Idle Hands...................

................are not to be found here today!!

While taking breaks from necessary chores, or while watching tv at night, I have been pulling out all the left over and thrift store yarns, and crocheting. (Thanks for the inspiration Gene !)

This first one was just a rectangle of leftover yarns, sort of matching, that I just crocheted, until I used it all up. I decided to turn it into a sewing/ needle/what have you/tea wallet of sorts.

I had a spare abalone heart button, and some left over lilac fabric for lining- and here it is. I had no pattern (as you can probably tell!)- was just winging it!

It may end up as a "gift" in my Pay It Forward, or.....?

The other crochet project is from an unlabeled, partial skein of what I think is alpaca blend (not sure)- turned into a 16" square pillow.

       I notice my down vest is peeking in the bottom of the picture as I leaned over to get the shot!!!

Anyway, that's what idle hands have been doing the last two days around here!

Now, off to finish the real chores( and find some more yarn!!)

The Butterfly Project

While checking out my bloggy friend Faerwillow's latest post - I became enamored of the project she spoke of.
Faerwillow's blog is called Serendipity - (to fall or stumble upon)- and this was certainly serendipitous!!!!
She discovered this wonderful project at Two Dresses Studio.

A Holocaust Museum is sponsoring a project to commemorate the 1.5 million children who perished  during the holocaust by calling for butterflies.

Inspired by a poem, written in 1942, what better way to remember these children, whose souls are now flying free- like a million and a half butterflies.....................................

Two Dresses is collecting butterflies, and photographing them, and will send the whole artist rendered kaleidoscopic flutter to the museum. You can send your butterfly (or butterflies!) directly to the museum (info found on her blog) or you can become part of a group participation thru Two Dresses.

Please go to Two Dresses Studio, to read more about it- my butterfly is forming in my mind as we speak...........

I Never Saw Another Butterfly

The last, the very last,

So richly, brightly, dazzlingly yellow
Perhaps if the sun’s tears would sing
against a white stone....

Such, such a yellow
Is carried lightly ’way up high.
It went away I’m sure
because it wished
to kiss the world good-bye.

 For seven weeks I’ve lived in here
Penned up inside this ghetto.
But I have found what I love here.
The dandelions call to me
And the white chestnut branches in the court.

Only I never saw another butterfly.
That butterfly was the last one.
Butterflies don’t live in here, in the ghetto.

Written  by Pavel Friedman, June 4, 1942

Born in Prague on Jan. 7, 1921.
Deported to the Terezin Concentration Camp on April 26, 1942.
Died in Aushchwitz 9-29-44

Snow Brings Creativity

Yesterday,after barn chores were done, and as  my world was being blanketed in 6 inches of fluffy white stuff, - I decided to do something that I haven't done in a while-

                                                                                    SEW!!!


Not too long ago, I had ordered some drip catchers from Donna at My Cup of Tea. They were really cute, and I gave them all away as gifts- leaving none for myself.Check out the link to her blog to see the cute stuff Donna has!
Soooo, I was playing around yesterday, got scraps of some of my favorite fabrics, that would match my many teapots, and made a couple, just to see if I could. Then made a couple more!!!!
There was alot of ripping and tearing out stitches, and cursing, til I got it right-but I am happy with the ones I made.

Since I was on a roll, and the sewing machine was out (dragged upstairs into the warm - the studio was toooo cold!!!), I completed a pillow. I had a blog post last year about India Flint's technique of HAPA ZOME (pounding flowers), and this was the result. I had some lovely batik, and finally made the pillow. Hopefully, today, I will get out in the snow, and find a 14" pillow form in town!

I had a pile of "pinked" scraps from all this, and could not bear to toss them out. So, I got a scrap of card stock, and "artfully" placed/plopped them on the paper, and started sewing. I love the way it looks (looks better in person). Now, what to do with this? I have another small pile of scraps and batting to create another today!

