Some activity at least...

Terrible blogger finally attends to blog. Yes, it has been a while, but I have been focussing on a number of new projects. Some have to do with the "biz" and some are just those life tasks one must complete. The spring weather has encouraged me to get my house in order - boring - I know - but so nice to finally see the playroom as a useful place. Clean - and with toys that cater to babies removed!

Also, the taxes were a bear this year - but also - finished!! Visit to family for a week - also fun. Participated in my first sales party and was so happy to have the opportunity to meet other designers and crafts people from my area. I am new here as we moved last fall to our new house. Everyone was so friendly! Made some sales - met some new people - donated to Cancer Research - what could be better!




Ok - and I have been working on some new things too - not enough for my taste, as I have some ideas that just won't let me go until I try them. They are next - I promise!!

So here are a few pictures of fun new items in the shop- Totes and T-shirts and a new textile pattern. I will be adding to the children and baby T's category as time goes on - adding some sets that will be perfect for baby showers! (I'm thinking camp set of three- one of each camp design - so cute!)


I hope everyone is enjoying their spring and has a new found energy for creating!
Cheers!!

New Year = New Projects.

After a looooong absence from my blog - I am pleased to say "Happy New Year" - to any and all who still check in!!
Thanks so much for all of your attention and lovely comments and support this past year. Blogging still feels a bit foreign to me - but so much more comfortable than one year ago - thanks to everyone who have welcomed me.

We at Camp Graeff have had a fun, busy, exciting, family-full time over the Holidays. I feel truly blessed!
Yes, and totally exhausted - but very satisfied - and ready to begin the new adventures in 2009.

My little peach received a very sweet sewing machine (Hello Kitty by Jenome) for Christmas and a ton of scrap fabric from Santa's dress workshop. She and I have started a simple quilt for her to practice using the machine. I truly hope to spend more time creating with my children in 2009.

2008 was all about reviving my own creative juices - and now I am hoping to be more "effective" with my stuff - so I can spend more time not thinking about work - and more time with (read: truly engaged) with my little people.

So here are a few pictures showing the organizing of the patterns and marking the squares for the quilt.



I wish all of you a wonderful and "Project Filled" 2009!!!

Lemonade.

When you have lemons.

I inevitably have problems with some of my prints. Especially when a block is new – the ink sometimes will not adhere properly – or a funny texture develops. I don’t have a heart to just throw them away – and in any case they make great coloring pages – as you can see here. I do need to add to the image selection or I might not have any takers next time!


Great work from the peanut gallery!

Home Sick.

I don’t know how your houses are this winter – but mine seems to be full of little sickies. Well, one little sick person in particular. My son has gotten every type of cough/cold – flu and earache for the last three weeks. So today, he is with me at home recovering again. I needed to make a few new prints of The House Next Door, so he decided to try his hand at creating his own print.

This is a really fun and easy activity to do with kids.

First he drew his idea onto the rubbery stamp material. It’s good to leave a bit of space between the elements so that the cutting tool has enough room to delineate each clearly. (please note PJ chic)


With smaller children ( and even big ones) it is important to show the proper way of holding the block while you cut– Behind your cutting hand. It is easy – even on these soft blocks to have the cutting tool get away from you and slip forward – this can make a nasty cut if your hand is in the way.



So here he is cutting out the negative space ( those areas which will not have ink).

Ok – all inked up (put on with rolling brayer for an even coating – nice and thick). I use an old picture glass from a frame that broke - watch the corners for sharp edges.



Try a test first to make sure that all of the areas look right – if not – then you can go in again to cut away more. I use water-based ink so cleaning up is really easy. The ink does stain clothes.


And here are the final prints – with some mixed media (crayon) embellishment. He is ready to open his own shop – what do you think?? They are titled "Rocket Off".