Baby's First Photo Album

My mother used to make adorable baby photo albums for every new baby born in the family or within her group of friends. She made them out of plastic canvas. The animals came from a plastic canvas instruction book that helped you make picture frames:

She adapted the instructions to make baby photo albums and mobiles and made whole baby sets out of plastic canvas! Within the last few years there have been 3 babies that have arrived, so I decided to carry on the tradition and make some for my friends and family who were having babies.

We put the baby's name on the binding - or if we don't know what type of baby it will be or if there will be more than one we will just put a last name.

The last one I made I decided to be extra creative and make my own pattern.

I had made a Winnie the Pooh cross stitch picture for my nephew for his birth and a latch hook rug for his first birth day (pictures coming soon!). Now he can that he can communicate a wish list I buy what he asks for instead. So for his new baby sibling (who is a girl) who can't tell us what she wants, I decided to make a pooh photo album! It was a challenge, but I think it came out great! My children will be drowning in home made items!

If you Can't Buy it, Make It!

My mother saw a painting of a huge tigerlily in an art gallery in SoHo, but certainly could not afford to buy a painting for sale in SoHo! Knowing me, she described the painting and asked if it was something I could make - no sweat!

Granted this was the first painting I made since high school, so I was about four years out of practice, but I think it is one of the best paintings I've even made.

I picked a large painting out of the trash heap at her apartment building and painted it a cream color to give it a new purpose. I found a base color orange that matched the paint sample she gave me for her room's tangerine wall color and worked from there. Jason even made the frame to go around it since framing is so expensive. I'm so proud ofthis piece!

The Peacock and the Partridge

My kitchen was recently remodeled by the previous owners and it came out wonderfully. The color choice was not my style, though. All the walls of the kitchen were painted a faded yellow. After reading a story called the yellow wall paper in 11th grade I refuse to have yellow walls in my house - wall paper or otherwise!

I'm a fan on the toile style floating around the home magazines and my aunt even used the theme once before in her living room. I found toile curtains and cute wedgewood style plates to place on the plate shelf surrounding my kitchen walls. The plate shelf and wainscoting were painted an antique white to match the kitchen cabinets and the remaining walls were painted a bright blue to match the curtains and plates. It came out amazing - I still secretly smile to myself every time I walk into my kitchen (6 months later!).

There was one large blue wall that was screaming for a painting and who better to make one than me! I took the white and blue paints I used on the walls and an additional dark and light blue to compliment them and made a painting of a peacock and partridge that played off one of the plates on the wall. It's a perfect match!

Aprons

I enjoy cooking - especially baking. Whenever I bake, however, there is always a mess of sugar or flour on my clothes. This inspired me to make myself an apron!

I had this great Hawaiian print material from the dollar rack and was just looking for an excuse to use it. I found a cute retro pattern online and bought the complimenting material and trim to make the apron.

When I showed off the apron, the number one comment was the location (or lack there of) of apron pockets. I forgot pockets! I don't need pockets in the kitchen, but I decided to try once again - with pockets this time - for a friend's shower. She's a lot taller than I am, so I tried to accommodate that. While it doesn't fit me quite right I hope it fits her!

Asian Spa

My mother appears to be a fan of my art. My paintings and crafts grace almost every room of her apartment. This spring, she found a painting in a catalog that she loved, but it didn't quite match her tangerine colored /Asian inspired bedroom. She showed me the picture and asked if I could make a similar picture that would blend into her room's theme and would have more sentimental value since I made it for her. How could I refuse?! I look for excuses to make art!

I also found a wonderful Asian inspired frame at the store to frame it and present it as a gift for Mother's Day.

I went home visit and the location she chose for it is underneath a lamp. It's meant to be in that spot because when she turns on that lamp, the woman in the painting glows!

Porch Pillows

I suppose there is no other way to do this than to post in the order my pictures appear in my computer's folder. This way I won't lose my place. At least until I get caught up!

The first thing that shows up is the pillows I made for my porch. I plan on making my screened in porch into another room of my house. Instead of the outdoor table and chairs that occupy that space now, I want to build storage benches that line the back and side of the porch. I'll make foam cushions to place on top of the benches - which will match the curtains I already made - and pillows to lean against. I'll add a cute coffee table and maybe a jute rug and some candles or lanterns and make a great space!

I planned to go with a totally New England styled theme of beach and sailboats and the like, so here are the pillows I plan to use in the space. Enjoy!

A Craft Jounral Just for Me!

I suppose my first post should be about my crafting background. Crafting is in my blood. My grandmother taught me how to sew and my mother always kept me busy creatively. I've always had craft projects in my life, and now that my crafts are getting more sophisticated and are leaving my possession as gifts, I thought the best was to keep track of them - in case I want to make something similar - is to keep a journal. I have a paper copy, but that's really hard to share with all my interested friends.

Thanks to Miss L for giving me the kick start to get moving on this!