Lucky Number 7!

A few months ago, I sent in three items that I have kept secret from all but a few people; a laptop bag, a purse, and a little tote to carry a paper back book in. These were all made from old quilt pieces I picked up from the Hannah Grey booth at Art Unraveled's shopping extravaganza event last August. I did some new stitching, added some ribbons, and stuck in a funky zipper making "Grandma's quilts" into something more fresh and funky. They went to Art Quilting Studio, but sadly after I sent them, the magazine contained a letter in it stating that was the last issue. Next to Sew Somerset, that was my favorite magazine. Today the disappointment showed it's silver lining, when I got an email telling me the items had all been chosen to appear as a feature article in an upcoming edition of Haute Handbags. It is presently scheduled for the next edition which will be released in October, unless space becomes an issue, and then could be bumped to the following issue. This is twice in a row for that mag and 3 times altogether. I have the photos stored in my computer, but I'm keeping the pictures secret and safe for good luck because this will be my lucky Number 7 in the world of getting art published!
Postnote: This article is now scheduled to appear in the April 2011 edition. Space did indeed become an issue.

One Week 'til Class

Lest anyone think I fell in a hole, it was only a proverbial one. The last six weeks have been crazy, to put it nicely, with what seems like a hundred extra things on my mind, sometimes to the point that I couldn't even think straight, remember important stuff and wah, wah, wah. I don't need any sympathy. I'm just esplainin' my mental and physical absence on several fronts, including this blog. Uninvited guests removed items from my home and car, including my cell phone with all my numbers, and my camera with the memory card which had all my art photos. I have a new one of each and I am getting my numbers back in the phone but still haven't gotten my computer married to my camera yet, so be patient 'til things are back to my version of normal. I hope to have that done in a week.
School is now officially out for the summer, but not for the staff, so there will be more work than play for me this summer before the kiddos come back in August. Again, no complaining, just sayin...
Anyway, to the title, Friends. Next Saturday, June 12, is the Double Double Round 2. If anyone is hanging out and wants to stop in, we would love to have you come play with us. Last time, it sold out, so this is for everyone who wished they could before or just found out. Register online for class at Frenzy Stamper or by calling the store 480-946.0007. More details in the sidebar, too. If you don't own a sewing machine, let me know, and we can work something out.

Double Double Class

I was reminded today why I like to do art sewing classes. (Like I ever forgot, right?) Today was one of the best classes EVER, with a packed house at Frenzy Stamper, extension cords and fabric-ribbons-lace-paper everywhere. Thanks to everyone who came and played. It was really quiet, even with 14 machines plugged in, and people just smiled and did their thing. A few machines acted up, but they were no hill for this sewing machine whisperer. There's nothing quite like the face of an owner of a sewing machine when she sees her little beast of machine back on good behavior. Better than giving a kid candy! Debbie was up sewing by the cash register, too. Sorry, there are no pictures here. Debbie has some on her blog.I will be buying a new camera soon, and the pix will be back. The journals everyone made were so amazing all the way from one person who doesn't have sewing on the top of her fun list but came with her mom to be a sweetheart for Mother's Day (well maybe she does now) to the people with more buttons on their sewing machines than I would know what to do with. There were masterpieces put together today.

If anyone who missed out still wants to play, this class will be repeated on June 12. See Debbie's site for more details. You can sign up at the store, or by letting me know. janeeileen@hotmail.com

And the Winner is...

Ya know how sometimes sumthin' is just meant to be? Well, here is one we can't argue for sure. So I went to google to find the site for the random number generator. I entered the range of possibilities and a number popped up. I was all ready to come back to the blog and see whose entry matched that number when I realized that the range I entered was incorrect! YiKeS! I had denied the last people who commented a chance to win. I felt terrible, but I knew I had to give everyone a chance, so I started over with the correct range number in place. I double checked it make sure I didn't mess it up again, and guess what? The same number came up the second time. and the number was 3, curiously my second favorite number, second to 23. Eerie, no? Well, not for the winner.So, I came back to the blog, and the third person to comment was Paper Pumpkin! So, Miss Paper : ), send me your mailing address, and you get the goods!
Happy Earth Day, Everyone! Mother E. is smilin' today, cause today is her day.

Attention Followers: Earth Day Giveaway!

April 22, 2010 will be the 40th anniversary of Earth Day. In honor of that occasion, I made a journal today recyling fabric from a pair of capri jeans I bought that were too long and that I hemmed. It has two signatures of Wassau cardstock pages in it, 40 heavy duty pages in all, great for paint and a whole lot of fun. Anyone who is a public follower of this blog, anywhere in the world, and who also leaves a comment with this post stating s/he is interested in winning is eligible. I will announce the winner some time on the 22nd. The winner will then be asked to notify me with a mailing address. Stay tuned. : )
Note: If you are not currently a public follower, you may sign up to be one any time before the drawing and still qualify. If you are a follower of my old blog, that site will be removed from the web before Thursday. All content from that blog was moved here when I started this one, so it is time.

Double Double Trouble?

If you think of trouble more as an opportunity to solve a problem, then here is an opportunity for anyone who is going to be in the Phoenix area on June 12, 2010. I am scheduled to teach my newest book, the Double Double on May 1st. The spaces were all sold out. So, this presented an opportunity for me to schedule another exact same class on June 12. It will be at Frenzy Stamper as well, and it will run from 10:30 til 5:30 with an hour break in there for lunch. These are reruns of the pictures I posted in March. I have been playing around with other different color combinations and types of fabrics since then. Some are in my etsy shop, while others are just sitting around waiting for their time to be presented. Anyway, I will bring several examples of different ones, including one I made of upholstery fabrics that that has a very rich type of look to it, so people get a better idea of the range of possibility. If you want to sign up, call the store at 480-946-0007, or send me an email, and we will get you in. I'd love to have you in class.

Journals for Sale

heart with green tie: sold


patches with purple tie: sold




Come and play: sold

I have accumulated enough journals that I am ready to let some go out to good homes. I have listed them in my etsy shop here. The pictures above are just the front covers. For additional details, see the extra photos and descriptions in the shop. I can give a shipping quote for sending outside the USA, if anyone is interested. Just let me know. Thanks!