New Projects For a New Year

Some of my New Year's rituals have ended. Without a TV and with limited bandwidth, I no longer watch 'the ball drop' nor can I watch the Rose Parade. Those were pretty passive things to do anyway. Instead I decided to get started on my new free form crocheted afghan. I'll be doing a different color each day for a year. Then I'm going to start my brand new line of resin distressed jewelry, talismans, prayer boxes, amulets and pocket shrines.

Autumn I Know You Are Out There Somewhere

Weaver at an SCA event.

Since Google search punishes duplicate content (even if you are just quoting yourself) I'll  just link you up to my crafty shenanigans today. My latest crafty blog post is here.

I am definitely feeling autumn in the air today. It is gusty outside. The chickens are hiding in their  penthouse to stay out of the wind. After Fletcher leaves for work I'll shut the gate so nothing will blow out into the street. One day after a wind event there was a bra just hanging in the tumbleweeds.

I'm happy to be getting back into both pottery and weaving, all in the same week. It just worked out that way.

Craft Lists in the Works

I'm really inspired by the 'Fatkini' movement. I wonder if that term is trademarked? I'm tempted to make some for my Etsy shop called Cherry Moondrops.

I have a lot of crafts I want to talk about but right now I desperately need a nap, so I'll just make a list for later.

1. Woodburned spoons
2. Doll gourds
3. Quail gourds
4. Finish snake socks
5. Crocheted juggling balls
6. Knitted & felted purse
7. Crazy quilt blocks
8. Animal blocks
9. Metal container purses
10. Washboard Kit
11. L-shaped knitted scarf cowl thingie
12. Amigurumi for Etsy

Yep, need a nap.

Shopping Day

Today I got a rare shopping day to replace supplies. Art supplies are getting more and more expensive, yet people seem more and more unwilling to buy art for prices that create a living wage for artists like me.

I got some Bristol paper for calligraphy and illumination. And since I lost my pens when I moved, I bought new calligraphy pens and ink.  I also got paper for mixed media, so I won't use up all my calligraphy paper on paintings. None of the supplies were on sale, but luckily I looked on the web first and managed to get a 40% off any one item coupon for Joanne's that Michael's honored. I also got a Michael's ad good for $10 off if you spent $50.  So between the two coupons I saved $15.

I want to crochet some fingerless gloves and I found some thin yarn on clearance for $1.99 a skein. Did you know each skein has a code telling you the weight of the yarn? Look for the glyph that says 1 for fine yarn, etc. and you'll find it easier to be sure your yarn is matching your pattern.

I wish I'd had more money, because I had a  30% off your total purchase coupon for Joanne's. I could have really stocked up on quilting fabric, but it was expensive enough getting the calligraphy supplies and the glove supplies.

McCalls has a new steampunk pattern out.  And also a summer blouse pattern I want. But I will wait for a .99 sale for those items.

It's expensive being multi-talented. I think Michael's overcharged me for the calligraphy ink. The locking cabinet at the back of the store said either $3.99 or $4.99, but when I checked my receipt in the car it was $5.50. But by then I was too hot and tired to care, so I started my 45 minute drive home.

Packing

Do you wait to pack at the last minute? I never mean too, but frankly I am never quite sure which crafts I will be in the mood for until the trip is emminent. So I've put together a beading kit for making earrings. I think I'm going to take some things for my knitted squares if I can make a kit small enough. And I brought my size H crochet hook because I want to make a hat or something on the train. I can't take much because the train only allows 2 carry-ons and one of mine is full of baby clothes a friend is passing on to my granddaughter. And just as I was about to pack my suitcase, which is sitting in the middle of my boyfriend's bed, he's decided to go to bed early because he has to get up at 5 AM. I'm not sure how to pack in silence, but as soon as I finish this post that is just what I'm going to do. I'll have to add photos later, because I'm on dial-up again. My Broadband expired, and I'm not turning it back on until I get home from my trip. I hope I can keep up with blogging from my daughter's computer. So far I've blogged daily since the year started and I'd hate to muck it up now.

