Janet's House

Falling For Autumn

I can’t believe that my last post was August 1st, but I guess I’ve been too busy.  Vacations, 2 garage sales, lots of Craigslist sales, having a new front door installed, and all the rest of the things that go along with daily life. Rather than reminiscence, I think I’ll just jump into what’s going on today and move forward.

 Autumn has arrived in all its splendid color but without the rain, so I’ve had time to clean up the garden and spruce up the front porch. It’s fun with a new front door to play off of.  A couple of seasonal mums from the grocery store to replace worn out summer flowers add just that right touch of color.

 

While cleaning I found this twig wreath.  Although I like its simplicity, I thought it would look even better with a bit of adornment.  I scouted around and found three fake apples, then added a bunch of things I’ve been picking up on my daily walks.

 

With my trusty glue gun I soon had a wreath that suited me better.  I just tucked things in groups, adding a bit of bright green lichen for a nice pop of color. One of those projects where it’s hard to tell when you’re done.  I finally just quit and hung it outside.

 

Raleigh was perfectly happy to pose, although the brown dog/brown door combination isn’t much contrast.  Happy Autumn, and remember, you can find me on Instagram where I’m much more frequent in sharing my photos.

 

Next week I’ll be really getting into Autumn cooking, making soups and dishes, using the wonderful soups and broths by Nona Lim. Stay tuned.

The Countdown Until Christmas

We are scurrying around here at Janet’s House trying to get everything in place.  My son is home from college and we’ve been last minute shopping instead of decorating.  My daughter gets here Friday evening so we have two more days to finish decking our halls.  I thought I’d take a minute to pass on a few fun finds I’ve found during our shopping sprees.

I love these salt shot glasses from The Meadow, one of my new favorite shops.   Perfect for the tequila lover who thinks they have everything.  They’re bored out of a solid piece of Himalayan salt and I think they’re just beautiful.

 

Air plants are perfect for someone who thinks they have a black thumb.  An occasional dousing and they’re happy anywhere you set them…even in an old bed-spring display here at Boys Fort, another cool, downtown Portland shop.   The shop bills themselves as Manthropology, a carefully curated collection for boys of all ages and those who love them.

 

If you still want to make something kind of crafty and natural, my recipe for spoon oil can be found here.  Presented in a wooden spooned adorned jar and tied with a sprig of rosemary and a ribbon, you’ve got the gift someone will use again and again.  It smells so good!

 

If you’re still looking for a Christmas cocktail, I think this Champagne Ginger one sounds perfect!  Ginger infused vodka that you prepare the day before, then pour over chilled sparkling wine.  It just sounds so Christmasy.  I can’t wait to serve it; my vodka is already being infused with nice big slices of fresh ginger. For the recipe, click here.

Wishing everyone the Happiest of Holidays!

Halloween Banner

My sister has an awesome collection of Halloween decorations. Vintage and new, she blends them artfully around her home and office every autumn.  She showed me a picture of a project and asked if I would make it for her. Sure! We stopped at the fabric store and picked out several wonderful Halloween prints, then figured out our triangles, placements and how big we wanted the finished product to be.

As we began trying to make our triangles we truly wished we had paid more attention in geometry class. Wait!  Was there ever a geometry class in which to pay attention??  I’m afraid not.  We knew there must be some sort of calculation but alas! We decided hands on was our way of getting this done, so I pulled out paper and muslin and we fiddled until we had long, tapered triangles that made us both happy.  That’s they way I often end up doing math…fiddling until I get an answer that makes sense.

 

 

After that it was simply a matter of stitching the triangles, wrong sides together, leaving the top edge open, and turning. I decided to make them all the same length (20”) for two reasons: ease of cutting and placement.  I later decided which ones I wanted shorter and gave them a trim (13”). I measured my base cloth (13” X 51”) to fit her tabletop.  I cut two pieces, and with wrong sides together, stitched all around, leaving an opening for turning.  I then laid it flat and positioned my triangles, overlapping, alternating and pinning until I was satisfied.

 

I think it can be anything you want it to be.  Different sized triangles, strips of ribbon, long and short rectangles overlapping here and there.  Use up scraps and keep an eye out for the perfect coordinating fabrics.  I did think of making the back side plain autumn colors to then simply flip over for Thanksgiving decor…but that’s another project.  I think our collaboration turned out quite nicely and compliments her wonderful collectibles.

Macramé

What goes around comes around you know, and I couldn’t be happier than to see macramé coming back.  It’s been a long, long time, and I know because the last time I did macramé I was probably listening to anything by Bob Dylan, Chicago or Elton John.  I know it all dates me but I’m thinking this means I might have a head start on all things macramé.

For those of you unfamiliar with the art of macramé, it’s simply a series of knots.  Cording of linen, cotton and jute are used to make wall hangings, plant hangers and hammocks.  It’s somewhere in the same family as weaving and knitting.  Different kinds of knots are used and the strings or cords are crossed, knotted, and crossed again to form patterns.  The addition of beads enhanced the pattern and added depth and texture.

 

I found these two images on Remodelista and wouldn’t you know, the photos are taken at the Ace Hotel here in Portland.  I love the contrast of the white cord against the dark gray wall.  It’s very contemporary, not at all a flash back to the 70’s.  I think that’s what works when a style or design comes back around; it’s never quite exactly the same.  New and improved.

                       

My own macramé that I could never quite get rid of.  Not as grand but it holds some fun memories.  I’ve dragged it to every house I’ve ever lived in. I’ve tied holy rocks and shells to the long strings.  I added a dog license of a dog long gone and there’s even the POW bracelet I wore.  Little pieces of my life woven into a wall hanging.  There’s something nice about that.  I guess it’s always about the journey with me.

Longing for the Good Old Days

I’ve been quite neglectful of things lately.  Not just the blog, but the garden and pretty much any other craft project I may have wanted to start (or finish).  The process of growing a business has changed tremendously since the last time I set out to sell my wares.  I spend my days not only designing and sewing, but emailing, Instagraming, Facebooking and photographing.  Its still fun, learning as I go, and learn I do. I am “hashtaging” and “liking” and wondering all the  time what I am doing right and where I can learn to do better. Sometimes though, I long for the simplicity of the good old days.

         

Way back when, I made hundreds and hundreds of teddy bears. I designed bears with moveable joints and  I sold them in many shops throughout the country. I had the help of lots of friends, family and everyone was helpful, supportive and pointed me in all different directions to ensure my success.  I laugh when I think of my mother and I loading up my van with baskets full of teddy bears and driving up and down the coast stopping in at shops and boutiques.  We’d walk in with a basket loaded up with bears and the owner of the shop was always there and would oohhh and ahhhh and buy whatever we showed her.  At each stop we’d try to squeeze a few more bears into our armloads to ensure greater success.

                                         

Prior to that I did woven wall hangings.  I sold them at art shows and shops in town and even scored a gallery showing of my work.  Similar to the teddy bears, all of my marketing was done by meeting shopkeepers and gallery owners in person.  I’d head out to my favorite shops and meet  with the people who would buy them from me to hang and sell in their shop.  Each shopkeeper would simply write me a check and I’d be on my way, happy, confident and $$$ in my pocket.

My, how times have changed. These days I use social media in its various forms to introduce myself, show photos of my work and continually attempt to have my product seen by all the right people.  I make contact not with the shop owners but with the marketing managers and assistant managers to the buyers.  I send emails with jpeg photos attached and hope I’m reaching out to the right person and wait to hear back from them.  I get purchase orders and send invoices. Meetings are done via phone and email and often there’s no reason to meet in person.  More often than not, after attempting to show them my pillows, I never hear from them. People are busy and my email gets lost in their inbox and slips away.  Like I said, times have changed!

   

Because of the internet we have the world at our fingertips and we are able to be the webmaster, photographer, marketer, besides being the actual maker. There are parts of it that I love, like the design and the photography, but other aspects are more grueling; I can’t be good at everything.  It might seem that with all of the options of Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and more, the variety of ways to be seen by all of the right people would be vastly improved.  I’m not sure, but there are certainly more ways for us creative types to share our work.  I assume anyone in a buying position is inundated with hundreds of photos and line sheets every time they open their email. For me…I still miss driving with my mom with that van full of teddy bears.  I loved that person-to–person contact and the enthusiasm of the shopkeepers.  They offered insight, ideas, suggestions and most importantly of all, they bolstered my confidence that I was definitely on the right tract.  I’ll keep at it, but still I occasionally long for the good old days!

Zen Doodling

Recently a friend was asking if I’d heard of Zen doodling.  I hadn’t, but wanted to know more about it.  She said it was used as a form of relaxation and that the simple doodles that we do on the back of an envelope while talking on the phone are kind of the base idea. Simple circles, loops, dots and curlicues, one upon another. I realized that the more she explained it to me, the more it sounded like a design I’ve been working on.

I came home and looked up Zen doodling. From a book by Carolyn Scarce on Amazon it’s explained: The simple repetitive nature of drawing patterns is spiritually rewarding and can boost creative confidence. Zen doodling doesn’t require any artistic training, and there’s no need for special tools or equipment, just a pen and a scrap of paper.

