Swap

I just sent this out yesterday for a Recycled/No Spend Dotee doll swap. She is made from fused plastic bag "fabric". This nice blue is from a Best Buy and a Festival Foods bag. The lighter colored face is a white bag layered over a blue bag. She turned out larger than I planned but I like her.

The plastic "fabric" sews fine on the machine but it is difficult to hand sew. So, I did have some trouble hand stitching the face to the body. I used netting left from our wedding almost 17 yrs ago. The yarn pieces are from an old wool sweater I unravled and dyed with Kool Aid. The rest is just bits and pieces I had around.

Etsy Update

Please click on the right side to see the new things I listed on Etsy.

So is this a small apple or a huge strawberry?

A Menagerie

Yes, we have another critter!

While Ethan and I were at Mom and Son Cubscout camp this weekend, Mike and Emma brought home a free kitten. She is so tiny and sweet. The problem...I'm very allergic to cats. So this cute little gal is an outside cat. We live in the middle of nowhere on 10 acres, so I guess it is OK. Hopefully she can be taught not to hurt the ducks????


So this is Tux, short for Teeny Tuxedo the 14th. She's out 14th critter!

Back from Camp

We (Ethan and I) just got back from a fun/intersting weekend at Mom and Son Scout Camp. It was nice to spend a whole weekend with him, but odd too. I missed having us all together.

400 moms with their Cubscout or Boyscout sons camping and doing activities together. We walked miles and miles. Hauling our stuff in, to all the activities and back, dining hall for every meal, and hauling everything out! I realize now that I didn't take very many photos...we were too busy.


We sang silly songs around a campfire and there was even a bugler who really needs more practice!

We did have fun though. We shot a BB guns, tie-dyed shirts, went out on Bear Paw Lake in a row boat, learned about camp cooking, made sand candles, watched a blacksmith (Ethan helped forge an S hook), handled many snakes, etc...

I am happy to back to a comfortable couch and tonight a soft bed!

We also had a surprise when Ethan and I returned...more on that later

New Work

I don't usually make too many large format pieces, small comes easier for me. I think this one turned out really well though. It is 16 x 20 inch on a wood box with a slightly dimensional bird and half eggs. The photo is dark I know, it was rainy the other day when I took the photos.
I cast the eggs in plaster, covered them in paper from a chemistry book and paint. Each egg is layered with stitched dyed used dryer sheets and more chemistry book pages.

So far this is untitled.

Snail Mail Goodness

Meet Berri, my new springtime dotee from Suzi. Isn't she sweet!

Just look at all this stuff! I can't wait to use the fabric! And a chicken timer *grins*

The wonderful yellow plush bird was my Pay It Forward goodie from Jenny here. She sent yummy chocolates (gone) and bird note paper (I already used a lot of it). See how nice her bird looks on my shelf! I never got any comments on this PIF post, but I'm trying again. Go to this post and comment if you want to join. I'll make you something!!!!!

Dragon Arts in Deforest WI

6x6 inch on cut game board

8x10 inch on recycled container board

approx 9 x 12 inch on hardcover book

6x6 inch on a cut game board

I have been so so busy the last two weeks! The kids had a bunch of school field trips and other end of the year fun. I sold so much at Sturgeon Bay, I had to work like a mad woman to get ready for tomorrow! I have a bunch of new work showing for the first time Yay!


In addition to the art fair there is a car show, a plant sale, library book sale, and more! Fun for everyone! Stop by and say "Hi!" if you are in the area.

SB was great!

I've been so busy since I got back I kinda forgot about the whole blog thing! More goodies coming soon! I better get back to work...

Off To Sturgeon Bay!

I'm all packed and ready to go! I love this art fair, but it can get a bit windy being right on the water! If you are anywhere near Sturgeon Bay stop by and say "hi" Have a great weekend everyone!

New Work

collage on a recycled manila envelope
*****

These last three are all collaged hardcover books...the whole darn book!

Surplus Finds

Just look at these very cool boxes of goodies I found at the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point surplus sale! The sales are held on Friday afternoons about twice a month. Parking can be tough unless you get there early. The staff are very nice and helpful.
I rarely leave empty handed. Usually I find cool, fun, and cheap stuff.

