Quill Cottage

ART CHALLENGE REMINDER...

2012-01-27T19:08:00.000-06:00

I just wanted to remind any of you who might be joining me in the Art Challenge that the linky party will be held this coming Monday, Jan. 30, 2012. There is no sign up just check out the rules for playing along and come and join us by linking up and showing off your creation.

Challenge Rules:

*Using one or more or even a part of one of the images in this post create any type of artwork you desire, (a tag, a card, a collage, a canvas, anything goes!) expressing the freedom to dream.

*Include the word "DREAM" in your creation.
*Let's meet back here on Monday, Jan. 30, 2012 for a little linky party to share our creations.

To read the full post that inspired the challenge you can find it HERE.

I will be holding a give away for those who participate by offering my creation for the challenge and a packet of supplies from my studio as gifts.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and hope to see some of you here on Monday!

A COMPLETED PIECE OF STUDIO STORAGE...

2012-01-26T14:00:00.000-06:00

It has turned out to be a very happy marriage of a tiny child sized chest of drawers, tiered table, and button cubby for new studio storage. It was a tight squeeze but there is just enough room for the door to open and close.

Before...

During...

After...

I love the new chubby knobs I found on sale at Hobby Lobby...

Care for a peek into the drawers? Old tattered linens for projects...

Embroidered linens, handkerchiefs, and colorful crochet...

This drawer has some temporary bagged things that are waiting for their new home, once they are removed it will be room for supply growth...

Current sewing projects: pillows, purses, a window treatment, and a skirt...

The shelves provide a place to stack lots of pretty boxes to hold supplies...

Topping off the trio is my button cubby full of little glass jars of assorted colorful buttons...

I made little lid covers to coordinate with the button collections inside. I grouped these in like color families, wood, metal, and glass...

This little jar is one of my favorites. These are buttons from my mother's button box that I played with as a child. I have marked them as keepsakes, fun to take out and look at but I will probably never use these on a project...

On top I stored some spools of fibers and an adorable pin cushion doll...

One tiny artsy project is displayed here, a fiber and paper cup and saucer that I made...

The final finishing touch will be to add some hooks the top sides of the button cubby box for hanging supplies on.

With limited space think going vertical, floor to ceiling like with this project. I waffled about adding the cubby on top because it took up the snippet of wall space but in the end this was the best place for it in the room. I am tackling the behind the door storage and the final piece of furniture this weekend, I have been waiting on some things I ordered to come in to finish these projects and they arrived yesterday.

I hope your day is being filled with beautiful things!

Blessings,

Sandy

A GRAND WEEKEND...

2012-01-24T10:01:00.113-06:00

Grandma always made you feel she had been waiting to see just you all day and now the day was complete.

-Marcy DeMaree-

(Vintage Images from Karen's Whimsy)

We had a grand weekend, meaning that the grands came over and spent the weekend. It was both exhilarating and exhausting! They are 5 and 2 with the speed and energy of ball lightning. I love these ages, they say and do the funniest things. I always have some sort of little treat for them when they come over. I found these little key chain cameras at the dollar store that made a flash and a camera noise when you pushed the button. They loved them...a little too much, more about that in a minute.

For a treat we blew up an air mattress and got out the fitted tent where we camped out in the living room with Ellie, Bunny, Blankie, and Jack...

Girlie Grand would put Jack nite-nite then frown and ask, "Where Jack go?" We would Pop-Goes-The-Weasel him out much to her ear splitting squealing delight...

They never put those little key chain cameras down. They commanded "Say Cheese!" and clicked those things all evening long. Little Man Grand chose to camp overnight in the tent. I thought I confiscated the clicking blinking say cheesing cameras before bedtime. Little Man Grand saw where I put them and under the cover of darkness he stealthily sneaked his into the tent unbeknown to me. Not only had he sneaked the camera into the tent but also my small bedside clock that happens to make a clicking sound when you push a button on top to light the display to see the time.

Fast forward to the wee smalls of not quite 5:30 am. Little Man Grand would rather do anything rather than spend his time sleeping. He decided to see what time the clock said and clicked it and then clicked it again, and again, and again. The loud clicking in the silence of the house startled the dog who shot out of her bed rampaging into the living room growling. Little Man Grand stuck his head out of the tent to see what was going on, the movement caught the dog off guard and she went into a full on barking snarl which sent Little Man Grand off into a series of howls.

I am careening through the dark hot on the heels of the dog trying to shush her and get her out the door until I can restore order hoping Girlie Grand won't be disturbed. I shut the door on the doggie ruckus with Little Man Grand clinging to my leg wondering why Sophie was barking at him, howling is echoing down the hallway from Girlie Grand. I drag him down the hall trying to explain that the clicking clock woke Sophie up and scared her. I asked him why he was clicking the clock so many times and he said he was checking the time to see if it was morning yet.

After letting the dog back in I piled everyone into our bed hoping they might settle down and doze a bit longer. No luck, while I was letting the dog in Little Man Grand got both key chain cameras. All of the sudden the inky wee smalls were lit up with flashes of blinding light, squeals of "Say Cheese!" and "Hey watch this!" where they held down the button for a series of light bursts that left Handy Hubby and I seeing spots. So much for settling back down, we got up!

There was a request for puppy dog pancakes for breakfast. A Poodle for Girlie Grand...

And a Pound Puppy for Little Man Grand...

What? You don't feed your grands candy for breakfast? All in all it was a grand weekend full of fun and memory making. I can't wait til we can do it again!
Did you do anything fun?

Blessings,

Sandy

P.S. If you have been having trouble viewing posts or leaving comments Karen at My Desert Cottage has a solution to the issue, you can read her post HERE.

A LITTLE SUITCASE LOVE...

2012-01-20T08:53:00.000-06:00

(Mini suitcase collage by me)

This week every spare second has been spent in the studio culling through everything in there, getting rid of what I absolutely do not love, and trying to figure out a new system of organization for some of my supplies. All this is being done in preparation for the last new piece of studio furniture to be brought in. Hopefully I can get the rest of the supplies needed to finish it this weekend. I sort of ran out of steam and needed a little inspiration so I headed over to Pinterest to see if I could find something that sparked some ideas.

What I found was a little suitcase love. In a perfect creative world I would have a much larger studio space with skylights and plenty of wall and storage space. In a perfect world I would collect old suitcases and have Handy Hubby build me shelves like these to house them...

(Image found on Pinterest)

This wall is just visually delicious to me and can you even imagine all the supplies those babies would hold?

In a perfect creative world I would have a well lit gallery wall of suitcase shelves like these...

(Image found on Pinterest)

I could just imagine artwork displayed on these, love this idea!!!

In a perfect creative world I would love to have towers of these to stash creative supplies of fabrics, laces, trims, and vintage linens in...

(Image found on Pinterest)

In a perfect creative world perhaps I would have a pair of these to lounge in...

(Image found on Pinterest)

These are fabulously cool!

While I adore all those ideas, in my creative space those just won't work, but, I did find this idea of a traveling studio that is a possibility...

(Image found on Pinterest)

I love how this one has been altered...

(Image found on Pinterest)

This would be great for traveling back and forth to the farm.

I found myself in a little suitcase love! Suitcase dreams aside, I will dream my little space into the creative haven I desire it to be. Oh, but it is so fun to image and dream! I must put hands and feet to my dream and hopefully I will have a big reveal to show you next week!

Do you have any savvy supply storage ideas? I'd love to hear your favorite!

Enjoy your weekend!

WINTER'S CRAYON BOX...

2012-01-18T10:30:00.000-06:00

The color of springtime is in the flowers, the color of winter is in the imagination.

-Terri Guillemets-

We spent a glorious weekend at the farm.

The weather was unseasonably warm with brilliant clear blue skies...

As soon as we were settled in I did what I always do, headed outside for a look around. Not the kind of look around to see if things are as they should be but the kind of looking around that quenches the thirst of the eye from a sight not seen in far too many sun settings and moon risings. A tour of the farm yard is always first. A sweet companion perched in the peach tree pointing out the fine workmanship of he and his fellow feathered friends...

A brilliantly built nest in the top of the apple tree...

A woven wonder nestled in the center of the lilac bush...

And a sweet swirl of grasses gathered under the rose bush...

He pointed out pine cones...

Fuzzy soft weeds gone to seed...

And perfect places to perch...

All manner of things of interest to him. As I lifted the latch on the old garden gate he gave a quick chirp while spreading his wings and lifting himself high up into the sky. His sudden departure startled my little sidekick, Sophie, causing her to ruffled her fur...

I sat obscured in the golden hay field silently observing the world around me...

Sophie snuffling around beside me...

I noticed how winter's crayon box had tipped itself over spilling out a limited palette of sky blue, buttery goldenrod, timberwolf grey, and bittersweet rust brilliantly coloring the landscape before me...

Both pond and sky had received firm pressure when filled in to achieve that deep rich vibrancy of blue...

The goldenrod was stroked on with a wispy light hand fanning and feathering the waving windswept grasses...

The rusty bittersweet was sketched in as rusted roof tin and strings of barbed wire on aged cedar fence posts...

And used in the detail designs of rusty nails...

Time worn latches, hinges, and bent wiggly wire...

Timberwolf grey was liberally used to texture the trunks of the Silver Leaf Maples...

To swirl in the rings of the old hand hewn log barn...

And to give depth and character to bent old barn wood...

I lingered looking long looks at winter's amazing color palette...

Quietly sitting in awe of the hand that wrought it all, bird, nest, pine cone, and tree... a sea of golden hay, an azure sky, the weathered grey of wood, and speckle spotted rust. I took in the intricate detail of the hand of the ultimate artist and sighed a deep sigh of gratitude and appreciation.
The shadows began to grow long...

And while my little sidekick Sophie and I had enjoyed our time in the sun...

It was time to point ourselves toward the farmhouse...

We strolled side by side while casting last admiring glances at winter's crayon box.

What colors in winter's crayon box are shading your world?

NEW STUDIO STYLE...

2012-01-13T12:12:00.000-06:00

Hi sweet friends! I have missed you this past week! I have been hard at work on some new things in the studio, not too many artful things but on the studio itself. I am beyond excited to see the final pieces of furniture being finished up, the last of the supplies being stowed away, and a few more stylish touches being put into place. This is a very long awaited dream come true. I have come a long way from the TV tray crafting days.

Some of you may be wondering when the real studio work is going to begin, not the putting together of the room but the production of art and words, both of which have been few and far between lately. I am getting to that by laying in a good foundation of a work environment that is set up to not only meet my needs but that inspires me to be creative.

While the studio will always be somewhat of a work in progress as I grow into my medium the basic layout of the room will not and that is why I am so excited to get these last two piece of furniture done. All the big stuff will be out of the way and the rest will be play! I originally bought this little child's size chest of drawers to use at the farm but realized it perfectly fit the space between the door and the closet in the studio. I already had the little altered table sitting there and since they were both agreeable, they got married...

I am going out to buy them a wedding gift today, some nice jewelry to seal their union, shiny new knobs! I also purchased this big old desk...

And I removed this bench from the entry of my home...

And they are thinking about getting married too!

