Here are some trades that I have been working on for artfest.  I think I got a little carried away. They were supposed to be simple, quick and really easy, but I loved the process. I just got lost in time and painted tiny little pictures for most of the day. It was really fun. I love getting lost like that.

After I painted them, I decided to get a little daring and added wax. I didn’t really know what I was doing, but the end result turned out great. I love the subdued color and the added texture. I wish you could see them in person.

Now, the question is whether I should glue on magnets for the fridge or pins to wear.  Maybe both? I can’t decide. Help!

I’ve been making little art tags for ARTFEST trades. It’s in 28 days!!!  Eeeeeekkks!  I’m so excited and nervous.

I guess everyone brings things to trade, which sounds super fun.  I’ll only be making a handful of these art tags (I’ve made some before) and will be making other, smaller things too.  Haven’t decided yet.  But for now, I’m happy to keep making little elves.

Anyone else going to artfest?

You can’t really tell from the pictures but it rained all day, was gray and cold. But that didn’t damper or darken my little guy’s day.  He has a light of his own that he shines brightly every day. Always happy, chatty, funny, and ready to go anywhere and do anything without complaint.

He woke up early ready for the much expected abundance of love from mommy, daddy and brother.  He is very much loved every day, but today was extra special of course because of the presents, specially requested food and all the cards in the mail from loved ones.

He didn’t ask for much, just a penguin made by me. So, every little gift was a big surprise.  He said, “Everyone must love me A LOT!”  They sure do, little buddy!

I made these little name plaques for a friend who will be visiting her nephews this weekend. She wanted to give them a gift for their rooms.I finished them up with ribbon for hanging.

We also picked up our CSA produce today to find these giant rutabagas. The box said, “do not fear the rutabaga”. Ha! I thought that was cute. We peeled them, and cut them into “fries” and roasted them with a bit of oil and salt. They were very yummy–nothing to fear at all.

We’ve been having a wonderful Valentine’s day. First we started out with heart pancakes.

Then gift exchanging — vegan chocolates for me from Sweet Fritsy and a stitched up Valentine for my hubby (and his bike riding butt).

A trip up the mountain for a picnic lunch and play in the snow with the kids. We feasted on heart shaped pasta salad and chocolate, cream cheese brownies.

For dinner, some take out Chinese to celebrate the Chinese New Year.  We are making a Dragon now, and I made these adorable little felt fortune cookies to handout to my friends at work last Friday.

Tonight, some love potion…  Herbal infused brandy mixed with chocolate syrup, rose water and vanilla. The recipe is from Rosemary Gladstar’s Family Herbal.  It took weeks to brew (or infuse). It’s really tasty and will be served with organic strawberries.  Yum.

Hope you had a beautiful and love filled Valentine’s day.

It took me forever to get a christmas package together for my dear little niece Ruby. I finally sent it off last Thursday and she received it in the mail today! Hooray!!

I had wanted to make a wee wonderful doll, but that didn’t happen. I couldn’t handle the idea of making little clothes, at the time, but would love to tackle the project at another time when it is less stressful.

I made another barrette holder too, with sweet little felt covered barrettes.

They were so much fun to make. I might have to make a few for me, just cuz.

Lots of little gifts were made for the little people in my life. Many things, unfortunately did not get photographed , but here are a few things that did.

Colors of the rainbow gnomes (inspired by these) to help my, just over 2 year-old niece Cassarah, learn her colors.

Hair clips & band holder for my friend’s daughter Ruby, to hang on the wall.

And for my little I-guy, a play kitchen, made by my sweet, sweet husband.  The poor guy spent a good week locked up in the garage making this and fixing up a mountain bike for Super-E.  For the kitchen, we used this and this as models, both of which were IKEA hacks of the RAST table.

I LOVE how it turned out, and so does I-guy.  Now he is asking for more felt food (pizza and pasta), hot pads and an oven mit.  Maybe I can get those done by his birthday in February.

Both Super-E and I-guy spent private sessions alone with me in my craft room making little stuffed gifts for each other. I-guy, the little one, wanted to make an owl for his brother, since there has been a big interest in Guardians of Ga’hoole.  I-guy spent the whole time with me, very interested in the process, helping with all the embroidery stitching, felt and button choices. He did ALL the stitching on the eyes, beak, and chest and was so, so proud!

Then, Super-E wanted to make his brother Picachu, which happens to be I-guy’s favorite color– yellow. So, that is what we made.  Super-E couldn’t wait to escape the craft room. He did the directing and choosing of things and dashed away as fast as he could.  It’s alright though.  I couldn’t torture the poor kid and his heart was still very much in the right place.

When they gave eachother their gifts, there was so much excitement and love shared.  They both adore their gifts and keep them close at bedtime.

These two, I can honestly say, are best of friends. They definitely have their moments, of course, but Super-E is extremely patient and nurturing and the little guy can’t WAIT for his big brother to get home from school everyday.  What more could a mom ask for.

Our best friends have cats. So as gifts I made little pieces of cat art for them.

This is Phoebe Cat.  She  now lives in cold, cold Wisconsin with our good friends Jay and Jen. Phoebe once got into a fight with our cat, Sloopy.  Sloopy won, hands down. Poor, poor Phoebe.

These are the three fat cats of our friends Katie & Tim. They have never met our Sloopy and they are very lucky.

I’ve been saving up my paper rolls in hopes of making something with them.  I decided to make these little ornaments after folding, bending, cutting and just messing around with the rolls.  My little guy helped me out.

Here’s what you need:
paper rolls
craft acrylic paint
ink marker (optional)
hole puncher
strips of fabric, ribbon, yarn, twine (whatever you like)
water-based, nontoxic satin varnish (optional)

1. Fold  paper roll as seen in first image.
2. Match points up and press together.
3. Repeat on other end.
4. Paint.
5. Decorate.  You can paint something directly onto the roll or glue images from books, fabric, wrapping paper, etc. Use small drawings that the kids have done on paper and glue them on, or a photo would work great too. Add a little glitter or stickers. Sky’s the limit.
6. Give a light coat of satin varnish (optional).

6. Punch holes into each point and tie together with twine, ribbon, strips of fabric or yarn. Repeat on other end.

fronts

backs

7. Add another string for hanging on your tree OR use as gift packaging for a small treasure (jewelry, small toy, money). Wrap the small gift in tissue paper and stuff inside.  Use a long piece of ribbon that you can tie the bottom ends together in a bow so it can easily be re-opened for a surprise inside.

8. Enjoy!