I'm A Winner!

Look at what I won from Lyric Kinard's blog site. I put a comment on her blog site for a chance to win one of her ATC's.
I love her surface design on this ATC. I do believe that she has a book coming out in fall of this year. You can pre-order it here. I can't wait to get it as I love Lyric's colorful art quilts!

Happy Fourth of July!

Celebrate your freedom -
celebrate and give thanks to the brave men and women
that have given their lives so that we may live ours.


And don't carry fireworks in your pockets at a firework fight...

Creative Offerings

Here's a small (4" x 5") collage for the mixed media book that I am spending way too many hours on...but totally lovin' it! That is DJ Pettitt's image (from a cool postcard).
Hey, look at what I painted when I got home from Weaverville NC today! I had THE most wonderful day with three beautiful and talented women. It was a totally inspiring day! What about you?
What about a little Funky Chicken? Everybody needs a Funky Chicken in their life...
here's one just for you!

An Evening of Painting...

Or
"What I did while Mr. Wonderful was gone".
It was just too hot for me to travel with my handsome (and hard working) husband to a ballgame this evening so I stayed home instead and painted.
Well, I drew, then painted, then drew again.
I should just paint and then do my details...
why, that's too simple! I'd rather make it harder on myself, ya know?
I was going to keep these to myself but decided to put them out there in the universe and see what they bring home to me...
I started a "simple" little flower painting (no, really-it was going to be just a quick little painting...) to use in my book (the one that already has countless hours spent on it) (but that's okay - I love it!) and the next thing I knew it was getting dark outside, I missed lunch, dinner and the evening news...
Hmmm...It happened again - lost all track of time, oblivious to what is going on around me...
I'm sure that it happens to a lot of you too. It seems that it just goes with the territory - the life and mind of the artist. Or really any creative soul.
I love it, this getting so wrapped up in what you're doing that the outside world just...goes away...

So - here ya go two posts in one day! After an entire week of daily posting!
And more drawings, more painting to enjoy!
I hope that all of you have a great evening and a restful night of pleasant dreams.
Sleep well my friends.

vintage quilts, signature wraps and Blackberries

Well more seemingly unrelated items...except in my world.

Vintage Quilts...


I've posted a picture of a vintage quilt that I am honored to own.
My grandmother was a quilter, a doll doctor and maker of many many beautiful things. My mom only had three of the quilts that she made. Two of them were utilitarian quilts - made from scraps of old clothing and left over fabric. But warm. They served three generations of my family well. The last one is the one that I posted. It's a needle turn applique quilt that has a beautiful pattern on it. I'll try to get Mr. Wonderful to get a picture of the entire thing for me. But the close up is a small section of the beautiful Flower Tree pattern. I would be willing to bet that it was a pattern - as you can actually see the lines on the fabric around the pieces. Beautiful coordinating fabrics were used - pinks, yellows and a pale brown. There is even some hand embroidery on it. It is so old and worn that the actual quilting thread has disintegrated in spots! But not so worn that the stain from one child's misplaced cup of Kool-Aid hasn't faded...a testament to the staying power of Kool-Aid fabric dyeing! I never understood why anyone would allow a toddler, a cup of Kool-Aid and Grandma's vintage quilt in the same place...
Anyway, I love the quilt, stains and all, and am so glad that it found its way to my home.
I will cherish and use it well...

On to the Signature Wraps...

Last night I worked on another signature wrap. This time I used vintage muslin (from my grandmother's doll making stash), coffee stained lace for edging, scraps of meaningful fabric (from mom's doll dress fabric, romper I made for my son when he was a baby, lace from grandmother stash, vintage button, fabric printout from my buddy DJ and silk fabric from a new friend) and a few beads, baubles and other vintage ribbon. I spent hours trying this layout and then that one. I finally decided (or the fabric did) to go with the one in the picture. I will go back and add some other little bits of things as I happen upon them...

