out and about wednesday

My plans for going downtown have been foiled by the remnants of Katrina. My heart goes out to all those affected by this terrible event. My mind has been swimming with gratitude and sadness. There really are no words...I took this picture at Storm King Art Center earlier this summer. It is one of my favorite places.

logo # 1...in progress

Here's my first logo. I transferred some onto fabric using one of the less expensive photo transfer papers. These are great for creating a smooth, semi shine surface. I made a bunch last night, but feel that the image still needs tweaking, definitely a process of trial and error.

gifts from france

Wow! That's all I could say while opening all the fabulous little treats Marion sent me! She made this adorable rabbit, don't you just love the necklace! Marion is a charming illustrator in France. She creates little characters full of personality. Thank you my friend for such a great package.

late night label party

And...they're off! I have so many goodies to post in the morning, too sleepy now. I crossed plenty o' things off my crafty list tonight, ahhhh-that's better. Holly, if you're out there your big package is on it's way!!! Such a lovely present arrived today from my new friend in France, miss pompom...can't wait to show you all the fabulous foreign loot! p.s. sorry for the terrible photo, more tomorrow. Time to count sheep.

self portrait tuesday

Things have been pretty busy around the two trees ranch. I never found a moment to work on something new monday's project, I've been rapping up the goods to ship to Holly's new store. Also, I'm creating my own labels for the first time, which has been exciting! And then there's all these monkeys on my back, they're anxious to be packed up too! But tomorrow I have a day off and all lose ends should be tied up in a bow. First thing in the a.m. it's downtown I'll go...I wonder what I'll find.

loretta lux

I've been wanting to talk about this amazing photographer for some time now, I just never seem to get around to it. Any time I need a little color inspiration all I have to do is browse through her site. I love the dual personality of these photos, they seem to be innocent and at the same time quite dark. I believe, from what I've read, that the idea was to take pictures as if they were coming from the mind's eye of a child. In any case, they are addictive. I always go back for more. There is a great book full of her work I would love to have some day. It was with great restraint that I withheld form posting just about every photo on Ms. Lux's site, they are all so good. Go find the girl with a loaf of bread, and the girl with a fish, so neat!

out and about wednesday

I'm blessed. I live in an area made for explorers. Having one morning a week set aside for exploring has been wonderful for me. It's one of my favorite things to do, puts me in touch with myself, my surroundings. I find such pleasure in discovering new places. There is so much going on all around us all the time. Morning drives around town are particularly beautiful. All of nature is alive, while people are just beginning to stir. I've been very much interested in landscapes lately. I think next week I may push myself to journey downtown for something entirely different. I hope this catches on. It would be interesting to see what inspires you in your corner of the world. Maybe you'd find it as rewarding as I. It's so great to be alive!

self portrait tuesday...under the wire

You know you've had a busy day when you're posting such things just shy of bed time. Even though it's time to settle in to a good read with some mint tea, I really wanted to be sure to post today. I'm finding that if I stay caught up here, it helps me to do so elsewhere. I wanted to send a collective thank you to those of you who've been sending monkeys my way. Almost all of them have arrived...it's quite a zoo around here. Thank you too for all the special little treats many of you have included, boy do they make my day!

something new monday...grandfathers=roots

Here's another snippet to keep you curious about what my something new is...this piece goes with last monday's. This picture is of my grandfather's hands, taken while he was sleeping. I think by next monday things will really be taking shape, and I'll have enough to post a whole block...

a sad farewell...

