Spotted Canary Blog

… and I am addicted to labels. Love them. Adore them. Dream about them. My infatuation with labels comes from my self-diagnosed OCCD, otherwise known as Obsessive Clutter Containing Disorder. You see, for me, all is right with the world when life’s bits and pieces are enclosed in an appropriate and identifying receptacle. I get goose bumps when I enter The Container Store and have been known to weep at the site of a freshly stocked Kassett display at Ikea.

Who knows where this compulsion to box, label and zone everything came from but it surfaced at a very tender age and has been directly responsible for many hours of reconfiguring over the years. Some people build dollhouses or run model trains as a hobby. I containerize.

And because of this need to box everything, I have probably singlehandedly kept the plastic storage container industry in the black for the past ten years. There is not a shape, size or color of plastic bin I do not currently have or have had at one time. My collection is so complete that if Monty Hall were to ring my doorbell and offer me $100 for an opaque gray 56-quart storage box, I’d be $100 richer and on my way to my not-so-local LSS to shop.

My Dymo labeler is never far from reach. And if I could get the cat to move, I would sleep with it under my pillow … for there it would undoubtedly inspire happy dreams of rooms filled with endless shelves of IRIS scrapbooking boxes all at the ready for me to type, print, peel and stick. Oh, what joy this vision gives!





My labeling activity usually hits an all time high in January. With the satisfaction of Christmas décor re-boxing still lingering over me, coupled with the flagrant department store storage box sales, I begin the New Year with a frenzied passion to re-contain and reorganize the entire household. Nothing is safe including the cat’s toys … which are about to be pared down to only their favorites and moved to a new, less conspicuous spot. Quite frankly, if they haven’t played with that rubber chicken in the last six months, they probably won’t play with it ever again. Say ba-bye squeaky, featherless bird.

So this last week I spent a lot of time in my hall closet. That is the home of my EK Success design team product. It needed some serious containing and re-labeling and after hours of blood, sweat and the occasional expletive, I am soooo at peace with the results.





I am already sleeping better knowing that that area is in order and in a better state of balance (insert picture of me sitting crossed legged, arms outstretched and fingers in Namaste position).

And while I was feverishly Dymo-ing away, I formulated an idea for this week’s blog topic. Now stay with me, I’m taking a bit of a leap here … how about an entire blog about Party Food Labels? Wow! How’s that for proof that some of my neurons are still firing properly. Whew! Maybe those crossword puzzles are working : ).

Why Party Food Labels you ask? Well, because in reality, how many of us have sit-down formal dinner parties in which place cards are used for seating guests? I’d venture to guess the number is quite small. I would bet that most of us host buffet-style dinner parties; those in which guests can serve themselves without the benefit of our culinary narrative. Food labels thus provide a valuable service to your guests. They identify and clarify ingredients and will certainly make your guests party experience more pleasurable. Food labels can prevent accidental allergic reactions and may in some small way help cut down on waste. Both reason enough to craft some labels for your next party.

So here are some fun Food Label ideas for you to peruse and try.

Five Kinds of Food Labels

One: Clips

Use decorative binder clips to hold printed labels or paint clothes pins to match punched shapes. A matted stamped square held high by a photo clip is a quick and graphically simple way to identify a dish.





Two: Stakes

Bamboo skewers and (clean) garden stakes are functionally ideal for use as food markers. Add a paper pennant or chipboard die-cut to a skewer and your guests will be sure to take note as to what is being served. Cover a garden stake with paper so that it can be reused multiple times.





Three: Tags, Boxes and Bags

Paint pre-made tags with chalkboard paint and label each dish with a handwritten note. The tags can be wiped clean with a damp cloth and reused at another event. Paint and decorate favor boxes in a coordinating color and scheme then add a simple handwritten title to finish. A dainty party bag tied with food id tag makes for an adorable presentation.


 

Pre-printed tags can make labeling pot-luck items easy. Guests can write the dish name down and tie or stake the tag to their entrée.





Four: Trinkets

Embellish place card holders to continue your party theme. Hang a metal rimmed tag from a shaped cookie cutter as an unexpected way to identify a dish.





Framing the entrée’s name in a pre-fab or paper covered chipboard frame will certainly draw guest’s attention.





Try using toys as holders for baby showers or children’s parties. Again, choose an item that will carry your party’s theme to the serving line.





Who knew a finial would make an awesome food label. These brightly colored ones at BHG’s web-site inspired me to craft one of my own.





