I'm getting there - it's time for 2018 projects!

Here are more projects!

Feel free to email me at penandinkwell@yahoo.com

Find me on Pinterest:

https://www.pinterest.ca/sue_montgomery/

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These two photos are of a wooden sign I made.  Using red for the background, made a plaid pattern with green and white paint. Lettered in white paint then using the sander I distressed the whole sign.

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Below are lots of various scarves, infinity scarves and cowls that I knit.

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Front and back of Christmas ornament, personalized. I cut the spruce wood, drilled a hole and painted.

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Front and back of ornament.  Cut the wood from spruce. Used pumice medium to give the tree texture.  Painted green and added lots of colored dots on the tree. Lettered the back.  

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Baby keepsake, wrapped canvas, acrylic paint, varnish.

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Wood shim project to fit into a frame that I had. Stained a lot of wood shims different colors. Heavy cardboard was the base on which I glued all the shims.  My first attempt at shim work.

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Wood plaque. acrylic paints, teeth hanger on back for this new baby's sign.

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A 60th Birthday gift for a friend.  Flat canvas board, water colors for map and acrylic paint for all other painting. Drilled holes to hang.  Can you guess the state?

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Wedding -for the Dads and below one of the wrist corsages for the moms - stretchy bracelets and I attached ribbon, leaf and flower.

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Wedding party girls wooden hangers.  Lettered and ribbon accent.

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Baby keepsake, wooden plaque. Stained wood, acrylic lettering, varnish.

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Sign - whitewashed, turquoise lettering, spray varnish.

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More knitting projects below

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  Little clothes rack. Cut spruce wood, painted with watercolors and acrylic paint. Wooden knobs. Varnish.

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Cut wood, stained then lettered in acrylic paints. 

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Watercolors and acrylic paint. Varnish, teeth hanger on back.  New baby gift.

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Wedding things below

   

Cardstock table numbers lettered in gold.

These two signs are 16" x 20" canvas and were displayed on easels. 

 Acrylic paint and artificial greenery.

Cardstock sign lettered and trimmed in gold paint, used on a birdcage.

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Large canvas, acrylic paint. Hung above a cut piece of wood, painted and hooks attached for coats.

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Zia's garden sign. Painted with acrylic paint, cut wood for plaque and also a stake.  Outdoor varnish. 

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Cut wood trees out of spruce, painted and decorated and lettered on the back in acrylic paint.  Varnished and put a green cord through the drilled hole to hang.





Thanks for joining me!


- Sue

Happy December!

I knew December was coming, it comes every year....but will I be ready for Christmas?

As a crafter, I love to create and share my projects as gifts but I must confess, I do not like to wrap presents.  Gift bags are wonderful and easy to use so if the gift will fit, in it goes!

Not all of the gifts I give are handmade, I do like to support local businesses.   there are people who do not appreciate the work that goes into creating something special.  After hours of making scarves (for example) I have been told by the gift recipient, "oh it's nice but I would have liked one longer to wrap around my neck twice". (Yes, I did start making that style also but other folks like the single wrap just fine).  What happened along the years that made people unappreciative of a gift given from the heart?

OR someone will ask me to knit a cowl or scarf and just want to spend $10....ok, if I can get the yarn for less than $1 that might be possible but really???  I do not charge an arm and a leg for my crafting projects and in fact I make many of them as special gifts but I do understand how other crafters share in the frustration regarding getting paid fairly for the number of hours they have devoted to making a special piece.

On one painting group on Facebook there was a chart of how to price your items.  I was excited but realize that in this small market area people still won't want to pay that.  "Don't under-price", I have been told...ok, but if I price it fairly not many people want to purchase for that kind of price.

I do not know what the answer is but I can safely say that since I enjoy what I do I will continue to do it.  I am expanding with more furniture projects (I have a table in the garage that I got from an estate sale and it is calling me to come and work on it but I have to wait til after Christmas.I am itching to use some more General Finishes paint and topcoat!)

So if you craft and enjoy it, be sure to continue with your passion. While not everyone will appreciate the time, effort and cost you have put into each project, you will know that it has been made with your heart and soul and that spreading the joy can be worth it (even if your wallet doesn't earn back that same joy).

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In an earlier blog post I showed a white acrylic toddler cowl that I made.  

Here is the recipient Little Miss A. wearing it ...

I hope she keeps toasty warm!

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That's it for now. I am making a special Christmas plaque so need to get going.

You can find me on Pinterest:

http://www.pinterest.com/sue_montgomery/

or by email at penandinkwell@yahoo.com  

or visit me on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Handcrafted-Projects-by-Sue-Lane/105487656209042?ref=hl

Thanks for reading! I'll be back soon!

Let's Meet Some Fellow Crafters and A Project of Mine

Today I want to introduce you to some really creative folks.  If you are familiar with Etsy, you may know my friend LindaEve. She does outstanding work repurposing fabrics into lovely bags among other things...a true Eco-Etsy gal.  

Linda and her husband Mark Everett are dyeing to tell you all about their newest project - over-dyed scarves made from bamboo/organic cotton fleece, bamboo/organic cotton jersey, and repurposed pure linen. These delicious, colorful scarves are currently for sale at Ebb in Hopewell NJ and at Through the Moongate in Highland Park NJ, as well as online at Linda's Etsy shop. 

These scarves of bamboo are soft and welcoming....many color choices available to go with any outfit.

Can't you just imagine the feel of these wonderful linen scarves?  What a great fashion accessory!

Scarves are so 'in'.  They can be tied in a variety of ways and with the different fabrics available, you are sure to find something that fits your style and budget!

Contact Linda and Mark through Linda's Etsy shop or visit the shops above if you are in the NJ area. If you have any questions, they will be happy to answer them and also to discuss your needs!  These make the perfect gift for your graduate, Mother's Day, birthdays or just for yourself.  Be sure to let them know that Sue sent you!

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I am finding that some of my projects around the house have been keeping me away from updating my blog regularly.  I do love to paint and am a neat painter but am not looking forward to doing the ceiling in the bathroom as I always seem to make more of a mess than I do with the walls. This small bathroom is going to be transformed from a taupe room with ivory and burgundy toile curtains to a darkish gray and I am going to order some of my own designed fabric from Spoonflower to make the shower curtains. The main theme of this room will be dark gray and white along with some black accents.   My fabric is based on one of my Zentangle designs. A sample of the fabric arrived, it is so much fun seeing your own design imprinted on fabric!  Slowly I will get this room done!

For now, I will just post another of my ink projects.  It is relaxing to sit and 'doodle'  

That's it for now.  Off to paint my mailbox....since it is still so cold outside I took it off the house and brought it inside. I am sanding it and giving it a fresh coat of  ivory paint and then will letter/number it with my address in black paint.  With my address on it, I will always know where I am!  

Thanks for looking!  I can be reached at penandinkwell@yahoo.com. I also love Pinterest and have creations posted on my boards.  

http://www.pinterest.com/sue_montgomery/