Saturday morning at the Casino and Family Wedding!

Sitting in the lobby of the Oneida Casino while Dad tries to win thousands....or hundreds...or just not lose his stash!!!! Interesting watching people walk by. I have studied a bit of Spanish, worked on a sketch, and read a chapter in my current book. So time to catch up the blog next!

Big family wedding last weekend. My nephew, Brian, married his sweetheart. We are all thrilled to have Lauren an official member of the family. Seems like she has been part of us for a very long time already though. So this is just official. Best of all, was that my parents were able to join in the festivities. Mom danced at the wedding....surrounded by daughters, grand-daughters and friends. What a wonderful sight to see! And dad was crushed in hugs from the bride and groom. Truly a joy!!!

This week I have been on a sewing kick. Made myself two skirts and my niece one to wear when she watches her boys play baseball. The skirt for Liz is in Neenah Rocket Red!!!!! Can't beat a mom who wants to support her boys! Pics, hopefully, will follow.

But, for now, here is the wedding couple and their parents. My sister Jo, her husband Monny, and the new Mr. And Mrs. Brian and Lauren Hjerstedt. Happiness to all!!!

Two weeks later!

The notecard project has gone well. So far, I have used 8 of my art designs to make notecards. I think I am in love with each of them!  I delivered them to the shop and now need to decide where else to send them for other sales. Hmmmm..... is there a shop in your area that could use some adorable new cards?

I have also been using my favorite skirt pattern to add two skirts to my wardrobe. Can't beat the price of under $10 for a nice, light-weight skirt that is perfect for this heat. I like the pattern I am using and have sucessfully adapted it from a kind of swirly bottom to a more straight silhouette so I actually have two looks from one pattern. Man-patterns can be expensive!

Above are two of the original designs I created. and below are the final version for printing.

Notecard Project

It's kind of scary when you take something you created and decide to put it out for others to see-and consider buying. But I'm taking a first step into that scary world with some of my artwork. Because of a push from a wonderful shop owner in Appleton, WI-Cathy Stratton of Blue Moon Emporium-I am going to convert six of my sketches/watercolor paintings into note cards.

The process of working out the details has been interesting. I'm almost complete and will have cards to show for it by the end of this week.

This collage/ink/watercolor piece is going to be one of the cards. I love it and the bright colors always catch my eye. We'll see what the rest of the world thinks!

New projects

I've been working on perfecting my ability to crochet with wire since I took a class in Clearwater, Florida.  I enjoyed everything I discovered at Island Cove Bead Shop-bead selection, owners, gifts, and classes. What fun! I don't claim to have perfected this yet but I am sure having fun making bracelets.  I've experimented with three different sizes of wire gauge and think my favorite is 28 gauge.

So far I've been making three different versions of this bracelet-and I keep liking them all. At first I used  regular clasps for closure. But lately I've been using magnet closures and really like them. It's much easier to quickly put a bracelet on with the magnets when there isn't anyone else around.  And I like the combination of the intricacy of the crochet stitches with this slightly heavier closure.

I also like the look of adding a larger stone to the middle of the bracelet. I think this makes a stronger statement-I want to wear every one of these!!

I plan to check out Island Cove Bead Shop's classes again when I return to the Clearwater area next February. Great shop and great people. Check out their Facebook page for news and a peak at their projects and original enamel pieces. I LOVE them all!

Friday weekend wishes!

The humidity here in Wisconsin has left for a few days. All the windows are open in the house and the air conditioning is off. Lovely Friday!  The Relax stone above was a gift that makes me keep smiling. Relax-breathe-relax. Something we all need these days. Can't hardly open the paper, look at the tv or check in to the world without getting uptight about all the happenings around the world.

But taking it each day at a time-using knitting, crocheting, quilting, beading, drawing, painting, reading-whatever lowers your blood pressure a bit--is what we should all be doing.

For me it is a blend of Nature/Gardens/Flowers and my crafts. Right now I am in the beginning stages of a new quilt/bead embellished wall-hanging that shows my love of trees. I'll snap a few pics of it in progress so you can see where I am with it. Having handwork ready is something that relaxes me and quiets me. I hope you can find a few minutes this weekend to relax and reflect on your blessings. I know I'll be trying to do the same!

Garden Time

This summer is amazing. After the slow start everything around me is so green and growing.  I've actually spent quite a bit of time-in small daily patches-in the flower beds. Having a strong 16 year grandson to help with the heavy lifting has been great.

