Else's Bellas Artes

A little sister for the galz

2012-01-24T07:33:00.000-06:00

My collection grows with Ivy, a Lati Yellow Lea adopted from the Netherlands. :) I have named her "Ivy." I knitted her blue dress. Now my Blythe galz will have a little sister.

New Blythe Knits!

2012-01-07T13:18:00.003-06:00

Left to right: Fiona, Mimsy, Nikki and Lumi

It's been awhile since I posted any Blythness, so sorry! But I've been knitting for them, and here are my first efforts. Knitting with sock yarn and very, very skinny needles is kind of fiddly, so I have to take my time and alternate between eye glasses on and off, ha ha.

Fiona's top and the dresses on Mimsy and Lumi are from a free pattern here. The green babydoll top that Nikki is wearing is from My Fair Dolly's Etsy shop. I enjoyed knitting these and one gets such a feeling of accomplishment when you can put them on your Blythes and they look mah-velous! I have a feeling I'll be making lots more knits for my galz. And I suspect my sock yarn stash will be growing...

You can see lots more photos of these knits (and the girlz posing in them) on my Flickr. Enjoy!

Three words

2012-01-05T08:00:00.000-06:00

Yesterday I was reading a post on Dan Curtis' blog. He was talking about choosing three words to represent his resolutions for 2012, an idea he gleaned from Chris Brogan's blog.

I like this concept because it is 1) easy to remember, and 2) can reflect my goals described in this post.

So here are my three words and why:

Breathe. I literally have to take a deep breath more often. I need to slow down and make room for stillness and thought. Like most of us, I rush through my day, going from one thing to another, trying to get as much done as possible. I know that my job and the world is on this track, but it's no way to live. My goal is to be more in the moment, take one thing at a time, and not worry about what's coming up in the future.

Pray. If I can do one thing for other people, it's pray. I believe God cares about others, about the world, and about me. Talking with Him is the most sensible thing I can do each day.

Create. I'd like to be more creative in everything I do. Being creative makes life fun and fills the world with a special kind of light. Surely even the most grudging tasks can be done in a new way. I want to practice thinking creatively, as well as crafting and writing creatively. It's so easy to imitate what others have done. Being creative means truly being "me" and no one else.

These three words naturally flow from one another. Breathing means stopping what I'm doing and being still. I cannot pray if I am not still. And I cannot live a creative life without checking in with the Creator of all.

What are your three words this year?

A poem a day

2012-01-04T10:48:00.000-06:00

This morning I read an article on NPR that talked about the value of reading a poem a day. I was touched by this and searched on the Web for a source of poems that I could dip into when I needed "word sustenance" and I found this site. The poem I read today was by Walt Whitman and these words were especially meaningful. On the words in poems, Whitman writes:

"...Whom they take, they take into space, to behold the
birth of stars, to learn one of the meanings,
To launch off with absolute faith--to sweep through
the ceaseless rings, and never be quiet again."

Words, poems, writings--they take us on incredible journeys!

A birthday card

2012-01-02T16:42:00.000-06:00

Dabbling in my art room today, I made this birthday card. :)

Happy 2012!

2012-01-01T22:09:00.002-06:00

Taken with my new Sony DSC-HX9V camera, no touch up.

Happy New Year, everyone! Hope yours is off to a great start. Above is the first thing I made this new year--a new year's card featuring Father Time. The vintage graphic is a freebie from The Graphics Fairy. Her blog is a splendid resource for images to use on art projects and more.

I try not to make resolutions--they seem too much like promises to me, and I'll feel guilty if I don't keep them. But here are some of the things I'd like to do more of in 2012:

--Pray more. Grow spiritually.
--Breathe more. Be in the moment. Take one day at a time.
--Do more for others.
--Read and write more.
--Craft with what I have, instead of accumulating more crafty stuff (this one will be hard!).
--Spend less.

One thing I will be doing is learning to play the Native American flute. I've made the contacts, found a learning group, and can hopefully begin this month.

My other big thing is my trip to Scotland and Ireland beginning 27 January. I'm so excited about this! I'll blog more about my upcoming trip on this blog. Stay tuned!

Have a blessed and happy new year, full of peace, health and goodness. God bless!

Some lovely gifts :)

2011-12-31T12:07:00.001-06:00

I received some lovely gifts for Christmas; several were handmade! The beautiful runner shown above was made for me by Anita. The white panels are hand-stitched with flowers and the rest is quilted by hand. It's truly a work of art!

Here is a close-up of the left-hand side. The stitches are done in a soft green and are so tiny and perfect!

