I've finished two magazine projects that I really enjoyed making. I'm truly grateful to have an outlet for my work, and an appreciative outlet at that.
 Now it's time to send off the last of my Christmas cards, and get serious about the few gifts I have to get (they need thought).

Yesterday we strolled around the Christmas Market at the Distillery. Paused to listen to the carollers. The wind was up and it was glacial.

 The Christmas tree was enormous. I managed to photograph the top half...




Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

Working on seasonal goods and projects for the near future inevitably turns my work space into chaos. Last night I cleared one surface just to get the feeling of peace, if only in one little area !

It also helps to focus and do a little painting. This piece is available in my Etsy shop.

gouache on antique paper from mantofev

 

Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

 Sending out love. Take it. Pass it on. May it come back to you tenfold.

Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

I make artist trading cards (ATCs) for relaxation. It's odd that my work can also be my relaxation, but true. ATCs or ACEOs are miniature works of art, original and one of a kind. This year I'm offering them as stocking stuffers, in their own little pouch. These were added to my Etsy shop this morning.

Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

 Overnight we had some snow, if you can call it that. It's been trying to snow and getting nowhere, and now we have a thin layer of it here and there. I'm not complaining; I prefer a moderate climate.

This is a sneak peek at a project I'm working on for publication next year. It's something I've never made before, which is happy-making because I love variety!

 Wishing you a safe and productive week!



Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

 Oh! Dear, said Rabbit.

Have a peaceful weekend amid the bustle....

 
Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

 Happy Friday to you.

It's been a busy week with appointments and visits, and now I am busily making stuff for my shop. I haven't made these in a long time, but some interesting fabrics came my way.........

Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

 Family portraits.
A lot more fun than plain frames is creating a collage around them. And a touch of humour.

 
Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

 Vintage and antique textiles and lace make me incredibly happy. I received a huge pile from my friends Françoise and Martha (with whom I had a lovely visit and dinner yesterday -- I love my Martha!). And I can never wait too long before I start using them. I look at them and all kinds of ideas pop into my head....

 Both items are in the shop!



Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

Went to the One of a Kind show yesterday afternoon, and swooned over everything at Atelier du Presbytère. Especially these pinafores, or Grandmother's Pinny, cut from antique French linens. Good enough to wear out. Really.

front

back

Lift the pocket, and ......

Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

Using my latest supplies from mantofev  to make an ATC on canvas. I love the lace trim, it's unusual and pretty. This is why I shop there. They have a knack for finding items that I want and within my budget, too.

Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

 I'm back home after a lovely week in Florida with family.
 We had some grey skies, but also sunshine and warm weather.

The highlight was meeting my adorable grandniece for the first time. A beautiful, good-natured baby who has completely stolen my heart.

And now, it's back to business. The Christmas elves are here....


Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

Two more sleeps before I leave for Florida. I'm so happy to be seeing my family again, and the highlight of this trip is seeing my baby grand-niece for the first time since her birth in July. She is the first baby directly connected to me and I am hopelessly besotted with her.

Rubber stamp by Colette Copeland

 I'll see you here again on December 1. Meanwhile, be safe, be happy, be well.


Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

 It's here (almost here in some places). The new Sew Somerset (Winter 2014).

And, as usual, they've done a great job, and it's crammed with all kind of fabulous articles.

Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

Thank you for the nice comments on yesterday's post!
 My "small things" are now in my Etsy shop.SOLD. Thank you, M.

Paper and wood

Fabric, felt and thread

 
Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

Little things mean a lot. Especially if they're made by hand.

 
Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

Things will be slowing down this week as I get ready to travel south on Sunday. I have a brand-new grandniece to visit, my first and the nearest thing to becoming a grandmother. I am hopelessly taken with her, not least because I see something of an old soul in her, to say nothing of a spark of mischief in her eyes.

Meanwhile, work continues. The elves are here, helping me to make and add new items to my shop, and while I will be away next week for American Thanksgiving, the shop will remain open and shipping will resume the following Monday.

