Globetrotting...Sort Of

I am doing much better in the book production end this week, three books, three days, I can actually get more done in a day but I have an issue with focusing my attention as you may have noticed from the title of this blog. I have two from the same cut of fabric, I've done one before with the woman with dark hair this time I did both that were on the material and I'm offering 10% off if a reader wanted to purchase them both as a set (excluding shipping costs), just put them both in your shopping cart and use the coupon code ASIANSET at checkout. I do ship internationally, but since the charges vary so much with the weight of books in general - just contact me and I can get exact charges to ship.

They are both buttonhole bound and each contain 160 pages of 90# watercolor paper and can be found here 

Another one I have finished is done with a fabric from FabricLovers. It is 100% authentic African fabric made in Mali, West Africa, I love that it is a fair trade fabric and directly helps the village in which it was made.

Can you see the tribal masks? From Japan to Africa I've been.....sort of ;o)

Lastly, it's time again that I share a link from the On Fire For Handmade team. This week it is Il Mare Atelier,   she makes some very pretty jewelry - my personal favorite is this bracelet, see the tiny flowers in the pendant? Lovely!

This week's Featured Artisan is Suftan - Il Mare Atelier! Perfect addition to any wardrobe and great gifts too!

You can find Il Mare Atelier on: 

http://www.ilmare-atelier.blogspot.com

http://www.ilmare.artfire.com

http://www.ilmareatelier.etsy.com

No relevance for the music, just like both Angela McCluskey AND Deep Forest, so together it's a bonus!

I'll be ready.........at the Shores

Progress, Beautiful Progress

I've managed to get two more custom orders completed! I am encouraged and I no longer feel as though I am trying to dig a ditch with a spoon anymore......for now anyway.

Above is a 13.5" x 11" fabric covered baby book for mementos, stories, photo's etc. - there are about 112 pages if I did the math right! SUPER cute.

The second book pictured is a personalized journal with lined pages.

I am also going to share another link from the On Fire For Handmade team. 

This weeks featured artisan is Rebecca - Rebecca's Whims! Whimsically beautiful creations in her shop! Perfect gifts for all ages! You can find Rebecca's Whims on:

Etsy

Facebook

Blog

I am in love with Rebecca's Whims moth necklaces - just gorgeous! Have a peek, won't you?

 Ok, so it's a butterfly not moth song - but hey, it's my blog ;)

Balanced together ocean upon the sky.....at the Shores

My Mini Farm

No new books today, though I have 3 I am working on. More on that tomorrow....I hope!

I do, however, have a nice basket of different peppers, zucchini, squash, eggplant and cherry tomatoes that I picked tonight. There are tons and tons of tomatoes but they seem to be slow in turning red, I just may have to pull a few for some friend green tomatoes *drool*. My green beans are blooming like mad and I'll be canning some of them for winter if I get as many as it looks like I will (tomatoes & salsa too). I also have a few cantaloupes and watermelon that are coming along nicely, I've never grown melons before so this is exciting for me. I think I planted the perfect amount for two people to eat and be able to can a bit.

Now what to do with that eggplant? Baingan Bharta (eggplant curry)? MMmmm yes, that would be good.

And I play this just because I like David Gray (video is boring though) :o)

Possibilities limitless..........at the Shores

A Breakthrough

Well, I did it. I finished the set of books I've been working on F O R E V E R. And yes, the deadline of August 20th was the motivator as expected. I am so pleased with how they turned out. One was a lined journal the other had 80# drawing paper in it with a slipcase to contain the two. She wanted skulls and roses, the initials A-M-C and using the colors red, black and white.

I also eked out an ATC (2.5 x 3.5") that was to look worn, weathered and or aged. My swap partner lives in Belgium and likes Pippi Longstocking...as the universe would have it my avatar on that swapping site IS and has nearly always been Pippi (love, love the old Pippi books, I read them all!) So I made a mixed media piece, the background is colored with rust, I placed a piece of steel wool on a piece of bristol board and soaked it with vinegar, it rusted in quick order and gave a nice orangy color to it. Then I printed out a photo of Astrid Lindgren (the author) and did a photo transfer and lastly I painted a picture of Pippi herself over it. It was really nice to break out my paints after pushing them aside this past year.

Kind of a crappy scan but you get the picture, I did make the "with love..." a little nicer before sending it. : )

Three more book orders are waiting in the wings to get to. 

Yep, it's a wonder I got these done - and in honor of, how about a Natalie Merchant song titled "Wonder"? 

She'll make her way..................at the Shores

New Finds

I'm in a group called On Fire For Handmade and once a week I'll be sharing a link of new finds from within the group. This weeks featured shop is Court & Spark on Etsy. I really love the handmade coin purses and after thinking about it I should OWN one, I have change at the bottom and in every pocket of my purse and think it would be a good idea to have something like this so I'm not one of those people you are sighing behind in line at the cashier while I am digging through trying to find 4 pennies for 5 minutes so I don't get 96 cents in change to join the rest in the abyss I call my purse!

This weeks featured artisan is Phillippa Pinka - Court & Spark.

Darling Creations that make perfect gifts! You can find Court & Spark on:

Etsy

Folksy

Dewanda

Blog

Have you ever had a project that no matter how hard you try you get it 3/4 of the way finished and you lose ALL motivation to complete it?? I have a custom order like that on my work table right now. The hard parts are done and all I have to do is bind the books (it's a 2 book set with a slipcase). Why does this happen? I mean, it will be so easy to complete but I just sit and look at them without making any move to get it done. I guess the in-hand-by-August-20th deadline will be the only thing that will force me to finish. Sad, isn't it?

I was introduced to the following artist while at the shore, I really love her stuff

My ship has run aground....................at the Shores

In the Weeds

This posts title says it all. I am in the weeds...deep. I have 4 custom book orders and 2 paintings (thank goodness the largest is only an 11 x 14) I need to get done. Now! But yet here I sit in front of my computer wishing I were back at the shore with my friends. I guess you can throw a little marketing I've been doing in there too but all that does not get my projects done.....bah...I'll bask a little more in last week's memories, work will be there tomorrow.

Last week was amazing, we stayed up until 3, 4 sometimes 5am only to wake at 8 to begin the fun and laughter all over again. People came in and out all week, I think we had a total of about 20. A large feat considering we all went to school in Germany...the love and friendship is the same as it was more than 30 years ago...perhaps even stronger now. Here are a couple pictures of the crew:

Not a bad looking group of people pushing 50, eh?

Good times! Can't wait until next year :o)

I hope it will always stay this way.........at the Shores

I'm Back..

I'm back in action....sorta. After 7 days and verrry late nights with my high school chums I am still trying to recover! I will post more about that tomorrow - but in the meantime:

It's a Social Parade-Follow on Fridays, join us for socializing, and to get more followers, reader and subscribers to your blog...and meet new friends perhaps! It's hosted by Smart & Trendy Moms . Click the link, grab the button and then add your link!

So, how do YOU do today? Remember this ditty? 

Hey that's what I'm living for.....at the Shores