Mini books with custom bound covers

One of my favorite magazines was looking for ideas for handcrafted projects using a purchased item and personalizing it in some way. They were asking for creative, inexpensive, simple projects that ideally take 30 minutes or less to make. 

This is what I came up with for them!

Using fun little fabric memo samples from the design center and coordinating fabrics, I created little book covers for post-it tablets.

I have so many cool and unusual fabrics that I have collected over the years, it was pure pleasure perusing through them to find patterns and embellishments that were small enough for the size.

Using cardboard found at Trader Joe's used for package dividers, I cut pieces just a tiny bit larger than the post-it notes were. Then glued the fabric to the cardboard and created covers.

I had so much creative fun adding the unusual embellishments.

I chose a monochromatic color theme.

Some have ribbon ties, or embellishments, others cut out appliqué.

Then I covered a large box that looks like a book to hold all of them in.

Hoping they like them!

They did! 

Here is the article.

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Simple canvas tote

Embellished!

Painted using the detail from a manhole cover 

at the Sawdust Winter Fantasy!

I began by choosing a plain canvas bag and then combing colors

 for a custom blend.

Below is a photo of me rolling the paint colors over the metal cover.

Then I inserted cardboard into the bag and used a rolling pin

 to achieve the fun look!

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I had an old shirt that was the perfect plaid colors to line it with, 

and it even had pockets on the front 

that were perfect to have inside for your phone and keys.

So, I chopped it up, added some vintage turquoise rick-rack,

just for fun, and sewed it together!

Some simple stitches with embroidery thread added to the design 

and one of my ceramic fish was sewn into the center for a focal point!

Making magic with mixed media!

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On a creative roll with clay

Creating seashell boxes!

And a collection of smaller boxes all in white.

Below is my first attempt at a large treasure chest shaped box

with an Asian inspired base,

Front and back in a turquoise tinted glaze.

I'm into experimenting and having fun with clay!

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Drawing and painting on ceramics

Inspired by Danielle Donaldson's, 

The art of creative watercolor book,  

I chose to experiment on ceramics.

I used a vintage wooden handled tracing wheel 

with dark glaze on it to freehand draw the shapes,

then filled in with color and details.

I made a large vase shape to play on.

And a large bowl shape.

Just a little creative fun at the cottage by the sea!

Now available at Haven, Laguna Beach.

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Little ceramic dishes created for bits and bobs

It started with being a small design 

that I could use to test different glazes on, 

but I found they are great for loose change

 or jewelry.

I like using them for earrings, 

and grouping bangles bracelets together.

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Ruffled edge flower vase

Created in clay using a pencil rolled across the petals 

to create the ruffles!

I started with a basic shape and then began embellishing all along the top.

A little feminine creative fun with clay!

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Doodling another dinnerware dish design

just because I can!

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The editor of Somerset home recently asked their readers to send in samples of sand from some of their favorite places, 

wanting to showcase a variety of different sands. 

This photo showcases a charming array of presentations from their latest magazine.

I am continually grateful to live in a historic cottage across the 

street from the sparkling Pacific Ocean.

The little seaside town is Laguna Beach, California. 

It is about halfway between Los Angeles and San Diego.

It is well known as an artists colony. It has a mild year-round climate with lots of scenic coves and is surrounded by a wilderness park. It is also a marine protected area so the sea life is abundant!

This bottle of treasures came from a cove across the street from the cottage.

I layered the sand then all the tiny seashells, found at low tide that just happened to be exposed the day I found the fun bottle to present them in. There are also bits of colored sea glass and tumbled pebbles all washing ashore together included.

This is a little bit of Divers Cove captured in a bottle.

Grateful to have it included in Somerset Life Magazine!

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Fabric covered hanger

Feminine fun with scrap fabric

I have a wonderful stash of favorite discontinued drapery fabric sample swatches that I've stacked in my art studio.

I chose to pull out a favorite white linen with a blue rose floral to create a hanger cover for my new blue blouse with a wide collar so that it wouldn't slip off the hanger.

It was super easy. I just laid the hanger on the backside of the fabric and traced the outline of the top of the hanger 3/4 of an inch above it. Then I copied that creating a second and cut them both out.

With right sides pinned together, I sewed them together leaving the opening at the top center and doing a basic hem along the bottom.

Putting the right side out I tucked the top center opening in and pressed the piece flat.

The ruffle of the same fabric I added just for fun and to jazz up the bottom.

I'm thrilled to have it included in Greencraft 

magazines summer issue!

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Coral Vases

I've been experimenting and creating coral vases 

 in multiple sizes and colors!

One of my all time favorite designs,

It is beautiful and useful,

quirky and fun

and like nothing I have seen before.

 photo by the talented John Ellis

I was desperate for storage, 

as the historic beach cottage I live in was not built with closets in the 1920's

The design challenge was the very narrow 
and small space available to build in the stairs.

photo by John Ellis

The lower pullout was created to accommodate 
the additional steps needed to reach to the top.

photo by John Ellis

All the drawers are real and being used 
to store treasures and practicalities. 

Clients bolts of fabrics, misc. art supplies, 

 my sound system and Cd's and tapes. 

One of the small drawers that is above my head 

with the sea star handle created out of clay,
I designed to open from the top as it is more practical to access.

 The steps give me access to the loft, my little perch

 overlooking the sparkling Pacific Ocean,

with a cool bay seat created with an extra long twin mattress 

for additional sleeping and a great reading space.

 They say necessity is the mother of invention,

certainly true in this case!

(previously there was a ladder to climb upstairs) 


Grateful to have it published in 

Small Room Decorating Magazine!