Fall Fever

I love fall. I don't always love what comes after it - but it's sweet while it's here.

I've decided that I don't really like the mess and work of carving pumpkins anymore - but I still love pumpkins in all their cool colors.

This one is in my front yard. Love the white.

But yet some of my flowers are not quite ready to go to sleep for the season...

Gotta love persistence!

In the Giving Spirit

I'm part of a fun give-away with Kris from Resweater.

You won't want to miss it - Kris is giving away two different wool sweaters and I'm giving away a Tweet pillow.

Check it out!  http://www.resweater.blogspot.com/

Catching Colds

I’ve been down and out since last Wednesday with the flu/cold/crap and am finally feeling a little back to “normal” today. When I’ve been ill and start feeling a little improved, I immediately start to feel more appreciative of feeling “normal” while at the same time I can't help but feel a little nostalgic. And, since I’m still in a waiting-for-a-working-camera-mode, while browsing for photos, I came across this one of my sister and I from - oh - about 40 years ago. (I’m the blonde!)

Looking at the photo, I do believe that I have my seasons mixed up. It looks more like an early spring, rather than early fall photo – but I couldn’t resist.

Mom always made sure that her girls were as safe as possible. This great photo shows mom was taking her normal precautions - assuring that we would not “get sick” while out playing, we were securely bundled in the softest (from hundred's of washes) head-scarves, assuring that the wind couldn’t get in our ears. We were always kept safe from that nasty wind making us sick.

My mom has since passed away, but oh how I would love to have had her tie that cute little scarf on my head earlier this week. I’m thinking that maybe, just maybe, I wouldn’t have gotten sick…

Camera Issues - So Let's Mosaic!

My camera is not working. It has a defective imaging part that needs to be replaced. Fortunately, the manufacturer will pay to fix it – but that means I have to be without it while it's getting a part transplant. So, I’ll work with some photos I already have until I am camera-ready again.

I had planned on posting a few fall projects – but… :-)

Here’s a fun project I worked on some time ago – a mosaic watering can without mosaic pieces or grout! It's created with decorative scrapbooking paper and a great little product called Dimension Magic.

• Cut the paper pieces to resemble mosaic chips.
• Brush on Modge Podge to adhere the paper pieces to your surface. (You can “mosaic” tiles for coasters, glass votive holders, tops of benches – basically any flat, smooth surface – the possibilities are endless.)
• After you’ve adhered all of your cut paper pieces, brush a top coat of Modge Podge over the entire surface. Let dry.
• Dimension Magic is then used straight from the bottle (it comes out perfectly when you tip the bottle upside down – no need to squish or squeeze the bottle). Cover only the paper pieces with Dimension Magic (not the background surface).
• Depending on the size of the pieces, I generally outline the paper piece with the Dimension Magic and then fill in the middle areas. The liquid will level itself and fill in small spaces.
• Let dry well.
• I often apply a second coat of Dimension Magic to give a fuller, more ceramic look to your paper.

WaLa! Mosaic with without the mess!

Cutting pieces

If you work with recycled wool sweaters, you know it's often difficult to find great colors without spending a lot of money at higher priced thrift stores. If I find a sweater that is an incredible color that I "need" to add to my supply, I will sometimes spend a little more on it - but generally, I often cannot justify spending too much money on an individual sweater. If you do, it quickly becomes very expensive material to work with.

In order to create a new item that has wonderful color – but doesn’t have to deplete my entire color stash – I find I can often use the more neutral colored sweaters as the background or base and embellish with pieces that are much more colorful. I keep a full basket of individually cut shapes (from the brightly colored sweaters) handy just for that purpose. I can then grab petals and leaves at any time to quickly embellish a simple gray pillow or handbag. And, I find cutting wool pieces while watching a good movie very relaxing!

I better run - I'm off to cut more flowers, leaves and circles for upcoming projects!

Felted Wool Balls

I love these things! I've made my own - and it can certainly be done - but if you don't feel like devoting the time and hand/arm energy in making them, there are many places that sell them for a reasonable cost.  The large ones below, I purchased from http://www.artgirlz.com/.  If you haven't already checked out their cool products and ideas - do it - you're in for a treat!