A Stack of Journals

I love stacks of stuff. 

And, I love to see a stack of progress. I am busy making more art quilt journals. I am finally getting back on track with my Etsy shop and might be doing some craft fairs this summer. Time to get a move on! 

News, and new goodies

 I am excited to tell everyone that my two 12'' x12''  art quilts made it into the show, "27 Feet of Art",  here in Olympia, WA!!  I am jumping for joy!  It's the first time I've entered a juried show.  They will be holding a silent auction to raise money for the Washington Center of Performing Arts on Sept. 21st! Thanks to everyone who congratulated me on facebook already! I appreciate it!

Also, my custom stamp for my shop came in the mail! Didn't she turn out cute! I couldn't carve one myself that was small enough, so she used my girl image and added in the words, and made it with a machine. The Etsy shop, Terbear, helped me out with it. She was great to work with.

While shopping there, I finally found the 'postcard' stamp I have been searching for forever. I had only been able to find the stamps that put the 'postcard' writing at the top, but have searched high and low for one with lines and stamp spot, etc. I'm loving it!

I just started a new art journal this weekend- it's all with mail art goodies. I will post those pictures tomorrow...or maybe later tonight!

Mail & Mail Cat

I was so excited to open my mailbox today and see that my new little pincushion had arrived....

my adorable mail cat!

Isn't he the best?! I think so! I am somewhat of a pincushion collector and when I found this shop, Fat Cat Crafts , on Etsy, I had to see if she would do a mail carrier cat. She was up for the challenge, and I would say she exceeded it! My mailman, Pete is happily home on my sewing table ready to help me with my crafts. Thanks so much, Kathleen.

Check out her shop- there are the cutest cat characters!

Made by Fat Cat Crafts

And, speaking of mail... I have been making more mail art books to send out soon. I did have to set this project aside to get started on an art quilt for the auction I hope to be in this September. I'm pretty excited to have the bonus day off Wednesday for the 4th of July! I'll be at my seewing table with mailcat!

Silk Cocoon Books

Happy Saturday, everyone!

Today is a sunny day in the Northwest....the sun is motivating me to get to crafting! A good time to felt outside with the birds. Also, I am making some more silk cocoon books. Back in December I started some and loved how they turned out (Here's one).  I considered submiting them to a magazine, but I decided to put them in my Etsy shop instead. It has only been a day and they are already a hit! One sold and the rest have gotten a lot of attention! This makes me happy! It's a whole other world for me to put things in my shop as opposed to my blog. I also get nervous when something does sell- I hope they like it as much as me. So far, it's going pretty well, and I'm still having fun with it.

Here a couple others I hadn't posted on my blog before and are now in the shop.

Relish the moment!

Dance every evening.

Have a great weekend!

"Oh, you get real mail."

I stop by the neighborhood mailbox on my way home from work every day. Today, there was a gathering of women around it, chatting. When I pulled out my pile, one of the women said, "Oh, you get real mail." As she said this, she held up her piles of bills. I told her I have great mail art friends and showed them Corrine's collaged card. Lots of ooh's and ahhh's! I should talk them into a mail art club!

Here's what I had today. Corrine's postcard (thank you much, cool gal!), an amazing card from my dear friend Jodie, and the fabulous cards I ordered on Etsy.

These cards are from ArboriCards, a gal in Brooklyn who gathers various botanical lovelies and makes these. Doesn't it look like the plant is real? I love them! The images carry around to the back of the card too. They are truly gorgeous, and really well priced.

 Check out her shop- I'm sure you'll love it!

Close ups of the blooming willow and red witchhazel.

Hope you all have a wonderful week and lots of sun!

Playing In Photoshop

Hi everyone!

I haven't been around lately. Honestly, I haven't made too many new things---except mail art that has been happily making its way out into the world.

I have been playing in Photoshop a little....messing with new banners. How do you like the new one I put up there today? I'm not so sure yet, but thankfully, I'm not afraid of playing with my blog and changing it up now! I was always terrified I was only one click away from destoying the whole blog. Ha!

I suppose I still could. Eek!

For my shop, I took a photo of me in the felted earrings and doctored it up so I wasn't so recognizable. Turned out kind of fun.

I did manage to finish one thing on my "to do" list ( that I rarely follow) and made a needlecase. It took on a little life of its own and ended up with a clever little pocket for a mini notebook.

I really like this one....It makes me feel good to say I dyed the fabric myself, handcarved the stamp, and added the embroidery.

 It just makes me happy.

