Sometimes the mail has fun

goodies.  Look what came in the mail!

Do you see who's name is on the front cover? :) What a sweet surprise when I opened up the package! 

I feel very blessed that the wonderful and sweet editor Christine Stephens did a feature on my handmade totes that present my art cuffs.  Artfully presented packaging on a tiny budget is attainable.

A peek at my art cuffs also being shown in the magazine.

Below is a couple of the tiny totes and one of my cuffs shown.

 

The magazine will be available July 1 at major booksellers and you can also purchase directly from Stampington: Link

Take care, Kris

May Day Swap- Part 2

Time keeps moving fast--wrap of the the past two weeks..

• the heat and humidity has arrived in South Carolina.  Uck. Double Uck.
• Little one graduates from pre-school and summer camp starts next week! They have a cute cap and gown to wear.
• I still can't believe my little one is going to elementary school in August..sigh
• The arduous and tedious task of having the house on the market is really starting to wear thin!
• I really need a summer reading list.  Okay, I've seen several but I want to read fun, fiction, mystery/thriller.  I'm also going to select a classic to read to little one.  I was thinking Alice in Wonderland.  Anyone know of one that is girl oriented with fairies?  Peter pan is out.
• Researching good quality vegetarian and wheat free blogs and books.  Do you have any to share? 

Ohhh...got some really FUN news to share very soon :) 

On to the May Day swap-- this is what I made for Linda.  She loves aqua and creams, with other neutrals.  I was definitely making her one of my hand sewn poseys.  This one was made from a variety of lace, doilies, vintage tatters, and a bit of a broken earring. 

The basket I hand made from a weathered drop cloth, and an aqua organza ribbon that I pulled off a really really Southern hat.  You know the one's from the 50's that were decked out.

Then I sent several altered items, a hanging one, a metal box, and a cardboard box.  Ribbons, tags, and buttons/bling.

Hope you have a great Memorial Day as we remember those who gave for our country. 
Off for a little R&R---cross them fingers the house will be sold then!
Take care, Kris

Bitty Pots- Hello Spring!

Spring dropped into the South this weekend with the high 70's.  Nothing like whipping the sunscreen out in March!

Little one and I worked on her book report display, Green Eggs and Ham.  Wow, Kindergarten and having to write the plot, author, setting, and characters--not to mention your favorite part.  I can not imagine what homework will be like in elementary school.

 

 

 

While she was busy writing and coloring, I decided to create a few bitty spring pots.  These little one's are made out of 3 inch peat pots. 

 

And if you are interested, they are in the SHOP

 

Happy Spring!

Take care, Kris

Sharing:

Spring Thing Link Party

 

Let's make something

says the 5 yr old girl... Nothing like your little one to bump your creativity into gear after a creative hiatus.  So out comes the pail of the paper bits, some buttons, ink pens, and a couple of tags--the least stressful way to collage.  Glue stick flying and bits torn, little one and I made lots of tags. 

Out comes a couple of larger cardboards.  I love using the Annie Sloan chalk paint and wax.  Nice to collage with.  Oh, and lots of vintage goodness.  Enjoy these early Spring collage boards. 

 

Hope you are having a good Sunday.  Downton Abbey shortly!

 

If you are interested email me at kristen7744 at hotmail dot com.   Thanks for the interest. 

Take care, Kris

Sharing with:Knick of Time Tuesday

The Charm of Home

Jennifer Rizzo

 My Romantic Home

Shabby Art Boutique- Shabblicious Friday

Craftberry Bush

It's a Pom Pom thing....

doesn't that sound like a start for a cheer?  Hey ya, its a pom pom thing, oh yeah! if i tried to kick, well, let's not go there. 

Alright, alright.. I was going to join in Jennifer Rizzo's party but the laptop had other ideas and ended up in the Techie shop.  Lucky she is back and only a $100 bucks to fix.  I still am going to share as I think they are just cheery in this old dreary winter. 

When I read about her party it brought me back years to when I would sit and make these when I was a kid--most of the time for fun purposes to hang off my winter jackets and hats and sometimes my boots.  Upstate NY was a frigid zone--seems like you wore your winter gear forever.

I made them similar to a cone flower with their downward petals. The petals were made from scrap drop cloth and different pieces of scrap velvet ribbons (all hand sewn and stuffed with more scrap).  I found some really soft pretty Lion Brand yarn at Hancock Fabrics.  Lucked out since it was at Christmas time and had a 20% off coupon.  I also picked up a BUNCH of fabric.  I've already started on Little One's cushions for her playroom (update they are complete--now to make pillows--more to follow). 

 

Arranged them a bit on my cabinet for a mid Winter scene.  Typical here to see flowers in the South with winter pinecones and such. 

