Christmas Decor!

The long awaited Christmas decoration pictures are here!



Our Charlie Brown Tree



Our mantel....Lance and Jinx obviously did not want to pose for my picture.



The stockings....awaiting our embroidered names

Sometimes we need to slow down and enjoy the simple things in life. That is why I like this card...simple lines, shapes, and colors. It also reminds me of an appliqued quilt! You can see more creations at http://www.eggpress.com/shopHoliday08.html

This past month has been crazy but fun. We just finished celebrating 4 Thanksgivings....my family, Lance's mom's family, church family, Lance's dad's family. Now we are gearing up for Christmas. Lance is an avid collector of nutcrackers. We have them running out our ears, especially in this tiny apt. I finally found a home for all of them. I also washed and put out or spode Christmas china we registered for. How exciting to finally be able to use it! Hopefully we can get a tree tomorrow and I can finish our stockings. Until then check out these neat wreaths. Perhaps I will be inspired to make one to grace our front door!http://blomsterverkstad.blogspot.com/search/label/Wreaths

Fresh

I am striving to keep my blog up to date. My life has been a whirl wind for the past five months. It is now starting to settle and I am developing a design routine. I am looking for inspiration in the small things of everyday life like this moth that I found on our patio and this Button Orchid I bought at our local arboretuem. What great pattern and textures these will inspire.

I also gain inspiration by looking at other artist's blogs. Check out this beautiful handmade and embroidered shirt by Allison Moorer. Visit her site at: http://www.1turtledove.blogspot.com/

Website

I am one of the most computer illiterate people you may ever meet! It was a challenge to get a blog up and running and now...I am proud to announce I have created a website for my portfolio. Feel free to check it out at: designsbyber.googlepages.com! Let me know what you think!

The image to the left is one of the latest quilted wall hangings I have created for my senior studio. You will find this work and many others on my website!

I also had a link a couple of weeks ago to an amazing designer's website, Natalie Chanin. I now have her book, Alabama Stitch Book and it is wonderful! It is resonably priced and is full of recipes, patterns, and step by step instructions for one of a kind handmade items! If you don't buy any other book this year you should buy this one!!!

Creative Inspiration

Today I had the opportunity to meet the inspiration designer, Natalie Chanin! She is the owner and designer of the company Alabama Chanin. It is always an inspiration to meet a successful designer and receive valuable feedback, ideas, and encouragement. Natalie and her company are also concious of the world around us. All items her company makes: clothing, jewlery, and home products are grown and made in the USA! They also use organic cotton, recycled materials, and eco-friendly pigments. In a time of economic struggle she has also worked to provide jobs for the people in her community! She has really challenged me as a designer to think of where my materials come from, where they are going, and how they impact everyone directly and indirectly. Thanks Natalie for being such an inspiration! Check out her blog at: http://www.alabamastudiostyle.blogspot.com/

My mother is also a constant inspiration! She is the most talented fiber artist, mother, and friend I have ever known! I am so proud of her for creating her first blog...and she made it all on her own. Check out what she is doing at: http://www.creativecaregiver.blogspot.com/

Because I think every post should have a picture, I wanted to include a project I have been working on using, applique, machine, and hand embroidery techniques. I will post more current projects soon!

Jewelry

In an effort to create a new textile product, I have been experimenting with felted and crocheted jewlery. Let me know what you think!