R.I.P.

Fisher Price says no more Little People pictures. This doesn't come as a shock...although I wonder how my photos even came to their attention.

Little People come out to play today!

Little People Valentine cards.

Shopping for comics.

I did Christmas shopping online this morning & almost got lost in the black hole of books & zines on Etsy. I curiously anticipate the arrival of these two -

Breathers no. 1 by Just Mad Books

At Home on the Earth by Brian Oster

Shameless Self-Promotion!

Etsy admin. nominated my 'Dancing Elves' card in their 'Best Holiday Card 2008' Contest.

Take a moment to cast your vote for me, please. (Rock the vote!)

http://www.etsy.com/voter_list.php?room_id=21

gee, thanks.

For Sadie Lou's LolliShops -

A few frilly things for LolliShops - opening day November 15th

The Creative Zone

A couple of years ago I made a book about outer space & robots. I included this photo flip mechanism, which I made using Michael Jacobs' book Cards That Pop Up, Flip & Slide. It was fun to make! Michael now has two You Tube videos that give instructions for some of his cards & techniques. His blog includes all sorts of interesting things to look at, including his recent wire sculpture.

The Creative Zone

Free instructions for making a flip photo card.

collaborative

These are part of an entire book entitled 'disharmony'

Miniature things to love ~

I've thoroughly enjoyed looking at a blog called Tiny Buildings.

The site is simply a gallery of tiny handmade paper buildings with an interesting history.

This collection was created by one family over many years using paper they saved from places they visited, food they ate, business cards, advertising & packaging they aquired.

The variety of material used to create the tiny buildings adds so much to their interest.

See also all buildings tagged 'tinybuildings.com' on Flickr .

(almost certainly the best online photo management and sharing application in the world.)

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On a related note, Modern Cottage has designed the coolest Christmas village ever. With patterns so everyone can make one.

Crafting Overdrive

for the May Sampler ~

The Beautiful Papercuts of Robert Ryan

I found the work of Robert Ryan today via kept in a jar. Sooo worth spending some time on. I read the artists statement & noticed he was born in 1962 like me. I couldn't help but think; he's made good use his time...

on Etsy ~

his website ~

his blog ~

Ravelry & knitting, mostly.

I am participating in Ravelry; & especially like being able to see numerous examples of something I've been working on. Some popular patterns have pages of examples knit up.

I'm going to endeavor to catalogue my stash (((cringe))). I'm certain it will cure me of buying yarn; or severely curtail it. I seldom buy yarn, but it should be just about never. Except for fantastic deals at the thrift store. On wool. I agree with Stephanie Pearl McPhee - one just does not pass up super-bargains on wool.

This is Joelle's Favorite Yoke Sweater from KnitKnit Profiles + Projects from Knitting's New Wave. The book was a christmas gift & it's filled with all sorts of interesting stories.

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From my recent Little People jag: Mother & Dad, Little People.

New in my shop.

Little People Granny framed portrait. I've been saving this frame; it has convex glass.

Little People School Pictures

I'm still working on these -

Lining up for class picture day.

Carve your stamps ~

This craft has really captured my imagination. I've had this set of linoleum cutters for several months languishing on my desk. After spending some time looking at the stamps in this group, I felt impelled to carve an elf shoe.

Today the office supply store had 3 pink erasers for a quarter. This may or may not be great carving material, but it will do for me. I am now the proud owner of 24 pink erasers.

Two of my kids have caught my enthusiasm & carved a few of their own.

I've love the work of two etsy sellers who carve stamps - so inspiring!

Corabelle

and Craft Pudding.

I really admire their work & am amazed at what they can do!

Work Area needs attention...

I must, if only a bit at a time, work on organizing my vast assortment of stuff.

The Little People photos & card supplies were bursting out of their container, plus the container itself didn't have a place. Sometimes it was on the table, sometimes on the floor...

This sits right on my desk & was being used to hold a bunch of junk I'm not using right now. Soooo;

I moved all business cards, book marks, return address labels, & all Little People photos & card supplies right in.

A nice small organization project. Mini.

I've also been organizing the Little People themselves; which consume a shocking amount of space.

Never underestimate the myriad uses for felted sweaters. I glued a big piece of fairisle to the bottom of this (heavy) file.

Cool old labels - out.