simplesparrow

papery blooms

Noah and I welcomed spring last month with a paper flower craft--I know I am way behind on posting "welcome spring" crafts, but we still have these gracing our living room so I wanted to share. I have a big bin that I keep all my gift wrap, bows etc...in and that's where the tissue came for these flowers. I always save every scrap of gift wrapping that can be re-used. It pays off, I rarely need to buy anything new. There are some gift bags that have been circulating between us and friends for a few years now! It's so funny to see those few show up again...and again.

I was surprised when Noah wanted to make flowers with only a few, and in some cases only one, layer of tissue. Often times with little ones the "more is better" rule reigns supreme. He was not interested in the ruffles I was trying to sell him on. So be it. His flowers were quite lovely and he confidently knew what he was doing. I found directions for the flowers here. 

Here is my day 8 of the macro challenge. Ruffles. Shhh...don't tell Noah, he wouldn't approve.

not so simple

I credit this new banner to staying up much too late and zoning out on the computer playing with my photo editing program (which is so out of date it's not even funny) I like it, and then maybe not so much. There is this part of me that loves color and a lot going on--and then there is this part of me (the part that usually wins out) that really prefers things plain jane. Really, does simple sparrow seem like a total oxymoron up there with all those flowers, clouds, dots and Mr. Dear? Maybe he's looking for a way out of all that mess. Truth be known, this is a little battle that goes on inside my head several days a week. Sometimes I feel like I'm in a perpetual style crisis, wondering what in the heck it is that I do like? Too much is the answer. I like a lot of different things. Eclectic to the far left so to speak.

I don't know how long I'll leave this one up but for the moment it stays. Maybe I should sleep on it a night or two. I'm also amused that I can make a post out of all this. I credit that to staying up past my bedtime too.

edited: Ok, what do think about this one? I'm still on a spring banner kick here. I really should be using my free moments to get some sewing done--It's crazy how these things take over....

edited again!! Ugh, I'm going into a banner crisis now! I've put one up that feels much more comfortable to me. But don't be surprised if you see a new one up there in the very near future--I'm not set on this one either but enough is enough for now! I'm putting the original banner below so those of you who are just stopping by now will know what this whole crazy post is about :) Thanks for bearing with me and for your input!

a folding kind of day

After Hannah and I folded about 3 big loads of laundry together we moved on to paper and made these clever origami lanterns. This was a kit that I bought her for Christmas that included the string of lights. The first lantern gave us a run for our money but we eventually got past our brain block and actually even improved upon the directions that were included. Really, I should let the company know because I think I would be saving countless others from the beginnings of a migraine.

These were so fun to make once we got going, and I might also add quite therapeutic--all that repetitive folding. But the real reward is in how very pretty they look hanging on the lights. I think I just might need several strings of these all over the house (Mark, what do you think? Yes? )

You can find the kit here, at Magic Cabin. It happens to be on sale too! Just a small tip, you don't need to buy the extra pack of paper they offer along side of it. The way they word the description you might think you do at first. Just saying :)

on to the next

The last of what I wanted to offer in my shop is finished with these note cards. But even more then that, I was just aching to use my gocco printer again. It's been collecting lots of dust, poor thing. I'm still so basic in my use of it, you should see what this fabulous little printer can do in skilled hands. You can do a search on flickr for gocco images and find the most incredible art. Oh the love.

Once you fire the gocco up, it can make a lot of prints before you need to re-ink. With that in mind, I decided to print the back of the card envelopes as well.

I mentioned that I was obsessing a bit over Martha's glitter. It felt good to get my hands in it and add some to the cards. Just a touch mind you. I also kept some plain--because deep down inside, I'm a plain and simple girl.

I'm so ready to be done with shop stuff now (i'm also tired of talking about my shop--that gets old) I want to get on with the next thing--diving into my Christmas gift making. What are you going to make, you ask? Well, I'm still kind of working on that. Like a lot of you, I'm hoping to keep all my gift giving handmade by me or someone else. I would like to add to that giving gifts that enable people to make their own things, such as craft tools or a sewing machine for example. We all know you gotta have tools!! Too, like Blair mentioned, I will include books. Because what would life be without them? I'm not sure, but I don't want to think about it.

nests!

I hope everyone had a nice holiday--ours was peaceful and simple. I loved it. No stress, no fuss--just a nice meal with my family. My two older sons and daughter-in-law are up in Washington, so we missed them :( but we got our phone calls in~

My nest ornaments are ready to go! I love these little things. They are very sweet--but because they are small I can handle it! Sweet in large amounts is not so appealing to me. Noah was my crafting partner as I worked on these all day yesterday. He was busy making his own nests and bird houses (yeah, i gave him a couple of birds--he was dying to have one and couldn't wait till i got more--which means I don't have quite as many to offer in my shop) The kids and I also made these goofy looking strawberries I'll have to show you another time--really fun and so easy!

I'm offering 4 different styles of nests--some with just glitter eggs, some with a green a bird, a pink bird and one, one-of-a-kind with 2 love birds. I'm off to my SHOP now to get them listed!

nesting

I'm excited about my little nest ornaments in progress. I offered 5 of these last year in my shop and this year I'm expanding--I'll be offering 10. Yeah, I know--huge expansion. IF they all sell I'll be thrilled. If I have leftovers--no problem. Gifts! Half the fun is making them. There is just something so sweet about a tiny bird in a nest. Noah actually can not resist these wee mushroom birds. He gets kind of crazy over them. Last year I gave him a few and I wish I could show you the tree house he built for them! So adorable. Now that I'm thinking of it, I better throw a few into his Christmas stocking!

