Show and Tell Friday

January has just flown by.  It seems the older I get the faster time flies by.  lol  I've been working on some Valentine crafts for my booths...not a lot but I do like to have a few Valentine pieces.  I also try to not make them specific to just Valentines for the most part.  Anywhoo, here are a few pictures of them.

A couple of mixed media paper mached boxes were completed...glitter and all.

A dozen frames were also completed.  They all have scrapbook paper decopauged on them and Scrabble tile words.  I don't know why, but I just love Scrabble tiles.

They all hold a 4"x6" print.   Many of the frames would also be great for weddings as well. 

There are even a few for babies too.  I love, love, love the daisys on this one.  There's also one specifically for boys and another for girls. 

On a happy note, I am working in my painting/crafting room again and it's wonderful.  I can find things I'm looking for...imagine that.  I feel creative, and I like that.  Not sure, but I think it even makes be a more pleasant person to be around.  lol  Get this, I'm even having dreams about crafts...that's right, I've been dreaming of a creative outlet for crafters in the valley.  Now if I could make it come to life that would be even more awesome.

Las Vegas Crafters Guild

Do you live in the Las Vegas area?  Do you belong to the Las Vegas Crafters Guild?  The Las Vegas Crafters Guild is looking for new members.  Come visit us at www.meetup.com/lasvegascraftersguild to see photos, read newsletters, and more.  In addition to the monthly meeting held the 4th Tuesday of the month at the Flamingo Library at 7pm there is also a craft day where you can work on your own projects and starting this year there is also a project workshop.  Check the website for more information.  You can also see at http://www.lasvegascraftersguild.com/ as well. 

Show and Tell Friday

Well, I can finally show you my paint/craft room.  I've been working on it for a couple of weeks off and on, with some full 8 hour days.  I've sorted, tossed, donated, and re-organized, vacuumed and dusted too.  I've put almost everything into clear plastic boxes because I've learned out of site is out of mind.  There is not doubt that I can actually purge some more but there is only so much I can take a one time. 

These are some super scary before pictures.  This is on one side of the table...can't even begin to get to anything I needed.  Under the table was just as bad I am embarrased to say.  The table was full of stuff and I was down to about the size of a placemat to paint in.  I know it's horrible, but I also know I am not the only one that does this.  (Please tell me I'm not the only one that does this.)

This stuff came out of the closet.  I never realized I had so much yarn for doll hair.  If there is red in any brand...I think I have it.  Sad to say there is so much stuff I've bought and never used.Wow!  Look at the difference! 

Wow!  Here is my whole table!  A new table cloth, everything is de-cluttered and looks fabulous!  I'm almost afraid to start working on it.  I changed out my paint rack to the wire one shown.  I had a wood one in the photo above.  I have a new holder for my brushes as well...do you recognize it?  It's a Pamper Chef spinning utensil holder. 

The closet has been totally gutted, vacuumed, a new shelf added so there is shelving accross the whole thing.  I've place everything in clear boxes (I like the shoe boxes that Costco sells, they're a little larger than normal ones.)  Good Lord, there are 3 of them full of jingle bells.  Did you notice there are still a few empty ones as well, I've no doubt they'll be filled shortly, 2 have already been filled with over-stock of paint. There are lots filled with assorted wood part, ornaments to paint, glue sticks, assorted Christmas items, mixed media, glitter, mica flakes, and more.

There is still an entire rack full of fabric that hasn't been moved to the front house yet...it may never get there.  I think I need to sell off some it it.  Watch my Etsy shop in the next few weeks for it.  There is some really nice fabric still on the bolts as well.  (I won't even talk about what's in the studio...that's a whole other project).

I so pleased I even got the wallborder up...well, Chris helped me with most of it.  It's only taken me years to do that.  It's one I fell in love with the minute I saw it, a Susan Winget patriotic design.  Notice all the thrift store finds that need to be painted...wood bowls, metal bowls, wood trays, coffee pots, frames, and more.  In the spare room next door is more wood to be painted.  An entire large bin of Christmas and other full of Halloween.  At least now I can get to everything and have room to paint. 

Today, when I was sorting paint and putting it in the metal rack my son, Chris was able to sit in the chair across from me and visit.  That hasn't been able to happen in a couple of years.  It was really nice. 

Show and Tell Friday

Well, Friday came and went so fast last week that y'all get show &  tell on Wednesday this week. I just didn't want to wait a few more days to share with you.  My oldest son and his wife had their wisdom teeth pulled on Friday and it ate up the whole day.  I was a designated driver for them, I've made soup, and took one of them back to the dentist.  They are both doing better at this point but my daughter in law has had a really difficult time with hers.  I feel their pain...ouch.

