Class Time !

I am feeling quite "over committed" to a lot of projects right now but, that being said, I am eager to begin the "All About Faces" class with Paulette Insall today. Although mixed media is not an easy concept for me, I am hoping to become more facile with the techniques. I need to overcome an obstacle; I relate "mixed media" to the decoupage that a step mother used to do. My memories are of her cutting things out of magazines, gluing them down onto surfaces,and then varnishing the whole lot. I also remember thinking that the vignettes that were created were not very compelling either! Granted, my memories are those of a young teenager, but those memories are one of things I am trying to overcome with 'mixed media'! I am also eager to improve my drawing skills - which need lots of help! I like having the structure of a "class setting" - it helps focus me and that focus will, I hope, carry over and help me get the other projects done in time for their respective deadlines. Now, surely that seems counter intuitive in a way!

I also have signed up for Paulette's "Organic Backgrounds" class which will begin in May. I guess it is a backwards approach to her classes - but then again, I often seem to do things that way!

Here's a little teaser - one of Paulette's videos. There is still room in her classes y'all!

It Was A Hail Of A Day!

Yesterday I spent a convivial day at the annual retreat for The Library Board of Trustees. We were happily ensconced in a lovely meeting room. We enjoyed David Bentley's fine facilitation skills as we prepared to discuss the serious business of financial stewardship & plans for the future health & well being of our beloved library. I live in a rural area where we are, truly, blessed with one absolutely superior library - which is headed by our forward thinking director, Laura Tretter. I am one of those people who have always been a heavy consumer of library resources and have, in fact, based decisions on where to live (or not as the case may be) based on what the town's library was like. I have always been able to spend happy hours wandering the stacks, taking vicarious "journeys" as I paged through art & travel books....but I digress...

Not long after the the meeting was called to order by President Susan Rosenberg, we heard more than the pattering of little rain drops on the roof. Lo and behold - it was decent sized (for our area) hail. Shannon Sword (otherwise known as Youth Services Librarian) picked up a handful of the ice bound pellets for all of us to admire. Mother Nature has been throwing some distinctly Winter like weather curves at us this last week. I know that Spring is lurking in the wings & I can't help but believe that the collective angst & lamentations that we are all experiencing at this very un-springlike trend is winging it's collective energy into the universe as a plea for sun and warmth !

It was a good day. I enjoyed the discussions and learned a lot about what it will take to keep our library headed towards a bright future of community service. Have you enjoyed all of the resources available at YOUR local library lately? Support your local library - they are, truly, places that are full of wonder, amazement and opportunity.

Earth Hour- Happening Saturday March 29th

On March 29, 2008 at 8 p.m., join millions of people around the world in making a statement about climate change by turning off your lights for Earth Hour, an event created by the World Wildlife Fund.

Earth Hour was created by WWF in Sydney, Australia in 2007, and in one year has grown from an event in one city to a global movement. In 2008, millions of people, businesses, governments and civic organizations in nearly 200 cities around the globe will turn out for Earth Hour. More than 100 cities across North America will participate, including the US flagships–Atlanta, Chicago, Phoenix and San Francisco and Ottawa, Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver.

We invite everyone throughout North America and around the world to turn off the lights for an hour starting at 8 p.m. (your own local time)–whether at home or at work, with friends and family or solo, in a big city or a small town.

What will you do when the lights are off? We have lots of ideas.

Join people all around the world in showing that you care about our planet and want to play a part in helping to fight climate change. Don’t forget to sign up and let us know you want to join Earth Hour.

One hour, America. Earth Hour. Turn out for Earth Hour!

Searching For A Miracle

This photo and the article below were taken from our local online "newspaper", San Juan Islander. My friend's son and his family are the subjects of this wonderful family photo. They are also, sadly, the subjects of the article.

If any of you have considered joining the bone marrow registry , but have not done so because you think that it is either not necessary, or that it is painful - please read this. The process is a simple cheek swab & being on the registry might save a life. I joined the registry in 2000 during a similar drive in our town. Please folks, don't be afraid to find out how you can be tested - the reward might just make you "the most important person in the world" to someone like Matt Johnson. All prayers for the families & supoort of the miracles that DO happen in life are appreciated.

"...Puget Sound Blood Center staff suggested 60 forms would be adequate for a bone marrow drive in a small community. Margaret Johnson said, "You don't know Friday Harbor." She ended up asking for 400 forms figuring she could always return the unused ones. There were few left at the end of the two-day drive as more than 300 people signed up, hoping to be a match for her son, Matt Johnson.