My design has been growing over the last few weeks.  My first attempt was less fully formed but it inspired me to try it again.  I admit it’s addictive and fun to keep adding little details like dots and circles.  Simple dots can act as shadows and shading to parts of the design and repeating details adds to the flow of the larger doodle.

I find it so appealing because such simple little doodles become quite grand when they all come together. I keep the pad of paper nearby and get lost in lines and circles as my design grows.  Sometimes I sketch the basics with pencil but all the embellishments are free form. I hope soon to add one to my pillow designs.  I am imagining having it printed in red on white fabric for Christmas or maybe indigo. I love blue and white.

Give it a try. I think you’ll be surprised at what you didn’t know you could do.

BRIKA - “A Well-Crafted Life” Part 2

The other day I gave you a sneak preview , but today is my big reveal on BRIKA, an online creative community that celebrates craft, storytelling and the belief that our lives are as beautiful as we wish to make them.  Not only my pillows are being featured,  but a bit more about me too.  Tricky stuff, sharing and telling the evolution of my little pillow biz.

I really love the environment that BRIKA has created. I love seeing all of the wonderful things, but I find it especially nice getting to know the artists and craftspeople behind the art.  Although it has been a bit difficult for me to ‘put myself out there’, I know how I appreciate learning the details of why someone took up a craft and how their passions are fueled.

These are the pillows I’ve made as exclusive to BRIKA. I chose these bright fun oranges and pinks because I felt they reflected the cheerful, fresh colors that BRIKA offers in all of their arts and crafts, and in their style and attitude. My other pillows are there too, with fun ideas and suggestions on where they might best be used in a home. 

So check out BRIKA!  I just know you’re going to love what they have.  Enjoy getting to know the artists…some pretty wonderful and creative people. Be sure and share BRIKA with your friends. You can earn credits as friends sign up and purchase. How fun is that??! The internet continues to change the way we shop and I love being a part of it!

Click this link to be included: BRIKA. You’ll be glad you found it!  “A Well-Crafted Life” is an awesome idea!! Be sure and tell your friends!

Follow me on Facebook too by searching Janet Brown Studios (until I fix that link over on the right).  I add things that are in the blog but also give updates on projects and sometimes just share something beautiful!

BRIKA - “A Well-Crafted Life”

Here’s a sneak preview of what’s coming up for me.  My pillows will be in the Wednesday Event at BRIKA.

Follow this link to see more of this wonderfully fun and exciting new site… BRIKA.    More info coming soon!

 

Spoon Oil

I was inspired by Heather Taylor’s recent L. A. in Bloom post on how to make a wooden spoon. It sounds like a wonderful project and I can’t wait to find a class and give it a try.  In the workshop, their spoons were treated with an oil mixture that sounded good enough to eat.  At the very least I wanted to fill my house with the scent of rosemary, beeswax and coconut oil.  I also knew it would be nourishing for my big wooden bowl and aging favorite wooden spoons.

I did a bit of research and found several recipes and suggestions.  I decided to add lemon juice from my Meyer Lemon because…why not.  It seems like the perfect addition to the wonderful mixture.  I found the beeswax at the art store.  Look in the section for fabric dyeing (think batik). The coconut oil was located in the natural food section at the grocery store.  The lemon and rosemary were in the yard so I had everything I needed.

 

I filled a sturdy pan with enough water to come half-way up the canning jar I was using.  I added about 4 ounces each of beeswax and coconut oil, a couple of fresh end cuts of the rosemary and the juice of one lemon.  While it was warming I also added the lemon peelings but removed them before cooling everything.

It took a long time for the beeswax to melt.  Keep a close watch and don’t let the water boil hard; keeping it just below the boiling point.  You can use a wooden spoon to stir it carefully and break up the chunks.

I decided to take out the worn out looking rosemary once everything had melted and I was finished with the heating.  I cut and added fresh sprigs as everything cooled.

 

 

Once cooled I used a soft cloth to rub the oil into my big bowl and onto my spoons.  It took some work but in the end everything looks well nourished and even though the spoons are beat up and burned here and there I think they look better and will last quite a while longer.

This jar should last a long time in the fridge.  You can use it cold or warm it to dip your spoons, but always heat it carefully as I’m certain it’s quite flammable. I think little jars filled with spoon oil would make a sweet addition to a gift of a bowl, spoon or cutting board. It’s always nice to add something handmade when giving a present.  Try it!

Needlepoint

I’m not off my needlepoint kick yet. Last year during the holidays I suggested making a little needlepoint kit for a crafty friend. To see that post, click here. This year I still like that idea and recently showed another idea here.  It’s hard to think of any other season when we’re smack dab in the middle of the biggest holiday gift giving season of them all. So I see nothing wrong with giving a little Christmas kit for someone to work on throughout the year. By this time next year they’ll have it stitched, sewn and ready for the tree or turned into a pillow. If you’re the crafty one you can include a little coupon for the finished project, or even the fabric that inspired your design.

     

Both of these would be great for a beginning needlepointer.  For the one on the left I used the grid of the canvas to “weave” my design and for the other I used the fabric as my inspiration. Fabric stores carry the needlepoint canvas and for such a small project you only need 1/3 of a yard. The canvas is wide so you’ll get many 12 X 12” squares to turn into gifts.  Craft or needlepoint stores offer lots of yarn choices to include with the canvas. I love giving handmade gifts but I also love encouraging people to pick up a craft and give it a try. Needlepoint is pretty easy. All the stitches go the same direction and you’re just filling up the canvas with yarn, making a soft usable fabric out of what once was a stiff canvas.

 

 

 

The little stocking turned into a pillow. Ruffles of the printed fabric were one option but I decided I wanted a more tailored look. It still needed something so a strip of fabric across the green tied it altogether. Of course I used the print for the back of the pillow. I’m still considering added embellishments but there’s no rush; when I find just the right detail I’ll stitch it on. In the meantime I like the off-set look of having the design to one side.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The tree is finished and I’m deciding whether I need another pillow (!) or not.  The two would make a nice set.  I probably need to stop keeping them and move them over to my Etsy shop. Then again, maybe I’ll use it tied to the ribbon on top of a gift. Stay tuned!

A Little Shop of Pillows

By now I thought I’d be opening my own little website full of all the lovely pillows I’ve been making. Life sometimes has a habit of getting in the way so until the website is ready I have turned to the popular Etsy site.  Etsy is set up for artists and crafts people as a place to sell their creations. If you’ve never visited Etsy, you’re in for a nice surprise.  My eventual site will be like a shop of my own, while Etsy is kind of like going to a great big bazaar or art show. It’s pretty fun.

My signature line of pillows are screen printed from my original hand scripted journals. They are a collection of memories that I consider universal in appeal. The pillow above is a list of wonderful Christmas thoughts and feelings. I decided I needed to include companion pillows and I think the ones above compliment my design nicely.

My beach collection is fun and fresh in cool blues and whites. The hand scripted pillow tells the simple story of a perfect day at the beach, from jumping the waves to feeling the sand between your toes. The companion pillows complete the set, bringing just a little bit of the seashore into your home.

The Day in Paris pillow is such fun. I got creative in the writing and I think it gives quite a flair to the design.  It’s screen printed on a wonderful heavy linen and will look beautiful in a variety of home design styles.

All of the pillows are 20 X 20” and will accommodate a 20” square pillow insert, which I’ve included for sale separately on the Etsy site. Shipping costs on the bulky inserts are a bit steep so I thought it might be nice to offer them as an option.

To find my shop follow this link:  http://www.etsy.com/shop/janetbrownstudios

Please tell your friends, co-workers, relatives and neighbors. You know how it sometimes takes a village…

                                                                                  Thanks Everyone and  Happy Shopping!!

How to Frame Baby Clothes

I was reading Amy Duncan’s Four Corners Design blog the other day. She took a favorite old t-shirt, stretched it over a canvas and put it in a frame. What a cool way to hang onto a shirt and savor the memories it holds. I can picture a whole row of band or concert shirts framed, for reminiscing the good old days.  Framing anything  gives it significance and importance. You choose to give it a place of honor on your wall and you share with others its status and beauty.

A few years ago I pulled out my kids baby clothes that I was keeping. I’d washed, ironed, folded, put them in a bag, then tucked them away. Some were 20 years old by now. What’s the point?? I’m not sure the kids would ever want them and leaving these sweet clothes to sit in a bag in the bottom of a drawer gave me no pleasure.  I decided to pick out a couple of favorites and frame them.

The little dress was knit by my aunt and cousin. I love the style and color and my daughter wore it for her first birthday photo. The Hawaiian shirt belonged to my son and was given to him after my sister and mom visited Maui. Both outfits are not only sweet in themselves but hold fond memories of the people who gave them to the kids.

There are a variety of ways to attach the clothing.  I talked to the guys at the frame store for ideas and suggestions and chose to have them cut a piece of mat board to fit the frame. I laid the piece of clothing on the mat board and arranged it, then from underneath, using a sharp needle and sturdy thread I brought the needle up through the shoulder area, then back down in a very small stitch. I tacked in several places then held up the mat board vertically to see if the clothing was attached firmly enough. It took more stitches than I had figured but I wanted the clothes to lie nice and flat. I love the way they turned out and I get pleasure every time I look at these favorite baby clothes.