Sunday evenings won't be the same after tonight.
Goodbye Six Feet Under.

grandmothers

Mav and I have been talking about our grandmothers recently. I made this little pillow for mine when she was sick last Christmas. She never got to see it. I miss her tremendously and think of her so many times throughout the course of my day, feeling closest to her when I'm sitting at my sewing machine. She was a talented crafter herself. She seems to be at the heart of everything I do. It's beautiful how deeply a seed can be planted. And thinking of her taking the time to do things right, detailed, and perfect keeps me growing in my craftiness everyday. Thank you grandma, for the roots.

out and about wednesday

Went to the farm for produce today, which is always a treat. I find it strange that fresh, organic produce is less expensive than buying it at the grocery store. The tomatoes and peaches have been fantastic here, due to the dry hot summer we've been having. Well, if it has to be dry and hot the least mother nature can do is give us great produce! The weather lately has been trying to tell me that fall is around the bend. Ahhhhhhh, my favorite season. Couldn't it be fall three seasons out of the year? I can't wait for a bright blue sky, autumn leaves, pumpkins, my favorite sweaters, and persimmons! Look out fall, because when you get here I'm going to soak you right up.

self portrait tuesday

I thought this would be fitting...these are my favorite birks hanging out with my freshly washed sneakers, ahhh heaven! My sweetheart calls them my placemat shoes. Remember those terrible mat-plastic placemats of the 70's...wait, now I'm thinking "hey I could probably make something with those!" I had such a great walk along the ol' canal this morning, the sky was the perfect shade of blue and the clouds were scattered just so. But I'm already feeling blog fever again, I have to get back outside! It's beautiful out today. My poor sewing machine is probably wondering what happened to our routine...sorry sugar, I'll be back after lunch!

I had no idea I was on the brink of insanity.

Apparently I'm losing my mind. I've been sitting at the computer for so long (thanks to Hillary's evil link to Ivana Helsinki) that, in trying to get out of the house I've been looking for my watch...it is nowhere to be found and the first thing that came into my head was to google for it!!! I'm out. Fresh air required.

something new monday

Here's a little snippet of a new project. My plan is to have some new project to post every Monday. I have so many irons in the fire...I've been wishing I was an octopus all tentacly and extra efficient. My friend Holly is opening a bookstore soon and I have roughly 6 or 9 projects to finish before her September opening. Somehow it isn't stressful. I'm sure that's partly because all the projects are things I love to do, but even more so because I am so thrilled for her. I've settled in to a great routine since my return from Kansas, in all areas but one. I must find a time in the day I can set aside for posting. Sometimes I wonder how others like Hillary, Amy and the gals over at port2port find the time everyday. When do they take photos, load photos, post, etc...? How long does it take them? I usually end up sitting here for a good 45 when all is said and done. Anyone have any tips? Lastly, I've been tagged by Lisa so here are my 5...

Idiosyncrasies
1. I am very sensitive to noise. I like my environment to be unusually quiet...that is unless I'm listening to music, and then it must be very loud.
2. When I'm buying a gift I factor the wrapping into my budget. I love handsome packages!
3. I make up funny words and sayings for things every chance I get.
4. I love bright, white shiny jack purcells, converse, and keds. I clean the trim with windex and throw them in the wash when they get dirty.
5. To feel creative and cozy, when sitting at my craft center, I like to have my deer and a good cuppa tea sitting close by.

...I'm not sure if this was a good idea. I promise I'm not a super freak! I'm going to skip tagging anyone new, I think this one's worked it's way through most of us already!

what a hoot!

Look what I got!!!I feel so smiley inside. Last month I had a little wish list up, and my friend Susan granted me one (my most favorite!). I love everything over at Happy Owl Glassworks, they are so talented. And thank you Lisa, for the endless flow of vintage fabrics, where will I ever put it all! I hope you love your new bag. Would anyone be interested in doing a fabric swap? I have some great pieces that have been laying around forever. I'm sure a change of scenery would bring them to life!

homeward bound

I'm leaving my dear friend Holly's house today, which makes me very sad. It's not often in life that one has the opportunity to spend nearly a month with their closest friend. It's been quite a gift, and a time I will never forget. But being home means I get to reunite with my trusty sewing machine, and get back to work on all the new projects I've promised are coming. I'm very anxious to get some things finished and up on the site, so that I may begin to get feedback from all of you. And I am looking forward to posting more, and being more in touch with my crafty friends. Thank you Holly, for such a warm and gratifying visit. I miss you already!