Brrrrr...it's Cold Out There

In many parts of the US we are having a deep freeze.  Some of us are grateful for it.  Killing viruses and allergens is needed as is the snow blanketing the ground.  I say this because I've been sick the last 4 weeks with a virus and now an ear infection.  That said, I'm on the mend and anxious to get back to 100%.  It's been hard to concentrate on class development and art when constantly reaching for a tissue or sneezing. But the end of that for me is near.

So tonight while my husband finally succumbs to the virus, I am sitting down brainstorming details, ideas, and resources for my upcoming classes.

Stay healthy and warm everyone.

Summertime Fun!

How is your summer going?  What have you done so far this summer?  What does the rest of your summer hold?  Teaching classes and taking classes are my top activities for the next few months. 

In August, I am taking several classes at the Create Mixed Media Retreat sponsored by Cloth Paper Scissors Magazine in Lisle, IL.   This is the fifth year of the retreat and I've gone to all of them.  My best friend Sue and I do not miss this retreat.  In fact as soon as it finishes we are already looking forward to next year.  Check it out!  There are still classes available.  

In July and August, I am teaching over a dozen classes throughout the Chicagoland area (see schedule here). On August 1-3, the Midwest Fiber & Folk Art Festival will take place at the Lake County Fairgrounds, where I will teach the afternoon of August 1st.    

It is going to be a fantastic rest of the summer! Leave me a comment and let me know what fun your summer holds. 

Thought for today...

Friends come from so many walks of life and unexpected avenues. They stand witness to the changes in my life in the last 6 months that have been so personally challenging and rewarding.  Most of all their support and belief in me is truly humbling.  I am truly blessed for so much more than I can articulate here.

For the first time in my life I've been able to focus on my own path and enjoy where it is leading me.  Surprises along the way, and doubt too, but that's to be expected.  In any case, when I'm this introspective I get restless, seeking direction, I guess.

When this happens, my new habit is retreating to my art area and exploring a new idea, a new medium or an old one.

Last Saturday, with the frigid temperatures encouraging us to stay indoors, I pulled out my Ice Resin and the molds I'd already made in a class last August. No, I'd not touched it since then. The items that I'd made in that class were awaiting paint and play, trying out different combinations for brooches or even pendants.

Many ideas are rumbling around my head but the one that had to be made immediately is this brooch.  It blossomed into a class idea of making brooches or hair clips or even pendants from hand made resin pieces.  Of course it did.  

Life update

The holidays are done.  Been done. Immediately after the first of the year, I headed out on a 16 day business trip.  Home last weekend - tired but glad it went well.  Catching up at work and home kept me from blogging but not creating (see today's other blog entry).  

A trip, no matter what the reason, provides many opportunities for so much inspiration, introspection, and meditation.  On the plane, in your hotel room, on walks after work and more.  

I came home full of ideas for new art, new classes, and more.  Worth the time away in so many ways!

A different kind of painting

Well I'd love to say I've been quite creative but...this is the kind of painting I've been doing.

Painting shelves in our linen closet in preparation for the new closet doors that are being installed this week. 

I suppose I could have done some fun color but my husband isn't too keen on that one! 

I'm working on the more "fun" side -- promise! 

Where have I been, you ask?

Or maybe you don't? It's the middle of March and spring starts officially next week. It's almost 70 degrees today here -- and going into the high 70's tomorrow! It's March! It could still snow yet in this part of the US. But we're enjoying having the windows open and the fresh breezes.

To get back to what I've been doing..... Well experimenting with my POGO photo printer on a recent vacation to Sedona (just how red are those rocks?!). See below...

So that's being included in my art journaling and my regular journal! I have minor frustrations using it ... as I've forgotten how to do so each time and have to relearn it. Fortunately it is easy!

In addition I've been on the road for the day job 4 weeks of the last 9 and one week of vacation with the hubbie! Loved that time together but am glad to be home until the middle of April when I'm off again for three week on business! Can you say glamorous?

Rest assured creating is going on and on and on...

Where have I been?

If you ask me where I've been ...I'd say I don't have a good answer. Took a short vacation with my husband to San Antonio, Texas and hired a new employee at work (finally!). Of course I'm creating. Using my new journal, while finishing a quilt (the one made of the sorority t-shirts). I'll post pictures soon.

The weather has changed here in the midwest and it's definitely autumn here. Gorgeous sunsets with red and purple skies and a chill in the air. The nesting instinct is running high and I've been baking, cooking and cleaning!

I'll be back soon...

Tidbits

I mentioned in another posting about the new books I received. They are fabulous! I keep taking them to work in my briefcase to read over lunch. The one on zentangles is so much fun. The ideas are endless. I picture doing them in my journal and even on fabric then thread painting. Imagine!!!

Challenge 1 - I owe you photos. I finished mine but I know Susan has not had the time - too much to share!

Celebrations!