I also worked on the closure for the front of the book. I used scraps of rusted drapery material, piece of a vintage doily and tiny pearl beads. You see the round doily section? Right up under that is a grommet that I put in so that I can later add some ribbon or something to tie the whole thing together. The way I'm going, it's liable to be a big, fat Crazy Callie book...

Blackberries...

Big, fat, thornless blackberries to be exact...yum yum.

Bigger and fatter than a quarter (oh a bobbin too!)...did I mention the absence of those pesky thorns? Yep, wonderful.

But what will be more wonderful than that is the blackberry cobbler that I'm going to make as soon as I get enough of those babies!

And another wonderful thing - sharing them with friends that come by...

don't you wish you lived closer now?

Doodle Drawing class pictures and Chickadees

So now everyone is wondering what does doodle class pictures and a Chickadee have in common?
Well, nothing really except that I am talking about both today.
One of the women (thanks Sally!) from my class at Random Arts sent me some pictures that she took in class. So I am passing them on to you. There is one of a tree that I was drawing (upside down actually). I was demonstrating how I draw them all funky looking. And the other ones are of student work.
Didn't they do a great job!?
I am going to schedule another class in August - watch for sign ups!
Scroll down for the Black-capped Chickadee...

Ahhh...you found it! This is a painting that I did yesterday. I was working on the mixed media book from DJ's class and wanted a bird picture to go in it.

I have some from post card images (that DJ painted) that I could use but I wanted to put some of my own art work in the book...

so I found a decorated file folder that my friend Andi (thanks Andi!) gave me that had a cool looking picture of a bird on it.

I sketched it, painted it, scanned it and

wa-la!

Now I have a bird painting to use in my book!

I'll probably do some more painting today as I'd like to make this bird look a little better - more realistic that is.

I hope that everyone has a great day.

Remember to feed your creative spirit - draw, doodle, do whatever it is that makes you tick- just spend five little bitty minutes every day doing something creative and watch the difference it will make in your life!

Dream big folks then stand back and watch the Universe deliver!

Wire Wrapped Link- In Rust

I did a post a few days ago about a Bird's Nest that I made...I think I even made the comment that I really didn't need to learn another art form at this point...

Didn't I say that?

Well, I suppose that I am just not that strong...

I've stumbled upon this little thing called
"wire wrapping"
that totally has me in its grip...

I've fallen and fallen hard my friends -
I'd like to blame it on this lady, oh and her too...
But, hey, I was in therapy for years so I can be totally honest here and claim my own weaknesses (claim the blame...sorry, couldn't help it!)...
It is my fault.
I knew that I should have never touched that second piece of wire...
I should have just left that torn strip of rusty fabric on the table...
And definitely left the teeny tiny seed beads in their drawer...

But - I didn't.
And here is what has become of all of it...
in one nice little package...

Oh, the possibilities that I see...

Believe In Yourself Retreat

Last year I went to this retreat in Blowing Rock NC. It is a small retreat, only 50 creative souls allowed, that caters to my kind of tribe members.
It was the first such venue that I had gone to and was totally blown away. I found 50 other people, all in one place, that were just like me! well, close anyway! My husband was shuddering over that little comment...lol...
You should check it out here.
Here are some pictures from last year...look at that awesome project! The first years project was/is being shown in a special article in one of the popular mixed media art magazines..I'll post a link when it comes out. And I am sure that every year after that will eventually find it's way into the same type of publication.
Kristi Steiner and Susan Edmondson are the brain children of Believe. I totally love these creative women!
Click on the links, check out their art work and
go here.
Sign up - there is only about 10 spots left! This could be the year that you join our tribe.
Then you'll be like me, signing up year after year to go back and spend 3 awesome days in the mountains of Western NC, surrounded by God's country, good food, fine wine and Your Creative Tribe.

Bird Nest

One of the four day classes that I recently took in Alabama was with

Deryn Mentock - jewelry/wire artist extraordinaire.

