............at the Shores

March Greetings

2012-03-06T17:27:00.000-05:00

I've been a less than stellar blogger so far this year which I have no excuse for...lord knows I always have plenty to yammer on about! Hope everyone has ushered the month of March in with gratitude for being one month closer to warmer weather : )

In the previous post I had some little gifts I had made for my friend - well, they have been safely delivered to California:

She messaged me to ask if I'd be making more to sell and I immediately said "No, that is OOAK" shortly thereafter she wrote back "OOAK?" I told her it meant One Of A Kind - she thought I had already named it haha...anyway, it stuck. Meet Annie and Ooak : )

I cut another stencil for a book, this time it's Frida Kahlo. I really like how it came out. Also I've been getting some mini's for the shops made, nicely priced at $20 ea. I might add! And the photo on the right are the first 4 of 25 small notepads I am making and donating for a couples retreat - hope they aren't too "hippie-ish" for their purposes! I covered some gessoed canvas (I have 5ft by 18ft rolls of the stuff) with a batik for the front covers making them pliable and regular chipboard for the back.

A patient I've spent nearly every Friday afternoon with for the past 2 and a half years died a few days ago. This beautiful one's for you Mrs. McFarland. I'll miss you.

Shelter in a storm....................at the Shores

Got My Mitts Into Everything...

2012-02-12T12:55:00.000-05:00

What a wonderfully productive week in spite of having a cold. I have been wanting to get a few small things made for a friend of mine who was sweet enough to sew and send me a super cute handmade hat back in December. I made a lip balm key chain cozy, a pin cushion, some photo transfer wall art of her furry children (2 chinchillas and a cute dog) and in honor of the Chinese New Year a crocheted dragon:

Yes, the dog IS wearing goggles. I made a curly wire hanger for the top of the wall art that still has to be attached. Hope she likes them.

On top of that I got 7 books made, all lined journals - all 6 are available in my shop/s:

A little 80's music to groove to....big hair (on all but Annie), big voice!

When tomorrow comes.............................at the Shores

Conquering Projects...One At A Time

2012-01-31T11:47:00.000-05:00

I feel overwhelmed at times, there is so much to do just outside of my bookbinding that I sometimes don't know where to start so instead of starting I just make more books and pretend the other things don't exist. That might be what some call the ostrich syndrome? (I just made that up) Anyway, I've pulled my head up out of the sand and dusted off my sewing machine for project number one: A camera bag for my dear photographer friend - it was supposed to be a Christmas gift but.......well, I just explained my affliction in the previous sentences. It's done and I must say I am quite pleased with myself! It has a 1/2" padding on the sides and bottom, 2 small pockets inside, two on the outside back and an adjustable velcro-ed divider inside. I found the tutorial online at the blog Creating Happiness I was super happy to have my iPad right next to the sewing machine for directions, made it easy to refer to and follow along. If you are thinking about making one let me help gathering of materials a little easier as I spent too much time looking for some of the stuff.
1. Padding - while you can get 1/2" foam at a fabric store it is rather expensive so I got a 1/2" sleeping mat which can be found in probably any store that has a camping supply department.
2. ALL the hardware - Strapworks has it all, you can get many different colors and sizes there and their turn around is pretty quick too. Also, if you wanted nylon webbing for the strap they have that too.
3. I purchased both my canvas (main color) and batik at a local fabric store - if you sew I'm sure you too have a favorite that carries the perfect fabric for you.
So, now that I've saved you the searching and running around hop to it!

Here is what I/we have done on project #2 - my track lighting for my workroom:

This house was built in 1969 and absolutely not a room in the house has overhead lighting which has been a sticking point when it comes to my studio, working by lamps etc. is just not right, horrible as a matter of fact. I think the reason it had been put off for so long is knowing that a trip in to the attic crawl space is inevitable and neither my husband or me relished the belly crawl that was going to have to take place. Well, it's done. Now we have to figure out how and where to get a light switch installed.

