beginnings

I've been taking time to redirect my life so that I may live more deliberately. A big part of that involves concentrating my creative efforts towards things that have meaning to me. In the coming weeks I will be working on some brand new projects that I hope will reflect what I feel in my heart about life, community, love, relationships, growth, nature and beauty. This photo was taken at the Old Dutch Cemetery in Sleepy Hollow, where the Headless Horseman is said to still ride.

choppable=procrastinating

So, I needed a good laugh to get me in the packing spirit and remembered finding a link to this guy on Hillary's site while playing the anniversary game. If you don't laugh out loud at this one, then there's no hope for you...give the picture a click.

finally, I found it!

I've been searching for what feels like forever for a business/identity name. Countless doodles of prospective business cards, fabric labels, etc. fill my sketchbook. But just this morning as I was sitting with a cup of tea making lists, as I always do, it came to me. So......TwoTrees it is!

There's a back story to this of course, but I will have to save that for another post when I have time to scan images of the work (mine and the primary artistic influence of my childhood-now) behind the name...For now I'm off to pack yet again. This time, Kansas, to visit with a dear, dear friend. A visit that's been a long time coming...P.S. I want to thank all of you who are volunteering to send your sock monkeys to Artists Helping Children, the response has been great, and I hope the list continues to grow!

if your feeling lovely...

Shop front inspiration...this is one of my favorite all time shop front displays, it never fails in bringing out the softness in me.

sneak peak!

Little miss monkey is in production...I'll be finishing her clothes today, and then I'll set out to age her a bit, soaking her outfit in tea. Not too sure yet how I'm going to age the actual monkey. I realized afterwards that I should have aged the socks before she came to life, but as usual I was so excited to meet her I just jumped right in. All I can think of is walnut ink...but I'm getting ahead of myself...THE REASON FOR MY POSTING her before she is done is that I wanted to put a call out to all you Month of Softies crafters to donate this month's submission to a small child that would really love something to cuddle. I had in mind Artists Helping Children. Check it out, let me know what you think. I wouldn't mind coordinating it all and making a mass shipment. It just seemed to me that between all of us we could put together a truly magical package of love for those who need it most!

My heart goes out to everyone in London, and to all of you saddened by recent events.

hilda's horses

I have to introduce you to the amazing Hilda. She has so many great creations. I found her on Flickr which has become an amazing resource for meeting other crafters. I can't wait to see what she makes next! So much talent is coming out of Portugal, who knew?

Month of Softies...Sock Monkeys!!!

I was so excited that Loobylu decided on A World of Sock Monkeys for July's theme! I have always loved them, especially the really old ones. Here are a couple of pictures of Peng-Peng's absolutely gorgeous monkeys. Most of hers are sold out, and for good reason. They are so full of personality. You can just picture them being dragged around by a child down a dusty road. I'm working on the body of mine now, but can't wait for her to be finished so I can get to work on aging her, and making her a magical outfit. I can only hope to make a softie as wonderful as Big Bettie here! Maybe some magic has rubbed off on me, when I was at the thrift store the other day what did I find but a complete sock monkey kit, all for the fantastic price of $1.50!!! And I'm sure I could put to good use some of that ric-rac too!

This is Kazoo, you can just tell he's thinking of making mischief! There's also some cute one of a kind monkeys over at sockmonkeydrawer.

Patio Goodness

Here's a couple photos of my new and improved patio, a little late in the season, but better late than never. I feel rather annoyed with myself that I haven't posted more crafty stuff lately, but I have been rather busy. Not the kind of busy with bills and cleaning, etc. but the kind of busy when your birthday was 4 days ago and you still have to shop for your presents with all the lovely birthday money you received! A good problem to have, for sure, but it's hard work, let me tell you! I want to get an electric kettle, but have yet to find just the right one. I took a detour to the thrift stores yesterday and picked up a great chair for $5 and a bag of rick rack for $1, as well as some other great goodies...soon to be posted. As well as a craft or two.

Some things just feel like home...

Can I just say that I am in love with The Be Good Tanyas. These galls really make me smile. It's finally a tolerable temperature outside today, so I'm off to sweep the patio and make it pretty with CHINATOWN blasting from the stereo. I love Saturdays alone!!! I hope you all have a lovely one, alone or with good company.

Last of the Summer Bags for Sale!

I thought I'd better get these bags up today. There's only a few left in summer fabrics. I do have summer fabric left un-cut if you like the design but don't care for the fabric choices, just let me know. The super cute yellow fabric here is actually cut from a napkin I bought at Anthropologie. The lining is an adorable purple calico I picked up in Seattle, along with the white and yellow floral fabric used to make the back pocket.

This is a little pocket that your cell phone would feel super cozy in. There is a little round orange button and brown checked ribbon sewn in the corner.

Here's a close up of the inside fabric and bamboo handles.

The blue and orange combo is so pretty. This bag is made from a placemat at Anthro. I was so inspired by all the great prints they had this season, I had to do something with a couple of them. They're just too pretty to set a plate on!

Lot's and lot's of french knots! The handle holder fabric is an Amy Butler cream and orange paisley print.

I just love the lining fabric. These colors together just make me smile!

I think this one is probably my favorite of the remaining bags. The colors are so great and the print is just beautiful. It's sized to be more of a library, market, newspaper bag. The shoulder strap is extra long, to accommodate an across the shoulder carry mode.

The liner fabric is equally dreamy, and there's lots of texture in the fabric.

This one's in the works for the lovely Lisa, but I thought I'd put it up anyway because I love this fabric so much, and there's plenty left for another one!

Oh so cheery.

These fabrics were a splurge from Calico Corners but they were on sale, and they were too cute to pass up!

The Wee Hilary Claire of Thistledew

Here's Hilary in the garden. She's the daughter of our friend's Michael and Michelle. They live on a lovely little hill in Vermont.

Home On The Range

Here's my submission for Amy's Tie One On . I had such a great time working on it. It's intended as a gift for the adorable Hilary Claire of Thistledew (photo to come later). She's a wee lovely thing and I can't wait to see her run around in it. I'm so excited to have a peek at all the other submissions. Greater still is the anticipation of July's theme, I feel I'm on a roll and I just might start it well before July 29!