Happy New Year

 A new year is knocking at the door.  2013 was a terrific year for me.  While I said good-bye to horseback riding, due to aging of both me and my primary horse, I said hello to new craft ventures.  I attended 2 art retreats which introduced me to lovely people, teachers and materials.  I took an online jewelry course  which launched me into a whole new set of tools, techniques and supplies. 

 I joined up with Operation Write Home to send blank greeting cards to our soldiers posted at far-flung bases.  I made over 100 cards for them and loved every moment of it.  Today I got back to it for the first time in 2 months.   It means a lot to me to give of my time and affection to others.  THANK YOU to Sandy and the OWH team of staff and volunteers for all you do. 

My crafting has evolved this year.  In addition to working on jewelry I gravitated to fabric collages.  I am already signed up to attend a metal soldering workshop with Terry Brush in January, plus jewelry and fabric workshops with Shea and Debbie at Art & Soul in April.  It's gonna be a very good year.  I hope all good things happen for you, too, my friends.  Happy New Year. 

Burlap Tattered Flowers

I did a little trial and error to make burlap flowers.  Burlap is hot now in everything from wreaths to gift bags to flowers.  I checked out some youtube tutorials...and ended up using my Tim Holtz Tattered Floral die. I used wide burlap ribbon I bought from Michaels; it disintegrated after being die cut.  Then I brushed on a coat of Mod Podge to both the cut flowers and the un-cut ribbon.  Using the Mod Podge before cutting produced the best results.  I also die cut some of these flowers from glittered silver tulle.  Stacked it up; glued it down; added a little center pearl.  They need a little sump'n sump'n, but I don't know what and I won't have time to get back to it until after Christmas.  Still, burlap, Mod Podge, dies are a good starting point. 

Small Fabric Collages

 I stepped on the accelerator to get a couple of these small fabric collages completed in time to either mail or take along as hostess gifts.  These are all inspired by Pamela Huntington's Romantic Token Pins from Spellbound.  I haven't worked much with fabric except for the odd bit used on an ATC or tag.  I began gathering up laces and old fabrics earlier in the year (2013 is almost over) so I had a decent assortment on hand. 

 I am particularly enchanted by old barkcloth and silk velvets.  I have very little velvet which gives me a reason to SHOP!!!  I even incorporated some embroidery stitches, using my Coats & Clarks book from 1967 that I've held onto for decades.  Some of my embroidery thread is probably that old, too. 

I found these small book boxes at Michael's recently.  Just the right size for a collage, tucked into some crinkled black shredded paper. 

These two are nearing completing.  I'm gonna miss the bustle of Christmas rush crafting.   How often can I whine "Honey, will you go get gas and wash my car 'cause I gotta get these Christmas presents made"?  I hope you all are having as much holiday fun as I am. 

Take An Idea and Make It Yours

 Arlene at  Butterfly Kisses Blog posted this adorable Gift Card Tutorial on the Graphic 45 blog recently.  It was just what I needed to kick start my own method for gifting Christmas cash.  Arlene is the Queen of More, but I decided to keep mine simple to coincide with my time and my energy level. Plus these are all going to teenagers and young'uns in the family.  They are not gonna appreciate a complicated, time-consuming process...they are gonna grab the money and run.  In place of the G45 large album tags I used heavy card stock from a Kraft Reflections paper pad.  (I've just started making another of these gluing together two pieces of medium weight paper; the paper warps a bit when scored/folded.) 

 I also decided that I would make my own inside pocket rather than use one of the pretty G45 pockets.  Like, are they too pretty to use?? 

 A few more added to the pile.  I just don't seem to be able to use Christmas papers/colors.  I'm gonna stick with it, though.  :) 

Again simple inside of the holder; making my own pockets.  Three done, three to go. 

Mini Hats

 Last night I made these two mini-mad hatter hats (ref my previous post for a pointer to the tutorial).  They were a little harder to make because the cereal board used wanted to crease instead of shape into a round hat crown.  Instead of corsage pins for the hatpins, I used sewing pins with a little white bead on top as they are a better scale for the mini hats.  Because I didn't like the look of tissue tape to hide where pieces join, I sprinkled on some mica for camouflage. 

Here is my collection of hats.  I want to use them as a table scape for my Christmas Eve party.  Ah, yes, that is a hot cider/rum/pear brandy mid-day pickmeup.   I think I'll stick to coffee from now on.  There is more crafting to do but now I want to nap. 

Mad Hatter Hats

 My BFF and I had a craft fest while she was here from Salem.  My dining room was awash with our stuff.  For dinner on Tuesday night we had to use our card table in order to have a place to sit and eat.  Still, all good things must end...with a roar.  We spent her last day here making these cute, cute, cute little Mad Hatter Hats. 

 Ellen's were more Christmasy and Victorian looking.  She didn't have quite the same challenge in getting the top of each crown to fit.  I ended up cutting my tops a bit too small, covering up the gaps with washi tape.

Then we pulled out my bead box and made the little hat pins.  This was all so much fun.  Just before my friend's visit I happened to see a picture of these hats on Pinterest and was able to track down the original artist.  She so generously posted a tutorial.  Check it out and have a blast.  Mad Hatter Top Hats  My friend suggested using these as place cards for her Christmas dinner.  A brilliant idea. 

Friends in All Things

 My bff took the train up from Salem, OR a couple days ago.  The next morning we set up our craft workshop on the dining table.  It is sooooo much fun to craft after morning coffee, until we need a mid morning break with a sip of schnapps, or maybe another cup of coffee, then pick up the iPad for a diversion until we get the itch to get back to our projects.  Yesterday we took a real break for a walk along the water on a clear and cold afternoon. 

I am working on two projects; a small album to celebrate my memories from Spellbound, and a couple of Romantic Token pins.  Today we are going to make something else entirely.  Stay tuned.