Project #3 - the sink (the one I previously wrote about below) Still not re-installed but hopefully my husband will get that one finished TODAY. I am going mad with it all torn apart.

Project #4 - The fireplace surround mosaic. This one will wait until I have at least 50 books in my shops for sale, I'm shooting for mid-Feb. hopefully sooner but I decided to leave my delusions behind on this one and agree in my head to be more realistic.

I really like this video and it's animation (and song of course!)

I believe in the power................at the Shores

January in 120 Seconds!

2012-01-27T12:23:00.000-05:00

Hello, it's been awhile. After being out of work for exactly 2 years and one week I am now convinced I was less busy while working out there for the man! Lots of projects going on. I am installing new track lighting in my workroom (YAY for overhead lighting!!) Preparing the fireplace surround for a mosaic and of course books for my shops....oh, and cannot forget the project that was forced upon me: I was at the kitchen sink washing out a pot when all of the sudden the entire double sink fell to the bottom of the cabinet below! HA! It doesn't look as if there was too much damage to the plumbing miraculously enough. What a sad, sad state it all is in though, the guys that installed the granite countertops did not even use sink clips - just blobs of epoxy - it all came loose, this will be a blast to fix : /
So, instead of bombarding this post with pictures of my newest book creations I have a 120 second video of my January work:

The Hepburn one near the end is one of my stenciled books and the last photo is not a book...just a manipulated photo of me.

Time to run, I have to go see a patient. That sweet bird has been at "the end" and I've been called to the house so many times to say good-bye but she just keeps hanging on....sad really, she seems to be in quite a bit of pain, not very sure what she's holding on for. I love her dearly but it just breaks my heart to see her suffer.

Some Van Morrison just because I love him :o)

Get me on your wavelength....................at the Shores

Happy New Year

2012-01-01T13:58:00.004-05:00

Feliz Ano Novo !!!Happy New Year !!! Bonne Année !!! Feliz Año Nuevo !!! Šťastný Nový Rok !!! سنة جديدة سعيدة !!! С Новым годом !!! Szczęśliwego Nowego Roku !!! 새해 복 많이 받으세요 !!! Buon anno !!! 明けましておめでとうございます!!! Šťastný Nový Rok !!! Gelukkig Nieuwjaar !!! Onnellista uutta vuotta !!! Glückliches neues Jahr !!! Ευτυχισμένο το Νέο Έτος !!! नया साल मुबारक हो !!! 新年快乐 !!! Godt Nytår !!! Yeni Yılınız Kutlu Olsun !!! Gott Nytt År !!

Wishing all my friends and family the very best in 2012. I feel big things coming for to new year (hopefully it's not my waistline I'm feeling).......................at the Shores

On Track...and Have Proof!

2011-12-30T20:35:00.000-05:00

Just popping in to show my progress - yes, I really am making progress in the studio! I have nearly every flat surface cleared and somewhat organized. All that's left is a book case that holds my paper and my computer desk (which is almost done!)

I have a huge box that needs to go outside to be burned since it has a lot of personal information and there's just too much to shred. I am now free of stacks of paper and general junk. YAY for me.
PS I had to cut down some 22"x30" watercolor paper today and I did it without a table space issue. This feels so good - why I am not more diligent in keeping it this way I will never know. It just may be a mess again in a short while but I do have pictures to prove it really was nice at the beginning of the year!

This is probably the third song in the past several months I've hunted down because I heard bits on a television commercial - this one has me miffed though...iTunes doesn't have it so I couldn't download it. Boo.

