Continuing the cocoon journey

I have been working on more of the tiny silk cocoon books. You may have seen the first one a while ago, but if not, it's here. I started painting some with watercolors and adding some beading. I wanted to share just one more.

One of my goals, for quite some time, has been to submit a project to one of my favorite magazines. I decided to submit these little books and see what happens. Okay, I haven't submitted it yet, but I have set a goal to do so in the next couple weeks. Wish me luck.

This one is " She was submerged in blissful oblivion."

Felting jewelry

I am giving felted jewelry a try. I finished some earrings and have a felted pendant in the works.

These were made from the midnight ride bead ends...

Warm Again!

Hurray! Rejoice! The power came back on last night. And the internet, phone, and tv followed soon after.

Thank you everyone for all your kind comments. I really appreciated it.

Now, I can get back to my routine. I'll be around to visit all your blogs too. I am still having trouble leaving comments on some. I'll try to figure that out this week.

Here's my latest Valentine postcard I finally got to put in my shop.

And, here was my neighborhood on Wednesday morning after we got about a new foot of snow...

My driveway at around 7am.

  This neighbor didn't get out until the other day!

This saw a plow Saturday but pretty much looked like this from Wednesday on. This was also taken before the trees starting falling onto this road. And the main road up there is still closed. They are trying to remove huge evergreens laying across it every ten feet or so. Eek.

I did get to know some of my neighbors better this week, and met some new ones. I had some adventures and fun, but much prefer this whole power thing!

Take care.

Power,please

This is a short post today. Storms came through western Washington and have really thrown a wrench in the week. Our neighborhood is on day four of no power...that means no heat. The first couple days were an exciting adventure, day three was the first day i could get my car out, and today we are hanging out at places with power and finally getting to check my email and try to warm up....hello world! Connecting with the world and warmth is making me a little less cranky. Ha!

So, let us pick a winner...by random number picked by the gentleman we are sharing a table with...the winner is...
Penny!!!!

Send your address and I will pop them in the mail tomorrow! Congrats!

Valentine Giveaway!

Valentine's Day is just around the corner. I thought it would be fun to give away a pair of Valentine fabric postcards to one lucky love!

They are easy to make with wonderful fabric like this. It's one of my favorites- Cherie for Clothworks. It's at least a couple years old and I'm not sure if they still sell this design. Aren't these ladies great!

Just leave a comment and I'll pick a winner on Sunday so I can mail them to you in time to send off to friends or lovers for V-day!

What was the best Valentine's Day you've ever had? What did you do?

Snowy weekend for felting

It was the perfect snowy weekend here in Olympia, Washington for felting. Western Washington just isn't well equiped for snow. This week may get interesting if it continues. I'll see the sun before a plow comes by my neighborhood. So, I was happy to stay home and work on a new felted bag. I'm going to make some larger messanger bags for my shop. I still haven't decided, but I may just keep this first one for myself. It's still drying and may need some touching up. I really like the way the color choices worked out and felted together.

Hope you all have a great week!

The Red Tin on Facebook

It just grows and grows, doesn't it?

After years of saying I'd never be on facebook, I made a page. I never thought starting this blog would lead to where I am. I've met so many wonderful people, started an Etsy shop, and now a facebook fan page. What's next? ( oh god, please don't have me on twitter yet! ha!)

I'm just getting started and figuring it all out. I'd love it if you came by and said hello. And, if you're into facebook, give me a little "like". :0)

Here's the latest on The Red Tin.

More Felting this year

I have been enjoying  felting and really want to learn new techniques. I had been eyeing a 4-day workshop with Lisa Klakulak from Strongfelt for awhile. It is in Durango, Colorado, where I went to college  ( I haven't been back there in about 12 years!). I decided to go for it! I think it will be amazing to learn from Lisa. To me, she's a felt celebrity!  If you haven't seen her felted works check out her gallery on Strongfelt. It will amaze you.

We're going to make a 2 day roadtrip there from Washington, through eastern Oregon, Idaho, Utah, and southwestern Colorado. I'm excited to go through Arches National Park and Moab, UT again. It's a beautiful area. We'll also make a stop in Salt Lake City. My favorite vacations are roadtrips and I haven't been down those roads in so long. Also, my old college friend, Sara, is going to meet us there. We're finally going to ride the Durango- Silverton narrow gauge railroad. You know, we always wanted to, but must have spent our extra money on drinks. Ha!

Now, I just have to wait until May.

Here's the latest bag I made. The red is a merino blend and the grey is bamboo.

Hope you have a great weekend!

New Year. New Inspiration.

Happy 2012, everyone!!

It's a new year of sewing, quilting, painting, dolls, felting, embroidery, and all kinds of projects and materials! Some new things I want to try this year are;

marbling- paper and fabric

fabric dying with nature

and learning new felting techniques

I just got the latest issue of Cloth Paper Scissors, and I thought it would be fun to use their 52 Creative prompts! Week 1 is writing down inspiring words and colors, and drawing them out of  a hat. This week's self-challenge is;

Glacier Blue Love!!

I think I can work with that!

I also finished 2 more magnet art dolls. I love this little circus figure. Looks so happy!

My gal ended up looking like a romantic Valentine. And she has some big Dolly Parton hair!

What are you all hoping to do this year?

All the best.

xo