But not without a little refurbishing and altering. I already have the base piece painted and I am waiting on a little something I ordered to finish it before moving on the altered iron top piece and I am not sure about that yet, I need to see it in the room before I make my final decision and chop into the bench.
I have also refaced the inset of my cabinet fronts using old book pages in Dutch, German, French, old text books, and vintage catalog pages overlaid with some of my most special stash, the good stuff!, images cut from Harper's Bazaar that are well over 100 years old...

I did a little paint stamping and shading and they are ready to seal...

I was a little nervous about doing this. I have been thinking about it for a long time but I was not sure I would like it once it was done. I decided to reach beyond my comfort zone and go for it. I am so glad I did I love it! What in the world was I waiting for?

In between coats of paint and pots of glue I noticed that the leftover bowl was beginning to overflow again...

So I got out some scrap fabrics and started to do some off site embroidery and applique...

These will be incorporated into a larger project later on. Which brings me right back around to the point of my post and where the real studio work will begin. Everything has to start somewhere, a dream as a tiny seed of a thought has to be nurtured to life one small step at a time. Growth takes time. I am growing into my dream one small work in progress at a time all the while keeping my eyes open for opportunity to present itself to lead me to the next step.

I have this favorite old book (Re-Creations by Grace Livingston Hil l) that was written and published back in the late 1900's or early 1920's that has a small segment that always inspires me. A snippet of conversation transpires between a sister and her brother. The brother tells her that he has not had anything "regular" (steady work) since getting out of school, just the odd job here or there but nothing he really considered worthwhile. He had just been tinkering (working on automobiles). His sister tells him that she thinks it is a good thing for him to stick at while he is looking for something better, that the work he is doing now will prepare him for something else in that line later on. She asks him, "What is there big and really worth while that you'd like to get into if you could?"

His face lights up as he explains that the working knowledge of machinery could lead to a better chance in other areas of business but of course he could not just jump right in at the top of his desired field, he had to begin somewhere. His sister encourages him to continue on where he is but to be alert and ready for when a good opportunity offers itself he would be suitably ready to apply (or reach) for it.

I find myself very much in this young imaginary man's shoes, just tinkering, finding my niche in the mixed media world, knowing where I want to go and paying my dues by starting off at the bottom to get there, gaining knowledge along the way that is preparing me for something else later on. I am not letting grass grow under my feet while I idly sit by and wait for opportunity to knock but working my way there steadily. I anticipate a realization of those dreams and I hope that you too are sowing seeds for your dreams to bloom!

Just a little reminder of my mini Art Challenge to spur on and inspire your dreams, for details you can visit this post if you want to play along...

Inspiration thought:

"What is there big and really worth while that you'd like to get into if you could?"

IF THE SHOE DOESN'T FIT...GO BAREFOOT (ART CHALLENGE)...

2012-01-08T07:56:00.002-06:00

"Action and reaction, ebb and flow, trial and error, change - this is the rhythm of living. Out of our over -confidence, fear; out of our fear, clearer vision, fresh hope. And out of hope, progress."

-Bruce Barton-

(FREE Image from art-e-zine)

Since I have spent a good part of this new year sick I have had a little extra time for reflection. I took notice of several things that were not working for me. In fact, they fit me and my goals, like an ill suited pair of shoes. So, I decided to kick them off and go barefoot. In other words, to free myself of the confines of something that was so uncomfortable and disagreeable.

When choosing a path you might have to travel "a right purty fur piece", as it is said up in the hills and hollers of home, and I don't want to have to make that hike in unfit footwear. With wild child-like abandon I have kicked off my shoes in order to pursue with greater freedom just being me.

(FREE Image from Magic Moonlight Studio)

Some of the pinchy footwear I was trying to step out in were in silly areas like home decor and wardrobe choices. I admire and love the craze for all white or neutral decor but I can't live that way...I crave color! And, I LIKE my flowers, call me a granny if you want to cause I am one, but I do love floral prints, not modern versions but cabbage rosy needle point old fashioned ones! I looked around my house and found some areas I was really dissatisfied because I was trying to follow a trend and it was rubbing a blister on my soul. I am wiggling my toes in freedom and going back to being my old-fashioned self!

I am utterly hopeless in the fashion department but I think it is due to trying to fit myself into so many of today's trends and they just feel awkward to me. I love detail, I am very detail oriented, and I adore exquisite detailing in clothing. I love lace and I don't care if Stacy and Clinton think I am wearing my grandma's tablecloth, (and I just might be if I have altered it into a garment) I am comfortable in feminine frilly detailed clothing! And, I like denim and lots of white and natural neutral textures and colors, so there! Oh, and GREEN, lots of green! My little piggies are squealing "Wee! Wee! Wee!, we are free, all the way home!"

(FREE Image from art-e-zine)

Artistically speaking I have strayed from some of my vision on what I want to be creating once again trending and tending towards safety instead of reaching beyond comfort. I think these shoes have pinched me the most lately. There are dreams and goals and desires I have long left untapped as I have fulfilled other duties and roles in my life and before I have to don the good sensible shoes of old age I want one more barefoot summer of footloose fancy free kicking off and kicking up my heels dancing in the daisies dandelion wish blowing dreams coming true chance! I am taking it!

I have spent the last couple of days donating trendy clothing that I intensely dislike. I have torn my house asunder rifling through decor items donating those I don't love and shopping my house moving things from room to room to have a fresh feel. The studio is getting a mini makeover with a new piece of furniture going in so I had to rearrange a few things. I am almost set up to begin the new barefoot chapter of my life!

(FREE Image from Magic Moonlight Studio)

Artfully speaking I have just a limited few barefoot goals:

(Scary putting these out there!)

* I'd like for this to be the year of finally and fully putting together a book proposal and to pursue publishing dreams - stepping out in faith here (there's my word "reaching" again!) with no idea if it will fly or not

* I'd like to get and keep my online store up and running - poor neglected defunct thing that I have let it become

* I'd like to teach - Whether it be local classes, developing online classes, or at sponsored events

* I'd like to begin developing an artistic ministry of some sort, an art retreat or gathering here at the Quill

Going barefoot is sometimes scary, I might step on a sticker or two along my chosen path or stub my toe, but I am willing to take the chance and see what happens. I have already taken some action to my reaction going with the ebb and flow of my feelings in these three areas of my life. I am entering the rhythm of living, trial and error to change. Ebbing confidence, flowing fear, clear vision, fresh hope. And out of this hope I pray will be progress.

Daring to be different...

(FREE Image from Magic Moonlight Studio)

If you could run barefoot in one area of your life what would it be?

What is holding you back?

What would it take to kick off those shoes and run with your dream?

I'd like to offer you a little artistic art challenge if you want to play along:

*Using one or more or even a part of one of the images in this post create any type of artwork you desire, (a tag, a card, a collage, a canvas, anything goes!) expressing the freedom to dream.

*Include the word "DREAM" in your creation.

*Let's meet back here say on Monday, Jan. 30, 2012 for a little linky party to share our creations.

I will pick a winner to receive my art piece contribution plus a packet of studio supplies!

I would love it if you would help me get the word out by posting and leaving a link back to this post.

You can use the altered image above for a graphic reminder.

Hope you can play along!

REACHING...

2012-01-04T07:11:00.001-06:00

Reaching: To stretch or put forth; to arrive (a destination); to obtain; to grasp (seize firmly) or touch something; to strive or yearn; to move forward; to gain with effort; achieve, obtain, gain, compass (accomplish)

This new year has taken me by surprise. Fresh vistas of opportunity are opening themselves wide and I have in four very short days had much to contemplate. Big decisions have been hovering over the Quill about which new directions to follow. The last few days have been spent putting forth the effort of deciding the distinct destination I need to aim for.

A couple of times a year I take a few days to pull away from everything and give some concentrated time and attention to assess where I am and where I am going. During this time away I do a sort of mental check list of spiritual, physical, mental, emotional, relational, and work oriented areas of my life. I spend time seeking guidance on what is working and what is not, if changes need to be made, etc.

I have never been one to make resolutions, they always seem to focus on the negative things I dislike about myself that I want to change and fall off the wagon in doing so in a very short period of time. The list of my flaws are always glaring and long and it does not take much time before I am hopelessly discouraged. I set myself up for failure by trying to focus on too many areas that I feel need to be changed. There a too many targets and I can't seem to hit any of the bulls eyes!

This year I am trying a fresh and exciting approach with just one single focal point, a simple single word...REACHING. I did not choose this word, it chose me. I will spare you the details of how I arrived at this conclusion but, suffice it to say, I know that the Lord will use this word in my life throughout this year.

This is a word that requires action and at this juncture in my life that is exactly what I need. My method is simple. I have decided each day to invite this word into my life in whatever way God intends for it to be used. I have incorporated it into my morning prayer time. Each day I am simply asking that He would enable me to live my word allowing Him to direct and guide me into the kind of person we both desire me to become.

This word is not just related to my character but also has an application from how I will minister and serve in the coming year to career path decisions. I find it very comforting that this one single word is so all encompassing. I only have to focus on one single thing...REACHING...stretching forth my arm, extending my hand, and opening my palm to take His guiding hand.

I intend to grasp on firmly and reach for some dreams that I have yearned for, hoping that this single focus of REACHING will propel me forward to a destination of achievement in realizing the birth of those dreams. What about you, do you have a resolution? A special word of the year? What is the secret of your success in navigating through each new year? I'd love to hear from you!

I am linking to The Lettered Cottage: This Little Word of Mine link party.

HAPPY NEW YEAR...

2011-12-31T22:40:00.000-06:00

"A new beginning is perhaps the best time to say...

It’s so nice to know you…
And here’s wishing our friendship
continues to grow in the days to come."

-Author Unknown-

Put on your party hat and paste on a goofy grin...

(FREE IMAGE)

It's time to usher baby NEW YEAR 2012 in!

(FREE IMAGE)

It has been a privilege and an honor to spend the past 365 days with you through posts, comments, and emails. We are written into each others hearts and lives, filling in little blank spaces of time on calender pages we call "posts". We have jotted important notes and funny antidotes. We have shared joys and snippets of sadness. We have encouraged one another through creativity. We have formed friendships and found kindred spirits.

You have made me smile and belly laugh. I have cried right along side of some of you. I have thought of you and prayed for you. You have bolstered my spirit when it was low. I have found you to be wise and wonderful and witty. You have written yourselves upon my heart and I proud to call you dear friends. You have deeply enriched my life story this past year!

"Each new day is a blank page in the diary of your life. The secret of success is in turning that diary into the best story you possibly can."

-Douglas Pagels-

I wish you Happy New Year and diary full of best stories ever written in your life.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

BASKING IN THE AFTER GLOW...

2011-12-27T12:24:00.000-06:00

We are basking in the after glow of Christmas here at the Quill.

A lone bright star is still shining in the East...

The shepherds are still abiding in the field watching over the flocks...

The babe is still laying in the manger...

The Wise Men are still worshiping...

And we are still rejoicing...

Baubles still hang upon the tree branches...

Reflecting the glow that still resides in our hearts...

The table top tree forests...

That greeted our Christmas Guests...

Are the only things altered from our holiday celebration...

