And check out these awesome socks that Michelle made for me.  She hand knitted them herself. Isn’t that amazing! I’ve never worn socks so beautiful in my life. I had to show them off so that she could see that they really do fit perfectly.

Thank you so much, Dana and Michelle. I really do love and cherish your friendship and kindness.

I signed up for a swap a while back, for Mousy Brown’s 2nd blogiversary.I received my beautiful package on Saturday, from Tiffany.

An adorable little mouse, a beautiful brooch and a gorgeous cowl, which I have been wearing all weekend.  It’s just happens to go will almost everything I wear. How perfect is that!!  It also just happens to be cool enough here to wear it–YAY! I will share what I made as soon as Tiffany receives it.  It’s late, of course(sorry!!!), but sent priority.  Should be there soon!!

I also wanted to show you my little vintage flower necklace and copper cuff bracelet.  I bought them at a yard sale while out on Sunday.  The woman I bought them from, told me that she bought the necklace in 1973!  They were a dollar each. The necklace is so dainty and sweet. I don’t know why I love it so much but I do.

I found this lovely splash of colorful crocheted yarn wrapped around a railing on my way to work.  I had to pull over and take a couple of quick pics.

I love seeing stuff like this. It put the biggest smile on my face.

be passionate::be fearless::be strong

Look what I got in the mail yesterday.  A beautiful Beth Quinn necklace, a gift from my sister, for no reason at all.  Okay, well… she says because I’m always giving her free art. But, that’s because she is one of my biggest fans and supporters.  She will listen to me go on, and on, and on about my dreams and plans.  Plus she is my sister and mother to the cutest little Ruby girl, whom I also love to pieces.  I just  love that she loves what I do. So giving her some art, here and there, is just a small token of appreciation.

Thank you my dear sister. I LOVE this necklace so much!!

I spent the weekend sorting and packaging up some really wonderful brooches.  I am so excited for everyone to get there package in the mail!  I am sure everyone will be quite pleased with what they received.

1. Brooch Swap and Giveaway, 2. Zipper Brooches, 3. brooch, 4. tree1, 5. blizzard 2011 003, 6. three of six, 7. Brooches for Exchange, 8. Brooch, 9. sakura brooches, 10. Brooch exchange, 11. Brooch Exchange , 12. Be Embellished Brooches Complete

Above are just a sampling of what I received. I am now wishing I had photographed all the sets not in the flickr group, but time is of the essence, especially with two sick kiddos around. Ick! I’m drinking my green smoothies and juice, hoping I don’t get sick too.

brooches made by Bek

Brooches made by Christy

a few brooches have made there way to me and I couldn’t be more excited about it.  Yippee!!  Are they not sweet or what?! If you are participating and have not received the info email, please contact me right away.  Still ten more days until they are due

p.s. if you have emailed me, I will get back to you soon. I’m super behind on the email stuff.

Anyhooo, I’m feeling MUCH better today. I am so grateful to have not been left with any awful remnants. No cough, just some very mild congestion. I drank A LOT of tea and used the good ol’ neti pot (it really works!!).

So now, I feel like sharing my trades.  How could I not share my trades? They are so gloriously wonderful.

Remember these, these and these that I took to artfest with me?  Well, boy was I in for a frenzy of trading.  I really mean FRENZY!  Trading took place the first night.  As I walked into the dining hall, there were many, many women with bags, baskets and totes filled with trades.  Everything from artist trading cards, necklaces, beads, collage papers, pins, flowers, cards, mini books & journals…you name it.  IT WAS CRAZY. And totally overwhelming.

I could only participate for a little bit before feeling a  little dazed and dizzy.  I hadn’t eaten all day! So I dashed away to get some grub and adjust to my new surroundings and all the new faces around me.  I happily sat with a group of beautiful women, one of whom I have been following on flickr for quite a while (didn’t realize that until I came home).

Trading ensued after the eating had slowed and more trades started flying.  I left with a good handful of my own left, which was good, because I traded during my classes and other activities- which I preferred anyway.  So nice to actually look at what you are getting and compliment the person and maybe even start a conversation. Still, it was all very exciting and fun.

Then there was the whole fatbook trade.  What a beautiful little fat book you are.  It’s beautiful just sitting there, don’t you think? The individual pages are quite wonderful as well.

Lastly, I have to tell you about my wonderful roommate.  I had never met her before and we shared one email prior to artfest (she only found out she was going the week before).  I really lucked out. She was truly wonderful– easy to talk to, incredibly kind, super fun and I found a safe comfortable place with her. Thank you Claudia for being such a wonderful roomie.

I will treasure everything, each little piece being a wonderful little memory and spark to fuel my ongoing journey with creating and art.

