turtleneck to ruffle neck

I'm often daunted by my daughter's clothing desires. Last year, I worked through my acceptance of pink and purple... even embraced it. This season my work with her seems to be about comfort. Thankfully, I really do understand the need for comfort.

I decided to try something new with a shirt she was never going to wear anyway... it was white, boring, a hand me down from her brother... and for goodness sake, a turtleneck! Turtlenecks are chokey! I had nothing to lose by cutting off the turtle. I left about an inch.
Then I gave it lettuce edging to open it up and give it a little ruffle. The stitching was done with a contrasting salmon-pink thread. The comfy new neckline worked so well that I "lettuced" the sleeves and hem, too. I didn't cut these first, just stretched and stitched to create a little curling edge. Here are my instructions for simple lettuce edging with a standard sewing machine. I thought it was very subtle and sweet. Knowing it would still be a bit boring to a five year old girl who prefers fancy, I stamped on some of my new flowers in PINK! It got the seal of approval: hug and kiss!


I had a white turtleneck that was a bit suffocating for me, too. I used the same trick and feel ready for spring, even though it was 25 degrees when I woke up this morning!

spring organizing with niknaknan

I'm working on a little spring tutorial for later on in the day, but I thought I'd just pop in to share a few of my new favorites in my mother's vintage shop. Take a visit over to niknaknan to find some creative ways for displaying your photos and notes. On the left is an old canoe seat and the on the right a magnetic metal trivet. They've both been cleverly repurposed by wall mounting.

Don't you love this industrial box with red printing... perfect for sewing or art supplies.

How about hanging your market bags on this hole puncher that takes on a new life when bolted to the wall.

My mom is adding new stuff frequently, so go take a peek!
niknaknan

I'll be back soon!

thaw!

This weekend's soaring temperatures brought on a bit of euphoria. Even though the snow is still high, the driveway has melted and mud has arrived. Oh glorious MUD, we are so happy to see you!
The steady beat of ice melting and drip-drip-dripping was our soundtrack each day...


that and the call of winter birds announcing that it was almost time for their feathered cousins to return. I don't expect to see a robin for some while... but I'm getting ready.


This spring fever has moved me to carve some blossoms inspired by the little flowers in last week's collage.


I've got some nice plans for these prints... just a little more carving to do before I begin sewing.
Hope you had a good weekend! Is spring in the air for you, too? Or maybe it's fall if you're across the planet.

Sponsor Spotlight: Lori Portka

It is with great pleasure that I introduce you to our newest sponsor, Lori Portka! It's actually with delight that I share her with you, because that is exactly what Lori is all about... her mission: happiness through art! In Lori's words "I am a mixed-media artist, illustrator, counselor and educator. All of my work (so far!) is joyful and light-hearted, a reminder of the sweetness in life. In my shop I sell original collage paintings, archival matted prints (giclees), greeting cards, handmade Blessing Angels and frame-able art cards. My vision is to uplift the world through the intrinsic power of art, bringing love, healing and happiness to those who are open to it."

I met Lori in the first e-course of In the Fishbowl and was instantly drawn to her positive and loving outlook on life. Her happiness is contagious, and it's represented beautifully in every vibrant and colorful piece she creates. You can imagine how much I enjoy having that wonderful energy spreading through my blog through her sweet and happy banner in the sidebar! I must say that in compiling images for this spotlight, I went through each one in her shop... and she's prolific! I feel energized, lightened and yes, happy just from viewing her work. Imagine what it would be like to have one hanging in your yoga corner, living room, or child's bedroom... what a gift.
Thank you Lori, so thrilled to have you here!

Go check out Lori's:
shop
website
blog

happy

Lots of new things to be happy about...

• feeling healthy again
• both children are now playing the piano
• exciting projects (small and large) in the works
• blue skies for the second day in a row
• the weekend is just about here

Wishing you your very own bit of "happy"!

thought bubbles

My daughter makes things all day. She prefers to come up with her own projects and wants very little guidance from me. I often hear, "Don't peek, don't peek... not yet!" That usually means she's working on something for me. I loved these so much, I had to share them with you. She had made thought bubbles for herself and her brother! I had heard her asking him for the spelling of " Oh Yeah", but would have never guessed what it was for. She explained that they each had a bubble for what they thought about a lot. Hers was love and my son (who's known for his enthusiasm) got his favorite excited phrase... imagine it as a happy exclamation after being awarded a triple hot fudge sundae. That's how his frequent "Oh Yeah!!!!" sounds. Thought bubbles. So clever. Before I could swoon too much over how marvelous these were, she unveiled MINE. It was almost ready to cut out to go over the top of my head... which is, of course, where all thought bubbles go.

That very perceptive little girl had made one of spring for her mama who has started dreaming of butterflies and flowers! Did I swoon right there on the spot... Oh Yeah!! And she was promptly gathered up for all kinds of hugs and kisses. When asked about the blue bird-like creature, she explained "oh, that's another for me... I might like to think about peacocks one day".

Wouldn't these be fun for a photo shoot in front of a blank wall. Everyone could make their own thought and stand under it... and maybe look the part of whatever it contained. We're definitely doing this!