Our hearts and our hands remain open...

Ready to continue into the New Year with the Christmas Spirit of giving and receiving...

Our hearts remain worshipful...

Our every blessing has tuned our hearts to sing of grace,

His streams of mercy are never ceasing,

And call for songs of loudest praise!

Yes, the Christmas Spirit still remains here at the Quill and I hope it will remain through the New Year still!

I will taking a bit of break for the rest of the week and may not post again until the New Year.

If I don't touch base with you before then I am wishing you all a very blessed, healthy, happy, and prosperous New Year!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

2011-12-24T21:39:00.000-06:00

Merry Christmas from Quill Cottage...

Sharing a bit of our Christmas cheer and if you missed it you can read this years Christmas Devotional Thoughts HERE.

I hope that you and yours have the very merriest Christmas!

May Peace be your gift at Christmas and your blessing all year through!

FROM GOOFS TO GIFTS...

2011-12-21T11:41:00.000-06:00

In my last post I shared with you the good, the bad, and the just plain ugly of my Christmas crafting. I know, you never ever want to make much less give a bad or ugly gift. I had a few Ooops projects that just did not turn out like they were supposed to. I spent a little time yesterday turning those goofs into give-able gifts and I have to say I am pretty please with the results.

Most every thing I made came out well until I got to these canvas pieces and things just well, fell to pieces, as you will see...

In case you missed the post this was not only a goof it was an extremely bad ugly goof...

I had decided this would never see the light of day. After frowning at it every time I turned around I decided I was either going to have to get Botox for my developing frown lines or fix the problem. I chose to turn this trash into treasure so I tore the whole thing apart...

And began again with the crafter's solution to wrinkles, collage, it covers up anything! Now this is more like it...

I had to sacrifice my bird and nest that I was going to use in another project but it was so worth it. This may not be an ideal frame but it looks ever so much better than the first try. I am totally not embarrassed to give this one as a gift now.

Goof number two, this little birdie project went south some how and it was just all wrong...

It too got dismantled a bit and I actually love it now. I did a faux plaster finish, painted out the background and reapplied the bird and branch giving them a new painted finish...

The background is a pretty blueish green combination but it is showing up in the photos looking more gray. As soon as it is dry I will tap in a few more white highlights to the bird and it will be ready to seal! (I actually kind of want to keep this one)

Goof number three kind of grew on me, it really is not horrible, not great, but not horrible. So all I did to it was add a little touch of textured velvet ribbon to the edge of the canvas and called it done.

This canvas set was not a goof just not my cup of tea, I ended up leaving them of these pretty much alone after the initial painting and stamping...

I hope the recipient will like these, they are very much her style, I just really struggled with doing something more modern. I think these will look great flanking each side of her bed hung over the night tables.

This is the unfinished piece of the last post...

The request was for something with a little pale blue, gray, black, and small pop of yellow in a more contemporary style. YIKES! I am a vintage girl but I gave it a whirl...

I actually don't hate it, I'm kind of in like with it, and again I hope the recipient will love it.

I also finished the sweet little tweet canvas for my granddaughter...

I wanted it framed in a wide white frame and trotted off to Hobby Lobby to find one. Just my luck not even one open backed ready made wide white canvas frame to be had. In fact their frames are almost completely sold out. I had to settle for some velvet ribbon and buttons to make hanger. I found this cute iron flower holder for it to hang from. I think it will be a perfect pop of color against her new soft green walls.

I was so happy, I thought I was all done crafting and then I started to sort out gifts to wrap and came across these little aprons I bought to paint for the grands...

Totally forgot about them. They are drying and waiting for finishing details and then they will be ready to wrap as a compliment to some fun craft kits. Now I really am done! Not with getting ready for Christmas just with crafting.

Time to wrap it up, literally, I have like nothing wrapped.

I hope you all have a happy day!

ALL OVER THE MAP, JUST LIKE SANTA...

2011-12-19T21:21:00.000-06:00

My Christmas crafting has been all over the map just like Santa on Christmas Eve! I now know why he has elves (plural) and not just one elf. I am on the crafting countdown of trying to get everything finished and wrapped. I had a lot of special requests by family members this year and I have tried my very best to oblige. Some things I have thoroughly enjoyed making and somethings, not so much.

I have a person on my gift list that LOVES pink. She has also been after me to make her a statement style necklace and I felt I had put her off long enough. I am not so much of a pink kind of girl and I really had to channel my inner pink three year old princess on this one, in other words, I had to dig deep! I started with a pink crochet sweater that I recycled into three gifts for the passionate about pink person...

I know, some of you pink gals are yelling "NOOOooooo!" as you see the scissors coming at that sweater, too late...

I used the outside of the sweater to make the exterior of a hobo bag, using the inner sweater lining for forming some of the flower embellishments...

More sweater bits formed flowers or embellished the necklace...

And a tiny bit of the pink crochet embellish the front of this little notebook cover...

My daughter laughed when she saw these and said the only thing that would have made those perfect for the recipient was to bedazzle and add a feather boa! She is right, this person is over the top and she will love these over the top accessories.

I also made my girls hobo bags using modern print fabrics and the ever popular bird theme. I bought a super easy sewing pattern but had to alter it just a bit to get exactly what I wanted, the bag had a seam down the front and back and I did not like the seam down the front. I did the embroidery and applique before sewing these fully lined bags, they even have a cute cell phone pocket inside...

I still had a little bit of fabric left from the purses so I made them some accessories with the scraps. Monogrammed, fully lined zipper makeup bags, mini notebook covers, and (my favorite) soft sculptured bird key chains...

I loved working on all these!

I also had some requests for wall art. This is a love/hate project that is yet to be complete. Loved working on this lacquer and bees wax collage for my sweet grand girls room...

Her new bedding has birdies on it and I think this will be adorable in her room...

I still have to frame it.

My girls wanted some contemporary art pieces for their homes and I tried, I really, really, really, really tried, pinkie swear I did. (I hated working on these!) First I tried a small canvas with paint, oil sticks, and bees wax, these love birds did not turn out like I planned...

Something for the Ooops pile!

OK, second try, paint, stamps, ink, hand painted silk, bees wax...

Liked the background but the wax made the silk transparent and I did not like the under design showing through, something else for the Ooops pile!

Third time has got to be a charm right? WRONG! Fabric collage, hand stamped fabric, sewing, wallpaper, bees wax and we have yet another Ooops pile item...

I forgot to back the bird and it became transparent after the wax application and the oil stick shading on the wallpaper bits slid off in the waxing process, I put a photo in it anyway but it will probably never see the light of day, at least the kids are cute!

Bigger is supposed to be better right? Not sure on this one yet...

This is one of a pair of larger canvas' that I did a larger scale of the background that I did like and I just need to figure out the rest. I know I will leave them bold and graphic I just need to figure out how I want to add the requested accent color. I am going to play on paper before I touch the canvas.

Another larger canvas that I have textured and base coated, once dry I will be brave and touch my paint brush to it...

Who knows, I may end up with the biggest Ooops pile ever before this is over.

I could not leave out my sweet little grandson who is gaga over computers, IPhones or anything that has to do with electronics. He is also fascinated by how things are made and the inner workings of circuit boards or mechanical parts so I did a technology themed piece of art for his room...

I used an old mother board from a computer and various other computer parts to make this high tech kid his own customized piece of art with a small canvas attached to it with a pop art version of his photo. Handy Hubby is working a little light sensitive mini solar panel that will make the little plastic fan turn when he turns on the light.

There was a silver computer part that was shaped exactly like an IPhone and I thought it would be neat to make it into one. I snagged a photo of an IPhone off the net and printed to scale on high gloss photo paper, I had to trim it a little to make it fit inside the part. I then covered the photo with a piece of acetate and it looks like a real IPhone screen. The part is mounted to the edge of the canvas and stands out from it.

He will love it and I loved working on this one!

I gathered photos for customized mouse pads for the big guys in the family. Made a scrapbook for each grand. Used the photo CD from the scrapbooks to make a DVD set to music for the grands parents. Made my dad a mini gift photo/quote book on Blurb, it arrived today and I am impressed with their printing and binding. And just to keep my sanity I worked on a little something for myself...

I figured out why this was all so hard and not because I was just one elf but because I was doing something out of my element and skill set. I did give it a try. I will complete each canvas but I won't wrap or officially give them as gifts, I'll let the girls look at them as see if they want them or not. I am not a modern girl and creating with a modern style is just not me. Give me vintage, tattered, and layered any day!

Did you do any Christmas crafting? What did you make? Did it turn out like you planned?

Well, it's time for this elf to get herself back into the workshop! I'll let you know how it goes, success or failure.

Have a merry day!

GIVE AWAY WINNERS...

2011-12-16T06:40:00.002-06:00

(Free Image)

Thank you to all who entered and left such kind and encouraging comments. I cannot thank you all enough for the creative energy you spur on, it is a delight to interact with each and every one of you. Thank you so much for your support and friendship.

(Free Image)

The winners are as follows:

Rowann (Antiques in Old Town)

Judith (Creative Studio)

Jill (Feather & Flight)

Deborah (Deb's Vintage Soul)
Creative Grammie (Creative Grammie )

Lesley UK (no blog)

Pattie J (My Crafty Obsessions)

Lisa (no blog)

Ladies, there is a twist to this one! You will not know exactly which ornament you won until it arrives, SURPRISE! I thought this might make it more like a real gift, not knowing exactly what is inside the package when it arrives. Please email me your mailing address and I will get those goodies right out to you.

Above and below you will find a few sweet vintage Christmas images from old greeting cards. Feel free to save, share, and/or print these to use in your Christmas crafting:

(Free Image)

(Free Image)

Have a wonderfully blessed day!

CHRISTMAS MAGIC...

2011-12-14T04:53:00.000-06:00

(All images in this post courtesy of Karen's Whimsy)

Christmas magic...the air was tinged with it. My steps slowed as titled my head back and took in the awe and wonder of the inky velvet sky. God was just turning on His nightly display of holiday lights. Pin pricks of light dotted the universe above, a design that far outshone any being recreated on the front lawns of homes and in store front displays all over town.

Was I the only one who felt it? I looked around at the sight and sound of fast clipped steps, boots and shoes shuffling quickly across pavement. Scuttling and scurrying people darting to and fro, in and out of whooshing doors that either spit them out or swallowed them up. Hands that went in empty came out full, bulging bags testified that they knew Christmas was coming but where was the wonder and awe? Perhaps it was tightly bundled in the bags and boxes they carried. Maybe they were guarding it to be unwrapped later. I hoped not, for they were missing precious moments of Christmas magic...the anticipation of the coming.

The air was crisp and fresh, the kind that makes ones cheeks tingle and turn rosy, the kind that sharpens ones senses to joy and delight, the kind that masks all unpleasantries. I walked through the mock forest of trees on criss-crossed wooden stands brushing close enough to the branches to catch as whiff of Christmas. Every few feet I stopped and inhaled deeply the spicy pine and cedar scent...more Christmas magic. No one seemed to notice either myself or the trees so I continued my waltz among them. These trees knew, they sacrificed themselves from the comfort of their forest to light up someone's holiday...more Christmas magic.