Somebody left the gate open...........at the Shores

Winding Down? NAHHH

2011-12-28T21:19:00.000-05:00

2011 is on it's way out. I've bound my way through another crazy Christmas full of travel and custom orders and am finally home from Georgia for the second time in a month. So I can't for the life of me figure out why I am still in the weeds. I was pondering what has still yet to be done and the list is long, all of which are book orders that were not for Christmas so I was able to put them off until after the holidays. I also have a sewing project that I should have had done before I left but that too is unfinished (more on that in my next post when it finally IS done.)
I've decided that there will be no new years resolution but I DO want to start 2012 with clean work tables. I have one 8ft table, one 4ft table along with a drafting table and have a total of at best an 18"x24" clear space to work on - that's it. Rather pathetic really. No matter what, this will be done this week....at some point!

Some of my custom orders for Christmas. For the rocker I cut a stencil of The Who band logo and spraypainted it over some Union Jack fabric - love the binding on it!

Then we have another stenciled cover. Yes, it's Davy Jones. I agreed to do this in spite of risking losing my rock n roller card ; )

The next is for an avid fisherman (also my pastor). This is the second year in a row his wife ordered one from me to give to him. She swiped one of his handmade fishing flys (sp?) and I put it under acetate window on the cover

The Dylan, Lennon and Waits stenciled books all sold so I think I'll replace them in my shops soon. I'll only make 3 per stencil before I retire each one, the background lyrics and bindings will all be different so technically they are/will be OOAK.

This one is for Tom, who 9 years ago on New Years Eve in Las Vegas became my husband.

Today and every day..................at the Shores

Stencil Fun

2011-12-10T22:30:00.001-05:00

So, a while back a friend and I took an online 'stencilry' class and I have been revisiting what I learned for my new Artists and Musicians series of books. The first two I wrote about in my previous post. Tom Waits has since sold and now resides in Dallas. On Dec. 8th I listed my John Lennon, the reason I know it was the 8th? Because it was the anniversary of his assassination at age 40. I always wonder how his life would have played out, he would have been 71 this year I believe. The second is Dali, I happened across a photo (circa 1954) and knew it would be a fun stencil to cut not to mention it would look like he's peeking around the bookcover - and it was such a typical look for him.

I did get the 15 mini journals (4.5"x5.5") finished and shipped off to Pennsylvania. It was a lovely box of color.

I bound them all the same. I had to if I wanted them done any time soon!

The weather is still odd for this time of the year. Normally by now we have a couple foot of snow on the ground but up until the day before yesterday it was just rain. The past 2 days we've had snow but not enough to stick around....sort of creepy, either we are going to have less than normal snow or we are about to get pounded.

A little Lennon for ya........

She got to be herself..............at the Shores

Happy December!

2011-12-01T13:55:00.001-05:00

Where have I been you ask? Well, anyone who has ever read this blog knows I often go MIA. I just got back from Georgia, my family lives there and normally drive the 12 hours for both Thanksgiving and Christmas. The weather was fantastic I must say, the first 2 days it was in the 80's then went down to the 70's - I miss the southern climate, I am so not a northern sort of gal...the hotter the better is my motto.

November was a fantastic month for business with 28 books sold. One of my customers (and dear friend) suggested that I add some books more guy friendly. I had to think hard just how I was going to do that and not lose "me" in the process. Fabric that is more masculine is somewhat boring I think so being the art and music fanatic that I am I decided to cut some stencils of some of my favorite artists and musicians and spraypaint them on the covers - I added song lyrics to the fabric background. I've finished two, Bob Dylan and Tom Waits, I have a John Lennon waiting to be bound but has to be put on hold for some custom orders that have come in.

I am working on an order of 15 mini journals - I must say, they are just about as much work as the full size ones, they're really cute though. Quite a generous Santa I must say! I've got the covers done so far, my only stipulation was that I wasn't going to make 15 identical books, she was more than happy to let me have my way:

Another fun book I have done since my last post is for the cat lover, personally I am a dog lover but all the cool fabric seems to be geared toward the feline fan! It's a larger art journal:

"Meowsterpieces" can be found here

This is the tune I used as the background on the Tom Waits book

And the early dawn cracks out a carpet of diamond.......at the Shores

Handmade is Where It's AT!

