52 Weeks Challenge – Week 7

I’m not sure where this week went, but with spring-like temperatures and snow that has melted away, it is a challenge not to be distracted by the weather. However, I am committed to working through the 52 Weeks Challenge, so in this 7th week of the challenge, I designed an adjustable head warmer that can also be worn as a neck warmer.  In fact, I finished four of them, but only one is pictured below. I am happy to report that—though I have not imposed this requirement upon  myself—I managed to complete this project without making a trip to the store for materials!

I also finished one other project, the evidence of which you’ll see at the top of this window. Thanks to Chauncey of emhGraphics. who designs my Etsy shop banners as well as the seasonal banners for this Web site, I shortened the name of my Web site to This Creative Journey. You can now get to my site by entering either http://www.judy-nolan.com or http://www.thiscreativejourney.com in your address bar.

My co-participants this week were busy, too. Kym of Fabric Fascination, who started the 52 Weeks Challenge, sewed a cute, personalized iPod touch pouch for her granddaughter. You can check it out here, as well as look at thumbnail photos from the other challenge participants.

Before I forget, I’d like to introduce you to three more members of our group, all of whom blog and/or sell handmade items somewhere on the Web.

Meet Melissa Lopez from North Carolina who is a fantastic paper crafter specializing in what she calls “shabby collage” and altered art. Melissa began scrapbooking in 2004 before she even knew she was scrapbooking, when her son was born prematurely and had to stay in the hospital for 2 months before coming home. While she waited for Ethan’s homecoming, she began making little books for friends and family, announcing her son’s arrival. Six years later, this stay-at-home mother of two finds herself selling beautiful paper crafted products in her Etsy shop, Whimsy Pics.  Melissa, who enjoys working with papers from My Mind’s Eye and Tim Holtz’ Lost & Found line, as well as 7 Gypsies printer trays, writes about her passion for paper crafting at her blog, My Whimsy Life.

Amy Willoughby, a jewelry artisan from my home state of Wisconsin, makes finely handcrafted wire-wrapped pieces that take my breath away. She works primarily with pure copper and sterling silver, fashioning intricate necklaces, rings, earrings and ear cuffs. Amy sells her work in her Etsy shop, Crafty Willows. She admits, however, that jewelry is not her only love. “I have always been incredibly excited about crafting in general,” she says, pointing out that she also enjoys sketching, painting, stained glass, beading, glass etching, ceramics, and knitting. You can follow her creative process at her blog, Little Bit Crafting, where she shares her completed projects, as well as her crafting experiments.

Vicki Dobbins is a quilter from Oklahoma whose love of color and texture are evident in her fabric creations. “I love to sew and quilt,” she says. “Vibrant color and textured fabrics are my weakness.” Vicki’s favorite working materials are cotton, chenille, ribbon and threads. This mother of five credits her own mother for inspiring her to become a skilled quilter.” She is the one who always supported me in all my creative endeavors,” she points out. “When I started quilting, [she was] the one I could turn to with all my questions. It is from her that I have had the courage to allow my creativity to flourish.” Vicki sells pillows and pillow covers in her Etsy shop, Quilted 2 Pieces. She writes about her works in progress, what inspires her, and moments of decision at her blog, Memories Through Quilting.

If you are still thinking about joining the 52 Weeks Challenge, please do. It is never too late!

© 2011 Judy Nolan. All rights reserved. Please note that the images in this post are owned by the artists and may not be used without permission.