I just used a hack saw to slice a groove in the top for the card to sit in and then spray painted the whole thing. It was a fast project with stunning results.





Five: Folded Paper

Folding paper into food labels is probably the most common method. But common doesn’t have to be boring. Check out this tri-fold tent from Blumebox.





And this tri-fold tent version by Jess from penandpaperflower.





The Martha Stewart designers came up with this origami stand. Can you say easy?





Here’s what I created after seeing the above examples: Love the quickness of the origami one … seriously, it can be done in seconds!





And lastly for those of you with a bit more time or a nautical themed party in your future, try these boats, again by Martha Stewart’s designers. Just add the dish name to the sail or boat side. Totally cute!

So just remember, that a Food Label is basically nothing more than a place card with Stewed Tomatoes printed on it instead of Stu D. Matoe. Any cool place card project can be adapted to a Food Label with a quick type, print, peel and stick. Now, off to buy more Dymo tape. You know, I should really think about getting it in the gross …


~ Elizabeth (ekb)

I am getting ready to join the EK Success Brands staff at the upcoming CHA Winter Trade Show in Anaheim, California this week, and am in the frantic mode of packing and mentally preparing to be gone from home for a week. It is always an exciting time, whether you attend as a vendor or as a retailer/customer. I was employed at a local scrapbook store in my area for five years before they closed their doors, and was able to go to a few of the CHA events on behalf of the store. Once I started working with EK as a member of their Creative Artist Team, I have had the honor of being present at many of the shows to represent them as a demonstrator and an educator. This time around, I have been asked to teach a class using the Jolee’s Jewels Line of products. Can I tell you how excited I am!

Last fall, I was introduced to the Jolee’s Hotfix Jewels, and have since been in love with them. Lucky for me, much of the class I am going to be teaching at CHA includes the hotfix jewels! Although it can be time consuming to create a project with them, it is well worth every minute as the outcome is to die for!

The hotfix jewels are flatback jewels with heat-activated glue on the back. They are placed on a fabric item in a design of your choice, and then a Hotfix tool is used to adhere them to the fabric. Any fabric pieces work; some examples are t-shirts, tote bags, bandanas, blue jeans, ribbon, or even fancy napkins or handkerchiefs. The hotfix tool is perfect for small details, or small to medium sized designs, but a regular home iron can also be used on larger areas or bigger designs.

Because I am so crazy about these fun little jewels, I decided to blog about them and show some fun examples I have done using them. The first piece is a mini tote bag  for my daughter, Kalyn, who is almost 3 years old. It is the perfect size for her to carry her miscellaneous treasures along when we go places. I used a combination of three colors of jewels to spell out her name, add a line border, and decorate with flowers. As a finishing touch I added a variety of ribbons on one of the straps.

 

 
The second project I did was a canvas covered photo frame. It is a simple design to show that the details don’t have to be extravagant in order to spice up the project. The sparkly crystals shine and draw attention to the two small hearts in the lower left corner. Working with the tools and the hotfix tool are very simple, and it’s fun to personalize items with these fun crystals!
 
 

Hopefully this will give you a fun change to try when you need a break from paper crafting. If you are interested, use the following link to see some sneak peaks of the new products the EK Success Brands are introducing at the CHA Winter Show. http://www.scrapbook.com/blogs/189901/view/160143.html .

Visit the EK Success Brands website to see all of the jewelry and hotfix products.

Happy Crafting!

Karen (Kabby) 

 January causes me to clean. I don’t know why? Most people spring clean, but I start after Christmas. Maybe it is because of all those new gifts that need places to be put away in my home or having to “un-decorate” the house from all the “merry” Christmas festivities. This January I was trying to fit another sheet set into my bedroom drawer, and it wasn’t shoving in well. I thought to myself, why don’t I clean out this dresser and move the sheets to the hall server. It was like a gun went off in my head and the cleaning began. I spent one day on my bedroom dressers, night stands, and bathroom cabinets -- which led me into my closet and I organized my clothes by color. I moved white t-shirts into baskets and pulled out jeans I never will fit into again. I made a sack for garage sale clothes and one for Goodwill. Our neighborhood has a sale every May, and if I put all my garage sale items in an unused closet, then I don’t have to spend a week looking for them when sale time comes.

