Call me crazy but I've signed up to do the April A to Z blogging 

challenge again this year.  It's been 2 years since I "played".

 

I am a fiber artist. It fills my spare time, my dreams, my studio,

 my friends shelves and my imagination.  It inspires me 

which is my theme for this year.

 

A few examples of what I do. 

 

 

There's so much more but this gives you an idea. 

I paint the base canvas, then embellish with stencils I cut by hand. 

The vessels are machine sewn with rustic zig zag edges. 

I'm looking forward to the journey in the challenge this year.

 

Holiday Market Time

 

It's been quite awhile since you've seen me here.

I'm back!  You can come see me &my fabric storage solutions the next 2 days at 

                             Crooked Tree Art Center right here in Traverse City. 

 

 I've been creating a lot of new pieces since my last post. 

Which happens to be over a year ago!  

So much has happened since then. But today we will focus on the art 

you will see from me today & tomorrow. A few process hosts so you get the idea.

 

 

 

 

 

Once I get in the groove I can't stop. Especially if there is an event in the near future.

 

 All packed up & ready to set up today.  I hope Kristi (Crooked Tree VP) made cookies!

My plan is to get back to blogging. Somehow I just couldn't muster the energy.

Feels like the drought is over.  A lot to share. Hubby & I have been on some amazing adventures.

We went to Africa a couple months ago & it was AMAZING!

 

 

We traveled with a group of 12. Stay tuned.

In the meantime I hope to see you soon at the Marketplace.

Spools

 

S is for Spools. I have quite a collection. 

  

 

 

 

My plan is to soak the labels off then submerge them in a rust water bath. 

That's how these cloths pins got their weathered look. 

For now they live in this "pod" that hangs in the studio.

I've seen some fun artsy projects with spools.

These card holders might come in handy

I like the idea of adding imagery to them. 

I have a collection of these. Spools of another sort.

I use them to wind yarn.

The spent plastic spools from all the thread I go through 

comes in handy to wind embroidery floss from it's original skein. 

How do you organize your "stuff"? Or don't you?

Magnetized

 

 

 

 

Magnets are my storage friends. These little guys are great.

Take up little space but hold numerous sheets of paper or 

heavier paper stock on a surface.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 My metal shelving unit is magnet friendly. Found these with interchangeable  

hook sizes that screw into the base. Now they are in the garage & studio. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 If I punch holes in stuff I can hang them on the hooks. Or add a large paper clip & hang that.

 

 

 

                               

 

 I like to have things I use constantly close & available.

Sponges & gloves for painting, printing, stenciling. 

In the Kitchen. Got this magnetic bar last winter. 

So nice to get the big wood block off the counter.

 

On the chest freezer in the garage. 

Who doesn't have loads of reusable bags...

that we can't use right now. Sigh.

Finally got the walking poles away from the front door.

Telescoping magnet. Black handle on the right. 

Extended below. It was in my Dad's tools.

Glad I kept it!

 

 

Comes in real handy when you drop a needle or pin either behind something, 

or you can't find it. Sweep that baby & you can pick it up.

Finally. I follow a blog called "The Magnet". 

 

In the words of the author:

A weekly newsletter of tips, recommendations of things that interest me, things I've learned, recipes, quotations, and more.

You can get a paid subscription (of course) but I just read the blog. 

Given the title I thought it appropriate to mention. 

 

Grolsch Bottles

I'm a sucker for glass bottles of all kinds. I have to force myself to recycle 

when the collection gets a bit out of control. I posted about them here. 

These however are special.

Have you ever owned any Grolsch bottles?  I have had several for YEARS, probably 30 plus. 

I love the look & functionality. They sat in my pantry brought out 

for decoration & photo props. I recently started to use them for home made Shrubs  

& salad dressing. It's important to label them!  had to buy new gaskets for the ceramic closure.
The originals had disintegrated. New ones are silicone.

A friend made some great home brew and bought Grolsch bottles. His are green.

This little video shows the two colors fraternizing. Titled "You Can Come Along"
More on this current obsession helping fill time with creative pursuits in a later post. 

 

Taking some time today to take a look at several A to Z Challengers. 

Hope everyone is having fun and enjoying something good to focus on. 

Aged to Perfection

This is the first of a few little projects I've been working on over these long grey days. 

More "mini obsessions" to be revealed in the next few posts.

Kicking myself for not getting a "before" picture. It was a Mickey Mouse mint tin. 

After hot gluing the corner pieces it was covered with silver paint left over in the basement from some random project. Glaze mixed with a little black acrylic paint 

was wiped over the entire box for an aged look.

Someone gave these to me & I've wanted to put them to use.

Now it is a needle box with magnetic strips inside.

Great for travel. Got the idea at a stitch workshop. Brilliant idea.

I just wish it would snow so I can go skiing!

P is for Pantry What's in Yours?

 

I love to cook. A well stocked pantry is important. 

To be short one item for a recipe can be maddening. 

I also get to show off some of my fabric bins as they grace my pantry for specific items.

The truth is I'm an organizing addict. Is freak the right word?

 I'll let my friends be the judge of that. Anyone care to weigh in? I can take it.

 Open shelving is great if you have the space. I like to be able to see everything easily. 

Helps when you are making a shopping list. 

It's as bad to buy an extra of what you already have as it is to be short.

 

 

 I recently winnowed my collection of cook books. 

It all becomes variations on a theme at some point.

 Plus who doesn't love food sites & Pinterest?

I transfer most items to glass for storage.

An entire shelf full of anxious participants. 

 

 Open wire drawers work well for dry storage of those things 

that like to sprout if you aren't watching.

I use lots of onion & garlic so it's not a problem here.

 

 Did you notice the fabric box above labeled chalk? 

I have a chalk board wall in my pantry. Gotta have a place to play with design.

 I haven't changed from this ampersand in ages. I need to attend to that.

 Maybe after the A to Z is over...is anyone else getting worn out? 

A couple past designs on the wall.

 

It's not all about the food for me as you can see. Ways to express creativity always come into play. 

What's important in your pantry?