Collecting - Junk or Fodder?

So, it's spring, and I have the urge to start spring cleaning.  But, I'm a collector of "useful" things/junk...and sometimes that means taking a beat longer before letting the spring cleaning fervor take hold in the "reorganization" and "decluttering" of my gleaned bounty.  I need to have a thinkingland yard sale or something - so I can share my "useful" finds.  But, I have some half-baked ideas that aren't ready to turn loose of some of my fodder yet...that's not always the most helpful place to be though.  :o)

I've posted links before from the folkstreams website.  It's a documentary preserve of films examining American roots culture.  Today I found one on Collections - and it puts my "collectiong" a bit more in perspective.

Meet n' 3 : March-ing on

Yay! - I'm participating in the Meet n'3 again this Friday night.  I'm making some adjustments from last time and keeping some things the same.  So, a couple prices are cheaper, some new items offered too.  I will be curating my exhibit based on March:  In like a lion, out like a lamb ... a time of opposites.  This will be fun for me.  I'm not sure what kind of "free" activity I will do yet...come to the Nashville Farmer's Market this Friday between 6 and 9pm and see what I came up with.  Opposites I know I'm featuring so far...Himself/Herself, Lion/Lamb, Half full/Half Empty.

Metro Arts @ the Nashville Farmer's Mkt

Last month I participated in the Nashville Farmer's Market Meet n'3.  I had been inspired to make some new creations based on the art of American painter, Robert Henri.  Henri's two paintings, Himself and Herself were the beginning of my idea to start making and using embroidered handkerchiefs for a therapeutic and endearing gift to use for strengthening and celebrating relationships.  It was a fun way to celebrate the February, (Valentine's) Meet n' 3.  I also had an activity of making valentines along with selling a couple other of my current fiber arts.  I haven't posted the instructions on how to make the valentines yet...I'm going to include it in a newsletter soon.

A lot like Christmas

Thank you to everyone of you who helped me participate in my first craft fair this weekend.

To those of you who purchased...I am so honored that you chose one of my thinkingland products as something to be of use in your "playful" pursuits.  It was delightful to hear of sheep that would be going to houses to sit in kitchen windows, or a cupcake set that would be part of a new play kitchen set for Christmas. And now I have the privilege of finishing orders to be delivered in the next 10 days. 

To those of you who came to support me...I know you had to go out of your way, carry a lot, and take valuable time...but I treasured my time I got to spend with you in the context of a Christmas Craft fair.  I had fun with my friends...and made new ones.  It was a treat to get to know the family behind Frontier Family Farmhouse Soap Co.  They sell natural soaps, lotions, lip balms, salves and other wonderful natural creations.  If you still need items for gift baskets or your guestrooms...check out their Christmas Morning soap.

Thank you to the staff of First Church of the Nazarene, Nashville for putting on Christmas Fest 2011.

My etsy shop (this leads to) is working again...I will keep adding to it as I make new items.  Tonight I am finishing some needle felted ice cream that a friend ordered...it's turning out kinda neat.  I'll make an extra one and put it in the shop.

Thanksgiving project

A few years ago I decided I would make "abstract" gourd turkeys and send them to my grandmothers.  I loved the way they turned out...most of all, I liked that they were a vessel for communicating the many "I am thankful for"s that my family wanted to share with our loved ones.

I tied a red balloon around the stem/beak to a gourd that had a head, neck, body proportion.  I cut out a bunch of colorful leaf shapes and wrote specific, individualized "I am thankful for..." statements with my family on each leaf that was then push-pinned in a fanned out "feather" pattern" to the round piece of cork that I found in the garden section at the hardware store.  I had drilled two holes on one side of the circle and threaded ribbon through it so it could be tied around the "fattest" part of the gourd.  (My granny said that as the gourd dried, she had to keep tying the ribbon belt tighter)

In case you want to make your own version...the supplies needed are few -

1 "goose neck" gourd for body, 1 red balloon for a gobbler, a garden supply cork round, paper shapes for feathers, push pins, ribbon, your own "thankful for"s.

making and sharing

Hello friends,

I'm still learning how to use Etsy...so if you've gotten on to my "this leads to" etsy shop and found nothing in the store, I'm sorry.  There were sheep in there, but they've wandered off somehow.  I'll work on my shepherding.

Always feel free to just send me an email or facebook message to inquire about new things I'm working on and what I'm still up to.  Thank you very much for your support and continued encouragement.

I made a pretend felt cake for an adoption fundraiser silent auction this weekend after a friend urged me to do so with sweet enthusiasm.  Here are some pictures of the caramel apple cake.  I'll try to put some cakes up in the Etsy store soon.  Let me know if you have some flavor/color requests.

Visit my new Etsy shop

At last, it's simpler to buy thinkingland creations.  Visit the Etsy shop here.