My cleaning frenzy continued with the Christmas décor. Every room in our house reflects the holidays, so putting it away almost leaves me paralyzed at the thought. It took three days, but I organized and stored it back into the basement for next year. As I was packing the holidays away, I thought I had better organize the storage room. See it is a snowball effect with my decluttering! Once I get started, there’s no stopping me! This in turn had me cleaning and organizing my little studio.

Thanks for sticking with me through that long tale of a “messy house.”

Welcome to "My Studio Pink"!

Here are the results of my studio organization.

•  I hope it will help you to think about your own supplies and how to organize them into containers you already have or inexpensive thrift store finds.
• Use a lot of baggies and spend a lot of time sorting items.
•  It is completely worth it, and in the long run saves me a great deal of time looking for a certain item.
•  It also saves me money because I can see what I have versus buying it twice.
  

Come in the door … It is open and the floor is free of clutter.



The first things you may notice are the suitcases on the floor.

• I found the blue one for $1.24 at a thrift store. I use it to store all my colored tissue paper. And when I take classes or travel to workshops, I pack my own supplies in it. It has three functions -- it looks pretty, it holds supplies, and it stores my colored tissue paper.
• The larger suitcase under the blue one stores patterned paper, and embellishments are in the smaller one.
• The very bottom suitcase is where I keep my foam floral pieces. I also use it for trunk shows. It has bars in it for men’s slacks that are perfect for displaying cards or layouts.
  (picture)
  

My desk was a gift from my parents. It is actually a bar table from a furniture store. I store ribbon on spring tension rods where shot glass were suppose to go, and the wine bottle storage area is for some of my paper punches -- the ones I use most often. I love the table because it opens wider for larger projects.

Notice on the top of my table the containers I use for scissor storage, adhesive storage, and pens and colored pencils.

•  I purchased the metal roll basket at a thrift store for my adhesives. I added a glass jar in it for glue pens.
•  My scissors are in a black urn garage sale find. I use them the most when crafting so they need to be on my desk.
• I keep erasers in a sea shell from a vacation, and pens go into pots from a garden basket. Clay pots are inexpensive, can be painted any color with the right type of paint, and are perfect for holding certain utensils.

Behind my desk is a wobbly table from an antique store. It holds baby wipes, towels, and other art supplies that I use but not as frequently. I store my sewing machine on the shelf under it. And if you look carefully, you may notice another basket under the sewing machine for trimmers and circle cutters.

Another key area in my studio is the computer area. It is sitting on an inexpensive discount store bookcase and a wobbly kitchen bar from a discount store. I have my inspiration board behind the computer monitor, and I store stamps in a kitchen metal basket (thanks to my friend Melanie for the idea). I also store stamps above the computer area on an I-beam along the studio ceiling. I am one of those crafters who believe if it is out of sight I won’t think to use it. You know the saying “Out of sight, out of mind.” The I-beam allows me to use both sides of it for displaying my stamps without having to buy shelving.

On the bookcase part of the computer area is a wooden dollhouse on sale from a craft store. I covered it with favorite scrapbooking papers and trims. I use it for storage. It holds movies I like to listen to as I craft, computer graphics I use, and vignettes of things I have created.



Above the dollhouse is a shelf from a white shutter. I bought the shutter at a consignment shop and fastened it with shelf brackets. I display things I love on it, and the candelabra holds jars of colored buttons. Yes, I sorted all my buttons to make it easier to find the ones I need. The jars are the ones used for canning. My thrift store has hundreds of them for around 50 cents each.

Around my studio you will see jewelry boxes filled with jewelry collected from thrift stores for use in my crafts. You will see paint brushes in vases, business cards in an old cash register drawer, and jars and jars of supplies. The jars were ones I had or ones that I purchased at thrift stores. Notice the domino jar -- it is a fish bowl. Not all my jars have lids. They are much cheaper to buy without a lid.

Last January when I reorganized my studio, I created this little piece of art from all my odds and ends. I used an old paint set with some paints still in it as my base. I added old earrings, words, vintage buttons, music notepaper, and anything I had that didn’t have a home. It is one of my favorite things in my studio. All made from junk!!!!!

Hanging from the ceiling (because my room is so small), I wanted to display things I love. I hung an old lamp shade. The shade was found at an antique store, and the fabric part of the shade was removed, leaving only the metal frame. It was perfect for hanging the ornaments I received from the Silverbella ornament swap. Can you see the Eiffel Tower from the last Nifty Thrifty post hanging from fishing line on it? I used the chain from a broken necklace and a drawer knob to hang it with. This isn’t for everyone’s taste but I love the old and unusual. I also have a plastic floral stick hanging in my studio with lots of shiny, pretty things.