2011-11-14T11:56:00.001-05:00

We got snow last Friday to commemorate 11-11-11. It was only about 2 inches and has long since melted - mother nature teasing us I suppose! Now it rains.
Still heavy at work in trying to get inventory into my shops in time for the holidays, here are some new ones:

Echoing Eyes, a gorgeous peacock feather print - lined and unlined pages (click to view listing)

Bright Lights, Big City - also lined and unlined pages (click to view listing)

Maiden's Hair Gift a larger art journal (click to view listing)

I link to my Etsy shop only because the photos there are a bit larger but always prefer selling out of my shop on Handmade Artists' Forum. I love everything they stand for. My hope is that one day it will be more popular to shop at than Etsy...it's a shame the direction they've taken on that site. If you're a seller there you might know what I'm talking about.

Speaking of Handmade Artists' Forum, they have just unveiled a new feature to vendors - a bit of a window shop to add on your site.Cool, eh? I like it!

My choice today is Bright Lights by Matchbox Twenty - get the connection? ;o)
You'll find something that's enough to keep you.........at the Shores

A Laugh at Time

2011-11-09T07:16:00.000-05:00

Is it just me or do you just get up an hour earlier when the time changes to fall back? Here I am, awake at 4:30am today...not that I am normally up at 5:30 but I went to bed earlier too - I feel as though this will be one long day!

So, I previously posted that my mom has a new online shop on Etsy, it took her 6 days for her first sale, I'm super happy for her - it took me 2.5 weeks to make one and then the first two were to out of state friends of mine! I hope she does well, especially since I was the one prodding her in to this venture!

I have a couple new books. Surprised? I doubt it. The first photo is of a matching set, one 8" x 10" and a small 4" x 8". I've used this fabric before on a custom order so this will be the last in using it. I think they'd make a great gift - we'll see.

Gothic Harmony (click to view listing)

Field Sparks (click to view listing)

Seems as though my husband and I will be joining the gym. I think he has reached his "I've had enough of this" when last weekend he asked me to pick a dress shirt out of his closet for him, I then saw as we were leaving that he didn't have it on, I asked why, he said it was BBB - "well, what the heck is BBB" I asked , he said it meant "before big belly". I love that he's ready to join me in some exercise, we'll just join for a few months and see if he sticks to it!

I have slacked on posting links to my friends on the On Fire for Handmade team so if all goes right I'll post a one or two every day until I catch up. These two are also teammates from the Handmade Artists' Forum:

This week's Featured Artisan is Sarah - Finding Charm! Sarah has

beautiful creations in a wide variety of styles and colors! You can

find Finding Charm on:

This week's Featured Artisan is Sandi Levy - I Knit Quilt Sew!

Sandy has delightful creations in here shop. Something for everyone!

You can find I Knit Quilt Sew on:

Etsy

Handmade Artists Shop

Blog

Facebook

Remember this song? The video of Jim Croce and his son gets me a little misty-eyed. Not sure how long before his death this was filmed...pretty song.

If I could save time in a bottle...................at the Shores

Eyes, Books, Bags and Superheros

2011-11-03T21:34:00.001-04:00

What a nice start to November! I not only feel tip top but I had my follow-up appointment for more glaucoma testing on my eyes. After re-testing my eye pressure and some peripheral vision tests it looks as though there is no need to begin treatment on my eyes yet, I go back in a year to do it all over again. What a wonderful feeling!

I, as I do every year, did Halloween costumes for two of my grandkids, and as always it was a blast!