We had painted a portrait on a canvas the day before (with DJ) and then she taught us some really cool techniques to make a wire wrap for it.
I have never worked with wire before (unless you count stringing a fence for horses...) so it was all new to me.
Deryn is a really good teacher - she is so patient. It really shows that she wants the students to understand and take new skills home with them.
I'd love to take another class with her - just what I need, huh?
Another hobby, another craft...
Anyway - here is my Bird Nest that I made last night!
Deryn gave us a tutorial on making the nest (go here - get yours).
It is so clear and easy to understand that even I could follow the directions by myself at home!
I added 3 little pearl-like beads that she gave us ( I also bought some of the same color from her) in our classroom kit.
I haven't completely finished my beaded wire framework but I will soon. It's THIS close...

Class Time!

Yesterday was the first "Doodle Drawing" class at Random Arts.

What a blast!

The class was full with little room to spare...and everyone had a great time. I think they were all surprised at their art work - told ya that it wasn't difficult to do!

I took my camera but was so busy walking around soaking up the creative energy that I didn't take any pictures. A couple of the women said they would email me the pictures that they took so I hope to post some later. I was very impressed as I walked around - these ladies never looked back after they made that first mark on the paper...

The class was such a success that we're going to plan on offering another one soon. Keep an eye on my blog and Jane's for dates.

I love to help people create things - to learn new techniques and different ways of looking at the world around them.

I hope that I can share the journal pages that they created - with just a little prompting , just a little guidance - they were both shocked and surprised at how their pages turned out.

Now they can actually draw their own journal pages (or other art work) based on doodle designs!

It's interesting how meditative this type of drawing can be.

What I usually do is draw a bunch of pages (cause once you get going, it's hard to stop!). Then I paint a pile of them - that is just as fun too!

Then when the spirit moves me, I can grab a page and journal to my heart's desire.

I hope that you'll join me next time for this fun and super easy (no stress!) class!

Back from Alabama

Well, the classes with DJ Pettitt and Deryn Mentock were absolutely awesome! I really can't even begin to tell you all how much I enjoyed their classes. If you ever get the chance to take one of their classes, please do. Both DJ and Deryn are wonderful teachers, so patient and understanding.
I'll post some more pictures later but for now, the above picture is what I painted in the first class. I did the wire attachment but it's not quite finished so I'll post that later. But I do love the wire on it.
I had a blast while in Alabama -met some really awesome women, ate some delicious food and just generally had a fun time.
I sure did miss my family though! My husband and I usually go everywhere together so that was a little different for me. I did remember to tip everyone that I was supposed to at the hotel (my husband usually takes care of all of that).
I was invited to join a great group (Altered Art Diva's) while in Alabama. This is the group that Joyce Vance is a part of - the lady that organized the entire workshop. What a gal! She did a great job and I, for one, am so glad that she took this project on for all of us.
So, anyway, I am so pleased to have been ask to join their group. The women that I met in Alabama were SO much fun! They know how to have a great time for sure...
I got to spend some time with DJ, Deryn and Ronnie Grundset after class hours. We had lunch or dinner together almost every day. I really love to get to know people apart from the classroom. These are the kinds of relationships that I truly treasure and the relationships that will span the years.
I hope that all of you are having a good day - one filled with a creative spirit.
Enjoy each and every moment as if it were your last.
And show some love - be kind.
Reach out to your neighbor.
Treat everyone the same way that you would like to be treated -
the universe will bring it back to you...

Book Making

I have always practiced a variety of art techniques...love fiber, love paper, love paint, love fabric, love pens, watercolors...
you get the picture.
I wanted to be able to have ONE THING, one item, one object of art to use all the different techniques on.
I could make a wall hanging and use a lot of techniques...
but I couldn't really carry it around with me, adding to it - could I?
I could write on it but not really use it to journal on, could I?
I tried a lot of different things in my art life.
I think I have finally found the ONE THING
that I can carry around with me (to work on, or look at),
that I can easily teach others (because I adore sharing the joy that creating art brings),
that I can use just about every and any art technique that I know in it -

