Valentines day! In the last post, I encouraged you to be creative. Here's my latest little creation: cute little felt hearts! One description of Valentine’s Day in the 1700’s tells how groups of friends met to draw names that were written on slips of paper. Then for several days, each man wore his valentine’s name pinned on his sleeve. The saying “wearing his heart on his sleeve” probably came from this practice. So I decided to make little hearts that you can wear and either put your valentine's name on a slip of paper and put it in the heart or you can even wear it on your sleeve if you want!! That would be creative.

You could even put a love note in the them and give them as a gift! They are easy to make! Try something creative today!

Creative People Awake!

Times are tough. Everywhere we are faced with layoffs, financial fiascos and unfortunate stories. I just heard a TV story about an auto maker who is laying off factory employees because they can't sell cars. No reason to be productive, if there are no buyers, if they can't move their product. Well, this hits the little guy too. The HANDMADE industry is hurting also, because buyers have a lack of disposable funds and plenty of fear. I say, back to basics---buy local and buy handmade when you can. Support the people's economy. Talk to you friends about supporting the local creative sellers--you might just put food on the table for someone in your community! And if you have no extra cash--get creative yourself! Here's a picture of our own thanksgiving, with a homemade Thanksgiving Banner decorating the wall!

It's also a tough environment for those of us who try to be creative. But . . the economy should not be an excuse to not create! Creative items increase our delight, both for the buyer and for the creator. These items hopefully raise us from possible depths of despair, if only for a short time. We can all use a lift these days. Let's not give up creativity just yet!

Inspired!

Well, I started my landscape quilt! I checked the internet, like Wendy suggested, but the way that landscape quilts are done, I really wasn't thinking that way. So, I'm going my own way! I don't know how it will turn out, but at least it will be CREATIVE! And isn't that what it is all about for us crafters! I'll share the finished project later when it is done. I'm posting a couple of pictures: the original photo taken on our vacation; and the start of the quilt--less than 1/3 done.

Inspiration?

Ever had those days where inspriation flees from you?! I recently wrote a post about scrappy days, while I was looking for a new idea. Yes, I got the hot pink thread and the yellow fabric. I finished the coasters; they can be seen in my etsy store. I haven't started the landscape quilt using the yellow fabric, although I have played with the fabrics together and not yet decided on a pattern to cut. I just have not gotten the idea that I think will yield the finished product that I have in mind.

This morning, Saturday, I resorted to watching sewing shows on public TV! I saw some techniques that I have never used. And I saw some AWESOME sewing machines that I cannot afford! But ultimately no new ideas! So I guess it time to go to the fabric store and let the fabrics speak to me!

Dream: Farm Girl Grandma

My handmade Farm Girl Doll

A few months ago I ordered a magazine subscription for my daughter. [Although, I really would have enjoyed the magazine also! I figured I could read them after she was done with them.] It was 'Mary Janes Farm' magazine. It's packed with all things handmade and she has enjoyed them very much! You might want to check out the magazine and their site http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/

One of my greatest dreams is to live on a farm. I would really like to have a few acres here in Oregon and build a blueberry farm [with my daughter's family.] I really would like to be a farm girl, er . . . grandma! I once lived in the mountains on a seven acre place. This was my first taste of COUNTRY! Even though it was hard living there, in a ramshackle house originally built in the early 1900's raising six kids, the experience stuck with me; sort of like the old saying: "You can take the boy out of the country, but you can't take the country out of the boy." I started gardening when I lived there; the kids had 4H projects of lambs and pigs; we had a horse; and I tried raising chickens!

I've lived other places since then, but the country life is still what I long for. I like the peace, the wide open space, and it's still my dream!