Lastly, sharing my upcycled birdie who was an really ugly duck before.  Coat of Annie Sloan Old White, a bit of sanding, and a coat of clear wax.  Isn't she a sweetie?  She also got a scarf made out of scrap white flour cloth pinned in a bow!

Hope that brought some warm thoughts as soon it will be early Spring and Easter season!

Take care,  

Christmas Mantle --Silent Night and Tablescape

The stockings are hung, the cookies are made, the cocoa has been tasted, and the eggnog (with a bit of Southern Bourbon) is awaiting.  The presents...well, Santa is working tomorrow.  Thanks Mom!   New traditions started with little one--gingerbread house, reindeer food, teaching of the meaning of advent and calender.  Introducing her to the annual cookie baking with Grandma.  Its a year of starts for our little family.

I showed a touch of my Holiday Home already but didn't show the main item in my living room.  A peek at my mantle which has been waiting patiently while I finished making my first handmade sign.  Check. Done--just in time for Christmas.  

As you can tell my mantle and fireplace are large, overly large--it definitely a challenge for my tiny living room.  Not including its a west facing room.

I love seeing all the signs and subway art but my artsyness told me I had to try it first.  My Dad was the one who told me Lowe's had plywood pieces in the lumber area already cut to certain sizes. Easy and inexpensive. I did sand the entire piece first.  The paint is Annie Sloan chalk paint in Old white, then I did a white wash with several layers of clear wax. I actually used the dark wax and aged the piece that way giving it a lot of old world up close. The letters I hand painted with some Golden acrylic paints--Paynes Gray and Black with the word Bright accented with  Aquamarine blue.  One the paint cures, I will add another clear wax to seal it all.
On a side note--patience is needed if you are handpainting the letters.  I admit there were some under the breath commentary going on the craft room amidst the Christmas music!

The natural woodland theme continues in my tablescape.

 

The canvas tag was hand stamped along with the Initial tag.  The crochet flower favor was handmade by my Mom. 

 

 My centerpiece is a bit of natural, sparkle, and romance.

 The deer plates and charger are from Pottery Barn.  I found the faux mercury glass ornaments and pinecones at a local dealer. 

 

 My sweet upcycled bird (was a horrible brown red before) --Annie Sloan chalk paint, clear wax and distressing.  I used one of my Dad's old flannel shirts for his little scarf. 

 

My sweet old gal, Cookie, supervising ---

That's all folks..Mrs Billet's White Cake is being made for Christmas Day, then I'm done till New Years Day dinner.  Merry Christmas --and may we enjoy the reason for the Season.

May the families and community find peace in Connecticut. 

Sharing:
French Country Cottage
Faded Charm
Jennifer Rizzo
Cottage Magpie

Holiday Goods--Shop Update

Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving with family and friends.  Admit I still am not 100% even 7 weeks after the surgery, exhausted from the 4 day weekend, but my 18lb turkey was moist and had little leftovers! 

Trinket bags or ornaments.  I would nestle them in my tree.

Here



I did a citrus blend inside the turkey of cut up lemon, lime, green apple, onion, and a sprig of rosemary.  DH ate all the little oranges before I could add one of those too.  Toss in a few pats of butter (with salt).  Olive oil and butter mixture rubbed on the skin of the bird with a heaping of Herbs Provence.  YUM! 

Here

Handmade cone --isn't that ceramic bird just sweet?  Her nest is made from a vintage wool baby's sweater nestled with velvet flower and some vintage red ribbon which can easily be removed for use year round.  You must check out the script paper on the cone. 

 

Here

 Cashmere wreaths!

Here



After working part time at Belk when I was in college permanently deterred me from shopping on Black Friday ever again. I remember vividly working till 11pm and then having to be there at 3:30am (a few hours away) for my next shift.  I swear I didn't even look at trinkets for years over that.   Luckily we now have the internet! 
I made a few goodies for the Shop and hope you are enjoying.

 All these flowers are hand stitched.  I sit on my back screened in porch and just enjoy the sounds as the flowers meld and shape as I put in tiny stitches.  All are made from new to vintage/antique scraps, linens, hankies, fabrics.  They then are joined together to make these flower gardens for permanent viewing.  I made 2 small and 2 large.  One with a white cotton and the other a linen color background.  No two are alike and will never be duplicated.

Here



This was my inspiration --all about the natural.  Little one and I did a hike in our back woods and came up with these.  Can you believe we couldn't find one long needle pine? I miss those from my northern woods.  All the ones in the South here in Greenville are so spindle(y) and a billzion feet off the ground.  I know those are words, right?

 

One more, a pretty cone for using some mixed greens and whatever you desire.

Here

More creative endeavors will be coming soon. 

How was your long weekend? I did support some local shops and was pleasantly happy with all my Christmas goods.  I NEVER do that good in one weekend :)

 





Take care,