These are a few of my favorite things

Eagle at Shepaug Dam

I got to see a bunch of eagles this weekend at the Shepaug Dam Eagle Observation area. We got to see one catch and eat a fish, lots of younger eagles, and some great views of perched birds. It was pretty brutally cold, but a really good day to see the birds, even the volunteers that were putting the scopes (there for everyone to use) on the birds were really excited and were saying that it was an unusually great day for seeing the birds. I don't have any pictures from our day there but here is a cool photo of a young eagle.

My Blundstone boots don't look this new at all anymore, but they are more comfortable and broken in after a season and a half of regular wear and farm work. One of my favorite hunks of leather foot wear I've ever bought.

I may be taking an introductory course in blacksmithing. I just found out where I could take a class, so I'm really excited about it. Here is a photo of two men who look like they knew what they were doing with the craft.

My Carhartt coat. This has really been a favorite for a bunch of years, anything they make lasts (except for a pair of pants once) and fits well. This is a picture of my coat, without the wear I've put into mine.

Cooking with cast iron! I would love to have an entire set, and a hearth to cook on.

I love this weeks "News from the Craft and Style blogosphere" on etsy, beautiful handmade homes, photography, just go check it out.

My new Wiss pinking shears. Never used.

Grey Color Monday

This weeks theme is the color grey. I'm finding this weekly color exercise to be a real treat, it makes me take note much more easily of the chosen color for that week, much more observant, and like all things, when you are more observant of something, it is drawn to you more frequently. All photos are from Weheartit.com unless otherwise noted. This is a collection of photos and objects that I've found for your pleasure this week.

This morning is a pretty grey looking morning outside so I think this is appropriate!

Burlap lamp by kamlam lamp company on etsy

Grey scarf by twin love designs

Grey owl from flickr

Photo by daioni on flickr

Outfit by Elsita on flickr

Luggage case by NinteenOthree on esty

this mansion has a long story to tell

this picture makes me want a kitten so badly!

M.C Escher I love his artwork

sleep

I want to wear every one of these ruffles

Woodland yarn flowers in the flowing snow

I love this dress from modcloth. I think this site is an oldy but a goody for a lot of people but it's fairly new to me, it's fun to look at.

And here we have another Style School installment. These are little balls of yarn, put in pretty milk glass vases. I acquired the two front little ones at an antique store a couple of weeks ago, and the other two taller ones at the thrift store. I went out in the snow to gather catalpa tree branches for the stems.

This was a relaxing project because earlier I had one of the worst driving experiences I've ever had. White out snow, black ice underneath a slick couple of inches of snow. A twenty minute drive turned into an hour and twenty minute one. I was gripping the wheel even after I'd come in the house and had dinner! So needless to say, I'm happy that's over with.

Here are couple of yesterdays salvation army trip...

I love the color of the green necklace that I found, and this sweet little cardigan. In the right side of the picture you can see a tie (one of 3) that I found for an upcoming style school project.

New Crafts! and the woes of no photos

So I just signed in to flickr and since I don't have the pro account I can no longer add photos (until next month) to any flickr pools, the main one of concern being style school. So I'm a little disappointed, but I'm just going to keep creating things and worry about it later. Here are a couple photos of one of the pairs of earrings I've made, and also my stamp. I'm going to use my stamp for music related products to distribute at gigs and what have you. Maybe fabric patches if I could get that to work, or just large business cards.

Guitar stamp and sample prints. I was so excited to use my linoleum that proclaims on the package that it "Cuts like butter!" How could you not chose that brand. I have to tell ya, it really does.

My earrings, on an old book, on top of an even older apron that I was wearing that I got at the flea market this past summer. It was handmade and you there are an incredible amount of pleats in it. I have yet to sew a pleat in something.

Sporting my fabric covered earrings via the Style School ladies. Quick and colorful project.

So I just signed in to flickr and since I don't have the pro account I can no longer add photos (until next month) to any flickr pools, the main one of concern being style school. So I'm a little disappointed, but I'm just going to keep creating things and worry about it later. Here are a couple photos of one of the pairs of earrings I've made, and also my stamp. I'm going to use my stamp for music related activities products to distribute at gigs and what have you.

