Handmade High Flying Easter Bunnies

Welcome Spring. Bunnies are happily hopping out of the studio and to their new homes. I have a good supply in stock for Easter shoppers.

Not only are they hand made with love, but I test each and every one for his/her high flying ability. High jumps are a must when it comes to Bliss Forest bunnies! Made for cuddles, tough enough for action! Speaking of tough, the newest addition to the bunny line, is the blue ninja bunny- ready to raid the cookie jar.

Autumn Inspirations

It's one of the many things I enjoy about being a designer; I respond to changes in weather, the sky, sunlight, plant life, textures and these experiences are reflected in my work.

My experience is much richer than four seasons. For me, the seasons change slowly. In increments.



Pattern, color, and memories they evoke as we make new ones.





I walk my kids to school most days. We often talk about our dreams on the way to school, and as I return home and to my studio, I enjoy the quiet, notice birds, trees, smells on the wind.




Color!




My gnome garden. I love humor and whimsy.




I hope my wearable art pieces inspire people to enjoy the seasons.



I enjoy the photography sessions and hope my photos are fun to look at, as well as helping the product sell.



I'm lucky to have a studio with lots of natural light, that overlooks the garden. I feel connected to the weather, changes in light, the clouds, blooming flowers, even as I rock out in my studio, creating things and sewing up a storm.




This makes me feel warm and cozy. I hope you do too. :-)




Almost all of my photo sessions are accompanied by curious cats.

Hawaii Bliss Bags - art for your life -

The summer Bliss Bags are in! The Hawaii bags were inspired by a series of dreams. They combine all my favorite things: color, free motion quilting, hidden messages, raw edge applique, and functional art.

One bag, two looks. STRIPES SIDE: Each stripe is free-motion quilted with abstract Hawaiian designs (flora, maps, waves, earth, sky, water, sun), and the word "Hawaii" is hidden in quilting somewhere on the bag, as are hearts (because you are loved). Raw edge applique finishes the top edge of the bag - shabby chic look. It will fray slightly, giving the bag more texture, as you use it.



SIDE TWO: Flip the bag over for a second look. Fabric print with art pocket feature - perfect for cell phone or camera. (On this bag, the flower is the pocket.)


Top edges are finished with a raw edge applique technique of overlapping squares. These are so much fun to stitch up. Lots and lots and lots of thread!


Your perfect bag for summer, or to keep up your sunny disposition all year long. Interior fabric is a bright orange print of sliced oranges.


Organizer zippy pouches, in matching colors!
cosmetic
money
clutch bag
camera bag
tunes
receipts or punch cards.

NEXT UP: Same style of bag in Oceania blues and blue greens!

High Flying Easter Bunnies - new friends

New Easter bunny colors have hopped into the shop! Handmade plush, ready to pounce into your Easter basket. Colors to suit every child, including Ninja bunnies for your little ninja.

It's funny that Easter is in April this month. On my birthday no less. This year, I've asked my kids to bake my birthday cake on their OWN- no input from me. They are 7 and 10, should I take photos? Right now, I'm downloading my camera, and I wonder why it's taking so loooong to get all the photos loaded....... oh, must be the fifty frames my boys took of each other in the back seat of the car....... lol!

Special for Valentine's Day

Send your sweetie, your friend, your child something special and handmade for Valentine's day, even if you don't have time to make it yourself. :-)

Bliss Forest

The Gnome Twins, always giggling and doing their circus tricks.........

Local folks can find me at the Meet Your Maker show this Friday. I'm releasing my summer line of bags and pouches!

Friday: 5-8pm
Broadway Winebar downtown Eugene

It's First Friday, so visit all the gallery openings, THEN come to the Meet Your Maker venue where you can actually afford something! All the handmade goodness is at your fingertips. Bring home a piece of wearable art, functional art, or simple cuteness. Shop for a unique gift for the teacher or grad in your life.

Do NOT forget to score some raffle tickets! Always a great prize package.

I love this craft show with the mini tables packed with great work. The vendors change each time, but there is always a great variety of indie crafts. I try to get around and see all the wares and make my purchases early in the evening.

Come see my teeny tiny toothfairy pouches. They are as small as I could get them, and still have a readable silk screen image on. I can't wait to blog about them, once I get a photo.

New Gnomes!

Meet Nissa (sold) and Treezel, new gnomes in Bliss Forest. They were so much fun at the photo shoot! Check out their mug shots in my store. Thank you to Tonia for the fantastic paperclay mushroom. :-)

Good Morning Newses

Good Morning!!

This is me first thing this a.m. making coffee with my happy French Press covered in a cozy gift from Adopt-A-Critter, for my birthday. While known for her plush monsters, she's also a knitting fiend! It's cute and keeps my coffee warm till I'm ready to pour.

Speaking of birthdays, let me introduce you to my new helper, Tilda. She is the present I asked for and everyone went in on together. She is a photo printing/photocopy/scanner machine. Who could imagine the day we would have our own copymachines in our home? I can print newsletters and make copies of the kids drawings. I can print photos of archival quality instead of just looking at them online. I can prepare my art for use with the gocco machine. I'm so excited!!!!!

I have a lot to be happy about this week. First on the list is finishing my first art tutorial for Lark books. I designed a fabric jewelry project (based on my now-not-so-secret secret jewelry line humming along in the studio) called "If Life Gives YOu Lemons- Make ART!". I'm excited to be in my first book. The Art of Fabric Jewelry by Lark books is due out spring of 2009.


Second happiness is a coffee cuff reorder by one of my stores: In Other Words in Portland.

Third? The kids have the day off of school today, and the sun is finally out and due to STAY for the weekend. Grey skies and rain rain rain damp was really getting to me earlier this week. This coming from a very sturdy Oregonian is saying a lot! We are about to go letterboxing! I'm going to try to take the day off of Bliss Monkey Studio work, but I may not be able to resist. I love making my art, running my Etsy store, chatting with clients, and meeting so many wonderful makers and fans of handmade goodness! Plus, I'm up to the elbows in finishing a big batch of monster mitts because the world said we needed some fun spring wrist warmers.

Love you all!
Aly