Even Big Girls Like to Cut and Paste

Some of my sweet friends came over this week for a Valentine-Making Night. We crafted valentines to send to Etsy's Share Your Love 2011 valentine drive. These cards will be delivered with Citymeals on Wheels to elderly New Yorkers on Valentine's Day.

We had a potluck buffet upstairs and a craft supply buffet in the basement.

We gathered supplies on trays, then came upstairs to craft at the dining room table.

I work with these ladies and love them so much. They are teachers and I have a super soft spot in my heart for all teachers (my mom is one.) They are resourceful, practical, and have the ability to make almost any situation fun. We had lots of food and a variety of beverages and craft supplies. But I think we would have had just as much fun sitting around with tap water in dixie cups and a bag of feathers.  

Tips for the Happy Homemaker

Several years ago, I created this collage about homemaking. I clipped "helpful hints" from an old Betty Crocker cookbook. I used to think these words of advice were so outdated, such perfect examples of Betty Friedan's The Feminine Mystique expectations for women. Now that I am older, I find these quotes charming and insightful.

  Betty's party advice is honest and simple. There is no mention of Martha Stewart's notion of "entertaining" guests or finding the correct cocktail glasses. Instead, Betty speaks of "welcoming" and "gathering".

 Though it may seem silly to remember little stories to share at mealtime, it also speaks to the importance of cherishing this family ritual. Rituals do not simply exist. They require on-going effort.

Although it won't change my life, adding a dash of cologne and simple earrings before breakfast does make me feel better.

Now, go put on an apron and bake some cookies. Yes, Break and Bake cookies count.

Make Time Smile, The Movie

My first how-to film.

Follow along as I show you how to create a collage clock face.

Peanut in Pink

This is my hound dog, Peanut. I know. She is gorgeous.

She is a Bassefab. Part Basset. Part Fabulous.

I created this portrait from a photograph. I printed it onto muslin using my inkjet printer. I added paint, adhered it to a canvas, then added more paint. The whole process was really quite easy. If you'd like more instructions or have specific questions about the technique, leave me a comment and I will be glad to walk you through the process.  

Until then, I completely understand if you need to simply sit and stare at the beauty of Peanut.

Queen Kitchenita

This is Queen Kitchenita. She graces the wall next to my pantry. 

She was created to cover an old, ill-placed phone jack. 

With a sharpie, my kids and I write our kitchen wishes around her head.

Oh Queen Kitchenita, grant us yummy meals, fresh fruit, tart apples, juicy steaks, crisp heads of lettuce, snappy carrots, ice cream that never melts, pasta that is perfectly al dente!

We also ask for nice guests who like everything we serve, children who are never picky, 

and a dog to keep the floor clean.

Anyone with a sharpie can add a wish to Queen Kitchenita's portrait.

I created Queen Kitchenita by painting a vibrant cartoon of a woman, then covering the whole thing with a piece of blank pattern tissue. The light brown color and the wrinkles in the paper gave the piece an ancient-treasure-just-found-in-an-attic look. I added some metallic tissue paper accents, painted the background gold, and gave it a top coat of gloss medium. 

Then I used the black sharpie for accents and wishes.

Silly. I know. But fun.

Jury Duty Day

I am on a list. A list of favorite people to call for jury duty. 

Later this morning I will ride the train downtown and walk to the courthouse and sit in a big room full of strangers and hopefully hear that I am excused. 

A long day of waiting means two things. 

1) I will want to eat constantly and 

2) I will have lots of time to let my mind wander (if I can keep it off food.) 

I plan to help the wandering by bringing my sketchbook and lots of pens. 

It could be a great day of making plans and answering questions like "what's next?" 

Or it could be a frustrating day of thinking about Cheetos from the vending machine.


UPDATE
My jury duty day is done. I was excused at noon!
While buying my train ticket, I got very lucky and met a nice woman who works for the same school system. We even know some of the same people. We rode the train together and walked the blustery morning streets of Atlanta to find the courthouse.
While waiting, I met another nice woman who lives in my neighborhood.
She knows my dog and likes to craft too.
I love small world connections.
All is good.

Little Bit of News

I've got to share my news. 

I am a finalist in two Cloth Paper Scissors Magazine contests. Earlier this month, I submitted pieces to their 2012 Calendar Contest and their "Stenciled Garden" reader challenge. CPS has selected 21 finalists for the calendar and will select 13 winners. I am not sure about the plans for the stenciled pieces. Keeping my toes crossed.

Now back to work.