Mojo is returning

May 5th, 2013 | Posted by rmablog in fiber art | sewing - (1 Comments)

Last moth I stopped in here to say how I’m still around, but not doing much.  My creative juices are starting to flow back to me.  Perhaps it has to do with finally becoming spring here?  This has been the longest winter ever!  It is really wearing on my psyche.  We had one week of nice weather and then another bout of snow on May 2nd, that’s unheard of!   In that nice week, I made a garden.  Are any of you on Pinterest?  Does anyone get over confident by how simple some of the inspiring projects look?  Well, I do.  But I was determined not to fail and I completed my garden project! Here’s is what I’ve been working on…and yes, all by myself.  I had to level the ground and dig the blocks down one deep on one end.  I moved each block and carried 10 bags of very wet dirt.  I’m so done with this project LOL.

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I also made some more sugar scrubs and body butters, this time for teacher appreciation week.  I had a little creative spurt there designing labels to make them more special.  Here’s a glimpse of that work..

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I printed them on 2 inch circle labels for the tops of the jars, bagged them up and tied with a ribbon.  I hope they brighten the teacher’s day!

This is a horrible picture, almost to embarrassed to post it.  But I “forced” myself to do something creative today and I whipped up this cute little dish towel.  I have bigger an better plans for these, but wanted to do a trial run and see how they wash up.  I think it will look nice in my kitchen. If I can’t have spring outside, I’ll bring it indoors :)

 

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I also added a few new items to my SewRubyMoon Etsy shop today!

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Lack of creative mojo

April 13th, 2013 | Posted by rmablog in Uncategorized - (Comments Off)

I’ve happened to take a bit of a break from blogging and all things creative it seems.  It happens, I know it won’t last.  I try not to worry about it and force it.  Luckily (?) I don’t have to rely on my creative juices flowing in order to support myself, or I would be worried!  Someday I hope I have that problem, it’s not an issue right now.

What I have been up to… I installed a new light fixture in my studio.  It’s been on my to do list since I moved in last June.  I’m scared to death of electricity and it took awhile to get the courage to tackle that project.  Not to mention it took some courage to tackle cleaning off my table so I could move it out of the way :)  But I finally did it!  The light is installed and my house has  not burned down (yet, knock on wood).  Here is not so good picture of the clean table and new light.  While I was confident I replaced the light on the other side of the room with something more “modern” looking.  That end is where my son plays his wii and my daughter has her craft table.

 

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It seems that organizing my studio left me with the “I don’t want to mess it up” syndrome LOL! My table is still clean!  I guess I work better when it’s a mess.

Today I had a creative streak in the kitchen.  I’ve been wanting to try my hand at making my own spa products.  I’ve made sugar scrubs before, but I also really wanted to make some body butter. I love THICK lotions.  None of that watery, evaporating stuff for my dry skin!  Today I made a bunch of stuff while I had the kitchen a mess.  Along with more sugar scrubs, I made lotion bars, healing salve and body butter.  Everything turned out great!  I was more than worried about the body butter.  I followed this recipe, only when I let it cool… it never started to solidify so I could whip it.  I tried whipping it, but it just sprayed all over my kitchen wall.  Before I gave up and dumped it, I searched some more recipes to see if I could salvage it.  Turns out others have had the same issue!  They recommended putting it in the fridge and helping it solidify.  That’s exactly what I needed to do, it worked great after that!  I would also recommend a stand mixer, mixing with a hand mixer for 10 minutes really wasn’t fun.  Here’s the products I ended up with (lotion bars not pictured).

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I’m hooked!  I’m already concocting ideas for new combinations of oils.  I think I’ll make these for a thank you gift for the teachers at the end of the school year, they definitely deserve some pampering!  I’m thinking my moms might like this for mothers day too!

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The demise of Google Reader

March 25th, 2013 | Posted by rmablog in Uncategorized - (Comments Off)

I’m very sad to hear of the end of Google Reader.  I know it’s not leaving for several more months, but it’s upsetting just the same. It’s my most important connection to the blogs I love!  I’m trying out some new products to replace GR. Right now I’ve followed the crowd and moved over to Bloglovin. It was an easy and seamless process to import my reader blog list over to there and I even found a few new friends to follow! I’m interested to hear what the rest of you utilize for an RSS feeder/blog reader.

Follow on Bloglovin

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If I move again, I will let you all know. Don’t forget you also have the option to subscribe to my blog over on the side bar to have my posts delivered to your inbox, as well as sign up for my newsletter or follow me on Twitter and Facebook.

PS still time to get the 40% off coupon for my Etsy shop in the newsletter, sign up today!

