Create your own New Year's Dream book.

I will make a video of my method for making the very easy Dream book.
Glue and black card- stock is all you need.
I am happy you like the idea.

This book is an altered board book, it is not the same construction, can be fun however.

The Dream book

To put some sunshine in the rain

Oooo! it is cold and wet in the Islands.
We are not used to it at all and go about shivering.
The ornamental orange tree and flood waters outside my bedroom window in the photo taken yesterday.
There was a duck out there, I tried to capture him on camera but he was a bit shy.

Other pics. in my studio whilst trying to brighten my day.
I call this idea, calendar or catalog collage.
I love the thick shiny pages for backgrounds.
Thanks to Nordstrom for the big catalog pages.

French knots and whatknots

It is still wet and chilly here in the Islands.
So I did some handwork, when I could see in the dark studio.
Not complaining, the rest of the country is suffering worse weather than here.
Just french knots and some straight stitches make this hydrangea page for a garden journal I am creating.

Some art and the birds.

Finally drew the bird give away, I had a 1st, 2nd and 3rd prize.
First is Suziqu in Australia, she will receive the lace bird.
2nd wins a ticking bird, she is Lottie in United Kingdom.
Nice to have friends in other countries enjoy my art, be it ever so humble!
3rd ticking bird goes to Miss Createology, thanks for coming by everyone, I do appreciate you.
Best Holiday wishes too.

Greetings!

Little tableau at my daughter's home.
I added the frame and texture.
Mele Kalikimaka, Lilla

Starting to dry out

Been a wild few days here in the Islands.
Power outages, floods, my TV shorted out, and lots of 'fun' to be sure.
Christmas party canceled at RSP. I made some gifts too!
Trying to create a video or two but been so dark in my studio I will try again later.

The little box holds some of my handmade French beads and buttons.
Pouch is another in a collection.
All will go to my Etsy shop in the New Year.

Birds

I am sand bagging in Honolulu due to heavy Monsoons with flooding.
I am high and dry but many are not.
The birds that live in our trees and are usually chirping, now are very quite.
It is all a bit eerie.
Seems the storms are coming in from the equator and are hitting us now.
It is lovely living in the tropics, it is all part of life here.
We need the rains, just not all at once.

peak in my linen chest

over the years I collect, use and clean vintage fabric and lace.
Here in a big chest is some to look at.
I was cleaning out so before I did that I snapped a few pictures.
It is much tidier now.

Bottles from the sands of Time

I make altered bottles and have shown lots before.
They line my window ledges, and fall over.
Do not think I showed the tiny artifacts I make, these bottles are only approx. 2" high.
So maybe I will do a little video on these.
Tell you some secrets like where I find the bottles, how to make a cork when none fits.
Adding crustiness and ancient gold leaf.
How to make them stand up.
Yes you all know where I find them, especially if you live in Hawaii.
Or maybe not!

quilted postcards

Will be putting in my empty Etsy shop.
'I also teach this class.
Embroidered and quilted postcards.'

They have vintage a postcard on back and can be hand canceled to mail.

Project and give away

Thanks to all who follow my work and seem to like it
Aloha nui.
Here is a quick and easy holiday detail for the window, how about a flock?

Easy, trace shape onto cardboard.
Glue on old lace or doily .
Trim around and if liked rub on some brown ink.
Add button eye.
For decoration, accordion fold a piece of pattern tissue, add lace scrap and a charm and glue on.
I like to keep the hanger simple so a torn piece of muslin works for me.

This will be a give away so leave me a comment and again I will draw a name from my battered old cap.

This is my star.

She is in the latest Sew Somerset magazine.
Sits on vintage sheet music and is about 16" tall. hangs on the wall.

Red December

Collection of photos that inspired me this December.

Vintage wooden tags

Made the tag art for my daughter, she hangs them on an old chest.

Gathered in December

Pictures to inspire with a French theme.

The Carolers

Thought I would show you a little craft I did on vacation with my 3 little grand daughters.
So talented I think.
Each made one, the twins aged 8 and the youngest aged 5.
Faces made from a piece of packing material I found.
String from Dad's supplies.
Hair a piece of shaggy fringe.
Music for the carol book.
Christmas fabric for the gowns and the stand was found cardboard.

I have returned

Aloha friends, back in the Islands now.
See new article in Sew Somerset, on left.
Meanwhile here is a book mark for you to print for the holidays.
It has a series of my little pastel sketches from Provence.