I've recently invested in some new watercolor paint brushes. It is important to keep brushes separated by the medium they are intended for. As I was contemplating how to store my new brushes and paints, I knew I did not want to use a plastic bin or another ugly coffee mug. I decided to make my own custom tote. After an entire day of tedious sewing, I am pleased to share the results with you.
To the right, there is a brush storage pocket that is specifically measured to fit my brushes. On the left, a paint storage section that holds 15-26 tubes of watercolor paint. A striped flap folds over the top of the brushes to prevent them from slipping out. The interior is canvas and the pockets are Heather Ross fabrics. The outside is my favorite part: a found tea towel and hand stamped art nest label. The gray and cream stripes are so dreamy and complimented the light colors of the the interior. I used four D-rings and created canvas belts to keep the the tote snugly rolled. Creating this paint and brush tote was a very rewarding experience. I know that it will accompany me in all my artistic endeavors!
On a side note: the background for these photographs is my painting table. Years ago I literally pulled the table out of a pile of clutter on the side of the road. My father had it refinished as a surprise. I was so touched my his encouraging gesture!

It's a pincushion ring! Be the first to sneak a peek at

Art Nest's new Etsy shop!

It has been awhile since I've posted my art work. I've been working on my technique and experimenting with different paints and mediums. The watercolors I've started using produce a much richer color. This is also my first time to use illustration board instead of watercolor paper. I'm please with results and am looking forward to further experimenting and artistic growth. This is E at age 2. R looks just like her...The reference photograph (not pictured) was taken on one of our vacations to St. George Island. I love painting from candid shots, they most always convey rich life and emotion!

Click here and you will see the Art Nest @ the Purl Beehive. See my thumbnail on the top right? - Yippee!!! YES - I can be in 2 places at once! Thank you, thank you , thank you to everyone who has encouraged me in all my creative endeavors...

I spent a quiet Tuesday night at my art table cutting out tiny circles of fabric and modge - podging them onto wood nickels. I made 16 pairs for a total of 32 game pieces. My children LOVE playing this game. We all sat on the studio floor yesterday afternoon and played three full games. Everyone was laughing and cheering for each other as more and more matches were discovered. I felt such a sense of accomplishment, peace, and joy as I witnessed this tiny handmade game bring smiles, giggles, and memories to my family. It was an afternoon to remember!

Weekend sewing...so lovely! With nice weather, a clean studio, and the children spending last night at my in-laws, I feel relaxed and accomplished. I'm sewing each of my children a tote for overnight trips, library trips, or just for lugging their toys around from room to room. HG's is still in the studio being assembled. I hope they enjoy these totes as much as I enjoyed sewing them!

I have discovered that I am truly in love with rescuing children's books. The criteria for selecting each book depends of my mood, but usually I look for classic books that have beautiful, charming illustrations. Today was a success...the above Maurice Sendak book, a Babar book dated 1954, The Little House by Virginia Lee Burton, and Bedtime for Frances by Russell Hoban. All in hardback, all for 10 cents. We already own the last two books that I bought but, as I explained to myself as I crept to the check-out line, I can't just leave these dear classics laying in this cold book sale room. Who will appreciate them here?

This is the third doll clothing swap I have had the pleasure of hosting. I've enjoyed hosting these swaps and have met several wonderful, talented people doing so. A doll clothing swap is a fun way to add unique outfits to your 18" doll collection. Not sure where to begin? Look through your fabric store's pattern books. Simplicity offers some adorable retro patterns. I highly recommend using a pattern to ensure the proper fit for your partners doll. If you are interested in joining, please read the following information below:

• This swap is for 18" American Girl type dolls.


• All clothing must be sewn. Please no knitted outfits.


• You will create 2 outfits. Each will be sent to a separate swap partner.


• I am defining 'outfit' as a dress, shirt & skirt, or shirt & pant.


• You can display the outfits you give and receive at this Flickr Group


• Sign up is now - May 15th, 2009


• Mail out is June 1st, 2009

I know the above dates sound far away but I want to make sure you have plenty of time to plan and sew your doll clothes. You can sign up here:

doll_clothing_swap[at]yahoo[dot]com subject line: spring 2009

Please send inquiries to the above e-mail address. Merci!

PS: Feel free to use the image above as a button to advertise the swap on your blog!

Spring is coming. I am already feeling the need to clean out drawers, closets, and cabinets. My husband and I were fortunate to buy our first home last April. Our downtown apartment we rented before buying our home was about 900 square feet. Two tiny bedrooms, 1 bathroom with the added pleasure of banging your knees on the stack-able washer and dryer every time you used the loo, 4 kitchen cabinets for all of our kitchen food and appliances. Ahh...memories... the perks were: our apartment was at the edge of a mountain ( I could literally open the windows in our bedroom and touch the jutting rocks and green moss), we had front row seats to every parade down main street, we lived above a children's boutique and a bath & body store (instant shopping fix), it only took 2 hours to clean the house top to bottom, we enjoyed the church bells from St. Mary's every Sunday. ..

Living in a small space forced us to weed out unnecessary items, make due with what we had, and sometimes deal with things in an odd way. When B was born, we made one of our hall closets the 'nursery'. Now, of course she didn't sleep in the closet or anything like that, but all baby related items and necessities were meticulously organized into that one tiny closet. I loved opening the door and seeing organized perfection.

I love our house now...the children have their own rooms, the fenced in backyard is host to many outdoor adventures, I have more cabinet space than I can fill, I am blessed with my own window lined art studio, but I do miss being forced to live, think, and do things on a small scale. I admit I've become a tad bit lazy with my living simply goals. Now that spring is here, I am ready to begin again.

My first knitted beret! I have never knitted before until now. I used the Purl Beret pattern from the Purl Bee blog. I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to knit this hat. I did have to do some background research for certain stitches and at one point there were 5 needles attached to the hat (scary!). I am very proud of this hat and have been wearing it around town all day. Next I believe I will tackle some fingerless gloves!