Alameda Flea Market Excursion

My friend Cindy had told me about the Alameda Flea Market that happens the first Sunday of each month but I hadn't gotten a chance to visit it until yesterday. I met Char and we took off to meet up with Cindy and Stephanie. I actually tried to back out as I had paperwork to prepare for the accountant (this means taxes, ugh!) but I am delighted I didn't give in to that drudgery and went to the flea market instead. It ended up being a beautiful day and I was successful in my finds.

But first let me share this with you: A while back my sister had sent me a link to someone's blog (I can't remember who it was or I would give them credit for this idea) who described herself as a flea market junkie and proceeded to post "the things I didn't buy". I thought this was hilarious so yesterday I decided to take some pics of the things I didn't buy. And here they are!

I did not buy the hat with the funny balls and plastic leaves on it nor the fake fruit ornamented with frosted sparkling sand.



I did not buy the iron boy fishing statue to adorn my yard.



I did not buy the sing-along dance machine even though I thought it was pretty cool!



I did not buy the fake furry jacket for fear that someone might think I was Yeti.



I did not buy the wood and metal flying duck plaque ensemble.



I did not buy any of these bird related items.






I did not buy this pink fuzzy poodle pad thingy.



I did not buy these giants concrete yard (?) ornaments.



I did not buy this gold flying woman statuette.



I did not buy this fake velvet lounge act jacket.



I did not buy these pajama pants made from old chenille bedspreads, but really now I wish I had as I bet they would be really comfy (much to my husband's dismay I'm sure).



I did not buy this chenille bedspread robe to go with the pajama pants.



And I did not buy this bunny on a stick decoration even though Easter is coming.



My next post I'll write about the things I did buy.

Dyed Silk Ribbons, Faux Writing & Etsy

I learned how to do "faux writing" on fabric in Lesley Riley's class in the 3 day retreat I attended recently. I was able to do this technique on a silk scarf that I was enamored with. I decided to try writing on some silk ribbons until I find time to do some more scarves. I was pleased with the effort so I'll share some photos with you.

I have a cork top table where I tacked the ribbon down to write on but found it was still better to adhere it to freezer paper first. I am actually writing words but I go so fast that it becomes illegible. It reminds me of old time writing with pen and ink, complete with splatters and bloops. I dialogue in my head as I go along so that when some words are actually legible they are real words. I think of sayings or song lyrics so the writing seems poetic.

I spent all day packaging, photoing, and listing some more dyed ribbons, just a few of them with the writing. I can't believe how long it takes to do all this! Please visit my Etsy shop and also leave a comment on what you think of these ribbons. I do appreciate knowing your thoughts.











This is a practice piece of habotai silk I dye painted and is a sample of what the scarves might look like.

New CD in the works

In 2006 my husband Michael and I had a CD produced of songs we wrote and sang. The band was Asylum's Way and you can still hear clips and purchase it at CD Baby. Michael has been working on a new CD of songs he wrote (except one of mine) and I am not participating on this one. I did however do the art design and layout for the cd. I had worked on it a bit before going to an Artful Journey but when I got home the deadline for me had been moved up so I diligently applied myself to get it finished. I had wanted to work in my studio but this took precedence so it will be next week before I get to create some more of the scarves with writing on them I learned in Lesley Riley's 3 day class. I'm am psyched to do this!!

This is a image of the cover of Michael's new CD which should be out April 1st. The photo is of the family farm in Wisconsin where are are planning to attend the 100 year anniversary in July.

From Big Sur to an Artful Journey to the Redwood Forest

It's been just over a week but I feel as if it's been months and at the same time hardly here at all. Last Tuesday a dear friend from North Carolina arrived and on Wed. we took off on the coast highway to Big Sur. After days of rainy, stormy weather the day cleared and we couldn't have asked for a bluer sky.



The winding road we took to the beach led us by a gentle stream and these amazing willow trees.


You've seen me post pictures of the garnet sand before but I am still drawn to the amazing pink and purple colors of it as we walk along.







There were many beach treasures along our path. Maybe you don't notice the shapes and colors of rocks, or the seaweed's beauty, or the tideline's bounty but I do.







We journeyed down the road to lunch at Nepenthe where the crows sat in trees like sentinels as we gazed at the expanse of the Pacific Ocean. It is a magical, calming place to visit.



On Thursday we scrambled to collect our supplies and clothing and items needed to begin the four day Artful Journey retreat at the Presentation Center off Bear Creek Rd. Nina was to teach and I would be a student. After we arrived I walked the grounds and took photos and payed attention to the bare trees as the class I was to take with Lesley Riley would have a tree theme to apply technique to fabric.

The trees from my room looking through the screen were stately in their bareness against the gray sky that would spit rain off and on the following couple of days.








I learned a lot in Lesley's class and was most surprised that I could write on fabric, a faux type of writing that looks scripted and very arty to apply to silk scarves. I met so many wonderful new friends (the Lori's spelled in various ways) and with the small intimate setting everyone walked around serenely with smiles on their faces. If you get a chance to attend one of these Artful Journey retreats I highly recommend it. I know registration is open for one to take place in July.



After the retreat I took Nina and Lesley to Henry Cowell State Park to walk the redwoods, then sushi for lunch and a trip to Anthropologie before we parted ways, Nina to leave early in the morning back to North Carolina and Lesley to part soon back to Virginia. I miss them already and will look forward to the next journey.