The old train bridge over the river has been converted into a walking bridge connecting to trails along the water on both sides. I walked it the other day and took some photos from the bridge. This summer I am so very grateful to be moving to a beautiful heritage home along the river where I can walk the bridge every day.

This is my town, my home where my heart resides. Enjoy!

The benefits of such a co-operative are numerous beginning with it requiring only a day a month from each member to work in the store. Led by three experienced artisans who have organized large groups before we have everyone pooling strengths and resources. I am doing window display and will help out with the blog when we get it up and running.

I am enjoying working more locally, I love my city and connecting with the artistic community here. Our creative setting is filled with hand crafted items plus yummy chocolates and cupcakes.

It has a special energy one which draws you in to wander the displays and savor color, texture and craftsmanship. Inspired artistry beckons from the original art pieces on the walls, jewelry sparkles beneath the lights, natural is celebrated, soaps, candles drawn from nature's herbs and bees. Here is my display in the shop! If you are local please come by and enjoy!

Visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/ImpressArt/155664424487844 and like them, their products are awesome to work with and they are having a contest!

Thank you to the talented Theresa Cifali for organizing the challenge!

Here at home, Tuesday May 15th, Artful Persuasion opens downtown Fredericton, we are a collaborative of twenty five talemted artists and craftspeople. I am doing the window displays so today is a busy day!

We have everything in the shop from original art to dolls to wood and yummy chocolates and cupcakes! Come by and visit!

I have never designed with ImpressArt Metal Stamps but found the tutorial on their website very easy to follow and it shows how exactly to use the stamps.

I was inspired by the oval discs which reminded me of eggs, thoughts of spring, my love of birds and my piece came together Bird Song. A new felt collection had also just arrived from National Nonwovens called Daydream Inspirations. The Havanna Gold was the perfect compliment for ImpressArt's discs.

You will need:
ImpressArt Alphabet Stamp Set, Newsprint, lowercase 
ImpressArt Metal Stamping Hammer
ImpressArt Stamping Blanks, 3 ovals, I large oval
ImpressArt Steel Stamping Block
ImpressArt Stamp Straight Tape

Following the directions stamp the word "create" on the larger oval, "dream, fly, soar" on the smaller ovals. Choose words which speak to you. My stamping is not in a straight line, I wanted a freer expression but I still used the guide for spacing my letters evenly. 

Here the discs are stamped and the letters antiqued with a Sharpie.

To create the pillow you will need.
6" x 12" Havanna Gold WoolFelt by National Nonwovens
4" square of unbleached cotton
3" x 6" burlap scrap
For the Birds Stamp by Fiskars
Brown Stamp Pad
12" covered wire
Paper flower
4 Brown buttons
Small Bird diecut or sticker
Brown floss, embroidery needle
1/2 yard of jute
Aleene's Turbo Tacky Glue by  ILovetoCreate
Polyester fiberfill
Westcott Brand mat and scissors

Stamp cotton with chosen bird design. Heat set. Stitch cotton to wool felt. Stitch pillow together, stuff and close opening. 
Bend one wire end andi insert through small hole in top of pillow, repeat for opposite side.

Tie loops of jute through discs. Tie burlap piece in center. Fray jute pieces and tie into bow. Glue burlap bow, jute bow to upper corner. Glue jute ends of discs to bow. Glue flower to center. Insert bird diecut and glue.

Tie small dream disc to large create disc with jute. Glue to center bottom of pillow.
Use stamp pad to antique flower and pillow front.

The Grand Prize! Enjoy the hop! Happy weekend and Mother's Day to all the great moms! 

It is all about the process, the act of creating with globs of glue, mismatched socks, wiggly eyes and scrap bits of felt, cotton balls and even dryer lint for stuffing!

Each of the teachers got a bag full of supplies tied with a Tootsie Pop and ribbons. Here are the gang ready to go, their bags are packed!

The teachers at play!

The bunnies did not turn off their phone! They were all ears!

It was late when the gang got home, they were happy but so tired, the shark wasn't even tempted to nibble at Mr. Spud Head!

It was a fun day, the teachers were a great group! Happy Crafting!

Materials:
Rit Liquid Dye Petal Pink and Taupe
9" x 12" Pina Colada  XoticFelt by National Nonwovens
Favorite Findings Buttons by Blumenthal Lansing
Wood Bracelet by Diy Bangles
Sizzix Big Shot
Flower Die, 3-D Wrapped by Eileen Hull for Sizzix
KaiserCraft Paper Blooms
Pearls
1/2 yd Lace, 2 yd Ribbon, Aleene's Tacky Glue, Westcott Brand scissors, paper towel, plastic drop cloth, gloves, measuring utensils and container.

