Sunday, February 27, 2011

Tea Time

Is it a box of tea?

Or is it a book?

I have long been a fan of Gwen Diehn's books and bought her new book Real Life Journals a few weeks ago.  I just discovered her blog, and there is the tutorial for this book. 

Hers is called the Butter Box Book because she used a butter box.  See her blog here (click on Tutorials on the right to see instructions).  If you have lots of time, also click on the Images and Exhibits - lots of cool books, and most have a link to that particular artist's other works.  I could be there forever!

I searched my kitchen for a small box to use for my cover and found this tea box.  I used mostly brown kraft paper for pages (I seem to get a lot of it used as packing paper these days).  My flaps were not like hers on the butter box, so I ended up making end papers with thicker craft paper on the insides of the covers.  I just love this little book.  Very cool.


Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Trouble

I get in so much trouble when I go to Michael's.  "Step away from the $1 items, ma'am."  I can't resist.  Love the bird stuff they have.

I get in such trouble when I linger too long at my work table.  I spied the word stamp lying off to the side and played around with a quickie card and then stamped a journal page, even though I was supposed to be out running errands.




I get in such trouble when I look around on Etsy.  Especially when Ginny says she is selling her stuff from Small Studio there.  I decided to get some of the Coffee Break stencils I had put off getting in the past.  Ginny always makes ordering fun.  See her Etsy shop here

I have to go now and see what other trouble I can get into....

Friday, February 18, 2011

Ordinary Things

I didn't even realize how much I missed the sun all winter, or how much those cold, gray days were dragging me down.  Until, one morning I went into my kitchen to refill my coffee cup, and I wondered why the curtain was pink.  Normally, it's off-white.
I looked outside and saw the most brilliant sunrise.  Such intense color.
But very quickly, it seemed, the sun rose higher and higher, fading the pink with each second.
And then the moment passed.
But this sudden return of sunny days and warm weather have really infused me with something I didn't even know was missing.  The days are longer, and life is full of promise.

Monday, February 14, 2011

Day of Love

Marriage is made in heaven,
but so is thunder and lightning.
Unknown




Eat chocolate.

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Saturday Shenanigans

This is where I spent my day.

Well, not in that little birdhouse, but in the white building behind the random tree with the random birdhouse.


Inside that white building (a library in Louisville), I had a great soldering class with my friend Paula Hardesty. (warning - this is where I rave about Paula!) I think she is the best teacher ever if you want to learn soldering. She provides the whole kit that includes everything you need, plus enough extra stuff to go home and make more pieces. Her blog link is to the left if you want to see where she is teaching.  She was so patient with all of us, and she can zero in on what the problem is if things don't look right.  Very laid back class and so much fun.

We all had a great time, and I made these pieces.
 I need more practice on making the bumpy texture she makes so easily, and I need to practice making wire swirleys while I'm sitting in front of the TV. But I figure my skills can only get better if I just stick with it.


Here are some of Paula's pieces. They are just beautiful in person. If you ever get a chance to take a class with her, go-go-go and do it!  You will never regret it.

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Eat Your Kumquats

Happy Chinese New Year !
[Gong Xi Fa Cai]

Happy 4709, year of the rabbit.  They say the rabbit will be gentler with us than the mean tiger of last year.  I'm looking forward to a gentler year.  The postage stamps for the lunar new year depict kumquats, said to be eaten for luck, and also given as gifts.  These stamps are also "forever" stamps, so no denomination is on them and they can be used even if postal rates change.  (Did I say "if"?...)

 My sister surprised me with some new year goodies. Aren't these felt fortune cookies and the felt red door hanger just the best!


And to further celebrate, enjoy this Chinese artist, Liu Bolin, aka "the invisible man" because he paints himself to blend into the background.