Summercrafter

Ok. Here is the scoop. The bad news is I can't add any new pictures to the blog because I ran out of picture space. The good news is one year plus into the blog thing, I have used up all my free picture space. So I have to buy, upload, update, renew, gigs or bytes or something. So when I figure out how to configure the updates I will post new pics. And while I have been asked of late why am I not on Facebook or Pinterest? I don't have time. If I had more time, I would craft more and post more; however, in regards to time and contrary to all my desires, full time jobs that pay do have a priority, but that's not MY rule. : ( And apprently, I am not yet technologically savvy enough or connected with someone who surpasses me in blog knowledge in my circles. Anyway, do I really want to be soooo out there!?!  Well, maybe later. So in the meantime enjoy this picture... I like to imagine it all lit up in Christmas lights with a sleigh parked on the side ...

My Craft Corner has evolved somewhat, it's got more personality and inspiration. It hasn't looked this neat and tidy for many, many weeks, unfortunately. Craft Room in it's early years, really this was it and a closet full of stuff, crammed into plastic containers. Original Sears Kenmore Sewing machine inside the cabinet  (does more than 45 years make it vintage?) They don't make them like that anymore! Yes, it still works, my mom got it when she came from Cuba to make us clothes. It was handed down to me practically brand new, almost 25 years ago! New Craft room set up, early stages.    To the left of the book area is a ribbon cabinet I designed with 8 bars for small ribbon and one for large spools.      This is the center work area. It's filled with photos, quotes and insprational words. On the left side (see below) there is a ribbon board I made for pictures and other inspirations...

This summer I went to one of my favorite little places, the beach just south of this great header shot on the blog. It's amazing to think of the beach as a living thing, but it is ever changing with the ebb and flow of the salty waves reaching for the shore.  It's never really the same; not the color, not the depth, not even the creatures.  One of the highlights was these great little souvenirs I brought back. This year, there was a crunchy shelf of tiny seashells in all shapes and sizes right at the edge.         Some would say that these shells, with a hole meticulously drilled in almost every one, would be the "uncollectable" ones, the ones that would be left behind. I, however, appreciated the uniqueness of these shells and the tenacity of the little creatures to find their way out (or did something drill its way in?!)   Well, I brought a bagful home, all be it a sandwich sized bag and with it, a craft idea! ...

Jar lids come in all shapes, sizes. They are found on jars from spaghetti sauce, pimentos, pickles, salsa etc. Since they are so perfectly round, I thought they would be great for ornaments and crafts; so I started keeping them instead of throwing them away. I even have my students bringing them in for a seasonal craft. It started when I decided to piggy back on a magazine idea for "repurposing" Christmas Card photos to give as mementos back to the families. But the possibilities are really endless; once I started working with them, new ideas keep coming and I haven't preserved any Christmas Card photos yet. And I guess great minds think alike because I also saw them used on the ornament girl blog, if you google it, ornament jar lids, you will get hers and a ton more! I just did it! See no idea is really new!!  DISCLAIMER: I generally like to come up with my own crafts and use my own brain and devices. I  prefer not to copy and don't use Pinter...

Merriam-Webster.com says this: 1 a : the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires : delight   check   b : the expression or exhibition of such emotion : gaiety   (no witnesses) 2 : a state of happiness or felicity : bliss   check 3 : a source or cause of delight check   Yea, yea, yea, that's all fine and dandy.   Today, JOY is staying home from work, (even if it's a sick day) and crafting or sitting out in the yard, on what feels like the first day of fall, reading a new Christmas Craft Magazine. Oh! And listening to Josh Groban sing "I'll be Home for Christmas." And I did a little blogging. ; )   And making this almost entirely before lunchtime!     1930s prints cut into 2 1/2 inch squares It always happens that when I start assembling the squares, I just don't like the patterns or colors or the combination of square ...

What kind of a blogger am I? More than 10 days without a new post, idea or craft? Please accept my sincere apologies.  I hate to beat a dead horse, but I have a new full time job. Actually it's more than full time as it also interferes with my other jobs of mom, wife, crafter, blogger, friend, artist and so many other duties, obligations, hobbies, joys and past times. See the photo below? If I believed in omens, signs or wonders of this nature, I would have said "oh no!" when I saw this fallen little card in my craft corner. It says "Arts and crafts keep you sane" it has been behind something, over something, and/or on top of something. The worst part is, God knows how long ago it fell and I only just saw it.  Oddly, it is the perfect metaphor of what my life is like at the present time.  My arts and crafts and sanity, have indeed, all fallen by the wayside.   On another note, I feel so badly for people who have lost jobs in this economy. And I k...

Hi Everyone, Today is the one year anniversary of my blog and its first post! I am so excited to have been doing this for a year, it's a fun way to be accountable to myself to craft regularly and document my creative journey. I have also met some other great creative people along the way.  Thanks so much for all of you who have been there supporting and encouraging me and especially for those who have faithfully read my blog, that means a lot to me. : ) And for you newbies who came along later or just recently visited and/or joined THANKS to you too!  If not for the readers, where would blogs be? To celebrate this occasion it is no coincidence that today, one of my projects is being featured on Quiltstory .  So click below, if you will,  and take a look and read a quilt story or two for yourself! I hope you checked it out and enjoyed the many beautiful quilts and stories behind them on this great  quilt blog . They have tons of gr...