Crafting For Ourselves

I wanted to share with you a few of the fabulous pieces being shared in the "crafting for ourselves" flickr group. Check them out, and if you would like to join us, please do! You can join the group here.  I even had a chance to contribute a few things myself this week, which feels really good.

1. Anthropologie inspired capelet, 2. Felt slippers, 3. lokki kaatiksella, 4. arte infantil, 5. liberty tana lawn and crochet patchwork sneakers, 6. lemur, 7. Another sunhat, 8. new moccasins for the baby, 9. Must be Spring!!

Happy Friday, all!  I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.

An Interview With Elisa From PeskyCatDesigns

It's hard to say when I first noticed Elisa from PeskyCatDesigns' work, but I'm pretty sure it was her semi-circle purses that first drew me in.  I thought her use of line, texture, and natural elements was really interesting.  After a chat on twitter, I discovered that this talented purse designer was also a talented painter, and all-around interesting person.  Read on...

Tell me about you:

My name is Elisa and I'm a New York City-based artist and designer.

What do you make?

I create one-of-a-kind and limited edition bags, purses and wristlets. All my bags are made from patterns I design and draft myself and are created by hand from start to finish in my studio. My fabrics are purchased in small quantities to keep my work fresh and unique.

Is there a particular theme in your work?

The natural world is a theme in my work. My applique designs are inspired by plant and animal life. In my shop you will find bags adorned with seahorses, birds, leafed branches, flowers and more.

Where do you find inspiration?

A trip to the beach might inspire me to create a seahorse applique or work with fabric in the colors of sea blue or sand. The warm sun makes me think of linen and cotton while a winter day will inspire wool and corduroy creations.

What do you love about what you do?

It's wonderful to make an income from it. I love the entire creative process from selecting fabric to drafting my ideas and constructing them.

Tell me about a favorite piece that you've made:

I am always creating new things and my favorite pieces are constantly changing. At the moment I love the shape of my latest bag design, The Jewel Cut Purse. It was inspired by the shape of gem stones.

What do you do when you're not creating?

I love long walks, hiking and trips to the beach.

A favorite quote, a good recipe, a funny story?

When I first starting sewing on a regular basis my kitty Anni was very fascinated by the movement of thread on my sewing machine. Often she would be so bothersome I could not work. That's how the name of my shop evolved. These days she is completely bored of the machine since it's become such a routine. Now squirrels climbing trees and other outdoor events she can view from the windowsill are much more interesting!

I also paint. You can view my works on paper at http://www.elisanadzieja.com/

untitled 34" x 36"

I don't have much time paint these days since I have my Etsy shop and also work part time at an outside job 3 days a week.

How can people find you?

My Etsy shop: http://www.peskycatdesigns.etsy.com/

My blog: http://www.peskycatdesigns.com/

Twitter: http://twitter.com/PeskyCatDesigns

Flickr: www.flickr.com/photos/peskycatdesigns/

I hope you'll stop in and check out Elisa's amazing work.  Happy Thursday!

Wordless Wednesday

Button Monday

Still making more time to play, this time with red buttons. 

Someday soon I hope to do some crafting with some of these buttons, it's been a while.  Life is busy and full so in the meantime, I play.

Have a lovely Monday, all.

New Feet!

It's late in the day, but I wanted to post about the wee moccasins I made this morning.  I've been wanting to make myself a pair of moccasins for a couple of years now, and it was one of the first projects I thought of when I started the "crafting for ourselves" group.  I'm really excited that I made the time to make them. 

I thought I'd try out my moccasin-making skills first by making a pair for my daughter just in case I completely messed them up.  After one bad start with a too-narrow heel, I changed my pattern and ended up with these. 

I had been looking for a pattern online for moccasins but never found one that was exactly what I wanted so I ended up modifying slightly, a traditional Native American pucker-top moccasin. 

The bottom piece is made of full grain leather in cream, and the upper is made of sueded leather in rust.  Both pieces came from thrift store scores.  I used hemp to stitch them up, because that's what I had on hand, but for mine, I will likely use a leather lacing or artificial sinew or something.  I'm still not sure about that.  My other three kids and my husband have all asked for a pair so I'll have a little time to practice before I finally get to mine.  Good thing I have so many thrifted leather coats, huh?

We spent the day at a family gathering and these little moccasins were put to the test.  They're really dirty now, but the stitching evened out as she wore them and they look like real shoes.  She ran and played in them ALL day and amazingly they stayed on her foot ALL day (which is truly a feat for kids' shoes), and they didn't chafe or pinch.

Momma didn't fare as well in her heels and is wishing she had a pair of comfy mocs on her feet today.

Happy (what's rest of) Saturday! 

Crafting For Ourselves

I wanted to share with you a few of the fabulous pieces being shared in the "crafting for ourselves" flickr group.  Check them out, and if you would like to join us, please do!  You can join the group here.

1. Untitled, 2. may . you . be, 3. Clay Kitty, 4. Birds..., 5. Dahlia, 6. Tessa's T, 7. for me and me only, 8. Lots of patterns and texture, 9. shawl - Alabama Chanin style

Wordless Wednesday

Snow Day In May

We got snow last night.  Just a little bit, but still....snow!  There wasn't much, and it's already melted, but it was a reminder of the constancy of change.  It was also a reminder that Mother Nature can be sassy (though that's not what I was calling her yesterday...) 

I'll be taking a bit of a break this weekend away from the computer and doing a few things around the house, for us, for me.

