What I'm up to

A good bit of my time is being spent on finishing up my ongoing website revamp, which has been a huge project and will continue to be for a while. All that behind-the-scenes work is partly why GOCYTC has not been released yet; the other part being after finally completing the pattern itself, I decided I don't like two of my finished final samples. After mentally wrestling with that I finally gave in, and I'm currently remaking those and will hopefully find a day to take photos later this week.

Also, I was cruising through Michaels the other day to pick up some DMC floss and saw this pack of already-smiling wood beads by Creatology. I bought them out of curiosity, and as you can see in the photo, they do appear to be the correct size for my ornaments! So if you hate adding the faces and have a Michaels handy, there you go! Just add hair. (Found them online also.)

(I did pause to wonder if the appearance of these 20 mm wood smiley faces might have something to do with all you busy Mmmakers out there? Is that even possible? Maybe just a coincidence?)

And just for fun, a shot of my achievement juice brewing into a fun new hedgie cup my daughter gave me. Isn't it cute? Me 'n hedgie gettin' things done.

i like michigan

Hey guys! I’ve been on break for a bit. We took a family trip to Michigan before our two girls left for college. I’d never been to Michigan! Conclusion: I’d go back. 

Lovely summer weather (75 as opposed to 96 at home) and it’s generally gorgeous. I learned what a Yooper is. I learned that hostas and hydrangeas and every kind of flower get ginormous and are super happy there. I learned there is a very large Christmas store in Frankenmuth (see photo above, I really wanted to buy more pink glass Christmas joy but was constrained by the size of my carry on). 

I looked across the river at Canada. Hey, Canada! Maybe next time, Canada! I learned that Lake Huron has very clear water and wondered why water shoots spectacularly out the backs of the ferries. I learned where the good coffee is on Mackinac. I viewed lots of puzzling sculptures, saw more antique cars than you can shake a stick at, fled from yellow jackets, made friends with koi (I miss you, Spotty and Orangey), and toured a Frank Lloyd Wright house.

In short, it was fun. And now the girls are safely settled in at their schools and it’s back to 96 degrees and an empty nest. And designing stuff.

#mmmcrafts #travelisfun #michigan #stignace #saultstmarie #mackinacisland #grandrapids #butididnttryapasty

fun with letter boards

If you see me staring into space I'm probably trying to think of a quote to put on my new letter board. Have you guys seen these things around Instagram? Old fashioned felt groove letter boards with plastic letters made hip and new by LetterFolk. I kept eyeing their feed and finally had to cave and get one for myself. I can't stop playing with it.

This board is 16 x 20 inches and I got the one inch letters. The board is nice and weighty. The frame is classic aluminum on mine but they also have wood frames available. The plastic letters need to be snipped apart with scissors and they send a handy drawstring bag to keep them in.

I think a bead organizer from the craft store would be a great idea for the letters, so I can find them more quickly when inspiration strikes.

From the top: 1) unflappable Kaylee from Serenity 2) ELO, misheard lyrics. 3) See that's funny because it's an app request from a low tech letter board. 4) Might be original to me. Not sure because I need a second cup.

what I'm up to

Gah. Martha would not approve. No one is going to be pinning beauty shots of my studio anytime soon. Unless it is a 'hoarders' board. Just keepin it real. I'm trying to organize. Feeling down in the dumps is not helping.

One of the things that would help: marshaling my ludicrous pile of art papers. Way back when, my Schmoopie bought me this great vintage wooden flat file. It's so huge. I love it for my large sheets that need to lay flat, plus portfolio pieces and tissue paper, cardboard, mat board and bristol etc... But the bulk of my paper stash is smaller sheets and it is getting crazy out of control. Every time I open the drawer I can hear some sheets at the back becoming freeform origami. I've got to do something.

I have so many 12 x 12 inch and letter sized pieces (plus tons of small scraps) and I can't find anything without just emptying the huge drawer. That's when it starts looking like a paper explosion  (first photo). I'm trying to figure out a good way to:

1. keep it all easily accessible and separated into colors
2. while at the same time be visible at a glance 
3. arranged so that small scraps do not get lost from view
4. it must fit easily in my space-poor craft disaster area

 

I haven't seen anything yet that seems to answer all those problems without knocking out a wall. But I think this Sterilite cart might mostly do the job (image courtesy a screen capture from Target.com). I like that I can roll it out for my project, then roll it back out of the way into a corner when I don't need it, and that the drawers lift out and have lids. I just ordered two of them and I'm hoping I can stack them.

I looked at a bunch of stores online and this is the best price I have found. Have you noticed that if you add the word "scrap" to a storage item the price doubles?

MmmCrafts Basics Felt/PDF Pattern Winners!

 MmmCrafts Basics image by Renae Bradley of Benzie Bazaar

Wow, thanks for playing everyone! Now y'all got excited about that Benzie Bazaar felt. I don't blame you, it's great felt to work with. Soft, substantial, with gorgeous colors. I love it! I'm making some needle books with it over the long turkey weekend.

So congratulations to the totallycompletelyrandom winners:
Louise and Lisa! You two, check your inbox for my email and get back to me.

Funniest comment goes to pinksuedeshoe:
"I am such a sucker for felt... in every color. I'm off to check out her shop right now! Also, since most giveaway comments are totally boring, I just want to let you know that I am making three pies plus stuffing and stuffed mushrooms for Thanksgiving and I can't wait to eat them. Especially the pies. :) "

MmmPie. Thanks for the laugh, Pink. Many thanks to Renae Bradley for the fantastic giveaway of the Mmmcrafts Basics felt collections! (sound of raucous applause)

I wish you all a wonderful, peaceful weekend full of thankfulness and family, whether you have the official holiday or not. I'll see you guys next week.