I love the color brown…all shades of brown.  And I love to eat treats that are brown…many many treats!  

Last weekend Brook had her friends over for a birthday sleepover party that included dinner, movies and a tasty breakfast with warm cinnamon buns before heading out for a day of fun at Coco Key Water Resort (indoor waterpark.)  During the sleepover,  Brook and her pals made their own sundaes.  Before Brook’s party, while we were shopping for supplies, I was surprised to discover Brook’s sundae topping choices.  With the vast multitude of toppings to choose from, somehow she ended up picking only brown-colored candies and such.   I suppose my personal taste might have rubbed off on her. 

Another treat that we enjoy making are these fire-roasted marshmallows.   It takes a lot of patience to get them to be this perfect shade of tan.  Bill taught me how to hold them just right (you have to slowly rotate them not too close and not too far from the fire.)  And when you do this just right, the outside gets crispy while the inside turns all gooey.  I never imagined that roasting marshmallows could be such an art.

Earlier this week Brook and I baked banana bread from scratch.  I’m not a big fan of baking since there’s too much careful measuring involved.  I much prefer to cook (mostly stir-fry or big pots of stew) since it allows more room for creativity and improvisation.   Being forced to follow exact recipes feels stifling to me. 

Although I don’t love to bake, I do enjoy the delicious result.  And BTW, this recipe calls for extra ripe bananas – this is a great way to use up the brown and spotted bananas that are past their prime.  Seriously, they can be WAAAAY past their prime – there’s almost no such thing as too old or too brown bananas for this recipe.

Okay, just one more brown treat to go.  This coffee ice cream is our favorite.  It contains just five ingredients and nothing weird or unrecognizable, just the simple basics that we’re all very familiar with.  I love this pared down approach.  Good doesn’t have to be complicated… good is just good.  

Last week  I received the loveliest package from my friend Lisa.  For no apparent reason except sheer kindness, Lisa sent me a whole slew of carefully chosen items for my art making habit.  I was so touched by her generous gesture,  and I was even more touched to find that each and every item that she picked out for me was exactly my style and what I love.  Within Lisa’s gorgeously arranged package I pulled aside these several pieces that immediately spoke to me.  And can you believe that they all happen to look great in brown or with brown?  Absolutely yummy!  I can’t wait to get going on creating something using these special ingredients.   What are your favorite ingredients?

Here is the banana bread recipe – it is one of our favorite and most scrumptious recipes.   Bill got it from his mother who originally got it from her friend, Ellen.  This recipe is fairly simple to make and it’s practically no-fail so you don’t have to measure everything exactly.  This I like!

Ellen’s Banana Bread
1/2 cup butter
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 cup flour
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
1 cup mashed banana (2 very ripe bananas)
1/2 cup sour cream

Combine butter, sugar, eggs and vanilla (beat well.)  Add rest of ingredients and mix well.  Bake for 1 hour at 350 in greased loaf pan.  Cool 15 minutes before removing from pan. 

I always double the recipe (1 loaf for my family, 1 loaf to give away.)  This simple-to-bake recipe makes it easy to share.

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For several weeks I’ve been deeply entrenched with thoughts of Spring, and most recently Easter.  To me the Spring is all about renewal, hope…opportunities for growth, around us as well as within.  And when it comes to Easter my thoughts revolve around compassion, understanding, forgiveness…peace.  I’ve currently been preoccupied with trying to figure out these subjects and how they relate to my personal life.  I realize that getting to the root of certain things is a challenge that requires constant patience, practice… time.   At the moment my thoughts are somewhat muddled and jumbled.  It’s been a struggle to try and find a way to clearly express these thoughts.   So rather than trying to force things, last week I turned to my go-to strategy…making art.  This outlet works for me every time.

I created these signs of Spring (birds, eggs) using a couple of stamps from Cynthia Shaffer.  While working on these projects,  I had a chance to delve deeper into what these symbols mean to me.  This exercise felt good.  It gave me a chance to quietly think about the bigger picture…the world that exists outside of me, myself and I.   I think that living a good life isn’t just about me or us, it’s about others and what we can do to spread kindness and beauty all around.  This type of beauty can’t always be seen with the eyes, but it can undoubtedly be felt deeply within our hearts.

Hanging Eggs Collage

Mixed-media Bird Collage

The potential of Spring moves me to explore and express.  To become, to continue…

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I love using all sorts of things to make lots and lots of little things.  In the new Spring issue of Somerset Life and the premiere issue of Jewelry Affaire you’ll see some examples of my latest addictions.

Here’s a closer look at my projects that you’ll find in Jewelry Affaire using mica.

For each of these necklaces I used vintage drawer hardware as the focal point.   The sparkly center of my bronze-colored necklace is taken from a vintage earring (love how it accidentally fit perfectly.) 

And air-dry clay was used to create these no-fuss heart shapes.  The directions to make both jewelry projects are included in my articles. 

In Somerset Life you’ll see my seasonal dresses using minimal supplies.

Here’s a look at my nature-inspired projects using Q-tips, gauze, dental floss and other medicine cabinet supplies.