I framed one more piece as long as I was at it.  I had a very old lace baby bonnet that belonged to my mother. I carefully added a bit of stuffing between layers to enhance the shape and better display the detail. I also added new silk ribbons where ancient tatters had been.  What a perfect way to enjoy this treasured keepsake.

Give it a try. Dig around and find a sweet relic from the past. I think it would make a thoughtful Christmas present.

A Small Needlepoint Project

I’ve been looking for a simple needlepoint design to take with me on a couple of upcoming trips.  Something small enough to tuck in my bag and pull out while waiting for connecting flights.  It’s always difficult for me to think too far off season; you know, that whole planning ahead thing. Right now I can think as far as Christmas, so small projects like this are just the thing to make sure I’m finished in time for the holidays.

I love this fabric that I’ve been making pillows out of so I thought it might be fun to make a companion needlepoint piece, and these little mini stockings are a great way to use up scrap yarns.  I’ve made several in different designs and eventually they’ll all be stitched up for decorating and gifts.

I made a ‘stocking’ template out of cardstock and keep it handy so that my finished pieces will all be the same size.  The design is only about 8 inches tall so it’s the perfect take-along project.

I traced around the cardstock then used the Christmas ornament fabric as my inspiration. I used Sharpie pens with a light touch to not over do the amount of ink on the canvas. 

You can trace the design but you don’t have to replicate the fabric exactly, just keep it similar then choose the corresponding yarn colors to pull it altogether.  Coming up with an original subject can be tricky but using fabrics for design ideas is a fun way to make something of your own creation, while just borrowing the general theme. If you choose to make a pillow out of your needlepoint, you’ve got the perfect duo.

I toss it all in a zippered pouch and I’m set for my travels. With any luck I’ll show you the finished product quite soon. If you have trouble coming up with an idea for your own needlepoint, feel free to copy, trace, print and use this little stocking for your own.  It’s a great way to get started without the expense of a hand painted canvas.

Hypertufa Pots

I made a batch of these pots a couple of weeks ago. They are called hypertufa , an artificial stone that I mixed up like clay and molded into these wonderful little troughs. Planted with sedums they will sit outside year round, unaffected by the weather. I already had several of the sedums growing elsewhere, so I simply snipped and planted them in the pots.

I’ve wanted to make these pots for years but was forewarned that it was quite complicated, needing nesting structures for proper support. Leave it to Martha Stewart to come up with the simplified, user friendly method. Only three ingredients are necessary: Portland cement, peat moss and pearlite. I used the plastic containers that hold spinach, salad mixes and strawberries. It was nice to give these plastics one more use before rinsing and tossing them in the recycling bin. They can easily be used several times before they begin to deteriorate. You’ll also want rubber gloves, a face mask (cement dust) and a plastic tote or bucket for mixing.

 

Have everything ready. Cut the lids off the containers, then generously spray each container with cooking spray and set aside while you prepare your cement mixture.

 

 

 

 

 

Wearing gloves and dust mask, mix 3 parts pearlite, 3 parts peat moss and 2 parts Portland cement. Add enough water until the mixture is thick and holds together when squeezed. These measurements will make a fairly light pot. If you want it heavier just add more cement. If you’re making a large pot you’ll need to add acrylic fibers for strength. Each batch makes approximately 3 pots. I made 3 batches for these 5 pots and had just a bit leftover.

 

 

 

 

Press cement mixture on bottom of container/mold to about 1” thick, then up the sides to about 3/4” thick. Smooth as you go, pressing firmly so there are no air pockets.

 

 

 

 

Use a dowel or stick to make drainage holes. Cover each pot with a plastic bag and let sit for 48 hours.

A couple of days later remove the pots from their mold. Pots will be somewhat wet. Use a wire brush to scrub the pot until you reach the desired rustic texture.

 

 

 

 

After a week or two, when pots are dry and you’re ready to plant, use a shard or piece of screen to cover but not block the drainage hole. Add a well draining cactus/succulent soil and then begin planting. Sedums are quite simple to propagate and can be snipped from an existing plant and tucked into the soil.  Use a variety of plants for a fun textural garden or a single plant as a focal point. If purchasing succulents make sure the plants will all work in the same environment.

These troughs are really very easy to make and will last a long time indoors or out. The porous nature of the pearlite makes them able to withstand temperature changes and also makes them lightweight and versatile to move around.

 

                                                                                                                                                                            Notes:

I cut a small length of wire and bent it to make a pin to hold the plant in place while it finds its roots.

At Home Depot Portland cement came in 70# bags. Too much cement and too heavy. They happily ordered me a smaller bag and I still had plenty.

Martha has a quick video to watch that helped make this successful.   Watch it here: http://www.marthastewart.com/268962/hypertufa-pots

 

 

                                    These pots will make great gifts. Mix up a batch now for Christmas gifts. You’ll be glad you did.

Workroom/Studio-The Continuing Saga Part 3

I’m getting so excited because we’re nearly finished with the workroom. If you’ve been following my progress you know it’s been a lot of sorting, donating and rearranging. See part one and part two for the dirty details and the progress thus far.

One last trip to IKEA to purchase the long table for my sewing machine and the small cabinet to anchor one end of that table (that’s the cabinet right up there). I also got a few more drawer dividers as they prove to be great for sorting and giving everything its own place.

I went to the paint store and picked out a light grey. I chose Miller Paint in Cool Elegance (#0517). I wanted to have the sewing area defined with a different color than the rest of the room, yet I want it neutral. White would be too much with all the cabinets, tables, drawers and shelving being white. I love the way white looks against grey so I went with my feelings.

Choosing a grey was tricky. Grey can lean towards brown, green, blue or lavender and one thing I knew for sure was that I didn’t want it to look like concrete or a nasty rainy day. I compared and asked questions of the staff until I came up with ‘cool elegance’.  Fresh, clean and a nice contrast against the white of everything else.

I’m a pretty good painter if I do say so myself and the biggest suggestion I have is one I learned long ago: Preparation is the key! After patching, priming, sanding, texturing and wiping down the walls I was ready to paint. Taking the time to prep really pays off with a nicely finished wall.

We’ve been pulling up carpet as we go and actually I don’t completely hate the 50 year old linoleum that’s underneath. It’s been covered much of its life so is in pretty good shape, at least for now. I like the way my chair rolls across the floor so smoothly and if I make a mess with glue or paint it will prove an easy clean up.

I’m almost done with the room but before the final unveiling I thought I’d throw out a few paint tips:

• If your not sure about the color, take the time to purchase samples or even a quart. Let it dry and view it in day and evening light.
• As I said above, preparation is key! At the very least, take the time to wash the walls.

            

• Spackle, dry then always use primer over the patched area or you’ll end up with dull spots.

            

• Retexture your patched areas (if the wall is textured). You can purchase texture in a can with various splatter but I like to use an old towel scrap and pat the primer to help blend it with the original wall texture.
• Always wear paint clothes. I have a certain t-shirt and pants that I keep with the painting supplies. Otherwise whatever I wear becomes the next set of paint clothes.
• Keep a damp rag for wiping off the inevitable ceiling smear.
• Always check the bottom of your shoes before you leave the room. (learned the hard way)
• Always apply 2 coats if you’re painting over color and at least wait until it’s dry before you decide if you like the color or not.
• We are tearing out the carpet so didn’t need a drop cloth. If you want your rug or flooring intact use a big canvas drop cloth. You’ll be glad you did.
• Mark the top of the paint can with the room you painted and the date. 
• I like to save a small jar of the paint for touch ups. If the jar is small there won’t be any air for rust or crust to collect. Usually you only need a dab to touch up a nail hole. Plastic lid if you’ve got it.

       Check back next week for the unveiling!

                   

Preparing for College

 

As my almost 18 year old (how’d that happen so fast?!) son finishes his senior year in high school, I’m mentally preparing myself for the empty nest. He’s decided on the University of Montana in Missoula and I couldn’t be happier. I love that wonderful small town with its beautiful mountains, rivers and nearby Flathead Lake! With the SAT’s, applications, college visits and letter of intent behind us I decided I wanted to make him something to take with him.

I told him I wanted to make him a quilt, and feeling quite cooperative that day, we went to the fabric store together. I know part of his reason for joining me was that he was afraid of what I might pick out. I feel quite certain that I wouldn’t have come home with anything flowery or sissy-like, but I guess you never know what an unattended mom might come up with and I understand his not wanting to take a chance. His whole college reputation may be at stake here!

Anyway, we actually had fun and he picked out a very manly collection of the Universities colors. I’m anxious to get started and I think it will be fun to make. I’ve got exactly seven months before he’s on his way. Yikes! Whether he likes it or not, there will be lots of love stitched in. I’ll show you my progress and the finished quilt, of course. Stay tuned!

Projects in Motion

As I’m sorting, tidying, cleaning and generally trying to give everything its place I keep coming across unfinished projects. Of course!! Most creative people are guilty of cupboards and baskets full of half finished or non started creations. I think it’s part of the enthusiasm of wanting to make things.

Yesterday I was sorting yarns and remembered my (still great, I think) idea of making a baby sweater then finding a wonderful fabric for a skirt or romper. I panicked when I also remembered that my favorite fabric shop for bright fun prints was closing at the end of the month. I stopped what I was doing, grabbed my yarns and headed to Fibers in Motion. I had great fun picking out fabrics to go with the yarns.

