Berlin's Whimsy

Nuno Felt.

I had never heard of Nuno felting before today. By chance, I came across this beautiful scarf, and was immediately smitten with its unique look. I googled Nuno Felting and came up with the video featured here. Oh, the possibilities are swirling now!! I'm taking a whole new look at my children's silk play scarves (!).

Sketching and finishing.

I realized a couple days ago that I need to begin sketching and drawing again. I am horribly guilty of ignoring any drawing skills I possess instead of honing them for designs. I grew up drawing and it was one of those abilities that defined me. However, somewhere along the way, I quit drawing much.

My daughter received a book about drawing fairies the other day and soon my son & I were in her "drawing class." She made up a flyer advertising her "class" and scheduled us in. Though it was all in fun, my son & I learned a bit about figure drawing. I had to laugh when I glanced over and realized my son was drawing a fairy! He really is patient with his sister...

I finally read through The Crafter's Companion the other night and I realized that I should make my own inspiration board. I should also sketch out designs more often and carry a sketch book with me. It seems that those two ideas would be a given but they haven't been part of my life! Usually, when I come up with an idea, I just go for it rather than drawing it out and doing variations. Sometimes I do sketch out an embroidery design with water soluble pen first directly onto the fabric but I think I'll experiment more with sketching on paper and going from there.

And besides more drawing, what's on my creative plate right now? I'm continuing to finish up the embroidery on this wall hanging and I hope to have a few fun items to add to my shop just in time for Mother's Day gifts... This wall hanging will probably go into the shop, too...

Goodness.

The mailbox has been full of so much fun mail lately. I won Lina's drawing a while back and found this wonderful bag in my mail yesterday!

Ellen of Hurrayic sent each one of these fun Cat Bags to each of the people who commented on her site when she was holding a drawing! Yay! This little bag is as cute as can be...

My kids were practically jumping out of their skins when they found more Japanese treats in the mail from Kirsten! We're in Pocky Heaven... And newly addicted to some Japanese treats that are similar to a cookie-like goldfish cracker with chocolate (and other) fillings inside. YUM.

Each one of you brightened my day---thank you!

I am working on a few more of those generously sized bags like the ones I added to the shop last weekend. I expect to add them this weekend, or the early part of next week. Stay tuned ;-).

And speaking of the shop...

I recently found a treasure trove of vintage clothes that my Grandmother had bought and stored away.

Many of the items needed a bit of TLC. They are all unique and truly vintage!

We are keeping some of them and the others I'm adding to my shop, as well. Many of these clothes were either handmade or have long since lost their tags so I'm estimating sizes on the listings. I can take more precise measurements if anyone is interested...

Shop update and new ideas.

I'm embarking on a new bit of whimy this week. A bit of textile manipulation and a renewed interest in fiber arts and quilting. The piece above is an example of this. I don't know what the end result of this new motivation will be but I like the little pieces that have resulted.

Incidentally, I stitched the above piece onto one of two bags that went into my shop today. This one is a piece of tea-dyed linen. It has little pleats and handstitching. What joy it was to make.

The other bag also features a favorite of mine. It's the market girl embroidery on linen out of one of my Japanese Craft books. I've always loved this design. 

Both bags are very generously sized (14x9x6-inches) and will hold a large project (sweater knitting, quilting, embroidery)...

Of course, they could be used to carry all your books back to the library or all your stuff with you for your day. They have pockets in the inside and on the end for a water bottle or cell phone. (The Market Girl Bag has one of my favorite Superbuzzy prints inside, too)!

I must admit that I'm having difficulty parting with them!!! ;-)

Moss Green Purse.

I added this purse to the shop today.

I'm working on adding a couple knitting bags next... Maybe even a linen shirt!

A Spring Sale.

Even though we woke to a powdering of snow yesterday, the day quickly melted it away and the sun shone down uneffected by this slight insult to her growing power. I'm feeling those hints of spring, the sun's slow triumph over the dark of winter.

I put the Winter's Whimsy Linen Tote Bag on sale in my Etsy Shop. Though she's still just as cute as can be, I decided it was time for a spring sale.

Between resume tweaking, gift building, a fundraising project for my kids' school, and an embroidery lesson this week, I plan on adding a couple little somethings to my Etsy shop. Knitting Bags? Embroidered pieces? We shall see...

Goodness from Coyote Craft.

What a happy surprise to find the above package in the mail today from Bean of Coyote Craft. She put out the word for circular needles awhile ago, just as I was trying to decide what to do with my Clover Bamboo circular needles that I never use. What a bit of serendipity it was. I do believe I made out better through the whole swap and I am still feeling as if I should send Bean more than just my circulars for all the fun gifts she sent me in exchange. I LOVE her circular (and double point) needle cases. Please do check her etsy shop where you will find these fanciful circular needle cases, as well as lots of other lovely things! Thanks, Bean!

Happy Meal.

I added this fun little Bento strap (Belt?) to my Etsy shop.

It's made to hold the Laptop Lunchbox securely closed... But more importantly, it's a bit of fun!

***I have not been able to find elastic that is anything but white, nude, or black. If you know a source for good quality elastic of varying colors, please let me know!

Putting it out there.

Thank you, thank you, for all of your wonderful comments and accolades about the shop update. I heard from some readers that I don't think I have heard from before (?) and I appreciate your taking the time to leave a comment or write an email! It means a lot to me. As I posted my shop items to Etsy yesterday, I felt an unexpected wave of modesty-----that feeling of putting your creativity "out there" for others to view.

I don't know that I will make one big "shop update" again. I think I prefer the update as I go method. I'm still pondering this.

There were a few items that didn't make the update deadline. I'll slowly add them to the shop in the next couple weeks. They are kid's pouches, bookmarks, and some embroidered Bento straps (they fit the Laptop Lunchboxes but you could use them for any Bento box). I love these and I hope you will, too! 

As I mentioned in my shop, I will consider custom orders. It depends on the request and my time constraints whether I can take on the order.

Thank you, again!

The shop is open.

I've been thinking about my driving force to create.

I find peace and fulfillment when I'm creating something----it makes my heart sing and my mind wander to positive and wonderful possibilities.

Moreover, I love the thought of making something that someone else might find pleasure in.

I picture children painting and cooking in these little smocks...

...or just wearing them around the house for their everyday pleasure.

And I imagine the purses accompanying someone out----I'm a Mom and I know what "out" means: a few spare moments at a bookstore, the coffee shop, a local knitting group (with your teabag in the pocket), or even out to dinner! Gasp!

And the totes are just the right size for a trip to the library to pick up that book you've been waiting for, or to take your journaling with you to sit on a peaceful bench somewhere outside and capture your feelings and observations in your own words.

I truly hope the recipients of these little handmade items enjoy them as much as I did making them...