I did manage to get my afghan completed...I love it.  I think the colors are gorgeous and the Lion Brand Homspun yarn is just to softest!  It's big, warm and comfy...perfect.  It would look great on a double bed, it's that big.  Had ten squares left over so I crocheted them together to made a table runner.  Waste not, not want.  I considered selling it but I've spent quite a bit in yarn so I don't think I will (unless you're really interested).

I was also able to finish 3 mice.  They are from an Old Road Primitives pattern.  So cute.  I did a few different things with them but they started from that pattern.  Two of them have a dusty pink homespun skirt and set on top of a paper mache box that I added Scrabble tiles to.  All of them hold a decorative skeleton key and tag that reads, 'You hold the key to my heart'.  I gave them all rustic nails for arms and legs...just thought they would work well (and I really didn't feel like sewing something that small). The last mouse sets upon a large wood block that has a bright pink heart, Scrabble tiles and a super bright green bow.  It really pops and looks fun I think.  Instead of dipping them in a coffee stain I used a spray can of stain on them this time since I was out of coffee stuff.  It worked well, a different look...it also stiffened the ears nicely.  I listed one with the skirt on Etsy yesterday, she's patiently waiting adoption to a good home (is it yours?).  ;o)

On another good note, my paint/craft room is just about done.  I'm waiting to finish a few things and then I'll show it to you.  Lots of stuff has gone to one of the local thrift stores.   Happy Wednesday!  See you again soon.

Show and Tell Friday

I've been cleaning what is supposed to be my painting/craft room this week.  It looks more like Chernobel really...a total chaotic disaster.  There are bags of stuff I didn't even realize I had, seriously there must be a thousand sponge brushes tucked away in bags in every corner.  I always buy 200-300 when they are one sale.  I am a thrift stor junkie, always looking for something to paint on to resell.  But the whole idea is to do that...not just collect this dang stuff.  Well, I've been sorting, cleaning, tossing, and boxing for several days now and it is starting to look better.  There is still much to do.  No photos of the existing room (it's just too ugly), you'll have to wait until it's done to see it.  I just want to be creative again and need a fresh start in there. 

On another note, I'm putting all my granny squares together during the evening and it's looking pretty good.  I love the yarn (Lion Homespun) it's so, so soft.  Need to get some more of the connecting color today to continue.  It will be a great size for the couch I think when it's done.

Have a great weekend!

The Big Clean-Out...Day 1

I finally decided that yesterday was the day to start cleaning out what is supposed to be my painting/craft room.  Over the last half of the 2009 I really accomplished very little because it was so disasterous...way too much in the space.  It's one of those things where you ask yourself, "Where do I even start?" so you do nothing at all.  If I am to accomplish anything at all this year that room needs to be cleaned out so I have a place to create.
So I put on my hazmat suit and went in...don't really have a suit but sure felt like I needed one.  I spent the whole day sorting through things, filling boxes for donating, filling trash bags, cleaning, vacuuming, deciding what to keep, finding stuff I didn't even know I had, and other things I wondered why I had.  I filled one of the large rolling trash cans and 12 boxes for donations. 
All the shelving came out of the closet, the closet floor was vacuumed, a new shelf was added, and items were sorted into clear shoe boxes.  There is still a shelf and a half full of fabric including some 30+ yards super soft minky I've never even touched. It will be going up on Esty for sure...at least some of it. Today I will purchase more clear boxes, including some larger ones for all the yarn I use for doll hair.  If there is red to be found in any brand, I believe I have it.
After eight hours of continuous work, it doesn't look any better...but it will.  It's one of those processes where it will get messier before it gets cleaner.  But it will happen, this I know.  I want  2010 to be a better year than the last and this is just the start of it.

Happy New Year!

Out with the old and in with the new.  I have been praying my guts out for a better year than 2009.  Although it could be much worse than it was I am just really looking for a more successful year than the last.  I have some new plans, projects and ideas on the drawing board to bring you in 2010. 

Big 'Thank Yous' to Candace in Patchogue, NY!!!  She's my first internet sale of the year...woohoo!  It's packed and ready to go out in tomorrow's mail.  She found a fun piece on Arts A Flutter's website.  Come by and check out my products please at http://www.artsaflutter.com/.  I'm Twiddlebugz Designz.