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Today is super bowl Sunday, which until about 3 weeks ago, didn't know it was happening here in town. Yeah, I don't follow sports at all. Even when the San Francisco Giants won the world series, I had no idea. Overall I don't think my life as suffered too much for being out of the loop. For all those people coming in for the big game, they couldn't have asked for more perfect example of California weather. It's a comfortable 73 degrees with a light breeze and most importantly, no bugs. Annie and I spent the afternoon out in the backyard (well what most people would call a back yard, it's giant hill) enjoying the peace and quiet. Normally the birds are chirping away in the full grown oak and redwood trees but I also have nesting falcons so when they're home, no comes out to play. My garden is waiting for me to get my act together and start planting my garden. There is an abundance of deer and gophers in the area so everything has to be fenced and in containers. The upside down flower pots in the photo are covering the gopher holes I set traps in. I can only use traps since I won't take the chance a poisoned gopher will end up as a snack for Annie or the other wild life around here. The flowering trees and both almond and cherry trees.
I've been an auction rat for a long long time. When I had an art studio, I was always dragging home the antique pieces too big for most dealers. Even with my down sizing, I'm still on the look out for cool vintage items for my consignment booth at Cranberry Hill. At the auction this weekend, someone's doll collection (it was massive) came up for auction. Saw these vintage children's metal folding chairs and I can only guess the doll collector used them to display their collection. I just couldn't pass them up. The color is patina is perfect and all of them are in great condition. Always so exciting when something unique comes home with me!
I read the book "Over-Dressed, the shockingly high cost of cheat fashion" by Elizabeth Cline. If your into going green and even remotely interested in clothes, it's a good read.
The author also points out the art of sewing is lost very quickly if parents don't teach their children. With cheap fast fashion, many people have stopped taking the time to sew. I know when I was younger, I was taught to sew and I made some amazing things. Of course as I got older and busier, I stopped sewing and now with all the new types of machines out there feel a little lost.
I love the re-fashion blogs of women turning thrift store finds into something they can wear. I love the creative challenge of seeing something and making it your own.
The creative side of me decided it's time to get back to using a sewing machine. I've been looking for some fun pillow cases, which are hard to find (well so far impossible) that are made with quality fabric. As they say, the stars all lined up. I was volunteering at FABMO (www.fabmo.org) a non-profit that recycles fabric from the designer samples in San Francisco. I came across some very nice high grade cotton print (pink fabric in photo will be my new pillow cases - $4.00 for 2 yards) at a faction of what I would have paid for at the fabric store. The best part is it kept it from going to into the land fill.
The animal fleece fabric is a baby quilt I'm hand sewing together for niece's baby shower. I purchased the fabric at a local quilt shop and boy did I have sticker shock! For just 3 yards it was over $42.00.
I really wanted to make pillow cases out of the mushroom fabric but the sample piece has a lot of damage and pen marks. I thought it was too funny to pass up, so I have my thinking cap on now on what to make with it.
Another card I'm finishing up from my card marathon fundraiser in 2015. I always make extra kits, just in case. I'm finally getting around to taking apart the kits (been several months) and some I finish off and other just recycle everything back into my stash.The great thing about this card is the vase is really easy to cut out and you can change up the color.
Card:
Stamp - unknown, I lost the packaging
Die Cut - Memory Box
Asian Paper - Old Japanese book - yes, I tore out pages.
White embossing power
I've been a big fan of the blog
"refashionista" from almost the first day she started blogging several years ago. Not sure how I found it, but it's been amazing to watch/read about her journey. I'm not into fashion (comfort is the most important thing in my world) but I do love the creative process of refashioning something into something else. Her blog has under gone some changes as she has moved to more commercial postings but it's still a fun blog to visit.
She posted this book, for those who are into recycling clothes to read. Since I've helped a few friends organize their closets my interest in why people, who already have a closet full of clothes, say they have nothing to wear. Why do they keep buying super cheap clothes that they really won't ever wear? Would it help them if they knew the true cost of buying cheap? So this is my book of the week reading.
One of the cards I did for a marathon fundraiser in 2015. I'm finally getting around to finishing off the extras from the kits. This card is one when you make it, you should make several since you have to bust out your heat gun and embossing power. It's goes together super fast!
Card:
Stamp - Michael Strong
Circle - Nestie
Washi Paper - Hanko
Pop Dots
Gold Embossing Powder
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| Michael Strong Stamp |
I wanted to do a Happy New Year's card but realized there aren't too many stamps out there. So I turned my attention to making Valentines day cards. I'm not into all the kissy kissy type of images. I saw on the calendar that Chinese New Years starts in February, so I combined both into on card. Yeah I know the girl is wearing a kimono, but hey I'm Japanese.
One of my goals this year (really I started in September of last year after I lost my job) was to mail the cards I make. I have hundreds of them, some of which I sell but I rarely ever sent any of them out. Thought it was silly to have all these handmade cards and they had no place to go! So if you want to be on my mailing list, send me your address. :)
The card:
Washi Paper - Hanko
Stamp - Hero Arts
Paper - Kelly Papers
Heart Punch - so old I have no idea who made it.
Copic markers
Foam pop dots.
I've been thinking of challenging myself to post something on my public blog everyday for the year 2016, unless I'm on vacation. While I mull that over here's a card I made with a really old stamp. I have the new watercolor makers by ZIG, Clean Color and thought I would give it a try. There is a learn curve which I have not mastered yet so I went back to using my Copics. I remember when I first got my Copics, it took awhile to get use to all that they can do. I haven't given up hope with the Clean Color watercolor markers just yet. :)
A friend of mine asked me to put together some wreaths with all her left over Christmas picks. All of this stuff has been tucked away for years. I used Christmas picks I would have never selected myself but I think the wreath turned out pretty nice.
Been working on new classes for 2016. Paper weaving is a very slow process but a great way to use up scraps, which I happened to have all over my work table.
I've been cleaning up my work space and trying to finish up all the UFOs which required a lot of trimming. Always amazing at how many cards I can get done when I really focus on clearing the deck!
So this new stamping tool came out this year (maybe last year) and it was all the rage with the big name stampers. At the price point of $60.00, I had to think about it. I asked my hard core stamping buddies what they thought about it and well, they didn't think it was worth the high price tag. I finally borrowed one from a friend (who buys anything new that hits the market) to test it out.
1) I applaud the developer of the MISTI for being able to bring it to market. It takes a lot of hard work!
2) It does work most of the time. I'm sure there is a user error on my part. When I went to restamp over an image that wasn't clear, I got some blurry lines, but again I was probably doing something wrong.
3) Unless you are doing massive amounts of cards with the same image or a lot of over lays that are not clear clings, I don't see the need for the tool.
4) The price point is just to high for me to add it to the my go to tools. I'm guessing (and this is just IMO) MISTI has to cash in as fast as they can because we all know one of the big companies will rip this idea off ASAP, which is sad.
5) It is a very well made product and if taken care will last forever. I know when the knock offs come out, the quality won't be as good.
So over all, if you have the spare change to buy it or have shaky hands, I say go for it.
I still remember the day I picked Annie up when she was just 8 weeks old and only 15 pounds. She fit into a cat carrier and didn't make a sound all the way home. Now 6 years later she's a good 80 pounds but still that sweet totally ball crazy dog. In all the ups and downs in my life, Annie has always been the loving companion by my side. Happy Birthday Annie!