March 23rd, 2013 | Posted by rmablog in Uncategorized - (Comments Off)

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

What I’m working on Wednesday

March 20th, 2013 | Posted by rmablog in mixed media - (Comments Off)

I just wanted to show what I’ve been up to.  I commissioned myself for some wall art :)  My bedroom has some stark spots on the walls and I needed some artwork that speaks to me and is the right colors for my Aqua and Chocolate bedroom.  Since I spent the past year rebuilding my life, I decided pieces representing that would be appropriate for a private spot in my room.  The one is a self portrait type representation and the other represents the new home we’ve created.  I want to add some words to the girl but I’m still debating on the right words.  These pieces were inspired by the She Art class I took earlier this year. 006q

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I’m also having a Winter Clearance sale in my SewRubyMoon Etsy shop. Sign up for my newsletter and I’ll be sending out a 40% off coupon code at the end of the week!

 

What I’m working on Wednesday

March 5th, 2013 | Posted by rmablog in mixed media - (1 Comments)

Making up some mail art envelopes, mail should be interesting too!

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And the winner is…

March 3rd, 2013 | Posted by rmablog in Giveaway | mixed media - (2 Comments)

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Hello there! It’s time to draw the winners of the Valentine mini canvas’ giveaway. I apologize for the timing, another wave of illness has swept through this household. I’m so ready for spring! In fact, I think I’ll go make something springy today to take away this overcast day! Anyway, on to the winners… thank you to everyone for your lovely comments. I appreciate each and every one. The names I drew out of the hat (bowl) were…
Irma
Nichole Marie
Norma Conway
Norma Turvey

Congrats ladies! I will be contacting you to get your mailing addresses and send the pieces out this week! I’ve enjoyed visiting the blogs of all my visitors and getting to know you, thank you for playing along!

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Tips on Tuesday

February 19th, 2013 | Posted by rmablog in mixed media | Tutorial - (1 Comments)

Today I have a tip for you!  A little something I found to make my life easier.  I tend to make a HUGE mess when creating mixed media pieces.  I know, shocking! To make clean up a little easier I bought myself a large “newsprint” paper pad.   They are pretty affordable and last forever. I believe mine is 18×24.  I put my work right on top of the pad and mix paint, spray, stamp, test colors, and sketch right there on my work surface.  The pros are that it dries quickly, it doesn’t need washed with water (like a palette), AND…it’s recyclable or re-usable!  Here is a picture of my “ever shrinking work area” in use.

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Yes, embarrassing to admit my area looks this way :).  This is a pretty new sheet of paper, I’ve only done 1 project on it so far.  But after a few months of projects that paper starts to look SUPER COOL.  I mean, no way would I be able to re-create the look on purpose!  Last week after I changed the sheet I couldn’t bring myself to toss it out.  So I re-used it!  I cut it into pieces to fit my brand new art journal.  I added it to the front and back cover and it looks so cool!

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I used Mod Podge to stick it on and I added another coat on top.  Now I can still add to this if I desire, but right now I’m adoring it as is.  I also added some scraps in a patchwork design to the inside of the cover and the first page of the book so I’m ready to journal once the mood strikes me.

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So there you have it, my Tip on Tuesday.  Have a great week and don’t forget to comment on the give away post for a chance to win a mini canvas.

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Happy Valentine’s Day Giveaway!

February 13th, 2013 | Posted by rmablog in Uncategorized - (8 Comments)

 

 

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Happy Valentine’s everyone!  I don’t have a real Valentine this year so I thought I would celebrate the launching of my newly designed blog on Valentines day and give you readers the gifts!  Thanks for stopping by and taking a look. I’m promising not to be a stranger around here!  This weekend I had a lot of creative time and it was awesome!  I made some mixed media pieces for my bedroom which I will be sharing when they are completed.  While I had stuff out, I decided to get into the Valentine spirit and whip up a Heart Art palette.  I had a bunch of these 3×3 inch canvas’ around and made some little Valentine art collages.  I thought it would be fun to give them away on this much neglected blog!  All you have to do is leave a comment and a way to contact you if you win!  Thanks again for stopping by :)

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The latest swap

January 27th, 2013 | Posted by rmablog in fiber art | swap - (Comments Off)

I joined the Vintage Dragonfly Valentine Spoolie swap.  We were directed to decorate a spool in a Valentine theme.  I did a little fiber art and vintage paper work on my spool that I sent to my partner Michele.

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And here’s the sweet, precious spool I received from Michele.  She’s a great addition to my studio. Thanks Michele for swapping and thanks JoAnne for hosting another great swap!

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