The tinkling sound of a lone bell jingled in its familiar rhythm as a shivering ringer huddled near a little red kettle, its sound calling out to the crowd to take notice by opening their hearts and wallets giving to those less fortunate. Heads ducked, eyes darted away, steps hastened, and wallets remained closed for the most part, understandable in these tight times. I could not help but think of the little drummer boy who had no gifts to bring to lay before the King; he gave what he had...his music. I wondered if the patrons of the big box business knew that all the gew-gaws and trinkets, latest gadget or top toy could never out shine the simple joy of a heart that was filled with gratitude and love for the babe in the manger...still more Christmas magic.

Shaking myself out of my reverie I entered the fray of harried shoppers. Was this what tax season was like in the city of old as Joseph and Mary approached? Were they pushed and trod upon, were they received rudely? Certainly there was no room for them, or for me either, I mused as I imagined the brimming bright red carts as camels whose packs were laid with all manner of goods...exotic spices to season cookies and pies, cloth and fabric to swath banquet tables, candles to illuminate rooms, etc. as they jammed themselves tightly down narrow aisles. I felt the Christmas magic being pushed away like the heavy laden carts as shoppers labored through the throng checking off their lists.

Pulling my meager cart alongside the other shoppers I dutifully stood in line waiting to pay for my purchases amid much muttering and grumbling. The lines were too long, the staff to short, tempers tipped, and impatient sighs erupted. This must have resembled the imposed taxing in Joseph and Mary's day. It's no wonder that the Christmas magic was overlooked; everyone was focused on earthly duty and delight. I looked over the throngs of shoppers and I did not see any happy faces, no smiles in eyes or on lips. I did not see any radiant joy only grimace over the cost of this or that toy. Was this why Christmas magic was amiss? Too much thought on Christmas toy and too little on Christmas joy?

I spread my cheer as best I could with nod and smile that reached the eye and spread to the lips. I prayed a radiant joy would warm those around me on this chilly evening. I encourage the harried clerk and let the dollar and some change tinkle into the red kettle as I exited the store. I let the rhythmic sound of the tinny bell match my steps for one last waltz through the mock forest of evergreens. "Evergreens, forever green, always green, and unchanging..." trailed a thought across my mind. Herein lies the secret of Christmas magic...keeping the Christ of Christmas fresh in your heart and mind and the center of your focus.

The blanket of night softly enveloped me as I turned my back on the big box business. A quite settled around me with the nightlight of stars to shine the way home. One shining a little more brilliant and little brighter than the rest, not unlike the one the Wise Men followed. They knew what they were seeking that long ago Christmas morn, the precious baby who was stable born, the Messiah, the Savior, Jesus, the King, the one true gift that Christmas brings.

My heart was wrapped in delight and joy that for one brief moment it could employ the magic of Christmas amid all the mundane of an ordinary day as I was able to clearly see Christmas through the entire fray. "Evergreen" has become the prayer of my heart, fresh unchanging devotion on my part, to keep the Christ of Christmas as my central focus not just now at holiday time but to pungently permeate my heart and mind each and every moment left of life time.

Wishing you Christmas magic too!

HOLIDAY GIVE AWAY SIGN UP...

2011-12-12T09:21:00.001-06:00

Please note that this give away is closed.

As a token of appreciation for you, sweet readers, and as a celebration of the up coming holiday I wanted to host a little give away. This year I wanted to offer some of the handmade ornaments that have been featured in my recent tutorials. There will be 8 WINNERS, each receiving ONE hand made ornament similar or exact in style as pictured below:

To enter the drawing just leave your name in the comments. No restrictions apply to this give away, you do not have to have a blog, you do not have to live in the US, you do not have to be a follower, you do not have to pat your head and rub your tummy while humming jingle bells ;c)

You DO, however, have to show back up on Friday, December 16, 2011 to see if you are a winner!

Have a Merry Day!

Blessings,

Sandy

SNOWBIRD ORNAMENT FREE TUTORIAL...

2011-12-09T11:16:00.005-06:00

I wanted to wrap up this tutorial series with one last ornament, and I think I saved the best for last, a darling little snow bird. For this ornament we will combine techniques from two previous tutorials, the top portion of the Christmas Dangle and the fringe portion of the Garland, to make one last ornament or package topper.

There is such variety in using my simple paper punch technique and I am seeing some really great results. My sweet friend Karen (My Desert Cottage) came over and learned from the technique and you have to see her spin off tutorial, it is fantastic! To visit Karen's free tutorial post click HERE.

(Photo used with permission property of Karen Valentine)

Have you made any of the items in this series? Want to be featured here? Send me an email with a photo of your project and if you have one a link to your blog and I will post your pretties here with a link back to you!

Now, let's get started on our pretty paper birds...

MATERIALS:

* White Gift Tissue Paper - I used two .99 cent packages with 10 20" x 20" sheets purchased at Hobby Lobby

* Sewing Machine, thread and bobbin to match tissue paper

* Scissor

* Paper Scraps - Make sure the paper you use has some weight to it, I tried some book pages but the paper was too flimsy. I used some small left over pieces of vintage sheet music. If you use vintage paper make sure it is not brittle.

* Paper Punch - Fiskars Large Squeeze Scalloped Oval Punch

Cut out ovals in provided pattern size

* Martha Stewart Crystal Fine Glitter

* Glues - Aleene's Tacky Glue, Hot Glue, Elmer's School Glue, Glue Stick

* 6 Pearl beads per bird

* White florist wire and wire cutter

* Bird's Head Pattern - Provided below

INSTRUCTIONS:

BIRD BODY:

* Using craft punch, punch out 6 paper shapes, or cut out ovals in size of the provided pattern

* Stack them together, sew down the middle of the stack making sure to back stitch to lock thread ends, trim off excess thread ends, separate folded layers

* Starting with one seam side of your punch ornament place a very small dot of tacky glue on ends as shown below, making sure to leave middle of punch flaps unglued, press into place. Flip over and do other seamed side. Repeat with remaining flaps, you should end up with six sections when you are done, allow to dry

* Print out provided bird's head pattern, trace onto paper or card stock with the notched end on the paper fold as shown below, cut out, open up and use a glue stick to secure both sides of the head together

* Slide notch of bird's head onto body along the sewn seam line, using tacky glue, dot both sides of the notch and secure top and bottom of head, allow to dry

* Use a tweezer to open up center section of glued flaps, add a dab of tacky glue and glue bead of your choice into the center of the flap, repeat with remaining 5 sections and allow to dry

* Brush each section between beaded flaps and both sides of bird's head with Elmer's glue and sprinkle with glitter, shake off excess, allow to dry

BIRDS TAIL:

* Layer 10 sheets of tissue paper, cut into 2 inch strips, you will need 15 of the 2 inch 10 layers strips for a 100 light garland strand. It is easier to cut if paper is stacked and folded as shown below:

* Unfold layered paper strip and sew directly down the middle of the tissue strip as shown below, clip off end threads:

* Crease and fold strip along sewing line

* Snip through layers being careful not to clip through the stitching, just clip up to about 1/8 of an inch away from the stitching.

* Unfold, hold end of fringe strip between your palms and roll it back and forth like you are rolling play dough, move down the strip until all the fringe fluffs out, repeat with remaining strips

* Using wire cutter, clip off a 4 inch section of wrapped florist wire, snip off a three inch section of the tail fringe and glue to wire, place glue onto remaining 1 inch of wire and slide between bottom seam to glue in place, allow to dry

* Curl birds tail by bending upwards and then about 1 inch from the end end away from the body

* If you want your bird to hand either use a mini hole punch just behind the head to insert a ribbon or string or you can do what I did and just let them sit on the tips of your tree branches

Please feel free to save or print out this tutorial for personal use only.

I hope that you have enjoyed this little mini tutorial series and also I hope you will join me again on Monday when I put the sign up for my annual holiday give away! Now, it is back the Christmas Tree Tag farm for me...gotta get these things finished and in the mail!

Happy Holiday Crafting!

I am linking up with Funky Junky Interiors

SNOWBIRDS...

2011-12-07T09:29:00.000-06:00

There is a saying here at the Quill that, "If a Snowbird (Junco) stops by then the snow is sure to fly."

My little Junco friends did indeed stop by yesterday and this morning I woke up to a soft dusting of snow...

He brought with him a little feathered friend...

A sparkly paper snow bird, whom I invited in, he made himself cozy in my Christmas tree...

Those were not the only birds to visit the Quill yesterday, these showed up in the form of applique...

As you can see I am still busy crafting up the last of the ornaments for my tree and making gifts.

Sending cozy warm winter wishes you way, have a wonderful day!

PAPER FRINGE AND FLOWER LIGHTED GARLAND (FREE TUTORIAL)...

2011-12-05T10:38:00.004-06:00

I got this really sad sort of tree this year, this is a story for another day, and I wanted to transform it from sad to spectacular. I also wanted everything on the tree from the garland to the ornaments to be unique and handmade. In previous posts I have shared some of the ornament tutorials and here is my new garland. I adore it! I was thinking this is not only a great holiday idea but I could so imagine this as wedding decor too. Who knew wax paper and cupcake and candy liners could be so elegant?

Hang on to your hats as I breeze you through the step-by-step process below!

Please feel free to save or print out this tutorial for personal use only.

MATERIALS:

NOTE: The tutorial below will make a 100 light garland, this is perfect for a five foot or under tree.

* White Gift Tissue Paper - I used two .99 cent packages with 10 20" x 20" sheets purchased at Hobby Lobby

* Sewing Machine, thread and bobbin to match tissue paper

* Scissor and Craft Knife

* Scotch Tape

* White Glassine Paper Candy Cups

*White Cupcake Liners - Standard Size

* One strand of 100 white lights with white cording

* White Card Stock

* Hole Punch

* Wax Paper

* Glues: Low Temp Hot Glue, Aleene's Tacky Glue, Aleene's Clear Tacky Gel, Heavy Matte Gel Medium

* Glitter - White

INSTRUCTIONS:

GARLAND FRINGE:

* Unfold layered paper strip and sew directly down the middle of the tissue strip as shown below, clip off end threads:

* Crease and fold strip along sewing line

* Snip through layers being careful not to clip through the stitching, just clip up to about 1/8 of an inch away from the stitching. Check out these scissors that make this so fast and easy! (Santa Baby are you paying attention? I want a pair of these in my stocking!)

* Unfold, hold end of fringe strip between your palms and roll it back and forth like you are rolling play dough, move down the strip until all the fringe fluffs out, repeat with remaining strips

* Set garland strands aside until final assembly

NOTE: This trim is great for trimming tags or party favors too!

PAPER GALSSINE FLOWERS:

I made the flowers a few at a time and placed them on the garland by eye, you will want to scatter them out and leave some lights plain. I ended up with 12 full flowers and 12 blossoms.

* Using white card stock, cut a 1 inch circle and a 2 inch circle per flower. I used a couple of paper punches that I had that were the right size, one was a flower shape and the other a scalloped circle, circle punches will save you much time when doing this project. Punch hole in center of each card stock piece

* With low temp glue gun, glue 1 inch card stock circle to bottom of small glassine candy cup and 2 inch circle to the bottom of white cupcake liner.

