house wren studio

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 

transformed

April 15th. Arghhh.

April 16th. Much better.

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!

pieces of heart :: 19

So this is the last day of February, the extra super bonus last day. Sadie Hawkins Day. And I suppose it's time to wrap up the heart series- even though I have all these other ones I wanted to post. Maybe I'll sneak them in later.....it has been so much fun.

I made and sent this mug cozy away to a friend who will find it in her mail in a few days, a thank you for so much kindness. But you can make your own- just felt a second-hand wool sweater and cut off the sleeve cuff plus some extra room if you need it at the top. Open the factory side seam with careful snipping to make way for the cup handle. Check for fit and trim the top to the right height. Use a sturdy thread like pearl cotton to fortify the handle opening at top and bottom, then blanket stitch all around the sides of the opening. Do the same around the top of the cozy- loosely there to allow for stretching. A felt heart can be blanket stitched to the front of the cozy. That's it really.

So Dede and I are off to the city- in search of inspiration, exercise, good food- and lots to report back here. Watch this if you have a minute....such a fantastic event. Picture us there. It's our first stop of the day.  xoC   

pieces of heart :: 18

February has an extra day this year- must be to make room for all these hearts. I've been saving this little felt heart for today because I'm headed to the airport to pick Dede up for a weekend visit! She introduced me to these vintage baby face buttons more than twenty years ago...and we still love 'em as much as ever. I mean, really, who wouldn't?
So, I have the spare room all fluffed up, the craft baskets full and flea markets mapped! This freezing February day already feels so much warmer than yesterday's. Hoping yours is too. xoC

pieces of heart :: 16

One of my neighborhood friends brought me a packet full of stamps- torn from envelopes, collected over generations, squirreled away for their imagined value or memories perhaps. Funny how most of us would now rather have the letters inside the envelopes, the handwritten thoughts more and more precious as we move farther away from the pen and ink tradition of letter writing.

Today I am planning my trip to the post office with the tea mouse packed up and ready to send off to .... Jill ....whose comment was selected at random. She named her Fiona. I cannot tell you how touched I was to read your thoughtful comments, heartwarming and sometimes heartbreaking. I loved your fantastic names for the red-eared mouse with a pearl nose- and will look at this list many times in the future, so much inspiration and imagination in the suggestions. Thank you all, especially those readers who have not commented before. It is wonderful to know you are there, every one of you. xoC

pieces of heart :: 15

By now you know that I have many, many buttons. This one is from a set of four and they appear to be handmade. Whatever they are, I do love them...all four. Like the button from Erin's lost sweater, this one is perfectly at home on the red wool doll shawl.

But I think my favorite part is actually the simple feather stitch which makes me feel as though I am following the traditions of my grandmother. She probably called it goose tracks, sensible country girl that she was. Each time I start that stitch I have a moment when I can't remember the how and why of it. Which way does it start? Where do I come out with the needle? And then it comes back to me, Here, then there. O, this is fun, I could stitch this pattern forever.

The red and white textile was thrifted so long ago, I can't remember where, but is one of two, both so treasured that they hardly ever come out of the drawer. That's kind of silly.

And thanks everyone- reading the tea mouse names was more fun than the Oscars! Drawing tonight. xoC

pieces of heart :: 14

I am giving this little tea mouse away in a comment drawing Monday evening. She needs a name and is really very sweet, all snuggled up in her nesty vintage teacup, handpainted by someone long ago.
I so loved reading those comments yesterday (which are already included). Thank you.

Continuing through the weekend and Monday, just leave a comment about your own imagined or real pieced heart - or you could suggest a name for her- and I'll put your comment in the basket for the drawing.
xoC

pieces of heart :: 12

An ornament for the tree from fabric scraps left over from Erin's Christmas dress in '85. I made the dress too big, but I loved the fabric so much that she wore it to please me, the sleeves rolled up like a farmer's work shirt. Next dress I made with French seams. The lace was from a jumble of beautiful trims and fabrics passed along to me when Mrs. Manassa (my mother's second husband's mother) cleaned out her sewing room. (Why-o-why didn't I say yes to her Bernina machine?)

The pinch pot/cup was harder to clue even though it has initials scratched into the clay bottom. ML 3K

We have two ML's here. Finally figured it out. 3K - only one of them had Mrs. Kemper in 3rd grade. Maggie. Whew. Would hate to not have that straight, right? 

pieces of heart :: 10

The collage I made for her birthday in '91.

Happy Birthday, Anne!
Wish we were there to celebrate with you~ have a happy, happy day! and many, many more to come! xoxo!