Janet of All Trades

Every year I decide that I will make my Christmas cards and hope to start them in the summer so I have them done ahead of time. This never happens and I wait until the creative juices start flowing about 2 weeks before Thanksgiving. This year I wanted to some how use a recycled material. So I started out with Magazines and a corner punch from Martha Stewart Crafts. I found the photo corner punch and thought it might work for the idea I had in mind. I punched out the corners from magazine pages and cut the folded corner off since I really wanted a Chevron sort of shape. Then proceed to lay them out in a circle to see if they would work for my idea. Then with glue dot runner applied to each piece, I was left with a wreath. I added a little ribbon for the bow and my card was done. Now I just have about 49 more to make! Enjoy!

This week has been a exciting time for my me and my mailbox. Seems like a surprise arrives everyday and I can't wait to see what tomorrow brings. Here is just a sampling of what arrived this week and the plans I have for it all. (1) Bails A bag full of 100 bails so I can finish up some pendants and put them in my etsy shop. I have been working on some new design and hopefully they will sell. (2) Catalogs It must be getting close to fall since new catalogs arrive daily. The MOMA Store catalog actually came from my workplace and there are some fine ideas that I think I can create. Look for some of those on future weekend post. (3) Felt For the Nephews Birthday present arrived so cutely packaged I could not take it apart yet. A receipt written on an old library book slip card attached with a tiny clothes pin. Love it! (4) Magazines. I have some reading to catch up on..Elle Decor, Martha Stewart Living and Real Simple.Just in time for the fall and some work around the house. I will hav...

While strolling lazily thru the grocery store last weekend to take advantage of the cold air, I came across two magazines that I had never seen before. Both peaked my interest since they both are on subjects and interiors that I love. The first was Atomic Ranch . This has been published since 2004 (where have I been) and is dedicated to the Midcentury Modern home. It covers the restoration and preservation of homes from 1940's tract house to 1960's Modernism houses. I was immediately in love and vowed to buy a few back issues online. Second Magazine was Cottage Life Now I totally miss Cottage Living, but this magazine is all about living the cottage life. It has been published since 1988 (seriously, I have been not living on this planet) and is from Canada. A very informative magazine with information on boating,cottage repairs and green cottage living. A lovely magazine that reminds me a bit of This Old House magazine with it's step by step do it yourself to the way it rea...