house wren studio

Postmark L.A.

 

At last. Here it is. Our much-awaited collaborative project that started so casually as a team trip to CHA and L.A. last February. We were inspired to share our grand adventure with you, and it just kept growing until, well......

Click this link (or the left sidebar icon) and see what we put together for you. It is so rich with inspiration, anecdotes, imagery, templates and how-to's- made by all of us- just for you. Loveliness.

To celebrate the launch, some of us are gearing up to post giveaways on our blogs. Rebecca. Pam. Teresa. Carolyn. Mine is the Jewelry Keeper project- made anew just for one of you. So, please sign in here with a comment and enter the drawing. And of course, we are hoping you order a copy today. I just know you'll want it to be landing on your doorstep as soon as possible. xoC....!

wool again

Finally got back into the wool basket and just made up these bundles for my etsy shop. They are about 5 or 6 ounces each and have a variety of colors and patterns. Mostly all the same. Heading over there to post them now. Thanks again for all the visits and nice comments. xoC

getting closer

Our little collaborative project (with Rebecca, Pam, Carolyn, Teresa, Amy) is shaping up.  Sheesh, it's pretty amazing. Almost there.

I think I said that before, but we are having way too much fun tinkering and adding on. You'll be happy about that. Really. You will.  xoC 

color cans

Time to get something crafty going over here. In my mail stack there was an autographed! comp copy of Rosie's new craft book. These decorated cans (photo by Paul Whicheloe) are a project I originally did for her magazine years ago when they did a story on my new book, Between Friends. The editors of her wonderful craft book chose a few of those projects to recreate and include in the new collection. So, so nice- then and now!

Maybe you know how much I love picking something out of the green bin and reworking it. Recognize the beginnings here? Coffee, beans, olives. Just clean, paint and decorate the clean cans with paper strips, rick rack, painted details. The biggest challenge is the sharp spur left by the can opener inside the rim. Use pliers to pinch it flat and then paper over it to protect your fingers. I always think of this as a summer craft for the back yard with children, but why not right now?

I would do anything outside today. Sun shining, birds pulling things out of the scruffy yard. I'm going out to look around too. In the green bin... the grass and the sky.

the creative family

I was excited to receive an advance copy of Amanda Soule's new book. The Creative Family is her sweetly inspiring collection of projects, ideas and thoughts on family life at home. Home with little ones- precious, curious children just beginning their own creative adventures. Like her blog, the book is a clever handbook of the ways that a family can simply play and learn together, enriching each other's creativity with imagination and invention.

I am loving this little book- small enough that it sits perfectly on top of the stack here. It is beautifully designed and easy to dip into, though harder to put down. Most of all, I love the way that Amanda's parenting style fills their lives with creative discovery. Children are natural teachers too, their gentle ways instilling respect and affection for siblings, a calmer pace for the household. I like the accessible crafts that the family has created- sewn, built, mixed from simple materials and resources. Handmade knitting needles (how cool!), art-on-the-go bags, a banging wall from kitchen pots and pans. Rituals, traditions, parlor games, all within budget, without commercially marketed products. Fabulous, thrifty, home-made fun.

I confess that it happily reminds me of this, my own record of those extraordinary days. I do believe that parenting is the best gift life has to offer, even though it's a supreme challenge, start to finish. You know how you hear people jokingly say over the heads of their children, Where's the owner's manual? I think it's here, in the pages of thoughtful books like Amanda's. This wonderful book reminds us that there is no better, or more natural way to nurture our children- and ourselves- than with our own enthusiasm, patience, care and creativity.

Now I'm going to make myself a banging wall. Everyone should have one of those!

welcome spring and a new class

First day of spring!

With all the excitement of the trip to Ireland, once again I forgot to post about my upcoming class at Tinsel Trading in NYC on March 29th. Unfortunately, their site isn't being updated so if you would like to attend please call 212-730-1030 or email Terri to make a reservation. We're making posie holders like the one above- and having our usual casual, fun Saturday crafty afternoon.

