Goth Girl Gets Quilting

Goth girl has some color!

 

It's like the Manic Panic hair dye I used in highschool!

 

( I don't know why my dad didn't like my blue hair.)

 

 

I think I'll add some embroidery detail in those boxes.

 

XO

 

 

 

More Pages in the Works

More painting and sewing...

 

 

She's my little Goth girl.

 

Art Journal: In Paint & Stitches

Hello!

I have been inspired to do more art journaling since joining the meetup group in Indy. I like to sketch and doodle, but I usually don't love it. That is, until I start doodling and sketching with fabric and mixing things up.

So, I started a new fabric journal. This gal is painted with acrylics and stitched---had to dust off the free motion foot. Gonna need some more practice with that. But, that's the great thing about making things for me--- there can be some loose threads and funky harsh lines in what should be a swirl.

 

 

I'm going to take it to the journal group tomorrow and sew on some words and play with embroidery. We'll see where the book goes.

I love Craft Fairs!

The craft fair was so much fun!

 

My little table turned out nice and I had lovely neighbors, most of whom were doing their first craft fair too. I went in not knowing what would sell, how many people would turn out, how the whole experience would be,  and how I would do...but I had hopes. I feel like like those hopes were exceeded! I met so many wonderful people- customers and vendors alike. It was great to get feedback on my artwork and display.

The most wonderful part was hearing why people were buying any particular item. A woman bought one of my sketchbooks because she LOVES to make lists and wanted one place to keep them. I am crazy about making lists! I love to plan something just to make the lists! It made me happy to know the sketchbook would be a list keeper for someone!

A young woman stopped by and purchased several cards to send to her boyfriend, a Marine being deployed overseas soon. I love the idea of this heart card carrying romantic messages to her man.

 

I had so much fun making the cards and was glad that people seemed to enjoy them.

 

One of my dolls also found a home with a wonderful woman. There is something extra special about the dolls. Once I paint on a tiny face and give them a personality they become more than a "thing". I am always so happy when a doll goes to live with a new friend.

 

I am already looking into next year and what craft fairs I may do!

 

Thank you everyone for the well wishes and luck! xo

Off to the craft Fair...

Here I go!!

 

First Craft Fair.........so excited...I have butterflies!

 

I just tried to upload some photos of my cards and it appears my blog has hit it's max on photo storage. Has anyone else ever been here? I see there is a plan for about $2.50 a month...or can you delete old photos?

What have you all done?

 

Wish me luck!

Countdown to the Craft Fair

Hello!

I am getting so excited about this craft fair next month...just a few weeks to go and I am madly sewing, collaging, and organizing. I wanted to have more of my art quilt sketchbook covers-- so here's one I made today.

 

I had forgotten how fun these are to make!

 

I'd love to hear your stories and advice from doing craft fairs, too!...total newbie here!

New Found Opportunities in Indiana

I am so excited about selling some Christmas ornaments at a local shop in Franklin, IN. It's Middle Davids artisan candles, and the owner, Tauria, is so lovely to offer. Besides making delicious soy candles, they have several local artists selling there- beautiful pottery, baskets, handmade books, jewelry, and Tauria's weaving.

And, now, my ornaments too! Here are some I dropped off today.

 

 

Also, I have decided to do my first Craft Fair. Franklin has it one day ( Dec 1st) in a building downtown. It's only $20 for a booth. I will bring my items from the Etsy shop, and I better get making more! Planning on more ornaments, some cards, and art quilts.

 

Hope you all made it through the storm okay. I was thinking of you last night.

 

It's starting to come together...

My new Indiana home is coming together. Most importantly, the craft room is unpacked and usable! I have a big room here for it. In Washington, the guest room was doubling as a work space and my crafts seemed to be more in the living room, dining room, and all over!

It's not completely organized, but here are a few pics!

 

 

So many work spaces!

 

Got to work on mail art envelopes!

 

Here's the painting/ collage I bought at the auction in Olympia! It is called

"Woman" by Judy Cook!

I love it!

"Woman" by Judy Cook, Olympia, WA artist

 

More to come soon. I am still busy with all kinds of moving stuff. Also, the local shop owner I met when we were here for the interview, asked me to make Christmas ornaments to sell there. I am so excited...and busy sewing little quilted decorations. I'll post them soon.

 

Forgive me for not being a very good blog friend these days. I need to visit eveyone!

 

Antique Shopping in Indiana

I have already been hitting the antique shops around Shelbyville and Indianapolis. I have been wanting an old photo album forever- I have a project in mind- but the ones I see are normally so expensive. I found this purple velvet one in an antique mall in Indy. It also came with 3 tin types in it. I found some more tin types in Franklin the other day too. Being in between jobs, I probably shouldn't be buying these things.....but you know how it goes! And, who can pass up a $15 album.

 

Here are some of the finds!

 

 

 

 

We're getting settled into our new town. We are still waiting on our moving truck though. It should be here Saturday or Sunday. Until then, I'll enjoy checking out local shops and sights. Tomorrow, we may drive to some touristy towns, Nashville, Indiana and Columbus, Indiana. Everyone says they're really quaint and the fall colors are so nice right now.

