Saturday, April 13, 2013

8 Days Later .......



I took off on a journey to Nashville that began with Art Is You vending.  Vending was good even though no one bought a cowgirl hat, they DID buy the hatbands, and no one bought any of the clothing, but I only took a few garments and sizing is always an issue, AND I did sell wrist wraps and scarves and I always appreciate how much buyers love what I make.

On Sat. night the Art Is You Team (Sallianne and Helen) arranged a dinner for us and shuttle buses to go downtown for Nashville's Art Crawl.  It was very fun to attend and I got to hang out with some very cool artist friends, Mary Beth, and two new friends, Julie (Julie right?  lol!) and Pam.  Of course Rice and Earl were there, and the Demeng's (Michael and Andrea, and Leighanna, and Sunny,  and so many more.  I cannot thank Brenda enough for supplying props for me to vend with!

The art ranged from wonderful local art to demos set up for the film festival that was going on ( did our picture with lifesize cutout of Han Solo get posted? I don't know) to a Bernie Taupin exhibit.  We heard Elton John had been there earlier in the day but we didn't catch a glimpse.  They were serving Grey Goose vodka as opposed to most galleries that might serve the cheap wine.  Interesting huh?  Guess it depends on who your backer is.

After that evening I trekked over to North Carolina and the Great Smokey Mnts. to visit Nina.  The weather was perfect, the fruit trees were in bloom and the others budding.  I had a bit of trouble finding my way as the maps kept sending me on back roads but I made it and got to drive through the Nantahala Gorge which is very lovely.  I arrived and was a little wound up so I talked Nina's ear off until we went to sleep.  The next day we journeyed into to town and had plans to make dinner but that afternoon she began to feel bad and by the next morning was getting worse.  I walked her dog Walter through the hills around her home and then we sat and stitched on her porch.  By nighttime she was still getting worse so the next day I could tell she wasn't getting better so we would not get to venture out as planned and I didn't want to stay and get that sickness so I drove back to Nashville.

Stayed at a B&B in historic Franklin, Tn.  Heard some live music that night from a young man, Pat Anderson.  He sang mostly covers but had a new CD out and sang a tune from it.  Very pleasant, and he has a great voice!

The next day I toured a historic home and took the tour to learn more about the civil war battle of Franklin, very interesting.  Then I walked around town, had some lunch, visited an antique store and the rain hit.  Lots of it.  I drove on up into Nashville and had plans to go out that evening to the Bluebird Cafe but the rain was so strong and low lying areas were flooding I talked myself into staying in and that was the end of my trip except for the flight home next day.

I do not know why I didn't take pictures.  I had my camera but I just wasn't inclined to take pictures.

Posted some ribbon on my Etsy shop this morning and now I have to go unpack and do some laundry.  The fun stuff.

Thursday, March 28, 2013

Thank You

Thank you Karen Valentine for recovering my page header for me!  If anyone out there needs a blog design or help starting one I highly recommend you contact Karen, she's the best!

Working away creating lots of goodies to take to Nashville!

Flowers ready to sew onto wide dupioni bias for hat/head bands, all hand dyed.



Hand dyed dupioni bias and chiffons flower wrist wraps




As soon as I get off this computer I'll be doing a lot of hand stitching to finish these.  It's an overcast, gray, sort of rainy day here so a good time to sit and stitch.

Monday, March 25, 2013

I Lost My "Pages" Header

In case you notice my "pages" header is missing.  I didn't really lose it I inadvertently deleted it.  I can't replace it as blogger says that gadget is already done.  So I'm waiting to get some help in fixing it so my pages are again linked up.  Technology is a wonderful thing right?

Friday, March 22, 2013

Top of My Work Table


The top of my work table is covered with dyed ribbon that has hand dyed chiffon flowers pinned on them and ready to stitch for hat/headbands and embellishments to add.

Taking these to Nashville to vend at Art Is You!



Thursday, March 14, 2013

Almost Ready for Nashville and North Carolina!

I have been home for 10 days since An Artful Journey happened.  If you remember I took Katie Kendrick's painting class.  I had never painted with mixed media and acrylics so the journey was a bit bumpy for me but I was pretty happy with my few paintings I finished.  Learned some good ways to let go and paint without trying hard to paint "correctly".  I don't have pics but perhaps soon I will find time to take some and post.

I got home and had to redirect my creativity back into my comfort zone of working with fabric and wearables.  I am designing a lot of new things for Art Is You Nashville to vend on Sat. April 6th.  I hope lots of people come by my booth to say hello.


Nuno felt wrist wraps, hand dyed ribbon, and cowgirl hats with bands and hand sewn flowers

Upcycled denim shirt with hand dyed doilies (can you see the rhinestones on the shirt?) and bib overalls with a vintage petticoat
After vending I am hoping to see a bit of Nashville since I've not been there.  On Sunday I will be driving to North Carolina to visit a dear friend for a few days.  I have been threatening to do this for years now and can hardly wait for the day to come!



Thursday, February 28, 2013

An Artful Journey Begins Today

I am off for a real, authentic, art retreat today.  I am taking Katie Kendrick's class "Nourishing the Creative Heart"  Three days of creating mixed media paintings.  I think I'm out of my box but this is what I need to do.  Explore my creativity and be among others who want to share an artful life.



I need to finish packing but am mostly ready.  I have my art supplies packed and just need to finishing packing my items for vendor night.

Here's a peek of some of my items I will have for sale.









Friday, February 15, 2013

Home from Tucson


I arrived home on Wed. late afternoon after being gone since Feb. 2.  It seems like such a longer time than that and I met so many people and met up with friends and relatives that I can't even begin to write it all down.

This show was a different type of show than I've ever done before so was very interesting and I am signed up to do it again next year.  I'll see how it goes.

 Part of the boutique set up with Joanna Peirotti's fabulous "Boho Tool Belt Aprons".  See me and Barb Montague Solem wearing them below.

Boutique set up


Nuno felt wrist wraps and flowers
I had wonderful students in my classes and know that some of them will become good friends!

laces I purchased from a vendor

Sorry I don't have time and energy to post more but I'll be back soon.
The End