Also, lots of you wanted the instructions or kit for the felt tote I designed for the last class and I never got around to it. There is a very cute one over here that you can make. We even like the same colors and materials. Love her big flowers and she has felt scraps for sale too. Happy spring everyone!

postcard :: 2

Reggie and the trivet I made for his owner.
From the barbecue after the parade last year. Easy directions are here.

tussie mussie, not fussy

Part of my catching up over the last few days has been preparation for a children's workshop tomorrow. We are making old-fashioned tussie mussie bouquets at the Historical Society. Andy is the new president there and when he started asking about who might help him with a children's workshop, I thought I'd better volunteer. That's my committee at the garden club so it's two classes in one day for both organizations and a  nice partnership. History+ flowers + children + crafts + community.

Mr. President takes his job seriously and he quizzed me about the historical significance of my proposed project. Well, sir, people used to make and wear these so that when they encountered an unbearable odor, they could bury their nose into the little fragrant bouquet and thus be spared the unpleasantries of the street. Okay then. Approved. But wait, there's more! We are taking it further into the historical realm of sweetness and love in honor of Valentine's Day, making Victorian cones with doilies, adding in herbs for the language of flowers.

Just made this practice model and although it's probably too small, it is darling, don't you think? Rosemary (remembrance) and sage (esteem) stems were available at the grocery along with carnations and sweetheart roses. Baby's breath too. A little "nosegay" (get the meaning of that now) bundle of these wrapped with a green chenille stem slips right into the cone. That is easily made from a 6 inch round doily cut into quarters. Glue one quarter of the cut doily into the corner of a cardstock sheet. Cut that out, leaving a little cardstock showing across the top and trim that with pinkers. Roll it into the cone shape and glue shut with tacky glue. Punch 2 holes toward the back and use a gold sparkle stem to make a hanger. Add a ribbon bow and a hang tag for a valentine message. Ta-da.

Hope they have fun with this. Well, probably for about 15 minutes anyway.

So, what's for dinner, Mr. President?

Did I mention he cooks?

class to kits

Thank you for all the kind wishes sent to Erin and John Paul. Thrilled here, though now fully realizing that a wedding is ahead for us. Yay! and then, yikes!

In the excitement of the proposal, I forgot to tell you about the class at Tinsel Trading last Saturday. I always enjoy teaching there and love seeing how each class takes on its own story and character. This one was the biggest yet- nine really fun, creative students, and the felt bags turned out so cute. I thrifted, felted and premade a bag for each student- then we played Project Runway with a lottery a la Heidi Klum and her bag of buttons. The bags were all so different depending upon the sweaters I found so I was glad that everyone was happy with their pick. And the decorations they added were each as unique as the maker- including the adorable Lia who managed to spell out her name with trims. Just darling!

After class, I stayed behind at the store awhile and discovered more irresistible things to add to the Valentine kits. Vintage seam bindings, charms, Dresden foils, craft candy. And yesterday I hit the jackpot when I came upon a basket full of antique handkerchief lace from France- so added that too. These kits are now officially Gorgeous!

Still selling through my shop, I'm getting them ready to ship. Looks like I have a kit club- faraway friends who buy each offering- which is wonderful because I know then that the instructions work, that they really do come together as planned. So, so good to know- and more than anything, I love hearing that from you. Thanks, everyone- this one is almost on its way! xoC

valentine's day kit

I don't know what I was thinking when I set up my post categories. I just kind of threw in random titles for things, but these days most of my posts all fit into one category......what I love.

Along those lines, here is my new craftworks kit for you, for your Valentines, your bright winter rooms and February sweethearts. I used my cherished studio stash of vintage fabrics, felts and trims to outfit each one with those special extras you love too. Speaking of extras, this kit makes 2 projects, the second one a last minute brainstorm that perfectly completes the idea I think. Adorable! Valentine's Day always makes me feel so inspired. Over here, it's all about handmade, home-made just like the days in school, carefully cutting out pretty hearts to decorate and share. Make this mobile to hang nearby and when your sweetie walks by, even a whisper makes the little hearts dance.

Kits are in limited supply and are featured up there on the right in my valentiney blog shop. They will begin shipping January 25.    xoC