Exchanging artwork is a great way to connect with other artists, and for me, it’s especially the case when the subject is birds.   Here’s a look at what Marion created and so generously sent my way.  I love the rich colors that she chose as well as the adventure-minded text.

And here’s what I created for Marion.   I often use the word, “balance” which is something I’m always striving to accomplish.

Like this birdie, I do best when I’m focused on “1” thing at a time.

We’re almost at the end of Winter and I can’t wait! …to be outside again…to see and hear the birds…to take in big gulps of fresh air…to walk around and window shop…to stand under the stars at night without freezing my ears off…I can’t wait!  How about you, what Spring things do you look forward to most?

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Growing up in an Asian household we ate curry on a regular basis, so I learned how to cook this favorite dish at a very young age.   Although Thai curry is very rich and complex in flavor, the ingredients and cooking directions are actually super simple.

Most of the time we have curry the traditional way, on a bed of rice.  However, for a bit of variety I sometimes like to serve it on top of bean thread noodles.

After cooking curry there are always empty cans leftover.  Here are some little keepers that I made using the cans that contained bamboo shoots.  To prep these cans all you have to do is to remove the labels (and wash them, of course.)

Begin by cutting a strip of canvas to fit around each can (1 per can,) allowing 1/3 inch overlap at the short ends.

Then cut a piece of wool felt into a rectangle to fit on top of the canvas strip and use an embroidery needle and thread to stitch it to the center of the canvas strip.

Next, sew a button to the center of the felt. Using the button as an anchor, tie and knot 3 inch pieces of embroidery thread around the button.

Once you’ve finished tying string around the button, trim the string ends, creating a flower-like design.  Unravel the thread segments to make it look bushier.

Lastly, apply craft glue to the back of the canvas strip and adhere it around the can, then let dry.

To embellish the other can I started with a canvas strip.  Then I cut a piece of organic cotton batting to fit at the center of this canvas strip.

Next, machine sew the batting (around the edges) to the center of the canvas strip.

Select a button brad (purchased from a craft store.)

With a hand awl, poke a small hole through the center of the batting and canvas, and insert the brad ends through this hole and secure the ends at the back.  Lastly, use craft glue to adhere the canvas strip around the can and let dry.

There’s something very rewarding about using what’s on hand to create something that’s cute and useful, especially when it’s also quick, easy and inexpensive.  Brook shares this love of repurposing as well as my love for curry.  Next month she turns 13…I can’t believe that she’s growing up so quickly.  I’d better hurry and get to my curry cooking lesson with her, and then afterward we can get to crafting with the cans.  Curry and cans…I hope this will become our mother/daughter tradition.

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I thought it would be fun to “wrap up” this week of hearts with some more hearts.

Last month I enjoyed the simple pleasure of wrapping my giveaway items before sending them on their way.  Is it just me or do you love wrapping too?

As part of wrapping you get to cut and sew…

paste and tie little things onto little boxes…

…all “with heart.”

Doing these small artful things fills my heart with joy.

To see the rest of the piece pictured above, please visit Jenny.  Friends + hearts = joy.  I love this equation.

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Every morning while getting out of bed and before my feet hit the floor, Mac’s always right there, greeting me with his loving eyes.

And during the day he likes to stay very close to us…one of his favorite spots is between Bill’s feet.  This way Mac knows he’s sure to get plenty of petting.

Here’s Mac squeezed into a tight spot.  Unfortunately, there’s not much petting happening here due to lack of space!

And when it’s bedtime Brook likes to tuck him in…while doing so she gives him his last, long doses of doggie love for the day.

Happy Valentines Day to you and yours.  I hope it will be a day full of pure, sweet, simple, love.

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I often like to use letters and initials to personalize my art projects.  And I have on hand an array of stamps in different fonts and sizes to fit every need.  Most recently I was inspired to create a few things using these stamps from Crescendoh.

Here are a couple of sewn hearts using paper, fabric, batting and other bits.

The “R” is for me (Rebecca.)

The “WS” stands for Bill (William.)

These dressed-up jars make good display bases for the hearts.  BTW, I saved these mini-jelly jars from an Inn where I stayed over the Summer.

And here are a couple more jars.

This one is perfect for storing pearls, and I chose to use “m” for “mine.”  Sometimes I get tired of using just B’s, S’s and the occasional “R”.

“S” could be for “sparkle” or “shine” or “simple”…I like simple.

