thinking outside the box

i was in my studio today working on some new trays. i have been collecting old handles while out junking.....

and old boxes, drawers,

and even some fruit crates.

i still line them with beautiful papers (a signature to tray bella) and i think that these 'boxes and drawers', along with those funky handles, will turn out to be some beautiful one of a kind trays.

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i will post another photo once i get the cool handles attached to them.

these, along with others, will be for sale at the next Friends of a Feather sale! i can not wait to see you there! ~ kathi

~ Paper Memory Quilt Workshop at Vintage Arts Studio

Gay and Teresa ~ two new "Friends of a Feather"...and best of friends :) ~joined us for Robin Macintosh's Paper Memory Quilt Workshop last week in my Vintage Arts Studio. They brought some of their own ephemera that represented some memories in their life, along with buttons, fabrics, beads, charms, photos and alot more "little diddles" to create their own one-of-a-kind 9 patch Paper Memory Quilt.

Robin is an amazing instructor ~ she knows when to step in and help ~ and knows when to step back and let the participants' own creative juices flow...

Gay had fond memories of her mother making her clothes when she was growing up in the 1970's ~ and some NOT so fond...when she wanted to wear a dress too short for her mother's taste :) ~ (I remember those days myself...) She used some of the actual fabrics these clothes were made from along with photos of herself in the same clothes to create her Paper Memory Quilt.

Teresa wanted to create her Paper Memory Quilt of things to represent the love between her other best friend...her husband ~ and herself. She has treasured a note from her husband that he gave to her many moons ago...as well as a little paper window she hung on her wall that he gave to her to brightenher outlook when she worked in a window-less office ~ Life is good :)

I wanted to try my hand at the Paper Memory Quilt, too! I used things that represent things that I love... the B&L represents my husband and I ~ married almost 30 years now :) ...the number 3 ~ which represents our three children Sara, Jennifer and Michael...dogs ~ I have two Great Danes ~ Cooper and Daisy Mae...old vintage homes...old typography...old laces...old keys. I have ideas flowing for more Paper Memory Quilts!!

~ A Girl's "Craft Day" at The Vintage Arts Studio ~

I hosted a lovely group of "like-minded" souls at my Vintage Arts Studio ~ "A Girl's Day Out." I could see that these girl's were seasoned crafters! :) They brought their own goodies to work on and brought their supplies in boxes, bags, and rolling carts ~ it was amazing! They chatted for a few minutes before settling in to their "spot" ~ and then they got busy...the chatting among good friends never ceased ~ talking about life, creating, their passions, and sharing experiences ~ very uplifting and inspiring listening and watching these girls go to work!

Mother and daughter ~ sharing in the fun art of "crafting."

~ Some of the amazing projects that were being worked on ~

Some of the girls brought their own goodies to munch on ~ while some of them ordered a yummy box lunch that was provided by a dear "Friend of a Feather" of mine ~ Kathi ~ see the previous post to see her amazing artistic flair on box lunches!

A fun and very productive day was enjoyed by all!

box lunch

The Vintage Arts Studio had a few girls in today for some creative time. I was asked to prepare a few box lunches for them.
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I'm a big believer of packaging. I think you should take the time to make your presents beautiful and I think the same even if I'm just delivering box lunches.
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Simple paper craft boxes are easy to find at craft stores and are a perfect size for holding lunch.
To jazz them up a bit I just cut rectangle shapes of scrapbook paper for the top. Wrapped each with a ribbon and sealed with a label.

Inside was the yummy lunch. Homemade pasta salad loaded with vegetables and cheese. A hunk of asiago cheese bread (from Panera) and a good sized piece of chocolate brownie cake.
A cute napkin to wrap the fork in and mints (because I added onions to the pasta salad). A bottle of lemon water was also included.
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I hope they were enjoyed by all!
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If you are planning an event at the Vintage Arts Studio ask Lauri about the box lunch details.

Paper Memory Quilt ~

Take the ephemera of your life and make a charming piece of art. We will combine paper, fabric, buttons, beads, stamps, just about anything that has meaning to you, into a 9 patch memory quilt. Instructor will provide cold press watercolor paper for background.

Supplies: Paper, fabric, embroidery floss, beads, odd pieces of jewelry, buttons, dried flowers, favorite stamps, ink pads, paints, ANYTHING that will help tell your story. Tools: Scissors, needles, glues, a piece of heavy cardboard or foamcore, paint brushes and your imagination.

Instructor: Robin Macintosh ~ $50.00

Vintage Flower Vase with Flowers ~

Make a unique flower vase by wrapping bottles using old papers and adding embellishments. You will also make three ephemera paper flowers to display in your new vase.

Supplies: Bring a medium sized bottle. All other materials will be provided.

