new projects

So I've mentioned one or two new projects I've been working on around here for my sadly empty and lonely looking PeanutButterPie. Up until last fall this shop had a few hand painted and embellished cards, some baby blessing mixed media art works and some Artist Trading Cards.

Over the last few months I've been really interested in working on photography and have been behind the camera more often than wielding a paintbrush or sewing and beading onto a card. Except that's not exactly true because I have been doing a little painting and there has been some sewing going on and a few other things too. I've just been showing off my photographs instead of some of the other things I've had on the go.

It's a little easier to share the photographs because I've been shooting so much lately but I'd like to start introducing some of the other new things I've been working on too. Over the next few posts I'll be talking a little bit more about what else has been going on in my creative space.

First off is the window covering I've been working on for the Peanut's bedroom. This has been a long running project. I started it two years ago when we moved into a two bedroom and the Peanut finally had a room of her own. I've worked on it off and on since the move and I'm nearly finished it. I bought a pre-made curtain panel that fit the dimensions of her bedroom window. I've been embroidering lady bugs onto the panel which has taken a lot of time but I'm down to the last foot of panel.

(I'll be adding photos of the panel in progress later today, I'll be taking the peanut out to pick up some Olympic celery (the only phrase that is bound to get her interested in heading out shopping) and a few other fruits and veg. We're having roast chicken for dinner tonight and I need a few things for stuffing.) Are you working on something that's been a long time in the making? whether because it's a large project or something that gets put aside for a time, what is it? I'd love to hear about it.

Have a holly jolly....

This year we've decided to purchase all of our gifts for friends and family from local artisans and artists or on Etsy. In part it's because I'm now selling my photographs and other art on Etsy and I want to help promote the venue and other artists like myself. So it's in my karmic interest, what goes around comes around.

On another level I just want to be able to give gifts that can't be bought at the local mall. I want to be able to find something that just suits each person that I'm buying for. The great thing about a website like Etsy is that I can find something for everyone on my shopping list all unique and beautifully made.

I know it's sickeningly early to be talking about holiday shopping and gift giving. It seems like every year the holiday marketing starts earlier and earlier. Personally I don't like to think about it until at least after Remembrance Day if not later. However, I also like to have all my shopping done and over with before December, so that I can kick back and enjoy cookies and eggnog during the hectic rush and only have to shop if I really want to; not because I've still got two people to gift.

Also by the time December rolls around I'm so tired of holiday music I'm grumpy with and become anti-holiday in reaction. With a two year old that's just not where I want to be. It's the Mall Muzak that takes me 'round the bend, but I really like non-muzak holiday music especially the Pouges Fairytale of New York, The Raveonettes Christmas Song, the original Band Aid and Aimee Mann's version of You're A Mean One Mr Grinch. I could put those on repeat for weeks. I listen to them throughout the year. Speaking of which I think I'll play a little of it now...