 

I have one sweater started and now with the print fabric I’m eager to complete the sweater and get on with the skirt.

 

 

 

 

 

This is my favorite. I can just picture a little girl all decked out in this happy color combination.

 

 

As I revisit my “projects in process” (much better than unfinished projects), I’m becoming enthused again. I was afraid that taking the time to organize would take me away from creating. Quite the opposite I’m finding. Instead, I’m having fun revisiting projects long buried and feel inspired and ready to jump back into knitting, sewing and creating.

If you live in the Portland area, be sure to drop by Fibers in Motion before LuAnn moves on to the next creative phase of her life. There are still a lot of beautiful fabrics available.

Happy Anniversary

 

     

 

   

 

 Janet’s House

 

 

                                      

As most everyone says after one year goes by “I can’t believe a whole year has gone by!” It has! I’ve been writing Janet’s House since last December 27th and have enjoyed every minute of it. It was a brave move for me to push that “publish” button that first day, but I’m so glad I did. I’ve wanted to write for years but back in the olden days the only alternative was to send a story or article to a magazine. Good luck with that! This blog business is just the ticket for those of us with things to say.

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who reads what I have to say. It’s so fun to run into a friend and have them tell me how much they like my blog or a particular recipe. I thank my sister for pushing me in this direction. Her encouragement was just what I needed.

My year was filled with reconnecting with many old friends, some through the blog, some through Facebook and several through the death of my father. An 88 year old friend of my dad now sends me several jokes a week. Bless his heart for finding me and reminding me what my dad was like when they were young. Using the computer at 88! Wow! Think of how his life has changed since the 1920’s!

I’ve reread several of my first posts and still feel pretty good about them. My photography has gotten better. I fell off the wagon on Lens365. Although I love my original idea of finding something wonderful to take a picture of every single day, the reality is that some days are filled with many wonderful photo opportunities and others just don’t send me. I think I’ll plan something new.

I look forward to reaching out to more readers. I’ve always got a new project going and I always need to feed someone, so I might as well be writing about it. I’ve learned to cook and sew with a camera hanging around my neck. I feel it’s so necessary to properly photograph what I am trying to say. You know that old saying, ‘a picture is worth a thousand words.’

Thank you again. Any thoughts, ideas, suggestions or clarifications are always welcome in the comments. I love to hear what you have to say too!

Wrapping it Up- Free Stuff!

 

There are a lot of creative people out there on the web and many are very nice artists who want to share their work with us. Today I’m giving you links to free downloadable tags to make your Christmas wrapping easier. Click on the link and it will take you to their blog with the download for tags and often so much more!

 

http://www.lollychops.com/lollychops/downloadprintfreebies.html

 

 

http://orangeyoulucky.blogspot.com/2011/12/2011-holiday-gift-tags.html

 

 

http://blogdelanine.blogspot.com/2011/12/for-you.html

 

 

http://www.sharonrowanphotodesign.blogspot.com/2011/12/day-four-dangly-gift-tags.html

 

Aren’t they great?! I’ll let these nice people know I’m sharing their work with you. If you download their tags be sure and let them know where you heard about them. Merry Merry Christmas everyone!

Little Tags and Labels

I was asked recently how I made the tags I used on my Kahlua bottles. Quite simple if you take the time for the little extra details.

For this tag, I cut the size I wanted (about 3” X 1.5”) out of cardstock paper. I punched the hole first, so I wouldn’t end up punching through a word. I used a ruler to make the lines around all edges, then simply made little hash marks out from the line. I didn’t worry about making them all the same length; random is ok. When I finished I decided it still needed something, so I added a few dots. Take a bit of time to doodle a few tags. Before you know it you’ll be obsessed. If you make a mistake, so what?? It’s only a little piece of paper. Try again!

If you’re not feeling steady handed enough to tackle your own tag try worldlabel for free downloadable labels. There are several styles and you can even write in what you want on your label before printing for a totally professional look.

I printed the labels on regular paper then opted to hand write the ingredients and used a glue stick to adhere them on my homemade vanilla. They’re sized to fit blank adhesive labels so there you go.

Now there’s nothing stopping you from adding that bit of detail to your homemade gifts. It’s those little extras that add to the presentation. It’s totally okay if they look handmade; that’s the point.

Down to the Wire-Last Minute Gift Ideas

With Christmas just over a week away there’s not much time to pull together a complicated handmade gift. People often say that it’s difficult to give a gift to someone who’s creative. Personally, I love receiving gifts that involve a little work on my part. Even when I was a kid I liked the kits, sets and puzzles that lasted longer than the opening. When I’ve received a gift of yarn or fabric I think of the person who gave it to me with every stitch. You’d be surprised if you walk into a fabric or yarn store and ask someone to help you pick out a gift for your creative friend. There will be all kinds of ideas and the receiver will appreciate the effort. With that thought in mind, here are a few ideas that I think will help you satisfy your creative friends while tapping into your own creative side.

 

Food items can be made in an evening to give the next day. A loaf of wonderful banana bread baked in a new pan makes a useful and tasty gift. They’ll think of you every time they bake a loaf of bread. Here’s my favorite recipe (be sure to include it with your gift!).

 

 

Got a dog lover on you list? How about a basket or bowl of dog items? Pull together a new leash, chewy, biscuits, cute picture frame and maybe a good book for day hikes. Wrap it all up in a big dog bowl or basket. Don’t forget a movie they can enjoy together.

 

 

 

For that person on your list who has everything, consider gifts she or he will use up during the year. We don’t always buy wonderful soaps or lotions for ourselves, but receiving them is great fun. I found a beautiful selection at one of my favorite shops, Peggy Sunday’s. The soaps are wrapped in beautiful papers and smell delicious. They come with their own matching soap dish. Perfect! Peggy also has an awesome selection of candles, dishware, barware and loads of lovelies. Truly something for everyone.

 

 

For the cook in you life; who doesn’t need more olive oil?  Remember The Oilerie for a wonderful selection. They have recipes and ideas on how to use each oil. A bottle or two in a basket lined with a new dish towel and you’re all set. For extras, consider artisan salts and herbs tucked in with the bottles. There are wonderfully handmade cruets and bowls. Need more? Maybe a beautiful apron or napkin set.

 

 

      

    

Cook baskets are great fun to do. How about cupcake tins with sprinkles and liner papers in fun colors. Add a brightly colored spatula and you’re set. For an extra pop, add a cookbook.  Sweet!

 

For that guy who’s hard to buy for, consider a movie night basket. Depending on how much you want to spend you can do this in a couple of different ways. One fun idea is to get a couple of DVD’s, a fuzzy, warm throw and a jar of popcorn. A bit less expensive idea is to purchase a gift card from the local movie theater and wrap it with a couple of candy bars. Christmas and date night in one gift.

 

 

A stitcher in your group of friends? Most fabric stores have a wonderful selection of what are called ‘fat quarters’ (18” X 22”). It’s fun to pick out companion fabrics and they’re the perfect size for a pillow front (buy 2 matching for the whole pillow). Look for a pattern for pillows or a table runner and you have a simply perfect gift.

 

 

     

Most knitters love to get yarn. There are beautiful hand dyed yarns out there for socks and small projects. Of course the yarn shops have patterns and books to include with the yarn. A few of my favorite local shops are Twisted, Knit Purl and Close Knit. You can even go to Ravelry, an online knitting community for free patterns and ideas. With a free pattern and a beautiful skein of yarn you’ve got the perfect thoughtful gift for a knitter.

 

See, you can be creative even if you don’t think you’re creative.  It’s all about looking at things in a different way. Think of how pleased your recipients will be when they see themselves reflected in the gifts you’ve chosen.        Have fun with it!!

And the Winner Is...

Congratulations to #2 (Bonnie) and #4 (Nancy)!  Email me your address so I can send them to you. [email protected]. Everyone had such nice things to say and I appreciate each and every one of you.

Watch for my post tomorrow. Continuing my holiday gift ideas, I know we’re getting down to the wire so I’ve come up with some fun, creative ideas that include favorite shops as well as money saving tips on how to pull together a great presentation.

Thanks again for entering. I always love the comments. They make my day!

A Gift From Me to You!

Welcome to my first ever contest. I made these cute dish towels and decided to give them away! I feel it’s a nice way to thank you all for reading Janet’s House. I wish I could send one to each of you but a drawing will have to do for now.

 

I went shopping for supplies and found 100% cotton dishtowel fabric at one of my favorite fabric stores, Bolt. I went down the street to Collage and picked up a few supplies for this project and the next one.I decided to make the dishtowels with a Janet’s House design and  had fun using the printmaking skills I learned in the Collage class I took earlier this year. I carved quite a few little houses; I hope you like them.

           To enter the contest, all you need to do is leave me a comment by next Wednesday (12/14 at noon PST) and I’ll randomly draw two winners. I’d love to hear what you think or where you think the blog should go. A favorite?? Something you’d like to learn?? Where do you live? Any ideas for me?? Your thoughts?? Remember: The comment has to be on the Typepad blog page, not Facebook or email. Even if you’d just like to enter and have no particular comment, you can just say “enter me” or “I want to win;” anything! good luck!

