Skull Aprons At Last

About 100 years ago, I got a big batch of skull denim and told myself I'd make some aprons, among other things with the fabric. Well last night, it finally happened. The results are in my etsy shop. I have just enough left to make two tote bags, and then it will all be gone but the scraps. I used the rest for my Halloween fabric book class coming up. I hope someone has as much fun wearing them as I did making them!

Tricks, Treats, Toil & Trouble

These are pictures of the pages participants will be making in the Tricks, Treats, Toil & Trouble Halloween book class at Frenzy Stamper coming up on Oct. 17th. There are still some spots left if anyone wants to join us. One pocket of the book will be saved for trick-or-treating in class. Each participant will bring tricks or treats (think plastic spiders, candies, recipes for concoctions, an ATC, etc.) to trade. Almost all of the supplies are included in the class fee, including the Tibetian Silver charms which I am pretty darn excited about. There will be extra pockets to store any additional Halloween goodies you would like to add later. Above are some pictures to give you an idea of the pages. If you want to sign up, go to Debbie's website for more info. It is going to be a great time!
If you can't make it on the 17th at Frenzy, we're gonna play it again at Studio 23 on the 25th. Leave a comment if you want to join us in the studio!

What's up?

Insert huge sigh of relief here. My proposals to teach for Art Unraveled, 2010 have been emailed. It's a nice step up to apply for something this big, but if I am selected, I know I can handle it. Teaching at Jeane's house, at smaller local venues, and in my home studio, Studio 23 have prepared me, not to mention all the practice with those kiddos.

And speaking of teaching in my home studio, which I haven't taught in for profit for a while, that big adventure begins again tomorrow. Five ladies are coming over to do classes they couldn't get to when they have been offered before, and we're gonna squeeze in some lunch, and have some great times playing and creating. Four of them will be working on a book, part of which is shown in the photos with this posting. There are other pages besides the ones shown. Penney will be off in her own proverbial corner doing her own thing with a leftover kit from a different project that she missed while in her Virginia home this summer, while I actually teach the other class. She's coming early so she'll be off and running before the next doorbell rings. I can't wait to see them all!

If anyone wants to make a Halloween book, please go to the Frenzy Stamper website for a sneak preview of just a little of the upcoming Halloween book. There are even better surprises on other pages. The graveyard pages are my favorite. Anyway, when was the last time you went trick-or treating? You remember how fun that was, right? That will be a little part of the class. Go to the website for more details, then come join us and make an amazing book!

Come play!!!

I haven't put much up here lately. It has been one excuse after another, burning my hand, going shopping, procrastination, you get the idea. But I have a little class coming up on Saturday, and by then, I hope to get off procrastination and such and get back in gear. Wanna come play??? We would love to have you. See a sneak peek of the sample book here at the Frenzy website. There are many hidden pages, so you get more than you see!

Jeane is on the cover of CPS!!!

Go here. Go now. My daughter, Jeane, is on the cover of Cloth Paper Scissors! We knew she was a finalist to be published in a reader's challenge for "Skeletons in Your Closet," but we didn't know she was ON THE COVER! I AM SO PROUD and happy and overjoyed and oh my gosh. Three of her dolls are on there. What is this girl of mine going to pull off next? Yeah, Jeane!

Successful!

Both my daughter, Jeane, and I have been chosen to be published in magazines before, and we will be published in an upcoming magazine together along with another group of artists for a collaborative book we did, but today we both received word that we will be published in the next Sew Somerset, each on our own merits for our own individual projects. My work is currently on the cover, and I am so excited to have been chosen to be in the magazine again. We have to get our feature articles written and in in just a few short weeks.
Sure, I am happy that my work will be in there, but I'm even happier for Jeane. We went to Art Unraveled today together, met up, went to our favorite breakfast spot, took the first part of class, met for lunch with friends, finished class and rode home together. It is amazing fun when you and your own kid enjoy doing the same thing TOGETHER. We both then checked out email, and just as I picked up my cell phone to call her, she was calling me on my land line so we could tell each other about our emails from the editor. How funny. There is a certain joy a mom knows when her child does something well. It makes you know you had a hand in helping your child add beauty to the world, whatever that thing done well might be. But most importantly, you know your kid is in a happy zone. If you follow Jeane's blog, you may have noticed that I sign all comments with XOheartP. That has been a secret code since she left for college that I never abandoned when she came home. Today the secret goes out. The P means, "I'm proud of you," and today I could not be any prouder!

I am hoping to find time this weekend to show some or all of my projects from my classes at AU. Stay tuned. So far, this has been the best year ever there.

Think Off White

I know it has been a while since I got around to posting anything. I have been transitioning from being a Nona full time to going back to work. This year, I am working with teachers instead of kids, so I have needed to go in and get some presentations and things done before they come in next week. So far, the job is great. I am so used to helping other people and then trying to get some alone time to get ready for my own kids, and this year, I only have to do one of those things.
Well, for the next few days, I am off to Art Unraveled to take some classes, my last days of my summer. Another load of excitement to add to the crazy schedule, right?
I meant to take pictures of my last class I taught at Frenzy Stamper, but when I pulled out the camera, my memory card was full, and I didn't want to take the time to delete pictures so I could take photographs. I figured the students needed my time more. I still might get a shot or two of what greeted the students when my life settles down a bit. I made a kit that didn't get used.
Debbie invited me back to do another class, and that will be a monochromatic book of whites with vintage linens and laces, mixed with newer ones, and it is a trifold book. It houses replicas of old photos. One is dated 1942, for example. It could be used to house other people's old photos or used for a wedding, baby, baptism, quinceanera, etc. People who sign up get to keep the photos in the kit if they bring their own in. Almost all the supplies are included in the price, so I am hoping the class will fill. I have a limited supply of the vintage linens, so the registration is limited, too. I was going to photograph that also, before I dropped it off yesterday, but I misplaced previously said camera and didn't want to hold up getting the book to the store. Debbie took pictures and put them up on her site. There are four more pages besides the ones she is showing if you would like to go in there and take a peek. I have since found my problem camera in the pocket of my traveling supply case. First thing I've done right with it in a while! I guess it goes without saying that it is a good thing that I am better with a sewing machine than taking snapshots!