In my studio - a new Bernina sewing machine!

Look at it, all sleek, black and shiny! Lucky that my table was made with room for three (really? all for me?) machines! I'm so thankful for a husband that just nods when I explain how I went to take one machine in for service - the backstitch on my Huskystar is sticky and the zig zag a bit loose - that I came home with a brand new sewing machine. Blame it on the great service at CS Sewing in TC, if you want. This is the machine I am test driving for the community sewing studio. Wouldn't a whole room full of them look super sleek?

what I wore sunday - recycled wool sweater hoodie

It started with one cable knit crew neck sweater and one boiled wool zippered cardigan and became a sweet hoodie with a pointy elf hood. Neither one is felted. I took the body of the sweater to make the hat, using the bottom band for the hood opening. It folds back nicely, so I'm thinking of putting together a tutorial for you. It's on my ever-growing to-do list.

The skirt is new, a wrap skirt from Yana Dee, that I picked up at the Holiday Art Market this weekend. Underneath is another wrap skirt in a soft hand-dyed cotton to keep me warm! And the hat is one that I made from a tutorial in CRAFT magazine. Here's an earlier post with all the details.

Fyn's sporting a little recycled wool elf hat too, made from a felted wool sweater. He need his sunglasses, it was so sunny today!

Holiday Art Market review - Boneshaker Bags

Did you know that a bike used to be called a boneshaker? Joan was working hard next to me, selling her bike bags. They strap onto your handlebars instead of a basket. She does some cool embroidery too. Check out her shop for more bags and backpacks!

Holiday Art Market review - part 2

Boys' shirts with wood grain accents range from 6 months to 5T.

Men's shirts are made from two old shirts to make one groovy new one!

All but one of these recycled sweater coats sold! I'll be making a few more for the next show in Rochester Hills at the Oakland Steiner School.

Holiday Art Market review - part 1

A good and faithful customer, Amanda has several bags and uses them all the time. She came with one on her arm, packed full and still holding up pretty well. Shopping local is her mantra, whether for her family or the restaurant, Stella.

A fellow artist sporting her wares - a recycled wool scarf of roses. I'm dreaming of mine in cashmere. Red or pink?

a package from starlitnest.etsy.com!

What wonderful goodies! People often ask me where I get my fabric. A bigger question is when am I not looking for or buying fabric in my thrifting adventures? But this was just the new inspiration that I needed to get me going again! Here's a sampling of the gorgeous fabrics that came in my scrap pack from starlitnest. She was great about handling my many requests and meeting my needs. Thank you very much!

Ohh, I have SO many ideas! what to do first?

getting ready for an art show!

For those of you who have asked where you can buy my handiwork, here it is. I'll be at the Children's House Holiday Art Market this weekend. The show is Friday, November 5, 3-7pm and Saturday, November 6, 10-4pm. It's on Long Lake Road, across from TC West High School. There will be new bags, ruffly jean skirts, men's and boy's wood grain shirts (thanks, Jake, for being an awesome model!), kid's tote bags and more.

All packed up and ready to go! See you there!

works in progress - recycled holiday cards

art party - needle felting part 2

looking for beads for eyes...

a little lop-eared bunny

a wise old owl and a little acorn gnome!

 





art party - needle felting

It was a fun day with some crafty girlfriends. We ate potato leek soup, spinach salad with baby tomatoes and lemon dressing, and had a little limoncello toast!

Fyn was very interested...

Christie brought this great book that Debbie is holding and we were all very inspired!