Time to go feed the horses, and go play in the snow. Please check my previous post - if you would like to play along in Pay It Forward, I have room for  ONE more!!!.

Tea on Tuesday

 

Isn't this little piggie the cutest thing!!!!!!!????

The latest rage in mini animals - teacup pigs.

A friend posted about this on FB, saying they only get to be about 8 lbs full grown. 

I researched it, and they grow to be anywhere from 25-65 lbs - not exactly teacup size - but still small, compared to the average hog.

I believe this pic came from a breeder in England - and the prices range from $2,500- $3,800!!

A pretty pricey little piece of bacon!!!

A baby one of these little cuties would be breakfast for one - for one of my dogs.

I remember in the 80's, when Vietnamese pot bellied pigs became all the range - they were supposed to be tiny - well, SURPRISE, they were, and are, not. And, impulse purchases of pot belly pigs, resulted in pig rescues all over the country - because folks who bought these little cuties, found out they were not so little when grown. Pigs are highly intelligent, but will tear your backyard to shreds, doing what pigs do!

 

                                           Here are my more traditional tea photos for today!!!!

Drinking Twinings Earl Grey tea in my thrift shop English Royal Castle bone china oversized cup and saucer. My extra hot water is in my newest eBay acquisition - a brown English Denby pitcher. Love Denby!!!!
You might notice my reading material - Cigar Aficionado! why, you ask???

I have no clue - these started showing up in my mailbox- in my name - never ordered them - no one in the family smokes cigars or anything else! But, I'll read whatever is put in front of me - almost!!! LOL

Thanks for dropping by - be sure to stop by Patty and Kimmie for a list of other Tea on Tuesday "players"!

And, if you are interested in participating in my Pay It Forward, go to my previous post and sign up!!!!

Pay It Forward

This "Pay It Forward" seems to be making its way around blogdom. I first saw it on Nathalie's blog, An Artist's Legacy, and decided I would love to play along! In order to be a recipient of one of her wonderful creations, I must pay it forward to someone else - actually, to 5 someone elses!!

So, here are the rules, I hope there are 5 of you out here in blogdom who would like to "play" along!!!



Simple Rules:

I will create something handmade to the 1st five people who leave a comment on this post saying they would like to participate
. To be play along, you must be willing to repost this and do the same- offering something handmade to five other people. 
All handmade "gifts" will be sent sometime in 2011- gives you alot of time!!!
I will try to get mine out in the next month or so - if I allow myself the whole year, I WILL forget!!!LOL

Yet Another Blog.......

I have started another blog....................................why?

It's a simple one, easy to keep up with (I hope) , easy to read. It's an experiment for a year.

Please become a follower, I would love to have you visit, and hopefully, you won't be too bored!

                                                                     Here is the link

Tea on Tuesday

It is still dark outside, with a scant amount of snow on the ground, and maybe some ice. There's enough on the ground to close the schools today. When the husband leaves for work(even DMV has a 2 hour delay today), he can let me know if I dare venture out to my Tuesday thrift store volunteer! The snow is nothing, but the ice is the problem.

Haven't put the kettle on to boil yet, but it will probably be a Lady Grey day today, or possibly matcha tea with cream and honey..........

I organized a teacup swap not too long ago, and here are some of the fabulous cups. If you participated and received your teacup, add a link in the comments, so we can visit and see what you got!!!!

I had two partners, one of whom is blogless, so I will show hers here - she already received it, so I won't be spoiling any surprise!!

 Lori wanted a more sturdy teacup (her words) , so I found her a cool diner ware cup and saucer. I actually went back later and bought the other one (there were 2 in the antique shop) for myself!! She researched it- Syracuse China - might possibly be "trainware", but was unable to find the exact pattern. I included this little box- it has teabags, a book on blending teas, and a tiny infuser.

Lori sent me a gorgeous Occupied Japan cup and saucer, with some Republic of Tea tea, and a sugar  stirrer. The teacup is in flawless condition for its age- I have already used it!!!!!Thanks, Lori, for being able to part with it!!!