Okay, come with me where not many friends, family, or crafters have gone … behind the curtains. My dear friend Allison gave me this bookcase when she was moving classrooms in her school. It is the foundation of my studio storage.

 Come see why. ….

Under the curtains is where I keep all my cardstock. I store it in plastic tubes that once held my sweaters. In the tube is cardstock bagged in the giant-sized zip-lock bags. I have used this method for years and it works well for storing cardstock.

I keep my extra punches behind my studio door in a shoe organizer and under the magic curtains. I took shoe box plastic tubes and punched cardstock scraps to show what punches are in each tub. This helps me quickly find what I need.

I use all kinds of containers for storing crafting items.

My silk flowers are in a child’s picnic basket. The leaves are in an old woven basket with a lid. Tulle is in the large picnic basket. String is stored in a wire bathroom basket.

All the little junk that I love 

-- loads and loads of glass jars hold it.

• I use everything from vases to baby food jars.
• Some have lids and some don’t.
• I place groupings on silver trays from thrift stores.
• Clear jars make it easy for me to find what I am looking for.
• I don’t label them because as my collection changes, so do the jars.
• Really small objects or random pieces end up in a muffin tin I spray painted pink or in a metal divided tray.

I have taken the time to sort my stamping supplies and label the drawers. I use clear drawers so I can see what is stored in them.

I sort all my brads by color…

well almost all. I haven’t sorted this container yet.

Maybe the next snow storm!

When you are organizing your studio, think “outside the box” -- glitter stored in salt or sugar shakers, garden containers used for holding tools, and plate stands for displaying your crafts. Make a place that is organized and efficient to create in. It doesn’t matter the size of your studio; it matters how it functions for you. Fill it with what you love so you can craft something you love.

Don’t spend a lot on containers. Use what you have. Spend your hard earned dollars on supplies you love to create with.

And when you have leftovers and you aren’t sure what to do with them or don’t think you need them –

• Make a crafting basket for a good friend. Everyone loves something new! Hand me down supplies are the BEST!

• Donate the supplies to Ronald McDonald House or hospitals for very ill children. It helps parents reflect on happy times with their sick child, and they can spend time crafting scrapbooks while their child is undergoing treatment.

• Or use them to create a collection home décor piece like this one. Hang it in your studio or display it every Valentine’s Day. The only rule is not to buy anything. Use the leftovers!

Don’t hesitate to email me with any of your organization questions.

 I am a work in progress, and I keep trying to become more efficient and thrifty.

~Kara (Studio Pink)

“Now is the time to call loved ones at a distance. Share your news.” Yep. We had Chinese food for dinner tonight and that was my fortune. Hmm. The only news I have to share with anyone is that I am really, really stuck as to how to start this blog entry. Too bad Confucius doesn’t have a cookie for that. Guess I’ll just have to figure it out on my own.

You see, I’ve struggled all week with what to discuss here. I’ve run the gamut on topics. Parties-in-a-box. Emergency party kits. Party planning notebooks (Jessica’s already been there, blogged it, got the t-shirt). But nothing was working. Then, a little Spotted Canary bird suggested aprons. Hmm. That sounded like some fun. That’s a blog subject that could involve sewing and better yet, maybe even sewing with ribbon. My giddiness level shot up. Way up.

So with a topic finally decided upon, I hit the web and found some fabulous inspiration pieces constructed of dish towels. I love how this one from Jen Love at Crafty Daisies is gathered at the top.



And how uponawhim at the Insructables web site used two different towel patterns to create a fun look.



Halleluiah, there was light at the end of my blog entry tunnel. But wait; here came the preverbal brick wall.

I turned my attention next to that one key blog element, that one component that ties the whole thing together and breathes life into a post. I needed an anecdote; a funny little story involving an apron and, well, me or some unsuspecting, defenseless family member. Hmm. That could be a problem. Too bad the topic didn’t involve a skunk, a dog and a dad running across the yard in his underwear. Have I got a story for that!

So because procrastination and going off on tangents are two of my best talents, I sat on the couch and watched some football with my husband tonight. And during the bits of game he was fast forwarding through, I managed to engage him in a conversation about my predicament. He asked for an example of what I was looking for and I reminded him of the story I told a few weeks ago about my dad baying at the neighbor’s dogs on New Year’s Eve.