I have always loved books - especially hand made books.
Love the texture, the layers - the pure joy of the maker that is obvious in the feel of the book itself.
I love DJ Pettitt's books.
Oh my.
Love.Love. Love.
I have stalked her, um I mean followed her blog, her changing web site for awhile now...
That is one talented lady.
In two days (yikes!) just TWO MORE DAYS I am going to be sitting
in a classroom with a few other lucky women.
I'm going to be watching DJ create some magic with fabric, paper, paint and thread.
Oh look! I just mentioned all my favorite things, didn't I?
My new most favorite thing!
Book Making.
Mixed Media Books.
I started taking classes from Sue Bleiweiss and love it!
I'll share a couple of pictures of what I've been up to (besides a studio re-do!) (more on this later) with paper, fabric, paint and thread.
The book signature with the painted faces on it?
Those images were painted by DJ.
She sent them to me as extra little treats when I ordered some stuff from her.
And this weekend?
I'm in Birmingham Alabama with one of the most talented women that I know of.

Go ahead, admit it...
you're just a teeny bit jealous, aren't you?

If you are - contact this lady -
join me in begging to get DJ a little closer to the east coast -
like in Saluda North Carolina.
I know there must be at least 200 of you out there
that would love to take some classes with DJ Pettitt.

True Love

Sistah Love that is...
I love it that we can help folks out even though they may not be in our hometown. KC Willis (you know from Lip Stick Ranch) is helping out her sistah, Joanna Pierotti.
Joanna's husband, Ron, has had a brain tumor removed recently. We can only imagine the costs involved with this surgery and recovery. No insurance, not a lot of money but a whole lotta love for these special people!
KC is donating HALF of her on line class fees and HALF of the money received from the sale of her art work to the fund to help Joanna and Ron.
HALF!
Let's show some e-love here, let's help a fellow artist and her wonderful husband. Buy some KC art, take a class -
show some LOVE.

National Drawing Day

I didn't know this until yesterday, but today is National Drawing Day.
You all know that I love to draw so won't you join me in not only celebrating
but promoting this important day.
Click on this link and see what it's all about.

New Classes Scheduled

Well, Jane Powell (Random Arts) and I sat down yesterday and finally scheduled a couple more classes. Check the side bar for dates and links to her workshop site.
I did want to post some additional info about the classes.
The "Doodle Drawing" class is going to be so much fun! You can scroll back through my blog for pictures of various doodle journal pages that I'll be sharing. And I'll be teaching some of my "secrets" to drawing...it's fast, it's easy and it's fun.
We will be covering some ideas about finding inspiration - I promise, you will never look at things the same way again after this class!
We will cover the one thing that strikes fear in the heart of every artist - the dreaded "Blank Page Syndrome". I'll show you how to successfully get right over that...
We'll cover some techniques on coloring your drawings as well as putting all of it together in journal form (we won't be making a journal in this class- just ideas & examples of journals).

Now, to the fiber fix class..."Her Awakening" is a rust media wall hanging.
A true mixed media fiber piece, so if you've been wanting to dip your toe in the mixed media fiber art pond - this is your class.
Super easy - do not allow the use of a sewing machine to scare you away from this class!
It's best if you CAN"T sew a straight line in this class.
The price includes a kit.
In the kit you will find almost everything you need to make the wall hanging! All you need to bring is a sewing machine (I'll have mine to share), needles, thread,and a piece of black felt.
How's that for easy? Between myself and Jane, we'll have everything else you need! Even the transfer for the face! Of course, you can always draw your own...
So - there you have it.
Check out my class schedule - I've got a couple of "demo dates" posted as well.
Good price (free) and great value!

I went to the June meeting yesterday of the Fiber Art Alliance that I belong to. I'm going to try to do another blog post later about that. It is an awesome meeting at a very inspirational venue.
I took some pictures (we'll see if they turned out very good...) but will attempt to post them as well.
If you are a fiber artist (knitting, crochet, weaving, quilting, mixed media...) and you're close to Asheville you should really check us out. We meet the first Tuesday of the month at the Girl Scout Building. This month was a field trip for us. There are so many talented women in the group - and would welcome more!

