charming

Made these pendant/charms, I guess you could call them temporary jewelry. They're collaged out of paper, then glued between a sandwich of thick plastic laminate. I stitched around them a couple times to make them hardy, but they are in no way permanent or even really water-proof. Attached big jump rings and now I can hook them onto my favorite silver necklace. I can see them as key rings and luggage tags too.

Birthday girl

She said the sweetest thing last night. "Shouldn't the presents and celebration be for you? You did all the work, wasn't like it was that much effort for me." She's 17. And it floors me that I am the mother of a 17 year old. Holy where-did-the-time-go, batman! Happy, happy day, Shadey-shoe, love you to the moon!

I wish that you find your own path through the forest.

My latest challenge page for Journaling Junkie: Creative ways to hide your journaling. My tip is this: I always attach my photos, papers and mats at the top and bottom only (leaving the sides unattached.) I'm famous (to myself anyway) for forgetting to leave enough room for journaling, so this way I can always slide journaling tags and cards under the layers. On the rare chance that isn't possible, I use an exacto to slice a line right next to the edge of a photo or mat so you can't see it. Then I tape a scrap piece of paper on the back side so it forms a pocket. I can then add the tags/cards into the slit and know they won't just slide through the back. On this layout the center paper mat is only attached top and bottom. It left room to slide an entire letter to my daughter underneath.

Muse

I just saw this and want to put it here so I'll always know where to find it. It is refering to photographic technique, but it applies to all creative outlets.

Photographic technique is no secret and – provided the interest is there – easily assimilated. But inspiration comes from the soul and when the Muse isn’t around even the best exposure meter is very little help. In their biographies, artists like Michelangelo, da Vinci and Bach said that their most valuable technique was their ability to inspire themselves. This is true of all artists; the moment there is something to say, there becomes a way to say it. - Ralph Gibson - from his book Déjà vu [cited in: Creative Camera December 1972, p. 401]

Quilted bag

Inspired by quite a few things, but most recently the Weekend Creative prompt by Ali Edwards. Originally I was going for all white on white, but I didn't have enough "different" whites and had many tiny scraps from my last two projects, so it became this. And I LOVE it. With two additional interior pockets and a bright orange zipper. About 16x6x3".

Price: $45+ shipping SOLD