     So, Happy Holidays to everyone from Janet’s House!   

               I’ll post the winners next week!   

                             

                            Good luck!!

Bleach Pen T-Shirts-Holiday Gift Idea #8

 

I think this is a great project for anyone on a tight budget. Thrift stores are full of ‘nearly new’ shirts that will make perfectly great recycled artistic gifts. We picked up a few old shirts at Goodwill and a fresh bleach pen and had such fun enhancing our finds.

We practiced on an old shirt to see how much detail we could include. Writing is a little tricky, you must keep it big; tiny script won’t work. Easiest designs were long vines, hearts, sunshine and of course a peace sign.

 

 

 

 

I suggest having a few sketches handy. Put down a plastic tablecloth and keep a paper towel handy for wiping the end of the pen occasionally. We also found a toothpick worked well to pop any air bubbles.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Take your time to work slowly and keep a steady hand. It’s difficult to do anything other than draw free hand because chalk or anything else would compromise the application of the bleach. Let your work set for about 10 minutes before rinsing. You can watch to see how bleached out you want your piece.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We worried that we’d have trouble with the bleach running into the unbleached areas of the shirts when rinsing, but we didn’t. We worked quickly, rinsing with a steady spray nozzle.The green shirt above is very dark so after about 10 minutes I washed it and the bleached area turned a beautiful bright green. The striped shirt with its bleached peace sign surprised us, turning the coolest shade of reddish pink. It looks so retro.

Have fun with this! We have all kinds of ideas. How about a pillow slip with sweet dreams or Goodnight. Maybe names or nick names on Christmas shirts.  Have fun!!

notes:

• it worked well to use old or pre-washed t-shirts
• wear an apron to protect your clothes
• the bleach gel can come out a little globby so start moving the pen along right away.
• have everything ready before you begin.
• have plenty of cardboard to slide into sleeves and body of shirt
• try to position the shirt before you begin so you won’t have to move it around to do the other sleeve. The less you move it the less chance you’ll touch the bleach to an unwanted area.
• keep designs simple. Bleach pens are not for fine work.
• make sure the bleach pen is for ‘whites’.

Backyard Gatherings Wreath

I made this wreath over the weekend. Every year I read in a magazine how someone made a wreath from the things they gathered from their yard and I always think I should give it a try. It turned out to be fairly simple.  I’m not sure how long it will last but for now it adds a lovely touch to the front porch and the price was certainly right. (Free!)

I had an old wreath frame and some wire so I took a wander around the yard. The first thing I saw was the faded hydrangea. That dusty rose color became my pallet and I began looking for other plants that would work. I found some weedy berries, and some Autumn Joy Sedum. I then cut some cedar branches, lavender, a bit of wooly thyme and a frond off the heavenly bamboo that had turned red.

 

I laid it all out to see how it looked and began attaching the greenery to the wreath. I laid the cedar in the open work of the frame and secured it with wire.

 

 

 

 

Bend the wire into a U shape and hold it underneath the wreath frame and the branch you are attaching. Pull it up around the branch, catching some of the wreath frame and twist the wire. The leaves will hide the wires.

 

 

In some instances it works to make a little bundle of the greenery before attaching.

 

 

 

 

Just keep layering and attaching; working your way around the wreath. Decide where you want the top to be. Allow things to drape naturally, wiring them where necessary.

 

 

In the shed I spotted the little bird nest left in my fern this summer. I knew I would add it at the end. A very sweet reminder of the summer. I’m so glad I accomplished it over the weekend, as our weather is rainy and stormy and everything is quite a mess now.

 

If you get a break in the weather, give it a try. It’s fun and easy!

Make a Needlepoint Kit-Holiday Gift Idea #6

 

Years ago I was trying to come up with a gift idea that my kids could give my mother. She did a bit of needlepoint and both kids enjoy drawing so I had them draw a few flower ideas. We chose our favorite four and I then transferred the designs to needlepoint canvas.

It’s really fairly simple. For this example please excuse my childish drawings and enjoy finding the perfect artwork from your children’s collection.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tape the picture to the window, then tape the canvas over top.

The background daylight will project the design and all you have to do is trace around the design with a permanent marker.

No need to color in the canvas. The original drawing is the guide.

 

 

It’s a fun way to give a gift. Add the yarns necessary to complete the project and include fabric, and the promise to finish it as a pillow. Box it up with a sweet note from you and the kids.

 

This project has always been one of my favorites for bringing all three generations of us together for a gift that will last for many years. I think most grandmothers would love this interactive gift. It might also be a fun collaboration between grandma and the grandkids for mom.

 

          

       Here’s our three generation original, circa 1998

 

Notes:

• If you make a small design it can still be made into a pillow by bordering the design with a companion fabric.
• Keep the design simple
• Tape the edges of the canvas with painters tape so as to not snag the yarns
• As always, gather information from the needlepoint shop
• When deciding on size, keep standard pillow sizes in mind

Hazelnut Wreath

 

I’m pretty sure there’s still time to make this wreath before the Autumn season is officially over and Christmas comes roaring in. A hazelnut (or filbert) wreath is simple to make and will last for years. 

 

 

This one is made on a simple wire wreath frame, with sphagnum moss. (I’m sure any wreath frame would work.) Attach the moss to the frame with wire, wrapping around and around until the moss is very secure.

 

 

 

 

 

Turn your work over and begin attaching the hazelnuts with a glue gun. I like the look of the lighter head of the nut facing out. Crowd the nuts, letting as little moss show through as possible. Keep the back flat so the wreath will lay against the wall, but be sure to have the nuts cover the moss and frame all around the sides.

 

Attach a beautiful ribbon. I like the kind with the fine wire around the edges so you can shape the ribbon. Attach a wire to the back of the wreath for hanging and enjoy it for many seasons to come.

                     

Now you have something to do the weekend before Thanksgiving!

A Gift of Napkins - Holiday Gift Idea #4

      

Napkins are fun to make and can be as simple as hemming a square of fabric. One yard of 54” fabric will give you six 18” square napkins.  How fun and what a lovely gift to match napkins to someone’s kitchen or dishes.

After purchasing your choice of fabric, spread it out, iron and cut six 18” squares. Press 1/4” under on all four sides, making corners nice and tidy. Press under another 1/4” and pin. Stitch a nice straight seam all the way around. There, you’re done!

Presentation is important, so go to the trouble of finding a nice box and tissue paper. Press, fold and tie a beautiful ribbon around them. Now you’re ready to give a lovely gift that friends will certainly appreciate. For a little extra, add a fun spatula or whisk. For the more grand gift, add the ribboned napkins to a new casserole and include your favorite recipe.

 

Notes:

• When doing corners you can snip off the point on your first fold over to make them lie flatter.
• If you don’t have a sewing machine, consider hand hemming. Use plenty of pins to hold your edges in place and make long even stitches.
• Mix and Match. Purchase a couple of coordinating fabrics and make a fun complimentary set of  napkins.
• Instead of tissue paper use parchment paper for that kitcheny feel.

Inspiration

is a website I just found via my daughters friend. It’s a virtual bulletin board where you can have fun scrolling through other peoples pin boards or create your own. You can find things to buy and you can find things to make. You simply click on a picture to “pin it” and you’ve created the perfect place to save your inspirations and ideas all in one place!

 

I’m just learning about it but couldn’t wait to share. There are boards on organization, home décor, fashion, food, do-it-yourself ideas and everything in between. From choosing a new hairstyle to picking out that perfect tattoo, you’ll find ideas. Need holiday gift or decorating ideas? Here’s the place.

Pinterest is a place of inspiration. Just a few minutes spent on the site gives you ideas for your home; whether it’s a new color combination or a “why didn’t I think of that?” revelation. Each time you click on an image or idea you’ll get more ideas. It feels somewhat like a magazine of ideas, but each click takes you in the direction of your style. If you notice that you seem to share the same style as someone else, you can click on their pins to see what else they love.

If I’m interested in something specific I simply type a word into “search” and am sent to pins of interest to me. Sometimes a picture gives me an idea, another click sends me to you-tube for a detailed how-to. Pictures of beautiful homes, gardens, clothes, recipes and so much more. There’s no way to describe or explain the fun so I suggest you hop onto Pinterest and enjoy! The only negative thing I can think of is that it is possible one could spend too much time pinning without ever indulging in the craft, recipe or idea. Although I think inspiration is never a waste, it always makes me feel positive.

                                  Have fun!!

                                

Happy Halloween!!

No recipe today. I’ve been out of town with no internet and no cooking. Here are some of my needlepoint Halloween pillows instead. I love them and always get in the mood to make a new one sometime in October. Note to self: start earlier. Lots and lots of hours spent stitching but I love it every year when I get to put them out for display.

I think I’ll remind myself and everyone reading in January to get busy. Stay tuned. Have a wonderful evening!

                       Boo!

Don’t Get Hung Up on Wall Groupings

                   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My daughter wanted to redo her wall arrangement and use some new favorite pieces of art.  We took everything off the wall, leaving it totally blank. This space is approximately 4 1/2 feet square. She got out all the things she was planning to hang and laid them on the bed. This was where we began arranging and ‘playing’ with everything. Without pounding nail holes we were able to see how everything tied together and figure out just where we wanted each item.