Well, let’s just say that this conversation became very revealing. And because you all have lives to get on with I won’t go into too many details. But let it be known that from now on the day after I post something here, I will be quizzing my extremely supportive and very devoted husband about its contents : ).

My husband was not shocked or taken aback by father’s impish behavior. In fact he divulged a little something about himself. He admitted that as a kid he would do the same thing … he just did it in the shower. Instead of singing a happy tune, he howled. Howled like a werewolf. Wahahahaha! How stinking high-larry-us is that (ok, and a bit weird)! But the frivolity of the moment soon left me as reality hit. Hit me like a ton of bricks. I had married my father. Geez. How many hours in therapy will that take to work through?

With this new insight to my inner psyche, I went back to racking my brain for a familial apron story. And what did I come up with?  Nothing. Seriously. I may have to get a new family with different tales to tell. Too bad. I was just getting used to the one I have. So my thoughts then wandered off (I told you I have a talent for tangents) to recalling all the aprons I have owned in my life. Ok, my “all” equals about two or three, but as I was remembering them, it hit me. Hit me like a ton of bricks. I had turned into my mother.

My mother is a saver. Not a hoarder, but a saver. She has always shelved things like towels, clothing, and especially tablecloths so that they wouldn’t be ruined and could be kept for that one special occasion. She reasons that her behavior stems from growing up during the war years when commodities were hard to come by. That makes sense. What doesn’t make sense is that without even realizing it, I have picked up this same habit.

Case in point. I bought this apron last fall. Bought it at the same time I bought one for a friend's birthday.



Notice how shiny and new it looks? Well, that’s because it is. It has been hanging up in the closet without being disturbed since the day I unwrapped it. I’ve been too afraid to wear it for fear that something might be spilled on it and it becomes ruined. Sound familiar? Geez. How many hours in therapy will that take to work through?

The answer. Too many. So instead, I’ve decided to throw in the towel and just accept the fact that I am a product of my parents; the good, the bad and the ugly. They intentionally and inadvertently shaped who I am and I am ok with that (except for the thunder thighs that came via my paternal grandmother … thanks Grandma Wilhelmina).

So as a way to celebrate this freeing acceptance of parental influence, and, most importantly, to include the last element of this blog entry, I have created an apron made from two dish towels. I used the above mentioned links and my shiny new apron as inspiration for its design.

 

Here are the basic steps for sewing one (for more detailed instructions click on the photo).  Make a few at a time to have them ready on hand as hostess gifts.  Or better yet, make one to match your party decor or theme. 

1. Wash, dry and iron towels.



2. Make casing in center towel for neck strap.



3. Cut side towel in half.



4. Pin pieces together and machine stitch to secure.



5. Press seams open, easing top of the center section's seam into a fold so it will lay flat. Machine stitch to secure.

6. Center ribbon on apron and machine stitch in place.

7. Thread ribbon through neck casing and machine stitch at apron center to secure.

8. Finish ribbon ends to prevent raveling and embellish with a pinned on felt flower.

So literally with two towels, five yards of ribbon and about an hour of time, you can whip up a new apron for yourself. Or one for your mother : ). And while you’re sewing away, take a few moments to embrace those traits you’ve inherited. The good, the bad and the ugly. I did. That’s why this apron is going in my pot holder drawer to be used and abused and why the other apron is going back in the closet to wait for a special occasion.

By the way, the winning lottery numbers on the back of the fortune are 2 14 32 33 39 43. Good luck! 

~ Elizabeth (ekb)

 

 Baby, it’s cold outside! January has the temperature gauge dropping in my hometown which causes me to spend my time crafting in my cozy home. A warm, sweater is not only comforting but is also the perfect base for craft projects. From one thrift store sweater, you can create many projects without bringing a chill to your pocketbook.

My love for wool sweaters started this summer-odd, I know. 

 I noticed a trend in crafting.  Many of my favorite crafters were starting to use felted pieces on:

• home décor pillows
• creating their own glasses cases
• camera cases
• notebooks
• journals,

--After a little searching, I found the most inexpensive way to gather felt was to buy thrift store wool sweaters and wash them in H-O-T water.

• They shrink to a smaller size with the fibers tightly together that you can cut the wool sweater and it won’t unravel.
• No need for you to sew a hem -- the felted sweater was a magic cut-and-create fabric with endless colors and patterns.
• My search began like a scavenger hunt for 100% wool sweaters.
• You can use sweaters with a lesser wool percentage but you may experience some unraveling.
  