Alabama Stitch Book

Have you ever heard of the Alabama Stitch Book? I found it at my local library last year and checked it out so many times that they ask me to purchase one...
well, not really (the purchase part) but I HAVE checked it out over and over and over...I just need to buy it I guess!
I love the book, I love Natalie Chanin's story and her awesome clothing designs.
I've done reverse applique in quilting before and love the textured look of it.
I love that you can take scraps of fabric, sew them together, cut out a few well placed holes and you get a totally new "look"...but I've never combined the quilting technique with regular cotton jersey (I always used cotton quilting fabric), button thread and a stencil pattern...
I'm always looking for projects that travel well...and I've found a new one!
I took one of the patterns (or I should say directions- I took the directions) from the book and gave it a run as a "travel project" and it worked wonderfully!
So, I am hooked on the technique now!
You should go out, get this awesome book, read Natalie Chanin's story and learn a few things about our friend cotton.
After that, you'll be as hooked as I am with the Alabama Chanin's approach to design and the Making of Clothing.
Here's what you're looking for - right here...
This is what I made - a reverse applique book cover.
I've added some random beading (see Mary Stori? I'm beginning to put them on Everything?!). Oh, and I'm not finished with the beading - I'm planning on adding the "fade beading" to every reverse applique opening on the front of the cover.
And here is the front cover-
And here is the back. My initial idea was to make a tee shirt but I decided to just do the book cover (journal cover actually!) instead. Wouldn't this color combination be a great Clemson Tiger fan gift?

OK- there you have it. My weekend fiber fix. That's what I did.

What about you?

Facebook

Well, I finally gave in and created a Facebook account...
I must admit it is much easier to communicate and stay in touch with all my online friends.
Won't you come on over and send me an invite here?
I'd love to have a gazillion friends come and visit me!

Does this mean that I am going to be Twittering in the future? Gee, I'm not sure about that...I already spend too much time on the computer as it is.

But I do have a question for my computer savvy friends...
Is there an easy way to learn Adobe Photoshop Elements 7?
One that doesn't include pulling my hair out and gnashing my teeth?
Oh, I sure do hope so! If you know of a good book, CD or class - please let me know.
I'm going back outside to transplant some more Purple Coneflowers, Wave Petunias, dahlias and help Mr. Wonderful (aka Farmer Sloan) with the vegetable garden planting.
Someones gotta supervise, right?

finito a meta'

Half finished? What do I mean by that?
Well, I think I'm finished with the painting of the painting
but I plan on doing so much more with the painting itself...
Maybe a mixed media fiber piece?
A nice vintage looking wall hanging?
Give me a few days to mull it over and I'm sure I will come up with something.
I've got to get better pictures so we can use this face in transparencies for Jane.
But for now, here she is.

Work In Progress

This is the drawing that I took to Paulette Insall class at the Inspired Retreat.
I want to work on the hair - not only the color (I thought a darker brown would be nice - especially those eyebrows!)but the entire "look" of it. I had to put a little gesso on it to cover up a, um, a little background problem...
I also do not like the lip color...anybody out there with some suggestions on that? I used the Caran D'ache crayons. I need another color. I feel that this one is too brassy or something...

I still have a lot of work on it but the important thing is that

I AM PAINTING!
I did use some of the techniques that I learned from Wyanne in her painting class.
They (Paulette & Wyanne) are both wonderful teachers.

The Vulture At Our Door

I have always hesitated to share the negative emotions that I journal about.
This past weekend when I was at the Inspired Retreat in NC, I had my journal there, sharing some of the pages with my friends. One page in particular seemed to strike a cord with almost everyone...
It was about insecurities.
I decided to share with everyone.
To show the vulture that sits on my fence from time to time.
It may be difficult to read so I am writing it below...