Wolverine & The Incredible Hulk

Of course I have a couple new books made:

Land of Whispers (SOLD)

Wings of Scarlet (click to view listing)

Frozen Time (click to view listing)

I've also spent the past two days setting up my mother's shop "Knit So Ordinary, Handmade Bags" - she makes very cool market/tote bags (I don't say this just because she's my mom either). I have one that I love, they stretch to hold a lot! She does custom orders too if you have a favorite color or maybe the colors of your Alma Mater (is that supposed to be capitalized?). Have a visit : )

Love this song & lyrics...there are versions of it that can go over 20 minutes but I'll keep it short here! Pretty photos too

Sometimes the songs that we hear are just songs of our own.......at the Shores

Baby It's COLD Outside!

2011-10-22T12:45:00.000-04:00

It seems as though fall has come and gone and winter wants in! I haven't wanted to turn on the house furnace yet so I've been dragging around space heaters to warm the rooms I'm in - anyone in the south have a room to rent for me, I'm no trouble....really!
I am down to 2 custom orders. YAY me! here are a couple I've finished lately:

LOVE this one

The person that got the chandelier in the previous post below is the owner of these two, they're Christmas gifts. I love finding out about the intended recipients then searching for the perfect fabric for each - great fun! Only 2 more before I'm caught up :o)

I think I'll take a small break this afternoon and do a little painting...need to warm up first, it's rather hard to paint while your hands are shaking from the cold!

No relevance to the post, just a song I like!

Look at me dancing for you.......at the Shores

Save the Eyes!

2011-10-15T18:37:00.000-04:00

I'm finally back to posting and feeling a lot better, now if I stay out of the germ filled city I should be good to go for the rest of the year (knock on wood)!

I went to the eye doctor last week for just a regular exam and to get a new pair of glasses and after what I thought was pretty much the regular once-over I got the news that they believe I have the onset of glaucoma, yes, I was freaked - I've always said I could pretty much do without a lot but as an artist my eyesight was non-negotiable. So, of course I hit the internet once I got home...probably not the best idea I've ever had, now I think I know too much but I did read that glaucoma is very treatable. Grateful for that. They'll do further testing in a couple weeks. We'll see.
I have a few new books here:

A second and final PopTart custom order - I've retired the design

Someone ordered a chandelier themed book...a chandelier themed book is what I made, you can't tell from the photo, but it sparkles!

New listing in my shops "One Man's Trash"

A sassy tune by Adele

Don't underestimate the things that I will do...........at the Shores

Sick.....Again

2011-10-08T09:59:00.001-04:00

GoodNESS, I've managed to get yet another awful cold. I don't think this has ever happened in my lifetime. Have a cold for 3 weeks - better for one - then sick again. Really?!?!?
Anyway, I did want to share the featured artisan from the On Fire For Handmade team before I completely miss posting and the next pops up!

This Weeks Featured Artisan is Frann Ramales - Armored Hearts!

Beautiful chainmail creations and more! You can find

Armored Hearts on:

My favorite is a chainmaille bracelet . Have you ever felt a nicely done wider piece of chainmaille? It is fabulous, almost fabric like.
Congrats, Frann :o)

Going to go enjoy one of the last beautiful days before the snow flies! Here's one just for fun...ever see the Sorcerers Apprentice? This was in it....

It's like we're chasing all those stars.........at the Shores

Custom Orders?

2011-09-26T20:35:00.000-04:00

A few days ago someone inquired about a custom order and after a couple messages back and forth regarding what exactly they wanted they decided to go ahead and have one made. I couldn't shake an uneasy feeling I kept having so in my last message I stated that I require half down - I've heard nothing since. Normally unless it is personalized I pretty much will do it with nothing down (or unless I just don't like what was chosen) because I'll just pop it in my shops for sale, while this hasn't happened yet that's my thought on the matter. Anyway, I was wondering just what your experiences with custom orders are. Do you require a deposit? Payment in full? Have you ever gotten burned? Leave me a comment!