* Set small cup aside, using a scissor trim cupcake line into flower petal shapes, you want to have five to six petals, these do not have to be uniform

* Tear off about a 4 inch wide strip of wax paper, fold in half, cut out petal shapes along fold line then cut petals apart as shown below, repeat for as many petals as you will need for remaining flowers

* Hold wax paper petal between thumb and finger as shown below, with other hand, twist blunt petal end, release, petal should have formed around your thumb, repeat with remaining petals. For a 5 petal flower you will need 5 wax paper petals per flower, for a 6 petal flower you will need 6 wax paper petals per flower. (EEK! Put mani and moisturizer on Christmas list! I am not as old as these poor abused hands are making me look - any great tips to cure crafter hands?)

* With a low temp glue gun, glue wax paper petal between each petal on the inside of the cupcake liner

* Use a sharpened pencil to poke hole through cupcake line and candy liner bottom

* Using low temp glue gun, run a bead of glue around the outer edge of the small liner, line up the holes and glue inside the larger liner

* Using Aleene's Tacky Glue, spread glue around the small liner bottom avoiding the punched hole the sprinkle with glitter, once again twist the pencil in the punched hole to make sure it is glue and glitter free, allow to dry (I used mica flakes for my flower center)

* Using Heavy Matte Gel Medium, brush the tips of the wax paper petals and sprinkle with white glitter, this dusting looks like it is snow kissed, allow to dry

* Using Aleene's Clear Tacky Gel, run a bead of glue around the fluted edge of the mini glassine cup, coat with white glitter, allow to dry

ALTERNATE FLOWER PETAL:

* If you do not want or have time to do all the cutting and twisting of the wax paper leaves, use some white silk rose petals instead, just snip them off and glue them in place. This will give you a more solid looking flower while the wax paper ones will give you more of an iridescent illuminating look.

FLOWER BUDS:

* Using white card stock punch or cut out two 1 inch circles for each flower bud you make, punch a hole in the middle of each card stock shape. Using a low temp glue gun, glue one circle to the inside of the mini glassine cup and the other to the back of the cup making sure to match up the punched holes. Poke hole through center with a sharpened pencil

* Coat the inside bottom of the mini cup with Aleene's Tacky glue and glitter (I used mica flakes here also) Twist pencil in hole to assure that it is clear of glitter and glue

* Using Aleene's Clear Gel, run a bead of glue around the fluted edge of the mini glassine cup, dip in white glitter, allow to dry

* Once dry, use a craft knife to cut small slits around the punched out hole as shown below, this will allow the flowers to slip onto the lights easily and hold firmly in place

GARLAND ASSEMBLY:

* Start at one end of your light strand and scotch tape the fringe around the end of the strand and wind the fringe loosely around and between each light taping the end when you reach it and taping the next paper fringe to it, continuing until you reach the other end of your strand

* I suggest putting the fringe garland strand on your tree at this point and placing on your flowers by eye, alternating flower, blossoms, and leaving some lights unadorned. I did a test fit by laying the flowers and blossoms on the tree branches until I got them spaced like I wanted them then I put them on the lights.

To do this simply start at the top of your tree and work your way down and around, slip the flower or blossom onto the light, gently push it past the bulb onto the plastic socket, gently placing the flower 1/2 inch from the bulb to ensure safety.

NOTE: NEVER EVER LEAVE A TREE, EVEN AN ARTIFICIAL ONE, LIT AND UNATTENDED!

Finally I am ready to decorate the Tree!!!

I am linking to Funky Junky Interiors

Happy Holiday Crafting!

A SNEEK PEEK, A REMINDER, AND A THANK YOU...

2011-12-03T15:25:00.000-06:00

I had hoped to have the promised garland tutorial I mentioned in my last post up by yesterday but I have experienced a three day migraine and have not photographed the steps, I hope to get that done this afternoon and will post the tutorial as soon as I can. Here is a sneak peek of the Floral and Fringe Lighted Garland in this years holiday crafting series:

If you missed them HERE is the holiday tag tutorial:

And HERE is the Elegant Paper Punch Ornament and various versions:

I also wanted to remind you of some past popular tutorials:

Simple Snowflake Tutorial HERE

Paper Rosette Ornament HERE

Vintage Paper Snowflake, Collage Paper Christmas Bird, Vintage Glass Balls done up nature style can all be found HERE:

And, if that is not enough crafty Christmas goodness for you then I'd love to introduce you to a sweet new friend, Lisa (Lisa's Craft Blog) who is having a BIG crafty celebration over at her blog. Her 26 Day Christmas Craft Marathon features all kinds of tutorials and fun holiday crafting ideas. Lisa featured one of my tutorials on her blog and look at her version of the ornament, beautiful!!!

I hope you will drop by and say hello. Thanks Lisa for letting me be a star for a day on your blog!

I had someone ask me this week why I was not selling these holiday tutorials instead of posting them for free. My answer was a simple one. These tutorials are a gift to all of you who take precious minutes out of your day to visit my blog, browse around silently or leave a comment, or send me an email. I cannot possibly send a gift to each and everyone of you but I sure wish I could. The gift I can extend is sharing creative ideas and it brings me such joy to see your creativity sparked in return.

I know that many of you, like me, experience the joy of crafting whether it is for personal pleasure, gift giving, or even for profit as I know many of you have online or physical shops or shows you sell your creations at. I place few stipulations on the use of these tutorials other than I ask for the actual tutorial not to be reproduced without permission, a link back is always nice if you mention one in a post, and if you choose to print it out that it is for personal use. What you choose to do with the finished product is up to you, give as a gift, keep and enjoy, or sell. This is just a very small way that I can express my gratitude to you, my blog friends.

Happy Holiday Crafting!

Blessings,

Sandy

ELEGANT PAPER PUNCH ORNAMENTS (FREE TUTORIALS)...

2011-11-30T15:56:00.001-06:00

In my last post I shared with you a simple gift tag using leftovers, scraps of paper and fabric, from other projects...

I am continuing that theme of leftovers in this post by sharing with you how to turn some simple paper punches into elegant ornaments. Feel free to save or print this tutorial for your personal use. Enjoy!

Now, let's dip into our leftover bowl and get crafting!

MATERIALS:

* Fabric Scraps

* Paper Punches - You want a simple shape like a circle, scallop circle or oval, scallop flower, etc.

I used the following punches: Fiskars Large Squeeze Scalloped Oval Punch, Slim Punch (Real Estate Sign) by EK Success, Martha Stewart Christmas Dove Medium Punch by EK Success.

* Jewelry Making Supplies: Eye Pins, Jump Rings, and Wire all in matching finish

I used Vintaj brand products, eye pins, jump rings,and wire (These were leftovers from making charms for my daughters wedding favors)

* Beads in various sizes

* Misc. Embellishments of your choice

* Scrap Ribbon for hangers - I used seam binding by ZipperStop, Hug Snug in Winter White

* Scissor, Wire Cutters, Tweezers, Needle and Thread

* Martha Stewart Crystal Fine Glitter

* Glues - Aleene's Tacky Glue, Hot Glue, and Elmer's School Glue

* Rubber Stamp of your choice and ink of your choice

CHRISTMAS DANGLE ORNAMENT:

Dangle Top:

* Using craft punch, punch out 8 paper shapes - I used the Fiskars scallop oval punch

* Ink front and back edges of punch outs, stack 6 of them together and set 2 aside

* Sew down the middle of the stack of six making sure to back stitch to lock thread ends, trim off excess thread ends, separate folded layers

* Run a thin bead of tacky glue down the sewn seam and place an eye pin in the glue with the eye extending past the end of the paper punch, repeat on the back seam and allow to dry.

* Once dry, use a tweezer to open up center section of glued flaps, add a dab of tacky glue and glue bead of your choice into the center of the flap, repeat with remaining 5 sections and allow to dry.

* Brush each section between beaded flaps with Elmer's glue and sprinkle with glitter, shake off excess, allow to dry. Once dry add a jump ring to each eye pin.

Dangle Center:

* Rubber stamp one side of each of the two extra punches

* Place glue on unstamped side and 2 head pins with an eye showing past the edge of the punch on opposite ends, sandwich with other extra punch making sure stamped side is out and press into place, allow to dry

* Embellish and glitter both sides as desired - I used mini craft mirrors, beads, and shabby mini muslin roses (Rose tutorial below)

* Wire and bead between each completed section, add ribbon to top jump ring to hang ornament

Shabby Muslin Rosette:

* Tear a 1/2 inch strip of muslin or fabric of your choice

* Tie a small knot on one end of strip

* Fold tail to back of knot and tack in place using a needle and thread

* Twist tail end of fabric strip and begin to wind around knot, tacking with needle and thread as you go

* Continue until you get a diameter of about 1 inch, clip off excess fabric strip leaving a 1/4 inch tail. tack tail to back of rosette, knot thread and clip

* Embellish as desired.

Want a more simple version? Leave off the top dangle as shown below:

BUTTONCICLE 2.0 Version:

Want a super quick and easy dangle, why not bring back the Buttoncicle, full tutorial found HERE, add a few more beads on top and the center section of the dangle as described above!

JOY BANNER DANGLES:

* Use two different craft punches, punch out 2 shapes from each punch

* Rubber stamp a design on one side of each punch out and ink edges

* Add eye pins as described above adding jump rings

* Tear strips of fabric and glue onto top banner piece, stamp or write the word "JOY" on the top piece of fabric

* Wire and Bead, Glitter and Embellish as desired, add ribbon hanger

In the next post I will show you how to make a beautiful Paper Fringe and Flower Lighted Garland for your tree!

Merry Christmas Crafting!

I am linking up with Funky Junky Interiors

Blessings,

Sandy

YUM! LEFTOVERS OF THE CRAFTY TYPE...

2011-11-28T08:42:00.001-06:00

I trust that all of you who celebrated the Thanksgiving holiday are sufficiently stuffed with turkey and all the trimming and still enjoying the leftovers. I have been feasting on studio leftovers these past few days and have come up with some simple recipes for easy holiday crafting using up the tidbits from previous projects.

One of the things I do when I am working on a project is to keep a "leftover" bowl near where I am working. This is where I deposit snipped string, paper or fabric trimmings, ends of ribbon or lace, the odd stray embellishment that I pulled out and was just not quite right for what I was working on, etc. This is a great place to snag that perfect morsel for embellishing or finishing off a project or to create tags with. I decided to give myself a challenge and see what I could make using what was in my leftover bowl.

With Christmas just around the corner I thought holiday themed items would make for tasty crafting. Meager fare but it worked!

