EyEmbellishments

The ease in which connections can be made in this golden age of the internet is mind boggling. Serendipity and coincidences have made me aware of the generous nature of Sue Bleiweiss. She is a tireless creator: one of those fairies or gnomes that makes hand made creations appear overnight. Really, she’s amazing, I don’t think she sleeps.

I’ve been slow in adding her web-site to my favorites due to being overwhelmed by the maze of information she imparts. Sue is generous with techniques and resources, has free tutorials and projects, offers on-line classes and is the publisher of the mixed media zine Fiber & Stitch. Whew, I’m exhausted just talking about her. Looking to expand your arena of mixed media? love books? Check this energizer bunny out.

1 Comment

TOO much to say about this one, and of course everyone knows the importance of making time for themselves, or for creating. Here is how I negotiate with myself: I wish to spend hours painting papers, or sewing painted fabrics with no particular finished project in mind. I have housekeeping to do. Simple, for every 20 minutes of crafting, do a house-project: put laundry away, then more fun: put clean dishes away, then more fun: vacuum one area, then one martini, you get the idea. Put on great music and get to work. It’s not so bad.

I notice I quantified my play time with “no particular finished project”. I believe if you are finishing a project, for ANY reason, then you are off the hook and need no justification, so there. So have fun, it is the weekend after all. love (and UFO’s)

you know why I didn’t post yesterday? I slept all day! HA! take that List Of Things To Do!

No Comments

When you eat summer pears, do you stand over the sink? That way, when the juice drips down your chin, you can contain the stickiness, and cleaning your face means reaching for the faucet.

When you peel a perfectly ripe orange in the winter, do you then place your fingertips in your nostrils and inhale that heavenly aroma? Then neglect washing your hands all day to repeat the inhale?

When you splurge (calories not $) on chocolate chocolate chip cake from the grocery bargain bin, do you drench the dry cake in rum? And then eat 1/3 of it in one sitting because nobody is watching? Tip: turn the cake upside down before applying the rum, it will be absorbed better that way. Not that I have any experience with this…

No Comments

Earth day, but with minor effort, could be earth week, month, year, century. I am the proud new nurturer of 2 tiny little twig crabapples, that I will watch with unbridled glee, grow to be beautiful trees.

The above card may be an odd pick for today, (and it does look much better in living color) but I like the idea of seeing beauty in everyday nature. The way the light bounces off the curves of bell peppers, the smell of fingers having just peeled an orange, the splurge of a bowl full of lemons on the counter. Respect nature, revere our resources, appreciate and preserve. Love

No Comments

tickling the kids, cats purring, dogs sassing, paintbrush shushing on canvas, sewing needle in motion, sizzles from the wok, Joplin from the stereo. How do you make music? The soul needs it as much as the ear. Don’t forget to celebrate the magical qualities of the everyday, ordinary, music. Feed your soul.

No Comments

Whatever you create, or hope to someday create, we’ve got a handful of affirmations and reminders for all types. Hang or frame them where they will be seen daily. It will be your permission to feed your creative soul. Click on photo to see the album.

No Comments

Caffeine, cowboys, saints, bingo, loteria cards, and assorted craziness coming out of the kiln. I’m hoping for 2 more batches before the Chicago International Quilt Show in less than 2 weeks. yikes, I’m getting nervous. But we have a great spot in the Make it University area, we’re surrounded by fabulous artists, and we are still having fun putting the mixed-media collage cards and quilts together. (plus a secret: I’m making eyeballs! hee hee - myc)

No Comments

Sometimes we need to depend on a visual to make us smile and remember the silly side of life. Sock creatures do this for me. This is my latest and we’ve taken to calling her chocitome. She is not allowed to have arms as it would lead to chocolate overdose. It takes longer to unwrap the chocolates by mouth only. So sad, but she’s happy, and so am I.

No Comments