I am hoping to find time this weekend for a lot of crafting and creating. I have my mind set on starting a new doll. I haven't done a full doll in awhile.

But, like I said, I rarely stick with the list.

Oh, I need to get caught up on Darcy's postcard challenge too!

Uh-oh, the list is growing!

Hope you all have a great week.

Felted dolls: the shop update

Hello! I decided to do a sale on the felted dolls in my Etsy shop. There are 4 left, and they are $5 off for a time...haven't decided how long. Ha! It's funny doing this shop- in ways I want things to sell right away- and then I also think I will miss the dolls I sell. I think it would be a bit too far to say it's like sending children off into the world, but there is that tiny bit of a sad goodbye.

Also, thank you everyone for your kind comments on the last post about the stolen bicycle. I have good news...it turns out renter's insurance is going to come in handy! We'll get most of the money back. Hurray!

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.

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.

Hellloooo!

Hi everyone!

Hope you had a wonderful holiday. We sure did, and I'm still enjoying the days off! Lots of time for crafting...and using my new laptop! Yes, I have my own now! Woo hoo!

I need to get caught up on all your blogs and I am busy making Valentine fabric postcards for my shop. I didn't really prepare for Christmas so I thought I would get the jump on the next holiday!

Here's a fabric and felted XO I made today, and some more felted beads--- I love the name "Midnight Ride"! Ha! Just calling them all felted beads seemed a little boring.

Raspberries and Sea Life

The felted beads seem to be the hit in my etsy shop so I felted up some new beads yesterday. Had to move the operation indoors....getting the kitchen drenched from crafts is one way to get it clean!

Here are the new ones...

mmmm,raspberry...

Sea Life

Have a great day!

New Fabric Postcards

Happy Black Friday everyone! I am not out shopping...still in my pajamas actually, and it's 2:30pm! Ha!

But, I have been playing with the free motion quilting, and made some new postcards for my etsy shop.

Hope you all had a nice Thanksgiving!

I am off to finish some other art projects!

Bold boxes

I have been doodling on fabric again...

....and playing with free motion quilting...

Ahhhh, I love fall and winter, so perfect for creating in my cozy home.

A Happy Little Doll...

Meet JoJo, the latest face with the felted bobbles!

She's a happy girl.

Here she is with her friends. I decided I like the painted face a little bit more. Although, the others have a cool earthy feel, I think.  I was able to take advantage of some late October sun and felt some bodies. I've completed four dolls so far.

November could mean me standing out in the rain rolling the wool. It will probably be a couple weeks until more dolls are in production. I'm also looking forward to working on some other projects- more fabric postcards, mail art, and fabric books. Sometimes, going to bed, I have all these ideas swirling around and just need to find more time in the day to do them. I'm sure we all feel that way!

Bobbles on my head

I finished the third of my "faces in the felt" dolls. Here she is.

Can I take the rest of the month off and just make dolls? Oooh, I wish I could!

She is also in my Etsy shop, ready to find a happy home.

I hope you all have a great weekend. xo

The Felted Bead Factory

More beads to show. I like this color combo! More dolls coming. I'm like a woman posessed these days!  Apparently, opening an Etsy shop has kicked me into high gear and I'm loving it!

Faces in the Felt

Hello Everyone!

Two dolls happy and finished. I am having such a good time with these. The second one (the green one) I decided to leave a more natural face, just aging it a little. I decided I like them painted, and not, so I'll just let each one guide me as it comes together.

I am also putting these in my etsy shop.

Two down...now, maybe I should at least start on that mountain of laundry I've been ignoring!

They also make great little pin cushions.

I am busy working on one more today, and trying to take advantage of the sun for more felting!

Felt while the sun is out

I am on a bead felting mission. Here's the latest I did this weekend. I am also trying to take advantage of our rare sunny days for some felting I am doing for a new art doll.

Big News! I opened an Etsy Shop!

I am so excited to tell everyone about my new Etsy shop, The Red Tin!

I decided to jump in and give it a try. I have nothing to lose!  I have been busy getting it all set up and making new products for my new business. I will be adding more items all this week. I wanted to have some new items I haven't shared on my blog and maybe you haven't seen from me. I am really excited about the new fabric and felted sketchbook covers I have been sewing. They are like art quilts for a Moleskine journal!

This one is in my shop...

 This could be hung up as an art quilt too!

I am really excited for this new adventure. And, thank you to all the friends out there who have been so encouraging, urging me to open up shop!

Feel free to tell your friends and spread the word. I'd really appreciate it. Wish me luck!