It’s time for creating Christmas cards again.  I’m really behind on that this year.  Usually the ideas start coming in July or August and the creating process begins in the fall.  Yet here it is December and I’ve only just begun.

These cards were inspired early but I didn’t get around to making them until just recently.  Seems that the church was discarding the old hymnals and getting new ones.  There was no way I could let them go into the trash so every time I could I’d take more books home or find someone who might enjoy having one.   It wasn’t until I started playing with the walnut inks to make my Jersey Angel  costume  that I got the inspiration to venture away from fabric and try walnut inks on paper. 

Walnut inks are fun but very messy.  So I took the Christmas hymns from one of the books, applied the walnut inks with a paintbrush, then attached them to tags that I cut to size. The thin paper of the hymnals worked well as the different colored inks blended together and created a cool effect.    The hardest part was waiting for the walnut ink to dry – patience is not one of my strong points – hehehe!   It was great to see how the whole project came together and I was pleased with how they turned out.  There will never be 2 exactly the same – that is for sure! 

Here is the link for my Jersey Angel  blog   http://www.leafpile.org/blog/2008/10/28/the-wind-beneath-my-wings/   

Many thanks to everyone who battled the weather to come out to the Handmade Faire.  The wind and rain were just not cooperating.  The morning started out great with just a bit of rain but as time went by the wind kicked up until we were holding down our tents and keeping things from blowing away as best we could.  Still a few things got blown in the muddy lakes that began to form around my tent.  At one point the wind had seemed to calm down.  I got busy trying to gather my creations that were in harm’s way.  Just then a gust came along and my tent went over knocking me in the back in the process.  Oh my!   I suppose there are not enough trees on an airfield to break the wind.   

So this angel was nearly blown away.  I was the JERSEY ANGEL – arch nemisis of the Jersey Devil.  Here is a photo of the makings of my costume.

My wings were made from a recycled cardboard box.  I had gathered acorns and small pinecones to attach to my halo.  My halo was made from a baseball cap painted silver with wire attached to my curly willow halo.  I attached the acorns and pinecones with a hot glue gun.  I found this set of sheets at a local discount store since I didn’t want to spend too much.  The top sheet worked perfect with a hole cut in the center and the edges stitched down.  Then I used the light box to transfer my Jersey Angel logo.  I painted it with walnut ink.  This was not a good idea since walnut ink does not stay right where you put it.  So colors ran together.  But it kind of looked cool anyway even after the rain reactivated the walnut ink and I got a blotchy effect.  So here is the only photo I have of me in my costume…

You can’t see my wings too good but they were tied around my arms with crochet cotten.  It was funny bumping into everything and everyone with my wings.   Towards the end of the day I had to take off the wings cause they were picking up the wind.  It was hard enough to keep me and the tent on the ground.  It must have been a funny looking sight.  Thankfully everyone around me was in the same situation and didn’t have time to take photos!

Before I made my costume I drew the Jersey Angel and made her into an ATC (artist trading card).    The design has been copyrighted to Little Pieces by Holly Doyle and I am hopefull she will catch on.   I thought it would be a good idea to put a little focus on the angels in New Jersey.  She was fun to dream up and design.   Let me know if you make ATC’s and want to trade!

Last but not least….   This is Abbie.  Her vision and willingness to try something new and different helped to make the Handmade Faire a big event and not at all typical.  Here she is dressed as the Handmade Witch.   Everything about her costume was handmade including the basket, broom, hat and her own t-shirt with the handmade logo.   Her MIL who helped to put things together, Pola, was there dressed as an elf.  I wish I had her picture so you could see her cute hat and elf shoes.

Even with the weather it was estimated that about 1400 shoppers attended the Handmade Faire.   After packing up my stuff I enjoyed browsing the tables inside the big tent and purchased a few handmade things for myself.   Despite the obstacles I had a great day, kept my sense of humor, and hung in there as best I could.  There are alot of reasons to promote things that are handmade and I was glad to be a part of an event that helps to do just that!