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Friday, November 15, 2013

Breaking In The Studio

Well, I had fun making my first mess in the studio today!


First off, I painted these garishly orange plastic pumpkins I got off
the clearance isle at Wal-mart.  They have been un-Halloweened
and are ready for a Thanksgiving table. haha.
I can also cross that off my Fall Fun To Do List!


Then I started making mittens!
I got quite a few shapes cut out.
Tomorrow I can sew them up!


I had a fun, productive afternoon, but it was still hard
not to stare out the window with scenes like this!



Look at his twinkly eyes!
He gets to me every time!




55 comments:

  1. This pic is wonderful. Perfection. :)

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    1. He always poses so nicely! (I have a crush on him!) haha. He's been around for a few years now, handsome fella!

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  2. Oh what a fun studio!!! I love the pumpkins, just perfect elegant colors. And those mittens...are you using old sweaters? I love your cardinal, in fact, they were having a clearance sale in Brookings, and I bought three little ceramic birds with a clip to put on your tree. One is a red cardinal sporting scarves, hats, earmuffs. They were small enough to put in my suitcase. I thought of you when I picked out the cardinal. Will have to post a picture soon .

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    1. Yes...old sweaters! I had a large basket of them all washed up and waiting!

      Your little birds will look adorable on your tree! How fun to have a little something new for your Christmas decorations!
      I missed you....glad you're back!

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  3. I bet you are loving the new studio!!What a view for sure. I saw a pattern on Pinterest for mittens made from sweaters. Might have to make some.
    Ann

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    1. Yeah, there are a few patterns out there. I found it easier to just draw around my hand. haha.

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  4. Wow! I'm impressed! and I love the Cardinal photo!! They are so pretty! I was outside today and I heard the Bluebirds sing. They always make me happy!:) They somehow remind me of the Lord's Favor.

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    1. Aw, I'm jealous of your bluebirds! I've never seen one in my yard. You're hoarding them over there! haha.

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  5. what a wonderful space and your creations are beautiful, I have never saw mittens like that!! Beautiful Cardinal!

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    1. The fun part about making them is that each is a unique creation. ha. Looking forward to finishing them up and getting the in the shop!

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  6. What a satisfying day and so good to see you enjoying yourself in a creative way. The pumpkins are beautiful and I imagine a large improvement on the original item.

    Now, I must comment on that spectacular red bird! That photo belongs in a frame or in a journal or magazine. It's brilliant! You do have an eye for capturing the perfect composition. Keep up the good work! We all get to enjoy it, Sunshine!

    Vincent

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    1. I guess I should taken a 'before' photo of the ugly orange pumpkins. :) Yes, it is a big improvement and will match my Thanksgiving table much better! Thanks for your encouragement about the photography! Everything was perfect for that photo...the lighting, colors, tree and bird...and the crabapples just add the right accent! You don't have cardinals?

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    2. I just realized after reading Amy's comment that you made those mittens out of jumpers. Pure genius, I'm telling you. What a brilliant idea. And now we can all think of you today sitting in your cosy studio, stitching them up and putting on the finishing touches. I see you had your mug of coffee in there with you. My tea always gets cold when I'm busy working on something, so I'm imagining your coffee does the same? Have you ever seen those electric mug warmers? They look like a coaster but have a power cord and they keep your mug toasty as you work at your desk. I've always wondered if I would appreciate one of those or if they even work. How then does the handle stay cool? Maybe I need to get one and try it out! Enjoy your day, Sunshine, as I imagine it's only beginning on your side of the world!

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    3. Yes, sweaters...or jumpers! :) And yes, my coffee gets cold! haha....I know exactly what you're talking about with those electric mug coasters. I might have to add one to my Christmas list...what a great idea!

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  7. Quite the mess
    My ocd might flip I confess lol
    I'll just stare at birdie and not the mess
    That will fix it, I guess

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    1. When I was threw
      I became the clean-up crew!
      It's all nice and tidy again
      so you could safely walk right in!
      :)

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  8. I long for quiet days like that, but if I had them I would probably find myself longing for a crazy day like today. Kind of like the winter/summer thing people have going in the north. Got another fun filled day tomorrow and then a quiet weekend. (We might even get to visit Mack.)

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    1. I made myself do some chores in the morning so the whole day wouldn't fall apart. haha. And this evening has been crazy enough to make up for the quiet! lol... Your weekend sounds fun!

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  9. I'm up late! No cardinals here, so lovely to see yours - thank you for sharing! Wish that I hadn't sent my old jumpers to the charity shop now I've seen your mittens - I could do with a new pair and I can think of at least two jumpers that would have been perfect for this. Oh well, I'll remember next time I have a clear out. Looking forward to seeing the finished ones. xx

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    1. I always look for old sweaters at the thrift stores...even if they have a hole or stain, you can still find room to make mittens!