CHRISTMAS TREE TAG TUTORIAL:
(Please feel free to save or print this tutorial for your personal use)

MATERIALS:

* 2 inch by 2 inch paper squares, you will need three squares per tree

(I used vintage sheet music, if using vintage paper make sure it is not brittle)

* Scotch Tape

* Craft Glue - (I used Aleene's Tacky Glue)

* Scissors - Regular straight edge and Pinking Shears

* Chenille Stem

* Glitter - (I used Martha Stewart Crystal Fine Glitter)

* Rubber Stamp of your choice

* Brown Ink or color of your choice

* Standard Size Shipping Tag

* Muslin - Torn slightly larger than your shipping tag

* Scrap Fabric and Lace

* Misc. Embellishments of your choice

TREE INSTRUCTIONS:

* Trim paper of your choice into 2 inch by 2 inch squares, three per tree. A scrapbooking paper trimmer makes this job quick and easy. Some paper suggestions are sheet music, book pages, wrapping paper, scrapbook paper, even wallpaper.

* Lay your paper squares in a diamond shape and fold the left corner of your diamond to the center and crease, repeat with the right side, with a pinking shear, trim off excess edge making sure to trim a bit of the front edge off also as shown below:

* Open up triangles and lay flat, rubber stamp with your choice of stamp and ink. I used a swirly design and brown ink.

* Secure the back of each triangle with a small piece of Scotch Tape.

* Using the same ink as you stamped your design in, ink all the outside edges of each triangle.

* Using craft glue cover the front and back tip of one triangle with glue, insert into cone end of another triangle leaving about 1/4 of an inch showing below the first cone, press to secure, repeat with the third cone. Insert Chenille Stem into bottom cone until it touches the top tip, determine the length of "trunk you want showing and clip with a wire cutter, remove, cover one end with craft glue, reinsert and allow tree to dry.

* Embellish and/or glitter tree as you desire. I covered my tree with Martha Stewart Crystal Fine Glitter and glued a small pearl on the tree top.

TAG INSTRUCTIONS:

* Tear muslin into rectangles slightly larger than your shipping tag.

* Lay strips of torn fabric or scrap laces across your muslin backing. I chose to place mine horizontally but you can also do this vertically or in a random pattern. You have three options for adhering your fabric strips to your backing:

* Use and iron on adhesive following the manufacturers instructions - This is the method I chose to use:

* Use a clear drying craft or fabric glue such as Fabri-Tac or Aleene's Tacky Glue

* Use a sewing machine to sew them on

Once you have secured your fabric and lace to the backing you are ready to assemble the tag.

TAG ASSEMBLY:

* Optional Step: If you are going to do any inking, dyeing, stamping, or embossing to your shipping tag or want to add any kind of decorative paper to the back side, or if using this as a card inscribe your message, do this before assembly begins.

I inked the edges of my shipping tag, stamped and signed it, then ran it through my Cuttlebug with an embossing folder before assembly. I also did a simple sewing machine zigzag stitch around the edge of my fabric base:

* If you are going to replace the string that comes on the tag with another fiber or ribbon do so now.

* Using a craft glue, glue fabric backing to front of your shipping tag.

* Using a craft glue, glue tree in place.

* Further embellish and trim as desired. I added a little Christmas message, buttons, a paper ruffle, and a tad of lace. (Please note you are looking at a wet tag below so you will see some glue spots but they will dry clear, I forgot to have a completed sample to show you!)

These make wonderful gift tags to top your gifts, tree ornaments, or even Christmas cards, just write your Christmas greetings on the back of the tag.

I hope you are not tired of leftovers because over the next couple of posts I will have more scrappy appetizers to whet your holiday appetite!

I am linking to Funky Junky Interiors

Have a wonderful day!

SOMETHING IS NOT RIGHT...

2011-11-21T14:49:00.000-06:00

When my daughter was small she loved Madeline who lived "In an old house in Paris that was covered in vines,..." She especially loved to emphatically state the line of Miss Clavel, the nun who watched over the twelve little girls, "Something is not right!" Miss Clavel always seems to have the instinct to know when something was not right and set off to investigate exactly what it was.

I had a "Miss Clavel" moment while working on my fabric nature journal page over the weekend. I instinctively knew that something was not right. After spending some time with the page I came to the conclusion that the page was actually not a page after all, it was just a pocket, or a series of pockets, meant to tuck things into. This was NOT the fabric nature journal I envisioned making so with a little more fiddling with the design it is now a fabric wall pocket...

That still left me without a beginning journal page. I found a snippet of something in my OOPS Pile that I started a while back and decided perhaps it was a journal page. I played with stitches, swatches, beads, and color with this idea rolling out of my head...

Perhaps it is not a page but a book cover?

After thinking it over I thought, "Something is not right!" This was also NOT the fabric nature journal I envisioned making. Oh dear! They say the third time is a charm, a sun print and a bees wax bird...

That is as far as I have gotten with the third.

So...

In a small cottage all ringed with trees,

Lives an artist whose imagination runs free,

Inspired by flora and fauna and creatures of the wood,

Making art whenever she could,

Creating with whatever is handy,

The artist name is Sandy...

Perhaps someday I WILL have that perfect idea for the look of the book I want to create and perhaps the above can be my version of the Madeline opening lines.

I hope that each and every one of you have a happy and safe Thanksgiving week!

MORE JOURNAL PAGE PROGRESS...

2011-11-18T11:07:00.000-06:00

I had a little snippet of time to work on my fabric nature journal page and got the base of the page complete. This will be 12 inch by 12 inch journal. That feels like a nice size to work with to have lots of room to create and design with...

I turned the background into a series of pockets. The artwork on the front is one large pocket...

The fabric behind it is divided into two pockets...

The lace acts as a hidden journal tag pocket...

With a gentle tug on the ribbon tab, out slides the journal tag...

I stitched torn fabric strips to the tag as journal lines, making the tag double sided for more journal space...

That is all the play time I have been able to spare. Next I want to tweak the design and create some artwork to store in those pockets.

Some of you expressed wishing you could try your hand at making a fabric journal but don't feel secure in your sewing skills. This is EXACTLY the kind of project you can practice on. I think the imperfections make the design so much more interesting than perfectly lined and placed stitches. Take a close gander at mine, nothing is straight or perfectly placed, I think that is what gives it charm and that rustic feel. I encourage you to give it a try!

Thank you so much for all the sweet words of encouragement that helps to spur on my creativity. I hope each of you enjoy a beauty filled weekend!

Blessings,

Sandy

FABRIC NATURE JOURNAL PAGE...

2011-11-16T04:06:00.000-06:00

"And while she did have listens of the songs in the tree-tops, a little bird did tell her more about the woods in little soft whispers."

In my past post I shared a sneak peek at a what I thought was going to be the beginning of a mini art quilt but in the creation process I decided I wanted to make a fabric nature journal. I have often admired those lush fabric journals with their varied subject matter and collage layers. I think it will be fun to explore different techniques on various pages. This piece will be a pocket on one of the pages...

A wonderful place to store little nature finds, photos, notes, or images...

It feels soooooo good to get back in the studio and just make something!

While I have enjoyed the home improvement process here at the Quill and at the farm it is not the same creative expression. Simple elements bring me great joy and spark my imagination. Fabric, paper, nature...

Rusty bits, tatters, stains...

Needle, thread, an idea in my head...

Words, like pearls, strung into nonsensical sentences...

"And while she did have listens of the songs in the tree-tops, a little bird did tell her more about the woods in little soft whispers."

I just need to create a background for the pocket and I am ready to move on to the second page, which I have already started laying out. My thoughts need to be turned to making some gifts for Christmas and not personal play pages, it will be hard to lay this aside since I am in the zone. It will give me something to look forward to once the holidays are over.

Thank you for stopping in to share a creative moment and I hope that each of you have a beautifully blessed day!

Blessings,

Sandy

ARTFUL AUTUMN...

2011-11-14T13:15:00.004-06:00

Winter is an etching, spring a watercolor, summer an oil painting and autumn a mosaic of them all.

-Stanley Horowitz-

Tickle-y feathers...

Tarnished spoon...

Autumns riot fading soon...

Silver pitcher...

Full of leafy glory...

All tell the tale of Autumns story...

A season that flies by faster than bird on wings,

Spoon up its sweetness and the joy that it brings,

Drink in its color, both molten and warm,

Artful is Autumn in hue, shape, and form.

We spent a glorious weekend at the farm. The first thing I do as soon as we are settled in is to take a walk and gather whatever happens to inspire me for a little vignette. My staples are a starched and pressed vintage linen, an old chipped platter, a beautiful translucent bowl, and a battered silver pitcher.

Colorful leaves, dried grasses, huge feathers, and a tarnished spoon were my treasures of choice...

I sat at the table with these small offerings of nature and a smattering of supplies...

Letting Autumn whisper its glorious inspiration to me...

Oh artful Autumn!

Blessings,

Sandy

EMBRACING EASTLAKE ...

2011-11-09T17:02:00.000-06:00

"Down with pretense, sham, aesthetic quackery, up with honesty, sincerity."

Charles Locke Eastlake, Hints on Household Taste, 1870

It is no secret that I love cottage style design furniture and while scouring for furniture finds for the farm I lucked upon two extremely affordable Eastlake pieces. So what if they needed a ~~little~~ LOT of TLC, I happily lugged them home.

It mattered not to me that if you actually sat on this sweet little stool that it might further split up the center base and toss you onto your keester...

Or that its original upholstery is a little ratty and the trim is trailing off...

Just look at its cute little legs! A bargain in my book for only $10.00.

I have not touched it yet because I have not decided its fate, to stay here at the Quill and join the eclectic gathering of furnishings in the living room or it could live in the writing cottage as a tiny side table with a tray topper or it might be the stool for the computer corner at the farm, or it might be a sweet seat in the farmhouse guestroom where a lady could primp and preen.

It mattered not to me that someone had removed the mirror and either marble or wooden top from the dresser and tried to disguise it as a hideous faux "French" dresser (Wow, I never thought I would use the words, hideous and French, in the same sentence, after all, the French are known for their impeccable taste and style!)...

You have to trust me here as I describe to you its condition because I whipped out a heat gun and stripped it of its fake French embellishments before I even thought to take a photo. The wooden replacement top was covered in peel and stick tiles, I suppose those were supposed to make it appear as if it still had a stone top? NOT! It was painted a dull icky indescribable putty color with some sort of new square basket weave hardware in a bronze finish on the drawers. The center of the bottom drawer was papered with a left over piece of wall paper that featured tiny Eiffel Towers floating all over it. I suppose this was the "French" part? The entire piece was pretty badly wracked and had to be contorted, clamped, and re-glued to get it in any reasonable shape.

I had intended to strip it and reveal its natural wood grain for staining but after stripping, sanding, and scraping for days through multiple layers of various shades of paint I gave up, gave the base an allover good sanding and decided to prime and paint going with a more cottage feel.

I left the battered wooden replacement top in place and sanded with and against the grain using a dry brushing technique with white and cream paints to create an aged patina to the top surface.

I sealed the entire piece with a non-yellowing satin finish sealer and replaced the hardware with new simple black pulls and an Eastlake keyhole cover I pruchased on Ebay.

I left it on its squeaky wooden wheels and I am happy to say it no longer looks like it needs to be tossed in an East Lake like Handy Hubby said it needed to be.

It is still a little wracked and there is a small gap below the bottom drawer but I am not going for perfect here, just comfy cottage cozy. This will be the new TV stand and video storage at the farm. This piece was $18.00, a steal.