(It's interesting what you can talk about when you're side by side in a garden! Great way to stay in touch with the grandkids.)

I've also been making time to focus on daily sketches. Using a pen for the initial work, it's been good to study what is in front of me and get it down on paper. From that beginning I've been adding watercolor paints or using pencils for color. Simple sketches that help me capture the beauty in a single bloom or whatever catches my eye.

Back to the blog!

Hmmmm....where did the time go?  No excuses just will try to be back on some kind of a regular basis. Even weekly would be a miracle apparently!  I'm in love with retirement and the time it affords for reflection, exploring art and journaling, nature in a slower view, and-most of all-time with my family and friends.  It has taken the full year to believe that time is, finally, more on my side.

Sketching, watercolors, mixed media art pieces, and stitching-I love going from project to project.  And the summer is just beginning here so there is so much  ahead of me!

 Mixed media piece for a dear friend.

 Ink sketch with water colors-magnolia tree in front yard.

 Stitched and beaded art quilt expressing my love of the sea.

 Mixed media/stencils/ink/watercolors.

Ink and watercolor sketch.

Wild Log Cabin

IMG_5989, a photo by janellcl on Flickr.

I had ice cream with my oldest grand-daughter yesterday and talked about this quilt. I made it for her birthday and wasn't really sure if she liked it. (You know how that goes-when you think something should be perfect there are usually a few worries!) Turns out that she doesn't know if she likes the top better or the back. The back is a variegated fabric that shifts from blues to purples to soft mauves. The top is 'great' but the back makes her think of waves. So I guess that is good-either side works. Hmmmm...not sure how I feel about that because most of the work went into the top and the back is just fabric. But the quilt is being used and she knows it was stitched with love from Grandma-that's good enough for me!!!

Love these pillows.

DSC05997, a photo by janellcl on Flickr.

The combination of the little yo yo button pillow with Sophie Goes Shopping makes me smile everytime I walk past my bed. I think it is Sophie's hat-or maybe just the buttons. Whatever-it's great.

Yo Yo Pillow!

DSC05993, a photo by janellcl on Flickr.

We must have made these yo yo's quite a while ago and put them away for a special project. Somehow I spied them and they just seemed to need some buttons added.

Next thing I knew, I had made a little envelope pillow case for my 7 inch square pillow and settled down to watch NCIS!

All I needed was 16 yo yo's, 16 buttons, a piece of fabric 8" X 18" and a square pillow form. I like the vintage look and plan to make another right away for Jeanne. Maybe the next one will be bright neon yo yo's! I think I saw some in the studio.

My feeling of accomplishment was nice-taking things and combining them into something new. That's what it's all about!

New pillow made of yo yo's and buttons!

DSC05997, a photo by janellcl on Flickr.

Patriotic Hot Pad

DSC05972, a photo by janellcl on Flickr.

Digging around in my sewing studio I happened upon a bag of little red/white/and blue yo yo's all made up, just waiting for a project. In the same bag was a piece of flag fabric. Hmmmm....

Next thing I knew they had come together into a hot pad-just right to be sitting in the middle of my table on the 4th of July! Easy to assemble yo yo's using Clover's great yo yo makers, this project could adapted to any special date using fabric that suited the occasion. I love it!

Sunflowers at Neenah Farmers' Market

2012-07-07 19:34:41 +0000, a photo by janellcl on Flickr.

I couldn't resist snapping a quick picture of these lovely sunflowers. I let the Iphone and Instagram select the effect and couldn't be happier. Happy Summer everyone!

Metal surprises

2012-05-08 18:10:54 +0000, a photo by janellcl on Flickr.

Continuing my fun with simply made necklaces this week. This time I found two different grey matte necklaces and hooked them together to make the length I wanted. From there, I laid out all the various trinkets I have been accumulating over the last couple of months.

I especially love the glass/metal piece at the upper left in the photo. This is a two sided locket that you can put your own small pictures or graphics inside. The next two small dangling pieces are earring embellishments that a friend passed on to me. One is a green teardrop shop and the second is a circle with a purple teardrop hanging down. Lovely way to treasure a piece of jewely that has lost its mate.

I added a few other pieces and that was all I needed. I especially like the contrast in chains and the variety of items I hooked on. A few jump rings, a pliers and I was ready to go.

Friendship

New orchid from Jenny, a photo by janellcl on Flickr.