 

XO

 

 

Tonight was the art show opening!

The art show at the Washington Center for Performing Arts opened tonight. My parents came to town for the event, too. We all went out for a nice dinner before and made an evening of it.

 

Here's me with my art quilts!

 

The auction helps support the Arts Center here in Olympia, WA. If you want to check out all the art, or bid,  go to www.biddingforgood.com/centerfest

 

 

What a fun night. Once I get settled in Indiana I'll have to look into doing more shows.

Only 3 more days before the movers come. Tonight was such a great way to say goodbye to Olympia.

 

One of the things I'll miss

I love all the different views of Mt Ranier I get in Western Washington, and especially the ones from an airplane taking off out of Seatac.

 

 

Good news though- we found a place to live! We're going to be in Shelbyville, IN. It is such a cute, small town about 20 miles from Indianapolis. I've been researching the community and it appears there are a lot of cool things happening there.  And, I must say, those Hoosiers are the nicest. I just got off the phone with my new landlord and she told me she put toilet tissue in the bathrooms for us. She also said she'd have "her guy" mow the lawn so it looks nice when we get there. I am not used to landlords trying to make things more comfortable for me.

 

The house here is a maze of boxes, and I think I've already done 3 trips to Goodwill. It's starting to come together, thanks, too, to my parents coming last weekend to help! My mom is like a professional mover in the dining room!

 

More updates soon.

 

 

 

Farewell Washington, Hello Indiana

That's right...........I am moving to Indiana!

We found out Friday that my husband got the job and it has been a whirlwind of planning and packing. The moving truck arrives on Sept. 25th. That leaves me a little over 2 weeks to have it all done. ( Just packing my craft room took a day and a half!)

I keep meaning to post, and had ideas of uploading pictures of things in Indiana, but, you know, I honestly have no time for uploading pictures. So, I thought I better at least type something and let you all know.

 

The big quest has been finding a place for the movers to take my stuff. I'm hoping to have one locked in tomorrow. ( fingers crossed. more on that if we get it)

 

We'll be living about 20 miles south of Indianapolis. I really liked that city- small and laid back. There is going to be a lot to explore. And, in Franklin, where my husband will work, I already made a friend who is going to teach me to weave!

 

I love moving. Actually, being in Olympia for 4 years was unusual for me. I thrive on new places and meeting people and discovering a new area. I never planned on Indiana........but I generally just go where the wind blows me. This time it's gonna plop me down in the middle of a corn field.

 

I'll post when I find some time here and there, and I'll be stopping by your blogs soon.

Lubomyr's Mail Art Project

Here is my altered envelope I did for Lubomyr, my wonderful and talented mail art friend in Ukraine.

Check out her blog to see more of them.

 

 

I'll be posting more this week. Big changes and adventures coming soon...

 

Art Journal: The Goodies from Mail Art Friends

I get a lot of cool stuff pouring out of envelopes from mail art friends. I have piles of it. Boxes of it. Tins of it. Envelopes of it. Folders,too.

Why have I not been using it? Why am I hiding it away? Dare I say, hoarding it?

It should be used!

So, I started a new art journal- my first themed journal- and it is all about using these bits of paper, ephemera, stamps, cancelled stamps, envelopes themselves, stickers, altered and painted and stamped paper, and all kinds of fun stuff!

Here are my pages so far! ( Maybe you'll see some of the things you've sent!)

It is going to be fun to have a journal of these treasures from my lovely friends.

News, and new goodies

 I am excited to tell everyone that my two 12'' x12''  art quilts made it into the show, "27 Feet of Art",  here in Olympia, WA!!  I am jumping for joy!  It's the first time I've entered a juried show.  They will be holding a silent auction to raise money for the Washington Center of Performing Arts on Sept. 21st! Thanks to everyone who congratulated me on facebook already! I appreciate it!

Also, my custom stamp for my shop came in the mail! Didn't she turn out cute! I couldn't carve one myself that was small enough, so she used my girl image and added in the words, and made it with a machine. The Etsy shop, Terbear, helped me out with it. She was great to work with.

While shopping there, I finally found the 'postcard' stamp I have been searching for forever. I had only been able to find the stamps that put the 'postcard' writing at the top, but have searched high and low for one with lines and stamp spot, etc. I'm loving it!

I just started a new art journal this weekend- it's all with mail art goodies. I will post those pictures tomorrow...or maybe later tonight!

Little Stamped Book

I took a class at Art N Soul stamp shop in Lacey, WA last night. I loved the sample book and had to try it for myself.

The pages are wood. First, we colored them with alcohol inks, added a stamp or two, and colored them in with pencils. I love the effect! And it was so easy and meditative....like zoning out with a great coloring book.  I need to keep an eye on their upcoming classes. What a fun group of ladies, too.

Here's how mine turned out. I'm pretty much done unless I add some words and text.

If you live in Washington, or pass through, this is a great shop. Try to make it on the first Saturday of the month for 'Recycled Rubber'....seemingly endless tables of stamps people don't use anymore, and are selling super cheap! This girl on the cover was one I bought last week for a couple bucks. I had a basket full of stamps! There are also all kinds of stamping accessories,too.

See you all soon! XO