Art for an hour a day... or something like that.

Totes

2008-02-24T16:15:00.005-05:00

I've added a tote to the Etsy store. It is quite cute (if I do say so myself)! I've found sewing to be relaxing and a fun way to express myself. The yellow and orange heart tote began last night and finished this morning. While creating I listened to Craftcast with Alison Lee who interviewed polymer clay artist Victoria Hughes. While I do not create with polymer clay, I found the interview to be very inspiring!

my first listings on etsy!

2008-02-03T21:39:00.000-05:00

Yay! I finally did it. I finally posted things for sale on etsy.com While I have had the store set up for a while I haven't made anything to put in it until now! After listening to Sister Diane on CraftyPod and then talking to her via email I realized I don't need a full store. It is ok to start small.

So please check out my humble beginning!

work in progress....

2008-02-01T07:48:00.000-05:00

While I don't have pictures to post quite yet, I am in the process of making things for my Etsy shop. Hopefully by the time they're kicking off at the Super Bowl this weekend my Etsy shop will be up and running!

While I was browsing on Etsy this morning I came across the cutest shop abbey christine She has felt puppets of the whole Breakfast Club and one of my absolute favorite characters - Lloyd Dobler!

Happy weekend!

Busy, busy, busy - I eat, sleep, and drink busy....

2007-10-12T21:41:00.000-04:00

Been too busy to create, but here are some recent pics:

Krispy Kreme makes me feel all fall-like!

No box is too small for Andrew the cat!

Tobey is so stylin' when he wears his tie!

My one creation for fall. The other ladies were drooling over the material!

Summertime...

2007-07-21T09:45:00.001-04:00

No blog posts in a while as I've been enjoying summer away from the computer, but here are a few pictures...

Although I have never been a Crocs fan, Karla convinced me that I needed them. So, I found Mary Janes in Cotton Candy pink on Crocs.com and used the coupon SUMMER07 to get free shipping.
Jackie's baby shower was a few weeks ago and I sewed up a cozy for the rocking chair that was David's grandmother's and is now Jackie's. I also sewed a pillow and blanket for nap times (either for the baby or Jackie or Neil!).

And then look what arrived this morning...

I bet you can guess my plans for the weekend!

In the midst of creating things...

2007-06-29T06:53:00.000-04:00

So, I've been doing some designing/sewing this week. Here's what I threw together for myself last night!

It's supposed to be tea party appropriate and will go with my new green tea party dress and green paisley shoes. I've included a close-up of the buttons - they're fancy antique buttons from my grandmother!

More pictures of other creations to come!

Long time with no blog post...

2007-06-25T22:01:00.000-04:00

I guess I've just been too busy to blog or as Gary Gnu used to say, "No gnus is good gnus."

I still have not finished my top secret painting, but have been working on other top secret projects (aka gifts). As summer is here, there is just so much to do! The beautiful weather calls me outside, but I have so many things to do inside! I also started my summer job and am looking for an art teacher position for the regular school year. A little over a week ago, we headed to Hoboken and then into Brooklyn for the Renegade Art Fair (some great products by some great crafters that I have seen on Etsy, but not in person until now!). This weekend we'll be visiting "the family" in Jersey for Jackie's baby shower and to celebrate the 4th.

Just thinking about all the things we've done and are going to do makes me tired! Goodnight!

Siriusly relaxed...

2007-06-14T12:23:00.000-04:00

For our anniversary, Dave and I bought ourselves Sirius satellite radio. I'm really enjoying it! There's a disco channel and an 80s channel, but my favorite is the Coffeehouse channel - it's so relaxing!

I've been working on another small (1'x1') painting and am having some trouble staying focused. I just read (in an e-mail forward, but have not verified this fact) that da Vinci took ten years to paint Mona Lisa's lips. So, I don't feel so bad about taking several days to finish this painting. Of course, da Vinci had a lot more going on than I do right now, like writing backwards in his journals, inventing scissors and flying machines, and studying all the scientific theories of the day. He never had the chance to have the problems I have with getting motivated - I was so relaxed yesterday (due to the Coffeehouse channel on Sirius) that all I did with the painting was sit near it holding my coffee cup and staring off into space. I'm Sirius!