Was it Peter Cottontail?

Cute little cottontail just hopped into my front yard, then out, then back in.  Then a quail followed it. Then another quail. Good morning Lucerne Valley. I wish I could afford a live web cam for the yard so you could see them too.

Maybe I can embroider some more bunnies today since my other plans got cancelled.

Bread Dough Crafts

The bread dough experiment yesterday was challenging and fun. I was trying to make little figures but the dough was too soft so no sooner than I made each one, it would start to droop and get fat, much like me at 55. When the first batch was in the oven, I added more flour to the dough, and then it became a bit easier to control, so I made some braided hearts for Valentine's Day. I look forward to painting them when it's sunny again. The book recommends only making bread dough on cool days, because in the heat it becomes softer and unmanageable. So it seems this is the perfect winter activity.

The favorite thing I made was a tiny skull that I can glue onto one of my assemblages. I think it was the last thing I made. I look forward to making some more after I get these painted.

Garden Craft Ideas

I've been in my new home about a week. Since we ran out of space in the 4th moving van, I had to leave all my plants and pots behind except one dish garden. So I raided the .99 store for the after Halloween sale and picked up a big orange Halloween candy bowl and 2 cauldrons.  Then I swung by Lowe's and bought 4 plants as my house warming gift to myself.  I bought a butterfly bush and some marguerite daisies for my butterfly garden.  I just found out hummingbirds like the butterfly bush as well and it smells so good because its in the same family as lilacs. I bought a gardenia and a peacock lily. I bought coleus seeds and brown eyed susan vine seeds to replace the vine I left at my old house.  And finally I have tons of space to grow gourds, though those won't get planted until march. 

I'm going to use the big orange bowl to start seeds in and the 2 cauldrons as catch pots for two of my potted plants. It's totally the wrong time of year for planting here, so I'll just leave things in their nursery pots until spring.

I noticed today when I read the labels that the butterfly bush is a  petite version.  I was at a craft sale this morning and next to the Senior Center was a 12' tall butterfly bush covered in monarchs and the smaller butterflies that look like monarchs only with the ragged edge on their wings. So now I'm determined to buy the full sized version of the butterfly bush and maybe grow it next to the laundry shed. Yes, my new place is shaping up, though I still have a million boxes to unpack.

If you want to turn your plastic containers into planters, make sure you make some holes in the bottom for drainage and put in some gravel or broken crockery in the first 1/2" or  up to 2" to keep the holes from getting clogged and all your soil coming out.

I'm a bit worried about frost. It's been a long time since I lived somewhere where things froze in the winter. It's a learning curve for sure.

Chatwagon

I found a new place to chat with artists and crafters. At least it's new to me. My friend Sergio told me about it.

  

Craft Time

Craft time rejuvenates me. If I don't get my craft time, I'm a cranky lady. It takes my focus off my myriad of problems. If I can get lost sewing beads onto a belly dancing costume, or putting feathers on a hat, or sewing a patchwork square, I can't really be thinking about the little 'nasties' in life. Being creative lifts my spirits and keeps me focused in a positive direction.

So proud of my friend Carol, who finished not 1, but 9 viking dresses for Great Western War. Go Carol! Way to embrace National Sewing Month.  Unfortunately I won't be able to go to G.W.W. because of the impending move.  We wanted to get done moving in time to go, but we haven't even found a place to move to yet, so that's kind of the ole wrench in the works. Tomorrow we may drive out to the desert to look again, but we don't have any definite appointments yet.

Sadly we have to take the cat Rocky to the vet this afternoon.  I fear it's a one way trip. So yeah, I'm not in the best of emotional states right now. He's always been a great pet, but right now even touching him makes him bite.  And to think just a month ago he looked great and we didn't even think of him as an old cat until we found some paperwork that said he's about 15 years old.  Maybe I shouldn't have jinxed it by saying 'wow he's in great shape for being that old'.  No sooner than the words were out of my mouth he started that downward spiral.