I wanted to share some of the valentines I received in my exchange. I was fun, and quite manageable, to do a little swap like that. From left to right: Beautiful “inspire” heart cut-out by Mousy Brown, “you are here” bookmark and magnet by CozyBlue and wonderful little bird by Mikala Creations.  Thanks so much ladies for swapping with me!

I also received a nice big valentine package from my friend Linda. It was such a wonderful surprise.

Included in the package were couple of really great Japanese books, some patterns, trims, ribbon and some beautiful jewelry. I ran out of time and didn’t get to take a picture of everything.I actually really like the patterns and am going to see if all the pieces are there.

And looksie here. This cute printable calender from Alex. Isn’t it fun? It was actually a little birthday gift a few weeks back. Please take a look at Alex’s vintage inspired jewelry and other vintage items.

On another note:
* I have decided not to make the origami wrap. I received my fabric and was so excited to try it out, but I just can’t get it to drape right. I’ve pinned it together, tried it on, re-pinned it over and over again. I think the knit fabric I bought is just a little too heavy to work. I might re-make my wrap instead and try to refine the pattern I made.

* We made some of this raw chocolate pudding a couple of days ago and it was quite good. Our cocoa powder is a bit too bitter and I only added 1/4 cup. I think It would be better without it next time (or I need a different cocoa powder).

* I want to make these tortillas. I have my grandmother’s most excellent recipe, but these have walnuts for the fat. I’m intrigued.

* I made these banana-maple oatmeal cookies today. I used ground flax seed (for the egg) and want to try them next with dried cranberries instead of raisins. Healthy and tasty and the kids liked them. They are almost gone.

* I think I’ve been eating too much!

Have a wonderful weekend!!

I made these bookmarks to giveaway as Valentines. There are a few more on my table that are half done.  I used some old vintage fabric that I picked up at a thrift store a  long time ago. The fabric pieces were small, perfect for accenting the canvas.

A few people are doing Valentine exchanges and  I wanted do the same.  I thought it would be fun to make something that you can use all year long, maybe as a marker for a project in your favorite sewing, art or craft book.

I have 6 left to exchange, so if anyone would like to make me a Valentine in exchange for a Valentine book marker, let me know and we can exchange addresses and hopefully get these in the mail before Valentine’s day.  Just to clarify, I am looking for 6 different people to exchange with. Leave a comment saying that you are interested and I’ll get back to you. (thanks!)

If you’d like to make your own bookmarks, here is my ‘how to’.

You’ll need:
Canvas (heavy cotton duck)
pretty fabric scraps
glue stick
white glue
scissors
paper clamps
iron
sewing machine
thread
letter stamps
ink

1. Cut canvas into strips about 2.5 inches wide x 9 inches long.

2. For the back, cut pretty fabric into strips,1 inch (or so) shorter than the canvas and glue to one side of the canvas using a glue stick. Iron. (This step is optional, but it does add some extra sturdiness to the book marker).  The bottom inch that isn’t covered with fabric will be the fringe.

3. Fold the top into a point, glue and use paper clamps to keep in place until dry.

4.  Cut a small heart (or any other shape) out of fabric.  Glue into place with glue stick and iron.  This just keep everything in place while sewing.

5. With your sewing machine, sew freestyle around edges. Sew around heart too.

6. Pull threads of canvas to make fringe on the bottom edge.

7. Using stamps and ink (I use versa magic inks), stamp any message you desire.  I thought it would be fun to make some that said “reading is sexy”.  Heat set with hot iron.

8. Give to your favorite bookish friends for Valentine’s Day.

Here is what I made:

A small tote and some coasters made from an old vintage quilt top that I thrifted almost exactly a year ago.  It’s such a beautiful piece that I wanted to keep it all together, but there were too many stains and holes that couldn’t be repaired.  I did manage to save a piece big enough for a baby quilt or lap blanket.  The rest I cut into.  I have lots of pieces left over to make myself a tote, more coasters and maybe some pot holders too.

The fabrics used for making the quilt top are to die for.  How I would love to get my hands on some of that fabric.  Each square was hand sewn together!  I marvel at the time it must have taken to make this beautiful piece.  The person I bought it from was the daughter of the maker.  She had no interest in keeping it and I was aghast.  But, I tucked it under my arm (along with another quilt top) and gladly handed over 5 bucks.

Now I think it a sort of tribute to that women who made this beautiful quilt, to pass a bit along to other crafty women.  Women who truly appreciate the hard work, love and time that went into making it.

Here is what the very lovely Liz made for me.  A beautiful patchwork scarf and an extremely generous assortment of fabric scraps, buttons and notions.  I was drooling everywhere! No joke.  I, unfortunately forgot to take a picture of everything I put in the tote I made.  I hope it all was well received.