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    2. Another good reason for buying old sweaters at the thrift shop.....is for the BUTTONS!
      Great job, Betsy...
      And the Cardinal....perfect!
      Is that the same handsome guy that frequents my yard?
      Enjoy your weekend♥
      Cheers!
      Linda :o)

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    3. Oh, yeah, that's true! I did replace buttons on something I had with prettier ones I cut off a thrift store sweater!

      I don't think this is the same cardinal you have. haha...but I bet they're related!

      Those of us that can't knit and crochet have to make our mittens from old sweaters. haha

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    4. It's an excellent way of recycling and reusing, so never mind the not knitting or crocheting! xx

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    5. I have arthritis in my thumbs, so no crocheting or knitting for me anyway. I'll leave that up to you two! :)

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    6. You could employ Linda as your personal knitter! xx

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  10. I love. Your mitens ( we say mitones).look beauty!
    I said this before I love this little bird is really cute!
    Always amazing me all the things you make! Lol
    xo

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    1. we had leftovers for dinner...that helped...and the house was cleaned from yesterday so I could play a little today! haha.

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    2. Really true! Today I was cleaning especially the.kitchen so maybe tomlrrow I could play a little :)

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    3. How fun! I'm going to try to do chores in the morning and working in the studio in the afternoons...at least a couple of days a week. Tomorrow I need to do laundry!

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  11. Love the mittens...so creative. And you have such a wide variety of them. Are you going to put them in your Etsy shop?

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    1. Yes, I am! For ladies, and some for men, too! Some are going to have cute acorns attached...I hope to have them in the shop before Black Friday. Some are cashmere and so soft! I might have to keep a pair! ha.

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  12. You accomplished a lot! I love what you did with the pumpkins, and I'm glad you took some time out to get that picture.

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  13. Pumpkins look great in their new muted shade. I WANT MITTENS!! I am glad they will be in your shop. I want to pick up a few things in one trip, including some cat calendars. I am getting my Christmas shopping done at Song Sparrow Treasures. If that's Pat's idea of a mess... he should never visit me! :-) I think you look very organised while creating!

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    1. haha...oh, good! You're one of my favorite customers! :) Oh, we all know Pat's a little ocd and germ-freaky. lol...

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  14. You must love to be able to close the door and know that everything will be right where you left it.
    I tried knitting, not my thing. Those mittens, well, that is more my style, too.
    Great studio, bird or no bird.

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    1. I have thought of that....I used to have to clear the kitchen island in time to make dinner. Now wet paint and all kinds of things can stay safe in there. It was much more efficient working in there, too...yippee! :)

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  15. Hi Betsy .. great idea to paint up the pumpkins - they look wonderful ... while the mittens will keep all warm, once sewn up tight ..

    Beautiful red cardinal .. no wonder you're captivated I would be too ... red 'peoples' seem to be a favourite right now!!

    Cheers Hilary

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  16. Glad to hear that you had such a productive day Betsy, your studio looks so awesome!

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    1. Thanks waffles....it was fun to finally sit in there and do something!

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  17. Enjoyed seeing your productive day! The pumpkins look wonderful! They will be perfect for your Thanksgiving table. I'm intrigued by those mittens! You will have to share more. ;) blessings ~ tanna

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    1. well, you don't need to use old sweaters either....you could probably have a pair knitted by the time I cut mine out! ha.

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  18. I really love the bird photo. We don't have cardinals in this country. They look so bright I've always longed to see one. You know, this photo would make a great card. Or maybe a page from your 2015 bird calendar?

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  19. What an interesting woman you are. I would never think of cutting out mittens and I have plenty of old sweaters to make them from.

    The bird pic is awesome and I love what you did with the pumpkins. I just tried cutting and baking one small pumpkin but it tasted awful.
    I got a lot of seeds though from it I wanted to plant. So here I am wondering exactly what you are supposed to do with them?
    I have one recipe where they stuff them with a rice mixture. They make for nice table presentations I think I have the link on my yesterdays or todays blog.

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    1. I'm sewing them up this afternoon. If you do it, cut and sew a complete set so you know if you made them big enough, etc. My first pair was a little small...need to leave plenty of room for the seams!

      I've cut and baked pumpkins before...it won't taste good like that, but if you puree the cooked pulp in a blender or food processor, you have exactly what canned pumpkin is. Then it's great for bread, muffins and pie. I'll come look at your post...I bet that is pretty...even soup in them would be nice!

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  20. Yes Betsy I have the link at the bottom of the snow men blog. It was too big a blog to put on mine.
    Anyway the lady deserves to be mentioned as she made it look soo yummy.

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    1. I saw it...and I loved that idea...very beautiful!

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  21. Can I borrow your studio? I totally need the dedicated space and silence. Love the pumpkins.

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    1. haha....well, only if you return it! :) I am really loving the space and how it's all it's own.

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