In the past I have found; large wall maps, wooden tripod base for surveying equipment, desk chairs, bookshelves, storage boxes, a rolling metal typing stand, old lab equipment, many many books, boxes of sheet music, and reels of old educational films.
All very reasonably priced (OK super cheap!)

I got a big bag of green army men for Ethan...who knows where they are now! He goes through so many of them...they are everywhere!
Also there were two sets of dinosaur counters made for classroom use. They were in perfect condition so I gave them to the kids school.

*******
Now the big question, what to do with'em all!

Happy Mother's Day!

The kids made me cards at school...guided projects that are cute, but...

I like the things they make for me on their own at home!
Emma made me a cute bunch of crepe paper flowers and breakfast.
She made biscuits and gravy, YUMMY!

Ethan made an elaborate card with a pop out parts. The back had a
large heart filled with red paper hearts
and a flower bookmark.

I love them so much!!!

Last weekend

The Fine Arts Building is such a nice venue! And look at all the shoppers!!!
Thank-you to everyone who came out to support handmade!!!

I finally had a chance to post about last weekend. St Paul Craftstravaganza was so much fun...again. Weather was nice, though the building stayed a bit chilly. Sales better than last year...I made my goal plus. Oh and I did buy a bunch of stuff!

My booth

All My Own Booth

i like you Booth

From Nora at Bodylish I had to buy this soap! It smells like cinnamon redhots. Yummy!
I got a super cute bib from Lisa at Sheppard Girls. No, I'm not having a baby, but my Brother's wife is :-) YAY! For the baby, I also got a cute stuffed rattle and monster doll from All My Own.
Emma picked out 2 Fuzzbutts (cute name huh!) from Christina Ward. They look like mutant guinea pigs! And she got armwarmers from i like you.

Fuzzbutts on the loose!

See Me At Craftstravaganza!

4th Annual St. Paul Craftstravaganza

Saturday, May 2 2009, 9am to 5pm
Minnesota State Fairgrounds, Fine Arts Building
Free parking and admission!

Swag bags given away to the first 100 shoppers



******************

New Goodies!

Photos from last year...it was cold so everyone is bundled up!

1. DSC_0174, 2. DSC_0161, 3. Craftstravaganza 08, St. PAul, MN, 4. Craftstravaganza yarn, 5. DSC_0050, 6. DSC_0130, 7. DSC_0102, 8. T-shirts by With Remote, 9. DSC_0224, 10. DSC_0079, 11. DSC_0014, 12. DSC_0049, 13. DSC_0053, 14. DSC_0157, 15. DSC_0203, 16. DSC_0010, 17. Craftstravaganza 08, St. PAul, MN, 18. IMG_5823, 19. Craftstravaganza 08, St. PAul, MN, 20. DSC_0133, 21. It was cold!, 22. craftstravaganza craft fair, 23. Craftstravaganza, 24. DSC_0098, 25. DSC_0171

My collage "Little Tweet is one of the fun items featured on Diamonds in the Rough blog today. Stop by and look around!

Pay It Forward

I made this last Thursday, but didn't post it because the photo isn't very good.
I just remember that is says "forward" Perfect!

I saw this on Dabbled, but was too late to get on her list. I popped into another blog to join. Yeah!
So here are the details borrowed from Phantom Moon blog (isn't that a great name!)

The first five (5) people to respond to this post will get something made by me.

This offer does have some restrictions and limitations so please read carefully:
1. I make no guarantees that you will like what I make. Whatcha get is whatcha get.
2. What I create will be just for you, with love.
3. It’ll be done this year (2009).
4. I will not give you any clue what it’s going to be. It will be something made in the real world and not something cyber. It may be weird or beautiful. Or it may be monstrous and annoying. Heck, I might bake something for you and mail it to you. Who knows? Not you, that’s for sure!
5. I reserve the right to do something strange.
6. In return, all you need to do is post this text on your blog and make 5 things for the first 5 to respond to your blog post.
7. Send your mailing address - after I contact you. (Be sure to leave a working email!)

IMPORTANT: The fun part of this is keeping the it going, so don't forget to post this text on your blog if you want to play. This text was used from http://dianaevans.blogspot.com/ and
http://www.dabbled.org

and http://thephantommoon.typepad.com/

Sound like fun? Leave me a comment and click "Email Me" on the side and
send me your address.