The Capery Caper

2007-06-09T23:38:00.000-04:00

This week I visited two of my superfriends who live in Brooklyn. Of course we had to go to the Brooklyn Superhero Supply Company because, duh, where else would we go?! The store is amazing because they have things superheroes need like super suction cups to climb walls and potions and whatnot! It is even more amazing because in the back of the store is a writing workshop for kids. Pretty cool!

There is a Capery in the store. What is a Capery? It's a stage where you can try on capes and there is wind blowing so that you get the full experience...

Karla has just taken off and is looking down at the tiny people on the ground...

...Cori has just made a dramatic landing...

... and I am just trying to look cool, but it's tough when you don't have superproduct in your superhair and your superhair just wants to keep supersmacking you in the superface! :^)

After saving the world, we walked around the corner to the Chip Shop where we fulfilled our superappetites with such deep-fried delicacies as chips, bananas with chocolate sauce and Twinkies with raspberry sauce. Yum!

T-shirts and paintings

2007-06-01T12:14:00.000-04:00

Just a few pictures show how creative I've been over the past week. Last Friday I bought the book Generation-T and was inspired to make things right away - here are three projects from or inspired by the book that I made between Saturday and Tuesday. As always there was another one that just didn't work out and another that did work out, but I forgot to take a picture of it!

One side of my new tote decorated with a pin from an etsy seller and a little string doll from Cori.

The other side of the tote.

Made from a t-shirt from the demo derby that Karla, Dave, and I went to last year. I wore it on Sunday to another demo derby just to show how hardcore demo derby I am (I don't think anyone was impressed - I observed that most demo derby fans might not be impressed with my mad sewing/t-shirt re-do skills!)

This t-shirt was also worn over the weekend (to Jamie's vegan bbq).

Here's a close-up in case you weren't able to read it!

So, as you may have noticed in my blog, I haven't painted in a while. The eye on the left in this painting was really bothering me so I painted it out and gave it a crazy, bruised eye. This might not be the final edition. Also at this point I'm tempted to just give up and gesso the whole thing!

As storage is becoming a problem, I started working smaller - about 1'x1' rather than 3'x4 1/2'. This one was based on a photo of my friend Dave (not my husband - I do know other people named Dave), but it doesn't look like him. You have to stand back a little to get the effect. Go ahead, stand up and take about 3 or so steps back.

Well, after seeing some new (and revived) mediums, you never know what I'll make next... stay tuned....

Just hangin' out...

2007-05-28T14:26:00.000-04:00

This is pretty much what we've been doing all weekend....

Granny Square Madness!

2007-05-21T13:17:00.000-04:00

Here are two more pictures of yarn that I have received from the Granny Square materials swap on Swap-bot.

From Sandra in Portugal...

... and Karrie (aka Girl on the Rocks)

And here is a granny square creation that I made with this wild acrylic rainbow yarn that I couldn't not buy! (It's a cat mat for Andrew and Tony - I sprinkled a little catnip on it and they slept on it most of the weekend!)

Norwegian goodies!

2007-05-14T12:35:00.000-04:00

Thanks Nina in Norway for the Granny Square Materials (and more!) from the Swap-bot swap!

Sweathogs and more!

2007-05-14T11:59:00.000-04:00

My grandmother is awesome! We went in to visit the family this weekend for Mothers' Day. Before we had arrived, Grammie called my mom and asked her to tell me to stop by because she had some knitting needles and buttons for me! So, yesterday morning we stopped by to visit.

Grammie hooked me up with a bunch of knitting needles and crochet hooks that were hers and her mothers.
She also let me pick through some of her vintage buttons.

There was also a new knitting book full of great quick projects!

And some great art books that Pop Pop found.

I really appreciate all of this great stuff from Grammie and Pop Pop, but there is one more thing that Grammie gave me that is now one of my most treasured possessions.

