Leftover scrap of embroidered dresser scarf + Very Small embroidery hoops

+ Scissors

+ Glue

= Tiny Art

The End. :)

Finally, Emily and I found a craft we can do alongside one another.

I paint with Pebeo Porcelaine paints.

She paints with watercolors.

Fine modern art?  Perhaps.

This reminds me that I should do this simple watercolor project soon with my new partner in crime. :)

I forgot to tell you all that Evan’s in Haiti for 10 days.  Meanwhile, his mom and I are reading The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron.   It’s a 12 week program for effectively tapping into your creative side. 

Here are the two important tools that Julia swears by.

From what I’ve read so far, looking at beautiful images is an important part of feeding your creativity.  Julia says it, and I agree!

Thus, this week’s Friday Favorites:

1. Untitled, 2. I heart coffee, 3. The studio before it became wrapped in a big plastic bag, 4. hand-picked, 5. Bedroom Pip studio wallpaper, 6. Untitled, 7. DSC05469, 8. when love was the law, 9. sweet dreams

Created with fd’s Flickr Toys

Happy Weekend!

I’m here.  Really here. 

We moved halfway across the country, and then we vacationed in NC for a week.

And now I am here — here being Virginia.

It’s pretty.

All our belongings are piled in a corner of the basement.  Except our Sleep Number bed.  It’s assembled in another corner.

Oh, and the TV.  It’s at the foot of the bed.

This picture was taken on our dining table, which is covered with cords, Wal-Mart bags, the Brita container, and junkity-junk.  And a tiny space for me.

And Friday, we officially set out on our journey to Virginia.  Tulsa has been a fantastic home for us for almost 5 years.  Evan made his first short film here.  I began to blog, sew, crochet, and take pictures of it all right here.

We had two babies here.

And we bought a house.

And we made some really great friends.

We are sad to leave our friends and home–but always game for new adventures!

Goodbye, Tulsa!  We heart you.

I just finished this family tree for my friend, Mandy, who lives in Maryland (and who is a very talented photographer).  Her father just got married, and she wanted a tree to represent the new family.

It’s completely handstitched with applique and embroidery, and I made it with a combination of new and vintage fabrics.

Although I might alter the design a bit, I’d like to offer custom family trees in my shop.

I’m also kinda wanting one for my own family… made with bits of our old clothing.

Maybe I’ll start one after we move. :)

Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers for our family.

“Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials” -James 1:2 (NASB)

Joy (not to be confused with the emotion happy) is something we have in abundance right now.

We’ll be moving in 2 weeks to live closer to family.  (Yes, our house finally sold!)  I’ll try to update regularly in the mean time.  Thanks again for your prayers!  We are thankful for each and every one.

Coming to the Thimbly Things Shop. :)

…I’ve been taking them lately, and I just finished this set of paintings for my friend, Amy:

And here’s the start of a family tree for my friend, Mandy:

The pink heart may or may not be in the finished product.  I can’t decide.  But I’ll keep ya posted. :)

And my French virtual friend, Régine, commissioned several hot pads:

If you’re interested in commissioning a painting, embroidered wallhanging, hot pads, or anything else that you’ve seen on Thimbly Things, please shoot me an email (see sidebar).  

Oh, and just a reminder: Vote for your favorite top today on Made by Rae.  Once again, tons of inspiration.  If I have time tonight, I might start making a Spring Top for myself.

Get out there and vote for your favorite handmade top on Made by Rae!

Here are today’s tops:

Lots of inspiration and talent on display this week, so don’t miss it!  :)