In other happier news, my daughter #1 and grandson #2 are coming to visit.  They are in the neighborhood while hubby goes to a conference.

I wanted to thank my youtube subscribers. By some miracle I have about 700 of them now.  Where did you all come from? If you didn't even know I was on Youtube, I'll put the link right here: Pigglewiggins.
You know I just fixed my password on there 3 days ago and now it's not working again. What's up with that Youtube?  It wants to sign me into my other account, then when I try to switch it's always a hassle.
Anyway, now you can find me there.

Happy First Day of Spring & Classes Coming Soon

Spring is finally here and none too soon. Sometimes I get so carried away looking at other people's crafts that I forget to design my own. I'm putting together craft classes for the spring and summer. I'm thinking of $5. per person per 2 hour session, plus a materials fee if applicable. Some of the topics I want to offer are gourd art, eraser carving, making a wood burned pendant, wire wrapped stones, tree of life pendants, fabric juggling bags, painting on glass, knitting for beginners, crocheting for beginners and making a mosaic frame. I'll probably list the classes on my blog with Paypal sign-ups. Any class that doesn't get 3 or more people in it 24 hours before the time of the class will be cancelled, so in a sense you are voting with your dollars. The classes will be in West Anaheim (near Knotts), unless you have a group of five or more and want me to come to you. That will cost a little more because I have to haul all my toys to your house or rec center. To make sure everyone gets enough attention and help, I'm limiting it to 10 people per class. I've taught classes for Michael's, and before that at Recreation and Parks in Morro Bay and San Luis Obispo, CA, and SCA collegiums. I also taught at the Learning Light Foundation in Anaheim for five years. I miss it and I'm looking forward to doing it again.

Upcoming Projects

Sometimes I have so many ideas and things I want to try that I feel as if my brain will burst. Right now here are some of the things I am thinking of doing:

1. Making a bamboo container for my drop spindle. I want to add a strap so I can carry it with me to outdoor events and have it handy for spinning.

2. Cartoon tutorials. I'd like to make them in video format but don't know how to set up the camera so it looks straight down at my desk.

3. Make a messenger bag out of the upholstery scraps I've been hoarding.

4. Sew a spring wardrobe.

5. Calligraphy. Use it or lose it.

6. Something with a St. Patrick's Day theme.

7. Hair sticks with peyote stitch beading on them.

8. A belt favor for thrown weapons.

9. Wooden eggs painted for Easter

10.Scarves for a fashion tutorial.

Source: google.com via Theodora on Pinterest

Thirty Days of Crafts

I've been seriously lacking in motivation, so I thought I'd do 30 days worth of different crafts to have something in writing to look forward to and to keep me moving.  So here is the list I came up with for the next 30 days. All of these are from supplies I already have on hand. So I will have no excuses to not dive right in. If you don't lose your skills, they will get rusty. When the economy is crawling around, use that time to hone new skills.

July 5 Gourd art

6 Backstrap weaving

7 ACEO's (Art cards editions and originals)

8 Wire wrapped jewelry

9 Animal drawing

10 Embroidery on Felt

11 Thread looping
12 Sock knitting
13 Woodburning
14 Walking stick
15 Feather fascinator
16. Sock monkey
17. Macrame'
18. Acrylic on canvas
19. Sewing
20. Quilted Chatalaine

21. Art doll
22. Freeform crochet
23. Amigurumi
24. Papercrafts
25. Puppet
26. Boutonniere
27. Flower arrangement
28. Hat
29. Needle punch
30. Clay pendant
31. Faux flower pin
August 1 Tree of life pendant
2 Earrings
3 Wood egg  painting

Making a dragonfly needle punch I designed.