 

We moved things around and changed the grouping until we were satisfied with the balance and proportion. The larger heavier bird print on the bottom left helps anchor the group. We used the open frames throughout the arrangement to distribute the darker tones and used the candelabra on the right as an anchor for the right side.

                           

My daughter had the genius idea to take a quick picture with her iPhone so if we didn’t have the right screw or for some reason something couldn’t get hung right away we’d have our arrangement plans intact. It was a great idea because even as we began hanging we’d lose track of our design plan. By having the phone in hand at the wall, we could quickly look again at our blueprint. We carefully moved each item from the bed to the wall, lining up our arrangement as planned.

I think this arrangement works nicely because we were able to use the three larger items as kind of a base. See how they make the triangle of the grouping and the other smaller objects are distributed throughout. The two gold objects are tucked in among the others. Everything ties together as one wall grouping, yet your eye can enjoy each individual piece.

This is a great way to try a new wall arrangement. By using the bed or the floor, you can quickly see what works together and what doesn’t. Try using objects of different dimension to make the arrangement more full and lively rather than flat.  Pull things from other places in your home and bring them up to the wall with shelves or cubes. Practice on the floor and see what you think. When you’re ready to do the hanging you’ll need a good selection of screws, hooks and nails as well as a level and ruler. Try something fresh and new for a simple update to your walls.

                                      Have fun!

A Brand New Bag!

Last week I showed you a bag I made from a beautiful piece of linen. The fabric itself was not large enough to make a bag, but by combining another piece of plain linen fabric a wonderful tote was created.

The second bag I made from Moontea fabric is this fun blue paisley one. The original piece of fabric was only 16 inches X 20 inches. I could have made something small but when I found this wonderful periwinkle blue linen I knew I would have enough for a larger bag.

I took lots of notes and photos while I made this bag so I’d have something of a tutorial to offer. Follow these (hopefully) simple instructions with your fabric to make a new tote. The only complicated part might be the French seams. It’s just a finishing technique so as to not have raw edges on the inside. Simply put, you sew it together with the raw edges showing on the right side, then press, turn and sew your regular seam, catching the raw edges. Hopefully my pictures will make it clear. If not, Check out this video I found on you-tube.

1. Cut 2 pieces of fabric. My original was 16 X 20, so I cut each one 16 X 10.

 

 

2. I added a 6” piece of the blue linen to each piece. So the linen I cut was 16” X 6”. I sewed the French seam. Wrong sides together, stitch, press, trim. Then stitch right sides together. Press.

 

         

It’s important to trim the edges and excess threads along the seam so they won’t show in the finished seam. In the second photo see how both the inside and outside seams are finished with no raw edges.

 

3. I now have a total of 45” needed to go all around the bag, so I cut one long piece of the plain linen 45” X 8”. The 8” is the width I decided I wanted for the side and bottom panel.

 

 

4. Stitch with wrong sides together first. Trim, press, turn. Stitch right sides together. Always stitch from the panel side so you can clip and ease the corners at the turn. Start at the top edge, go all the way down the side, across the bottom and up the other side. You’ll have one of your printed sides attached to the panel, now do the same thing to the other side. When finished with this part your project should be starting to look like a bag.

5. On this bag I chose to add a bit of the blue along the top edge.         

I cut one long strip 3” X 45”. With right sides together I stitched 1/4” all around the top. I carefully joined the two raw edges. Turn, press. Fold under and press 1/4” along the raw edge (the amount to meet up with the seam). Stitch from right side, at just above your seam line.

 

6. For the straps I cut 2 lengths 4” wide X 38” long. Stitch right sides together along long edges, leaving ends open. Turn, using a large safety pin. Press flat with seam at side. Top stitch long edges.

 

 

7. Turn under about 3/4” on raw edges.

 

 

 

 

8. Decide placement on bag. I determined I wanted 5” between the straps. I pinned, careful to keep the raw edges of the straps turned under. I lined up the folded edge of each strap at the seam line.

 

 

 

Stitch a square, making sure to catch all edges. Extra stitching will reinforce the whole bag for carrying lots of goodies.

 

 

 

 

            That’s it!  Now mama’s got a brand new bag!!

It's in the Bag

This bag started out as a beautiful piece of hand-printed fabric from Moontea Artwork. I purchased it from their website as a birthday present for my sister and promised to make her something from it. She decided a bag would be quite handy and she even offered up a favorite tote I could use as a pattern.

The printed fabric was 13” X 36” so I cut it into two pieces (20”X 13”). I bought  rust colored linen to make the bag big enough and to show off the hand printed linen. I cut one 36” long length by 8” wide. This goes all the way around from top, across the bottom and up the other side.

 

 

I pinned the pieces wrong sides together first and sewed very close to the edge, joining the rust fabric to the print. I pressed seams flat then turned the bag inside out and sewed right sides together.

 

 

 

It’s called a french seam. This way there are no raw edges inside the purse to fray. It’s just a nice clean way for finishing.

 

 

 

 

 

I made straps out of the rust linen and pinned them in place. I then stitched through all layers so they are securely attached to the bag.

 

I think this is a great way to use a favorite piece of fabric. By choosing a contrasting plain fabric for the sides and bottom the focus is on the design. Linen is a wonderful fabric to work with and it’s strong which is great for bags.

I’m working on another bag in a beautiful periwinkle blue. I’m taking lots of pictures and making notes which I’ll share next week. Bags are great to make as gifts and hopefully my instructions will encourage you to find some favorite fabrics and give it a try.

                        

Outdoor Fresh Laundry

I got my new clothesline last week. I felt like my mom, hanging up the freshly washed clothes outside on the line. They  dried so quickly and were so crisp and fresh when I took them down.

It will be so nice to sleep on summer fresh sheets tonight. The sun is the greatest stain fighter. Old t-shirts and towels are white again just from hanging in the sunshine!

I made my new clothespin bag, as I promised myself  I would. I used the old one for a pattern and it didn’t take long. I’ll work on a pattern to offer up to anyone interested.

Succulent Wreath

This is a fun project. I made this wreath about 3 years ago. It winters over just fine, although I usually give it a bit of protection during the coldest months. Last winter I put in over a grated wagon on the covered patio. It got moisture from the leaky roof, and was able to drain so as to not get soggy.

There are lots of different succulents you can use but I think my projects always revert to this traditional hens and chicks because the other succulents might not be as hardy. Over the years I continue to trim, groom and nip at the wreath to keep it in shape. I also turn it every month or so in the summer, rotating it so it continues to grow evenly. It’s easy to clip a piece off then tuck it into an empty spot. I cut thin florist wire and bend it into a u-shape (kind of like a bobby pin) to hold the snipping in place. 

For the wreath form you’ll need a living wreath frame. It comes in two pieces and will accommodate the wet green moss for the base. You’ll then add the soil, clip on the top half of the wreath and begin your planting.

 

Here are a couple of examples I saw at Beaverton Farmers Market this spring.

 

These were made by Sedum Chicks. They have a you-tube video that will help you assemble and plant your own sedum wreath. You have to put up with a couple of minutes of unrelated ads but it’s a pretty good how-to.

A few tips: Make sure the sedums you select are winter hardy for your climate. Your wreath should hang where it will get sunshine for most of the day. Don’t forget to water; I usually just give it a good squirt when I’m watering the pots. Rotate occasionally. Trim when necessary then add the trimmings to empty spots.

Your wreath should last several years. I’ve been trying other containers like wooden boxes. Sedums are pretty forgiving and I’ve always liked that you snip them off and they quickly form new roots. Give sedums a try and let me know how it worked.

Fun Summer T-Shirt Project

  

      From this …………………………………to this!

This is a simple, fun project that can be made with an old t-shirt. There’s no sewing involved and all you need is a pair of scissors. It took us about 30 minutes! Find a t-shirt that’s way too big or pick one up at a thrift shop or garage sale.

 

First have your model try on the shirt so that you can get a look at just how much you’re going to cut into. You’ll need at least 2-3 inches to tie.

 

 

        

Cut up the side then cut about every 1/2”–3/4” to make fringe.

 

Tie a square knot using one piece from the front of the shirt and one from the back of the shirt.

         

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

            Trim away the sleeves and neck band.

                      Ready for a summer day!

 

 

 

***** I’m so busy outside now that it’s sunny. Join me on my other blog I’m In the Garden.

You can also find me and ‘Like’ me on Facebook. I’ve created a community page to share both blogs, news and events. Hope to see you there! *******

Soft Block Printmaking

I took a very cool class the other evening; a printmaking workshop. Collage is the shop that holds the class and has all the supplies. In fact, Collage has supplies for all kinds of arts and craft needs. It’s full of inspiration, suggestions and a fun, knowledgeable staff. The classroom is big, well lit and can accommodate lots of activity.

Our instructor, Suki, gave us the basics and then turned us loose. We started with a soft pink carving block. Some of us had designs in mind, while other cruised the shop for ideas. Soon it was quiet as everyone, armed with their cutting tools, began carving away the rubber to reveal their design.