Recycling soap boxes and toilet paper rolls into mini-gift packages is fun and inexpensive.

Since we order Chinese take-out regularly we always have extra chopsticks lying around that can be made into jeweled hair accessories.

Here’s a mixed-media collage (on the left) that I made using a vintage hanger, which also makes it easy to display.   For the hanging storage sack (center) I used a striped kitchen towel.  And for my celebration inspired decor (sorry it’s in the back and hard to see) I used simple elements such as vintage letters, ribbon and an embellished tag.

And antique keys…don’t you just love old keys?  I embellished a few of mine using wire and a few things that I had lying around.

Having lots of little things around puts me in a creative mood.   And when I’m feeling creative and full of imagination, I feel good…happy.   How about you – what are the things that spark your imagination?

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Any day now my copies of  Where Women Create should be arriving in the mail.  In case you haven’t already heard, this new and inspiring book written by Jenny Doh and Jo Packham is currently available at Crescendoh.  Here’s a quick clip detailing what this book is all about.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MX_BdRnX2-E&feature=player_embedded#

In the mail recently I received this bountiful batch of  new stamps and an apron kit from Crescendoh.  I’ve recently joined the Design Team and will be adding my personal touches to many of their product offerings regularly.  Here’s a look at the wonderful goodies I received.

And here’s a look at what I’ve created using the apron kit.

I had some coordinating fabric leftover to make this pincushion.  For a soft, shabby look I used the backside of the paisley fabric to create the base.   To make the flower, I used a strip of lace trim (also included in the kit) by cutting off the intricate top part and used the more simple bottom portion instead.   And the “bloom” tag was made from a piece of the original shipping tag that the buttons were attached to.  I can’t resist using each and every tiny scrap.

And can you believe that there was enough fabric in this one kit to make a cute apron for Brook?  I used the colorful pre-cut squares that were included to form the apron base.   Having the pre-cut pieces handy made this project quick and easy.    The coordinating fabric for the apron ties also came with the kit and  I used  it to make my own double-folded bias tape.

What a pleasant surprise to discover that 2 aprons plus 1 pincushion could be made from this single kit.   I wonder what surprises await with the stamps.

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Today is Brook’s twelfth birthday… how did this happen?  How did my little baby girl grow up so quickly and where did all the time go? Very often I wish that I could turn back the clock so that I could revisit and savor all the years prior…when Brook was a wee-little pea.   The adorable chubby cheeks, the toothless smiles, the tiny hands that used to fit so perfectly within mine, the way she used to waddle around…I miss those precious moments.

Looking at this recent photo of us it’s obvious to me that my little girl just isn’t that little anymore.  Last week I noticed that Brook is now close to being my height, and just the other day we discovered that her current shoe size is an 8 (only one or so sizes smaller than mine!)   This happened right after we purchased her first strappy dress (the one she’s wearing in this photo).   You should’ve seen how her face lit up when I told her that she could have this grown-up dress.  And to go with this dress we picked out a pair of high heels for her to wear…not the heels that you would find in the little girls’ section, but the “real” high heels in the women’s section.  Yikes!  I suppose that from this point on there’s no more pretending that she’s only playing dress-up.

Several months ago I made Brook a couple of personalized necklaces for her birthday.  In the premiere issue of Jewelry Affaire you’ll see these necklaces along with many other examples of simple-to-make jewelry projects.  You’ll also see another necklace project of mine that uses air-drying clay.  This clay project focuses on the heart shape which happens to be one of my favorite subjects.  Hearts, love, family…these images and thoughts inspire me to no end.

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There’s something about being at a corner that piques my curiosity.  Approaching a corner, my heart races as my steps quicken forward.  My eyes zoom straight ahead, searching to spot what’s around the corner…who’s there, what’s there and why can’t I get there fast enough?  Does this state of curiosity come to everyone?

These corners had me guessing.

Stairs make me crazy as well…especially the crooked kind.

And the wobbly kind.

And bridges too!  This one got me all lit up with anticipation.

Why is it that I have such a hard time with leisurely strolling?  In order to properly savor the moments I realize that I’m supposed to slow down, relax…take it easy.  However, this isn’t how I normally do things when I’m out and about.   The outside world is filled with so many incredible sights that are simply too much for me to handle, bringing out the impatient kid in me.   However, there’s one place that always brings out the best in me.  In my studio I feel relaxed yet excited at the same time.  Not the frenzied kind of excitement that has me scatter-brained but rather the more mellow kind.  For instance, while working on creative projects I’ll feel my pulse slowing down as my breathing keeps with this zen-like pace.  It’s very much like being in a meditative state.   Yet in contrast, I can hear my thoughts buzzing around trying to come together, sometimes arriving at a place that feels most true.  I like that this process or type of searching doesn’t require running around.  Instead, I can simply sit still while working things out.  And afterwards there will often be rewarding and tangible results, pieces of me in some type of art form.   Where do you go to scratch the curiosity itch?  Indoors, outdoors or both?

