Christmas Trees and Book Pages!

Hello all!  Huge thank yous to the people in Glendale Heights and the staff at the Glenside Public Library.  The How-to-Fest on Saturday was fantastic and I truly enjoyed meeting everyone.

A bit late but I want to also thank the attendees at the Handmade Journal Class at the Lisle Library last Tuesday.  I know I had a great time (hope you did too) and was completely inspired by your creativity.  The journals turned out great.  No photos --- at least I didn't take any but the library did so I'm hoping to see some posted on their site in the coming month.  I know I have to get better at remembering to take photos!

BUT the great news is that on 4 December I'll be back in Lisle teaching Book Page Christmas trees! Here is my little red and white version.  Enjoy!  Isn't it adorable?

Time Grew Wings...

The summer has gone by so quickly.  I've been reminded how much life can change in a single blink of an eye.  In late May, I lost a dear friend and colleague to a scuba diving accident.  The blow to my soul cannot be described.  I've tried.  All the clichés come to mind:  "She was doing what she loved"; "She went quickly"; etc.  She lived life fully and didn't dwell on the negative for long.  She inspired all she encountered. She'll be missed.

As life carried on around me, 7 weeks later I was laid off from my company after 24 years.  A huge blow but as I examined my feelings about it, not as big a blow as I thought it would be.  What does that mean for me now?  Well, I'm taking time to take a few deep breathes and meditate on my next steps.  I am certain that creating and teaching will be front and center in my world.  The path that will take is another thing though.  That is what I will be pondering in the next few weeks or months. 

As my friend would say, move through it, take a deep breath and be open to all options.  Deborah, I will! 

Stay tuned, as I will be sharing the journey, the creativity, and the stages of my next adventures.  

Twisted Fiber Studio is on Facebook!

It took long enough, didn't it?  This week Twisted Fiber Studio moved onto Facebook.  Check us out and like us at https://www.facebook.com/twistedfiberstudio

I won't be neglecting the blog but will be posting regularly on the facebook page. 

Thanks and see you there.

Shari

Monarch Festival - Great time!

Thank you to all of the people that stopped by the TFS table today to learn more about our classes and pick up a few trinkets and journals.  We had a great time, heard some fantastic music and enjoyed being part of it.   

We talked to some great people, promoting our group classes and party activities.  Remember if you are holding a party for friends, a special occasion or a birthday party for the kids, we can organize an art activity for your event.  Do you need a location for the event?  We can help with that too.  Send an email to sharilynn@twistedfiberstudio.com

The weather, while clouded over, was cooler with some gusting winds.  Thanks to my husband who helped me all day long at the booth! 

Monarch Festival in Waukegan

Twisted Fiber Studio will be at the Monarch Festival -- our first time -- advertising our classes and selling some of our wares.  Come visit us on Sunday 8 September from 1-4pm across the street from the library at the corner of Clayton and County in Waukegan, IL!

Hope to see you there.

 

Travels and Inspiration

In late July, my husband and I visited Scotland for a week.  We did it in style, business class travel and rented a luxury apartment (VERY NICE). Yes, of course, we thoroughly enjoyed every minute.  Scotland is part of my history and genealogy, as both sides of the family come from Scotland.  Some not so recently i.e. before the US was a country and some in the late 1800's.  Oddly with hundreds of years since that migration and generations and such, my affinity for all things Scottish is ingrained.  To be perfectly honest anything English too.  I found myself spending time looking at things from a different viewpoint than before - more artistic.  I've always loved the work of Charles Rennie MacIntosh (architect, artist, risk taker).  The Glasgow School of Art was a great showcase of his work and inspiration.  And up a VERY STEEP hill, as was much of Scotland.  We got a workout for sure.  Our friends joined us for the weekend -- such fun and joy to spend time with them. So much inspiration and peace came from this trip.  You'll see...

Architectural detail at the Merchant Market in Glasgow

More incredible architectural detail at the Merchant Market in Glasgow

Loch Ness -- the clouds are so low!

Doodle art

Recently, doodling became a way of letting go. First I made a background.  Pick whatever colors I wanted, you say?  Okay.  I will and did.  But then it sat on my desk for two months.  I wasn't sure what I wanted it to look like or show or say or ...

You all know what I mean.

 

Last week lots of things went on at work that were so tragic and overwhelming I had to find a way besides journaling to release some tension, stress and grief.  I checked in on my favorite doodle master, Dawn Sokol Devries, via her website (http://www.dblogala.com/) and her books for inspiration.  The results of that time are below.  Although not as skilled as Dawn, I really enjoyed it.  I struggle with the letting go.  Give me a blank page to draw on and it remains a blank page.  I can copy anything I see (to a certain degree) but original drawings sometimes are a struggle.  But I'm very pleased with these doodles so far.

 

Try it!

 

Simple String Backpack Tutorial

Recently I got on a kick of sewing little backpacks.  First one for me and then I thought of all of the people in my life and all of the fabric I have in my stash.  So....guess what I did...Yes, made five more.  They were mother's day gifts for my mother, sister, niece and best college friend.  I got to keep two for myself!  Yay!  The lovely brown and white floral below as well as a royal blue canvas backpack. 

What I did was adapt several tutorials and ended up with the following:

1.  Cut two 18" wide x 1.25 yards long.  Sew them right sides together; turn and press. 
2.  Fold the fabric in half with the outside fabric well on the outside; press along the fold. 
3.  Cut two fusible web squares (2" square). Insert them in between the two fabrics and place one on each side (internally) close to fold.  These will stabilize the grommets.  Iron in place.
4.  Fold the raw edges down 1/2" and press.  Fold that same edge down 1.5" and press.  This makes the pocket for the cords. 
5.  Stitch the pockets in place.  THEN match up the pockets and stitch the sides from bottom to just below the pockets. 
6.  Use your grommet maker or pliers to add a grommet to both corners of the drawstring bag. 
7.  Use rope, ribbon, drapery cording or whatever you want to make the drawstrings.  You'll need two (2) 3.5 yard pieces.  Thread one through one pocket and back through the other (u-shape) and then through the grommet on the side where the two ends are .  You can either tie it or stitch it.  Thread the 2nd cable through  the pockets in the OPPOSITE direction of the first one, then through the grommet on the side of the two ends.  Again either tie it or stitch it. 
8.  DONE!  It is now lined and washable and very easy to pack. 

a sweet little drawstring backpack...

Sunday is Journal Day!

At least for me and over 15 other people who have signed up for my journal making class at the Arlington Heights Memorial Library this Sunday (9 June) at 1:00pm.  We'll be making journals like...  this one or this one or something totally different! 

Check with the library to see if there are any empty slots!   We will also have a gallery setup to watch the class if you are so inclined.    Hope to see you there.

Spring is here and so are classes

Spring is here in the Chicago area. The trees are gorgeous with their little buds and flowers. Having all of the windows open allowing the breeze to sweep through the house and freshen everything up is one of my favorite things. Recently, though it's been about cleaning out drawers, closets and cabinets. I find I need less and want less as the clutter can be overwhelming and even restrictive. So many new ideas and ways to look at things are coming at me without that clutter. I look at everything and see potential for another piece of art -- a quilt, a wallhanging, a canvas, and a journal. Inspiration comes regularly and at unusual times. As spring continues and summer approaches I wonder what other ideas will come to me. What classes can I take that will either teach me a new technique or just be a chance to share creative time with other like minded artists? What classes can you take to do the same? What new idea could you do with friends or even at your children's parties?

Check out the link detailing the classes we offer. Please contact us at sharilynn@twistedfiberstudiodotcom.

Happy Spring!

 

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