Apothecary Cabinets

I've become interested in woodworking and have made a small apothecary cabinet.  They're stackable, one on top of the other(s), or they can be stacked on end side by side.  Each unit has 12 small drawers that can hold all sorts of treasures.

The one pictured has green porcelain drawer pulls and the drawers are lined with vintage German sheet music.

I'll be making some vegetable bins and some ATC/ACEO frames in the near future.

Autism Awareness Pin

REMEMBER, APRIL IS AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH

"Today, it is estimated that one in every 110 children is diagnosed with autism, making it more common than childhood cancer, juvenile diabetes and pediatric AIDS combined. An estimated 1.5 million individuals in the U.S. and tens of millions worldwide are affected by autism.

Government statistics suggest the prevalence rate of autism is increasing 10-17 percent annually. There is not established explanation for this increase, although improved diagnosis and environmental influences are two reasons often considered. Studies suggest boys are more likely than girls to develop autism and receive the diagnosis three to four times more frequently. Current estimates are that in the United States alone, one out of 70 boys is diagnosed with autism."

For Autism Awareness month I created some Autism Awareness Pins for my Etsy shop.  A portion of the proceeds of each pin will go to Coastal Bend Autism Advocacy - serving children, families and educators.

http://coastalbendautismadvocacy.org/

Scherenschnitte Trees of Life

Just some life trees I've done.

This is what I imagine living in a neighborhood tree would be like.  :)

These are just some of the people I've run across in my life (the big guy is Bill :).

Experiments in Paper Clay

I got the "clay bug" a couple of weeks ago and decided to see what I could do with it.  I originally wanted to try to make hand beads/charms but could never get the fingers just right.  :)  So I decided to try faces and made some really primitive looking ones.  I tried to make their expressions as different as possible so they wouldn't all look the same. 

I made some fish cabochons as well as an ATC out of paper beads, complete with a paper tree and paper clay leaves.  I think I'll sit down today and try another one.

Primitive Clay Faces

Clay Fish

....and paper bead and clay ATC

Victorian Lace Valentines

Did I mention that I love paper art.  :)  I especially like trying to recreate old Victorian paper art so in honor of Valentines day I've made some Victorian themed lace and vintage bird Valentines.  

You too can make your own.  They're just made from scrapbook paper,  a little glue, paper lace doilies, and other snippets of interesting paper with vintage bird photos.  Personally, I'd way rather receive a pretty handmade Valentine rather than a mass produced store bought one.


Happy Valentines Day!

Scherenschnitte Rooms, Buildings, Homes

I'm fascinated with different types of homes and buildings and the rooms they contain.  I tend to do a lot of  detailed papercuttings that involve what I call "cutting open faced structures" so that you can see inside....go figure.

Here's an old school complete with someone standing in the corner (behind the teacher).  :)

... a library - the books were really hard to cut.

Pleated Paper Butterflies

I made some 3D pleated paper butterflies for my Etsy shop the other day.  They consist of pleated paper that is wired together and then stamens are added for their antennae.  I think they would look just as nice made from old book pages.  It would be a  nice way to recycle paper that would otherwise be thrown out.

I'm hoping to put together a tutorial, and template, in the next day or so that those of you who would like to can create your own.

Sisters and Brothers

I've lost two beautiful sisters to cancer, one just recently.  Both were young, vibrant and much loved  by everyone they knew.  I just wanted to let them know, where ever they may be, that my heart still breaks for you.  I love you and miss you greatly.  My beloved Jan and Debbie.

Karma has seen fit to deal me, and my family, another terrible blow.   Just eight months ago, we lost our baby sister, Debbie to cancer.  Two years before that Jan died from cancer.  Yesterday, the doctor told us that our baby brother (who is mentally retarded) only has about a week to live.  He's dying from leukemia.

Debbie came to live with me the last two months of her life and although I wouldn't trade that time with her for the world it was probably the hardest thing I've ever had to do to see such a beautiful girl die from the ravages of cancer.

I'm going to pick my brother up and bring him home with me this afternoon so that he won't be alone.  I hope I have the strength to see him through this as I did Debbie.  I still grieve for Debbie and Jan.  God if you're there have mercy on him.  Don't let him suffer long.  He's an innocent and deserves better.