  How to wash a wool sweater for felting:

I signed up for the swap because I thought it would be so fun to have a Christmas tree full of handcrafted sweater ornaments. I plan to leave my pink Christmas tree up all year long in my studio as a reminder of the new friends I made in the swap and as inspiration for upcoming projects.

Here is a peek at what each artist made. Visit Jen Kershner  and see her dress form decked out with our felted ornaments!

Once I completed the ornaments, I was on a roll. My friend, Rachel, taught me how to create these little brooches using cotton fabric.

We stayed up late one night creating them in a hotel room. I didn’t have much fabric with me but I did have a wool sweater.

•  I cut a piece approximately 1 yard long and ¾ inch thick.
• I coiled it with glue on a felt circle to create a rosette.
• A few buttons for the flower’s center and leaves cut from felt and embellished with embroidery floss and dried flowers were the “icing on the cake” for my flower brooch.
• I added a pin to the back and it made the perfect accent for my daughter’s sweater hat.

These were so easy to make, and you could create dozens and dozens from one sweater.

Rachel made them for each of her teachers as little thank-you’s.
With the help of Rachel and the inspiration of Charlotte Lyons,

I created my own one-of-a-kind winter hat.

•  It was made by trimming a felted sweater into a square shape.
• The top of the square is smaller than the bottom.
• I used my head to measure the width. I also kept one sewn seam from the original sweater when I was cutting out the square shape. That way, I only had to stitch one side of the sweater square.
• To close up the top of the sweater, stitch all the way around the top section of the hat.
• Carefully pull the string to draw the top of the hat closed. Depending on how far you stitch from the top of the hat will create a beanie at the top.
•  I stitched approximately ¾ inch from the top.
• This hat was embellished with the trim of an ivory colored sweater. It has a blanket stitch of red embroidery floss around it.
• I added a die-cut branch using felt for my fabric and felted beaded balls for the berries.
• The bird was cut from a scrap sweater and so was its wing. I added a button on the wing and a bead for the eye.
• I even felted the beak.
• A decorative backstitch gives the bird its personality.

Are you feeling “green” this winter? I decided to stop using my favorite coffee shop’s cardboard holders and created my own from the cuff of a sweater.

•  I simply cut off the cuff, fitted for size, and added a blanket stitch to it.
• The design on it is, of course, a steaming cup of Joe! When creating my coffee mug and saucer, I thought of simple shapes.

• Notice the saucer is a long skinny oval and the coffee mug is a half of a circle with a handle.
• I continued the simple shapes by needle felting pink circles onto the mug and into the sweater.
• The coffee is needle felted roving.
• Small pieces of roving and a single needle will give you the best detail when you needle felt.
• I think these little coffee cozies would make great girlfriend gifts or even teacher gifts. My friend created them for her Diet Coke can because she isn’t much of a coffee drinker.
•  I also made a wine bottle cozy using the sleeve of the sweater.
• Wool absorbs water so your sweaty drink won’t get you wet for quite a while.
• Here is a link to drink box cozy.  They are so cute...and a great way to tell who's cozy belongs to whom.

Another “green” idea is to create a sweater book bag for the library.

 My library gives out plastic bags to carry your books home in. Why not create your own?

• To create the bag, use the side seams for the bottom of the bag and the handle.
• That leaves only the sides of the bag to stitch on the sewing machine or to hand-stitch.
• Sew the bag inside out after cutting your handle.
• I cut one side of the bag and then flipped the piece that I cut out and used it for the pattern on the other side.
• I cut the letters from a gray sweater and hand-stitched them.

• The owl is made of 100% recycled sweater pieces with button eyes.
• I used all my scraps to create the owl. Waste not, want not!
• The sweater bag is stretchy so don’t overload it with reading material.
  
  This lovely brooch was the easiest of all projects to make. You know the saying “saving the best for last.”

•  Take two strips of sweater approximately 18 inches long and 1½ inches wide.
• The measurements will be different depending on the size of you flower brooch.
• Sew a running stitch all the way across the sweater strips, binding them together, and then cut fringe in the sweater and coil and glue to a felt circle base to create a flower.
• Add a fancy button, fabric brad, or an old earring for its center.
• Cut leaves and secure a pin to the back of the flower.
• The brooch would be lovely on a winter coat or as an accent for your scarf.
  
