Allowing Nature To Have Her Say

I've had a few emails inquiring if I am okay since I haven't blogged much lately.

I want to say "Oh yes, I am fine!" but truth is -

I'm not.

I've got a bad case of the winter blahs...I'm ready to be playing around outside, aren't you?

I did go on a short bike ride (about 18 miles) with my husband this week.

I also went sledding with him and a few friends (and family members) in the great snow that we had.
And wasn't it wonderful to see 8-10 inches of snow in upstate SC??
I loved it!

I've been reading a lot (mostly in my Kindle).

Watching movies.

Moving supplies around on my studio table.

Looking at patterns (apparel!).
I am going to try to stitch up a few pieces of clothing.
I haven't sewn apparel in years (with the exception of fingerless gloves and scarves) and am itching to get started. I thought that I would start with a simple knit tee shirt.

What I would LOVE to have is a sewing group to bounce questions off of...
Any takers?
Maybe I'll search for one or create my own.
Email me (or comment below) if you're interested in being a part of a group like that.
It would be so much fun to sew the same thing together!

I must say that just jumped out of my fingers onto the "page". I never intended to broach that but now that it's out there- it sounds good.

I have done a little tiny bit of art work...teeny tiny bit for sure.
I've created a sample book for a project that I am putting off doing.

You can also see the turtle shell full of buttons
that I made from shed deer antlers.
Oh, and the sample (duct tape) book.

Yep, that same project that I have written about before.
I have completed reinforcing the spine of the signatures and punched the stitching holes.

I figured out the closure and I LOVE it! I can't wait to see if it is going to work the way I hope it does.
I've got the cover completed and just need to tweak one little thing before I attach it (after the signatures are in).

Tonight (or tomorrow) I am going to stitch the signatures in.
I am, I promise!

Here's a sampling of the pages just waiting to go in.

Here's a peek or two of the rusty threads, fiber, and cloth on the cover.
The cloth that is not rusted is naturally dyed.

I've allowed Nature to have her say on this one.

There you have it - a quick synopsis of the past few weeks.
Without all of the hot tea, coffee and chocolate of course...

Pen, Paper and Ligers

My husband and I drove to Nashville TN this past weekend for the NCAA Umpire Clinic.

He is a college baseball umpire.

I had several hours of riding time to entertain myself (as well as my sweetie!).

I have thought about the "Sketchbook Challenge" quite a bit the last couple of weeks.

Thinking of this month's theme by Jill Berry.

"Highly Prized".

Even though my family is my most highly prized treasure,

I was trying to think of other things that were highly prized.

One of the things we humans tend to prize is animals.

Both domestic and wild.

My thoughts ran to the big cats.

Those big, beautiful cats.

I love to watch them on television.

Read about them.

Look at pictures of them.

So, one of the things that I am drawing in my sketchbook is a Big Cat.

And, in true Callie (my nickname) fashion-

It's probably not going to be a traditional looking lion or tiger but, well, maybe a liger.

Below is the basic drawing that I started with.

Now, notice that it's a very simple little sketch or drawing.

No details, just plain. This is exactly how I begin all my drawings.

Very simple with clean lines.

I begin adding details, dots and lines that appear rather random.

I often use dots as a method to shade. My son (who is an awesome artist) uses a lot of cross hatching. He says that it covers more space and is much quicker than my beloved little dot.

I'm sure he is right, but I sure do love the dot, dot, dot...

Look below to see half of my drawing all detailed.

All tricked out.

Just for comparison sake, here is the entire page of the sketchbook. I've left space at the top of the page to do more drawing or to write...

maybe I'll finish the entire drawing...

maybe not.

I have another post going up on the "Sketchbook Challenge" tomorrow.

Be sure and check in at the site everyday!

We have another artist interview up today.

Cas Holmes, author of "The Found Object in Textile Art".

I don't have her book but am planning on checking it out after reading the interview.

I hope that you all are doing well.

We're back home (Piedmont SC) with about 7 inches of fluffy snow.

Southern Snow and a new project

Well, here in upstate South Carolina it doesn't snow very much.
We get so excited when it does snow - like right now!
It's been snowing for a couple of hours and beginning to accumulate on things.
The weathermen are suggesting 2-4 inches but I guess we'll see, huh?


While I was watching for the snow to begin - I mean while I was going about my duties at home- I started a new journal project.
I just love making books, especially journals!
I used an old plastic file folder as the base of this new shabby rust journal.



I had signed up for Mary Ann Moss's class "Remains of the Day" a while back
and just never had (or took) the chance to make my journal cover.
I decided to avoid all the other things I need to be doing and make it now.
I pulled out all of my yummy rusty bits and started cutting into them.
I used a wide piece of crocheted trim that I made several years ago
(and rusted last year) as the trim for the front of my cover.
I love the colors of the rust.
So natural looking.




I will begin sewing in my signatures tonight or tomorrow.
I might add a few more bits and pieces of "stuff" on the pages before I sew them in.
I'll try to remember to take pictures of the pages.
I hope that you all have a creative weekend.
Remember to Feed Your Muse.