Away Too Long...

Wow, I can't believe that it's been an awful long time since I've posted any of my projects, not that I have completed very many in this absence.  I've been slowly working on organizing my craft room and in doing so I've had to go through alot of stuff that I have accumilated over the years.  That and not being too happy with my job situation has put me in a kind of funk, making it hard for me to be creative.  My schedule is burning me out and well I can't remember the last time I had fun at work.  I'm grateful that I have a job, but something is missing.  Perhaps it the dreaded empty nest syndrome.  Afterall, it is the kids' room that has become my craft room.  I still do miss Sara and Cory very much and well I miss my crafting buddy too, who has been on vacation for what seems like a month.  Jenn has the lovely job of keeping this old lady motivated with new artsy challenges.  I should be making the handbag she requested, made from the sushi fabric she recieved in a swap, but time has slipped away and the sewing hasn't started.  It's not that I have no desire to sew or craft, I simply feel I have no energy for the hobbies I love so much.   I dream about crafting and am always reading through my craft magazines and surfing Flickr, Veimo, You Tube and Etsy for inspiration.  I'm wishing this funk will soon end so that I can get started on some new projects.  In the mean time I'll be reading, front to back,  the new issue of Somerset Studio.  When I opened the plastic wrap and removed the yellow address sheet I was truely blown away by the front cover.  It's so beautiful.  Maybe this will be the match to strike the flame of creativity in my soul. 

I still have some details to take care in putting together my craft room, and when I think it's just right I'll post some photos.  Until then, Happy crafting.

crafting 365 - day 32

crafting 365 - day 32
Originally uploaded by lilfishstudios

Another little cute owl. Hoooooot Hoooooot.

silly peepers Mr. Owl

silly peepers Mr. Owl
Originally uploaded by lilfishstudios

I spent a good hour exploring flickr and found the cutest little owl. Wish I had this little guy in my collection of owls.

Creating Keepsakes Scrapbook Convention

I finally got to attend the CK scrapbook convention in Mesa, AZ.  So glad I didn't have to work this weekend.  I went a little crazy at the $1.00 booth.  I purchased lots of stickers, emblishments and clearstamps that I can't wait to use.  I also purchased a software program to help organize and correct my photos.  It has a version of Photoshop that's a lot easier to use.  Although, I'm having Allen download it for me because I don't want to mess it up.  I saw so much at the convention and got alot of inspiration for scrapbooking "outside the box".  Now to clear off my craft table so I can start scrapping and card making.

Blogging For Bliss...Tara Frey

I bought this lovely book a couple of months ago and really appreciate all the wonderful information that Tara is sharing with those of us who love to craft and enjoy sharing their experiences and projects.  I have learned a lot and would hope that some day I'll have one of those beautiful blogs that  many would enjoy following.  I think of myself as still a newbie at blogging and am not real comfortable yet at playing with links, codes and my photography skills are very basic...point and shoot.  But all the same I have fun posting and always look forward to catching a glimpse of what other crafters are blogging about.  I want to continue to have fun with it and so I'm thinking of new ways for me to post.  I'm mean not just posting a photo of a finished project but maybe having a theme every month and taking more ideas are running through my mind and I often wonder why I want to do this.  The answer is and I think it is for most of us bloggers, is that I love to share my love for crafting. 

A bag for Sara

This bag was also made from the scraps of another project.  I added a little yo-yo to the front pocket.  The inside pocket a nice pleated detail.  The straps are store bought.  Now Sara and I have matching bags but in different styles.

Love to make bags from fabric scraps.

I made this bag for my daughter Natika.  I used scraps from another bag project.  I really love the pleated detail and the magnetic snap closure.  The strap is store bought.  I added little ties to the straps that can be removed if desired.  This bag would also look nice in a solid ultra suede of fuax leather.

Love this bag.

I really love this bag.  The big side pockets are a plus. I made an adjustment to the placement of the strap and I think just looks better.  I think I'll make a few more in this style.

Lastest Projects

It's been quite awhile since I've posted anything.  But that doesn't mean that I haven't been crafting.  I took the first 2 weeks of March off from work and enjoyed every single day.  During that time, I got to do alot of sewing and jewelry making.  I made several bags, my own designs.  It's funny, I have a few store bought patterns (Mc Calls, and Simplicity) but could not bring myself to use them.  I think it's more fun to design my own and really, it's really not that difficult.  When my kids were little, I was a stay at home mom.  I made alot of our clothes, #1, it was more afordable and #2, sewing kept me creative.  It 'seams' to me that every time I start a new sewing project I fall in love all over again with fabric and thread.  I love the sound that scissors make when I cut through fabric.

Jewelry making, however is a new hobby for me.  My daughter Sara really got me inspired with this one craft.  I had been buying bits and pieces of jewelry charms, findings, beads and tools for probably the past year.  I felt like I finally had enough to play with.  Well, I had so much fun playing with my collection of goodies that I found it to be addicting.  Now I know why the jewelry supply section at my favorite craft store is always so sparse and well shopped...messy.  The women in my my town are crazy about beads and bobbles. 

I'm sad that I have to go back to work tomorrow...back to the old grind.  I'm a little bit nervous too, feeling like I'm out of the loop and have to catch up all the new processes.  But, I do get alot of my inspiration from work.  I always make sure I check out the scrapbooking asile and well I'm always sure to get my crafting challenges from Jenn, my crafting buddy.  I'm lucky in that every day I go to work, I am surrounded by pretty things.  I love that there are butterflies hanging from the ceiling. 

Well, soon the kids will be moving out and starting their new adverture in adulthood.  I'm glad they won't be moving too far, cause I would miss them too much.  Not looking forward to that empty nest syndrome, again.  On the plus side, I get my craft room back.  Something to look forward to...nesting into my creative space.  IKEA here I come.  I really want to get that room organized and know that I can do it on a budget with all the neat shelving that can be found at IKEA.

I think my next sewing project will be going back to the old days of when I used to make my own clothes.  Summertime clothes are so easy to make.  I have plenty of patterns I just need to head to the fabric store.  The hard part is choosing which fabric.  So many choices....