As we were looking for more buttons in her bedroom, Grammie told me that some day she'll have to really go through things and see who wants what. Well, I had been admiring one of the 'decorations' on her dresser. It was in amongst old pictures and other odd things that have been there since I was little. I told her that I definitely wanted this 'decoration' and she told me that I could have it! I don't know why my 81 year old grandmother had this on her dresser. When I asked where it came from, she said somebody gave it to her! So, here he is...

and another picture just for scale...

Jealous?

The lion is finished!!!

2007-05-08T22:09:00.000-04:00

The crocheted lion is finished!!! Woo-whoo! I finished him tonight and then we visited our new friend Cash (who is 5 days old today) and gave the lion to him! The lion is bigger than Cash is right now!

Goddess swap

2007-05-07T23:14:00.000-04:00

Here's what I received from another swap-bot swap. The theme of this one was to celebrate the goddess you are!

It has been a fabulous weekend!

2007-05-06T20:45:00.000-04:00

I have not had time to crochet (or create anything for that matter) this weekend, but it has been an incredible weekend!

Thursday afternoon I got to see our friend Karla who had been in Ireland since the end of December. Thursday night we saw the Indigo Girls. Late that night our friend Merissa gave birth to a sweet little boy that I got to meet on Friday!!!! Friday night was spent hanging out downtown with all kinds of friends including Cori who came in from NYC! Saturday was more time spent with friends - eating Thai food, a little bit of custard at Rita's, shopping, eating some chickpea curry, and playing a little Cranium! What a day! And then today, we had a little hot dog picnic, a really good nap, and then a visit at Jamie's. What an awesome weekend! And obviously I'm about blimp size from all of the eating!

Turn on your love light

2007-04-30T13:57:00.000-04:00

So, I was totally rocking out while ironing (these change purses that I dyed over the weekend) this morning to my 'new' records that I bought at a book sale this weekend - Captain & Tennille's "Love Will Keep Us Together" and Tom Jones "Live in Las Vegas".

Yarn and buttons

2007-04-29T21:27:00.000-04:00

Well, I'm trying to catch up on all of my projects! I bought more yarn to continue working on the mauvey wrap.

I've been keeping this project in this cute bag that my mother-in-law made for me!

I received an excellent package in the mail this week from Dava for the Shim and Sons Vintage Button Swap.
Look at all of these gorgeous buttons. Fabulous presentation too! This box has been sitting on my dining room table this week and friends who stop by have inspected each button like it is a little piece of art.

Dava is so sweet - in addition to the buttons, she sent "How to Crochet" ribbon!

No pictures, but the lion is coming along. The furry yellow/orange/brown yarn is working for the mane. I just need to make two feet, assemble and stuff. That's all! haha!

In addition to crocheting and swapping and my everyday life, I've finally gotten around to trying out my new oil paints and I plan to teach myself to screenprint this week!

Projects from the weekend

2007-04-16T09:00:00.000-04:00

On Saturday, I received my second bunch of buttons from the swap-bot swap I participated in.

Ove the weekend, I continued working on the cranberry colored wrap that I've been crocheting for weeks and weeks (I guess that's what happens when you are in the midst of several projects!).

I also started to wind the cotton yarn that I bought from an Etsy seller. I'm having a lot of problems with tangling - especially since it is such a fine yarn.

I've hit a roadblock with the lion I've been trying to crochet. I've just been making him up as I go. I've finished his face, sweater, pants, and two paws. I haven't been able to find a good solution for his mane. But, this weekend as I walked up to AC Moore, they had a bin of clearance yarn on the sidewalk and I found some crazy furry yarn that just may work!

Summer Sneakers

2007-04-11T07:04:00.001-04:00

Last night I bought my summer sneakers with money from the Easter Bunny! I was so excited about them that I wore them with my pajamas as I watched Dancing With The Stars last night! Despite the predictions for snow tonight, I know that summer is on its way (or at least I'm hoping!).

Flower pins and sweethearts

2007-04-09T16:23:00.000-04:00

After seeing button flowers on the Craft blog I decided to try it out. I made a couple of other ones besides these, but of course forgot to take pictures! The top button flower was added to a white vinyl bracelet and I plan to sew a pin back on the bottom flower.