The 1992 graduate of Friday Harbor High School has been diagnosed with Myelodysplastic Syndrome. This very rare blood disease is a precursor to Acute Myelodysplastic Leukemia. His only hope for cure is a stem cell transplant.

Matt and his wife Jackie,(formerly Jackie King), also a FHHS graduate, and their four children, Dustin 7, Tesa 4, and twin girls Taylor and Jordan 15 months, live in Lake Stevens, where Matt supports his family as an electrical contractor.

Matt’s MDS is an aggressive form and it’s critical that he find a match immediately. A bone marrow drive in Matt’s honor, took place March 18 and 19, 2008. This expedited placement of potential donors, aged 18 to 61, to the National Bone Marrow Registry.

For those who live off island and would like to know where to donate, please go to www.psbc.org for more information. ..."

Weather Quirks

stock "hail " photo from the net

Well - remember those quirks I was concerned about for the sake of the little rufous hummingbirds? Well - we had hail and snow this morning ! It's gone here now - but the roads were bad dor a time! The mainland had lots of snow (relatively speaking of course) over night.

No snow all Winter - and now , hopefully, a last gasp ! I hope the hummers are okay!

"My Babies " Are Back

photo by Dan True

I am so happy to be able to report that the Rufous Hummingbirds are back at our Northwestern Washington feeders. I had thought that I was hearing them and so I put up a second feeder in another location "just in case" I was not experiencing auditory hallucinations. Lo and behold ! They were at the feeder within an hour or so! I also snipped the first hyacinth of the season today as well. In an odd quirk of fate snow showers are in the forecast - which makes me worry about the fate of these intrepid little rufous travelers.

Books I Just HAD To Have

I have been trying to be responsible and not exercise my plastic power, but since I had to order some birthday presents anyway I decided to get two of the books that have been on my "must own" list. "uniquely Felt" by Christine White is a book that I originally requested through Inter Library Loan. Thankfully, my local library, knowing well my addiction to felting books, ordered it for their collection. I have taken it out and renewed it innumerable times - to the point that I was feeling guilty about always having it out. I would return it on time- and then hurry back in to see if it was still available before taking it out once again ! I finally decided that I had to OWN the book! This book is an absolutely invaluable resource for anyone who is interested in the various, amazing methods of felts and felting. The instructions for each process are clear and extremely well illustrated. From Nuno felted scarves to felted flowers; this is a must have book for any felt addict.

Ruth Issett's books are always on my list. Her books never disappoint me. This book concentrates on how to build texture and depth to fabrics by the use of paints and patterns. Ruth goes over different paints and mediums and lists the advantages - as well as the disadvantages- of each. The illustrations are rich and well done . I consider this a process book with lots of eye candy.


One of my day dreams is to be a crafting book reviewer....or else to have a carte blanche to be able to buy every book on my Amazon list - and then some that I don't even know about yet ! Any publishers out there who want to help me out of my misery?!

Take It Further Challenge March

I have to admit that I was more challenged that usual with this color scheme. I liked the theme though - noticing the little things - the details of life. My first thought was of orchids. These incredible plants that almost grow from air. Their colors reminded me of the challenge colors- and I also liked the fact orchids contain so many special, beautiful, small details. I tried out other themes and nothing really struck me - nothing else seemed to fit once I had orchids on my mind. I used canvas, paint,inks and papers to make this interpretation of March's theme. This challenge is so good for sparking imagination !

The palette we were to use is on top in this picture.

This was one I rejected....still on the orchid idea - but a colored block pront. I think I just went too fast on this one - It could have worked I suppose.

More Birds For My Brain

An Orchid

Lightly Inked Hummingbird

I enjoyed playing with some more block carving today. Lots to learn. The process in enjoyable. I will play more with these tomorrow - stil trying to find the right kind of paint - the proper amount of paint etc. I wonder if I am getting this carving thing out of my system? Asked as I am about to order more block material ! It's just too much fun to stop!

Hummingbird With More Ink

Our State Bird, The American Goldfinch

The Weekend of Not

It's the weekend of not because I decided to "not" this weekend. I felt like I needed some down time - with no pressure to accomplish anything that I did not feel "caw-led" to work on. Maybe not the best choice right now since my commitment list is long & some deadlines loom. I trust that the commitment list will all fall into place more easily however since I have elected to "not".