Once we completed our carving we moved to the big table set up for inking. We used a brayer to ink our design, then printed, first on paper, then on fabric. Every single design looked great. In less than two hours each of us had something fun and quite wonderful to take home.

I carved  a clothespin design and will use the fabric to make a new bag for my clothespins. Other students printed their designs on t-shirts, baby onesies and tea towels.  

When you come for your class allow extra time for shopping. Students receive a 15% discount on the day of their class. Most of us couldn’t resist and made our purchases after we found out how easy we could create fabric from our own designs. Try a class at Collage and have fun!

Old Quilts

Something got me thinking about my grandmothers old quilts. It’s what I most remember about her. She was known for her lovely designs created from scraps of family castoffs.   

Her favorites were the ones she made in later years where she allowed herself to go out and purchase new, coordinating prints, combining her favorite choices into a wedding ring design.  

I of course love her crazy quilt, diamond designs. I see my play clothes, my mothers ‘day’ dress and scraps of my cousins party dress. I feel my grandmothers presence and remember her tired fingers from the hours she spent not only piecing the fabrics together, but the intricate and delicate stitching she did to enhance the quilt.

Some of the quilts have the most god awful combination of fabrics but I realize that my grandmother was a woman who raised eight children during the depression. Those quilts represent the desperate need to keep her loved ones warm. She was a thrifty, frugal woman who kept the tiniest scraps to stitch into a design. I’m not sure she always loved what she was doing, but she loved the ones who received her art.

I write this because my grandmother is long gone and my parents are aging rapidly, I think it’s important to remember that it’s not always the bright shiny new things that our loved ones remember about us. More often it’s the things we made, with the nicks and smudges of age, and the loved, worn and oft used items.

Create something to give a loved one. It doesn’t matter if there are crooked seams, dropped stitches or rough edges. If it’s made and given with love, it will be treasured. I guarantee it.

Ceramics Showcase 2011

This weekend the Oregon Potters Association gets together to sell and celebrate all things ceramic at the Oregon Convention Center.

It’s a great show to attend. The artists are all there, proudly showcasing their hard work in the 150+ booths. The diversity of work makes choosing difficult, but meeting and talking with the artists brings you close to why they enjoy doing what they do.

            

It’s a fun place to shop for gifts and the fact that the show is always held around Mother’s Day adds to the convenience.  

                 

Check out the Ceramic Showcase website and the Oregon Potters Association website for further information.

As if collections of beautiful ceramics aren’t enough, the Oregon Convention Center invites several other organizations to showcase their art. These include metal, wood, glass, bead and weaving artisans. Admission to all exhibits is free so even if you just need to be around an extremely creative bunch of artists this group will show you a very good time.  Enjoy a hand made weekend!   

Button It!!

  
Here is a bright sunny wreath for any season. You don’t even need to know how to sew a button. This one hangs near my sewing machine.

I find there's something charming about a wreath, like a nice, tidy ornament. I’ve made many different kinds of wreaths, using pine cones, succulents, pansies, and now buttons.

On this one I used embroidery thread to make it look like the buttons were all sewn on, but I really just made the criss cross stitches and tied them off.  I like the contrast of the thread and button. In fact I did stitch a number of these buttons but found it easier to simply glue them.

Use a straw wreath form and wrap it with a colorful ribbon. The ribbon will show so be sure to choose a color that compliments your button collection.Pin a few of your favorite larger buttons in place to get an idea of where you’re going. If you’re a stitcher, this is a good place to tack them in place.  
Remember to put buttons on the sides of the wreath but not so they’ll keep the wreath from laying flat against the wall.

Use thick craft glue and add buttons as desired. You can pin them in place temporarily until the glue dries.

It’s a fun excuse to snag up some colorful old buttons at the next garage sale you see.

Knitting is Not a Lost Art

 
Our local high school has an after school knitting club where each Monday afternoon the classroom is filled with teenage boys and girls learning to knit or improve their knitting skills. There are adult volunteers, including women from the local yarn store, who generously donate yarn, needles and patterns. The kids are full of enthusiasm and I am constantly amazed at how quickly they grasp the intricacies of new stitches and patterns.

The kids park themselves on and around tables in groups of friends, laughing and talking all the while knitting and purling; their long strings of colorful yarns draped all over the tables. They talk about friends and classes, but they also talk about stitches and patterns. They discuss yarn contents and yarn weights and plan their next project. The patient and fun instructors are available when needed.

I love to see these modern kids, with their cell phones nearby and their backpacks full of homework, stopping their fast paced lives to settle in and learn an ancient skill. I’m impressed with their dedication as they sometimes struggle with casting on, ribbing and cables. Each week someone masters something new and makes another hat, scarf or sweater. They head for home and if they find themselves stuck they are savvy enough to find a YouTube how-to video to correct the problem. These teens eagerly knit for charity as well as friends and family.   

When I worry that the next generation doesn’t seem to care about handmade things, preferring to purchase their wants and needs at the mall I think of my new friends in knitting club. Art and crafts are here to stay. The art of knitting won’t unravel with this generation.

So, keep encouraging and supporting arts in the schools and arts in your own life. It brings us together.

something to do

This weekend marks the 2^nd annual Portland Yarn Crawl. It’s a three day affair with all participating yarn shops filled to the brim with fiber; many sporting unique yarns dyed especially for them.  As with most knitters, I don’t need any more yarn but I couldn’t resist an event with exclusive yarns, raffles and door prizes so I stopped by a couple of the shops to see what was new.

For Yarn’s Sake is located in Beaverton and every time I stop in, there are more yarns to inspire me. The staff is helpful and full of knowledge and enthusiasm.
Mt. Hood Rose was  
dyed for their shop and there’s a pattern for a hat and fingerless gloves to showcase its beauty. I’ve decided to save it and knit mittens next Christmas.

Knit Purl is the other shop I visited. It’s in downtown Portland and has a very urban, hip feel to it. It’s a corner shop in an old building with massive windows and light flooding in to illuminate the dazzling collection of yarns. There are sample sweaters, scarves and afghans knit in lovely fibers to inspire.

Portland has an amazing group of talented fiber artists and it’s entertaining to see so many products. If you find yourself looking for something to do this weekend, stop into any of the yarn shops listed here. I’m sure you’ll find something irresistible. Have fun!

 

A Eulogy for Buddy

 
Last month my sister lost her dear dog Buddy. He was a wonderful old boy whose first few years were lived on the end of a chain. My sister came to his rescue and after surgery to literally remove the chain from his neck she gave him a second chance at a new life. He became her devoted companion for nine more years and died a very old, much loved boy.

It’s always difficult to know what to say or do upon the death of a pet and I wanted to do something special for my sister.  I know from my own experience there are always reminders of our pets long after they’re gone. There’s always the fur, lodging itself in every corner of your house, but there are other things, like their license, collar and leash. I think a piece of art is a wonderful way to contain these mementos as well as honor their memory.

I asked my ceramist friend Cheryl to make a Buddy Bowl. I wanted his name on it, and she suggested putting the figure of a dog in the bowl. I think she did a beautiful job. Now my sister has a special piece of art to honor her old friend. The bowl is fun, colorful and an everlasting reminder of a good old boy named Buddy.

 

tag collection

 
This is one of those projects that you can begin at anytime, continue to add to and watch it evolve. We started saving tags and labels several years ago when the labels were kind of itchy. As I would carefully pick out the stitches to remove them I noticed that many were fun and quite decorative so I decided to put them aside and wait for creative inspiration. Several years of collecting has led to an assortment that reflects our changing styles and even echoes the play clothes the kids preferred when they were young. It ends up being a memory box of sorts.

I have old labels that I’ve sewn into special gifts and the name tags that we sewed onto the kids clothes for camp. I recently came across the labels my favorite aunt sewed into her beautiful sweaters. I enjoy seeing those old pieces of satin labels among the GAP and Old Navy brands. I originally planned to sew the tags onto a piece of fabric and make a pillow, but I knew I wasn’t quite finished collecting them and by stitching or gluing them to the background of the shadow box I can add to it at any time.

I’m pretty certain that sewn in clothing labels are rapidly becoming a thing of the past.  More and more clothing companies are printing their brand names directly on the clothing. I’m glad because we no longer have to put up with itchy tags, but I will miss the artistic creativity of many of the labels. I think before long they will go the way of wooden thread spools and Bakelite buttons.

If you want to make this simple display you'll need a shadow box frame found at most frame shops. Begin gathering your tags. If there are cut edges you can tuck them under and iron them. Start laying out different arrangements to see what works best next to one another and then begin attaching them with a very thin film of fabric glue. Press firmly and evenly so that the label dries flat and smooth. Let dry for a day or two. Replace the glass on the front of the shadow box and it’s ready for display.

 

 

 

 

 
I thought I’d write about creativity today. It’s a word bursting with possibilities yet creativity is something that is difficult to measure. There’s no IQ test for a person to take to see how creative they might be. Some people are full of the childlike exuberance and self confidence and call themselves artists. Others are successful because they sell their art. Is someone less creative because they don’t market their work? My mother painted and sold her paintings for many years but would never call herself an artist; she would tell people that she painted.  When Alzheimer’s turned off her filters, even though by then she had stopped painting, she finally proclaimed herself an artist.

