Patchwork Button Needlebooks and Pincushions!

Free Digital Art: Keep Calm and Create

I spent some time today playing in photoshop.  I wanted to create something to hang on the door into my craft/art/studio/office/room (I still don’t know what I am calling it in here!)

Anyway this is what I came up.  I printed it on some beautiful pale brown patterned paper and framed it in a black frame.  It still isn’t hanging up on the door but it will make it there eventually.

Feel free to use it for your own personal use.  It will print at high resolution up to 8×10″.  Direct link to full size image is HERE!

Patterns from the Past!

Just finished listing some great vintage dress patterns from the 1950′s and 1960′s!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/91896323/4903-simplicity-vintage-pattern-1950s

January Work in Progress

I admit it. I am a chaotic crafter. I usually work on projects in small sections. One moment I’m making two dozen yo-yo’s for one project, the next moment I’m burning chiffon for a different project. It’s how I work and most of the time it works out well. I do envy people that start a painting, book…well anything and actually finish it completely before moving on. It seems like a much more productive way to work however that isn’t how I roll!

So since the new year has started I have about 6 projects going on that I want to finish this month. So…here is my January Work in Progress!

Working Top to Bottom/Left to Right:

1. Burnt Fabric Fun – Lots and lots of burnt chiffon and real silk that has been combined with flower tape, seed pearls, wire and feathers. I can’t wait to show you this final project!!

2. Yo-Yo’s – OMG! Yo-yo’s are easy to make and are great for such a variety of uses but ugh…after about 2 dozen of them made I am about ready to swear off making them ever again. “About” being the key-word! These are just a few of the satin, embroidered linen and lace ones that I made so far. These simple little pillows of cloth are going to become a fantastic wardrobe accessory, just wait!!!

3. Embroidery & Buttons – I have LOVED going back and relearning some of the basic embroidery stitches I had forgotten over the years. These simple hoops have a long way to go as I transform them from standard needlepoint to a collage of circular mixed media!

4. Paper Art – This is just one of the designs that I have started. Focusing on love and relationships I am digging the subtle newsprint/book prints mixed with soft colors. This one is just in the starting stage!

5. Paperdoll Dresses – Combine little girl dress up, paper dolls, mixed media/altered art, ink, lace, cloth, metal fasteners and dye and you might come up with something similar to what I am trying. This is the project that I have the most ideas for but having a hard time pinning down exactly how to turn it into reality. It certainly is fun experimenting though!!

So this is a little peek into my current art/chaos/madness! I can’t wait to post some finished projects soon!!

Homemade Coffee Creamer

I admit it.  Coffee and it’s accompanying creamy goodness is one of my vices.  I could save myself probably 200 calories a day if I just drank my coffee black but I have clung on to my daily cup and have no desire to let it go.

I did however make a healthy switch a couple months ago from the artificially flavored myriad of coffee creamers on the market to Coffee-Mate’s Natural Bliss.  Made with just a few basic ingredients (sugar, cream and natural flavoring) I loved the simple flavor.  But now, with a second coffee drinker in the house I find that my little blue bottle doesn’t last long enough.  At almost $3.00 a bottle I am having a hard time justifying buying 3 of them a week!

So, today I decided to make my own creamers and am in total love with the simplicity of making it, the taste AND the price tag.  The ingredients together cost under $2.00 and made twice as much as the store bought variety.  Natural, yummy, cheap and the flavor possibilities are endless.

Enjoy!

Homemade Coffee Creamer (Natural Bliss Copycat Recipe)

1 qt. half and half (natural/organic if possible)

1/4 c. organic sugar

1/2 tbl. vanilla OR 1 vanilla bean simmered with liquid and then removed

4 tbl. Dark Amber Maple Syrup (the real stuff!!!)

Lightly whisk all the ingredients in a medium saucepan.  Heat over medium heat until it just reaches a simmer, stirring occasionally.  When it just reaches a simmer, remove from heat, let cool and then bottle and refrigerate.  Should last approximately 10 days in the fridge.

Handmade Christmas

While I certainly did not make all the Christmas presents that we gave this year I did make a lot!!  I think there is a certain energy that is soaked up into whatever we make and then give to someone else.  Not only are we making something unique and special we are passing on lots of positive energy!!

Some of the things that I made this year:

1.  A fleece wolf scarf for my youngest.  It wasn’t very fancy but he is obsessed with wolves and I had a perfect piece of fleece with gray wolves on it that was destined to be made into something for him.

2.  Skittle flavored vodka.  Found a cute recipe on Pinterest, tweaked it and doubled it and whipped up batches of candy flavored yumminess. I packed them in cute little apothecary looking spice jars I found at a thrift shop.

3.  Mixed media art.  I made 2 mixed media art pieces this year as gifts.

4.  Gypsy Tutu.  I made this for my niece.  Pieces from a leftover cotton jelly roll mixed with ribbon, lace and tulle made a cute little dress up skirt for her!

5.  Scrabble Nameplates.  My kids have a couple of male elementary school teachers and I always find them the hardest to buy/make a Christmas gift for.  However these were a big hit!!

6.  Scarves.  Lots of different variation of scarves were made and wrapped this holiday season.

I posted a few pics below.  Sadly I am the worst at remembering to take pictures of my creations.  It is going to be one of my goals for 2012!!  Especially since I rarely ever make 2 of the same thing.

I hope everyone had a fabulous Christmas!!

Doodletastic Fun

Fantastic video to watch!  Love the way she just lets herself go.  Remember doodling as a child??  This makes you want to play all over again!!

Felting Wool

I have posted the technique I use for felting wool.  It is a pretty simple process and a great way to upcycle thrifty finds!

Felt Wool Instructions

Pictures from Our 1st Craft Show

Art Italic

I am very excited that 4 friends and I have started a group with the purpose of heading out to the local craft shows and selling our creations!

You can find us at http://www.artitalic.com

We are very excited and have planned six shows for this fall!!