I've recently started a new Flickr group called "crafting for ourselves" and would love it if you'd check it out and join.  I find that so often we crafty folk are so busy creating for our shop or others that we don't craft for ourselves as often as we should.  The group is for showing off the creative touches you've added to your own life and I'm sure it will help give us a nudge in that direction.  I'll be showing off some of the creations from the group here, from time to time.

I hope you and yours have a wonderful weekend.

An Interview With Dana From Wynzia

I first "met" Dana from Wynzia a few years ago when we drew each other's name in a Valentine's Day swap.  The parcel I received from her was so sweet and included so many little endearing touches, like a tiny linen sachet stamped "lil fish", and a flower brooch made of recycled fabric, and it was a special treat to discover.  That's kind of how I think of Dana herself; each time I talk to her I feel like I'm getting a glimpse at someone who truly is a treat to discover.  I have a feeling you'll feel the same...

Tell me about you:

Hi. My name is Dana, and I live with my husband and two daughters in a little town just outside of St. Paul, MN. It was so hard for this city gal to move here a few years back, but we found a quirky old house to make our own, and I’ve found so very many kindred spirits amongst the artists, environmentalists, gardeners, readers, and overall good folks who call this place home. It’s a good place to be.


What do you make?

I make accessories for the person and the home. A friend described my work as “whimsical, handmade necessories,” and the phrase has stuck. I have always been creating something since I was a little person and inspired by the creative people in my family and immediate world. When I became a mom of a daughter, I started making hair accessories for her and her friends. And then the moms. And then the teenage sitters. And now brides and their parties. It is such fun making pretty things for others.

Is there a particular theme in your work?

There is a bit of yin yang in my work. Flowers in vibrant colors play a prominent role in what I’m currently making. However I’m also strongly drawn to natural fibers, muted colors, and simple forms; an aged piece of linen can take my breath away.

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Where do you find inspiration?

It’s probably trite to say “everywhere.” so I’ll try to expound a bit. I adore walking the grounds of my humble home and seeing new things growing in my garden. Or seeing the outrageously colorful clothing ensembles put together by my daughters. Or finding a lovely piece of cloth with great texture...I can’t walk past fabric without touching it.

What do you love about what you do?

I love creating something pretty out of something old and forgotten. I love feeling the connection with something that was previously loved. I love imagining the stories that could be told by an old piece of fabric. I love getting to know my clients and knowing that they appreciate my work. I love hearing my daughter gasp at something I’ve made and say, “Oh, that is so pretty.”

Tell me about a favorite piece that you’ve made:

I recently created a lovely big flower brooch in vibrant red. I did a photo shoot with a beautiful friend, and when we pinned it onto her black-and-whte striped t-shirt, the result was absolutely lovely and funky. It’s my favorite accessory at the moment.

What do you do when you’re not creating?

I am trying to raise my daughters to be amazing people, so that takes quite a bit of time and energy. I pay attention to local and world issues, and try to do my part to make a difference in my world. I can often be found in the garden, in the dance studio, or in a friend’s living room for book club. Laughing is one of my favorite things to do...if you crack me up, I just might be a friend for life.


A favorite quote, a good recipe, a funny story?

Oh, the list is long of my favorite quotes. I rather enjoy this lighthearted one from author Agatha Christie: “It is a curious thought, but it is only when you see people looking ridiculous that you realize just how much you love them.”

How can people find you?

I’m sprinkled throughout the internet:

Etsy shop: wynzia.etsy.com

Facebook: facebook.com/wynzia

Twitter: twitter.com/wynzia

Blog: wynzian.blogspot.com

Flickr: flickr.com/wynzia

Website: wynzia.com


Is there anything else you would like people to know about you that I haven’t asked?

Hmm...I’m an INFP, a returned Peace Corps Volunteer from Nepal, and a fan of the blue sky at dawn.

Bean Brownies

Today I made bean brownies, something I've never tried before, and you know what? They're pretty good! The kids have already gobbled some up and have asked for more so they pass that test. Now to see if the oldest and my hubby do the same. I think I'll tell them about the beans after they've tried them though...

Here's the recipe I used:

1 3/4 cups beans, rinsed and drained - (I used dried white beans that I soaked overnight then simmered until soft)
3 eggs
3 tablespoons vegetable oil - (I used olive oil)
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1 pinch salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup sugar - (I used brown sugar because I was out of white sugar)
a handful of chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350

Lightly grease an 8x8 square baking dish.

Run your beans through your blender until they're smooth and creamy. Add eggs, oil, cocoa powder, salt, vanilla extract, salt, and baking powder and blend until smooth. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the chocolate chips over the top of the mixture.
Bake in the preheated oven until the top is dry and the edges start to pull away from the sides of the pan, about 30 minutes.



The taste was really similar to traditional brownies, but the texture was slightly different...not unappealing at all, just a little different. Sort of light and spongy. I would make them again, for sure. I think I'd like to try them with a little espresso powder or flavor extract next time. We always seem to have dried beans on hand, and in fact I plant beans just for drying, and this is a nice affordable way to inject some fiber and protein into your dessert diet.
Mmmm....dessert diet...

If you try it, let me know how you liked it.

Wordless Wednesday

Button Monday

I had so much fun with last week's button Monday post that I spent a little time playing again this week.  A selection of vintage beauties.  Mostly plastic with some wood, glass, and leather. 

love this celluloid wafer

Don't miss the message....

Happy Monday!