creative – Page 5 – Jennifer Michie

October 9, 2009 / 0 Comments

Happiness Is….

After a week of dealing with boiler problems, gas leaks, and workman, happiness is: a gingerbread latte, curling up on the couch with the new Martha Stewart Magazine October issue, that my adorable husband surprised me with last night for having to put up with a crazy house all week and listening to the Fleet Foxes. I tell you, it doesn’t take much to make me happy, just the simple things.

If the whimsical cover doesn’t make you want to smile with all the “mushroom” gourds, I don’t know what will! I love her Halloween candy bag idea with the Chinese “jack-‘o-” lanterns, too cute!

(All Images copyright Martha Stewart Living)

October 8, 2009 / 0 Comments

Little Women

It is that time of year again when I seem to listen to my “Little Women” soundtrack nonstop when I am at home. It is one of my favorite albums to take you from Fall into Winter. Not always do they make a movie out of a Classic and get it right; in my mind the version with Winona Ryder is superb, the music catches my heart strings, the cast was wonderfully chosen and for me, the March girls came to life.

I have always loved this story. I first read it when I was in the 5th grade. My teacher had bought everyone books for Christmas and that was the book I received. I was the only girl in the class to get this particular title and I felt so special. I took it home over the Holidays and read it and read it again, I was in love! From that point on I have slowly been collecting old copies of the book when I see them. I adore the old color prints in the books, set in their little oval on a page all to themselves.

In doing a little research yesterday, I discovered that Nicole Sayre will no longer be doing work with Seasons of Cannon Falls (she is still selling her originals on her website though). I saw some dolls she had created that I have never seen before. Her dolls have a real vintage appeal. They immediately made me think of “Little Women”.

I can see Amy playing with these beautiful dolls in the garden of Orchard House and Beth gently resting them on the chest at the foot of her bed. I have always wanted to go to Concord and see Louisa May Alcott’s home. I know it would look beautiful laced in snow. I can see her walking up her path, taping her shoes against the house to release the snow powder that has built up, rushing inside to a warm fire, pecking Marmee on the cheek and with a whirl of skirts, dashing to her room to write down the latest idea that has come into her head. One day I hope to get there and see the house that a woman who has inspired me with her writing, once lived.

(Doll image taken from Nicole Sayre’s website, Orchard House in the snow from the Louisa May Alcott website)

October 6, 2009 / 0 Comments

To the Christmas Fair we go…

Over the river and through the woods to the Christmas Fair we go… I just received my form today for the Fair, so I am going to fill it out now to be sure a spot is held for me.

The fair will be held this year on November 6th. So, 4 short weeks from today, I better be ready. I am getting all my ideas together and I will be ordering my supplies tomorrow and then working like an elf to get everything done on time.

I have so many ideas, but I am going to narrow it down to just a few things to have on my table, and focus on those. My little tooth bears will be making an appearance and some will most likely be dressed for the season, ’tis the season to be jolly, as they say! I will have to start making my gingerbread wreaths soon, oh so much to do, but what fun it is!

I can’t wait, for a crackling fire, warm tea, cozy things, homespun love and to be surrounded by friends. I can’t think of a better way to get November started.

September 22, 2009 / 0 Comments

Hi-Ho, Hi-Ho off to RosaBlue we go…

Well, I don’t know if you remember but after the Summer Fair in June, I had a lovely store owner ask me if I would make tooth bears for her(see post 6/14/2009).

I did and they all sold! So, here is the second wave of bears getting ready to go out the door to her gorgeous shop! They were all trying to peek out of the box when I took their picture.

I hope they all go to happy homes and have lots of Tooth Fairy visits.

Look below at the gorgeous store that my bears will live in before they go off to new homes.

RosaBlue

May 27, 2009 / 0 Comments

Yo-Yos

The days seem to be ticking by faster than I want them to, as I still feel like I have so much left to do for the Fair. This year is going to be very exciting, it sounds like there will be a very good crowd of people coming and an even more diverse range of stalls.

One of the projects I have been busy working away on involves making yo-yos. I was never a fan of them before but after seeing them in a magazine, they somehow began to grow on me. Now, I seem to notice them everywhere. The possibilities of what you can make with them are endless.

My mind has been buzzing non-stop with ideas which led to the creation of one of my main Fair projects; a collaborative concept formulated by my Mom and I. I had so many notions, some of which have come into being however some will just have to wait until the Christmas Fair.

Knowing that November seems forever away until the Christmas Fair, when we will all be together again, but this time, in the coziness of an inviting house, with a crackling fire, Christmas trees adorning every free space and a coming together of friends old and new to have fun and raise money for a worthwhile charity along the way.

Like the March girls we gather, shaking the snow off our boots and heading for the kitchen, where a kettle is always boiling on top of the Aga. We gather to share ideas, celebrate each others company, love and cozy warmth.

May 20, 2009 / 0 Comments

Teeth & Fairies & Bears, Oh My!

I have been quite the busy bee at the moment working on banners and embellishing bags and items for the fair. June is almost upon us, so I do not have long before everything must be done. One of the projects I have made is a variation on a pattern I found on Martha Stewart. They are these adorable “Tooth Bears”.

The little bear is made out of felt with a pocket in the front to place your little one’s tooth in to await a visit from the Tooth Fairy. Martha embroidered the child’s name on her bears, but I have decided to simply put “tooth” across their little pockets. I have also changed the suggested stitch you were to use and I have slightly varied their faces.

They were a fun project to create; they are all different, each with their own little personality coming through. So, hopefully my little bears will speak to the right person at the fair and they will all go to lovely new homes, as they were made to support a charitable cause.

I have included the link from Martha Stewart where you will be able to find more information to make your own Tooth Bear (with the pattern template) for your little person or a friend.

Martha Stewart Show

Please note this template is copyright to Martha Stewart Living.