I made another type of flower pin for my grandmother. It is a loom bloom flower. Again I forgot to take a picture so you'll have to just imagine it or ask Grammie about it! :)

A picture of two sweethearts - David and Maya!

Three firsts!

2007-03-31T09:25:00.000-04:00

I decided to try making felted (actually fulled) coasters. They're a little distorted, but pretty good for a first try!
Another first try - my first try at needle felting! Instead of using wool roving, I used a piece of wool yarn to embellish this recently created cuff bracelet. It was a lot of fun! I look forward to embellishing more projects with needle felting!

The last first - this was my first time participating in a swap-bot swap. For this swap I had to send 20 buttons each to two different people (designated by the swap coordinator) and will receive 20 buttons each from two other people. Both of the people I sent buttons to live in the US, but the first set of buttons I received came all the way from London!

Fabulous Mail Day!

2007-03-28T09:56:00.000-04:00

Today is a Fabulous Mail Day - yarn from an Etsy shop and a crochet pattern from my grandmother!

Hooked up

2007-03-19T19:25:00.000-04:00

My honey hooked me up! Check out my new Costa Rican crochet hook! Dave won it for me on eBay. It was made by Arts In Crafts and came in a nice wood box with a bonus wooden ring that has a tag that says "Thank you". After waiting several weeks (it was mailed on March 1st and arrived today - I guess the Costa Rican postal service is pretty laid back), I'm pretty psyched and will have to see what I can try it out on tonight! ;o)

Coffee cozy from the Crochet Dude

2007-03-18T16:01:00.000-04:00

I tried out a free pattern from the Crochet Dude for a coffee cozy with a flap that protects from splashes (because no matter how small the drink opening is, I always manage to splash. Here is the first one I made using his directions. It's a little frilly and the green frilly part at the top makes me think of lettuce!

Here is the second one I made, altering the directions to work with the yarn in my stash.

Some fabulous things...

2007-03-16T14:32:00.000-04:00

I was just reading CRAFT magazine and learned about some of the most amazing things:
a knitting gang - i've always wanted to be cool like that!
a container to hold your yarns as you knit/crochet - my yarn always tries to run away and picks up pet hairs - i think i would get one of the bigger ones to use several balls of yarn at once!
a crafting picnic in NYC in June

I'm also working on setting up an Etsy shop. I don't have anything for sale yet, but you can check it out. Since I'm home for a snow day today, I've added some of the fabulous things that I like to my favorites.

What's new you ask?

2007-03-15T23:02:00.000-04:00

It had been a while since I've posted and I feel like I haven't done much! I've been working on projects here and there. I started a new project - a wrap made of soft, alpaca blend, mauvey colored yarn - using a pattern from a Japanese yarn company, Puppy Yarn . Tonight while watching The Office (of course - it is Thursday!) I worked on the lion. I made some of his head and started working on his body. I think I've decided to make doll blankets with the woven/crocheted piece that I've started (that is orange and purple).

As of today Secret Pal 10 officially begins! I'm pretty excited as I've never participated in something like this before.

I'm also pretty excited about some mail I received today. My friend Elff sent me a package with pictures and an exhibit catalog and an article on Loom Blooms (something new for me to make with my woven squares!). Elff's pretty awesome! :)

There's rumors of a big Nor'easter that should begin tomorrow. If so, I will be crocheting, making some new fun things I've seen on CRAFT , and maybe even painting! Crazy, right?!

I guess I better go to bed just in case it doesn't snow and I have to work tomorrow! g'night!

Pouches and PDAs

2007-03-04T13:53:00.000-05:00

So, this weekend I finished a little pouch that I was working on during the week. It is palm-sized, woven on my little loom and assembled with crochet stitches. It's big enough to hold a few lip products (of which I have many - you can never have enough!).

In an attempt to further organize myself this weekend, I also made a PDA! Also palm-sized and filled with good things! It's called the Hipster PDA or hPDA. I found it on D*I*Y Planner.

Weave-it loom

2007-02-26T07:39:00.000-05:00

A while back my grandmother gave me a small loom that belonged to her mother.