I've known Jenny for 46 years. Doesn't seem possible but that's right. Junior High-Senior High-college-dating-growing up?-first love-marriage-babies-and all the in between 'stuff' of life. I think we started exchanging yellow flowers sometime in college when we heard that yellow roses symbolized the color of friendship.

This lovely 'teacup' orchid found it's way to be today in recognition of another birthday and friendship that continues. We met at McDonald's for breakfast and the orchid brightened up whole place. Thanks Jenny-let's be friends forever!

New bracelet

New bracelet, a photo by janellcl on Flickr.

Sunday was the better day of the weekend but I was still determined to sit at the table and work on an inside project. I pulled out all of my jewelry 'findings'-isn't that a good word for all the little things we find along the way? I recently stumbled upon a ribbon band at Michael's that had feathers tacked on. Really caught my eye so I grabbed it fast! (On sale for $1.99.)

I have fallen in love with the charms that have words stamped in them. They can be found in most scrapbook stores or Hobby Lobby and are part of Tim Holtz' selection of great little trinkets. The cogs are also Tim Holtz but the oriental coins aren't-I don't remember where I found them but love the different sizes.

I also found a good line of chains and trinkets called Industrial Chic at Michael's. The chain and the feather band are part of their findings-as well as lots of little pendant things made of metal. Love them and most items are $4.99-$5.99.

One hour later I had a wonderful bracelet made and a necklace to match! I took my Industrial Chic chain and cut it to size for the necklace then took the remainder of the length, doubled it, added jump rings to each end, added the feather band to the jump rings and used a coordinating colored clasp/toggle for the closure. There-all done and ready to wear.

Find time

Find time, a photo by janellcl on Flickr.

My project is almost finished. After adding strings of beads I remembered I had some metal tags that might work. Of course, since having more time is on my mind because of my upcoming retirement-37 more days!, these two tags seemed to fit right in.

FIND TIME-we all want more time. Time to spend on our own schedule, making our own wishes come true. Stepping away from the control of someone else's schedule and sense of what 'must be done right now' and develop our own natural rhythm of time.

Now to determine how to mount this wall-hanging. One friend has suggested I tack it to a canvas so it can be hung. I don't think I want to make it into a quilted wall-hanging so that may be what I do. Hmmm....perhaps a trip to the craft store is in my future? On my time???

New project combining new and old

, a photo by janellcl on Flickr.

Old linen, scraps of bright fabrics from projects I've forgotten about, yo yo's made sometime, stitching and beads. Perfect way to spark my creativity.

I pulled out all the pieces Sunday evening before I finished packing for 3 days in Atlanta. Obviously, I had more than I needed to keep me busy if I got stuck somewhere at the airport. Being the crazy road warrior that I am, I was more worried about what to bring to keep me occupied than comfortable shoes...silly me!

I laid the golden linen out, placed circles of fabric that had never turned into yo yo's and stitched them down using whatever thread struck my fancy. I layered yo yo's on top and stitched them in place with beads. Now I am making strings of beads over the whole thing. The only thing hindering me is if the needle makes it through the bead!

What have you made pulling old scraps and pieces of projects together?

Reader's Appreciation Luncheon

2012-04-13 14:53:17 +0000, a photo by janellcl on Flickr.

The photo is not the best but I had to commemorate that I met Marjorie M. Liu Tuesday at a Luncheon for literacy. I have read every book she has written and already can't wait for the next one-due next year. Her characters capture my imagination and her style of writing is poetic and captivating. I was thrilled to be able to sit with her at lunch and talk about her characters, her life as a writer, and other authors we both loved. What a treat!

First tulips of 2012

2012-03-26 17:46:04 +0000, a photo by janellcl on Flickr.

Out in the country where I live, there are no tulips yet. There are a few light yellow-almost cream-daffodils that are hanging on for dear life against the Spring winds. But in the city the tulips are definitely ready for Spring.

These beauties are blooming right outside my office in a somewhat protected area. I'm not sure what I like more-the various shades of green or the pinky tulips. Anyway, they make me smile when I walk in the front door.

At home the work continues to bring some sanity to my work room. Jeanne has passed over to me about 4 boxes of fabric that she was holding at her house. I spent Sunday looking at every piece, ironing some, and stacking them up correctly before they went in the appropriate space. Yeah, I know I have a bit of a control problem where fabric is involved.

I also found 5 projects that are in various stages of being finished. Those were all nicely labeled and grouped together with everything I could think of that was needed to finish them. (Plus I put a date on the label.) We'll see how long it takes to get them finished now!