I've gotten several new books bound using the ream of 90# watercolor paper I purchased

Unfamiliar Occasion (Click for more pictures)

A Visual Affair (Click for more pictures)

Charming Certainty (Click for more pictures)

Tuned Hope (Click for more pictures)

The clickable links go to my Etsy shop only because the photos are nicer there. I'd MUCH more prefer to sell out of my HAFshop as they don't take a commission unlike Etsy! ;o)

And the 3 below are custom orders

So, there will not be a On Fire For Handmade artisan to share here this week. Why? You ask (or maybe you're not, but humor me here!) Because I am that featured artist! If you have a shop you really should consider joining the group, my books have been in 5 Etsy treasuries over the past 2 days, not to mention my item view count has gone WAY up, we're on Facebook too. Plus, Anne who runs the group tirelessly promotes the group like crazy! Her shop by the way is here, lovely scarves, wraps and more!

Closing this long winded post with Bon Iver

I'll be holding all the tickets..............at the Shores

Bumpy Ride?

2011-09-20T14:12:00.003-04:00

Busy week...well, I guess they are always busy if I want them to be. It just may be a bumpy ride in to the holidays. I just got 5 more book orders, 2 similar to the one below, 4 are for Christmas gifts. I had a go with making a slipcase that locks as the customer didn't want the lock on the book but did want to be able to lock it....never to be stumped, this is what I came up with. The slipcase was all black and looked a little bare so I cut out some of the skulls and a rose from the fabric I covered the book in and adhered them to the front. I love it! I posted this on my Facebook page and two more were ordered. I guess the skulls and roses is a popular theme. That will be it for this fabric since I only do a max of 3 (different bindings) from any one material.

I have 3 to get finished by tomorrow evening.

Have you ever stopped by Steamy Kitchen? Jaden Hair's blog is great, she's a funny gal to be sure, her recipes are awesome and the BEST giveaways can be found there..one of these days I'm going to win something I just know it!

This week from On Fire For Handmade teammate is Flower and Bud:

This weeks Featured Artisan is Debbi La Rue - Flower & Bud Handcrafted Jewelry!

You can find Flower & Bud on:

Etsy

Facebook

Twitter

LOTS of cool pieces there - have a look won't you?

This song reminds me of my late mother-in-law. The two of us were going to dinner one night and this was playing on the car radio...I can still hear her humming in the passenger seat next to me. Makes me smile.

Thinking of you, Ma........at the Shores

On This Harvest Moon

2011-09-12T21:08:00.000-04:00

The moon is enormous tonight, it's a beautiful harvest moon, I hope you didn't miss it.

I've been canning the past few days, I have zucchini pickles, banana peppers, pickled green beans (awesome in a bloody mary!), a bunch of escabeche - no cauliflower but it does have jalapenos, carrots, garlic and onions - some salsa and lastly, tomatoes. It's not a ton but a decent start, there is plenty yet to come out of the garden
yet.......as long as it doesn't turn cold too soon!

I've got another 6 custom orders for books (I seem to run in 6's). I was sort of hoping to continue to add to my shops but I suppose this is even better considering they are SOLD!

I did get one using watercolor paper done today for the shops, I really love the fabric and the leaf skeletons I glazed over and added to the front jazzes it up nicely - it's one of my favorites.

Here is this weeks artisan from the On Fire For Handmade group

This weeks Featured Artisan is Sharri Powell - Moss and Mist! Gorgeous creations created with love.

You can find Moss and Mist on:

Etsy

Facebook

Twitter

The wirework rings are absolutely beautiful, normally I'd link to a favorite but no can do this time - there are too many! Have a look and see if you agree!

There's no better song for this lovely night but this one...

And the moon is climbing high.........at the Shores

Getting Better

2011-09-08T15:34:00.001-04:00

I think today is the day my cold is taking a turn for the better, 11 days is a long time. I don't normally get sick living out in such a rural area but there are two places I will catch something if there's something to be caught, one, a visit to the city and two, on an airplane, both are swarming with cooties!

