sparrows post

color club

2010-05-27T17:40:00.000-06:00

Take a paper plate and some Karo Syrup, put some food coloring on it with a drop of red, yellow, and blue. Turn the Karo Syrup on the paper plate and something amazing happens. this was our latest color club project.

this is a great art lesson to show how all colors are made from the primary colors. By turning the plate the secondary colors start to appear. Green, Purple, and orange.

if you keep mixing with toothpicks you will pick up even more colors.

After the art lesson, of course they had to play. It is color club, and they love to mix.

Then we talked about monochromatic colors, you start with one color and can get different shades of the same color.

I love this time with Gracee, my youngest, and she loves color. We all voted to continue on through the summer, and do some tie die aprons. That sounds like a great idea.

Day in Sugarhouse

2010-05-12T22:05:00.003-06:00

Last Tuesday, our art group met in Salt Lake to enjoy the Sugarhouse area shopping. First stop was at Diana's art studio "the art cottage". First we toured her adorable home full of personality and artistic flair.

Here is the art cottage nestled in her back yard. Cobblestone walkways lead to the french doors.

the cottage has a loft on both sides, full of antique eye candy.

A sitting area in your studio. A place to relax and rest a bit.

Diana's cottage was built by her husband. They had been gathering and storing wonderful items for a few years. It was so inspiring to see her style in every little corner, she is one talented gal.

Then we were off to the junk stores, and consignment shops. This one is called Abode located at 1720 South 900 East in Sugarhouse, such a cool mix of eclectic and antique finds.

Can you believe they served us cupcakes from the best cupcake store in town mini's cupcakes. They are the most delicious cupcakes in the world. really.....

this one is the best.....

then we headed to George's Antique Salvage also in Sugarhouse on 9th east, this shop is full of everything from old property restorations.

these you match with the doorknobs if your lucky they have the hardware attached.

hundreds of old doors, some even have the original paint.

a salvaged corner cabinet

light fixtures hang from the ceiling

this old sink sits outside waiting to be put together in an aqua blue kitchen, any takers?

and this old radio with some of the working parts, it was the color that said "buy me buy me" take me home with you. This store is a must to see, if you can use your imagination you will find something spectacular.

joy

2010-05-10T11:23:00.005-06:00

I have evolved as a mother. I used to fret and fuss about mother's day, and dream of a day with no mom duty, everything planned perfectly..... breakfast in bed, a nice soak in the tub, time to blow out my hair, and my hair would be perfect, just right, then I would attend church and my children would be extra quiet, sitting and smiling, not poking each other. I would have hugs all day, and handmade gifts with little notes expressing their divine adoration for me. I would eat chocolate cake and have flowers delivered to my bedside, while reading the newest edition of Martha Stewart Living.

A few years back, (yes it has taken me that long), I had a moment of reality. Mother's day is not about me, it is about serving others, and celebrating the women in my own life who have been examples of goodness and light, holding close the little moments of motherhood that need to be remembered.

Last mother's day I had the chance to be with my mom as she visited her sister in the hospital suffering from ovarian cancer. It was truly a sweet gift to be part of that experience. This is the mother I have been blessed with, she is an example of giving life to others. Her sister is a mother who has been through hard things, and she is a fighter.

This is my son who is in Maine right now. I haven't seen him for almost a year, he is working so hard, serving others and he is the happiest he has ever been. I miss him.

I talked on the phone to him on mother's day for almost an hour. My heart skipped a beat as I heard his voice again. How my arms ache to hug him, and mess his red hair. I remembered him as a tiny little thing, my first feelings of intoxicating joy, no other love is like a mother's.

I did have an amazing mothers day this year thanks to my sweet husband and kiddies that made me dinner, wrapped up little gifts and even told me how thankful they were to have me as their mom. I did however, want to pull the covers over my head this morning as I ventured through the mess of a party day yesterday. When do the mother's day fairies come to clean? If you see them send them my way will you?

Happy Happy Monday......

A fairy thing with red round cheeks

2010-04-26T15:27:00.002-06:00

a little child, a limber elf

singing, dancing to itself

a fairy thing with red round cheeks,

that always finds, and never seeks.

easter blessings

2010-04-02T20:36:00.001-06:00

Then spake Jesus again unto them saying, I am the light of the World: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness but shall have the light of life.
John 8:12

spring nesting

2010-03-12T00:00:00.006-07:00

spring is a time for new beginnings, a time for darling little chick eggs you can hold in your hand. So much to hold inside until the rays of the sun warm the earth and little sprouts of the season can be visible with the naked eye. Winter leaves its frozen mark with the breath of spring, can you smell the fragrance of warmed dirt and tiny crocuses? The sound of birds singing their welcome tunes? A promise that tiny eggs will hatch and bits of earth will bloom with spring color.

Just as the frozen earth sheds it's winter coat new ideas are hatching at the art nest, more art retreats to nurture your spirit and soul, our very first art nest magazine, Everyday Nesting coming out this Spring, as well as this little chick warming in the sun.

He is the announcer of our very first nesting kit. Each box a little present from the art nest stuffed with goodies and unique vintage finds, hand packed and created for you to indulge yourself with a little creative nesting.

Wool aqua felt from a vintage dress, blue bobble beads rummaged from a forgotten necklace, scarab blue seam binding to tie around your tiny treasures.

little bits of spring to make you happy even gleeful to touch. a tiny bottle of german glass glitter, pink millinery mushrooms, glass currants, and other little vintage finds.

paper mache egg made in western Germany, silver german scrap tucked inside for use

Where to begin with this lovely egg? Sketch out your design thinking about how you want your finished egg to look, then gather your goodies from your kit. I decided to cut a little peep opening in the egg, using my poker and then tiny sharp scissors. I used a sanding block to smooth out the edges.

then I painted the egg with Golden's titan buff, raw umber, and cobalt teal mixed to the perfect robin egg blue.

Let the egg dry. After it is completely dry coat it with a thick coat of acrylic gloss like McCloskey's clear coat. This takes a little more time to dry so you might want to go get lunch. When you come back your egg will be shiny and look like a sky of blue glass.

now it is time to fill the inside of the egg, Cut a piece of the aqua wool felt and glue it in the bottom of the egg, I just eyeballed it then adjusted the size a little. Poke a tiny hole in the top and add a blue bobble bead and vintage seam binding tied in a little bow. Finally, tuck inside the egg your little chick in a nest made from paper shred, aqua felt and vintage millinery.

To finish the front add ric rac, tiny vintage trim around the opening, (use tacky glue) spring embellishments and a little bit of book text, finish your blue little egg by adding a tiny flower from an old hat at the bottom of your little peep window. For more lovely finished spring eggs see Julie's blog and you can drool over her artful thursday project another tutorial using the spring nesting kits.

Happy Spring Nesting

xoxo

Candice

A sneak peak at our spring nesting kit. In the art nest shop.

time is ticking

2010-02-26T15:52:00.002-07:00

do you ever feel as if the clock is ticking, and there is not enough time to get everything done? do you have to choose what is most important ever minute of everyday? Do you ever choose the wrong things or make things worse because you want to accomplish a task of some sort. I do all of those things, ask my kids I am a slave driver........I love to get projects done, finished, out of the way, and sometimes I feel like her.......

and it seems like most days I do more of these than anything else.

What happened to these fantasy homemakers?

thank goodness these days are behind us..

and these............somedays I wished I had an "Alice" to give me milk and cookies and set the table for dinner.

yet, here I am in this century trying to raise my family against the odds, of everything that makes life good and peaceful. I am a little tired somedays, I deserve to be a little stressed out I am a women and mother in this day and time and I, like you, am a fighter. A fighter for home a fighter for peace. Here's to all of us that give our days to homemaking and find joy in it, or at least we have those fleeting moments of joy. Here is one of my favorites...............

Happy Homemaking..............

snow birds

2010-02-19T15:23:00.008-07:00

Today the snow is falling lightly and I am enjoying a few moments sitting in my studio, looking at my little blue bird treasure found yesterday while working on our summer art nest retreat with Julie. It is a bird that has been broken a few times, probably fallen off of a table or dropped by a little child's hand. There are chips and a few bits of glue. The bottom stand has the most damage.

so she is a little broken, and a little worn. She has little flaws that sometimes can be hidden but there are sometimes big cracks in her soul that are the size of the great divide, still somehow she gets back together, glued piece by piece by the loving arms of the savior, until she can stand again.

Then she is even more beautiful. He molds her and keeps us in his arms until her glue dries and she can stand up again without help. She starts to fly again, she starts to forget about the cracks and continues on throughout her days, pretty soon she can't remember how she got put back together in the first place, she starts to forget, how broken she was and her gratitude to God becomes mundane.

and then she rested and took a still moment to refresh her little mind and spirit, she remembered her creator and his healing hands.

Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I shall give you rest.
(St. Matthew 11:28)

sending you love, peace and a snowy rest this day.........candice

happy valentines day

2010-02-15T15:20:00.002-07:00

Hope your day was filled with lovely notes and hearts...........and a pair of red shoes.
xoxoxox
candice

Another Place and Time

2010-02-03T22:03:00.003-07:00

Do you love having a day to go to your favorite junk stores to find treasures? I have been sifting through junk since I was a little girl. On our very large farm there were many old sheds and buildings that were full of someone else's junk. We (my brothers and sisters) would sort carefully looking over every little item.

this is my sister and I in front of our wild marigold bushes..........

We would think about the people who used to love these things and what they were feeling when they used these items. We even had an old chicken coop that we used as our club house, hidden there we would stack our most valued treasures, someone else's junk. I come from a long line of treasure collectors, my grandfather was a rock hound, a real rock hound. He had more rocks and little treasures than anyone in his town. He would let me sit in his shop and polish rocks with him for hours on end. My rocks were just dirty little pebbles shined to beauty, but he still let me put them in the tumbler. He even took me to the city dump one day and let me rummage around for treasures, I would fill my pockets with tiny trinkets, but one favorite time I found a cherry red bicycle with a banana seat. He put the broken down bicycle in the back of his truck and we admired it with great glee. He helped me fix the bike up to almost perfect. It rode pretty well even on our dirt road. Now, where I live there are no city dumps, and I don't have any old sheds to go through at the moment. So I make due looking for a new junk shop or going to my local thrift stores. I still get that tickle in my stomach as I sift through the memories of others. I adore used items, they speak to me and they feel good when you pick them up, like someone or somehow they have the energy of another place or time.

these two chairs I found junking this week. The owner had refinished them in a green paint with a leopard print cushion, what you can't see is they are tiny enough for my small ones to sit in and put their feet on the ground. One has coasters the other not, we will get some soon. They are perfect to roll around in our family room for reading or game playing.

My stash of clothes and other fabrics I found.........

the red poncho was for $1.00. It is crochet by hand and such a lovely soft red, I don't know if I can wait until Valentines to wear it. I also found a nice tweed skirt to go with my anthro stockings. I love junking, but my new favorite thing is putting salvage or junk items with urban. More to come on that later...........Happy Junking!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thursday is Color Club

2010-01-29T11:12:00.002-07:00

on thursday my little Gracee has early day, so we put together some fun for her and her friends, we made these cupcakes, tie-dyed. I saw this idea on one of my new favorite blogs. You can check it out here.

you put the color in the bowls of batter, then add them one by one. Well sort of by the end they were scattering the batter like little Picasso's.

we also made little shinky-dink hearts and strung them on a necklace, the girls had so much fun that they declared that every other Thursday would be color club at Gracee's..........hooray for me..........

oh and yes the blondie had her braces put on this week...........ouch.........

Butternut Squash Curry Soup

2010-01-27T16:59:00.002-07:00

I made the yummiest soup last night, it is made from Butternut squash and so healthy. My friend Julie sent me this recipe and it totally rocks.

The recipe came from Prevention magazine from a few years ago, she made a few alterations to the original recipe. (imagine that!!!!) The bosc pears add a spicy sweetness to the soup that gives it a perfect mix of flavors.

1 Tbsp Olive oil
1 tsp butter
1 onion chopped in chunks
2 bay leaves
1 large butternut squash peeled and seeded chopped into chunks
2 peeled and seeded bosc pears
1 tsp curry powder
1/4 tsp red pepper
1/8 tsp ground ginger
1/8 tsp white pepper
5 cups chicken broth
1 large potato peeled and cut into cubes

plain yogurt or lite sour cream as a garnish if you like

Melt oil and butter together in a soup pan and saute onion and bay leaves stirring often.
When onion becomes soft add the squash, pears and spices and cook stirring occasionally until squash and pears begin to brown.
Add broth and potato bring to a boil and reduce heat and simmer until squash is very soft.
Remove bay leaves and puree soup. Return to pan and bring to a simmer. Serve and enjoy!

*Julie's note* before you puree the soup taste one of the potatoes. So tasty I want to make just a vegetable curry today using the same recipe, no pears.

While the veggies were simmering I stole little bits of yumminess out of the pan, the vegetables had the best flavor.

Puree the soup in a blender, then I ran mine through a sieve, it was silky smooth and ready to eat.

As a garnish and to add a little texture, I toasted some pumpkin seeds, in the same saute pan from the beginning of the recipe, (bonus for not cleaning up after myself). The seeds picked up the flavor from the onions.

Bon Appétit!

My Voyage Home

2010-01-23T21:55:00.001-07:00

I am on a Voyage Home this year, I will be making this little book of scraps to document my journey. Many little bits and pieces of beautiful little memories waiting for a place to go.

I was looking at pam's blog and was inspired very much by her use of scraps and was introduced to a fabulous new artist Mary Ann Moss, she teaches an online class called remains of the day.

I have been spending my days lately sewing paper and some fabric onto the pages of a book I took apart, in the shape of a house. I am just using the bones of the pages to sew on.

the class inspired me to use this beautiful crepe paper ruffle that julie gave me last summer for my birthday. It reminds me of birthday wishes from my dear friend.

remains of wrapping paper and of little bits of fabric from my art journeys. Little notes from my children will be added as well as my place for bits and pieces that need a design home.

art nest 2009

2009-03-10T06:41:00.000-06:00

What a great time I had at the art nest this year at the little chalet in the mountains of Utah. It was a magical time for all to gather and enjoy art, food and friendships.

as i returned home from this wonderful experience, i had to get right back to school, family and other things i had neglected for a bit, but i had new renewal and vision. It was the people who came that made the difference. The amazing artists and teachers who were open to learning about themselves and made time to visit and listen to each other. I learned we are all very similar in that we process emotion through our art, that living and being thrown around through the hard knocks of life leaves us volnerable and open to life's changes. I opened my eyes to others grief and sadness, to hard things we all have to deal with. I saw happiness and creative energy seeping out through paint strokes and messy hands. I was amazed at the amount of talent that each of our nesters had, and the way the teachers were able to help us to let go and enjoy the moment.

the art was amazing...........

this is a view of the paintings from Kelly Rae's class

people came from all over the united states. Here are our two gals from California, can you tell they have that glow.

Here is Kelly working hard on her piece from Maty's class.

creative bliss................

look at the smiles on their faces..........

Heidi working hard on this masterpiece.

Lorie Garver's lovely work.

Art Work from Maty's class

Maty Rose the queen of whimsical Boho.

Jane Wynn got us in the zone for perfect sodering, can you believe this was her first trip flying by herself and she didn't get her luggage until the second day and was still calm and beautiful.

Cassondra and her darling bird. Our little helper doing more than she should have, serving and taking care of us all. she did more dishes than one gal should do in a lifetime.

My "Know yourself" piece from Kelly Rae's class.

more work from Kelly Rae's class

a few odds and ends that were left in the study as we packed up to leave. It was hard to pack everything up and go back home after another art nest, but my heart was full and my creativity blooming thinking of each of the nesters going home to their very different lives but feeling connected to each other in a way that doesn't seem real. So, I say to each of you fly and use those wings to soar to new heights, and hopefully you will find your own nest of gratitude, safety and happiness. That is my wish.

xoxoxo

candice

p.s. i promise to blog more

Once Upon a Time there was a Little Forest

2008-10-17T09:36:00.000-06:00

This Little Forest page is for the Haunted and Mysterious Swap group that i am involved in. The backdrop is a piece of canvas, that i attached to the photo album page. I used ripped velvet, tiny felt pieces and little twigs.

The bottom page has a tiny plastic skeleton that i attached, to this photo album page of Cassondra's. Her book s really amazing, she put a raven's wing under some mesh wire that you can barely see here.

Happy Haunting

Summer orange and the moon

2008-07-20T22:08:00.000-06:00

this is my ten year old daughter's idea of a dream room. She really wanted the color orange, i was a little surprised how much i liked it when it was all done.

This project is one of our summer projects finally checked off the list. All it needs now is a vintage leather orange sling chair that i am still looking for.

or maybe something like this............

They love to go down to their room now...before it was not so fun for them to just hang and enjoy themselves.

Go for the kids ideas......... they rock.......and in the end it makes them happier knowing it's their idea.......besides they'll change their mind in a few years anyway.

as for summer............i am surviving some days and letting myself enjoy the sticky floors the next. I go between getting everyone up and things getting done to sitting on the porch and literally watching the clouds go by.............one day last week we went for a late evening walk and the moon was gorgeous, just hanging in the sky, my hand was in the hand of my little Gracee. She looks at me and says "mom can we get closer to the moon if we hiked up our mountain?" It's worth a try little one.......... it's worth a try.................

Beautiful Memories

2008-05-26T13:47:00.000-06:00

to remember those who have gone before with love and admiration. On Saturday our family spent the day helping my sister in law Carmen with her yard. It is kind of a family tradition that we do service for someone who has gone before. This time my brother who died two years ago last February. We weeded, then mulched, and shared memories and fun while the kids helped right along with us. His boys twelve, nine, and three, with our kids, and all the neighbors joining in on the fun. It seems working can be fun and extremely rewarding. Much to their surprise. As we shoveled mulch out of the truck each child taking turns dumping the buckets it healed us, remembering uncle Stan and his love for life, his love for service and his wonderful light personality. Afterwards we went to his grave sight and the kids jumped, played, and even made crayon rubbings of the gravestone. Children know how to grieve in their own way..............the memory of such a wonderful man goes on in his children.

Happy memorial day to all of you as you think of those who you have gone before ..........i give you my love and peace this day.

The nina post

2008-04-16T18:38:00.000-06:00

Okay i promised another artfest post. Taking a class from Nina has been something i have always wanted to do. Just looking at her book was inspiration enough to get me started. My first time using Mica pieces. It made everything look so old and finished. We hammered and hammered, I am sure Nina was getting a headache. She taught us how to use all of your favorite things you've been collecting, like my wasp nest, in a beautiful way. I will finish this book and love it, because it is part of me and the things i enjoy. I had a great time getting to know Nina better, she is a sweetie and very genuine.

Artfest 2008

2008-04-09T20:00:00.000-06:00

Artfest 2008 in Port Townsend Washington hosted by Teesha and Tracy Moore was an artist's dream for a few lovely days. The weather was sunny (for Washington) and the ocean edge was just the right place to cozy up with some art friends. Julie and i flew out on Wednesday morning and bummed around Seattle, finding a great antique store, and the local fire house. You can always count on a fireman to help you get where you need to go.

i even need my fire guy when i am away.

Julie outside this vintage dinnerware shop. In the back of the store we found a box with some brocade gold fabric curtain panels in it. On the box was a sign that said "make me an offer" Julie offered $6, and he took it, good thing i kept my mouth shut i was going to offer $12.

Another shot of this eclectic display. He had me interested with the fresh flowers outside the shop. The dishes were great all gathered together by color and style. I wish i could have bought some to bring home.

Thursday's class Annie Lockhart...............

My first class with Annie Lockhart. What a sweetie, her wonderful talent of putting old memories together into something beautiful was the highlight of the day. I made my piece out of a very old fishing bag and some other nature things, the meaningful addition to my piece inspired by Annie was the dried daffodils from my brothers funeral two years ago, and the seven pearls in the seed pod for my sweet family.

I used some fishing lures that Annie gave me. I will always cherish this piece, because it reminds me of gathering days with my children, and the many hours my brother and i spent exploring the old junk on our farm.

my box of gathered memories i brought for Annie's class.

Julie's piece made from a small book that opens up. "Peace be With You" is the title. Beautiful.

i loved this ladies work so much. She was in our class and had such artistic ability. If anyone knows her name please let me know.

Here are some of my favorites from show and tell. Karen O' Brien created this in Judy Wise's class. I love it.

This darling girl, is fourteen years old. She did both of these pieces. What talent......

tomorrow i will post about the amazing class with Nina Bagley. Time to kiss the kiddies goodnight.

Art nest 2008

2008-03-18T13:51:00.000-06:00

My artwork from Anahata's class.

My finished necklace from Amy's class. I really love the delicate little flower buds dangling from the brass chain.

Pam's journaling class.

Shopping for the nest

2008-02-12T19:23:00.000-07:00

I had the best day shopping for some little things for the nest. All of these little goodies for Amy Hanna's class.

Isn't this little angel sweet? I couldn't resist being so close to valentines day.

And my ledger for miss Pam's class. An old photo album with antique picture frames.I am leaving in the pages and hoping to play on those as well as add in paper. My mind is racing about all the details of getting Art Nest ready. Do we have the right caffeine drinks? It seems we are all addicted to something these days. And the details of leaving your family for four days, I have to begin months in advance. It will all be worth the work on Wednesday night when I sit down around the hearth with a fire going, admiring all of our winter nests. resting in the company of wonderful artist. ahhhhhhhh.....heaven

Today is the day

2008-02-08T11:25:00.001-07:00

Registration opens today for our art nest Summer retreat in June. We are so excited about this group of artists.Be prepared for a fabulous four days enjoying the beauty of Park City in the summer. The weather is perfect. The venue is divine and the company of artists will be a retreat you will never forget. Come on over to the art nest to check out all the details.

Kashi goodness

2008-01-28T12:56:00.001-07:00

This is my new best friend. Trying to eat a healthy lunch with a busy schedule? These will make you feel pampered and totally satisfied. They come in all flavors and are a mere 350 calories. Stacked with fresh veggies and the lovely Kashi seven grain pilaf. 18 grams of protein and 6 grams of fiber. The Sweet and sour Chicken even has roasted green beans and peppers. Have i convinced you to go buy a few????

january january

2008-01-23T18:36:00.001-07:00

I am a bad blogger!!! i can admit it. I can't figure out how to fit this into my life. I would much rather look at your beautiful blogs and art, than take time to post about mine. I have been on a creative high lately getting ready for art nest. making and planning and fussing about the details. We are going to have such a fabulous group this time. I have however found one thing that has helped me to be a little more organized and to make art everyday.

This ledger has great open space and all the info you need to look at a week at a glance.

I can doodle and design while I am doing the everyday things that need to be done. As you can see I am running quite a bit, i am training for a half marathon in March. My life always goes better when i can run...........i will post about running soon, i love running......but taking an hour for myself on a saturday in the middle of the day for my long run is hard to do, the ledger helps me to fit it all in...........

this ledger is published by Andrews McMeel publishing, LLC. Delsie Chambon, is the Art Director and you can get this on Amazon. In Tune With Nature 2008 calendar.
Happy Winter organizing.........

Married Nineteen Years

2007-12-17T23:14:00.000-07:00

Today is my anniversary, nineteen years ago i married this man, whom i still adore with all my heart. last week we went away to our cabin in the mountains to celebrate. We drank hot cocoa by the fire and watched the stars from the jucuzzi.
the aspens covered with snow.....
the road less traveled..... is the path we have taken in our marriage and in life.
We decorated the cabin with wreaths and bows, and put up the tree.
It was a magical few days of romance and holiday Cheer. He still is the man of my dreams....

Count your Blessings

2007-11-23T14:36:00.001-07:00

Happy thanksgiving. I hope your day was a day full of joy , surrounded by your loved ones . A day of laughter and forgiving. Set the table and they will come.......to feast on their blessings...........
My sweet mother in law basking in the sunlight. this is where all the adorable red heads come from.
The girls peeling potatoes, they were loving this, and I didn't mind a bit.
the pies Amanda made, this one was a favorite, peach and blueberry.

the boys who share the family traits.
Amanda, my sister-in-law and also my dear friend. We both married Elton boys. After dinner we gathered around the piano for a little singing. Amanda has a gorgeous voice, among her other talents. the kids all performed for their grandparents, even Brig played and sang, quite amazing for a seventeen year old.

I hope your day was filled with many reflections of your blessings. People remembered and missed, happy moments all around as you danced to the music of family love............Happy thanksgiving to all of my friends out in this wonderful artist community. I am so blessed to have all of you who have lifted and inspired me beyond words. Love...........C.

Creative Bliss

2007-10-30T23:46:00.000-06:00

What a time I had in Port Townsend enjoying a few days of creative bliss at Art Fiber Fest. Here I am on the Ferry crossing the Puget Sound. I do love an adventure............
This is the car I happened to rent, What luck.............I enjoyed my drive enveloped in the trees and the beauty of the sea air. The rest of the time was spent taking wonderful classes and enjoying the beauty of my surroundings. I wandered through the neighborhood admiring their lovely yards and green foilage, ending my run at the ocean watching seagulls dive down for food. One day it was so cold that my legs were bright red and stinging. I ran back to my dorm and hoped into the shower and just let the hot water get my legs warm, outside the window I could see the ocean and hear the wind ...........it was one of those moments, you know the kind when you are totally connected with yourself and nature. I was still and satisfied.

Here is my room. It was cold I was glad I brought my blanket and coat. At night I would sit and journal and visit with the other Art Fest Gals.......... Just a few photos of my experience, it was fabulous. A doll (Blithe) and my art peice from Alma Strollers class.

My haul from Vendors night. The dolls and yarn are from LampesLumps.

This is Pam Garrisons rug hooking house, we all loved it. Mary Stanley taught this class, it was a big hit. They called themselves the "Happy Hookers."

My friend Laurie trying to imitate this creature........
This is a Wooly Beast from Keely's class. I'm not sure who made this one, isn't it great?

Kristy Steiner with her adorable sister. Who is also an artist of jewelry and design.
Lisa Call's pursescape, made in Keely's class.

Fabric Oddities from Alma's class.
One of Keely's dolls.

My fabric journal from Pam Garrison's class.

Sweet and Sinister

2007-10-04T10:36:00.000-06:00

Creative Muse, my swap partner, sent me this sweet and sinister package yesterday. Everything was adorable, So much talent out of this mom who has twins!!!! Where does she find the time?

Look at these roses she makes out of ribbon. I adore these!!! she sales them in her Etsy shop.
Each item was wrapped in black or white tissue paper. In the jar some vintage buttons and a rosette made from silver vintage thread.
In each canister there are adorable vintage items, buttons, black sequins and ribbons.
And the cookies.......they are delicious. I need this recipe Stacy!!!!
thank you Stacy "Creativemuse". If you get a chance go and visit her lovely wares. This is another fabulous swap hosted by artsy mama go to her website for more sweet and sinister.

Happiness in the Mail

2007-09-26T19:21:00.001-06:00

Do you love to get packages in the mail? I do..... they make me so happy.

This came from Sweet Petunia a jewelry designer and teacher who came to the nest last summer. I was the winner of her blog drawing. This bag is from Trader Joes. All the goodies were with it. Thank you Lisa ...you really made my day.

Artfest

2007-09-18T12:14:00.001-06:00

Yesterday a big surprise in the mail, my Artfest booklet. It is adorable........ the theme for this year is Forest Walk.

Some of the art work was made by some of Teesha 's friends, for a Zine she is creating called Hedgehog Log. These pieces were made by Pam Garrison, love her work.........

This is my first year going to Artfest. Julie and I are going together and what a treat it will be, to spend some days making art and looking for Hedgehogs?
Some exciting things happening at the nest for February......................

Real Life

2007-09-05T13:55:00.000-06:00

Today was one of those days that you just can't get into a groove. Everything seems pointless, i felt like a leaf floating in the wind trying to make sense of what I am doing. Knowing what I want to feel like, not knowing how to make it happen. I prayed, then went about my day trying to see God's beauty and love. I got called to the school because Gracee( my first grader) wanted to come home. She was missing me? imagine that. So I went to her class and had lunch with her. As soon as I walked into her classroom she ran right to me and hugged me like there was no letting go , she showed me her paper dog and introduced me to her friends. We had lunch together then played hop-scotch on the playground. I felt so Happy!!!!!!!!!!I I love spending time with children and have done so for most of my life. I was so grateful for those sweet faces. that turned my day around.

Then I was just looking for something to listen to while I did the laundry, and remembered Melody Ross's blog. She is the founder of Chatterbox. I listened to her podcast. It was so real, raw even, about her struggles and triumphs with life. It made me think. I want to be more real....... more open. That is when life happens. People connect. Living Honestly and more open.

Something real about me. I have been struggling with depression and anxiety for the last few years. Depression runs in my family. Things that were so easy for me became hard: like getting up in the morning, going out with friends, playing games, even running and doing art. All of things used to make me happy, yet I couldn't force myself to do any of them. I pushed people away and started turning inward for support, and there was nothing there. Depression is hard to explain. I remember years ago I knew all of these Women who were on Prozac and I judged them, Saying "if they could just do this............they wouldn't need the drugs". I was wrong, sometimes people do need the drugs. It is hard to explain when you feel like you have lost someone, yourself. The real down point for me was when I watched home videos of myself and I was laughing and having fun. I was so sad........I missed her..........I didn't know how I had changed so much. You may know people who are depressed because of thier circumstances or the way they are living. I had nothing to be depressed about, from the outside looking in I had everything. I have learned some coping skills and had lots of support from my husband. I Keep hoping someday it will go away, in fact I have asked God to help it go away. I have come to realize that God lets us have things like this in our lives for a reason. It is to learn to love.........It is all about love, this is the purpose of living. I love others who struggle with this. I love myself more for getting through hard days, I love my family more and they have learned to love me more. I love God more for sending help whenever I ask, and he always does........

2007-09-01T23:32:00.001-06:00

What is in Your Studio?

Random pics of things in my studio. A piece of fabric that is yearning to be made into one of those darling aprons.
A basket of eggs and nests from the Art Nest. I just can't seem to change these yet.My Misty piece that I love.......with my Art Fiberfest doll waiting for some inspiration. Help..................
Vintage Bulbs just waiting to be put on a tree. I have had a big holiday mess in my studio all summer; that I am now going to put away until after Halloween.

What is in your studio?? Post a few photos on your blog this week and leave a comment directing us to your studio..........

Little read

2007-08-23T19:13:00.000-06:00

On Monday I had the best day. I woke up late... drove to my favorite piece of road and biked for about an hour, sat in the sun and enjoyed the beauty of the mountains, went out to lunch with my daughter, then spent the rest of the day making this little book. It was a wonderful day and a great feeling to have time to myself to make Art.

I collage some of the pages in the book using a tape technique I learned from Sally Jean. Some of the pages I collaged then ripped them to fit the book, using tape to adhere them after the fact.
Then I added my doodles and more paint. The Tape takes on such a cool texture.

My Halloween pages. These were so fun . I could do a whole little Book on Halloween and Fall.

Surprisingly this is all done in a little memo notebook. I didn't know if it would hold together but the tape has strengthened it. I left some pages taped and painted so I could add little bits and pieces as I get the chance. I punched out peices of the leftover collage for added interest.

2007-08-22T21:41:00.001-06:00

I have an obsession for old suitcases...These are two of my favorites filled to the top with vintage fabrics and finds. Do have a place to store your things???