Tiny embellishments for a tiny project...

I decided to use beads for the center of the flowers rather than French Knots. I have yet to master the French knot so I decided to go the easy route and just add the beads. I also liked the texture that the beads added. I'm not sure how I'm going to finish this yet. I was thinking about trimming it and sewing it to a piece of purple cotton fabric that I have. I have started another one for my Aunt Tracy. She is having hip surgery in August and I think something nice to spruce up her hospital room will make the whole ordeal more bearable. I will post pictures of that one when I am finished. Have a great day!

Recycled stuff!

dryer sheet
Originally uploaded by cshella

Last week the girls and I made some more hand painted paper from old brown bags. (50/50 glue and whater, dip your bag, then pull it out and paint) About half way through I realized we didn't have anymore bags. So we improvised and used dryer sheets. They turned out great! The only additional thing I did was after the dryer sheets were dry I ironed them to a piece of fusible interfacing. The dryer sheets were fragile, the interfacing gave them some stability and body. I tried to be extra environmentally friendly and use "used" dryer sheets but it just didn't work. At least the new ones won't be going into the garbage!

Trying out some embroidery...

About two months ago I ordered a Leisure Arts book titled "Modern Primitive Embroidery" by Jennie Baer. I've wanted to try embroidery for a long time. I have been an avid cross stitcher since junior high school but have never tried embroidery. I decided that the hand painted dryer sheet makes a perfect canvas to finally try this wonderful needle art. I am currently about halfway done and am really excited at how it is turning out. I will gladly post pictures when it is finished. Have a great day!

Good things come to those who wait...

About seven years ago I was at the Saint John West Shore Festival of the Arts (SJWS Hospital in Westlake, Ohio holds a large juried art show every year-it's big.) and I bought a purse from a designer/artist from Toledo. Her name was Tara Hubbard. I loved that purse, and every year I would return to the SJWS Festival of the Arts hoping to have the opportunity to buy another purse. Well Friday night was my night to finally get my chance. I wasn't even paying attention; my sister and mother were at her booth and I walked over there to see what they were looking at. When my sister showed me an adorable brown and pink bag she liked I noticed the inside label... Low and behold it was the designer/artist I had been looking for during the last six years! And get this, I was using my original Tara Hubbard Handbag! For any of you that love purses, good ones, that are in a reasonable price range, and are adorable and made well (I could go on and on!) visit her website at http://www.tarahubbardhandbags.com/ I will be posting a badge with a link some time tomorrow. But for now enjoy the pictures of my new bag! Have a great day.

My Tara Hubbard Handbag

Tara Hubbard Handbag front view
Originally uploaded by cshella

Here it is my second Tara Hubbard Handbag! It only took me almost seven years to find her again. I love this bag as much as I love the first one. Both bags I have don't look very big but they carry a lot. I had both Fiona and Alexa with me when we ran errands today and by the end of the trip this bag was loaded! Not only did I have my own stuff in there but I had two stuffed lady bugs, a bitsy baby doll, and two (yes two) 16 oz bottles of water, and the purse still closed! Now that is the test of a good purse.

Shades of inspiration...

hailey on couch
Originally uploaded by cshella

This week's color for Shades of Inspiration is brown. This is our dog Hailey. She is a seven year old German Wire Haired Pointer and is a 106 pound baby. Here she is lying on the couch with her favorite blanket. My Aunt Diane crocheted the blanket for me as a Christmas present a couple of years ago, every time the blanket is out Hailey is lying on it! This is the best dog in the world. She is a gentle giant and gallant protector when it comes to Fiona and Alexa. We love her!

Watching time go by...

rusty wheel at farm
Originally uploaded by cshella

This is another piece of equipment from up at the farm. It is part of an old combine that now sits idle. The manufacturing date on it is 1949, I can only imagine the changes this equipment has seen...