Junk Jewelry

I've been enjoying the book Junk Jewelry by Jane Eldershaw that I checked out from the library. I was able to find some of the findings for the projects in it at Tall Mouse today in Cerritos. I also got some bass wood for carving marionettes, a book on brush stroke techniques, some beads, and a great rubber stamp in the art nouveau style. I believe it might be Artemis/Diana. I can't wait to emboss it on some cards. Tall Mouse had a 50% off sale today on everything. So tomorrow I hope to spend 8 hours on art projects, since I'm way behind. I think I'll start working on the craft tutorials for 2 hours each day, and then I won't feel so guilty working on other projects. But since it is after midnight already, I'm going to call it a night.
Happy Crafting!

Cypress Craft Fair

It's a rainy day in CA. Two rainy days in a row in fact.

Yesterday I found out my friend Doris was doing a craft fair in nearby Cypress, so I went to see her crafts and lend support. I figured with the poor weather the turn-out would be poor.  I was wrong. The place was bustling, most of which was due to the fact that dance performances were going on so of course the parents showed up with their kids in costumes for the show. Rain or shine.

Doris said sales were good. Her son was there helping her with the details.

My Etsy Craft Party

Join me at El Dorado Park archery range in Long Beach this Sat. from 10 AM to 5 PM for an Etsy Craft Party in conjunction with World Juggling Day and World Knit in Public Day. It's a potluck. Entrance to the Regional Park is $8 so carpooling is a good idea.

20,000 Hits

Over twenty thousand people have viewed this blog. Isn't that remarkable? And I didn't even add the counter at the beginning of this journey. Now if only more of them had commented. But alas, you can't expect miracles. I love blogger. I hope it's around forever. Don't know what I'd do without it.

Photos of Queen's Champion Archery

All day it looked like it could rain any moment, but it never did. We were home safe and sound when it finally started raining about 11 PM at night. All in all it was a great day. Our friends showed up to show support and share kettle corn, archery stories, and a dinner out on the town at Sizzler's. We had so much fun we booked another event in March. Check out the photos. I was so busy having fun I never even walked to the other end of the field to take photos of the actual archery competition. Ah well, you know how it is. When you have a booth you have to stay close to it in case your services are needed.

The ground was mushy from the rain Friday night, so we couldn't drive to the booth. So we hand carried everything from the parking lot to the booth. But our friends are great and helped us schlep things back to the truck when the day was done. Enjoy the photos.

I Love My Library

I went to return my books today and found some more craft books to bring home. I got a good one on collage and some on knitting. I read some at the library too, but didn't want to bring too many home. I find at times I absorb enough just by flipping through the books. Others have more complicated techniques so I need to bring them home for a closer look.
With the price of books these days don't forget to check your library before buying. That way you know exactly what is in the book if you decide to order it.

Don't Hoard It Use It

I started a new embroidered t-shirt today. This time I picked a size small, which won't fit me. I did that to force myself to list it for sale, instead of wearing it one day when I didn't have any clean shirts left to wear. Ha.

So far is has 3 lemons, some flowers, and some vines. I got to use my pure silk ribbon that I bought ages ago for ribbon embroidery but I was too intimidated to use it! Don't hoard your craft supplies...use them. Do as I say and not as I do. Otherwise you'll be dead some day and some lucky dog at Goodwill will have your posh craft supplies that you squirreled away.

I also grabbed an embroidery book at the library because I can never seem to remember more than a few embroidery stitches. It's good to keep a reference guide handy.

I also got to use up some odd bits of lace. Many years ago I bought a box of lace scraps at a yard sale. The box is about the size you keep files in. Well, that must have been twenty years ago and I still haven't used them all. So I'm determined never to move that box again. I'm going to use all those buggers up on purses or t-shirts or whatever. Fabric does keep a long time but it doesn't keep forever. I cringe to think how much I've spent on storage over the years because I didn't use things up in a timely fashion. I could have bought some of these supplies 10 times over by now. Do the math...$80 a month for storage. That's $960 a year. That's $9,600 in 10 years. $10,000 can buy a lot of craft supplies eh?