Just a walk in the park

It's such a beautiful day!! It's bright and sunny. A perfect day for a walk.
I love how warm the sun is this time of year in comparison to the air temp.



After going to get water at the spring I stopped by a local park to take a little nature walk.


I don't think there will be any picnics today.

This is where the canoes are usually stored.









This cute little squirrel stopped to posed for me...wasn't that sweet.

Postcard love

Just a few quick postcards...

Friday Freebie

Hey, I'm on time!!

I just got through editing a ton of new freebies!!
I'm so excited to start sharing them with you.

I'm not sure what this gal is all dressed up for. She appears to have a sash of some sort over her left shoulder. I've named her Ms. Carlson after the photographers stamp in the corner.

I can totally see her image used in so many different ways. She can perch on most anything the way she is seated!

Fabric collage

My friend Patty let me know she got my package so, as promised, here is the full view of the fabric collage I created a while back.

I've been so inspired by others fabric collages in blogland but hadn't ever attempted or even felt the inclination to attempt one until now.

I just kept layering pieces until I felt happy with it. The tree book page and the rust colored fabric were my starting point. I knew I wanted something dimensional so I searched through my jewelry stash and found this berry piece. I think it may have been a clip to dress-up a shoe in its former life.

I even got to use some of my CitroSolv background paper.

I'm definitely going to do some more work combining fabric and papers in the future.

Tea Tuesday

Just got back from library duty at school. I'm having the last of the loose leaf tea my MIL gave me. It has a really good flavor.

I had to buy one of those tea ball thingies so I could enjoy the tea a while back. I know I had one years ago but somehow when I actually wanted to use it...I couldn't find it anymore. Isn't that just the way of things!

Stop by my Kimmies blog to see what my friends are up to today.

Book covers

I've jumped headlong into 2 new long-term swaps.

The first one I signed up for was a tip-in swap with 6 players. The same type of swap as my very first one...except that had more players.
It's a color theme swap...obviously, my color is blue. I'm using this book that I rescued from the library's free shelf. It's not an old sewn binding book as is recommended but I figure since it won't be traveling around I can fix any issues that may occur with the binding.


The second swap is actually an altered book round robin. As of yesterday there were 5 of us. It would be fun if we could get a couple more players but with this type of swap you really need to be committed since mailing entire books can get a bit expensive especially towards the end when the books are getting real thick and heavy.

 
Based on the sewn binding books I had on hand, I decided on the theme: There's no place like home. The title of the book, We have always lived in a castle, helped determine the theme.  It will be really fun to see how the other players interpret the theme.

I wanted to leave the original title on the binding so I used what I call my Kelly Rae inspired background technique which basically consists of using gel medium to glue down scraps of book text onto the cover.  After it's all dry, I paint. Sometimes more text shows through than this. I was actually going for more of that look but I got a little heavy handed with the base wash. So I went with it...

The cover isn't exactly what I had in mind but it's not too often I can get my vision to translate directly to the canvas.


Next I'll work on the sign-in page. I have several ideas floating around but nothing has screamed at me as a must do yet.

Hopefully I'll come to some decision while we are moving snow this morning. The kids got a snow day!  We got over 11 inches of snow and now there is freezing rain coming down!! What's up with that!?!?

Friday Freebie on Sunday

I've been a little distracted this past week. Completely forgot to post my Friday Freebie!



Because of my lateness, I'm giving you 2 images.

(click image for full size before saving)

As always...these images are for use in your art.

OWOH Winners!!

I can't tell you how fun it was to participate in this event for the past 3 years! 

All the connections made. My RSS feeds are spilling over with new found places to visit!

Once again thanks to Lisa for her hard work hosting this worldwide event.

Now on with the winners...

The mixed media flower piece goes to:

Doreen G said... 164

Hi from Canberra Australia thanks for allowing me to enter your giveaway and please come by my blog and enter mine. Doreen #573

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The set of photo greeting cards goes to:





Marit said... 82 It's so much fun to visit all different blogs and get to 'know' people from all over the world! So glad you played along with OWOH too - and make me discover your blog! You are so talented and generous to offer all that loveliness as a doorprize/gift! Love from the Netherlands, Marit (OWOH#501)

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The mini notebook goes to:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nathalie Thompson said... 71

I am lovin' that teacup!!!! I also like your scrappy journal and those super strong magnets! Heck, I'd be happy with ANY of your goodies! Count me in. :)

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The fabric bowl goes to:





Dawn said... 167 Thank you for visiting my blog
what a generous soul you are with your wonderful giveaways xxx

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The orphan tea cup and teas goes to:

Lori said... 4

Always enjoy seeing your creations, Halle, even though I don't comment all the time. I met you thru last year's event, and it truly is a wonderful experience.

