Christmas Decorating

tree all lit up

Arrived home from Kauai on Monday night.  Yesterday the weather here was unbelievably warm.  I was wearing a tank top and felt like maybe I was still on island!

I decided I wanted to have a little Christmas decoration so I got my son Tony and we scouted the property for a tree to cut down.  Knowing that we have no plans for a Christmas celebration at our house and that my oldest son won't be coming home we chose a funny little tree instead of a towering one.  I only brought out one string of lights and a few ornaments.  We stuck the tree in a pot full of dirt and set it on the fireplace ledge.  We have something to put the few wrapped presents under but this is the extent of decorating this year.  Just a "charlie brown" tree.

the unlit version

If you want to see some beautifully decorated homes visit here or here or many other creative decorators blogs.

HAPPY HOLDAYS!

Bittersweet Visit to Kauai

Michael and I have been on Island since Dec. 4th and while the weather has been downright balmy and perfect the visit has been a bit sad for me too.  After our arrival we learned a dear friend was not doing so well.  We were able to visit with her and talked about old times and laughed a lot. Her mind was still so very sharp but her body frail.  On Saturday she left us.  I've not cried because I know Bea would hate it if we cried.  She always said death should not be a sad occasion, it's just part of life and you let it go.  So goodbye my dear friend.  xo

Another sad point to this visit is that we sold our condo.  After coming here for ten years I feel like I'm losing a part of me, a second home.  BUT I know, I know, my life is blessed and while this is by no means a hardship it was still special to me and now I have to turn the page ..............

I've sorted through my belongings I had here, piling what to donate, what to gift, and what to keep.  In between I'm taking walks, swimming, lounging, and visiting this place.  I've been collecting flowers, leaves, and pods and dyeing fabric samples.  I am so interested in seeing what the local area I collect from has to offer in dyestuffs and experimenting with the botanicals to see what works!  It's always the surprise that keeps me intrigued.

I have pondered creating another workshop here on Kauai after doing one with DJ Pettitt a few years back but things kept coming up to prevent me from organizing and following through.  On this trip I have a much firmer idea of what this should be and a special place I'd like to plan this retreat at.  I have a few instructors in mind who might want to join me so when I get closer to finalizing plans I'll be back with info.  But who wouldn't want to go to Kauai for an art retreat?

Botanical Dye Printing

Autumn is here and there and everywhere and in my travels I have been collecting leaves and blossoms.  I've pressed these between book pages, phonebooks, and even made a leaf press using corrugated cardboard, duct tape and muslin strips as ties.

It's been lovely weather to take walks and gather leaves. I take off with my bag and come back with it full and then the chores begin.  Soaking walnuts to make dye, placing the leaves of walnut and eucalyptus and blossoms of salvia and roses between pages.

I left out several piles of botanicals to dye fabrics and for the last several days have done just that.  Of course the last photos are of fabric wrapped on copper, not a botanical but spritzed with vinegar and water the copper will leave a beautiful verdigris!

Tucson Bead Show 2014

I am part of the Tucson Bead Show again in February.  "The Tucson Bead Show is an annual showcasing of bead design –beautiful, artistic, handmade, original bead design, numerous, limited edition and one-of-a-kind products such as hand-printed textiles, vintage buttons, handsewn clothing, art couture, as well as jewelry supplies." 

The show is at the Windmill Inn at St. Stephens Plaza, a fabulous venue in a charming shopping area. 

Anna Johnson, the promotor of the Tucson Bead Show and To Bead True Blue (where Susan Lenart Kasmer and Ice Resin will be teaching and showing), also promotes other shows such as the Pasadena Bead and Design show.  She began adding the "design" part to include other artists that don't just bead. While most of the venues at Tucson Bead Show have vendors selling beads (duh?), bead supplies, jewelry, and anything to do with beading, I am an artist who offers classes and items that "aren't just beads". I hope this appeals to the attendees of the Bead show and that they come to visit me, see what I have to offer, and even take a class or two.

I will have my "wayward threads" upcycled, wearable garments and accessories along with hand dyed scarves and ribbon, nuno felted items, and much more!  

AND I am so happy and proud that Pamela Huntington has agreed to join me.  Her work is wonderfully romantic, chic, and whimsical.  

Check out my event page for more info and links.  

Home for a While

I arrived home from my trip to Missouri on Monday evening.  I have been slowly unpacking and reorganizing since I've been home.

Just listed some ribbon on my Etsy shop and will have more this weekend.  I'll also begin listing some of my upcycled clothing but have to take the photos and do the write ups so it could be a week or more before I get that done.  For now I'm home and have a lot of ideas for garments and projects I want to create.

My next big show will be in February at the Tucson Bead Show.  Pamela Huntington will be joining me for six days at the Windmill Inn where we will be teaching small classes and selling our work.  I have just sent the promoter all our info so when that gets posted I'll be back to list the information here on my blog and on my event page.  Some really fun and cool project classes I'm very excited about!  Here's a peek with more to follow in next post.

Weavers Guild of St. Louis Annual Show

I've been in Missouri since Thursday visiting my parents and seeing old friends and the place I grew up so many years ago.  Today I'm leaving Poplar Bluff and driving to St. Louis where I'll be participating in the Weavers' Guild annual show.  This will be my 12th year (I think) to do this show.  It doesn't seem like it's been that many years.

If you live in the area I encourage you to come see all the wonderful creations the talented guild members will have for sale.  Click here for all the info.

Art Is You - Three Speckled Hens - Santa Barbara and Flying

Art Is You Petaluma was another wonderful experience of meeting up with old friends, teaching how to repurpose garments into a fun and arty new one, meeting new friends, and vending.  It always seems like such a whirlwind as we try to connect with so many likeminded people in such a short time.  I was so happy my sister Jan was able to join me and was such a big help too!

Here are some of the garments being created in my "Reconstructed, Upcycled, and Wearable!" class.

Getting together on vendor night!

and after

I was home for a few days and then took off to Paso Robles to meet Riki Schumacher at Three Speckled Hens while Michael played golf with friends.  I still get nervous flying in that small plane but I do it anyway.  So nice to get places faster!

At the end of the day we flew on to Santa Barbara to spend the night with cousins.  Marvelous dinner at The Palace Grill!  

Flying home the next day.

Fire near the Watsonville airport where we refueled.

Home

Art Is You Petaluma!

Future garment in the process

For those who don't know I'm teaching at Art Is You in Petaluma it's fast approaching.  There are a few openings left in my class if you're interested in reconstructing a garment from unloved shirts., BUT the DEADLINE is September 12th! Go here for more info. on my class and then check out others too.   For those who can't take the class but live in the area you should consider coming to vendor day!  So many fabulous items to see and purchase.  Go here for more information about Art Trunk vendor show.  And if you show up please stop by my space and say hello!

I've been posting garments on my FaceBook page but for those who don't do FB here are some garments I've been recreating to sell on vendor day.

 This garment I'm working on.  The skirt is brown corduroy.  I pinned some trim I get from Giselle Shepatin and the colors work great but not sure it's the trim I want to use.  I'll try some different crochet lace trims, maybe a silk sash that ties in back, or perhaps some metallic lace pieces.  What do you envision?

Hope to see you in Petaluma!