The birthday celebrations continued through the weekend. Such fun! Sushi dinner on Friday, Saturday was an outdoor concert with picnic featuring Sting on a beautiful summer weekend. We feared the heat but we were fortunate to have a lovely breeze and a gorgeous shade tree over us the entire evening. Sunday topped off the weekend with a new smart phone - the new Samsung Galaxy - with so many tools to allow me to do more online and remotely. I spent last night just figuring out its features.



In between work hours (lunch time) and evenings, I've been reading several incredible books that I mentioned in my prior entry. Stitch Alchemy from Kelli Perkins is amazing and so inspiring to jump up and try them all! I think I reread the pages using alcohol inks three times with mymind running ragged with ideas and uses and ideas and and ... overload achieved. So instead of rambling on, I'm signing off and going to try my hand on a couple of the ideas.

TIdbits

I don't have much to post today other than "It's my birthday" and it's been a fabulous day! I'm very lucky to have the family and friends that I do and of course my husband! I love you all!


Now about a little working on my various projects - I've done quite a bit but of course haven't posted pictures. Yet. I promise this weekend.

I've received (ordered) several related books that I can't wait to get to reading, including:

Mixed Media from Debbie Crane and Cheryl Prater
Stitch ALchemy from Kelli Perkins
Collage Journeys from Jane Davies
Zentangle Basics by Suzanne McNeill

Okay have to go read..... well not tonight... my birthday isn't over yet. :)

Musings...

Have to add that I'm noticing that my "art" is exploring new edges. I tend to like formulaic items and symmetry in my own art but admire "pushing the boundaries" in others. I'm looking at the mixed media techniques as my opportunity to think outside the box. Some outcomes will be "less than desirable" but no less a success than the inspired pieces.

New adventures await...

In August, the CREATE Retreat by Cloth Paper Scissors Magazine will take place in the Chicagoland area. Check out the website www.clothpaperscissors.com and click on CREATE Retreat. Yes we're already registered.

Deja Vu!

Okay where did we go? Where have we been? While I could say I have no idea, it wouldn't be fair or true.

Last month, the International Quilt Show in Chicago (Rosemont) was in town...did we go, you ask? DID WE! We were there every day and took classes and had a blast! We learned how to make tissue paper into fabric, use ink pens on fabric to draw and outline (correctly), and use scrapbooking techniques on quilts and other mediums. Mostly we just had a blast! Did we fit any shopping in, you ask? Of course we did! The bank isn't broken but it is minus a few dollars.

The best part of the show...the inspiration. We couldn't stop talking about it for over a week. I can't stop thinking about techniques and new projects. I had to go on a business trip immediately after, with long hours, a few days afterwards, took my creativity journal and added and added and added ideas.

One of the main things Susan and I took away was to challenge ourselves by taking turns creating a "kit" items that we have to make into something. One of our instructors does this monthly with a 10" block that can be made up of anything as part of a challenge with a friend of hers. They both travel constantly teaching worldwide but in their hotel rooms, they take time in their schedules to complete one monthly.

So I'm making our first kit. It's about 75% complete. I should be finishing it right now but at the "mortgage paying" job, it's performance appraisal time and I have five more to write. So instead of doing any of that I'm finishing laundry and letting you all know what we've been up to. We'll post the challenges as well as the original kit contents.

Back soon -- I promise!

P.S. It was my first wedding anniversary 10 days ago! I love you honey!

Where have I been and what have I been up to?

After delivering Jolie en Violette, the client let me know that the gift was well received and liked! They've found a perfect spot to hang it already. Yeah!

In the meantime, I've not been able to spend much time working but have spent time creating and figuring what I want to create next. Stay tuned... I haven't decided -- there are too many to choose from.

Oh and I have a little business trip all next week out of town (for the mortgage paying job) -- that may slow me down a bit or not! Time will tell.

Happy New Year!

2010 is here and I think I blinked 2009 away! The holidays bring lots of extra busy this year as my new husband and I blend our holiday plans and obligations, making it extraordinarily crazy and booked. We covered two states driving through rain, snow and ice. Ah the midwest, wouldn't you love to live here?

I have managed to get three scarves finished (photos posted tomorrow) and one more doll wallhanging almost finished and will be done by Monday for delivery. Photos coming on that one too. I promise.

2009 was a wonderful, blessed year with the culmination in our wedding in April and joining two families. Twisted Fiber Studios has become so much more integral to our daily lives. I know Sue and I work on some aspect of it every day and for that we are very grateful. It brings us joy and satisfaction. For those of you that are following us, thank you and a joyous 2010 is our wish for you.

The holidays are here!

Well, I don't know about any of you but I'm just now getting into the holiday spirit. I can't believe it is the 15th of December already. But I guess getting the head cold crud slowed me down. I do have a couple commissions. Some due by Christmas (yes Mom I'll make it) and some due by Valentine's Day. So busy is a relative term. I'm so glad that I am busy at home and at work.

Happy Holidays!