Here is a close-up of the right-hand side. I love the details on each of the flowers! The embroidered label on the reverse commemorates the gift. Thank you, Anita, for this most precious present!

My friend Michelle sent me a handmade Navajo doll she bought for me in Arizona. I love Navajo dollwork but until now did not have one of my own.

She wears the typical flowing skirt, black shirt and beadwork accents and her hair is gently parted in the center. UPDATE: I have named her "Chitsa," which means "fair." :)

Handmade gifts are a blessing!

Guinea Pig Ornie!

2011-12-20T10:20:00.000-06:00

Here is a little felt Hershey ornament I designed and made! His little ears are lined with pink felt, just like my Hershey's ears are sweet and pink inside. He holds a little wreath to wish you Christmas cheer! Happy Hershey Christmas to one and all!

Darcy, Vampyre

2011-12-19T09:23:00.000-06:00

With the Twilight series being all the rage, it seems inevitable that someone would translate the vampire craze to Pemberley. Hence, Mr Darcy, Vampyre has emerged, cunningly written by Amanda Grange.

Out of curiosity, I read the book this weekend, having downloaded it to my Kindle for $1.99 during Jane Austen's birthday this past Friday (Happy Bday again, Jane!).

Mr Darcy, Vampyre takes up where Pride and Prejudice ends. Darcy and Elizabeth are on their honeymoon tour, but Darcy refuses to consummate the marriage. We find out he has a terrible secret--he is a vampyre (love the spelling). Elizabeth is aware that there is a problem, naturally, but not in her wildest dreams does she imagine what it is. As they travel through England, France, Switzerland and Italy, Elizabeth is introduced to Darcy's numerous friends and family--all vampyres like himself, even Georgiana--yet Elizabeth still doesn't get it. Without giving the plot away, needless to say that another vampire is pursuing Elizabeth, we discover the one that transformed Darcy (and the circumstances), and we are led to a rather Austen-esque ending. While campy, the book is well written, the characters engaging, and it is a fun read if you like vampire stories.

I'm not sure that our divine authoress Jane would approve of vampires, but I think she would like the sense of fun behind its writing and the continuation of the love story. And I'm sure some readers would SO love to see Colin Firth in a vampire role (grin). I give the book 4 out of 5 stars. Enjoy!

Happy Birthday, Jane!

2011-12-16T00:00:00.000-06:00

Dancing in celebration of Miss Jane Austen's birthday.

Here is a letter I would send to Jane Austen on her birthday, which is today!

Dear Miss Austen,

Happy Birthday and many joyous returns of the day!

As a fond admirer of your books and stories, I want to say thank you for the many hours of pleasure I've received upon their reading.

Your characters have made me laugh, cry and hope. Your own personal example has shown me that it is okay to be a strong woman and still hope for romance and a gentleman who will respect and love me for who I am, without trying to control or suppress me.

In a world where the privacy of sex is disrespected, you have shown that a good love story does not have to intrude into the bedroom.

Your descriptions of simpler times and pleasures have shown me that I don't need lots of money to have fun, and that books, music-playing, and letter-writing can be happy and healthful.

Your tales of walks in the woods and fields have reminded me that fresh air is good and have comforted me when I am indoors on cold, snow-trapped days.

Your words about the domestic life have made me yearn for the time when I will not have to work so hard outside the home. Then I will be able to bake, sew, garden and enjoy creating a hearth to comfort my family and pets and make them feel loved.

When you tell me about the families in your stories, you show me that the best friends we can have are in our own dear families, and that they are treasures.

So I say to you today, rejoice and be at peace, have a blessed and happy day, and I for one am very glad that you were born! God bless you!

Sincerely,
Else

And, dear Readers, more felicitous events await! Join the Soiree to sign up for free gifts and read more Austen-y goodness!

Twiggy

2011-12-14T09:24:00.000-06:00

I was so inspired by Dotty Angel's twigs that I had to try this myself. I already had some dried branches in the garage that I was saving "for a rainy day" of crafting. I cut some short lengths, found a nice large jar, and in they went. Then I went about the house and found some bits and bobs of the season--tags, ornaments, toys and such like. This project gave me an excuse to break out my much-beloved twine collection to make the hanging strings. The whole project took me about 45 minutes between set up and rummaging for items. I can so see this being a seasonal twig display, and perhaps in spring I will spray paint the branches white. This was a very enjoyable crafty time, and so easy!

