September Desktop Calendar 2015

Here's a fun paper lover's desktop calendar for September. Enjoy!

To download, drag to your desktop or right click and save.

Recent Paper Fun

I've been teaching a class on creatures at the libraries. We start by reading Where the Wild Things Are,  There's a Nightmare in My Closet and some children's poetry. I love this literature and so do the kids! They are really classics.

Did you know that this year would have been Maurice Sendak's 85th birthday?

Then we all go to the tables where I have our art supplies. We make a few pieces of eco origami (hat's, boats and other fun stuff) and then create our own creatures with reclaimed materials.

The kids never fail to blow me away with their creativity and imaginative stories about their creatures. There's always someone in the middle of the class that asks, "do we get to take these home with us?". The answer is yes and it always cracks me up that they ask. I wouldn't dare keep anyone else's creature hostage!!

The images in the bottom two pictures were made by two 8 year old boys, who are cousins, and came to the library together. They had great fun and I heard many choruses of, "that's so cool" coming from their end of the table while they were making those creatures.

What are you reading and making this summer?

Earth Day Event in Fort Worth

At a recent corporate Earth Day event, I made some fun discoveries - vendors, ways to serve up flatware and some new friends.

 

The event getting set up.

 

Ranchman's Soapery table.

I was really lucky to have Ranchman's Soapery as my vendor-neighbor. They were really nice and added a delish fragrance to the event. I think people were naturally drawn to their yummy smelling table of soaps. You can check out all their goodies for yourself here.

 

The product that seemed to get the most comments was a soap bar called "Stinky Dog". It can be used to wash dogs or humans. It got lots of giggles and was really popular. I chose a soap -- cucumber. It's a very mild fragrance and very rich and creamy -- and a gorgeous color. Can't wait to try some of their other fragrances too!

 

Flatware dispensery.

This facility had some really cool green accessories. I love their very "Sheldon Cooper friendly" flat wear dispenser - one of my faves. It keeps things clean, tidy and recyclable. You just press the handle on the right and one piece of flatware at a time is dispensed. Clever! 

Mark Your Calendar! The Spring Bash is coming!

Peace Cranes

I recently made a bunch of origami peace cranes as promos for the Alamo City Etsy Show on Halloween and got them in the mail. I'm sure it will be a really fun event. If you're in the San Antonio area on Halloween, stop by and check it out.

Origami fascinates me. You can make your own cranes. This site has a video as well as a step by step tutorial. Happy Folding!

volunteer for the deco committee

A friend of mine is head of the decoration committee for the DSVC show here in Dallas, TX. It's happening next month and she invited over a couple dozen people for an origami party to help fold origami cranes for the events centerpieces. It was really fun, she had refreshments and it was hilarious to try to figure out what to do next to create a paper crane. Thankfully, there were a couple people there who are practically pros and they were uber helpful! I think her cats thought we had invaded THEIR home! :)

She sent us home with extra paper once we mastered the crane to make more for the show. Once you make two or three - you get in the zone. Here's the flock I created -- it was super fun.

If you've never had an origami party -- I highly recommend it. It's a good way to get to know your friends in a different way. We learned that most of are creative and rarely follow directions but we got to a crane at the end anyway -- there was much giggling. If you'd like to have your own origami party, check out this link for a video how-to.

13 days to go...

until the Etsy Dallas Jingle Bash! Hope to se you there!

Etsy BeerBBQ --The Bees Knees!

When I pulled up, the first thing I saw was the Etsy Dallas Art and Craft Fair Sign and then I knew I was in the right place. 

There were people, like ants, moving their stuff into the house (Thanks Larry, for hosting us), the driveway and the garage. After checking in, I too became an ant and got all my stuff set up. "The ants go marching one by one, hoorah, hoorah!"

After my table was set up and the "ant-ness" wore off, I took a look around and was completely impressed with my fellow etsian's arts and crafts. Check out their shops;

Alicia Colina-Ashby

Atom In

Bending Light Studio

B.liscious

Designing Diva

ebraunnagel

Freeforged

HipHazel

Honeydew Baby

HOUNDMADE

Karma Crochet

Kathy D. Keith

Kessler Craftsman

Little Cookie

Memopause

Miamaria

Modest Ambition

Pamela Michelle

Sadie's Things

Scribble Scrabble

Sugar Love Honey

Tefi Designs

The Carpenter Collection

The Plaid Mushroom

TP Designs

XY Factory

We actually opened a bit early as the public was ready to come in. DJ ModChap spun a nice mix of hip groovy tunes until 2p without blasting the surrouding neighbors from their houses. Then there was lovely live acoustical provided by Garrett Heinrichs Band for the rest of the event. Grillman, Dylan Dowdy, kept our tummies and spirits happy. Thanks guys!

The make-and-take craft table was a hit. All day long customers were showing me their treasures created before beginning their shopping. We had some very creative shoppers -- they made everything from rings and bracelets to bookmarks. Our shoppers were a lovely cross section of those who make up the DFW metroplex and it was great to get to know them while they shopped.

The weather was the hottest day so far this year in Dallas, 91 degrees. Everyone was good about hydrating and apply sunscreen. Some of us, however, got a little bit silly (thanks, Tamara) from a bit too much sun - there was much giggling. There are rumors that this event may be repeated in the Fall -- so stay tuned for more details.

Thanks to everyone for their support, contribution, help, well wishes, time, efforts, etc. It is all greatly appreciated. A great time was had by all!