Recently I saw an article on looms like this on the Craftzine blog. So this weekend I decided to try out the loom. Here's a picture of my first woven square made on the loom:

It's kind of fun! Actually I got a little carried away with weaving and crocheting this weekend! Here's a picture of some things that were started as of Friday:

I didn't work on the lion (the yellow animal face) this weekend, but I did work on those squares:

Today's a snow day for me... who knows what else I might finish by the end of the day!

Secret Pal 10 Questionnaire

2007-02-22T16:16:00.000-05:00

My friend Jamie told me about this really cool thing called Secret Pal 10 http://secretpal10.blogspot.com/ It involves yarn and gift giving and receiving. How can you go wrong?!

Here are my answers toThe Questionnaire:
1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I just started crocheting a lot back in December and don't have a particular favorite.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
A groovy pencil case.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
My Aunt Lucille taught me to knit about 12 years ago. I would say that I'm a beginner to intermediate knitter. I taught myself to crochet from a book a few years ago. I would say that I'm probably intermediate as I can kind of freeform crochet.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
no

5. What's your favorite scent?
almost anything vanilla or candy scented

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
Yes! Dark chocolate or black licorice.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
I'm an art teacher. I kind of try all kinds of things, but I do not spin. I would like to learn to felt from raw wool.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
I love 80s covers (I've hear a lot on the Coverville podcast http://www.coverville.com/ and most things I've heard on NPR's All Songs Considered http://www.npr.org/programs/asc/archives/index.html I listen to mp3s on my computer and mp3 player.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?
Purple is my most favorite, but I love blue and orange together. I can't say I have an aversion to any color.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I'm married and my children are all furry - 3 cats and one dog.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
I wear scarves, hats, and mittens. A lot of scarves - they're such great accessories.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
I prefer to crochet rather than knit. I like making things with shell stiches. I've been making squares for two quilts and have made a bunch of scarves.

13. What are you knitting right now?
I'm not knitting anything now, but I am crocheting two quilts, a stuffed lion, and a cat mat.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
Absolutely!!! My mother-in-law just made me an awesome tea wallet - she used fabric that is purple and green with a Japanese pattern.

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
No preference.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
No. I'm not even sure what a swift is!

17. How old is your oldest UFO?
About 12 years old. I was so excited about learning to knit that I ordered a sock pattern and yarn kit. I made Dave one sock. It's too small for him and I've used the remainder of the yarn for other projects. He has the sock hanging from a thumbtack in his darkroom.

18. What is your favorite holiday?
I like them all!

19. Is there anything that you collect?
Apparently cats, although I think it's because my husband is a sucker for cats with personality! Actually, I tend to collect art and craft supplies and books on art and crafts.

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
I just subscribed to Craftzine, but would love to have a subscription to a knitting or crocheting magazine that has quick, cool projects.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
None that I can think of.

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
I've only knitted one sock. Not even a pair. I wear women's size 8 shoes.

23. When is your birthday?
September 1st.

Some recent projects

2007-02-22T15:57:00.000-05:00

I have been a crocheting fiend lately. I just can't stop myself. I try to console myself by thinking that if I crochet while watching tv it is time used wisely!

A felted clutch from a pattern from the book "One Skein".

Two crocheted scarves. The flower one is based on a pattern from the book "Happy Hooker" and the other one is based on a shell pattern.

Freeform knitted and crocheted mittens for Dave. They still need to be felted.

A work in progress. I bought this crazy rainbow yarn and am trying to make a quilt from it.

Felting

2007-01-24T07:26:00.000-05:00

We went to see friends in Las Vegas and we brought them some vessels that I crocheted and then felted. While were at the hotel I realized I hadn't taken pictures of my creations, so here is my very poor photography of my first felted creations!

So lame!

2007-01-07T12:32:00.000-05:00

Wow! How lame am i? No posts in months!
December was very busy. I completed some more on the last painting and starting crocheting like a grandma on speed! It was only encouraged by a gift of a crochet book from my brother and a giftcard to B&N from J&M where I bought more knitting and crocheting books! So, I guess I will have to add some pictures of my yarn creations and an updated picture of my painting. Keep watching....