White Oliphaunt

2011-12-13T19:26:00.001-06:00

Oliphaunt

Today was our work party. Each year our department hosts a wee potluck where everyone brings a foodie to share, plus a "white elephant" gift. This is a gift which we do not want to receive ourselves, so in a raffle-y sort of way, the gifts are re-gifted as each person picks a gift, then unwraps it to the oohs and aahs of everyone. The next person in line may take this gift or choose another to unwrap. So on it goes until all the treasures are unveiled and you either have a goodie or a baddie. This year I definitely got a goodie, pictured above. It is a ceramic cupcake planter or votive or whatnot which now houses some of my crochet hooks, as it is the proper height. As I love cupcakes (and they are the rage right now but I liked them first), this is a great little thing. So I am very happy with this year's oliphaunt gifted to me!

Happy Hershey Holidays!

2011-12-11T13:00:00.000-06:00

Mom crocheted this hat for me.

I'm not digging these ear flaps.

Hats are humbug!

Now that's better. :)

A Tree

2011-12-10T19:25:00.001-06:00

Our lovely tree--a fresh and fragrant balsam--decorated Victorian-style with lots of glass ornaments and strands of silver tinsel. With the room lights off, it looks like fairyland! Klaus sits in his chair, awaiting the Holy Night. I love Christmas!

A visit from St Nicholas

2011-12-08T10:44:00.001-06:00

St Nicholas hands out chocolate coins to eager children.

In the Eastern Orthodox Church (to which I belong), St Nicholas is a beloved saint and much admired for his traits of love, charity and faithfulness. St Nick visited my church this past Sunday. Father Andrew shared the life of St Nicholas and the children were rewarded with "gold" chocolate coins, a remembrance of one of St Nick's acts of compassion during his lifetime: he rescued three sisters from slavery by throwing three bags of gold through their window to serve as their dowries. St Nicholas is also the patron saint of shepherds and sailors. To learn more about St Nicholas--the real Santa Claus!--visit www.stnicholascenter.org!

Father Andrew welcomes St Nicholas!

Waiting for St Nicholas

2011-12-05T17:16:00.001-06:00

Tomorrow is St Nicholas' Day, and in preparation I set up my white feather tree with mushroom ball ornaments (see their spots?--from Pier 1). Underneath I placed some wooden-shoes and the first Santa I received as a child (MANY years ago) holding a package and stocking. Near the shroomies are a Sinterklass and Black Pete from Holland. Wonder what the shoes will contain tomorrow?

To learn more about the real Santa Claus, St Nicholas, visit www.stnicholascenter.org. It's the best site ever!

Bringing home the tree!

2011-12-02T09:14:00.001-06:00

Not the best photo, but last night it sure was exciting to get our first LIVE tree in 20 years! Here it is, strapped up top the van and ready to go home with us. We have a very small house, so in the past we've had a skinny fake tree that really doesn't do Christmas justice. So off we went to McCarthy's Farm Stand last night. It's a fun, family-run stand and they were serving hot chocolate, hot cider, and homemade cookies to tree shoppers. In my heart, I wanted a traditional tree--a balsam of old with its wonderful smell, soft needles and lovely spreading branches. But I worried that we wouldn't be able to find one small enough for our space. But tucked in back of the balsam area, we found our tree! This morning, two tree stands later (with a trip to Menard's in between to get a new one), the tree stands in our living room, beautifully opened and smelling like--well, Christmas!

Tilda Swap Goodies

2011-12-01T08:00:00.000-06:00

Many thanks to Wendy, who made this Tilda snowman and sent him, along with all these goodies, to me as part of the Tilda swap hosted by Cat!

Gifts to start the season!

2011-11-30T09:32:00.001-06:00

My lovely friend Anita in the Netherlands sent me a huge Christmas box--with some presents I could open right away! Here they are--wonderful handmade ornaments stitched by her.

This little Santa Claus ("Sinterklaas" in Dutch) has arrived just in time for St Nicholas Day next week!

These exquisite patchwork ornaments--using the smallest of small pieces of Christmas fabrics--will look wonderful on my tree. Or perhaps they will grace some doorknobs around my house?

There are more things in the box but they will have to go under my Christmas tree. Thank you, dear friend, for sending me some early Christmas happiness!

SuperGnome!

2011-11-16T08:00:00.000-06:00

It's a bird, it's a bee, it's SuperGnome! (I'd say "plane," but gnomes are tiny.)

Handcrafted for my friend Kris! You can make your own supergnome by downloading the free gnome pattern on this blog. I varied the colors to make supergnome. His cape is felt.

Here's my birthday wish to Kris, using the Halftone app for iPhone! Make any photo look like a newspaper-printed picture or comic. Halftone--it's awesome!

New Pattern! Amigurumi Redcap Mushrooms!