Instructor: Lauri Meyers ~ $50.00

Caterpillar Bracelet ~

Do you have a lot of vintage shirt or dress buttons that you don't know what to do with? Here is the perfect solution ~ a charming bracelet that uses those little buttons, beads and a larger focal point. You can add ribbons, charms etc for more fun.

Supplies: Beads - 8/0 or 6/0 are good; small buttons - 20 to 35 - will depend on size of buttons; large buttons or stack of buttons for clasp. Optional: ribbon, charms, assorted embellishments. Instructor will supply bead wire and crimp beads.

Instructor: Robin Macintosh ~ $50.00

Muffin Tin & Mason Jar Lid Pincushions ~

Make these charming pincushions from wool, adding simple embroidery stitches and beads for embellishments.

Supplies: Bring your own scissors. All other materials will be provided.

Instructor: Marilyn Gash ~ $45.00

Deconstruct / Reconstruct ~

Learn how to take vintage jewelry apart and how to put it back together. You will learn basic jewelry making skills ~ wire wrapping, cold connections, how to cut apart found metals.

Supplies: Old jewelry, old tins, anything you want to incorporate into your pieces. 20 gauge jewelry wire and 24 gauge tie wire. Tools: Jewelers pliers, wire cutters, tin snips.

Instructor: Robin Macintosh ~ $50.00

Miniature Keepsake Scrapbook ~

Make a miniature keepsake scrapbook to display your photos, ephemera, pieces of lace, buttons, old postcards, and any special memories of your life.

Supplies: Bring 14 different coordinating fabrics no smaller than 15" x 6" ~ all other materials will be supplied.

Handmade Recipe Box ~

Make aunique one of a kind Recipe Box for yourself or as a gift using recipes from old recipe books and unique fruit and / or vegetable images for the design. Also, you will make 7 recipe dividers for the inside.

Supplies: All materials will be supplied. Box sizes may vary slightly due to availability.

Instructor: Lauri Meyers ~ $75.00

Sculpt in a Day Santa Head ~

Sculpt a collectable Santa head in a day. A fun-filled day of reverse sculpting. You will sculpt a Santa head, bake it on the premise, paint, stain, add hair, beard and mustache. The class will also cover making the Santa bodies and how to attach the head.

Supplies: Old pair of scissors, a skinny curling iron or crimper for hair and beard.

Instructor: Barbara Crawford ~ $60.00

Vintage Christmas Garland ~

Make this wonderful garland using old black and white or sepia photos of family members. Add ribbon, buttons, lace, and other ephemera that will add to the nostalgia and old world charm of the piece. It will become quite the heirloom for your family.

Supplies: 10 color copies of old photos (the actual image of the person should be sized to approximately 2 1/2" to 3" tall), bring any other embellishmens that you may want to include on your piece that may have significance to your family. All other materials will be supplied.

Instructor: Lauri Meyers ~ $50.00

Rustic Winter Ornaments ~

Get a head start on your Christmas decorations with these wool applique and hand embroidered rustic ornaments. Class includes materials for 3 designs.

Supplies: Bring your own scissors. All other materials will be supplied.

Instructor: Marilyn Gash ~ $45.00

Paper Memory Quilt Creative Workshop ~

Take the ephemera of your life and make a charming piece of art. We will combine paper, fabric, buttons, beads, stamps, just about anything that has meaning to you, into a 9 patch memory quilt. Instructor will provide cold press watercolor paper for background.

Supplies: Paper, fabric, embroidery floss, beads, odd pieces of jewelry, buttons, dried flowers, favorite stamps, ink pads, paints, ANYTHING that will help tell your story.

Tools: Scissors, needles, glues, a piece of heavy cardboard or foamcore, paint brushes and your imagination.

Instructor: Robin Macintosh ~ Cost: $50.00

Vintage Arts Studio ~ A Place to Create

I had my art studio open during the event where visitors could see where they can enjoy a variety of Creative Workshops, a Girl's Night Out, or Baby Book and Wedding Album Design Showers. My two daughters, Sara and Jennifer, where on hand to answer any questions. The workshops are listed on this blog for your reference. Reserve your next "Gathering of Like-Minded Souls" at the Vintage Arts Studio ~ A Place to Create!

Where Friends Gathered to Eat Lunch

My husband Brian ~ along with my two son-in-laws Billy and Adam ~ served grilled chicken with peppers and onions on pita in the courtyard ~ it was a big hit! "Friends" would gather either in the courtyard or on the adirondaks to enjoy!

Friends of a Feather Artisan and Sales Event

What an amazing 2 days of fun ~ meeting other "Like-minded Souls" who found their way to the Friends of a Feather Artisan and sales event. Thanks to all of you who made it such a success!