Breakfast on my Lanai

We have some wonderful Farmers' markets and bakeries here. This is how I spent a quite half hour. Listening to the birds in the avocado tree and munching my breakfast repast.
No I did not eat all 3 croissants, they come in threes.
So big I could not eat a complete pastry.

Thought you may like to see my backyard view and one of my bougainvillea, it needs nurturing along.

sepia portraits

One of the projects I am making for Christmas gifting.
Not finished yet, will add some hand work and maybe buttons.
Below are the simple ingredients I use , paper mixed with fabric if not going to be washed.
I coffee dye most trims and the heavy fabric background.
Words get glued on and are from a French book.

Make re-cycled bookmarks

The template should be about 7" tall.
Print several and cut.
Fold down center , take a piece of magazine page, 'Martha' for me. Fold it in half and cut a piece to match template. Place both folded edges together and clip at top to hold in place while you cut the V shapes. Be precise.
Now remove paper and begin to make folds with the bigger V.
Fold down leaving the little peaked piece.
The flaps will lap the one below, see picture.
Carefully glue that in place over another piece of thicker page, like the cover.
Trim nicely.
Punch a hole at top and thread through string or yarn.

The folder is twice as long as the bookmark plus couple inches. About 1" wider too.
Fold into 3, punch a hold on each side where the pocket is and add a tie to hold together.
Decorate these if you like. Add beads to the top. Write a verse on the back or add the name of the book perhaps.
They can be laminated if you wish to make them more lasting.

scrap paper bookmarks

If you enjoy reading as I do, you probably need lots of bookmarks. Nice gift too, to put in a newly purchased novel.
Here are some I finished and the presentation folders they are placed in.
See above for how-to.

Mine

I made myself a holiday necklace to go with my T-shirt. Idea came from the nice blog.
http://www.vanessachristenson.com/
I like chunky things and had the ingredients at hand.

Now I am letting you know to stay here for a teacher gift project, easy and re-cycled.
or use as a favor.
More later. Simple for kids to craft even bigger ones!

Check out the new Sew Somerset

This is another item I have in Sew Somerset, that is a superb issue by the way.
I have a daughter Beth and this is a reminder of her, gentle and 'fey', bit of a romantic and dreamer. Likes the faded country look.

Ornaments al la Marie

Some of the ornaments I have had fun adding lots of bling to. Glitter is flying and feathers are floating.
I cannot get enough of the images it seems.
These are for sale in my shop.
Now making a Marie book and a Paris souvenir book, and other fun activities to keep me off the beach.

Along the Silk Road

I will be teaching at International Quilt festival in Long Beach CA. so working on samples.
Classes begin July 22nd, 2010. Keeping you informed.
Schedule out in January so I will tell you more then.
One all day class will be a silk road bag and I am working on designs right now.
Great for gathering Emeralds and Rubys along the Marco Polo trail!
I have 5 classes so will be fun and fabulous if you know how I teach!
Everyone leaves with something of beauty.
Hope to see you then.

In the latest Magazine

Altered dress and a satchel I made for Sew Somerset.
It is out now.
Found the little old dress in France.
The bag was made to hold the dress.

surfs up!

Crowds on the North shore.
Surf is highest in years.
Some waves reaching a mighty 50 feet.
Not for me, I like one leg at least on shore.

Living in the Islands

We remember the bombing of Pearl Harbor on this date 7th December 1941.
Quiet reflection here and still many questions as yet unanswered.
I was senior writer for a Pearl Harbor magazine called the Broadside, unfortunately it went out of business some years ago.
I wrote this cover story of the Surrender of the Japanese and did travel to Japan to the bay where the signing took place.
I wrote about the War, the surrender especially became my focus, since the Battleship Missouri resides in Pearl facing the Battleship Arizona.
She is turned toward Port, the wrong way, a silent salute.
So much History, lest we forget!

Around the studio

Give away has finished, drawing names today so I can mail tomorrow.

Freda won this time. But since you are all so nice, if you email me your address I will send all of you one of my French cards which I bought in NZ at a Museum.
Thanks to all.

Little doll is one I created .
She is for sale too! See my Etsy shop.

Make some ornaments

I was making glitter ornaments for a gift exchange tomorrow and thought you may like to create some of my birdies.
I cut them out of card, glittered them, and cut the place for the wing.
Threaded wing through and secured on the back with glue.
Added a hanger and there you are. The eye is a black bead.
They swing prettily on a tree.

last give away for Year

I created a Souvenir of Paris from an old ledger and things.
Size is 8x5" so it is large.
It is a folder to keep postcards and metro tickets in perhaps. Stuff you hold on to.
Very vintage, very nice.
Will have to draw from the old battered cap again.
Make it fast, 'cause the Post Office is awfully busy.
aloha

Challenge

Cover of an altered book I made for 'Mind Wide Open' challenge.
I made the composition 3 dimensional and used glitter of course.
The prompt word was 'time'

http://mind-wideopen.blogspot.com/2009/11/november-challenge-contest-try-it-you.html

More odds and ends for the season

Top picture a set of 4 tags with lace, stamps and beaded dangles.
Come in a box decorated to match.

Little tree ornament for a gift is the lower pic.
Watch for the last give away for 09