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I recently went thrifting with my friend, Ramah who’s become a real pro at scouting out all the best buys.  It’s really amazing what her eagle eyes can manage to find in an hour.  We usually try to hit 2 or 3 places within our one hour time limit.  This is all the time we get since Ramah’s son attends half-day kindergarten and she needs to be back  to meet him off the bus.   Although our jaunts are quick, it’s still enough time for us to chat and catch up while we hunt around for bargains.   I always look so forward to my outings with Ramah and it’s literally like taking in a breath of fresh air.  And with all the time that I spend in my studio, these regular outings keep me sane, human…connected.

On a recent trip I picked up all of these goodies for about eight bucks.  I think that the necklace is kind of okay as is, but since it’s just okay and not great, I’m planning to take it apart and re-use the sparkly elements some other way.

These paints were included in my eight bucks spree.  They’ll come in handy this Spring (I can paint the day away indoors while the rain pours outdoors.) And when the paints are all used up, I plan to alter the tins into something else entirely.  But I might not make it to the Spring to get moving on these projects since I’ve been itching to swish some color around.  With the weather getting warmer I feel my energy revving up again, and just in time to start toying with new creative outlets.

As it turns out I was able to sneak in a mini painting session – guess I couldn’t wait for Spring to begin.   Using the watercolors that I found, I painted vibrant colors quickly and randomly onto canvas paper.  After this dried I experimented with selecting and arranging several door and window image options which I pre-copied (reverse option) at Staples.  I’m planning to use gel medium to transfer these images onto canvas or muslin.  Btw, I took these photos during our trip to Europe last November.  The colors from that region are so spectacular that this has inspired me to play with a palette that is outside of my normal range.  Here’s a look at where I’m at so far with this project.

Gathering bits and pieces for making art feeds my adventurous side.  Traveling overseas in search of interesting images and unusual souvenirs is on the top of my list, but doing this requires a lot of time and money so this opportunity doesn’t come around very often.  However, I love the fact that I can still gather unique materials closer to home.  And what a big bonus to be able to do this with a good friend.  Sometimes having just an hour or so is enough – enough time to find inspiration but more importantly, enough time to bond and connect.  I’m very thankful for my relationships…the people who bring color into my life.

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Yesterday morning I woke up to a chorus of chirping birds and I realized how starved I’ve been, missing this gentle music to my ears.   At 6 am the sky was bright, the temperature was a smidge above freezing, but best of all…the birds were back!  These promising signs of Spring have me happily fluttering about while anticipating more songs of this season to arrive. 

Here’s a little something that I made using a bird-shaped cookie cutter.  I had originally created heart-shaped ones as published here.  However, I’ve since discovered that this project adapts very well to other shapes too, so I’m always on the look-out for interestingly shaped cookie cutters. 

I didn’t have to go far to find these gifts of inspiration since they arrived in yesterday’s mail.  Ellen sent me these goodies just because.   It was so thoughtful and generous of her to send me this creative batch of handmade  items.   Thank you Ellen for this happy box of Spring, and soon we’ll all be singing its praises…just like the lovely birds outside.

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Today’s the day!  Head over to Crescendoh to see what it’s all about.   There’s too much to cover so please pop on by to see for yourself.

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One of the best benefits of doing creative work is having the opportunity to share it with others, especially with other creative souls…my friends in blogland.  When I began my blog last August I didn’t know what to expect, and I certainly didn’t think that I was going to meet such genuine-hearted artists.  Through the months I’ve had a chance to get to know some of you on a more personal level and I feel blessed to have made these connections.  I think that one of the reasons why these connections mean so much to me is because they’re authentic.  Our mutual passion for doing creative work (or play might be a better word) automatically allows us to see eye-to-eye…heart-to-heart.

Most of the projects that I create originate from the heart, and somehow, sometimes, from this simple beginning, they end up in my favorite magazines such as Somerset Studio.   My projects in the March/April issue were inspired by Jenny Doh’s stamp line, Doohdles.   Jenny’s many creative talents continue to amaze me and her heart is just as grand.  Here’s a look at what I created using her dress stamps and her birdcage stamp.  The specifics on how to make these are included in my article.

In the Spring issue of Art Quilting Studio which also arrives in March, you’ll find instuctions on how to use gel medium to transfer images onto fabric.  This article also includes directions for creating fabric doors that open (revealing a message or image behind each door.)   For instance, behind this black door I’ve placed “Be Open” as a reminder to myself.   I sometimes get too comfortble with my life at home and in my studio that I forget to get out more…to be open.   It’s good to be open to new situations, people, change…all that comes with living.

In the second issue of Somerset Apprentice (available in March) I share a couple of tips (favorite tool, mediums and inspiration.)  Speaking of inspiration, Julie Collins (cover artist) explains details on how to create her stunning wax encased letter project.   It’s probably a good idea to grab an issue quickly since this title is very popular.   I know this since I recently tried to get extra copies of the premiere issue for sentimental reasons (my work is on the cover) but it’s sold out.  This is an example of when it’s both good news and bad news, but I’m going to leave it as good news.

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