2011-11-13T10:58:00.001-06:00

Now in my Etsy Shop!

What I've been reading

2011-11-08T07:30:00.000-06:00

I sort of have this multiple-personality way with books. I mean, I read more than several all at the same time, and around my house are stacks of books here and there, all with bookmarks in them. My Kindle hops from one stack to the next, depending on where I leave it last. I have to be in a certain mood to read things. So it's nice to have a book around to match my many moods. Here are a few of my latest reads.

Miss Buncle Married. I love D E Stevenson and her character Miss Buncle, the woman with "no imagination" who writes runaway best sellers about the towns she lives in and their many characters. MBM is the sequel to Miss Buncle's Book, about how our Heroine becomes an author. Honestly, I laughed so much through both of these that I had tears running down my face. In typical dry, British fashion, Miss B is able to see through to her characters' hearts and foibles and the "dangers" of living in small country towns. Published by Persephone Books, if you love British fiction and small town life, don't miss these tomes.

The Book of Tea. I receive the magazine Tea Time, and read a review about this historical treatise by Okakura Kakuzo and published in 1906. Kakuzo uses "tea-ism" as a way to explain the East and beautifully writes about how tea represents the simplicity and humility of Asian belief and culture. Tea is also a bridge between the East and the West, and he talks about the adoption of tea by the Western world. I am about halfway through this one, having downloaded it for free to my Kindle. Lovely thoughts and lovely language. If you love tea, you will be able to relate to this book.

Chet and Bernie mysteries. Bernie is a detective. Chet is his dog. Guess who's the one who solves the crimes? Writer Spencer Quinn knows what a dog is thinking, and he lets us know the finer points of "detection" in Chet's own words. Chet's thoughts may wander from scratching to eating to the dog next door to barking to other doggishness, but when he is on the case, and knows who the "perp" is before Bernie himself, he stays right on the scent until the case is closed--which in Chet's case, is apprehending the criminal by biting his pant leg. Case closed. If you love dogs, don't miss these delightful, laugh out loud books.

And on my magazine pile: MollieMakes, Tea Time, Victoria, Audubon, National Geographic, BARK, Piecework, Birds&Blooms, and many yarn catalogs.

Cora

2011-11-07T10:12:00.000-06:00

When I read about this book by Emily Martin, I just had to have it. Her characters are so fun and there is something about paper dolls that continues to appeal to me (a grown woman, no less). So the book arrived on Saturday and immediately Cora caught my eye. Cora lives on the edge of a forest by the sea, much as my Lady Celeste of Coral Cottage. I knew I had to cut out Cora first.

But I didn't want to cut up this book, with its lovely gate folds, glossy and thick paper, and luscious colors. I made a photocopy of Cora (allowed by the author) and a copy of Hedgie, too, and sized them dollhouse-size.

Cut cut cut and soon they were free from the paper. I stood them upright in stands made from foamcore with a slit in them. Delightful. They will visit the Cottage soon!

After being cut out of the paper doll book, Cora found herself in unusual company

Tilda

2011-10-26T15:28:00.000-05:00

I've discovered a new crafty designer to love! Her name is Tone Finnanger and she is the genius behind the wonderful Tilda craft line. Her dainty and colorful Norwegian-inspired crafts are very sweet and I can see myself making some of these for myself and friends. As one of my first efforts, here is an angel bust ornament for Christmas from Tone's book Sew Pretty Christmas Homestyle:

I embellished this soft-sculpture angel with glitter, trims, and a halo made out of a silver pipecleaner. The hair fiber was a kind gift from friend Anita. This angel may or may not end up as a gift for another new friend....

Doctor Who Tribute Wall

2011-10-07T08:00:00.028-05:00

Yes, I am a Whovian.

Those of you who know me well, know that I am a long-time Doctor Who fan. I was introduced to the BBC series way back in 1977 by my friend Jor, a fellow sci-fi fan. Back then, the series was on Doctor #4, played by Tom Baker with consummate panache and a nine-foot knitted scarf. Jor and I would sit in the dorm's basement TV room, watching the show and enjoying the very Brit revels of the Doctor and his human companion. I was always in love with time travel, and this show epitomised how FUN time travel could be!

When the show was resurrected six years back, I was SO happy. At my house, time stands still when the Doctor is on, and my boys know better than to interrupt me when I am watching. :)

Anyway, I've gained a few show collectibles, and am finally able to display them on the back wall of our living room. The poster is the Tardis exploding from the Vincent episode (one of my favorites). I've never created a tribute wall before. Silly, probably. But FUN.