Cool!

One of my trees was featured in this weeks Time Out NY!! Check it out!

Since I'm always (proudly) telling people that my style is "sexy grandma" I'm glad to be a part of grandma themed grouping!!

The new "to do" list

Some might remember this letter tray from an earlier post...

What was originally just a nice display has now developed into a sort of to do list. It's where I put lost buttons in need of re-sewing, charms I mean to do something with or photos I want to remember to admire on a daily basis. Basically I'm thinking I'll put anything small up here, that needs remembering and over time it'll become a little library of "thoughts."

Instead of having to find a suitable mismatched button, I'll know right where I put the matching one! This will also save me the trouble of configuring a back up outfit when I can't think of anything but the skirt in need of mending. Have I ever mentioned that virtually ALL of my mending occurs three minutes before I'm supposed to walk out the door?? Yeah. There I am, sporting half an outfit, frantically sewing on the end of my bed, when I could just throw on pair of jeans and tee shirt like a normal person.

But back to the tray... I'm always really interested in clutter. I certainly don't like messes, but there's something to the little chatchkas we humans collect. Every home seems to have some, whether its refrigerator magnets, tiny toys, rocks & shells, or even "real art." Imagine.

I'm also really interested in people's inability to deal with their clutter. In other words, organization, or lack thereof. In my world, what might look like a simple pile, actually has a lot of rhyme and reason to it. I think this is the difference between a mess and a display, the intention. I love the idea of turning a bad habit, or organizing weakness, into display. My idea for someone who is always throwing clothes on the floor, is to throw them on the wall instead. Install a grid of hooks, or even just long nails, and stuff your clothes up there instead. Sure it'll look like a pot of spaghetti clothes... but you'll have room to walk, you won't have to take the precious time to put them away and over time, it might end up looking kinda cool up there.

So here are all the thoughts so far in my tray:

This stack of British coins looked so beautiful against the dark wood, I just want to regularly admire it. I love the detailed edges... how come our coins aren't as cool?? Also, I might want to design something based off of these patterns.

These sparkly buttons need to be re-attached to this coat.

A squid and my handsome Grandpa in his navy uniform!! I miss you!

A map box I need to find a new chain for and scented green tea oil to liven up my draw papers!

A little lost tree bird checking things out, a broken pin that needs fixing or a new life and green thread that is just pretty.

Two charms that need chains and a "G" typewriter key for the pair of initial cuff links I owe my friend Garth.

Forest Floor

Last week, at the flea, I had a special request. A commission if you will. Well, actually three, no, make it four! Gosh. It really was so cool. People just started asking if I would do a tree in a container that they brought me and I thought, sure, why not? I mean, that's what this whole shopping local thing is all about, right? PLUS they're giving me great artistic license and trust, which is a makers dream! So... three containers came to me that very day, found in another vendors space and the fourth I'll put together at a later date. Here's the first:

A mini tree in a vintage metal JELLO mold.

When I saw this container I immediately thought of a blossoming cherry tree. Perhaps inspired by a recent trip to the Botanical Garden. I usually steer clear of foliage, but just had to add blossoms on this!!


One other request was for two fiddle heads and a toadstool. I'm waiting for the container to arrive, but in the meantime I thought I'd make fern/mushroom combinations for sale as well. I'm not sure I'll be able to part with this one though, or my favorite dome cover thingy.

More forest floors...

This whole, special request container style has inspired me. I want to start seeking unique containers for my trees, like this one, that I found at Salvation Army. Much better then buying new!!

New members of the arsenal

New mini business cards from moo.com. You can upload straight from your flickr page and get twenty different photos if you want. They come in a hot little box too, that I'm totally going to re-use a million times. I feel a little guilty knowing they came all the way from the UK, however. Forgive me Earth. Next time I'll at least buy more!


Fiddle heads
And a willow tree named Xavier:

New Items in my Etsy Shop!!!

The other day I combined the two things I love most ( well a lot at least!) tiny drawings and making jewelry...and this tree necklace came out! I made a bunch of other drawing necklaces which I will post soon. I'm preparing for the Brooklyn Flea and an up coming paper themed Poppytalk Handmade.
In the process of taking photos, with myself as the only model, I completely missed the necklace... but I kinda like this photo anyway...

This is the new guy

Jammin

Ummmmmmmmm... in case you didn't know this album is pretty good. Houses of the Holy by Led Zeppelin. Yup. Every song is my favorite.

I've pumped it up in here kids to do some sewing this evening. This photo is from last night, when I was listening to something else, but I did re-wear this outfit again today, so it's cool right?

Ah the truth is I actually look like a big dorky green bean right now in all green jams and my glasses! Tee hee...

On the needles....

Remember my brief mention of my project with miss Caitlin Berrigan?? It was a while ago before the Christmas rush. Anyhoo.... I'm up to my ears in little pentagons right now in order to complete this virus/hood/cape we're working on. See:

You should check some of Caitlin's work!

I like these designer chocolates made in the shape of a hepatitus C virus...


















I think I took this last photo thinking about edibles...




I'll be adding to this collection ALL DAY today!!

Blogginz

I just love blogs.

First I read this blog
which lead me to this blog
which lead me to this:






The work of Kent Rogowski.
Bears that have been taken apart and then sewn back together again inside out.

Right?!!!!!!