On a sparkly note: I feel an obsession coming on with Martha's glitter. I wasn't paying any attention to them when they first hit the shelves--but now! oh dear. I think I just may want them all. Part of it is those seriously cute bottles they come in! My new glitter love has inspired some Gocco stationary I want to make. Hopefully, hopefully--those and my nest ornaments will be in the shop by Sat. or early next week--then I'm calling it quits on the shop until after Christmas. I've got to get cracking on the gifts I want to make.

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Happy Thanksgiving!

Wishing you lots of happiness~

T.

totes + drawing

I've taken pen to tote and am having a great time thinking up cute, simple designs. I never really considered drawing on fabric. I guess the examples I came across over the years never appealed to me. But after reading Amy's wonderful book and seeing her drawing projects--well, I got inspired. Actually, I made my first tote a few months ago (and I never showed it here!? I guess that could be a craft bloggy crime) I've been using it to carry my granny square yarn around when I'm on the go. Anyway...I just made 2 more and I've listed them in my shop. And speaking of shop stuff, I think I'm going to announce updates in my side bar under the shop link from now on. Check there when you come by if you're interested.

If you are thinking you would like to give some fabric drawing a try, let me recommend the pens I've been using. I'm super happy with them! They're Pebeo SetaSkrib and I got mine from Dick Blick Art Materials. I love the felt tip and the ink comes out smooth and even.

Thanks so much for all the great comments on my last post!! What a nice bunch all of you are. xo.

it's time

Felt Club  is just around the corner now, the day after tomorrow!! GO HERE to check out just how amazing it will be. Craft classes, yummy food and drink, goodie bags for the first 250 people in the door, music and door prizes. If you live in the area you won't want to miss this! And please come by to say hi to me. I'll be stoked to meet you. I really am looking forward to the experience of it all, never having done this before. I don't even care if I don't sell much (although that would be nice of course) I'm totally in this for the ride. I feel so honored that I even got accepted and also some pressure! You know, kind of like trying on a new dress and coming out of the dressing room for the first time to ask how does it look.

Here's a few peeks of some of the things I'll be bringing.

More monster sisters. I made six total. I love these.

U-totes. The U is for upholstery fabric. That vintage orange fabric makes me want to tap dance.

One of a kind glass bead necklaces.

Note cards printed with my Gocco. The dots are on the back. I planned it that way...ahem. I'm so glad that sometimes mistakes can be a good thing ;)

It's definitely time for me to take a deep breath and forge ahead--the weekend is jammed packed:

*Today is Noah's birthday, party at 3:00 (poor guy, he doesn't even get a proper post. Mom's too busy)
*Saturday--attend the wedding of good friends, of which my husband is officiating.
*Sunday--wake up a 4:00 am to make the drive down to LA for Felt Club.
*In between all of the above, tie up loose ends and run errands in prep. for Felt Club.
*Monday--make the drive back home and then flop on the sofa with as much drama as I can muster so my family will feel sorry for me and want to give me back rubs and as many iced chai lattes as I can drink.

special introductions

I want to introduce you to two very special people in my life who have recently just started a blog and their own Etsy shops. First, is my fabulous and very sweet daughter-in-law, Vanessa. Those of you who have been reading my blog for a while will recall this post , where I poured my heart a week before the wedding--and then this post , of the big happy day. The story continues as I get to know my new "daughter" better and better. And let me just say, as each day passes, I am more and more thankful that she is a part of our family.  Please drop by her blog and say hello, then check out her Etsy shop that my daughter Hannah has collaborated with her on. Vanessa has been sewing up a storm and the results are wonderful!

Next, is my incredible friend Emily. I have known her for only a year now, but it was the kind of connection you don't experience too often when you meet new people. My husband and her husband had been friends for a few months before she and I actually met. For Easter last year we hosted a gathering for friends and family and I decided it was high time I met this elusive "Emily". When she walked through the door she spotted my sewing machine (which at the time was set up in the living room) and right away she asked, "Do you sew?" I replied quite excitedly, "Yes! Do you?!". Instant connection, not only because we shared a common hobby, but right from the start I knew we would have lots in common--and we really do. She lives just around the corner from me and if we're not spending time together in person, we talk on the phone pretty much everyday! Your jaw will drop at her amazing creations and talent. Just keep checking in with her blog and you'll know what I'm talking about. Her Etsy shop has some adorable journals and tissue holders that are priced to fly right out of there!

The photos in this post are of a birthday gift I made for Emily's youngest daughter who is turning 2. This is a numbers can, for lack of a more creative name. The fabric on the can has a rough, imperfect look. Not cut perfectly even, slight fraying here and there. I like the character. I think the pictures give you the idea of what it's all about. Serious counting may be a bit young for a 2 yr. old, but she'll grow into it. And, I think she will have loads of fun just dumping them out and then dropping them back in again. If you have kids, you know how much they love to dump things out!

I hope you will enjoy meeting Vanessa and Emily. They are some of the nicest people around :)

I decided to try

and see what a necklace would look like from my shrinky portraits.

I like them! I really do. And because I have an odd sense of humor at times, I included a portrait of dear old Aunt Mildred :)  Did you know that I also have a hedgehog cousin?  It wouldn't really be fair not to honor him with a portrait so I promised him his is in the works. (If you don't find this very amusing, please excuse me while I giggle)

I might get some time to add these to my shop over the weekend. You could always email me directly too if you're are interested in one.

Well, it's short and sweet today. Time to hustle and get ready for company that is due in, umm...let me look at the clock...yikes!...in an hour!

Have a wonderful weekend.