Early in the year one of the promises that I made to myself was to teach myself more about block carving. I have never really done any carving (other than two small pieces some months ago) & I wanted to try my hand at some more. As with most things, I think it's matter of practice in order to learn! I admire Elin Waterston and have been enjoying her blog where she has been showing her completed carvings - at the rate of one a day since the beginning of the year. So today I decided that I wanted to try my hand at carving a crow - and I am happy with the results. Happy enough that I hope to do some more of them while I tarry this weekend in 'not land'. I most definitely have birds on the mind lately!

Fabulous Transfer Technique

I am excited to soon be taking a class from Paulette Insall. Teri Stegmiller introduced me to the work of this talented artist and I was happy to snag a spot for the class. Although class does not begin until March 31 I have been enjoying learning about fellow class-mates through their introductions. Claudine Hellmuth is one artists in the class. She has a fabulous blog - and I found this video of her demonstrating her transfer technique using Adirondack Dabbers.

I think that having the ability to learn things from so many talented people is one of the things I love the most about the internet. I am especially fond of the things to be found on YouTube. I remember when I friend at work first discovered YouTube. He was so excited about it & I wondered why anyone would want to watch other people's little video clips. I am now as excited about it as he was - now I get it !!

Few Words For The First Day Of Spring

Mushrooms are thriving.

Weeds are growing.

Hellebores are blooming

& Odie is enjoying his nip.

Thank goodness for vacuum cleaners.

Still Water Bound For The Vernal Equinox

As the first day of Spring rapidly approaches, the rain has started again. Spring teased us with a perfect day yesterday. I opened all of the windows for a 'change of air' and sat, happily at that, in puddles of sunshine for a bit. We are anxiously awaiting the return of fair weather, and, in the mean time, it's a good time to knit, felt and sew !! Hope that wherever you are in this fabulous world you will enjoy a breath of fresh air and welcome Spring with an open heart!

The New Adventures of Hummley The Felted Rufous Hummingbird

I finally am beginning to feel that I am managing to finish some of the projects that were on my must do list this past weekend. Hummley is the newest nestling in the family. This Rufous fellow is needle felted with a gilded gorget & polymer clay formed feet and beak. I perched him on a small madrona branch (a fabulous local wood that is, by itself, a magical thing) that I add some silk flowers to. The base is also made of polymer clay and says, Wish, Dream & Imagine. I was so happy to have finished him this week - since it is, historically the week that the Rufous hummingbirds return to our feeders. I got an order for an Eplet too this week. I will soon be starting to add Blue Birds to the nest as well.

Ireland In My Heart

I bind to myself today
The power of Heaven,
The light of the sun,
The brightness of the moon,
The splendour of fire,
The flashing of lightning,
The swiftness of wind,
The depth of sea,
The stability of earth,
The compactness of rocks.
From The Song of St.Patrick's Breast Plate

As a proud descendant of Boyds, Kavanaughs and O'Malleys I celebrate St.Patrick, my Irish heritage and Ireland today. Did you know that St.Patrick's given name was Maewyn? I like that. I also think that it is interesting that he tried to integrate some of the pagan rituals & customs of the Celts in his attempts to Christianize them. I found the passage below about St. Patricks use of crosses and bonfires from, I think, the History website.

"....Familiar with the Irish language and culture, Patrick chose to incorporate traditional ritual into his lessons of Christianity instead of attempting to eradicate native Irish beliefs. For instance, he used bonfires to celebrate Easter since the Irish were used to honoring their gods with fire. He also superimposed a sun, a powerful Irish symbol, onto the Christian cross to create what is now called a Celtic cross, so that veneration of the symbol would seem more natural to the Irish. (Although there were a small number of Christians on the island when Patrick arrived, most Irish practiced a nature-based pagan religion. The Irish culture centered around a rich tradition of oral legend and myth. When this is considered, it is no surprise that the story of Patrick's life became exaggerated over the centuries-spinning exciting tales to remember history has always been a part of the Irish way of life.)..."

"...One traditional icon of the day is the shamrock. And this stems from a more bona fide Irish tale that tells how Patrick used the three-leafed shamrock to explain the Trinity. He used it in his sermons to represent how the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit could all exist as separate elements of the same entity..."

Happy Saint Patrick's Day to one and all.

May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face;
the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again,
may God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Traditional Gaelic Blessing

Miles to Go

".. The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep..."
Robert Frost

These photos describe perfectly how I felt this week. Miles to go before I play. I took the top photo on our Orcas play day. I love the whimsy of this fence. Below is what my desk looked like after some hours of work. Eventually, I did unearth the wood (or possibly in this case the laminate!) of a clean desk. This week will be easier now that this explosion has been contained !

