So excited today the start of my weekend!  I also just joined a great online art community called Fiber Arts and Mixed Media, http://www.fibermixedmedia.com/
Just signed up yesterday, beautiful site, great people, great art!
I have several recycled sweater projects that are finished now and ready to post.

This is a hand bag and 3 cuff bracelets.  I just love this process of first Fulling the sweaters, then adding the yarn overlay with the wet felting process.  I complete the design with embroidery and beading.  The embroidery is so relaxing, I like that fact that the wool is so thick that a hoop is not needed, though on the larger piece I did clamp it to a canvas frame for more stability but the bracelets did not require it. 
Check out the beautiful art and artists at Fiber Arts and Mixed Media and have a fabulous creative day!

More Recycling

Just had to share my most recent recycle.  I had seen a pin on Pinterest where someone used the top of a salt container and cut it to fit on a mason jar, well for me personally, we do not go through that much salt.  I do however go through a decent amount of creamer and orange juice cartons which I wash out and cut flat to use for projects since they are not recyclable.  Sooo I cut out the spout area and put it on my jar of Quinoa and it is fabulous!

 

The Owl Necklace

So I have not stopped making stuff to list on Etsy, it's just not a priority right now.  I am having so much fun with the felting and the whole textile art experience.  It kind of feels like getting back to the beginning, the basics.  When I was growing up my mother made everything and I mean everything.  I learned to sew, crochet, quilt, embroider, knit etc. etc.  But I never in a million years saw myself suddenly picking up embroidery after all this time and here I am.  I will soon have pictures of a finished piece to share.

In the mean time I forgot about a necklace I finished and was and am, very excited about.  The cord is woven with yarn and jumbo hemp and the bead is made with paper mache.

FLEXITARIAN

I have decided that I am already a Flexitarian, which means I eat mostly a non-meat diet and just occasionally eat meat in small quantities.
It's good for me and good for the environment!
Recently I let some depression creep in over no longer having our own home. As renters it is really impossible to put in any kind of garden. In the past I would have a garden and do a little canning, not a lot but I still miss it and I miss going out and picking some fresh veggies for a salad.
This "Straw Bale Gardening" is so interesting and takes a small space, it is also up off the ground for less bending etc.

Felting and Recycling

So I'm a terrible blogger, I guess that's just the way it has to be.  No time.
I have recently given up the idea of making any kind of living from my artwork so it frees me up to do my art and crazy crafting to give as gifts to family and friends.  Zero pressure, if I get it done I get it done, if not that's okay too.
I love recycling and being environmentally responsible, doing my best to keep my foot print as small as possible.  I have added to that eating more responsibly and staying away from processed prepared foods.  Veggies, legumes and whole grains.  I already see a difference!
Recently I decided I wanted to recycle old wool sweaters into current, useable objects.  I read a little and jumped in, I think that some of the stuff I'm doing was never intended to be done but that's okay.  Like after Felting/Fulling the old sweater in the washer and dryer I continued the process with wool yarn inlays, it's kind of like painting with wool yarn.  This is a very old craft and very addictive.  I have included pictures of my test piece.  

The inlay process sparked all sorts of creative juices and before I knew it I was embroidering and beading etc. etc.  These items will then be used to make slippers, mittens, hats, cowls, purses, ipad pouches and on and on and on.  Or just a beautiful wall hanging.

Sometimes you just need a nap.

Sometimes you just need to put the tools away and take a nap.  If you have ever had a cat you now how hard it is to get anything done.  Fester likes to be in the middle of whatever I am doing.  Today I have jewelry pieces I am working on but have been squeezed out of my work table.
I have been trying to adopt a new attitude.  I am trying to never use the word "problem" and use the word challenge instead.  So there are no problems just challenges and opportunities... a challenge to do better or maybe an opportunity to learn from how we faced the challenge.
At least today my biggest challenge is to find a different place for Fester to nap.