This time of year I always do a big Spring cleaning throughout my house, including my closet.  Unfortunately, or fortunately (depending on how you look at it), there are always a couple of wool or cashmere sweaters that look a bit shabby after a long Winter’s wear.   The good thing about this though is that I’ll have some cozy material to work with.  Sometimes I’ll recycle a sweater by turning it into a tote.  You can see a couple of examples in the new issue of Haute Handbags.

Here’s another look…

…and a couple of close-ups.

One sweater makes up one tote – the material from the body of the sweater went into making the main bag compartment (plus a pocket if you’re lucky) and each arm of the sweater went into making each handle (please keep in mind that the cream-colored wool that you see on the totes above are from a separate sweater from a previous project.)  After making my totes there are always leftover scraps of wool or cashmere.  Sometimes I like to use up these pieces to create palm-sized pincushions.

To make these pincushions all you’ll need besides the sweater scraps is some other fabric scraps plus one single button (if you’re like me you probably already have tons on hand.)  You don’t even need store bought stuffing to fill the pincushion, just use more sweater scraps cut up into small pieces.

Have you cleaned out your closets yet and did you come across any wool sweaters with holes or stains?  To felt any sweaters you find, simply run it through the washer and dryer.  The specific directions for creating the totes are available in Haute Handbags…happy recycling!

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The Spring issue of Somerset Life is now available.  You can get a copy at Stampington or try the book stores and craft stores in your area.

Inside you’ll see several of my easy to make altered spool place cards.

These simple spools are a fun way to “celebrate” life’s special occasions, or you could make personalized ones to pass on to your friends…just because.

Many of you have contacted me with questions regarding my wax paper dresses and other clothing items that were mentioned in the previous Winter issue of Somerset Life…thank you very much for asking. Unfortunately, the photos for this particular project were mistakenly left out of the article.  However, the good news is that I’ve posted them below…thank you to Stampington for sending over these fantastic pics!

The pieces shown above were created with either wax paper, a recycled paper grocery bag, a used dryer sheet (tea-dyed) as well as a few other scraps…I love using humble odds n’ ends in my art projects, don’t you?

I think these airy-looking pieces would look great hanging on a mini-clothes line…perhaps a decoration to celebrate Spring?  And when this season passes you can simply crumple them up and toss them, and then get going on making something sweet for Summer…then Fall, and so on.  Never-ending projects are my favorite!

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Do you remember these beach finds from a previous post?  I used them to create a special necklace for Brook.  Originally, I was going to use these pieces to make a bracelet, but the driftwood was too big and chunky…oh well, sometimes you have to adapt.

I’m always looking for ways to include words of encouragement in my pieces.  Here are a few personal ones for Brook.

“Imagine” that anything is possible…

…”believe” in yourself and know that you can soar.

Dare to “dream” and do what you “love.”  One of my biggest mama-wishes for Brook is that she chooses to do what makes her happy.  I hope that she’ll be able to resist the temptation of choosing money over matter.  Sure, money is important but it’s not everything.  I think that “love” is everything and I hope that she’ll take this advice to heart.

And speaking of hearts, one of the best things we can do to pump up this muscle is to “give” a hand to others.  I want Brook to know her value, but at the same time I want her to know that life isn’t just about her.  I want to help guide her towards living life with her eyes wide open…to see and pay attention to the outside world, to feel compassion towards others and to respond with kindness at every opportunity.  I believe that the best way to get this message across to Brook is to actually live by these words…actions speak louder than words right?

Which brings me to mentioning an upcoming event that will be happening in my area this coming Saturday, April 2nd.  I’ll be joining some friends at a benefit for Rosie’s Place, a sanctuary for homeless women.  If you live nearby and would like to stop by, here are the details.  There will be plenty of live music and performances throughout the evening, as well as an auction and a selection of handmade items for purchase.   And I’ll be there between 4-6 pm…I hope to see some of you local gals there!  BTW, this evening’s not just for us girls.  Bill will be there too…just the way I like it!

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I recently received a pretty package in the mail from sweet and generous Laura.  She sent me a large envelope full of many wonderful surprises including these two beauties…seeing this handmade bloom and birdie brought bright thoughts…

…and inspiration, which lead me to create this romantic-looking cuff…

…with buttons and a wispy veil of tulle.

Sewn onto a base of white, web-like lace from lovely Laura.  Seeing this backside view just gave me another idea to create something special with the upcoming prom season in mind.

I wore a blue bloom wrist corsage to my high school prom…how about you, did you wear one?

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On April 1st, the Spring issue of Jewelry Affaire will be available through Stampington.

And published inside you’ll find my article, “Offerings from the Sea.”

These charms were created using shimmery shells that Brook and I collected from the shores of Nantucket last April.

Wearing these necklaces always reminds me of our mother/daughter time together.

Last weekend our family escaped to our Maine place for some beach fun.  We haven’t been there since mid-December so this outing felt extra special.  The beauty of this place always takes my breath away.

It was a very cold and windy day and I had to bundle up…

…but this did not distract me from hunting down these two gifts from the beach.  I love the contrast between the delicate-airiness of the feather against the solid and grounded feeling of the driftwood.  I’m considering using these pieces to create a bracelet for Brook.

