wise craft

excellent mail

Roz, the creator of the lovely Rosie Flo's Fashion Show coloring kit was kind enough to send a kit for Emma to enjoy. Even though I was excited to tear it open when it arrived back at the end of May, I've been keeping it hidden, waiting till school was out and hands were idle. Emma spent 2 days straight coloring and kitting out this lovely fashion show. The set even comes with invitations! Sadly, this kit is not available in the US, but there are other Rosie Flo coloring books available through Chronicle.

Yesterday's mail surprise was Lizzy's book 1001 Peeps. This is a gorgeous book, with 4 completely original quilt patterns and one lovely crewel pattern. Lizzy's illustration work is really lovely, and these quilt designs show it all off beautifully. I don't know where to start first! Read Lizzy's thoughts about Midnight At The Oasis, Spice Route, and The High Seas, 3 of the patterns in the book.I really love Lizzy's whimsical illustration style and her use of color.

Back to our total lack of routine, I'll peek out again soon.

 

 

the repurposed library

I fell absent last week due to some much needed, heavy duty spring cleaning around here. Boy does this house feel clean! I also got some new books to peruse last week, and I kind of went nuts for The Repurposed Library by Lisa Occhipinti. This is a truly unique craft book, which is the kind of book that speaks to me creatively these days. I adore this book.

The projects are gorgeous and, with the exception of needing a band saw for a couple of them, very doable (and this book is an excellent excuse to buddy up to someone you know who has a band saw).

Some of my favorite projects-

 

I think I have to make this one next-

 

And your band saw friend can help you with this one-

 

Last Friday afternoon, I was inspired me to make one of the easiest projects, a book burst. I had everything here at home, so I poured a glass of wine and got started.

I have one more to make. Once the book is cut (you need a pen knife to cut your chosen book into 4 equal parts), your children could help fold these, its that easy. It was so relaxing to just sit and fold paper, my brain needed the reprieve.

These are hanging above our bed and I love the textural aspect of something not flat on the wall. I love how to wall color really shows the yellowing of the pages so beautifully. (Ben Moore's "Paperwhite", You can see our full bedroom walls in this post.)

Here is a trailer for the book-

STC Craft Presents: The Repurposed Library by Lisa Occhipinti from STC Craft / Melanie Falick Books on Vimeo.

 

small things

(warning- Iphone pics ahead)

Isn't that lovely? These are available in Shanna's shop and she is donating the proceeds from the sales of this and this to Shelterbox, to aid in Japan's relief efforts. I decided to put mine right above where I *work*... on the computer, and the sewing machine. I smile when I see it.

Thanks for your input on my fabrics and inspiration photo yesterday. I truly enjoy this part of the process, exploring all the possibilities. I don't think this will be a truly vibrant black and yellow quilt, and that's kind of where I am stumping myself. I want more subtle color transitions, and I'm not there yet. More sketching today.

I leave you with my favorite little studio companion (Melissa, this is for you).

I am completely defenseless against that chub.

haute couture

I am so happy to bring even a small smile to your faces with my thrifting antics. Some things for sale out there are just too good to let go unnoticed. And Sarah commented that she saw that tree thing at the same thrift store in someone's cart!

There goes the dream folks. I can never fully realize what that tree could have become.

Which leads me to this next little tidbit...

My friend EJ Armstrong has an amazing eye for affordable art and a knack for finding hidden gems on ebay. She regularly posts her favorite art picks on the Armstrong Studio blog. I love that she does the looking for us, and am always interested in her newest finds and reading about why she likes them. This lady knows her stuff. A few weeks ago, she posted the very affordable fashion illustration above, and I pounced. It is described as a "1960 Schiaparelli Fath Fashion drawing". Drawn by Serge Matta, a designer who worked under Elsa Schiaparelli. It feels authentic, definitely hand drawn and hand stamped. Schiaparelli was a designer I loved when I studied costume history in college. Even still, its just a sweet little dress. It feels very simple and elegant, and I love the slight touches of red. Once I frame it I will most likely hang it in our master bath with Peter's grandmother's illustrations, or maybe in our closet, that might be fun.