The Eastlake Movement, generally considered part of the late Victorian period in terms of broad antique furniture designations, was a nineteenth century architectural and household design reform movement started by architect and arts writer, not a furniture maker, Englishman, Charles Eastlake (1836-1906). In atchitecture the Eastlake Style is part of the Queen Anne style or Victoria architecture.

(The above piece is a sample of an Eastlake dresser with it marble top, the wheels have been changed out with a modern version, big mistake in my book!)

This new simpler style began as an idea Eastlake defined in his book: Hints on Household Taste in Furniture, Upholstery, and Other Details. It changed the way many people thought about style and health in the home. People had filled their homes with large pieces of carved furniture, thick upholstery, and heavy draperies that collected dust and germs and kept out healthful air and light. He thought the objects in people's homes should be attractive and well made by workers who took pride in their handwork or machine work. As the book became popular in the United States, furniture manufacturers took ideas and designs from the book and made what was named Eastlake Style furniture.

The Eastlake furniture came about in response to Mr. Eastlake's dislike of the over-the-top Rococo and Renaissance Revival styles popular during the Victorian era. Although Eastlake furniture is technically considered Victorian, being popular from 1870-1890, it breaks away from the excessive high relief carving, classical elements and numerous curves of other styles produced during this time frame.

(I love the upholstery on this stunning example of an Eastlake chair.)

In contrast with other Victorian styles of furniture produced in America featuring classical motifs, Eastlake furniture is more geometric and incorporates modest curves, low relief carvings, incised lines, moldings, geometric ornaments, and flat surfaces which were much easier to keep clean. It sometimes includes mild Renaissance and medieval influences that do not overwhelm the design. Ornamental carving are lightly incised rather than deeply carved. Wood grains were often emphasized, with oak, cherry, and other fruitwoods often used in Eastlake pieces.

(This ornate table is another fine example of the Eastlake style but I much prefer the simpler pieces and designs in the Eastlake collection.)

Also known under the name Cottage Furniture, the mass-produced pieces were much more affordable than the fanciful revival pieces. Eastlake encourage "honesty" in construction and finishing. He called for hand crafted, solid wood furniture with rectangular joinery. He condemned the practice of using stains and varnishes to disguise inexpensive woods, calling instead for oiled, naturally colored finishes. Eastlake Style furniture is frequently seen in antique shops all over the United States, but especially in the east and midwest. It was manufactured by factories in the east that had branch offices in midwest cities. Carpenters also made pieces of furniture from patterns in this style for their homes and for customers. The style differed from the original concept of Charles Eastlake; some versions were more ornately carved and others were minimally incised, perhaps having only reeding and comfered corners. The concept of simple affordable, attractive cottage furniture survived.

(This more plain and simple Eastlake dresser with ornamentation over the mirror is more to my liking and is a cousin in design to the one I purchased, they have the same rolled feet on front and are very close in shape and design, mine does not have the bow front drawers and as before stated the original top and mirror had been removed.)

(Information sources here and here and here)

While I might not have fully reached the vision of Charles Eastlake in terms of emphasizing the natural wood grains of the dresser, (that stool might also get a coat of paint), I have fully embraced his vision of light and airy, attractive, well made (even if they need a ~~wee bit~~ ton of restoration love), furnishing that I can take pride in my handwork by giving them new life and function in my farmhouse design.

I hope you have enjoyed a little peek into Eastlake history.

MAKING A DECORATING DENT...

2011-11-07T13:00:00.004-06:00

In case anyone out there is wondering where I went after I said I was back from an extended blog break I have been chomping away on a steady diet of delectable decorating, remodeling, and refurbishing. Somehow a simple menu of freshening up one bathroom turned into a full blown affair of gutting a second one while waiting in the wings were several pieces of furniture to be refinished, and a stack of sewing that practically reaches the ceiling. Here is a small sampling of what I have been up against...

(Hall and Master Bath)

(Have you ever seen such a sad and lonely little cabinet huddled in the corner like it is afraid of the rest of the room?)

(WARNING!!! What you are about to see is not blog worthy pretty! This hall bath is pretty scary!)

(Handy Hubby was appalled that I actually paid money for these next two items. He said they should have paid me to haul them off! But wait until you see them!)

(These are only a tiny sampling of my disaster to master decorating, can't wait to show the afters!!!)

The master bath did get freshening up and I have my sweet friend Laura to thank for that! I so wanted to take her advice and Fall In Love with my home by making a few changes and then linking up to her party posts but, as my luck would have it, right in the middle of the project I got sick and was too pooped to party...

Then, as my even unluckier luck would have it, the hall bath got good and jealous of the master bath and had itself a water weepin' fit. Its crying jag lasted for so long that it ruined its skeletal structure and freshening up was out of the question, a whole face lift was in order...

And then my even unluckier unlucky luck hit, black cats and luck done run out upside down horseshoes kind of unlucky, and I was down again, really sick this time...

By the time I got back on my feet I was so deep in needing to get both bathrooms back in working order that I just pressed on without popping in to blog. I am happy to say that we no longer have a potty on our porch or a bathtub in our front yard. I thought about disguising them with pumpkins and mums but Darling Daughter begged me not to perpetrate the myth that every hillbilly homestead has a bathtub or potty planter on the front lawn...

Somehow in the midst of all this I did make a decorating dent in refurbishing some junk furniture finds I got for the farm and tackled the stack of sewing, which is now about half way done, AND, (I done good this time!) I actually took before, during, and after photos, pinkie swear I will be sharing those as soon as I can get them organized and edited. So, baring any more major interruptions, I really truly think I am almost back...again.

I hope you are all enjoying a wonderful Monday!

Many Blessings,

Sandy

DECORATIVE ACORN TUTORIAL...

2011-10-12T05:00:00.003-05:00

LITTLE BY LITTLE.

"Little by little," the acorn said,
As it slowly sank in its mossy bed,
"I am improving every day,
Hidden deep in the earth away."
Little by little each day it grew;
Little by little it sipped the dew;
Downward it sent out a threadlike root;
Up in the air sprung a tiny shoot,
Day after day, and year after year,
Little by little the leaves appear;
And the slender branches spread far and wide,
Till the mighty oak is the forest's pride.

I have been watching the trees beyond my windowed world ready themselves for their long winters sleep. The process is amazingly beautiful as brilliant greens fade to subtle yellows, soft golds, vibrant oranges, blazing reds, and cozy browns. Here at the Quill a variety of oak trees stand sentinel offering not just brilliant color but much needed nutrients in the form of acorns for native wildlife.

I am always inspired by elements of nature, the ripening acorns were the subject of my latest experiment in autumnal decor. While browsing in a high end shop for ideas I saw these amazing over scaled acorns that were covered in natural materials. I flipped the price tag over and gasp, $22.00 for one acorn! Yikes! Time to get crafty! The result is the following free tutorial, enjoy!

MATERIALS:

Plastic Eggs (size is personal choice)

Spray Paint (a gold, brown, copper, or tan)

Paper Mache Eggs (size is personal choice)

Glues: hot glue, Aleene's Tacky Glue, Golden or Liquitex Heavy Matte Gel Medium

Natural Fibers such as jute, twine, wool yarn, heavy string, etc.

(I used jute rope, natural sisal, bamboo yarn, a nubby natural cotton yarn, and chenille yarn)

Scissor

Nature finds such as twigs, pine cones, acorn caps, tiny pebbles, shells, moss, lichen, etc.

Reindeer Moss (purchased from the craft store)

Optional embellishments such as beads, buttons, pearls, etc.

Glitter in copper, brown, or gold (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS:

If using plastic eggs:

Open egg halves and spray paint with your choice of base paint, allow to dry thoroughly. This base coat will keep the neon colors from showing through on your final product.

If using paper mache eggs base painting is not necessary.

Glue eggs closed by running a bead of Aleene's Tacky Glue around the center and snapping the egg shut, wiping away excess glue, allow to dry.

Apply Aleene's Tacky Glue to pointed cone end of egg and wrap with your choice of fiber. Apply a dab of hot glue to the end and snip off the excess. If using a plastic egg cover the other end of egg with fiber as described, this will ensure the moss and embellishments sticking in later steps. Put eggs aside to dry. If using paper mache egg there is no need to cover both ends, the hot glue will stick to the paper egg.

Hot glue Reindeer Moss onto top rounded end of egg to create a "cap".

Snip off a twig and glue to top center of moss to create a "stem".

Embellish your moss "cap" with nature finds by hot gluing in place.

I made some twig "coins" to embellish some of my faux acorns by cutting some 1/2 inch diameter sticks. I then sliced the stick into 1/4 inch slices using a band saw.

Other embellishment suggestions:

Pull apart a pine cone and hot glue the pine cone tips into the moss creating a random pattern...

Wrap the upper half of the egg in fiber and leave the painted end exposed, glue on moss and twig, then stud with real acorn caps...

Perhaps you would like to leave them plain...

Or stud with small sea shells...

Pretty pearls...

Lichen...

Dried flowers...

Beautiful buttons...

Pebbles...

Maybe glam and sparkle is more your style, use Heavy Matte Gel Medium on half of egg and glitter, allow to dry, wrap upper end in fiber and hot glue on moss "cap" and twig "stem", then embellish away!

Here are a few finished ideas:

If you would like to add more handmade items to your autumnal decor collection check out previous free photographed step-by-step instructions and patterns for Fabric Pumpkins, Mini Fabric Acorns, and Paper Skeleton Leaves.

Please feel free to save, copy, paste, or print this tutorial for your personal use.

Have a wonderful day!

Blessings,

Sandy

BREAKING THE SILENCE...

2011-10-10T14:49:00.000-05:00

I have been thinking for weeks that I needed to break the silence by popping in to catch up on what you have all been up to and fill you in on what has been transpiring here at the Quill. Days and weeks slipped past so quickly. Seasons changed and still I kept the silence. In the tiniest recess of my mind I questioned if I would ever really return or not.

In the few scant weeks I have been away I have lived triumphant joy, been touched by tragedy, met with an accident that led to an injury, suffered a bout of illness, went on a traveling adventure or two, with generous dollops of happy and contented moments filling in between each.

I felt no compulsion to snap a photo or blog in my head or scramble for the next idea to post on. Not only were my blog, camera, and keyboard silent, so was my soul. I finally feel rested, refreshed, and ready to come back and share.

In all that silence I have not forgotten you dear blog friends. In fact I have been working on a free tutorial that I will have up later this week for a little quick fall decoration that I hope you all will enjoy.

I just wanted to pop in and wish you all a Happy Day!

THANK YOU...

2011-09-21T08:24:00.001-05:00

Hello sweet friends! I am still here! I am also still on my extended blog break but I had to break the silence to extend a thank you to all of you who have left such supportive and encouraging comments and to extend a special thank you to my sweet friend Vee.

I arrived home from the farm to find a wonderful package and the sweetest note in the mail from Vee...

Many changes are taking place here at the Quill right along with the change of seasons and Vee's gift arrived just in time to enjoy it to its fullest. Inside its pretty ribbon and roses...

Was a soft bundle of friendship...

A beautiful handmade tea cozy...

You can't even begin to imagine how soft the gorgeous rose printed fabric is...