Two blog-less friends of mine, Lennie and Teresa, ended up being swap partners. This is what Lennie sent to Teresa:

Don't know the make or model, but it is so dainty and  pretty!!!!
Here's what Teresa sent to Lennie-equally gorgeous!

It was a fun swap - I will probably organize another in the spring - one can never have enough teacups!!!!

 And, if you haven't already seen enough teacups.................


This is a English teacup( one of 2 different ones) I scored on eBay, with some drip catchers I bought from Donna of My Cup of Tea. Oh, and see the cute little card she made with a teabag in it!!! Donna has a blog- I'll look for the link and add it - if anyone is interested in those little cute little drip catchers!!!! They fit right on the teapot spout and are washable.

Last, I found the perfect little apron to serve tea to my guests in!! I collect (and wear) aprons - and this adorable 1930's one was in the antique shop, in the bottom of a basket, for $4 !!!!! I don't think the stitches, or fabric,  will hold up to machine washing, so this won't get worn too often, but I love it!!!!

                                        (All of the photos can be clicked on for a closer look.)

                            Thank you to all who "played" in the teacup swap!! It was fun!!!

To visit more Tea on Tuesday partiers, drop in on Patty and Kimmie for a list!

Feel free to join us every Tuesday- what is in YOUR teacup this morning?????

Sketchbook Project 2011- Ta Da!!!!!!

Unbelievable!!
I actually participated in , and completed something ON TIME!!!

It has been known to happen, on occasion, but I am such a procrastinator, that I sometimes take on more than I can do!
Or, have ideas that I don't know how to make a reality........that happens alot!

This sketchbook was tough to start, I made a new cover for it - and then stalled. Blank pages, and totally blank mind.....!!!
As I flipped thru the finished product, I can see where it got better as I progressed. 
I hope that whoever looks thru it, will be interested enough to keep turning the pages, because it DOES get better.

My book will be ONE of some 26,000!!! LOL  I forget the exact number of participants really, but it is a phenomenal amount! All books are entered and categorized, with an ISB #, and then sent on a tour of the US, starting in Feb or March. The Art House Co-op has arranged for the books to tour many states, including Brooklyn, Washington, DC, Minneapolis, and San Francisco.

If you click on The Sketchbook Project there will be updates for the tour. I will also let you know when it starts, so if you are in or near a city the books visit, you can drop by and see some really great art in moleskine journals. I think just seeing the books all in one room will be amazing in itself!!!

I will even post my barcode - so you can look up my book too!! When the tour comes to DC, I will have to go outside my 30 mile radius of travel, and  visit mine, and all the rest!!!

My category is The View From Up Here, and since I am not the best illustrator by any means, my book is made up of photos, zentangles, sketches, and watercolors. The cover is redone in brown suede, with vintage metal buttons and rawhide ties.
Here is a sneak peek at some of the pages.

This little book within the book, is my favorite, I think!! A tiny moleskine watercolor and gel pen flip book- I really wanted to keep this (and the watercolor of Miss Lilly!)

It is hard to do a flip book justice in a still shot!

Here is my "official" bar code - so exciting!!!

Well, thanks for looking - I hope to be back to regular posting, now that the turmoil of "normal" life has settled down a bit!!!
See you tomorrow for Tea on Tuesday, with an update on our teacup swap!

Busy, Busy, Busy.........

I will be back for Tea on Tuesday next week!! Last week was my son getting ready to move to California-  sniff, sniff, sob.....He's driving cross country - is in Kingman, Az tonite. All going according to plan!

This week I am cramming to finish my  Sketchbook Project- has to be postmarked by this Saturday.

And, getting teacups in the mail for my teacup swap!!!

Procrastination, thy name is ME!!!!

See you next week!!!!

Visit Patty and Kim- and their list of other tea partiers!!