And admit it, all the touches of red in this little number make you think of that tree, right??

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Thank you to all who came out for the opening of the collaborative art show at Assemble last Friday. There were 1000 mile an hour winds that night, so some of the folks who came in were probably blown in by accident, but no matter, all were welcome! I put a few pictures up on the wise craft facebook page (and I chose not to share the picture Peter took of me because it is terrible). The show is up until February 8th.

new year, new art

Happy Monday!

Seems that 2011 is the starting out to be the year of thinking about art here at the wise craft house. We've been rotating it from the basement (some hidden treasures down there, like Peter's grandmother's art), being more thoughtful and intentional about where to hang it, and vowing to go for the real thing whenever we can afford to (even if that's not very often). I wanted to share a few new pieces I'm excited about.

I've had my eye on this wooden typography alphabet made by bookhou for a long time, and now I have one for my very own, a little Christmas gift to myself. It's on our family room wall, above the kid's computer desk area. I really like the simplicity of this piece, and it seems to fit in our house, where typography is part of what we do every day. Peter's often said he doesn't quite get the "big letters on the wall thing" the same way I do, but something about this works for both of us.

 

These are the Elizabeth Soule pieces I've mentioned a few times, bought when she was showing at Assemble a few months ago. There's so much humor and play in her photographs, and part of what I like about these pieces is the way they are mounted, not flat on the wall. I also really like the way the colors of play together. These were a special size produced for the show at Assemble I believe, 12" x 12". Now I really wish I had a 3rd one. There is too much empty space around them. Once the front room walls are painted they'll most likely be moved.

 

And I saved the best for last. A box came to me during the holiday rush and I knew what it was before I even opened it once I saw who it was from. I am one lucky girl! I fell in love with Lisa's domestic scene series the minute posted the first glimpse of them online. Now I have one of my very own, Two Lime Chairs. Lisa's work is so ethereal and lovely, hard to capture well with a camera, but I tried. To have the work done by her own hands on my wall feels like a pure treasure, it really does.

All of this newly hung artwork is motivating me to paint some new walls. I'm really hoping to tackle our front room and have it done by Spring, when our thoughts will move outside. We've got our work cut out for us out there.

one of the lucky ones

If you are ever quick enough to grab one of Margie's crocheted stones when she updates her shop, consider yourself lucky. I clicked "buy!" as soon as I saw this beauty, with not a moment's hesitation.

Margaret's work is so extremely gentle and delicate. I think I like the underside every bit as much as the top.

It arrived nestled in one of her slow stitched fabric bowls.

To hold this little pair in my hand really makes me think about why I love buying handmade so much. I feel the work, the inspiration, and the love. (Which, as I was flipping through yet another Pottery Barn Kids catalog that arrived in our mailbox yesterday, I most certainly did not feel. Time to update my catalog choice list.)

These newest acquisitions fit so nicely with my other covered stones. I think I have the start of a small collection. That makes me smile.

For now, Emma collected Sarah's little wooden block set in the bowl, because we just can't seem to keep our hands off of the stones.

covered

I received a lovely package of treasures from Shelley, which included, among other things, these crocheted Canadian Yellowknife river rocks  (which I will covet forever) and caribou antler buttons. Thank you so much Shelley!

We are just pooped here from jumping back on a modified school schedule this week. Ian doesn't start until next Wednesday, and its probably good for me mentally to stagger those first day anxious feelings this way. With both kids are in new schools this year, there's lots of that. Emma has lots to talk about and reflect on at the end of her days. I think its good for her, she hasn't been in a new situation like this since Kindergarten...new friends...new environment...new routine. I love seeing the "can do" side it brings out in her.

In the meantime, I am trying to create an action plan for quick and healthy meals and snacks. I should have started this weeks ago, but better late than never. If you are doing the same, here's what I've found-

Just Bento and another lunch- I don't know if I'll ever make lunches as elaborate as these, but looking through these sites does inspire me to get a little more creative with lunch/snack presentation. Epicurious has a kid's lunch section. My sister in law, Jen, who listens to me complaining about my lack of organization way more than anyone should, pointed me to Real Simple's recipe section, the Back-to-School section, and I will probably spend some time there to get ideas. I just finished 2 pans of chicken enchiladas before I sat down here, so that's a start on organizing dinner. Do you guys have favorite sites for lunch and quick dinner ideas ideas?