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The set of fabric coasters goes to:







Holly said... 115 Hello from Fort Ripley, Minnesota! I have really been           enjoying your blog! Your giveaway is wonderful! Thank you so much for the   chance to win!

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And finally, the set of magnets goes to:

Annie said... 159

Love your selection of prizes!!!! It was so nice to stay awhile and enjoy a coffee with you. If you get the chance I would love you to visit me downunder (Australia) so I can return the favour. #819 mustlovepaint.blogspot.com

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I will be sending an email to each of the winners. 

Please get back to me within 48hrs or I'll be forced to draw another name. 

Thanks to all who stopped by my blog...I really enjoyed reading each and every one of your comments. 

I hope you'll come back and visit me some time!!

One World, One Heart 2011

***This post will remain on top until Feb17th***

**Please scroll down for newer posts**

Welcome to Halle's Hobbies! 

Whether you are a first time visitor or an old friend...I'm glad you stopped by.

I'm very excited to be participating in OWOH again. This is my 3rd year that I've been involved in this world wide event for bloggers, that might not ever cross paths otherwise, to meet up and get to know each other.

Thanks to Lisa of A Whimsical Bohemian, who works tirelessly to make it a fun for all who participate. She puts in a ton of time and effort, so I  can totally understand why...even though it makes me sad...she'll be hanging up her hat after this year.

Since I dabble in so many different arts and crafts, love second hand stores

and get a really kick out of recycling and re-purposing....

I decided to give away a variety of items that might give you a better idea of who I am and what I enjoy. 

So are you ready to hear about the doorprizes?!?!!

This first piece really captures what I love about mixed-media. Paint and old book text with a little bit of vintage textile thrown in for good measure. I used the cover from a book for the substrate as well. Another this you may have noticed about me is that I love flowers. They often appear in my art.

I really love photography. So... I'm adding a set of my photo greeting cards to the giveaways. This is a variety pack of blank cards with matching envelopes ready for you to spread some cheer.

The next item is a mini notebook made from a book with a sweet lily of the valley picture gracing the cover and lots of fun bits of paper I've saved.  I told you I liked to re-purpose...

A notebook such as this can be used in a variety of ways. 

I'm going to make another to keep for myself as a daily nutrition and exercise journal...hopefully that will keep me on track. :)

 

How many are we at now...?
Ah, yes, the 4th giveaway shall be another of my recycling projects. 

This cute little braided fabric bowl started its life thinking it was going to be a rug. Well, fate stepped in and said...nope, you're a bowl.

Every Tuesday I participate in something called Tea Tuesday. I generally mention what's going on in my world that day, share what kind of tea I'm drinking that day and sometimes a special tea set.
With that in mind I wanted to give away an orphan cup...thanks mom...and tea from my favorite wellness company.

Sewing is another thing that I can't seem to stop doing. My machine is out and ready to go almost all the time... I love sewing. Making something new from fabric is so magical...as long as I don't have to follow directions. I hate following directions.
To that bent...I made this set of patchwork coasters.

And finally a set of super strong magnets...seriously...super strong. I used neodymium (rare Earth) magnets on the backs of these.  Any paper you hang it not going anywhere....

*************************************************************

So now I suppose your wondering how in the heck you might have 

a chance at one of these doorprizes, right?!?

Super simple...  Leave a comment on THIS POST before Feb 17th.   That's it.

Please make sure I have some way to contact you should you be picked for a doorprize. 

You may want to post it as: blahblah at yaddayadda dot com 

That makes it more difficult for robot programs to pull emails for spam.

If no email is provided either through your blogger profile or in the comment,

I'll have to move on to the next winner. You don't want that to happen...

The morning of Feb 17th, I'll use a random number generator to pick the "lucky 7" winners of the above door prizes! Winners will be notified via email and postal addresses will be requested.
If I do not hear back from you within 48 hrs, I'll be forced to move one and choose another winner.

Good luck!! 

I hope you enjoyed your visit here at Halle's Hobbies.
Please stop by again!

Tea Tuesday

Does this look good or what?!?  I'm having some basic green tea with my new favorite sandwich. It a grilled cheese with a twist. I use olive oil on the whole wheat bread instead of butter. The cheese is provolone. To give it even more flavor I use stone ground mustard, baby spinach and sliced tomato.  OH YUM!

Go see what my Tea Tuesday friends are doing today!
You'll find the links over on Kimmie's blog...

****Just a reminder...OWOH event ends in 2 days!*****

Leave a comment on that post and maybe you could be the lucky winner of one of seven doorprizes.

Words to live by....