Chelsea

refinished Danish design chair

Whew! Finally got a project done that has been lingering for a while now. With school keeping me busy during the week, this is quickly becoming a weekend only blog. This project, like many starts with trash day…I found a chair by the side of the road on trash day before school started, backContinue reading “refinished Danish design chair”

Day of the Dead Tablecloth

The new tablecloth in the dining room. Today was a busy project day – perfect for a rainy afternoon. Eric worked on refinishing a rocking chair that was a prize trash day find (will post that later) while I worked on this tablecloth and a chocolate and cherry cake. My mom sent me anotherContinue reading “Day of the Dead Tablecloth”

Concrete is beautiful

I seem to be thinking about concrete frequently these days. I got the buyer’s guide to Dwell magazine and am enthralled with the useful and decorative properties of concrete in the home. I find myself wishing we had considered other options for our tiled bathroom floor. We put in unfinished ceramic tile before we movedContinue reading “Concrete is beautiful”

tee shirt up-cyling

One of my favorite craft books, Generation T, inspired me to start using my tee shirts for something other than quilts. I have two tee shirt quilts already, though I admit they were both made by my mother. This book offers a great starting point with easy, moderate, to difficult projects. One of my moreContinue reading “tee shirt up-cyling”

A good pie is a work of art.

A good apple pie is a work of art. I made apple pie on this past weekend and after two hours of labor, I decided it was pretty enough to photograph. The crust recipe comes from the Better Homes and Gardens plaid cookbook and the filling, a new recipe, came from Martha Stewart. Friday nightContinue reading “A good pie is a work of art.”

I am dreaming of the beach…

…and most specifically Ocracoke Island, which is one of my top 3 favorite places on Earth. I got to thinking about this wonderful place because I entered a photography contest for http://www.outerbanks.org and their 2011 travel guide. I entered three of my favorites from over the past five years, some of them may be below,Continue reading “I am dreaming of the beach…”

Iowa State Fair season

Having grown up in Iowa, in 4H, this time of year is a very special time. This time of year the days are hot and seem to stretch on forever, yet somehow they still magically slip by until the first day of school hits you like a an alarm clock going off. Then, sweet reliefContinue reading “Iowa State Fair season”

Dan & Katie’s wedding present

Iowa River Kayak, Linoleum block print, 2010. Utah Sky Kayak, Linoleum block print, 2010. We spent a lovely weekend in Dubuque, Iowa this weekend for a friend’s wedding. The images are the block prints we are giving as their wedding gifts. The idea was for kayaking prints was Eric’s and I brought them to fruition. Continue reading “Dan & Katie’s wedding present”

wool works well in the summer too

I always return to felted wool – love the idea of turning an old sweater into something new and useful. In this case, I used a hot pink felted sweater and sewed it into a case for an iPod. The orange swirl is a piece of loose wool that I felted onto the surface usingContinue reading “wool works well in the summer too”

Abraham & Lincoln Cat Collage

Abraham & Lincoln, collage & mixed media on paper, 2010. I finished the commission cat piece, Abraham & Lincoln, aptly named after the two subjects. It turned out just as I imagined it, which surprisingly is not always easy to accomplish. I think this tabby turned out better then the previous Tsali in the WindowContinue reading “Abraham & Lincoln Cat Collage”