Art is You

Exciting announcement from the Art Is You team! WIN BACK YOUR REGISTRATION! - Anyone who has already registered and anyone who registers from now until midnight on January 31st will go into a draw to win back their complete registration. Don't waste another minute - secure your place today.

http://www.art-is-you.com/mysitecaddy/site3/index.htm

Just Another Sunset

The view overlooking the hills and out over the Pacific.



I have a lot to catch up with here but it will still be another day or two before I'm caught up enough. I had to sneak in though and share the sunset pictures with you. We have had absolutely fabulous, in the 70's, sunshiny weather. The sunsets are the best here in the winter.




Here I caught the sky reflecting in the windows of the doors.

Two Views of the Pacific Ocean

This was the view from my home this evening as I set outside watching the sunset over the Pacific.

But for the last ten days I was looking at this same Ocean from the shores of Kauai.




Visiting the black swans and koi at the Hyatt.





Gazing at the view from the condo window.





Saying farewell until the next time.





Now I'm home and even though January is not yet over I am having to plan the rest of the year...... where I'll be teaching, vending, visiting friends and family, and when I get to stay home.

Two New Class Proposals~ Flowers and Felt Wrist Wraps

Here is an update of what I've been working on. All those rainy days I was trying to create. It took me a little longer than usual but I have designed samples for two new classes I will be applying to teach. I have recently submitted these to a retreat in SoCal and should hear back from them within the month.

The new classes are titled "Wayward Blooms" and "Wayward Wrist Wraps". Keeping in mind that my line title is "Wayward Threads" I thought it appropriate to carry that title forward.

The blooms are hand dyed and hand sewn, no machine involved. The fabrics I dye and tea stain make these unique to other flowers you see. While they are sturdy and wearable they still have a wayward air to them. They are fun to create and there is no "proper" way they get sewn or created. This makes it much more fun! Create as you go and not confined to feeling like you have to have fine millinery skills to make these.






The Wayward Wrist Wraps are of the same mentality (wayward that is) because the end result can't be completely planned . The silk and laces are laid flat as a base with the wool on top. As the pieces are turned into felt and fulled, the shrinkage creates the gathering like magic. I like projects that give me an element of surprise. After making the felt wrap I embellish with vintage buttons, crochet lace bits, and use a hand dyed cord or ribbon to wrap as a closure.



I would love for you to leave a comment as to wether these classes appeal to you or not.

Thanks!

Winter Light

My friend Nina sent me this lovely glass acorn ornament. She told me to hang it where it will reflect the winter light. I thought about that ........ the winter light. The shades of these winter days has been mute, rain and fog blur the landscape and I find myself becoming melancholy after days and days of no sunshine. This is what those days look like.





I take to heart what Nina said and I begin to look into the reflection of the light, shining off the raindrops in the trees and how the sky and trees reflect in the puddles.







Then this morning the sun is shining brightly and I feel my spirits lifting. An omen of a bright new year.