Something Sweet for the Easter Basket

This will be the second year in a row that I've made the kids something a little matchy for Easter. How many times in a row do you have to do something before it is considered a tradition?

For this year, something extra sweet. I love this chocolate chip cookie fabric. I've finished up O's pants and have about 48 hours to make E's dress. Definitely cutting it close...


While I had planned to start building up my kids' summer wardrobes over the next couple weeks, I was accepted this week to participate in the Art Star Craft Bazaar at Penn's Landing the last weekend in May. Looks like the next 6 weeks will be dedicated to stocking up on inventory. Hope to see some of you there!

More new necklaces

I finished some more new necklaces last week! Some are made from watch parts, one is another optician lens pendant but with a beaded chain instead of the usual metal chain, and one is beads recycled from other necklaces, and one is made from a little circuit board that I found. The one in the upper left isn't complete yet- more of an idea in progress.

Wedding Wings

I finished up three custom orders this week, and all three pairs of wings were created to a bride's specifications.






The first was for a lady in Canada who needed a super sparkly strapless version of my Erin wings in gold and pink to match her dress.







The second was designed for a flower girl to be a water fairy in her mother's wedding and features a hand made satin and organza white water lily decorating the back.













And the third was for a bride in the United Kingdom, a customized pair of my small Hilary wings in white glitter fabric and olive green to match her gorgeous bridesmaid dresses.

Clearly Fun!

I had fun playing with some clear cardstock (acetate) and made a card by printing the edited picture on the acetate (second picture). Iused the photocopy setting and played with the definition in photoshop to create this almost sketched look. I then took some cream cardstock and stamped a sentiment on the bottom. So the card is two layers. It is lovely in real life. This was made for my daughter and is a picture of the two of us.

Fused Plastic!

Last summer, I found this video on how to make fused plastic using those oh-so-pesky plastic shopping bags! one important point that I think this video leaves out is that fusing the plastic bags emits a bunch of stinky and presumably toxic fumes! I've been stowing away a ton of more interestingly printed bags all winter and was excited to have time this past Thursday to set up shop outside on my patio and put my iron to work...





what am I doing with all of the fused plastic?
it's perfect material to make covers for journals and blank books, of course!

getting muggy!

One of the things that I am often asked is why I don't offer mugs on my website. Well, for a long time I had a problem with the handles cracking so I didn't want to commit to selling them. I would take custom orders, make extras and sell them at shows. Well, lately the mugs have been making it thru the entire process in tact so I am now going for it! Mugs for sale! Below are the first 3 patterns I am offering, fresh from the kiln!

soaring swallow flag thief mug

anemone mug

bird on a wire mug

Crocheted octopus hat

I really tried to resist yarn crafts. I've been quiltmaking for 19 years, and my fabric stash is appalling; I absolutely did not need another expensive habit. After I had my first child, in 2004, I tried to use up some of the fabric by making little dresses. Plans for an etsy shop were temporarily derailed by the arrival of the second child in 2008. I thought I could sew while caring for a baby and a tot, but [looking around wreck of a house] apparently not. Ah...last month, I rediscovered knitting and crochet. Much more portable than my cutting table and a Bernina.

I made this octopus hat on March 28 for my husband to wear while amusing the baby. It's my third crochet project as an adult. I find crochet much easier than knitting and more intuitive, so right now I'm only doing things I can improvise. There'll be time, and brain, to parse intricate pattern directions when the kids are a little older.

Next project, begun tonight: a horsie hat! An equestrian friend expressed a desire for a hat that would make her head look like a little hill with horses on it. I've obtained the green eyelash yarn for pasture and brown worsted for fences, and will hit up the library tomorrow for amigurumi resources. We'll see next Wednesday if any good comes of it!