Quick post, nothing special

Lots has been going on and I've just been squeezing in a little crafty time here and there to fulfill swap promises and obligations.

a couple of charms:

a pocket booklet:

a whimsey pocket stuffed with goodies:

some altered clothespins:

altered BINGO card:

another altered spoon, Spoon Mirror:

a bunch of ATC's, many with no picture but here a just a few:

A little all over the map but that's part of what makes them fun. 
Even us ADD types can finish them  ;o)

A visitor

I've been crafting here and there, pictures coming, but I just had to share this butterfly that hung out at my front door most of the day. 

Something about this hanging plant that Donnie got me on my birthday really attracts them. This is the third type of butterfly I've seen at this basket.

R&R and Crafty Time

Snuggling with my little girly dog is like taking vitamins. 

We are both feeling better and are ready to get back to things!

Plus, life goes on and we don't have much of a choice.

I've been on an ATC kick because I want to have a few ATC workshops so we can get the Studio swaps underway. But first:

Plant Marker time!

or "Plant Bling" is how I like to think of it.

There was a swap listed that was for plant markers with the suggestion of making them from paint sticks.

That sounded waaaaay to rustic for me but I remembered the steel markers that I had "the man" laser cut for me but I had never used. A little paint, some sanding, a rubber stamp and brown pigment dye and finally some old and broken vintage jewelry and "poof".  Plant (marker) Bling! Fairly fun and easy project. I hope my swap partner likes it.

Then, the ATC's:

Then a tag because I needed to send off a Chunky Tag. This one is muslin sewn to a manilla tag then embellished.

 

Forgot to take pictures of the upcycled charms. 

Will have to add them next time.

too much. brain toasted. nearing mumbling and drooling stage

Without the gory details, we are minus one lovable little fur baby since my last post, almost lost a second fur baby and I'm still in a boot cast and can't wear shoes. We have had a friend stay for a couple of weeks, my brother and his wife were here from San Diego for a weekend, we found out that we will need to move soon and I'm sure I've forgotten something as that doesn't seem like I've listed enough for only 30 days worth of events.  
Here is one of my biggest challenges at the moment:

This cute little dog of mine is wearing a children's tank top is to keep her from chewing out the metal staples that run from her neck to her nether regions. The vet's  instructions are to "keep her quiet and calm". Do these doggie Dr.'s not have experience with terriers?

On the upside, I have been making and mailing off a few crafty things here and there but the taking of the photos has been hit or miss with more misses. Here are a few of my last month's worth of creations.

altered spoon - now spoon mirror

altered clothespins

muslin drawstring bag

altered slide mounts

 charms

ATC's

There have been Altered Tins, Bottles, more ATC's, Chunky book pages, Chunky Tags, Lots of jewelry for a show I did, (Punk Rock Flea Market) handmade charms and other things I can't remember. 

Hopefully things will be at least semi-normal very soon!

Last but not least:

R.I.P. little Zoey kitty 6/2009 - 6/2011

We love you and miss you every day :'(

What a week it's been!

This post could also be titled,
" Excuse me, I've misplaced my week."

Foot surgery last week has not only knocked me on my rear, literally, but it has also made days and nights flow in to one stretch of time that flows in and out of sleep, pain, nausea, apologies, dizziness, etc.

Today, I climbed the stairs on my knees  because I just HAD to accomplish something. I can't think of anything better to fulfill that need than a few quick ATC's!

So, I sat down at the table, propped up my foot on a chair and could only work supplies that were within reach. It wasn't much. I left a few treasures scattered on the floor from my "super-magic-crutch-maneuver-extend-a-reach" trick but at least Zoey kitty will have something to play with. I'm sure when I look back at the ATC's without the narcotic haze I'll be embarrassed that I sent them out for swaps.

Being an invalid has brought me to a few very definite conclusions. 

1 - My system is not built to handle heavy narcotics  - anything I've said, typed, etc over the last 5-6 days should be questioned.

2 - Confined to a couch/bed/chair/etc is awful and anyone who deals with that confinement on a daily basis is someone to be admired.

3 - When the Dr. tells you to "stay off your feet" there are usually multiple reasons. You should listen and heed the advice.

4- Keep a few art supplies on every floor of the house :)

The last day before surgery, I did get a few projects finished up and sent out. The only one I can find pictures of is this Pocket Booklet Plus. The Plus was to add some supplies that your swap partner could use in future altered art projects.

More crafting as the fog in my head lifts. I'm confined to no driving for at least another week.

Lots going on!

Just a few quick pictures. Some haven't arrived at their destinations yet so don't look to the end of the post if you are expecting something from me :)

 I made a bunch of these bed spring candle holders to send off to a friends shop in Boston,

and a quick Spring tag for the May Tag Swap

I've had lots of meetings at the new studio trying to help with events and organization. I had a dear friend come and stay for a week. We've been friends since I was 15. So, about 10-12 years now. hahahaha! Do the math and, NO. Don't do the math. Anyway, her husband (that I introduced her to) just passed away and she needed a retreat to the J&D Bed and Breakfast. We had a great week but did so much running around and catching up that we did very little art work or crafting.

A crystal and vintage brass swan charm for a swap and the receiver loves pink so I attached it to a pink themed tag,

I also had to do this monstrosity that is called a "Bunting banner" ? thingy-ma-job. Have I mentioned I don't sew? Yeah, I probably have. So it was supposed to be made of scraps and have tabs or a fold-over or something on the top so it can be hung. Of course I HAD to use velvet for the front with a muslin back. Velvet is very difficult to sew. Have I mentioned I don't sew? I added a few vintage elements, beads, tatting, hand stamped and tea-dyed muslin and also had to do hand sewing ! Did I mention... oh yeah. So, disappointed but just had to give up. It looked so much better in my head. lol No pictures!

Foot surgery on Wednesday so I may not be back to craft for awhile. Kinda hard when your foot needs to be above your heart. Still trying to figure out how that's going to happen for 6-7 days.

Oh my! A week since my last post!

Well, it's not because I've just been hanging out. This has been a busy week. The new studio move-in continues, meetings, crazy thrift day with Laurie Z, a friend over to stay and craft all night, raiding the garage for display and inventory for the Gallery Store at 3231, photo painting with 3 of my favorite Art Girls, Art Walk, etc.

I have had a few moments here and there to make a things. No great works of art but some creative time that was welcomed and much needed.

 This was kind of fun. Did I ever mention that I DON'T SEW!?! Like, at all. This little thing was machine sewn AND hand sewn. Quite an accomplishment for me. It was a swap for a little fabric house. I always look and think, "Oh, I can do that". Well, sadly, I can't. I gave this one a full effort though. 5" tall, a little tab to hang it by, velvet roof door and window, upholstery swatch base. See, sounds like it wouldn't be that hard... hmpf. You should have seen me sewing those flowers on.

 a second little Whimsy Pocket for a swap because I can never, ok, rarely (thinking of a little fabric house) make just one of something,

 a little pocket book to send to a partner to hold a series of ATC challenges that are coming up,

 an ATC for the Weekend #10 swap,

 another Whimsy Pocket to send as a surprise to one of my Art Girls

and a few things I can't show you yet as they have not reached their new home; 

charms x 12, different charms x 2, a fabric collage/ pennant, a few more fabric tags so I could send off some altered pins someone ordered.

Coming up: yet another style of charm x 6, a couple of chunky tags, a mosaic garden ball for a sample, and altered tin and things I promised but can't remember at the moment :)