I created the necklaces below using Scrabble tiles as the base.  The letters in “The Best Life Alphabet” stamp set fit perfectly on these tiles…all but one, please keep in mind that the lower case “m” is a bit too wide.  However, as you can see in an early photo above, the “m” works really well on a jar.

Of course I had to make one with a “W” to wear on Valentines Day.  There’s something about wearing your sweetheart’s initial that brings back fond memories of being in high school again.  Visiting the romance of young love can feel fresh and fun.

The specific directions on how to create the embellished jars are available at Studio Crescendoh.

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Beyond my front door there’s a whole lotta snow piled up out there, and I can’t remember the last time I saw so much of it.  After weeks and weeks and weeks of snow and stormy weather with less and less sunshine, the sun finally showed up.

Every part of me greeted this rare occasion with hungry excitement so I wasted no time getting out the door and left my comfy sweats on, quickly stuck my bare feet into some toasty boots, and wrapped a billowy scarf around my neck to help keep the chill off.

Once outside, I took my time drinking in every single drop of delicious sunshine as I headed toward our mailbox which is only across the street.

On the way there I saw this lovely surprise on our driveway.  Perhaps I only noticed it because I was walking so slowly, greedily trying to take in as much sunshine as possible.  Going slow can be good.

Anyway, never before had I seen snow melted into a heart shape.  And it’s interesting to me how the tire tracks give it some context.  Earlier, Bill must’ve driven over this same spot on his way to work…I love how he unknowingly assisted in creating this sweet heart.  And I love how I was in the right place, at the right time, to receive this simple little something.  Thinking about this coincidence put a smile on my face for the rest of that day.

What about you, what simple pleasures brighten up your day?

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In this current issue of Apronology you’ll see a wide assortment of aprons ranging from colorful and sassy to soft and gentle.  If you’re like me, you enjoy experimenting with all kinds of styles.  Why stick to just one look when you can have fun with many?

Here’s a look at my quilted and stitched apron.   Can you tell I was in a quiet mood when creating this piece?

The neutral palette was a reflection of my peaceful mindset while I sewed and stitched.

I often like to include some x’s…

…and o’s.  And o’s with an x in the center too.

If you’d like to create a similar quilted apron the specific how-to details are included within my article, The Best Ingredient.  And speaking of ingredients, with the clever addition of doilies and a dash of pretty color, Jess from Little Dandelion Studios created these amazingly adorable pin keeps.  I love how she staged them to appear like yummy mini-tarts or cupcakes.

Jess was inspired to create this batch of goodies after seeing some of my vintage pin keeps that were published in a previous issue of Somerset Life (July/Aug/Sept 2010 – available at Stampington,)  I literally gasped when I saw Jess’s photos…I could totally tell that she put a lot of  love into making each and every one.  Whether you’re creating  in the art studio, sewing room or kitchen, “love” is definitely the best ingredient.

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In my house there is this little mouse who loves to scurry about in the morning light…

…stopping every now and then to see what I’m up to.

Then on to sniffing around some more…

…and in all directions.  This adventurous guy likes to live on the edge.

He’s also interested in art so he likes to help me type my words.

However, patient he is not, so off he goes…

…scampering into the sunset.

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For those of you who enjoy creating with sustainable materials, published in this new issue of GreenCraft you’ll see examples of what I made using everyday kitchen sponges as a substrate.

For this project I used biodegradable sponges (Twist brand) purchased from Whole Foods – these come in white so you can begin with a fresh, canvas-like surface.   And at the same time, the built in nooks and crannies add a lot of interesting texture.

Within this same magazine I fell in love with these “Fun and Frilly Package Toppers” from Maya Donenfeld.

And this paper bow from Tracie Lampie is both practical and pretty.

The how-to instructions for both of the paper projects shown above are included in the article…I know what I’ll be doing during the next big snow storm.   Sitting by the fire with papers all around, rolling, cutting, tucking…making.   Making things using green things, great plan right?

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Last week I created this bird-in-house. 

The inspiration for this piece began with a special request from a friend who asked me to create a necklace that would include a bird, a house and a dash of glitter.  I love playing around with these ingredients and coming up with new recipes.  Whenever I make something either in the art studio or kitchen, I always begin the process by gathering my main ingredients.  And then I add a dash of this and a dash of that depending on what mood I’m in.  Choosing and implementing all the little details make the entire experience fun and interesting…variety is the spice of life right?

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