I did get another book finished. It has lined pages and a very cool purple and orange batik - it has been ribbon bound. I like doing ribbon bound books, it gives the new owner the option of ordering refills. You can see it in either shop, I prefer selling through my HAFshop because it's a newer venue and I really love that they are so vigilant about their handmade only policy, you don't have to fight the resellers that go under the radar on other sites.

This Weeks Featured Artisan is Vaudeville Gypsy. Truly Unique Creations

to tickle your fancy! You can find Vaudeville Gypsy on:

She's got some cool Vaudeville gypsy costume, accessories & jewelry!

I'm breaking out some Suzanne Vega...it's been a long time since I've played any of her music.

You will hear yourself in a song...........at the Shores

Ick

2011-09-06T17:08:00.001-04:00

Just when I thought I was gaining momentum on the production side of things I get sick. It's been 9 days and I feel no better than when it first came over me. Ick.

Just before my ick I did a scavenger hunt of sorts (which is probably where I GOT the ick) with my step daughter, her husband and a couple of their friends in Cleveland. It was lots of fun running all over the city trying to decipher the clues given us and taking pictures of the answers, we all had to be in each picture too so a lot of strangers were stopped to help! There were almost 475 people entered, about 125 teams. The first team in took only 45 minutes to get it done....amazing really...it took us twice as long!

Here we are at the finish line...after getting a refreshment of course ;o)

The book above is another journal using more fair trade fabric from Mali, West Africa.

Lastly, I did a mini 4" x 8" sketchbook using a batik.

I was contacted last night through Etsy asking if I would consider placing a dozen books in a shop on commission. I really hate the idea of putting anything out there on commission, I've heard too many horror stories I think. Has anyone ever had a good experience doing this? If so please drop me a line or leave a comment. My knee-jerk reaction is to just say thanks, but no thanks.

This is just because....

There's mountains to climb........at the Shores

Globetrotting...Sort Of

2011-08-30T18:14:00.000-04:00

I am doing much better in the book production end this week, three books, three days, I can actually get more done in a day but I have an issue with focusing my attention as you may have noticed from the title of this blog. I have two from the same cut of fabric, I've done one before with the woman with dark hair this time I did both that were on the material and I'm offering 10% off if a reader wanted to purchase them both as a set (excluding shipping costs), just put them both in your shopping cart and use the coupon code ASIANSET at checkout. I do ship internationally, but since the charges vary so much with the weight of books in general - just contact me and I can get exact charges to ship.

They are both buttonhole bound and each contain 160 pages of 90# watercolor paper and can be found here

Another one I have finished is done with a fabric from FabricLovers. It is 100% authentic African fabric made in Mali, West Africa, I love that it is a fair trade fabric and directly helps the village in which it was made.

Can you see the tribal masks? From Japan to Africa I've been.....sort of ;o)

Lastly, it's time again that I share a link from the On Fire For Handmade team. This week it is Il Mare Atelier, she makes some very pretty jewelry - my personal favorite is this bracelet, see the tiny flowers in the pendant? Lovely!

This week's Featured Artisan is Suftan - Il Mare Atelier! Perfect addition to any wardrobe and great gifts too!

You can find Il Mare Atelier on:

http://www.ilmare-atelier.blogspot.com

http://www.ilmare.artfire.com

http://www.ilmareatelier.etsy.com

No relevance for the music, just like both Angela McCluskey AND Deep Forest, so together it's a bonus!

I'll be ready.........at the Shores

Progress, Beautiful Progress

2011-08-23T15:56:00.000-04:00

I've managed to get two more custom orders completed! I am encouraged and I no longer feel as though I am trying to dig a ditch with a spoon anymore......for now anyway.

Above is a 13.5" x 11" fabric covered baby book for mementos, stories, photo's etc. - there are about 112 pages if I did the math right! SUPER cute.

The second book pictured is a personalized journal with lined pages.

I am also going to share another link from the On Fire For Handmade team.

