around here...

...we waited for a big snow storm.  It wasn't as big as the weatherman said.

...shipped out custom orders this week.  I have customers who have great ideas. 

...worked to get ready for my first show of the year.  I realize that I feel a little bit adrift without a craft show in my near future.  Although I enjoyed some relaxing weekends in January, I am glad to get back in the groove of having shows to look forward to. 

...read a really good book: The Chaperone by Laura Moriarty (I've probably spelled her last name wrong.)

...kept the kitchen pretty darn clean for nearly a whole week.  For me, this is actually quite an accomplishment!  (it's the little things!)

...applied for two spring/summer events that I've never done before and really hoping I will get accepted. This is what constitutes excitement in my craft-obsessed life. 

...have been in bed by nine o'clock nearly every night.  Unlike a certain four-year-old, this tired mama looks forward to sleep.  This means I've been getting up pretty early, but I love my quiet mornings all to myself.  I think I get more accomplished before seven in the morning than I do the whole rest of the day. 

This is what we've been up to.  Today will be very busy setting up for this weekend's show over at the Fairgrounds (if you're in Des Moines and don't mind driving in a bit of snow, come and see me!).  Hopefully, we won't get too much more snow that people don't come out and shop.  If you do want to check out the show, it's at the Varied Industries Building at the Iowa State Fairgrounds, tonight from 5 to 9, tomorrow 9 am to 5 pm and Sunday 10 to 4.

Stay warm!

New stuff!

I've been having lots of fun making collages the past couple of weeks and thought I would share a few of them.  These will be going to a couple of the fabulous shops where I sell my stuff and also to my first show of 2012 (yay!) in a couple of weeks, Arts & Crafts at the Fairgrounds, which will be held in the Varied Industries building at the State Fairgrounds, Friday evening Feb. 24, Saturday Feb. 25 and Sunday Feb. 26. 

 A butterfly found it's way onto the cover of a bingo book...often times, what happens to be scattered around my work table serves as inspiration. 

 Then I raided my stash of old costume jewelry for these two pieces.  The black and white rhinestone brooch belonged to my grandma, who would probably find it bizarre that I put it on a collage.  But it's just been sitting in a box for years and it's not something I wear, although I love it.  I love how it adds some sparkle and dimension to this collage. 

One thing people at shows often ask me is "what do you do with all the book pages?" when I use the covers of old books to make journals.  Well, this is one thing I do with them.  Ink them and make collage backgrounds.  I love the results.  I use Tim Holtz Distress Ink and Stazon Ink.  I'm also a little bit obsessed with that polka-dot Smash tape, as you can tell. 

Hopefully creating some bright and spring-like pieces will bring on some warmer weather.  That's what I'm hoping anyway, as I looked out the kitchen window this morning and saw that the thermometer said four degrees.  It's too cold to go anywhere, so I'll continue to stay home and make stuff.