Art/Crafts

March 07, 2008

completely over due

I am so far behind with all of the things that need my attention. If you're waiting on a package from me (you poor things certainly know who you are) I am so sorry for the delays on top of delays. If it is any consolation, I seem to be checking things off of the to do list at record speed this week. My goal is to be 100% caught up by this time tomorrow because a girl ought to have some bit of her weekend saved for enjoying. Too right!

What you have here are finished shots of the mobile I made for the Mobile Swap. I also made some extra goodies to accompany it -- your standard "please forgive my lateness" type bribe. I won't show any pics of them here so that they will be a surprise.

paper mobile

paper disks

twine support | paper disk

March 05, 2008

board now

This is what my current inspiration board is looking like + here is a flickr set of my studios (old and new). That set includes photos of all my past inspiration boards, in case you're interested.

As you can see, I'm gravitating towards pinks and blues. Possibly in anticipation of Spring. Is the pipe cleaner bunny too much of a giveaway?

board now

PAPER*QUILT PROJECT INTERVIEW
Also, I've been so busy I completely forgot to mention that Dawn posted my interview over at the Paper*Quilt Project. Please go and check it out when you have a minute or two. And thank you so much Dawn for all your hard work!

February 09, 2008

it was hurting my eyes

I never thought that I'd say this, what with all of the white on my side of the studio -- white walls, white furniture, white chairs -- but, there's just too much color going on in there. I need to dial it down a bit. Therefore, as a part of the current de-cluttering process, I've decided to get rid of the visual clutter too. I feel like getting any more large storage units would only add to the clutter. So, at this point if I'm going to keep something, I know that I'll need to get creative and find a place for it.

My first project was my big IKEA jar of ribbons and trim. I like having them all together, but it looked like a tempest inside there.

Here's what I did:

I cut a couple sheets of white card stock to fit inside the jar + added a simple label with stamps. Easy peasy. It all equals a much simpler and visually appealing jar.

there's a mess inside there...

Wowza!
Thank you to everyone who has already left a comment for the fabric give away drawing! And thank you to all of you who delurked for the very first time. I had no idea you were out there. Yay! There are still a couple of days left to enter so don't be shy. Oh, and if you're looking for the items that I talked about adding to my esty shop, you probably noticed that they're not there yet. Yep, I'm still gathering items and taking photos and getting sidetracked by ribbon jars and clutter. But, I'm slowly plodding along and will let you know here when I've added them. Thanks and have a great weekend all!

p.s. You can also sign up for the shop mailing list over here to get shop updates via e-mail.

February 06, 2008

pretty easy valentine

These days, easy is ultimately what I'm looking for when it comes to crafts and it doesn't get much easier than these simple stamped fabric Valentines.

linen valentine

Here's how you can make one (or a dozen) too:

♥ Cut a heart shape out of paper to create your pattern. If you're no good with freehand cutting, I made a PDF pattern for you that you can download here:

Easy Valentine Heart Pattern [PDF]

♥ Pin the paper pattern to any fabric of your choice (I used linen).

♥ Stamp out your message with ink and letter stamps.

linen valentine

What will you do with your so-easy-it-should-be-a-crime fabric Valentines? I think I'm going to add mine to a the paper Happy Valentine's Day garland that I made for our mantel and then make a bunch more to send out to friends and family. ♥

January 28, 2008

for the sisters who peek at their gifts

Both my sister and my sister-in-law were (and perhaps still are!) gift sneak-peakers. So, to fulfill an eventuality and give them the gift of an early look at their birthday goodies, I've prepared these pictures. However, I will not tell them which gift is for which girl. Ha!

Happy Birthday Jill ♥ Michelle. Enjoy!

apple gift tags

Note: the big spool of twine is not my personal spool and is not just an accessory -- it is a part of this gift!

matching tags + twine

birthday clown

December 16, 2007

elf tags for your gifts

Yikes! I am so stressed. More flipped out this year than the last. Mark noticed that I keep getting a little twitch under my eye. You know that little vein that throbs just under your lower lash line? Well, apparently, mine goes like mad when I'm under too much stress. I don't know if this year is really all that crazy -- but, it feels like it. So... I plan on being in short supply from now until after the holidays so that I can do everything that I need to.

I may pop in now and then, but in case I don't I wanted to giving you a little gift: Elf Holiday Gift Tags. Just click on the picture to download the PDF. Enjoy!

elf gift tags for you

December 11, 2007

No 009 Reindeer with Candy Cane

You know I had to make one right? Mark says that I should put this into the shop -- but, I don't know if I can part with him. He's on my mantle right now with a couple of the elves that I haven't been able to part with either. Speaking of elves, I put two elfettes in the shop yesterday and there is still one left. I think that's it for shop updates this year. I have oh-so-many gifts still to make. Realistically, I know that I should no longer procrastinate. But, all I want to do is make and eat sugar cookies. I must resist the lure of the cookie!

In my hand for scale.
No009 Reindeer with Candy Cane

Side view so you can see the little tail.
No009 Reindeer with Candy Cane

The antler to hoof full body shot.
No009 Reindeer with Candy Cane


December 09, 2007

No. 008 Elfette with Lollipops

She isn't in the shop yet... but will be soon!

No. 008 Elfette with Lollipops

December 08, 2007

No. 007 Elfette with Paper Tree

Part of the work that I'm doing for the final shop update of 2008.

Update: Hazeljoy has gently reminded me that it is still 2007. Oops!

No. 007 Elfette w/ Paper Tree

November 14, 2007

'tis the season

Its high time a started making some things for Christmas. These began as an idea for gift tags and turned into a possible ornament for my tree. I also think it could be a candidate for the holiday ornament swap, but, like last year, I'll probably try out a few other ideas before settling on one. I did think that they'd make a good item for the shop. Anyone think that's a good idea? Possibly in sets of four... I'll let you know.

elf tags/ornaments

p.s. I did not get any shots of the studio today. Too overcast for good picture-taking.

welcome!

  • © Copyright 2005-2008 Laurie Bertrand All Rights Reserved.

    If you'd like to link to my site, you should definitely feel free to do so. However, please don't use or copy any of my photos or content without my permission. Thanks!








  • This little blog was a TypePad Featured Blog. Thanks TypePad!

    Now available... my interview on the Inspiration Boards Blog.

    Check out the Sew Mama Sew blog for handmade holiday inspiration -- my little sewing kit made an appearance on November 30th!

    Still want to know more about me? Here's a little post I did about my oddities. Enjoy!



j. mark bertrand

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accent pieces

  • A few of my photos to add a bit of color to an otherwise empty area of the sidebar. If you click on a picture, it will take you to a larger version on flickr.
  • storage
  • gladiolus 2
  • jonathan
  • in my hand (for scale)
  • blues
  • red fabric x 2
  • above my desk in the new place
  • a blue puppy
  • sewing corner

  • teensy trick-or-treat
  • fuzzy was a puppy
  • ho ho ho
  • gnomes?
  • natalie's bag
  • jills birthday bag
  • orange puppy
  • Packaging Front
  • ella's bag