Style School Dog Collar Project.

These photos are from the dog collar project for Style School. Maude is the star of most of these shots, she is a rescued Australian cattle dog, she likes to eat treats, jump onto the refrigerator and rip around the yard at top speed. She's a blast to play with and to have in the family, we're lucky and thankful to have her.

Here she is sporting her new collar. She dosn't usually enjoy collars too much so this is very dressed up for her.

Rolling on the couch...

And the button closeup

Here she is wearing her tissue paper cape, starring as Super Dog Maude in this shot, she's taking off on her brand new flying blue cape to save the injured dogs of the world.

Bye Maude!

Aqua color monday

Here is installment numero dos of Color Monday. Aqua is not a color that I wear or own very much of anything that has this color that makes it up, but it certainly is pretty to look at.

Enjoy

All photos from weheartit.com under "aqua" unless otherwise noted.

love this sky

Vintage dress by valenskavintage on etsy

one two three

google images. I want a ride in this bus!

Aqualicious by ChrysalisFibers on etsy

All the girls who wore these dresses I'm sure looked beautiful

I hope she doesn't loose her dancing shoe

Chair note cards by Annechovie on etsy

Vintage earrings by on etsy

Untitled

Here is a picture of my owl sewing bag that I made for Style School. The original project is for a makeup bag but I use sewing supplies or crafty items more than I ever use makeup so thats the purpose for this little one.

Some leftover sewing supplies from this morning's project. I finally got to use some moda swatch pack fabric that my mom had given me as a gift almost a year ago.

This chair should have gone in my Mustard Monday post from the beginning of the week, a new free find.

Last night I went to Real Art Ways an art gallery, movie theater, and performance center in Hartford CT. We went to a movie called "Untitled" which was an absolutely hysterical account of an avante garde sound artist trying to make his way through the art world. as well as following gallery owners, artists and the archetypal people that surround the underground world of art. I'm not really one who loves to give movie plots away but here is a link to the website. I thought it was really good, and very funny. If it's playing in your city you should check it out.

In the gallery afterward we checked out the gallery which has currently a collection of Jamaican Dance Hall posters

and also "Rockstone and Bootheel" a plethora of contemporary West Indian Art. Photography, sculpture, film, music, it was all there. A real neat collection of works by artists of all kinds. If you click the link above and look at the sidebar there are images from the exhibit. I love that all the art was from one region in the world, it really painted an image that represents the culture and people.

In light of the everything going in that region of the world in Haiti right now check out Mutual Aid Disaster Relief for their mission statement and a grassroots place to put your effort or your dollar or both. Just people helping people when they need it most.

Kjoo

I just found a wonderful shop on Etsy. I think I love every single one of these masterful textile pieces by kjoo. They really are works of incredible proportions. In talent, artistry and size! Pins, bangles, necklaces, all very dramatic and in some of my favorite color schemes. This is just a quick inspirational post this morning with some pictures from the shop.

I've been working on my felted bag for Style School, and since these are all felted items I found these photos inspiring. Have a good day!

BIG fiber necklace

Textile Beads

Bangles

Style School Inspiration Boards

Here is tonight's project (that is really yesterday's) from Style School. Studio Inspiration Boards. I have yet to buy some chalk, so I can write down all my ideas, quotes, and inspirations. Any good resources on colorful beautiful chalk colors in store or online?

I made (from top left to bottom right) #1 . 3 Ribbons sewn together, felt, chalk board paint and magazine ticket stub, #2 Chalkboard with ribbon and paper and mini clothes pins (that I added afterward) #3 Painted with green acrylic paint, glued on paper, candy wrapper and book paper and yarn #4 Oil cloth fabric and ribbon sewed on the top with contrasting stitching #5 chalkboard with wrapping paper boarder, fabric, white pom pom #6 Fabric attached with adhesive, green paper and cardboard

I can't wait to start adding my daily inspiration to each one of these.

I'm groovin out to David Bowie's Without You right now. It's a good night song.