I wanted to create a tone on tone, an ombre effect by dyeing different materials in the same color family of whites and creams. The pearls did not dye  so I substituted some colored ones I had on hand. I followed the directions and dyed all of my materials. I did not read my color formula directions carefully and added equal amounts of the Petal Pink and Taupe dyes instead of double the Pink to Taupe. However I like the color I created.

Use the Big Shot and Flower Dye to cut out several flowers from the lace and felt.



Begin assembling the flowers mixing the lace and felt. Insert a paper flower through the center of each flower.

Cut a thin strip of lace and wrap bracelet gluing ends. Glue three larger flowers side by side to bracelet. Fill in with remaining paper flowers. Tie ribbon into half dozen bows, glue in between flowers. Glue on pearls and buttons. Wear and Enjoy!

Happy Hopping, be inspired to create! Upcoming this Saturday the 12th twenty of us hop again with designs created from the fabulous ImpressArts metal stamps!

Monday, the Designer Craft Connection hops with Jewelry designs.
Saturday the 12th twenty of us from the DCC hop again with designs using the ImpressArt Metal Stamps. These very cool stamps imprint into metals and clay to create stunning jewelry pieces.

Wednesday, highights from the NBTA Council Days, I taught a fun workshop using stray socks, mittens and gloves from the Lost and Found to create silly creatures. The teachers were a great group and it was fun to have my cousin an elementary kindergarten teacher in my group! We went to Elementary School together.

The countdown is on to the opening of our Artist Cooperative, Artful Persuasion in downtown Fredericton on May 15th.

I am working with the gorgeous range of Rit Dye colors this week on a couple of projects for the company.

It is an inspired spring, May is bursting with creative goodiness!

I will post photos from today and tutorials for the silly softies on the weekend. Look for Sam Shark, the Tweet Nest, Darwin Dawg, Penny Pony, Mr. Spud Head and the Bunnies, they are multiplying already!

It was fun to prepare, each teacher receives a goody bag with a Tootsie Pop tied in ribbons to enjoy while they craft.

Tomorrow I visit the local Kid's Fair, we have many creative opportunities and wonderful programs for children. I enjoy my kids workshops and am looking forward to upcoming summer ones.

Have a fabulous Friday everyone!

I had the opportunity last week to tour the Jacquard Company in California, as soon as you enter the front door the lobby chairs are boldly painted in striking designs. Painted fabric artwork hangs everywhere along with artwork accessory pieces by the talented Melony Bradley. Annette who gave me the tour was so welcoming and showed me throughout the factory where product is shipped all over the world.

Back to the kids and their experience with the products. Natalie liked the bright ILovetoCreate pack of markers and used every color on her fish pillow. She drew a fish on one side and a teddy bear on the other. Emily created a bright cat stress pillow, Molly made a Vintage doll as she loves the era of the 1800's.

They first began by drawing their idea on paper. With this as a guide they drew with pencil on the fabric going over the details with the fabric marker. The stencil paint technique for the larger areas allowed the fabric marker to show through.

We used prewashed unbleached cotton. I sewed a simple oval shape which they stuffed once their design was painted and heat set.

Once stuffed the pillow could be embellished further.

While they craft I am entertained with stories of school happenings with two of the girls in a school play much was talk about the drama festival next week. Crafting with kids is such a pleasure!

Being spring, flowers are just starting here to bloom so I am inspired to create a blossom pillow using fleece. I cut two 10" fleece circles and then several 6" strips of fleece. Folding the strips and cutting even slits from the fold in to create the looped fringe. With fabric glue begin gluing the fleece fringe from the outside in to the center. A contrast color adds interest. Glue the two circles shut leaving an opening and stuff. Glue opening closed.

I like making them and designing different styles. At the CHA trade show I wore one which was part of my Takeout booth theme. At the local Women's Show on the weekend I made some cute ltea towel aprons for Mother's Day. It also gave me a chance to use up some take out boxes. The presentation went over well, no gift wrap required! A cute hostess gift and I am going to make some little girl ones as well. I seem to be in the kichen with my designing lately! 

I see aprons everywhere so someone must be wearing them! or hanging them on a pretty hook in their kitchen. I think for a party it is practical to keep your outfit clean and wear a cute apron too! Do you own or wear an apron?

I thought I would honor the day with a recycled craft I designed for my column "Make it Green" which I wrote for Creative Homearts for several years.

The vase centerpiece was upcycled from an old glass vase and aluminum soda cans. I used Earth Safe Finishes paints which are "green" paints and covered both the glass and soda can pieces easily. The metallics create a stunning effect when sponged on.

I carefully cut the cans open, removing bottom and top, laid them flat. A leaf pattern was traced on the aluminum and cut out. Once painted they can be scored with a stylus and bent. I used some garden branches to adhere the leaves to. The vase was painted and sponged as well with metallics. Enjoy!

Photo courtesy of Creative Homearts.