Scrap lights

These Scrap lights are made from cardboard by some very creative dumpster divers. Check out www.graypants.com for more! I found this over at apartment therapy

Super sweet

Wouldn't it be rad to win this? Go check it out and enter for yourself too!

I've been busy

Lately I've been a creative dervish working on a million things at once. I started several new paintings that aren't quite finished but I still want them up in the meantime! I have my artwork on almost every single wall of the house now. These are both on canvas using watered down acrylics. I'm still adding to them, but can't quite figure out what yet. Another view!
I finally made some dog collars! I used recycled jean, and some funky fabric from a vintage shirt.

And finally the dining room. We had an ugly light fixture fan with gold and wicker. Awful. Horrendous. Every time I looked at it I just wanted to change it, but we're renting, so I've been racking my brain to come up with some creative cover-up. First I got the idea to change up an old lampshade and hang it over the blaring lights, just to dim them out a little. As I was holding it up my husband said, "I think we can unscrew those fan blades..." Oh, I am so happy he thinks in a totally different way than I do! After taking the fan off and putting the lampshade on we have a completely different look! And when we move we can just put the fan back on and no one will ever know. In the background I've been painting dots on some tar paper as I feel like it. It's an easy way to get some variety.

The lost art of snail mail (and a giveaway!)

I've been thinking lately about how much I love receiving a colorful envelope in my mailbox, opening it up, and finding a sweet note from someone I love inside. I try to write letters to those I love from time to time, and I try to mail them, but many times I get as far as choosing the card and thinking about what to write before it gets shuffled into my piles of papers until months later when I find it and think, "Oh yes, that card, for that dear one... Now, what should I write? Hmmm." And the process begins again. I am so so sooooo bad, and this is something that is really such a small effort but can make a HUGE difference in somebody's day. Here is my goal: I am going to write someone every week! Just to say hi, just to say you're special, just to say I appreciate you and all that you do, or just to draw a little funny picture. I would love it if some of you will create a similar goal to spread the joy of snail mail. Leave a comment about what you are willing to commit to (writing your grandma finally, sending your 3 best friends a handmade postcard, writing a thank note to someone... Just some ideas!), and I will draw a few names from a hat. If your name is drawn I'll send you a specially made snail card- blank- so you can then send it along. Winners will be notified May 19, 2009!

Fabulous Brown Plaid Bag

I have finally listed the bag that I've had finished for weeks and weeks but just couldn't carve out the time to post. I think if I'm too busy to post etsy listings, then I'm just too darn busy! You can find it on my etsy site at www.reloveprojects.etsy, or HERE!

New and news

I have some new projects going. I'm going to decorate this thrifted lampshade and turn it into a hanging light. I'm thinking navy blue on the green might look nice. I also have some visions of embroidered flowers. Any thoughts, ideas?

And I'm serious now, I'm going to start creating dog leashes and collars from recycled materials. Part of my inspiration is our new addition to our family! This is little miss Cheetah Bunny, otherwise known as Cheeba.

She's honestly as soft as a bunny, I don't think I've ever felt a dog this fuzzy before. Someone pet her today and exclaimed, "How can she be this soft?!" My husband and I were talking about how it would be a great invention to have some sort of textured photo so that we could show the world what Cheeba feels like. On Thursday night my family went to a fundraiser for dogs. A big attraction was 'Project Ruffway' where adoptable dogs were the main models. When we saw Cheeba (then Bonnie, but I've known too many Bonnies and just couldn't have a dog with the same name!) we all had the same thought- that she would be a perfect addition to our home. Everything fell into place, and before we knew it we had a new little girl cuddled up on our couch!

If you are thinking about getting a dog please consider looking into your local shelter and rescue groups. So many dogs are mistreated in this world, and so many dogs are needlessly euthanized because of irresponsible breeders. If you love our Cheeba and would like to meet some similar dogs in Colorado check out New Hope Cattle Dog Rescue and Rehoming, Inc.

Wednesday's anothers

2 forces are preventing me from staying updated on my etsy site and with other work. The first being my health- I have ANOTHER cold, this one is manifesting itself in my throat. Every time I cough I feel like little knives are puncturing my tonsils. I've put myself into isolation and have been watching many many movies. Have any suggestions?

The second force is nature. We have ANOTHER snowstorm. Just when the flowers were starting to recover they got crushed again. I love how hopeful daffodils and tulips are. Every single year they pop up to announce spring, and every single year they get a snow burial. My husband asked, "Why haven't they learned to just come later?" My belief is that they have learned, but are either so generous as to sacrifice themselves for the sweet signals of spring, or are just too impatient to wait until the chance of snow has passed.

This photo was taken near my home of the last snowstorm. I loved the blue sky behind the snowy mountains. A great thing about Colorado weather is that it changes so quickly. Sometimes we have rain, snow, and sun in the same day!

This is my latest bag. I have to wait to post it on etsy until I can get some decent photos! It has leather handles, is lined with flowered cotton, has an inside pocket with a button closure, and 2 very cute little earrings decorating the handle. I'm quite pleased with this one! Everything is, as always, recycled. Its pieces were once a shirt, a tablecloth and a pair of pants! If you'd like to reserve it please email or comment and I'll be sure to save it for you (first one wins)! In the meantime, check out the other great creations in my etsy store!