  Save all your leftover sweater felt for new projects. Place the scraps in zip-lock baggies that are sorted by sweater color. This will make it easier to find what you need for future crafting projects.
  
  Stay warm this winter and snuggle up with a felted sweater craft or spread the felted love by organizing your own flower brooch swap!

Happy crafting and stay warm!

~Kara (Studio Pink)

First, let me say Happy New Year to all of you! I am anxious to continue bringing you inspiring and insightful blogs throughout the year. It is strange to be hanging up a new calendar and seeing 2010 at the top! Another year behind us, and one that was full of memories. Some of the events were fun and joyful, others a little more somber and saddening - yet all things to be remembered. Through the many years that I have been scrapbooking, I have made it a mandatory project to create at least one spread in January to show the highlights of the previous year. Although it may be a little more personal than inspiring, I thought I would share a few of my favorite highlights from 2009 with you, and my spread for this year!

To start off, one of the happiest occurrences that lasted all year long was watching my children grow and develop. Since my three children’s ages range from 10 to 2 ½, there are changes happening constantly within our household! It was a blast watching my oldest daughter, Abigail, participate in a basketball cheerleading program early in the year. She cheered for my son, Nolan’s, team. It was their first experience with an “organized” sport, so seeing how both of them grew in their new endeavors was really quite interesting. My husband even got involved by refereeing in the league. That was just as fun to watch!!
 

 

 

 
Another great event in our family was watching the Pittsburg Steelers win the Super Bowl in January. (We are diehard Steelers fans who wear our jerseys on game day and wave our terrible towels!) Although we are disappointed that they did not make the playoffs this year, we are not shaken from our commitment to them, and will continue to root them on in the 2010 season.
 
We took a trip to the family farm this summer so the kids and their cousins who were visiting could learn about grain, planting, harvesting and all of the equipment. The had so much fun riding in the tractor, and being allowed to climb in the little door in the empty grain bin and hear their echoes. It was definitely a fun, educational experience for all of the kids and a memory that will last a lifetime.
 

My youngest, Kalyn, seemed to change everyday! She mastered many things, such as her famous model walk, funny faces, talking and pedaling a big wheel. She has amazing coordination, and loved swimming in the backyard pool we put up each year for the kids. She helped me in both gardens: flower and vegetable. She would become ecstatic when the smallest bloom or sprout would appear on the plants. She loved helping me pick cucumbers, corn and yellow beans, and even spotted the praying mantis that became our outdoor friend this fall in the flower garden. We had so many fun and “first” memories with her.

Abigail and I were a part of the Chalk Walk in our city for the first time, and had a blast with it this summer. We were sad when the weekend was over because we enjoyed it so much. We are already signed up for it again this year, and are praying for good weather.
 

As the year progressed, Nolan became involved in a Flag football league. With games every Sunday afternoon, we all became accustomed to sitting on the sidelines and cheering his poor team on with empathy and disappointment for him as his team lost every game. He was a good sport, however, and enjoyed the season despite the team’s bad luck. He developed into a total sports nut in 2009.

I stayed extremely busy working for EK Success Brands and doing some traveling for them in 2009. I couldn’t ask for a better job and a more unique opportunity that allows me to raise my kids, work out of my home, and make wonderful friends and contacts along the way. I am truly blessed.

My last great memory of 2009 was, of course, Christmas. A week before the holiday, my husband decided that we were finally ready to trade in our minivan of 10 years and upgrade to a newer model. Besides having a child ten years ago on December 18 (exactly one week before Christmas), the van is probably the best gift I have ever received!! I also was given a very nice, new camera to replace my old, broken down one that I had been using since 2004. It was definitely time for a new one, and I am so grateful for it since it is a staple in my daily life!

Kalyn received the one and only gift she asked Santa for…. the Little Tikes Pink and Blue Cozy Coupe. The joy on her face and the excitement was immeasurable! The older two received a Wii and were just as excited with their “big” gift from Santa as Kalyn was with hers! We all had so much fun watching each other enjoy the holidays and took special time to be thankful for all that we have.
 

I tried to incorporate as many of my favorites in the spread as possible. Hopefully the layout, use of many photos and color scheme will inspire all of you to take note of your 2009 memories and capture them for memory sake. There have been years that I have 3 or 4 spreads to complete the year’s events, so don’t feel bad if you aren’t able to fit them all on one! It’s a fun way to look back through the years and have tangible, lasting memories to share and recall!

Karen (Kabby)