Workbench Wednesday + My Sister's Flowers

Here's a pictorial roundup of what's on my craft room table today. Ideas in every stage of the project. Some will be finished at some point, others, sadly, well it's all part of the process! Wanna see the fruits of my sister Joan's back-breaking, knee-bending, blister-handed labors? The final count is: 20 hyacinths 50 crocus 420 Ranuculis 830 daffs. What are the fruits of your labors? Please share!

Workbench Wednesday

Here's a pictorial roundup of what's on my craft room table today. Ideas in every stage of the project. Some will be finished at some point, others, sadly, well it's all part of the process!

What are you working on? Please share!

My Room With A Past

This is my happy place. It's full of dreams and life and echoes of the people, both my fellow dreamers and customers, who have passed through it. When I first started as a consignor here (it will be 7 years next month!), I sometimes would just sit in one spot and look around, soaking in all that happiness.

This month it's also full of things that make my heart soar--birds and old linens (and birds on old linens!) and lots of things I made!

Linens, quilts and chenille bedspreads I found last November are now seeing the light of day and hung on a ladder for display. (There are even more in that 2 door cabinet!)


These are cuff bracelets fashioned from old doilies a friend gave me. I made roses out of torn fabric strips, leaves out of wool, and wove seam binding through them.

Nests under glass, just time for Spring. The dome and pedestals were thrift store finds, glued together. The nests were gleaned from flower arraignments discovered at an estate sale!

Lampshades are covered with more doilies (from that same pal!) and fabric roses.

A beautiful page from a children's story book becomes instant art when antiqued onto a canvas.

An old window I painted in reverse with birds and "Home Sweet Home" becomes art for your nest! Below, bird-topped wands flowing with pastel ribbons from the previously mentioned flower arraignments are not just for the kiddies!

Paper banners shouting "SPRING" are strung on Divine Twine and finished off with a sheet music bird, ribbon and flowers at both ends, and strung from branches decorated with crepe paper flowers.

Single sheet music birds have glittered edges and a tag labeled "To/From" for easy Easter gift giving.

I'm not sure I can part with the huge white suitcase with the purple lining! It's marked "Not for sale--yet!".

Miniature baskets lined with sheet music strips and adorned with Easter lilies are ready to accept some sweet treats and be hidden in the tall grass.

Hope you can make it in and get happy here too! The sale starts tomorrow, Thursday March 17th, from 6 - 9 PM.

Between The Twines

Between my job at Room With A Past, Paris Flea Market and Whisker Graphics Divine Twine I've had little time to be crafting in my lovely craft room, but when inspiration calls, I answer!

First things first: in order to get things rolling smoothly along, I designed and built this rack to store my spools of Divine Twine, out of scrap wood and dowels positioned at a 45 degree angle. There are 15 dowels, which leaves room for more colors than the current 12 I already have in my collection. I hung it right above my desk so my baker's twine is always at the ready!

Then I got started in on some paper doily/twine banners. I made them for Christmas,

birthdays and

Valentine's day.

I also designed and made some cupcakes out of the baker's twine.

(Photo from Whisker Graphics)

(Photo from Whisker Graphics)

And made the cupcake stand from dollar store finds.

Then I went in a totally different direction with my "Divine" inspiration and made some beads with it. I'm telling you, if you've got this twine, some white glue and (here's the hardest part...) the patience to wait for it to dry before moving on to the next step, there's all kinds of things you can make!

But creativity does not thrive on twine alone. I needed a quick valentine for a Valentine Tea with friends and here's what I crafted in my bathrobe:

with my own hands!

How To Start The New Year

Happy New Year!
Here's a guaranteed way to start your new year off right.
1. Find someone and fall in love

2. Get married on New Year's day (New York blizzard optional)

That's just what these two people did 64 years ago and it seems to have worked for them.

Happy Anniversary Mom & Dad!

It's A Dream, It's Magic

Beyond a threshold of scattered telltale glitter is a magical place,

where creations are dreamed up and breathed into being.

It's waiting there for you--something that will own your heart,

only after soothing your mind and dazzling your eyes.

It's dressed up in the holidays' most enchanting finery

and plainly sitting on a shelf

for you and your friends to discover

at the Christmas Open House in Wendy Addison's Theatre Of Dreams.

Bring it all home on your last chance: December 10th & 11th from 10:00 - 5:00

#11 Canyon Lake Drive

Port Costa, CA (510) 787-2164