Sunday, January 17, 2010

Happy 2010!!

This is my first post for 2010 and the month is almost over. My life just gets in the way of my posting. I really should try to find more time to post or come up with a better system. On the home front, the family is good although hubby is a little disappointed with the Cowboys. Oh well!!

Stitching Update

Actually did a good bit of stitching this week. I have finished the grid for Blue Ribbon Design Stop and Smell the Flowers. I have one letter left to stitch on my Granny ornament, and I have almost finished a biscornu for an upcoming exchange. I received a Christmas packet from Pirjo for an ornament exchange we had on CSE. He stitching is superior as always and I just adore how she finishes her pieces. I am so lucky to have two ornaments from her now. She sent some metallic thread, a piece of hand dyed fabric and the snowman ornament with a sweet card.



2010 reading Olympics

I finished Hey Diddle, Diddle the Corpse and the Fiddle by Fran Rizer on 8 Jan and started Dan Brown's The Lost Symbol. Thus far it is slow going in the new book, I am only on chapter three--that is what I get for only reading in bed.


Paper Crafts
Card making seems to be taking over my life. I am going to stop getting feeds and just checking for updates on my blog roll. It is just to tempting to start something new or buy more stash when I can read about it in e-mail. I entered a card in the Card Maker Weekly Challenge. This the category is Monochromatic. My card is shades of yellow. I used all Stampin Up! materials, even the button is made out of paper.


During the holidays I made Gift Tags and Gift Card holders for exchanges on Card Swap. The card holders and tags that I got back were fabulous and they came in very handy. I used up all the tags for my kids Christmas gifts. I managed to save a few to copy for next year. Here are pictures of my Gift Tags -- I had to make a dozen. They are folder like a match book with white paper inside for a note or sentiment.



I had to make six Gift Cards and they were pretty ordinary, but I got back some really nice ones. Unfortunately, they are all gone and I did not take any pictures of them. Bad me!! Here is a shot of some that I made. I used a pinwheel design that I got from Barb.




Recently, I started to cover some old bird houses with the designer papers I have collected and I am really pleased with the outcome. I got the idea from a card Maker magazine. So far I have two finished. One I kept for myself the other was a present for my baby girls teacher. The plan is to display them in my kitchen above the cabinets with greenery and lights. This is a picture of the one I kept. The box it is sitting on is also covered with paper. It is Washi paper from Japan, I have had that paper for many years and I love working with it.




Basket Weaving

Last week my friend and basket weaving mentor Sue came up and we did a little weaving. I was able to finish the trim on my Cherokee Market basket and weave the Ladybug kit I had bought last October. We plan to do it again on Tuesday this week. Making baskets leaves me with a really "green" feeling. These baskets will last almost forever, if they ever get tossed out they will not harm the environment. I have baskets around that I weaved over 20 years ago and I still use them today. I use the market basket to carry my weaving tools and the other is a gift. They are not perfect but I love them and they look even better in person.







For Christmas I made a few Nativity baskets for family members. Here is a picture of one.




Here's wishing all of you a very happy and healthy 2010. Thanks for stopping by I really appreciate all your comments.


See ya!!

CJ

13 comments:

Sherry said...

Wow, you really have been busy! The cards are lovely and the baskets are just wonderful! I love all the stitching too!

Nancy at EmbroideryIt.com said...

I just found your blog. We could be related with our common interests! Your baskets are stunning.
Nancy

Barkley's Mommy said...

Isn't it fun to spend time with a friend and weave? Your baskets are lovely... I think your nativity basket is wonderful and very original. Did it come from a pattern? I'd love to take on this project for the 2010 holidays.

Kindest regards~
~~~Anne

Debra said...

You are very talented. Thanks for sharing all the pictures.

Daffycat said...

Goodness, no wonder you didn't have time for blogging! You've been busy! It's great to hear from you.

I just love the little baskets you made for Christmas gifts ~ too cute!

Penny Light/Light Whimsy said...

OH MY SOUL! What an incredibly well rounded crafter you are! Your baskets are beautiful. When I was in Michigan I bought some basket weaving kits but have never started it.
Thank you for visiting my blog. I'm glad to visit yours. You are so talented!!

Mylene said...

Great job on the baskets. I Love them!

Carolyn NC said...

Wow - you have been busy! Love it all!

Carol's Stitching said...

Cool. We are both working on a BRD piece this year. Maybe we can cheer each other on these projects. Sounds like your 2010 has been very busy so far.... Cheers!

Meari said...

You are SO creative! Loved the lady bug basket and the nativity one -- geeze, they're ALL great :D So are the cards, and stitching.

Anonymous said...

You have sure been a busy crafter, CJ. Your cards are all lovely, but I would expect nothing less from you. ;D I love your Nativity basket - how original! I'm in awe of the many talents you have. Keep up the great work and I'm looking forward to seeing what you finish next.
Hugs,
Barb in TX

Penny Light/Light Whimsy said...

Holy cow these are awesome! You are a true artist!! Power to retired Navy wives! I miss the camaraderie of the Navy, but not being in the Navy. My husband is so glad to be out! What great talent you have!

Helen said...

Your baskets are very beautiful! Thanks for your comment on my blog.