Old Town Teaser

 

what is squished benieth the jars of old baby food?

 

what is written in reverse applique on that fancy placemat?

 

which chinese lantern in a san pelligrino bottle will hang on the wall?

a moment of celebration and then back to work

Thanks to my sweet models who helped me put together a winning application to the winter Urban Craft Uprising in Seattle. My family also stayed calm and cute while I waited impatiently this morning for the list to be announced. And hopefully they will bear with me as I shift into super production mode to bring you remarkable recycled goods this holiday season. And congratulations to all my Bellingham crafty peers who will be storming the city with our subdued style.

pair of pears

When Steeb and I got married in our backyard in 2005 we planted a pear tree. The special espalier kind with two varieties grafted to a single root. I just adore that kind of symbolic romantic practicality. The sweet little tree has grown and I have tended to it, but it has never produced a pear until this year. Three actually. One that fell early and got some bugs, one that got something (bug? fungus?) in the spring and has developed oddly, and this lovely little pear Franklin and I painted today. I loved the process of painting this, taking the time to really look and try to match the amazing variety of colors splotching across the skin. But honestly I like seeing these together more than I like the final page from my book.

book club

I was having a conversation yesterday about some changes I am making in my work life(more on that in another post...) and I ended up referencing the inspirational/aspirational/motivational/spiritual/business/whole life improvement books I love to read. There has been quite a parade of them coming in through the library request system.  I wanted to share some of authors who fired me up this summer. These folks practice a new business style with loads of free content online and then information products, coaching and trainings that cost money.  The new policy to give away your ideas then leverage yourself as an expert works quite well for some of these sassy soulful entrepreneurs. And it provides a real gift to those of us who are living a rich life within a tight budget. As soon as I return the copies on my nightstand, they are all available at the Bellingham public library. And as I mentioned, each has a website with resources, inspirational posts and videos.

Danielle LaPorte  

Fire Starter Sessions. I love Danielle, subscribe to her list and was totally sparked by reading her book. I didn't get to all the exercises before it was overdue, but the ones I completed have already inspired some juicy change in my life. This is one I am going to buy. It is really beautiful to read and I got super pumped. While it is important to challenge yourself, it is also beautiful to choose things that are easy and graceful and enjoyable. Focusing on how you want to feel in your life, she helps you say "no thanks" to things that are no longer feeding your soul so you can say "yes!" to the greater gifts you can bring to the world. One of her beliefs is that Life Balance is a myth not worth stressing about. As a working mother I find this message so refreshing. She embraces the cycles of passion(where dishes pile up and friends are gently put on hold) and rest(where you honor your success or failure and seek out that which refuels your soul.) You can have it all, just not all at once.

sometimes I give and sometimes I receive

Yesterday I received a prize from our friend Erin Klauk in the mail. She is an awesome illustrator and sometimes enters contests on Spoonflower for her fabric designs. She offered a prize made from the material to one lucky friend who voted for her fabric on the site. I was the lucky winner! The theme was extinct animals and let me tell you, there were a lot of dinosaurs entered in the contest. Her toile, which I did no justice in my sketch above, features lost creatures like horned gophers, dodos and wooly mammoths.Oh, and they are enjoying a fine tea party. It is so lovely and I am so full of gratitude.

to see the actual pattern click here.

Bellingham Textile Project

I am excited to be working with ReUse Works on a new textile venture. Following the basic model of their Appliance Depot they will provide job training for low income folks while keeping items out of the landfill. This time instead of repairing refrigerators and dishwashers, it will be a variety of fabric based projects, from collaboration with local designers to bundled rags for use in machine shops.

We need to collect as much information as possible in this grant writing and business plan writing stage of the process. So if you haven't already, and you do any sort of crafts with fabric in whatcom county, please fill out this survey by clicking here.

Thanks so much. I'll keep you posted on the project and how you can participate as it develops in the coming year.

 These sisters are awesome. And listen how they creatively reuse a plastic container to make treasure from trash.

mug shot

This is my current favorite mug. All my favorite mugs are made by Cary Lane. Her art is magical and meaningful. This one with the alligator pruning a tree reminds me to say no to the crap in life so I can say "YES!" to what is truly important. It shows the sometimes tough part of nurturing a truly delightful life: getting rid of the dead wood so your best self can blossom.

Drinking your beverages from a wonderful vessel is such a tiny but powerful way to love yourself and add soul to your days. How can you be hectic when you are gazing at something beautiful, feeling where a crafter's hands touched the clay? Or maybe your favorite mug is sleek, well designed with a modern gleam in it's eye, helping you focus on your goals and aspirations. Whatever your style, consider this an invitation to find a mug you love and pour yourself something delicious.

Art Walk Tonight 6-10pm, downtown bellingham

Apples are falling from our tree in the backyard. Everything is crisp and bright, late summer abundance with a hint of autumn's change on the wind. It's time for working with wool in the studio: hats, vests, headbands...come on up to see what's beginning to take shape at the studio tonight. 1318 Bay street , above the Pickford Film Center, studio #201.

'zine librarian style

 

I bought this necklace and earrings from the lucky dumpster about a month ago and have been patiently waiting for september to wear them.  Since I haven't been in school for so long, to say back to school style is a little silly. But I definitely like the school/librarian vibe, so I dub this style the 'zine librarian.

 James made the jewelry from old wooden rulers. Style is about breaking the rules of fashion and wearing what you love.

 For the rest of the look, it's the autumn version of stripes and florals I have been loving this summer. I bought the shirt from goodwill a while ago. Knee socks from H&M the first time I went there in New York City, probably about 6 years ago or was it 10? Boots are Simple brand, I love them.
And the skirt was my big personal crafty project this summer. It's lightweight fabric from Steeb's grandma's stash of fabric. I folded it selvedge edge to edge.  Then I used elastic thread in my bobbin case and stitched about a dozen rows around the top. This makes the faux smocking and is all the shaping. Then I added a patch pocket and stitched up the side. Super simple.