This weeks featured artisan is Rebecca - Rebecca's Whims! Whimsically beautiful creations in her shop! Perfect gifts for all ages! You can find Rebecca's Whims on:

Etsy

Facebook

Blog

I am in love with Rebecca's Whims moth necklaces - just gorgeous! Have a peek, won't you?

Ok, so it's a butterfly not moth song - but hey, it's my blog ;)

Balanced together ocean upon the sky.....at the Shores

My Mini Farm

2011-08-19T21:33:00.000-04:00

No new books today, though I have 3 I am working on. More on that tomorrow....I hope!

I do, however, have a nice basket of different peppers, zucchini, squash, eggplant and cherry tomatoes that I picked tonight. There are tons and tons of tomatoes but they seem to be slow in turning red, I just may have to pull a few for some friend green tomatoes *drool*. My green beans are blooming like mad and I'll be canning some of them for winter if I get as many as it looks like I will (tomatoes & salsa too). I also have a few cantaloupes and watermelon that are coming along nicely, I've never grown melons before so this is exciting for me. I think I planted the perfect amount for two people to eat and be able to can a bit.

Now what to do with that eggplant? Baingan Bharta (eggplant curry)? MMmmm yes, that would be good.

And I play this just because I like David Gray (video is boring though) :o)

Possibilities limitless..........at the Shores

A Breakthrough

2011-08-17T22:24:00.000-04:00

Well, I did it. I finished the set of books I've been working on F O R E V E R. And yes, the deadline of August 20th was the motivator as expected. I am so pleased with how they turned out. One was a lined journal the other had 80# drawing paper in it with a slipcase to contain the two. She wanted skulls and roses, the initials A-M-C and using the colors red, black and white.

I also eked out an ATC (2.5 x 3.5") that was to look worn, weathered and or aged. My swap partner lives in Belgium and likes Pippi Longstocking...as the universe would have it my avatar on that swapping site IS and has nearly always been Pippi (love, love the old Pippi books, I read them all!) So I made a mixed media piece, the background is colored with rust, I placed a piece of steel wool on a piece of bristol board and soaked it with vinegar, it rusted in quick order and gave a nice orangy color to it. Then I printed out a photo of Astrid Lindgren (the author) and did a photo transfer and lastly I painted a picture of Pippi herself over it. It was really nice to break out my paints after pushing them aside this past year.

Kind of a crappy scan but you get the picture, I did make the "with love..." a little nicer before sending it. : )

Three more book orders are waiting in the wings to get to.

Yep, it's a wonder I got these done - and in honor of, how about a Natalie Merchant song titled "Wonder"?

She'll make her way..................at the Shores

New Finds

2011-08-15T10:30:00.000-04:00

I'm in a group called On Fire For Handmade and once a week I'll be sharing a link of new finds from within the group. This weeks featured shop is Court & Spark on Etsy. I really love the handmade coin purses and after thinking about it I should OWN one, I have change at the bottom and in every pocket of my purse and think it would be a good idea to have something like this so I'm not one of those people you are sighing behind in line at the cashier while I am digging through trying to find 4 pennies for 5 minutes so I don't get 96 cents in change to join the rest in the abyss I call my purse!

This weeks featured artisan is Phillippa Pinka - Court & Spark.

Darling Creations that make perfect gifts! You can find Court & Spark on:

Have you ever had a project that no matter how hard you try you get it 3/4 of the way finished and you lose ALL motivation to complete it?? I have a custom order like that on my work table right now. The hard parts are done and all I have to do is bind the books (it's a 2 book set with a slipcase). Why does this happen? I mean, it will be so easy to complete but I just sit and look at them without making any move to get it done. I guess the in-hand-by-August-20th deadline will be the only thing that will force me to finish. Sad, isn't it?

I was introduced to the following artist while at the shore, I really love her stuff

My ship has run aground....................at the Shores