Tucked inside was the sweetest tag ever! And a little something warm and spicy to kick of the cooler season, apple cider, yum!

Don't you love this little string nest?

And what an encouraging message too!

Spidery vintage lace and a precious graphic embellish the front...

Vee, thank you for the love and friendship that went into every detail of this sweet offering...

I will use it often and think of you fondly.

Sweet blog friends, I have also been thinking of you fondly, quietly slipping in and out of your pretty blogs keeping tabs on what you have been up to. I hope to return to blogging on a regular basis within the next week or two. I thought I would have completed my necessary tasks by now but had a slight set back when I badly sprained my ankle and was laid up for a little over a week and that threw me off schedule. I hope your days are filled with pretty cozy things, until next time...

P.S. Comments are off at this time, thank you for being so understanding.

FALLING THROUGH THE CRACKS...

2011-08-26T11:45:00.001-05:00

Falling through the cracks: to be lost or forgotten; to not be noticed or dealt with; to pass unnoticed, to be neglected or unchecked

Wow, that is a pretty accurate and unflattering definition of my life at the moment. It feels like so many things in my life are falling through the cracks. I am feeling very disjointed and disorganized. I would love to lay the blame on situation or circumstance, although sometimes these out of my hands occurrences do contribute, I have to face the cold harsh facts that I am responsible for my mismanagement of time, for neglecting certain duties, refusing to deal with certain realities, or blindly letting things pile up or pass unnoticed, in an essence, I have left myself unchecked. I have lost my vision and forgotten the path I was on. This is a slippery slope indeed.

I woke up this morning with the pressure of an elephant on my chest, an elephant that I invited to sit there, nice! I had the clarity and realization that I had to take action and get back on target. That means I have to cut out anything that is not absolutely necessary to carry out my goal. One of those things that is time consuming to me is this very near and dear blog. One simple post can take me as much as three hours from start to finish, times that by three (the amount of posts I prefer to do per week), and you get nine hours, that my friends is an entire work day!

So, my dear friends, for just the teeniest bit of time I am going to step away from my computer, go cold turkey, and turn my hand to the task of setting a few things back in order and then I can blissfully return to blogging without the nagging guilt. My plan is pluck away at all those ripe old things that have been hanging around on my "to do" vine, working my way to the newest little green sprouts that have cropped up in recent days...

Until the vine is picked clean, well, maybe there will still be a ripe idea or two left to savor in the future...

I know that if I have a week or two or maybe even a few that I can get focused on what I need to accomplish and send that elephant back to the zoo where he belongs. Although, I am thinking he likes living here since this place seems sort of like a zoo at the moment but I will soon resolve that. Thank you for bearing with me with your readership, friendship, love, and support. I know I have not been around in the quality, content, and consistency that we have shared in the past and for that I apologize. This has been a really big transitional year here at the Quill with my daughter getting married (no, I have not forgotten that I have promised to share the wedding!) and my mothers health slipping. My time and attention have been needed on the home front.

I know there are those of you who can just blog your way right through whatever situation you are in but right now I am not at a place where I can't do that. Reality struck hard this week when I came so close to losing a beloved aunt that has been like a mother to me. I need to get some priorities straight to make life easier, richer, and fuller here at the Quill. I am not saying goodbye, just see you later. How much later I cannot say but I am hoping I will reconnect with you sometime in September.

CLOUDY MEMORIES...

2011-08-22T07:25:00.007-05:00

O it is pleasant, with a heart at ease,
Just after sunset, or by moonlight skies,
To make the shifting clouds be what you please.

-Samuel Taylor Coleridge-

I was sitting quietly on the farmhouse porch when I saw him making his approach just beyond and between the Silver Leaf Maple and the old Sweet Gum trees. He looked quite jolly with his puffed up cheeks, upturned nose, and mouth drawn up into and "O" as if he were whistling a merry tune. I watched his silhouette become more distinct as he drifted forward, my mind drifting backward...

On sunny summer days just such as this one Granny would shoo us out of the house and onto the front lawn. The cousins and I wriggled in anticipation as she approached the old Silver Leaf Maple, quilt tucked under her arm...

There is almost always a strong breeze from the East and it never failed to catch the colorful quilt and puff it out like a parachute. We made a game of trying to catch the flapping corners and getting it to settle on the ground. The cousins and I tumbled onto it pouching out the air underneath settling ourselves on our backs while Granny lowered herself onto her favorite old chippy yellow metal lawn chair with just the right amount of bounce to it to act as a rocker.

We waited for Granny's signal of "Now children, what do you see?" and the game of making cloud pictures began. Still little bodies with eyes focused heavenward as the old as time East Wind blew the billowy cloud formations into shapes. Little arms shot upwards with fingers pointing and shouting out ensued as each one in turn and sometimes on top of one another pointed to their cloud picture.

The game was at first played with great exuberance but as our wise Granny knew this would not last for long and a quietness would soon take over and still our wriggly bodies, active minds, and shouting voices. Nature would do its soothing work of settling and calming us. The soft feel of the old rainbow colored flour sack quilt acted as a downy cushion against the prickle of the grass. Its smell of sunshine wafted on the breeze. As arms grew tired and bodies grew quiet with only the occasional outburst of giggles when a grasshopper decided to use a belly, arm, or leg as a trampoline, the inevitable request and chorus of "Granny tell us story." was always made.

I always requested to hear about Epaminondus and "The Poppy Seed Cakes", one cousin always wanted "The Seven Little Sneezes", and the other "Silly Jack". As the sun warmed us and the breeze tickled across our skin we listened to the rise and fall of Granny's voice. Once those tales were told we wanted real stories of when she was a little girl. Our eyes were still fixed on the sky with the occasional call of a particularly note worthy cloud formation when song requests were made. "Froggie Went A-Courtin'", "The Old Grey Goose", and my favorite, the haunting old folk tune of "It Rained a Mist". Granny's voice would fade to a low hum with an accompanying pulsing background song from the cicadas. The lowing of cattle...

Or smell of a flower...

Would drift by our ears and noses as eyes grew droopy, breathing evened, all body motion ceased. We would each one by one slipped into slumber while Granny sang of "Wynkin, Blinkin, and Nod" sailing off in their wooden shoe.

Returning to the present I still watched him up there in the sky as he drew in a breath, puffed out his cheeks and blew cloudy memories on the breeze. I pictured him there, Old Man Wind, his profile in the cloud formation just beyond and between the old Sweet Gum and the very Silver Leaf Maple...

Where summer stories, songs, and naps took place. I thought I could still see us there, Granny, the cousins and I, playing the cloud game under the shivering silver gray leaves.

The game still had its desired effect, the sun still warmed me and the breeze still tickled my skin. The cattle gently called to one another in the pasture...

And flower scents still wafted on the breeze....

My eyes grew droopy, breathing evened, all body motion ceased, as I watched the clouds smooth themselves out and the memory become cloudy, while the cicadas song rose and fell in the background, it was time for a nap...

Did you too make cloud pictures as a child?

I hope you each enjoy a special happy memory today!

P.S. We have been at the farm for several days so I have not been able to read or respond to comments on my last few posts, I will be doing so in the next couple of days. I did not want anyone to think I was ignoring them. We can't get internet at the farm.

TRINKETS...

2011-08-19T06:48:00.000-05:00

Trinket - A small trivial thing, a trifle, usually an inexpensive object

I am intrigued by trinkets, small little finds of unrelated objects that are of little use or value except that they hold droplets of inspiration and bubbles of joy for me. I found a little trinket bag last week while I was out searching for chairs for the farm house. Still no chairs but this was a fun find...

I keep an old crazed platter in my studio where I drop these little treasures. It is fun to root around and find just the perfect little piece that is often a finishing touch for an art piece...

I love how random this little bag of objects were, a wonderful old laminated oval photo...

Are they friends? Sisters? Cousins? The back side is a little hand mirror...

A sweet little silver box...

Very masculine, I think it might have been a cuff link box...

A quirky pair of mini, 1/4 inch, dice...

A silver key...

An old cork fishing bobber...

A tiny plastic bullet...

I think you could hide a secret message in here...

A wee little watch parts tin...

This is only one inch long...

A cool old wooden red lead pencil case...

It is the size of a fire cracker...

Its red, white, and blue label would make it a fun addition to a 4th of July display..

And last, but not least, the thing that truly captured my heart and sealed the deal on this purchase, a flat as a pancake pair of tiny black baby shoes...

One little jet button remains, the other has been replaced by a safety pin...

I can't decide if I want to try and recondition the leather and make them stand up or leave them flat and use them in an art book project...

These trivial pieces of history had some meaning to someone at some place in time or they would not have been save. They were new once, actually used objects, and perhaps they were treasured by their owners. They may have changed hands many times. For now, they are mine, I will enjoy them, use some of them, or pass them along to someone else. Each one has a hidden story of the life it lived and that is what draws me to these trifles. Each object does have its appeal to me but it is the hidden story that fires my imagination or inspires my creative soul.

I am indeed enamored by trinkets.

What inspires you?

This week I am linking with Debra's (Common Ground) Vintage Inspiration Friday.

Run on over and see her fantastic GIVE AWAY SIGN UP!

You won't want to miss out on a chance to win these wonderful prizes...

May your weekend be filled with bubbles of inspiration and droplets of joy!

SEW FAR...

2011-08-17T06:56:00.000-05:00

May your bobbin always be full!

-Author Unknown-

Since my last post I have finally been able to alight on something...sewing. Settling myself in to the sewing center of my studio I wiled away the hours popping out pillows...

First I made a set for my daughter to match her new sofa. I forgot to take pics before I delivered them to her, sorry. Then I began the sewing for the farmhouse living room starting with the sofa pillows. Sew far this is where I have gotten to...

I am still stuffing these three and need to button tuft the six paneled one. I love the Dupioni silk backing on these...

After looking at them I am not sure how they are going to blend with the airy other fabrics, these might get to live here at the Quill. I will have to wait and see how they all look together. Today I am moving on to the lighter brighter shades and hopefully to prep the ottoman for upholstering. Sew far so sew good!

I came across a cute find a few weeks ago and had no idea what I would do with it, a little crackled cupboard with wire insert doors...

I also came across a couple of those old metal receipt holders and they were interesting enough to bring home to even though I did not know what I would do with them. I stuck them inside the cupboard to carry them home and there they sat.

While I was sitting and mindlessly stuffing pillows I was looking at the thread spools on my candle holders and that gave me an idea for my bobbins...

I abandoned my stuffing rummaging around a bit I found a couple of extra thimbles and a couple of corks. I stuffed the corks into the thimbles cutting off the excess, layered my wound bobbins onto the receipt holders and topped them off with the new thimble topper...

The rest of the bobbins I placed in the little drawer on the front of the cupboard...

Now not only are some of my thread spools handy but so are my bobbins!

Now you see why I am fluttering! I start one task and another idea bumps right into it. I am off to discipline myself into cutting strips of fabric to make some welting, yuck, but I can't find ready-made in the colors I need, oh well.

I hope you all have a beauty filled day and find deep satisfaction in whatever ever it is that you set your hands to.

Many Blessings,

Sandy