I am hoping to catch up on sewing once Ian's in school next week. Until then I spend a little more time arranging Ewok posters on his walls and helping him with power tools.

fabrics that feel like spring

Working on a new photo styling project and needed some Springy, homespun-y, pretty fabrics. These are so perfect! From Reprodepot. The two bottom ones are designed by Suzuko Koseki, the author of that Japanese patchwork book we've all loved for years.

(Tif, these fabrics feel very much like you!)

something to fiddle with in between those handmade christmas gift-making sessions

 

Or maybe when you're sitting there, trying to figure out what to make for someone. These little blocks are made by the fabulous Sarah Neuburger, The Small Object. As much as I love knicky-knack, sit-a-bout things, I especially love things that sit out and engage everyone. Not a person has sat at our sofa that hasn't played with these. They are for counting, for building, for stacking, for admiring, you name it.

And happy first day of advent! I dusted off our advent calendar and filled it with tiny toys (little whoopie cushions, colorful marbles, puzzles, maze books, and I couldn't resist filling a weekend day of these...), so I think I am ready. There are several things that will just not fit in those pockets (like for example the holiday pillowcases I'm making each kid for their bed pillow for one) and there are plenty of experience days vs. tiny toy days (like one day, it'll be a drive to look at Christmas lights with friends, another day is going out for ice cream after dinner one night, etc.) The kids already know what's in store on the 24th day of advent- new pjs.

I guess I should start thinking about making some gifts. Haven't started a thing. Started a lot in my mind...but nothing is magically materializing as I hoped it would.

P.S.- Rose, we had those turkey enchiladas and they are a new favorite! Thank you for commenting with that recipe!

bits of our wednesday

Today is first quiet day we've had in a while. I took the kids with me for a quick visit to our accountant's office, which meant a stop on the way home at the really large Goodwill nearby. My kids zero'd in on an electronic Battleship game, then found a treasure trove of 79 cent paperback books. I, myself was browsing through the other shelves and hit the jackpot on a back wall.

 

I have been looking for a full set of The Family Creative Workshop forever, and it seems my patience has finally paid off. For those of you who haven't discovered these, published in the 70's each volume (I believe there are 23 or 24) is full of craft ideas, covering everything from glassblowing to wire sculpture to quilting to macrame (of course) for kids and adults. I am going to have so much fun looking through these. I talked the manager into letting me have them for $1.99 each (usually $2.99 each). I actually didn't bring home every one of the volumes in the set (because, as an example, although I craft a lot, I don't plan on glassblowing any time soon). Only problem is they smell pretty bad, I don't think they have been opened and aired since the 70's! Does anyone have tips on getting rid of that musty book smell?

 

On a less-smelly subject, yesterday I got the assortment of sunny yellows and orange fabrics I ordered from Pink Chalk Fabrics. Its been a while since I bought a lot of fabric (other than the owls) and when I did the patchwork pillows I realized that my fabric purchases tend towards the greens and blues (a lot of the warmer fabrics in those pillows were actually teeny tiny swatches that just barely made a strip, its a travesty, I know). It was easy on Kathy's site to just click on the yellows and the oranges, and now I feel like I've filled out my assortment. These will probably be going into the Value Quilt that I've started (completely Katie's fault), even though I have one quilt started and another one I was going to start. But I have to admit, if you're looking for a quilt to make and enjoy, and have a stash of pretty fabric (or need an excuse to buy some), make this Value quilt. It comes together so quickly and easily, and it gives people like me a chance to use all those fancy, pretty florals that stand no chance around here on their own. It really does make a terrific light/dark pattern to use lots of different, random patterns and colors. I think this quilt will become a family room quilt, the one we use in there is actually a quilt I made pre-blog and its really embarrassing! Let's just say I had huge issues with quilt binding back in 2004.

If you drive by my house, this is what you will hear us playing right now. Off to make afternoon coffee. Happy Wednesday!