Pot Holders!

Okay, in the spirit of trying to come up with products that folks want to buy, I whipped up some potholders this week and last week. Those of you that make things and try to price them out know the insanity of trying to figure out pricing that serves you as a worker in the world as we know it! Will be taking them over to the South County Artisans Market at The Amazing Umbrella Factory.

 
Trying to figure out the best way to finish off the edges...timely and lovely...




 Don't you just want to start cooking?

Whose got the Button?

Greetings from Little Rhody! It is still a bit chilly here but all is well!

I just wanted to share a bit of news!

 My embroidered buttons got a couple of pages in the latest online mag  In Stitches, Volume 10! Just posting a few more pics for your viewing pleasure!! The buttons are great little projects...quick, portable and givable!! 

In Stitches Volume 10 has very strong, amazing work gathered together in one place so check it out!!

Have a great day and make something wonderful! 

South County Artisan's Market!!

I have been working on goodies to take to the South County Artisan's Market at the Umbrella Factory in beautiful "downtown" Charlestown, RI! If you are in the general Southern New England area and have never been to the Umbrella Factory, it is worth a ride with the family. And the garden center is top of the line...should open any day now!!!

 These faces were painted onto fabric that had already had a color wash applied. The idea was to create little pillows. They were then machine embroidered and a few have additional hand embroidery! I added the ruffles to give them a little more interest. For any of you that make things for sale, there is always and constantly the time/materials vs retail price dilemma running through each stitch.

 Also sanded and painted this chair that Sue and I have been carrying around with us for years. It was given to us by a dear, deceased friend and has been waiting for this moment to become part of the display at the Umbrella Factory. Chalkboard paint was applied to the top part of the chair and will allow me to change messages or prices. My sis will be happy to know that the seat has been covered by the formerly unfix-able girl.

 Worked on printing more fabric

 And started some new big pillows!

 And finally ordered some 2x2 biz cards/hang tags from Modern Postcard!

 Now, Off to yoga and another day of making things up!

Solstice Fabric Frolic!!!

 

 

 We are very happy to announce the details about our June 2013 workshop! 

You can download the info and registration form. 

Please pass it on to anyone that you think might be interested! It is fun filled weekend, with lots of time to work without interruption! Good food, support, relaxation and space to dig in and make stuff!

Thanks!

 

I just got back from my sister Allison's place in Florida and I spent a lot of time printing fabric in their wonderful garage studio! Opening up to the fresh warm breezes, there is a hose and buckets for cleaning screens and brushes! This is just a sample of what we will be doing this summer!!

There is Miss Allison herself with brush in hand. She and girlfriend Midge are going to be teaching this stuff in Florida in mid-March!!

 

 

 Started out with unbleached muslin and new thermo fax screens!

 This is a scrap piece of muslin...made screens from scary baby photos!

The squares were made with blue tape on a plane screen...

 Thermo fax screens...

 

 Yea, New Crayons!!

 

  Don't miss all of the fun!

Paris, Oct 2012 - Finally

Friends were just asking me where we stayed in Paris in October, so I thought that it was about time to share some pics of our trip. Sue and I decided to head to Paris for our 20th anniversary and were joined my sister Allison and her girl Midge. We shared a 5th floor walk up apt at 55 Rue Saint-Louis en l'Île that offered ever changing rooftop/sky views and shelter from the rain. It was a particular relief when the four of us made it up and through the apartment doorway!

Notre Dame and all of its' glory was in our front yard. We barely stepped inside of the church but walked by at least once a day.

 Al in our doorway!

 Rue Saint-Louis en l'Île

  Eating and stitching around the world!

 It was quite rainy the whole time we were there. Here is Al trying to stay dry.

We tramped all over town in the cool rain, and one of my personal goals was to stay upright and avoid if possible, a crash and burn on the slippery cobblestone sidewalks.

Our longest around town journey took us about 8 miles.

Over the week we managed to get to:

Musée d'Orsay 

Quai Branly (A+++)
Musee de Cluny

 Eiffle Tower

Jardin de Plantes

Luxembourg

Tuileries (has an amazing small garden bookstore)

 the Marais

the Latin Quarter

 Sue, Allison and Midge with a crepe!  

We had delicious fruits veggies from various markets including the very rainy Bastille.

Breads, pastries, coffee, chocolate and cheeses from everywhere!

David D Downie Tour 

 

Sue and I planned a surprise tour with writer/historian David Downie. I had found his book "Paris, Paris" just before my first trip to Paris in 2011. David is an American living in Paris and has written essays about people and places, past and present. It is a most entertaining and educational read. Highly recommended if you have been or are going to Paris!

 

We learned so much about people, politics, buildings, very old protective walls, narrow roads, churches, coffee, cafes, gardens and squares...just to name a few subjects. One could wander the streets for days with David and only begin to tap his wealth of knowledge!

We also had a great lunch and a couple of first rate cups of coffee with a great speaker of the language! Thanks David for a really great day!


His Newest book will be available April 15, 2013!

So we had a great week, food for the soul at every turn. Window shopping was so inspiring! Beautiful clothing, shoes, jewelry, art work, architecture, the people, the food, the river, the rain, the sun, the bridges, graffiti...

It was a great trip, with much left to explore.

And now it is just days away from our 21st Anniversary and I want to thank Sue for another great year of living the dream!! xxxx