plushie,
make a tote for school, and make some metal pieces with
my new embossing die...I need another Craftcation!!

I took the time to smell and arrange the flowers. And my
favorite retro cookbook has inspired a theme week!

Can't wait to make a retro inspired apron as
an awesome holiday gift!

As I deal with it all, I will run my
way to serenity...I hope.

TARDIS Thursday: This doorstop is bigger on the inside

Today's post is short, sweet, and freakin' awesome.

An awesome addition to my studio.

An ordinary brick, some craft paint, a foam brush, some tape,
and a marker are all you need.

Tape off the sign and windows and then draw in the panes and panels.

Simple but so much fun.
A quirky gift idea too!

How Tuesday: Doctor Who Washi Tape

I am not a a girl who is super trendy...geeks rarely are. I was loving Doctor Who LONG before it was the greatest thing going. Granted, the current trendy bit makes it easier to get Whovian merchandise! One trend that I am intrigued by but have not yet embraced is washi tape. 

What better way to celebrate it than to combine it with one of my favorite things? 

Ready to adorn!!

My supplies: double-sided tape, Doctor Who comics (picked
up at my local thrift store for a song), brayer, and scissors.

Chose the images you love and place them FACEDOWN.

Place the tape over the sections that you want.
Roll with brayer to assure maximum stickage.

Cut along the tape to make strips.

Roll, enjoy, adorn to your (two) hearts content!

Thankful Thursday: Upcycled Bird Feeder

I love the sounds of spring...the bird song, not the construction noises. I rummaged through the recycling bin to make an easy bird feeder. The project would be good for older kids, too!

Supplies: an empty peanut butter jar, a larger lid (for the perch),
Exacto/utility knife, eye hook, drill, hot glue gun, bird seed.

I drilled a hole in the lid and screwed in the eye hook.

Using the exacto, I cut several holes for the seed to come out.
This was the hardest part!

I glued the larger lid to the bottom with a hot glue gun.

Filled, hung, and ready to please!

WIP Wednesday: Teeny Tiny Birdhouses

Sometimes, you just make something because it is cute. Hence, these birdhouses.

Sweet tiny and sweet.

I used two tiny wooden houses, craft paint, an embroidery pattern
for inspiration, and sealant.

Base painted.

I drew the designs on in pencil and painted over them.

WIP Wednesday: Felt Flowers

Sometimes an outfit needs a little something. A flower is always a good way to spruce things up, even when they aren't in season. This flower works great a a brooch or you could attach it to headband to liven up your 'do!

I started by drawing a template on a thin piece of cardboard.
I drew a flower and a circle.

I traced them onto the fabric using a sharpie. You could use pencil
so you can cut over the lines or just hold the template
to the fabric so there are no lines. I wanted my petals to have a "dipped"
edge, so I went with marker.

On some flowers, I extended the edging the make the petals
look really dipped.

I folded each flower in half and then in half again. I snipped off
the point and applied hot glue. I attached each flower to the circle. I started
on the edges and filled in the center.

Once the petals were all attached, I glued a small piece of fabric
over a pin. You could apply the same technique to a headband.

Ready to brighten up your day!