I know many people who claim they’re not the least bit creative because they don’t do the outwardly artistic hobbies like painting, knitting, sewing, ceramics, writing, etc. Then I go into their home and am awed by how beautifully well arranged everything is with treasures from their travels or family heirlooms or imaginative finds. They enjoy others’ creative work and want it near. Other friends have told me they’re not creative and then I look at the wonderful way they accessorize the clothes they’re wearing. Cool boots, awesome earrings and arty purse. They are creative. Most of us are limited or at least selective in our creativity. I love tactile things like yarns and fabrics. I appreciate and love paintings but have never been successful when drawing or painting. I think it’s important to find what we love and go with that.

Maybe we are afraid of calling ourselves creative because it sounds like bragging. After all we wouldn’t come out and tell others that we’re smart or beautiful. Like brains and beauty, creativity shows to others around us. In my original post in December I quoted my mother saying “creativity breeds creativity”. I think about that phrase often. When I was younger I would wonder out loud while trying to think of something new to make. Mom would advise opening my mind; tell myself that I was waiting for the creativity to move in.  I would remind myself often throughout the day that I was waiting for inspiration. It really does work. You leave your mind open to fresh ideas.

I get a lot of my creative thoughts when I’m out walking my dogs. It’s a fairly mindless effort and I leave the head phones at home. I’m visually stimulated by everything around me whether its gardens, or color or the bright green moss growing on a rock. Before I know it, creative ideas start rushing into my brain. I’m not distracted by TV, music, or other conversations going on around me; it’s a quiet thoughtful time. Sometimes when I get back home I have to sit and write my ideas down before they get away in the hubbub of daily life.

I’m the same way when I attend an art show. I wander and absorb the creativity around me. I look at everything for inspiration. Sometimes I fear I’m a thief not an artist, but I’m really not looking to copy anyone else’s idea, I’m simply looking for inspiration to take within. It’s much the same in a class. I often have difficulty getting started on the project because I’m so nosy about what everyone else is making. It doesn’t matter though because even if I attempted to copy them, my work would be different. Think of how many photographs are taken of the same mountain, the same waterfall and the same Eiffel Tower. It doesn’t matter. Each one is a bit different because of the person taking the photo. We don’t want to buy the postcard; we want to own that view.

I suggest we all open our minds and allow a creative force to enter. We all have that whole big left side of our brain just sitting there waiting to create something. Listen to yourself and turn off the noise around you. Hopefully you’ll find a stream of consciousness flowing through your mind instead of the sounds of TV, IPods and other peoples’ conversations. You’ll soon have an idea of what you want to create; what to write, what to draw or paint or dream. Try it. Maybe that’s what’s meant by “silence is golden.”

 

inspiration station

 
 

I have a small work area so it’s important to me that it be tidy, fresh and inspiring. If it’s too cluttered I might have to spend time straightening it up before I get down to business. Cleaning isn’t part of my creative process, but if I tidy as I go my space is always available.

Recently I framed some of my kid’s old clothes. I love both the Hawaiian shirt that was a gift from auntie and grandma and the knitted dress from a cousin and aunt. Both pieces are reminders of my children and the people who gave them the gifts. The small square frame holds a lace baby hat that belonged to my mother.

There are a collection of colorful knitting needles and jars of old buttons in the little curio cabinet.  I have my books available for reference and canvas boxes to hold fabric, yarn and patterns. All of these things inspire my creativity. I love being in my work space.

I suggest you take over a corner of a spare bedroom or other available spot and make it your own. A simple Ikea bookcase can hold a lot of needs and a few sturdy boxes can house all the little things. To keep it tidy, make sure the boxes all match. Label each box so you don’t have to open it each time you need something.

If you’re a seamstress make it your own spot by framing old kids clothes like I did or something else unusual like vintage patterns. If your place is a writing space frame an old journal or other piece of favorite writing. Knitters can frame eye-catching yarn labels or old knitting magazine covers. Beaders might find attractive or unusual bracelets or an antique necklace. Ikea and Aaron Brothers both carry shadow box frames that will inspire you to embellish your work area.

Add a touch of whimsy and words or objects that will motivate you. I think you'll find that once you create a little niche for yourself you'll want to spend more time there. You'll actually feel quite disciplined. Have fun and make it your own! Then take a seat and create!!

 

all points bulletin

  
There are a variety of bulletin board ideas and how-to instructions in magazines and on web sites, but I wanted to make one with pockets to contain the business cards I accumulate from art shows and sales. I like the look of criss-crossed ribbons to simply slide in a photo, magazine picture or some other inspiration.

Below are instructions for the board I recently made. I used homasote, a dense thick cardboard that is perfect for memo boards because it accommodates pins nicely. It can be purchased at lumber yards; where they will often cut it to size for you. If you can’t find it, you can use an ordinary cork bulletin board and just recover it.

 

Supplies:

Homasote or new/old cork bulletin board (unframed)

Linen or cotton fabric

Staple gun

Ribbon 4-5 yards

Upholstery tacks or push pins

Scissors

Needle and thread or sewing machine

 

Instructions

Cut your fabric about 2” larger than your cut board. If you desire pockets allow an extra 6” or 8” of fabric and fold the fabric up 2 or 3 times until you have pockets about 2”deep (see picture). Pin pockets and stitch at sides and once down the center.  
  Wrap fabric around board, making sure pockets are straight. From the back, use the staple gun and staple all around, folding corners to lay flat. 

 
Select a ribbon in desired color; stretch and pin ribbon in any pattern you’d like.

 
When you get the ribbons pinned in place, wrap the ends to the back side of the board and staple. Flip board over to the front and use push pins or tacks at the intersections of the ribbons to further tighten them. I like to use brass upholstery tacks.

Attach a picture hanging hook the back using screws. If you’re making a large bulletin board use two hooks for better support.

 

***Tip: It's tempting to select a beautifully patterned fabric but I suggest a simple linen or cotton. The finished bulletin board will be quite busy with photos and inspirations so it's nice to keep the background neutral. Choose a bright fun ribbon for color 

.

For further instructions check out Martha Stewart's video on her website at

http://www.marthastewart.com/article/ribbon-bulletin-board

 

Child's Play

 
 

I’ve been volunteering at a school for children with autism during the last few months in an art program. I’m assisting the ceramist who comes in twice a month to work with the children to create projects and take pleasure in working with clay.  Just like any other group of kids I’ve done art projects with, there are kids who love art time and others who have no interest at all. It’s funny how some of us are drawn to art and crafts so much that we feel lost if art is not a part of our lives. Others can appreciate it from afar and still others just don’t get it.

One boy in the class thoroughly enjoys the whole aspect of clay and creates a wonderful collection of objects almost instantly. Each time we sit down to work with clay he comes up with fun, imaginative, playful creations for everyone to enjoy. Other children are inspired by his enthusiasm and add to the creativity of our clay time. Some of the kids just enjoy the cool, pliable quality of the clay and prefer to just squish and smoosh until class is finished. The foyer outside the classroom is a showcase of a wonderful collection of zoo animals, masks and soon, bowls of fun fruits and vegetables.

My point today is that creativity is everywhere. If it isn’t coming out of you, it can be coming through you. Allow and encourage others to be creative. Make the time and space to aid others in creating. Take a class. Make a mess. Inspiration is hard to miss when you’re in a group.  Part of the joy is not just the finished object; sometimes it’s the creation of the laughing, messy togetherness that comes with being around creative people. You’ll always come away with something; maybe not a ceramic bowl, but almost always a more positive outlook.

Welcome to my world

 
The end of the year seems to me a good time to begin writing my blog.
Usually I, like many of us, tend to initiate a project at the beginning of a new year. Diet, exercise, new attitude, new venture, etc. Before I know it the New Year is over and so are my resolutions. By starting at the end of the year I have changed things up.

I plan on sharing art and craft ideas and how-to’s that I enjoy creating as well as wonderful things I notice along the way. In the spring I will share the joy in planting a new vegetable garden and continue to contribute posts on the pleasure and creativity I find in planting, growing, cooking, harvesting and canning.

There’s imagination and inspiration everywhere we look. I remember a friend who was taking a calligraphy class years ago. Although most of the students would probably never make calligraphy a career, the instructor told them little things like their grocery lists would be nicer to look at. That’s what I enjoy; the little things along the way. The accessory or ornament that sits beside your desk to remind you of a friend, a child or a love one long past.

My picture today shows an old pincushion and a smattering of old buttons. A nice picture, I think, but there’s a bit of a story that goes along with the picture. The pincushion is my mothers. I gave it to her many years ago. I was just a little kid when I picked it out and gave it to her for Christmas. I thought it was very cool, being a crown and all and I was always intrigued that there was a measuring tape in the base. How clever! It is the pincushion she used for the next 50 years.

My mother instilled much of the love of art, craft, sewing and gardening that I enjoy. She’s still with us but due to Alzheimer’s she can no longer enjoy doing any of these activities. I dedicate my first post to her and thank her for the encouragement she gave me as I wandered through the house with a ball of yarn under my arm knitting my first afghan or the constant questions about sewing, or the muddy footprints from ‘helping’ her in the garden. Growing up, our house was often messy and sometimes a bit chaotic because someone was creating something wonderful. Thanks mom!