I love books.

I've always loved books - reading, writing, collecting, stacking, arranging, and making. My love has evolved and expanded. I think this Summer will include a lot of book making fun.

This is my first repurposed book. Well, not really. But it's the first one like this!

I've used a tea box from Trader Joe's (as obvious). I cut down the side I wanted and folded an edge to make a spine for my book.

The paper is just regular paper that I dyed in an old Cabernet Sauvignon. Of course, a tea stain would be more appropriate since the cover is a tea box, but the pink stripe is so prominent a design element that I wanted to go with that more rosy hue instead.

Here is a display thing I've made from one of my tree branch trimmings. I am using mini clothespins to hold things - like the note card in this picture.

I made another, smaller one for use as a jewelry display for the pieces I have in Sagebrush Cafe.

I am planning on making another as a coat rack (much bigger branch).

You'll see these if you come to my Art Open House in April.

Tree Branches

So, I've been really into tree branches lately. Obsessed? Mayyyybe.

It's nearly Spring. The trees are still barren but they are just starting to bud and send out their watershoots. Watershoots are those long, perfectly straight, new growth sprouting from the top branches in the rainy season. It's also the perfect time to do all our tree trimming - especially the apple tree!

So we have been climbing our trees a lot lately - with all manner of sharp objects including a chainsaw. Which means that we have a huge pile of tree limbs in various sizes in our backyard and on our driveway.

And I have been having so much fun with these! I have been getting so many ideas and inspiration from these tree branches. And I've been finding great pictures online of what other people have done with branches.

I'm surrounded by a heavy, philosophical discussion right now so I'm having a hard time writing this blog. I'm just really excited about what I've been working on and I have been thinking about updating for quite some time. Next I'll post pictures of something I've made from my branches...