Tomorrow our darling girl Brook turns 13!  Bill and I can’t believe how quickly our little treasure is growing up.  Reaching this milestone reminds me of the importance of pressing the pause button often, to let ourselves “be” in the moment and experience true “joy.”

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I recently received a very lovely surprise in the mail from Ludid.  Her authentic spirit speaks to me, and you can see the genuine quality in her artwork, such as in this beautiful card she created with thoughtfulness and thread.

Along with the card, Ludid wrapped some of her very special thread-infused cloth around a tiny box (back view.) Who knew that saved up scraps of threads could be turned into something so splendid!

Inside the box I found another sweet surprise.  Don’t you just adore itty-bitty birds?

As soon as I saw these gorgeous gifts, inspiration struck like lightening!  So I asked Ludid if it was okay for me to use these unique pieces to create something wearable.  Luckily, she said yes.

With a couple of small snips, minimal sewing and easy additions I created these cuffs…starting with something that’s already so beautiful you don’t need much else.

I didn’t add much to the little birdie either.  Here it is, dressed up with just a bit sparkle.  Hopefully, wearing this necklace…

…will encourage me to “soar.”  And for a double-duty reminder, I can wear this feel-good cuff to get some positive energy flowing.

It’s wonderful how inspiration is everywhere.  And it’s even more wonderful when it arrives in your mailbox…thank you Ludid!

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In my parts the color green has been slowly popping up in patches here and there.  And soon this quiet and humble beginning will set ablaze, shooting all kinds of color everywhere!  Until then, I wait and green things up myself…

…like this little house with a subtle sweep of green.

I couldn’t resist plopping a tiny, speckled egg at the bottom.  To me, Spring and eggs go together like cake and frosting.

Here’s a little house that I made using a piece of Peat pot as the substrate.  I’m not a gardener, yet I love the texture and natural feel of this material so of course I had to find a way to use it.  Plus, it’s “green.”

And here’s a lucky green clover which relates to this week’s holiday,  St. Patrick’s Day.

This clover is actually a scrapbook flower (comes in green and is also pre-glittered right out of the package.)  All I did was add a simple, small bead embellishment with a wire stem and then placed it into a vintage spool.

Here’s the same clover in a different spool…I can’t decide if I like it best in the tall, shimmery spool or the squat, altered one.

Creating this “lucky clover” gave me an opportunity to look into the origins of this green gift from nature.  And I found out that each leaf represents something – The 1st is HOPE, the 2nd is FAITH, the 3rd is LOVE and the 4th is LUCK.  Whenever I discover the deeper meaning behind old traditions my appreciation grows…getting to the root of things is ever-inspiring.

Happy hopeful, faithful, loving, lucky everything!

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Thank you to everyone who stopped by and participated in my Spring-Inspired Giveaway.  I truly appreciate your kind and generous comments – receiving this warm and wonderful energy makes me feel like the lucky winner, thank you!

This morning Brook picked Last Minute Lynn’s name out of the purse…don’t you just love this fun and sassy nickname?!

As I was going through and writing down each of your names, I noticed that I already know most of you personally through either previous blog exchanges and/or emails.  In fact, many of you have become my friends.  When I first started blogging about 18 months ago, I had no idea that I was going to meet and connect with so many genuine and kind-hearted souls…again, I feel like the lucky winner.  And for those of you who are new here, welcome!  I very much look forward to getting to know you better.  As artists, I believe that the more we open up and share with each other, the more we learn…the more we grow.  And isn’t it all about growing?  I think so.

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With birds on the brain (this time of year I yearn for them more than ever,) I created these mixed pieces to share with you.

For the focal point of this canvas (4″ x 4″) I used a packing tape transfer of one of my hand painted birds…

…which rests on a nest made of scrappy strips.

As the days begin to grow longer and brighter outside,  I feel a strong flame growing from within…signaling me to “emerge.”   Are you feeling this sense of hope and optimism as well?

Here’s a little something uplifting and encouraging…

…which I’ve attached to a silvery-chain made from gathered parts, very much like how a bird builds its nest from various findings.

As part of this giveaway I would like to offer you a chance to design your own necklace.  You can choose to pick a word from this batch…

…or any other word that has special meaning to you.  You also have the option to choose a particular material (mica or metal tag) as well as whether you’d like a metal necklace chain or silk ribbon.   And then I will gladly finish up the rest for you by adding a sparkly gem or two…it’s fun to include an element of surprise.

To enter a chance to win this three part giveaway (personalized necklace, “soar” necklace, “emerge” canvas artwork) simply leave a comment to this post by noon next Friday, March 11th, and I’ll announce the winner the next morning.  In the meantime, Happy Almost Spring!

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Sometimes a 2 inch square is enough…

…to create something with heart.  In the March/April issue of Somerset Studio, in my article, “Heart Canvases: Small Acts of Affection”, you’ll find the how-to instructions to create these mini-heart pieces.

Within this same magazine, in the “With One Stamp” section you’ll see a couple examples of what I created using the Mannequin Cafe (No. 6) stamps from Character Constructions.

The instructions for my stamped projects are included within this magazine, but if you come across additional questions please feel free to contact me.  I’m always happy to help.

On another note, this week I’ll be putting together a giveaway to celebrate Spring’s arrival (I know this is a bit early, but I’m just SO excited for this season to begin.)  I’ll post the items this coming Friday…please stop by again for a chance to win my preview of Spring.

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