What would your thought bubble contain today?

crow collage

I've been making collages with my stamps and security envelopes for a few months. They've been simple, small and abstract. I decided to do something a little different. I gathered a couple of envelopes, some doily scraps, and a box from Yogi teas. Have you seen the inside of the Yogi tea boxes? Gorgeous. Inspiring. I had a piece of cardboard from the back of a frame to use as my surface, and I let this piece evolve. Layer by layer with found papers, ink, and paint... it grew. I think it's still growing. I'm not sure if I will leave it be, or not.

I was definitely influenced by my desire for the arrival of spring and the snow covered meadow out my back door. At first I added (white) grass beneath the security envelope tree, but then an entire garden wanted to bloom. The blossoms are bits from the tea box, painted with a fine brush. I left one undone so that you could see what it looked like. The doilies made perfect clumps of ivory flowers... or maybe they are the last traces of snow, I'm not sure.

This is a gift for a dear friend. She's someone who's received my collages and art over the years and I always feel I can experiment with her presents. She's gracious and excited about anything handmade. Now isn't that a sweet gift to the artist?! We all should have a friend like that, or at least try to be that kind of friend!

crow

It's me again! Twice in one day, unbelievable! This was actually part of my last post, but it didn't seem to flow. I've learned that smaller posts about one or two subjects work best for me. I'm still not getting around much, but many creative/crafty endeavors happen while sitting anyway. I've wanted to carve some of the crows I've been photographing. I printed out several. Did a little tracing, a lot of feather inventing and then transferred to a scrap of pink Speedy Carve by Speedball. I prefer this for smaller stamps. Easier to manage.

After an initial carving, I always do a test print. The black ink helps me to see where I need to clean it up. Then I made some little crow tags. I love how unique each print is depending on their background.

I started a collage featuring this little crow. I'll show you tomorrow...

Welcome March!

Helloooo! A belated happy March to you! I had a long list on the agenda for this week, but instead I spent most of the weekend lying about with a fever. After I got over the woe is me part, I moved over to appreciating that I was able to really be sick. All of my mothering life, sickness has meant pulling it together and rising above whatever illness was keeping me from my parenting. A weekend virus with children getting older meant something new:

• I listened to the happy sounds of my family going about their business on the floor below.
• I finally finished reading my big book (another total cliffhanger).
  
• Cups of tea and bowls of soup were delivered to me by my big boy.
• Multiple get well pictures from my daughter covered my blanketed lap.
  

It meant my sweet and capable husband had everything running smoothly, and I got to be sick! If you are in the throes of mothering little ones, this may seem a distant dream, but it will come! As funny as it sounds, I'm happy I got sick to appreciate that I made it to this point. Because of our unusually large spacing between children, it was a long time coming!

So that tulip above is on my dining table and was taken with my new camera! It's my little tribute to March. We may still be buried under a couple feet of snow, I may still be a bit sick... but Spring is surely coming!

LLD winner

Thanks for your wonderful enthusiasm towards Lisa Leonard Designs!

A big congratulations to Maryeliz! Please contact me with your mailing info so that I may pass it on to Lisa.

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I was hit with an awful, achy, feverish bug this weekend and might need a day or two to recover. Wishing you all a happy and HEALTHY start to your week. I'll be back soon.

Sponsor Give Away: Lisa Leonard Designs!

We have an exciting give-away for you today! Lisa Leonard Designs is giving one lucky winner a $75 gift certificate to her shop. I don't know how you'll be able to choose if your number comes up... Lisa infuses each of her pieces with so much love and light... let alone exquisite craftsmanship. Go check out her thoughtful range of custom necklaces, then peek in on the exquisite line of "inspired" necklaces... and there's more! You'll discover that many of Lisa's pieces are beautiful reminders of what is most important to you. If you'd like a chance at this wonderful gift, please leave a comment in this post before Sunday 5pm EST. I'll announce the winner Monday morning. Go explore her shop... I bet you'll be instantly inspired by what you find. I'm uplifted each and every time I visit her blog and her store... she's that GOOD.
Thanks for this wonderful gift, Lisa! So happy you're here!
Good luck friends!

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snow day

I really enjoyed this week's shared meditations... that's really what they ended up feeling like to me: little meditations. I had planned out my content for all three days, but ended up changing Tuesday and Wednesday's posts spontaneously to what I was doing (collecting sticks) or where my thoughts were (risk taking) right in that moment. It was a bit of improvisation, and I loved it! So here's one more bit of what's happening RIGHT NOW. A big winter snow storm has begun and we're all enjoying a cozy pajama day.


I brought my camera out when I went to haul wood (for the stove) and here's a little peek outside. Won't you come with me:

never knowing

"Birds learn to fly, never knowing where flight will take them."
- The Book of Awakening by Mark Nepo

Is there some desire you have hesitated to give life to? If you're willing to leap... you may be surprised to find your wings are already there to help you soar. Without taking risks, you'll never know.

gathering

Morning walk in the woods...
gathering sticks for my nest
gathering thoughts about spring
gathering courage to try new things

What will you gather today?