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!

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.

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.

Style School

So far this past week has been filled with crafts, any moment that I haven't been working or doing other things I've been working on my projects for Style School, it's a great online class being taught mainly by Elsie and Leigh-Anne over at abeautifulmess and frecklednest. I've managed to accomplish almost all of the projects this week ( I hefty task, but a lot of fun) so this morning I may be rewarding myself by going to a local flea market. Here are some pictures from my week

A visit to my friends cabin, brough me to this doorstep, built entirely from materials on the property, and all by hand, the chinks between the logs are stuffed with moss, and there is a teeny tiny little coal stove on the inside. It's inhabitants are currently residing in CA for the winter, which I understand. There's also a beautiful circle of stone sculptures, a fire pit, and a hunting platform just out of view.
My newly thrifted finds. The faux milk glass vases, the lampshade and the fabrics are for Style School projects to come. I also found these totally neat yarn covered hangers, there were probably about 30 of them sold in packs of 4, but I settled for this sat as I liked the colors best.
One of my photo wall art projects, some instrument pictures of mine, an old 45 that I found at a house that I'm working on, sitting in this beautiful old record/stereo cabinet. One of the last remnants of the people living there before.
This was my find of the week, vintage samsonite for 1 dollar! The zipper works, very little wear and tear, original luggage tag, this one is staying in my closet!
My tool belt crafting apron complete with double pockets, a Rising Appalachia patch that I got at a show, ribbon for tying tape or other tools to, another secret little pocket up top, and big pink ties to hold the whole thing up. Another Style School craft, I had the most fun with this one. I also got to use my new vintage button collection on this one.

A silk/ heavy cotton pom pom necklace, another one of our projects. I've really been enjoying experimenting with different colors, new crafty techniques, even from just one week I've learned a bunch of new skills, and my list of project ideas is growing with each craft that we make. I'm working on a list, and I'm hoping to maybe accomplish a handful of them even during the class, so keep your eyes open and your ears to the ground.