"There are days that the old insecurities just claim a presence in my head...
they scream for attention...
and stand in the doorway - patting their foot...
impatient with my ignoring them...
sometimes I give them the floor and watch them nip and bite at my heels.
They exhaust and fuel me at the same time.
Experience says to ignore them -
emotion demands that I hold and caress each one -
show my undying love and devotion to each and every issue -
my emotions are not reliable when it comes to my insecurities and doubts.
I must walk away...
I must Fly..."

So, go...
fly...

Journal Pages and Baseball Fields

Those of you that read my blog know that I love to draw my own journal pages.
I've been known to sit at baseball games and pull out my compact watercolors and paint. Don't you know that the little kids would love to come and paint with me? I'd let them actually...I figure that if they had the courage to ask, I'd give them paper paint and a brush in a skinny minute.
Anyway, here are a few new pages for your viewing pleasure.

I'll share my inspiration for the one below...
a baseball field. Yep, if you look closely, you'll see the images above the bird box closely resemble an outfield light post thing (whaddaya call that?). The flower beside is is an artistic interpretation of a baseball field - come on people!
Work with me here!
The leaf stem represents the space behind home plate (that's where my husband stands a lot!).
The top of the flower is spread out like the outfield shape - albeit a very loose interpretation.
That just goes to show you that no matter where you are, you can be inspired!
I have a drawing in my sketch book that I made when we were at the Citadel one weekend. It is totally based on the shapes at and around the ball park.
I have always looked at the world around me in a little different way (no snickers).
The micro world is much more interesting than the big picture.
One class I took last year (I think) was with Laura Cater Woods.
It's an online class, you should check out her schedule and get on the waiting list. You will really be able to find inspiration anywhere you go. Literally anywhere.

The shapes for the mushroom stems came from a picture that I took at a state rest area stop...

yep, the ferns were unfurling , shedding their winter coats. The gentle sway and swirl of the stems captivated me. The way that they appeared to be like young children fighting to get the best view- all arms and legs, pushing each other out of the way.

Don't you know people really wonder about us (Mr. Wonderful and I) when we stop in our tracks, practically lay down on the sidewalk for a picture...

at a rest area.

You know, I say let them wonder. I'd rather they join us as we realize the beauty in the little things around us.

Won't you?

Home Again, Home Again...

Art work by Carol Wingert

Everyone will recognise Paulette Insall beautiful girls!

I'm back from the Inspired Event in Concord, NC. Wow, what a great event!

I met some really awesome people, made some new friends and created a few pieces of wonderful art work. I'll try to finish them up soon (almost done!) and post some pictures.
I just need a few days to recuperate, unpack and then I'll get to work.

Be safe.
Be creative and remember to dream BIG.

Jane's Project

Those of you that keep up with my blog (and thank you!) know that I mentioned I was working on a project for my friend Jane Powell. You know Jane, right?

NO?!

She owns Random Arts in Saluda NC. If you are a mixed media artist, fiber artist, any kind of artist...you HAVE to go there. She has THE most wonderful and charming shop around.

Seriously, Jane carries products there that you can't get anywhere else around here. And if you want something that she doesn't have, most times all you have to do is ask and she will try to get them for you.

How cool is that?

Anyway, Jane has these neat little packs "Sweat Treats". They are ATC packs that have everything that you need to make several ATC's from one pack. She ask me to take a couple of packs and see what I could do with them. Oh, also a handful of trinkets, ribbons and a paper mache house.
Wow! What an great deal for me!

I painted, stained, drew, ironed, outlined, cut, shaped, glued, sanded...well you get the picture.
I ended up with a handful of ATC's, a rusty house and a quiltlet. The picture above is the quiltlet "Play".
See the bee on the flower? That's a real bee! My husband found it in the house and thought it would be a good addition. It looks so cool!
I'll try to add another post later with the house and other ATC's.
Right now, I'm finishing up packing and heading out the door to Concord NC. Going to the Inspired Artist Retreat. Four days of learning, teaching and having fun with like minded people.
I hope that you all have an inspired weekend!