Last of the Series

2006-11-07T18:45:00.000-05:00

This weekend I started the last of the large face series... mostly because there is not enough room in our house to store or hang any more 3 foot by 4 1/2 foot paintings.

Cori

2006-10-13T17:27:00.000-04:00

So this is what I've been working on this week. I might change her a little... or not.

Finished?

2006-09-27T15:08:00.000-04:00

I think it's finished. Maybe not. I'll let you know tomorrow!

A little hiccup in my plan.

2006-09-27T09:04:00.000-04:00

Ok. So I didn't make art last week. But, this week is different. On Monday I made three drawings that I plan to do some sort of mixed media thing with, and yesterday I started a new 4 1/2' x 3' painting (which is pictured above).

The Sound of Young America

2006-09-23T11:25:00.000-04:00

Did I mention that I often listen to The Sound of Young America podcast when I paint? It is an awesome show filled with humor and interesting guests. You should check it out. There's a link to the website in the left column of this blog. You don't need an ipod to listen. You can listen to it on your computer as you're checking e-mail, leaving comments on myspace, or whatever you do when you use your computer. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

karla and paul

2006-09-13T09:44:00.000-04:00

Karla and Paul. Andrew wanted to be in the picture too. I've been working on this for several days. I'm not sure how I fell about how it came out. There are parts that I really like. And, I like the overall composition. And, I like that it's both disturbing and funny. I think I'm just getting caught up in some small details. I hope Karla doesn't completely hate it! :)

my helper and a sneak peek of what i'm working on...

2006-09-07T09:30:00.000-04:00

A picture of my buddy Andrew who is always willing to help - or take a nap someplace nearby! In the background you can see what I'm working on. I started it on Tuesday and worked on it a bit more this morning. I hope to finish it this weekend.

Ward, Ryan revised

2006-09-06T12:48:00.000-04:00

After talking to Karla about this painting, I changed the background some. I didn't think I wanted to change it, until I moved it off the easel, looked at from a different perspective and saw it seemed a bit top-heavy.

I also started working on another large painting the same size as Ryan, but don't think I want to post pictures of it yet. So, keep watching! ;^)

Ward, Ryan

2006-09-01T08:16:00.000-04:00

bigger than 6" x 6" (3 1/2' x 4') and less than an hour.

Another Abstraction

2006-08-30T08:04:00.000-04:00

It started as something else but became too tight. I got frustrated and started painting layers of shapes.

Can you see it?

2006-08-29T09:20:00.000-04:00

This started out as a painting of cat toys, but i just wasn't feeling it!

August 24 & 25

2006-08-28T18:20:00.000-04:00

It's Tobey the min pin.
6" x 6", acrylic, two days of painting.

August 22 & 23, 2006

2006-08-25T08:23:00.000-04:00

It's Andrew, our 11 year old beautiful boy kitty who likes to dress up!
This is also about 15" x 20".

August 16, 2006

2006-08-25T08:21:00.000-04:00

I was tired of painting small, so this is about 15" x 20". I spent more than an hour on this.

August 14, 2006

2006-08-25T08:08:00.000-04:00

I lost focus and only painted for half an hour.

August 11 and 12, 2006

2006-08-25T08:07:00.000-04:00

This took two days because I wasn't happy with it after spending over an hour on it the first day.

10AUG06

2006-08-25T08:05:00.000-04:00

08AUG06

2006-08-25T08:04:00.000-04:00

07AUG06

2006-08-25T08:03:00.000-04:00

06AUG06

2006-08-25T08:02:00.000-04:00

03AUG06

2006-08-25T07:59:00.000-04:00

Some things on our back porch.

02AUG06

2006-08-25T07:58:00.000-04:00

One of those white plastic chairs.

01AUG06

2006-08-25T07:51:00.000-04:00

After reading an article in the journal Art Education about making art a daily habit, my goal for August was to paint for an hour every day. I began by cutting unprimed canvas (dropcloths from Home Depot - thank you John Shahoney!) and marking off a 6"x6" space. The article had said that an hour was enough time to complete a 6" by 6" painting. So, my first painting is of my own hand. Dave thinks it looks more like his hand. I guess I have manly hands! :)