Art Nest Pincushion Ring GIVEAWAY!!!!

Art Nest Pincushion RingGIVEAWAY!!!!

These are lovely.  Do visit Grosgrain to see more images of these great rings.  I can't wait to "hint, hint" have my own.  mother's day "wink, wink" pin cushion ring.

cheers.

plastic bags unite.

Fused plastic bags.  i've seen these made into bags and being sold even in target.  fleur fabrics had a couple cute coin or pencil purses made from fused bags, too.  i've wanted to try it out, thinking it should be similar to some of the plastics projects i've taught in my art workshop.  indeed they are.  see the link above for an etsy storque article on how to fuse your own plastic bags.  i know we have a small collection for those trips that i have forgotten our totes.  i'll try this soon, perhaps making some new blessing birdie ornaments or messenger birds!  

we're still enjoying the green of mississippi, the green benefits celebrating earth day (seed packs are buy one get one free at home depot), and the green dreams of our virginia home with so many of our planted seeds sprouting.  while we're enjoying our family here, we miss daddy-o back in virginia.  peace.

green.

i am visiting my friends & family with jo here in the green state of mississippi.  green state?  yes.  i'd forgotten how many evergreens fill the space here.  my mother's home sits beside a small forest of trees.  trees that as children my brother and i would build forts under, collect small signs of life (cocoons, cicada skins, bark and moss).  we would have adventures, probably no more than 50 feet from home, but it felt like the deep forests of some other world.  

recently richard, jo, and i set off to find a little park that was on the richmond map being developed.  the map was a few years old.  we've been setting out to find new spaces to explore around the river and in different parts of our richmond home.  we found it by arthur ashe elementary school off creighton road.  there are two small parks with woodland between.  we explored the woods on our second trip out.  it took me back to the greens and exploration of childhood.  wham.  it was a blast that filled me from my head to toes.  my feet knew where to go, even though i'd not stepped foot in this area.

there are familiar places and spaces in our lives.  sometimes the familiarity brings hope and joy and sometimes fear and pain.  while home for me can be a mix of both, i am happy to reintroduce my three-year old to folks here.  with each trip he explores people and places anew.  he remembers more and more each time, and looks forward to our many mini-adventures along the way.  

this week is spent absorbing the green spaces around my childhood, passing it along to my beautiful son.  his spirit of adventure is alive and alert.  mine is, too.  for this time and this space of home, i am thankful.

art show & sale THIS sunday!

come!  this sunday: spring bada bing!

plant zero.  11 - 4 

some new wears at silvertreeart (booth #38)

where'd she go?

these days are full, like many others.  while i've been pondering life and goodness and love and art and women and spirit, i'm also creating for upcoming shows, writing a curriculum piece, working on feast festival plans, planning a trip home to mississippi, and enjoying family time.  while i should post picts of brightly colored easter eggs and the newest remnant + string bird nests i've been saving up for, i think i'll wait.  i want to soak in the sights and sounds around me, allow them to fill me up, and then share them with you.  there's more to come, i promise.  

happy spring.  maybe it's warmer in your area than here, but the promise of spring is present as the lilac blooms, the dogwood blooms, and the cherry tree has fully blossomed.  (our own cherry blossom festival in our backyard!)  peace.

handmade felt dolls - inspiring!

images from the purl bee

the purl bee is one of my favorite sites to find inspiration and bursts of color in use.  i love so many of the projects that are presented.  

this one is by far one of my absolute favorites, speaking to me in so many ways.  i've become enamored with handmade dolls over time and these are gorgeous!  

check out mimi's project journal to find the pattern and instructions.  so beautiful!   and...yes...i will be making some for our daily playtime.  for both jo and i!  

a handmade how-to of eggs for spring and easter

Retro Mama's image of handmade eggs.

spring is here.  easter is approaching.  what a better sign of new life and the promise within than eggs.  Retro Mama has posted a great tutorial on her blog on making these beautiful eggs, pictured above.  i love the moda fabrics above--some of which i own.  too cute.  if you want to get together to make these, check out Fleur Fabrics Blog.  

these eggs are constructed very similarly the balloon ball pictured above (a.k.a. a balloon holder which gives a single balloon way more oomph and an incredible life span).  the balloon ball tutorial that i started back in october.  as i looked for the link to add to this post, i realized i left it unfinished. oops.  adding this tutorial post to this week's to do list, i'll offer it here soon.  in the meantime, making these eggs will be great practice.  there are little beach balls on the purlbee blog which i've mentioned in the past and will mention again, as they're super easy and fun.