 Grateful thanks to those who support my work!


Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

When the blues descend on me, I paint. I picked flowers and the colour pink unconsciously ... but the subconscious knows what is needed. When I looked up from my work table, the blues were gone, and in their place were a lotus, magnolia and rose.

The two on paper are now in my Etsy shop.

Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

I admit to some trepidation when I cut a section from a delicate antique piece of Japanese silk that had been loving mended and stitched with patches. But this is what I do: give new life to fabrics that would otherwise get lost. I used the reverse because it shows a patch on the right side.

AVAILABLE IN MY ETSY SHOP

 
Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

 A new bird has joined the flock in my shop!

AVAILABLE HERE

Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

 It feels like the "lull before the storm" -- Christmas shopping, that is. Signs of it are popping up everywhere.

Christmas crackers....

But no snow on the ground yet, although it's getting cold.

Stitching goods for my shop indoors in the warmth.

Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

As I was stitching, I noticed a red stain on my thumb. I'd felt the jab of the needle but ignored it and continued sewing. But I did so at my peril... the blood could have transferred to my fabric. Happily, it didn't but it also means I have to be more careful in the future.

A fuzzy shot of my work table

 

Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

Yesterday,,,

After my yoga class, the day went like this.

I made more tags

 I stitched a wee dress on a precious scrap of antique French linen (want to know more? Watch out for Sew Somerset, Dec. 1, 2013)

Made my dinner guest happy with a home-cooked meal

Today I resurrected and finished an assemblage. Just listed in my shop.

Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

 Friday tag art.

New listing in my Etsy shop.

I dyed the tags with coffee (mix instant coffee in a bowl of water and dip the tags in it) because I was going for a vintage/prim look, and hand-stitched the embellishments.

The crochet pieces and scapular are from Manto Fev.

 Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

How can it be Thursday already? Where does the time go? Why is it going faster these days. I sat myself down and had a chat with myself.

Self, I said, first of all there is no "time".
Second,  therefore time is neither slow nor fast.
Third, time is exactly the same as it's always been.
Fourth, it's all moot since there is no time.
It's all about perception. The older we get, the more conscious we are of our "time" running out, which leads to this whole business of time going faster.
Well, that's my story, anyway.

It was back to stitching (a stitch in time....?).

Have a timeless day!

 
Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

My best-kept secret is out!

I'm often asked where I get my vintage supplies, and one of my answers is Manto Fev, my supplier for many years now. It's like having a personal shopper; the searching is done for me and I can choose what I want right here at my computer. And I can indulge because the prices are more than reasonable, the service always excellent. As if the prices aren't attractive enough, there's a sale going on right now...

My favourite sections are the flea market, vintage linens, textiles, and paper. But there's much, much more.

I've used a lot of my supplies, but here are a few samples of my Manto Fev goodies.

Book covers and antique papers.

Vintage linens, jewelry, lace

Textiles. This is a Japanese panel. I liked it so much, I decided not to cut it up, but use it as a scarf.

Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

Story cloth.

The obvious way to make a story cloth is to know the story you want to stitch.

My way is to stitch randomly, and then look for the story. If you trust yourself and let yourself "see what happens", a story will emerge. For sure.

Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

Wacky birds are my specialty. I draw them with love and a lot of humour. The birds forgive me for taking liberties. I know because they told me so!!

These two are now in the shop!

Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

 Just in time for winter, a burst of colour and fun.

 Art Pops are cards with fabulous backgrounds created by Roben-Marie Smith, the force behind Paperbag Studios. Best of all they come in two sizes with each package containing 4 small and 4 large, so you can play to your heart's content. Available for purchase here.

I began collaging one, and found that I couldn't stop. Art Pops lend themselves to so many projects. Mine were collage, notebook covers and painting. I like them for recipe/foodie cards too.

Painting by (c) Colette Copeland

Drawings Colette Copeland

 

ART POPS 1

 
 

ART POPS 2

Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown