Saturday, December 17, 2011

Doll Club Christmas Party, 2011

The best part of Christmas is time spent with family and friends.  This year I'm especially grateful for my dollclub friends who have given me so much emotional and practical support during this difficult year.  Love you guys!



Saturday, December 10, 2011

Needle felted Santa ornament


Doll club today - yipee! And this years Christmas present is a brown bag santa under 6".  I love to needlefelt, largely because it is fast.  I'd read somewhere to use a styrofoam ball as a base and I tried that this time.  I was not pleased with using it for the head as I found it hard to get a really smooth look to the head AND it dulled my felting needle!  Last time I try that one! I'm off now to bake brownies for the meeting.


Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Doll update



Between all the necessary projects, I've gotten a bit done on the doll begun in Ankie's class last month.  With all the beads, crystals and the crown, I've taken to calling him Prince Valiant.  Just a bit more work on the carriage and he'll be done.  I've got a special spot in the front hall niche picked out for his final home!

Saturday, December 3, 2011

Its a Secret... but just a peek...



Love knots- felted merino wookl and lace with beaded embellishments

I've been crazy busy, but most of what I've been doing I can't show off just yet!  One of my projects has been to particpate in an ATC swap.


Night Garden 1-  wool and fabric applique on commercial felt background

 I love making these little works of art, in part because it lets me make use of practice and test pieces such as trying out an idea on the embellisher or testing colors for applique.  As the swap pieces are going to be submitted to "Cloth, Paper, Scissors," for publication, they can't be posted.  But here are a couple that won't be submitted, cuz you know I can't keep a secret!

Thursday, November 3, 2011

ANKIE DAANEN!

Yowzers!  Two fabulous doll classes in less than a month! 
I’m on starstruck overload after spending two glorious days in New York with another of my heroes, Ankie Daanen.

 The workshop was sponsored by Gwen Jackson and we stayed at her home, which made getting to work on time really easy!
Here is Pat Adamczyk, my roomie.

 And here is my creation as it stands right now. Obviously, I’ve got a lot of work to do, but I’m very proud of this one. After years of saying “I just can’t sculpt in clay,” well, I guess I can after all! One of the secrets here is watercolor paints and I went out first thing this morning to buy my own set (I've got nearly as much studio space dedicated to paints and clays as I do fabric!)  I’ll be sure to post the completed doll, hopefully in just a few days.

Here’s a few more pics of our class:





Sunday, October 30, 2011

Art Is... You!

Making art is a lonely business! 
This really began to hit home since I quit my day job a few months ago and, in spite of the many on-line friends, groups and followers, I found myself hungering for real live interaction with like-minded artists.  So when my brilliant and perceptive life partner offered to send me off for classes as a birthday present, I jumped at the opportunity to go to a convention.  Which is how I found myself celebrating this year’s birthday in Danbury, Connecticut at “Art Is… You!”
“Art Is…” is a mixed media art convention that takes place every year alternating between the east and west coasts (with a new convention beginning next year in Australia). Sallianne and Ellen, the creators of this remarkable event, have packed the 5 day journey with an incredible collection of teachers, “spontaneous” happenings. Being a very early riser, I was stunned to find Sallianne manning her welcome station as early as 5am!
I have found nothing that compares to the jumpstart of my creativity as going to a convention or live class.
 My classes included a day with Australian jewelry designer Keith Lo Bue (this man’s brain knows no boundaries for what makes artistic materials!)
a couple of days with doll artist extraordinaire, Shelly Thornton (I’ve been working my doll non-stop since I got home) (this is Shelly’s doll, not mine)


and the ever so famous quilter Berryl Taylor (I got her autograph!)

each of which demonstrated techniques and new (to me anyway) materials, that have changed my way of thinking outside of the box.



Most important to me were the people I met along the way, several of which live close enough to get together. Recharged, with new inspiration, skills, ideas and real live friends – probably the best birthday present ever! Thanks, Tom – and thanks to Sallianne and Ellen too!