Just out of firing...

my latest creation

inspired by where I live 

   and by the William Morris quote,

“Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful”

It measures 10" X 3" and is replacing my old colander 

that is seriously dented and rather unattractive.

Creative fun, using barbecue skewers, chopsticks and drinking straws 
to create the holes in the clay form before firing!


And another one created to donate to this worthy cause
World Hunger Bowl

Decoupage Seashell Frame

I was happily surprised when my neighbor Stephanie invited me 

over to her home for an informal craft party this afternoon.

I wasn't sure what to expect, 

she takes X-rays all day long and I had no idea she was into art.

She mentioned she had picked up some acrylic paints and 

wooden frames at Michael's on sale.

So I went back to my studio and collected some of my favorite

 decorative napkins to share with the other women who were 

coming together for some creative fun.

The pretty napkins were a big hit!

It made the play date so much less intimidating to the new artists.

Decoupage was a word they had not heard before.

I shared how to pull the napkins apart and carefully rip around the 

images they wanted to use on their frames and layout the designs.

Some stamped letters and painted the background with paints, 

others left the natural frame and did a color wash on top the images.

Then I showed them how to decoupage the images in place with 

good old fashioned white glue watered down and using a paint 

brush starting in the center and working our way out to release any

 air bubbles.

They were thrilled with the results. 

 I am sorry I hadn't brought my camera to catch photos of all the creativity and fun.

I have only my example to share with you today.

Vintage Doilies

This idea has been spinning in my imagination for some time now.

 I knew exactly which table cloth I wanted to experiment with.

It's a small square table topper in a cream color fabric 

that I created to lay over a lush green velvet covered round table.

I pulled out a stash of vintage doilies 

and began laying them out along the edge.

You can hand stitch them in place once you have positioned them.

I'm not done yet, I need to keep adding to it.
I need to find some square and oval shapes too.

I just wanted to get the post up and share the fun.

This is a super easy DIY project 

and a great way to enjoy your favorite vintage doilies.

Here is a little tip, if you don't have enough to go all the way around,

 you can cut them in half and sew the raw edges carefully into the hem.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Seashell sconce shelf

created out of clay 

with a simple shape

and lots of seashell add ons 

then a soft satin glaze

and a subtle touch of color

 close up details

...just a little fun hand building with sweet results!

.

Happy Hearts to All

Happy Hearts to All!...

Creating heart Valentines with cookie cutters and clay!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Simple Scarf

While viewing Ralph Lauren's fashion week photos

of ready-to-wear for the spring 2012 collection

showing a myriad of beautiful neck scarfs in pastel colors

including peach and baby blue along with flowy chiffon skirts in sherbet-florals,

worn with cashmere sweaters in sunny yellow and apple green.

I'm inspired to take a look through my current collection of scarfs

to see what I have that may emulate the same look.

I find this little number in the same genre

and discover this variegated eyelash thread in a similar colorway.

I can't seem to resist adding a bit of embellishment to give it some texture

using the variegated eyelash thread.

With super easy basting stitches added

this simple scarf can easily transform any ordinary outfit

into something special!

Grateful to have it included in Somerset Life Magazine 

and 

Creative Living Ideas magazine!

Free Range Chicken

my latest dish design

just back from firing

( notice the chicken is in front of the wire, not trapped behind it! )

thus the title

the perfect plate for serving this chicken appetizer on

Spicy hot and so good !

Jalapenos are washed sliced and the seeds removed

then filled with slices of grilled chicken breast

and wrapped in thin sliced bacon

popped in the broiler

for approximately 5 minutes on each side

until crispy !

Enjoy !

Seashell Teapot

My latest creation is just back from bisque firing

and looking so lovely all in white !

I am happy with how the placement of the seashells

on the lid disguise the opening,

and fit beautifully together when it is closed.

A little seahorse sculpture at the handle adds interest.

Summer fun and creativity continues at the Cottage by the sea.

To see it glazed and finished click here

Pinkalicious

I was asked by Tasha Anderson

to share something

" Pinkalicious "

.

so here you have what I would call

" Pinkalicious "

My latest rosebud vase created with clay

and bits of cotton fabric dipped in slip

then fired with lots of pink glaze

completely covering the sweet vase !

Brown-bagging it with style

.

This is taking " brown-bagging it " to a whole new level !

with Ralph Lauren's Cliffony sheer drapery fabric 
and Kravet trim samples

This is what you will need

lunch bag. .scrap fabric...misc. trims ..plastic lid.. glue . sewing supplies

and time on your hands!

( or you are put on hold for several hours while your DSL service tries to resolve ongoing issues

and you happen to have these samples and remnants from client's files cluttering your desk )

. . . five months later . . .

I am happy to share it in this treasure trove of fun and inspiration

Somerset Life Magazine

with some fellow creatives.

Thank you to all involved at Stampington and Company

for giving each of us the opportunity

to inspire, delight, teach, encourage and be a blessing !!!

.

Seashore ceramic dish designs

I've been up to my elbows in clay lately,

fortunately, it seems to have been worth it.

You just never know what will happen during a firing...

Out of all the mediums, I enjoy playing with,

I find ceramics to be the most challenging.


Thrilled to share the fun and creativity in Somerset Home Magazine.

.