Miracles Happen

"Miracles surround us at every turn if we but sharpen our perceptions of them"
Willa Cather

My list of things to finish grows while my list of things that are not completed seems to grow exponentially. I have been having anxiety attacks over it. Foolish me ! I have been considering limiting myself to one craft form over another - and the appeal of that plan lasts but a moment. There are too many things that fire my imagination - that need to be more fully explored and integrated. I did , at least, finish up this little painting that is meant for a friend. I have been working on mixed media and this is made of paint and paper, fabric and sparkles. My friend needs a miracle. I know that the angels will provide one for her & her family. My anxiety is such a silly thing when people are facing serious life challenges. I am trying to take Mary Englebreit's admonition to "Snap Out Of It" seriously!

The weather continues to be anything but Spring-like, although the temperatures today are, indeed, a bit milder. Still not nice enough for the cats to want to laze about on the deck and ask for a catnip fix though. Wishing everyone a good weekend filled laughter, health & happiness.

Flowers Promise SPring

"If we could see the miracle of a single flower clearly,
our whole life would change."
-- Buddha

It's wet and cold outside. Spring is hiding at the moment but I know it is just around the corner. Meanwhile, the cactus are entering another colorful bloom inside - fanning my breath of hope for warmer, sunnier days and keeping my awe of nature alive and well. How utterly perfect Mother Nature is - even on cold and rainy days!

Orcas Island Play Day

Last Monday ,the 10th ,Janet, Jan and I had a gal pal day on Jan's beloved island - Orcas. It was a rather cold, rainy day but we had fun none-the-less. Jan took us us to Olga - where, believe it or not, I had not gotten to visit in 17 years! There is a fabulous artist co-op there & I could have done some serious damage to my plastic had I not been loathe to use it. Jan also took us to a weaver's studio that I had been wanting to see for years. You see, I have an odd quirk. I am perfectly fine going places and seeing people once I have met them - but I am a shy ninny when I don't know someone & simply can't bring myself to "barge in" on a person - even if barging is welcomed! Now I know I will feel no discomfort going there again. I found some wonderful Merino top roving in colors that I had been looking for - perfect for my hummingbirds.After seeing her looms I am now coveting a small loom once again. Ye gads ! It would have to be a gift at this point - they have become so expensive! It was a beautiful studio for a lovely , Maria, makes beautiful things.
Can you find the face in this photo? I found this to be one of the most amazing trees I have ever seen - it's on Jan's beautiful property. What tenacity! What strength! What a will to survive!

The lovely beach that greets you when you enter town.

A gorgeous stone wall looked especially enticing in the fog and rain. The mosses were thriving !
Even the seagulls were grouped closer together. What fabulous, intelligent birds they are ! We all had a great day and decided that another play date would be in order - this next time though on a Saturday when more of the stores will be open!

Recycling At It's Finest

My friend, Helen, keeps me on the straight and narrow when it comes to recyclying and reusing. She is our counties recyling maven and always gets all kinds of really interesting emails. Although I do not have any photos to add to this blog post I did think that the art-full crochet creations on this website were special enough to write about. When I first opened the link I thought I was looking at a coral reef phtograph - not so !

http://www.theiff.org/reef/index.html

Have a look for yourself and see what can be made of plastic waste!

Banner Triangle Swap

The Banner Triangles have arrived - and what a joy they are. They will, when I get all of the provided letters affixed, spell c-r-e-a-t-i-v-i-t-y. The participants in the swap have really put me to shame. I am a true neophyte at mixed media & these women are masters. Seeing the triangles have already taught me a lot about mixed media and, if I am allowed to participate in another swap next year, I know that I will mix more media in a far better better way ! The photo above is of the letter "y" and was made by swap hostess, Sara Lechner. The other swap participants - artists extraordinaire - are Jacq, Jacky, Dot, Mystele, Jamie, Judy,Martha, Lisa and me. I'll post a photo of the "put together" banner as soon as I get it finished. Thank you one and all for a very fun, art-full, instructional swap!

An Angelic Touch

I have never been much of a doll aficionado (at least since I gave up on Barbie) & I have never had much of a yen to make dolls. I have, however, been enchanted by the dolls that Gail Wilson designs & makes. I collect angels and when I saw that she has a line of angel patterns, I decided to give one a try! Gail's style is decidedly folk art & I know that I will make the pattern somehow "my own", but her work is really something special. The presentation of the pattern is lovely & the instructions are very thorough & well done. There is a little bag of included goodies for completing the doll: a felting needle for felting the provided hair into place ,a pencil for rouging, and a tiny tin of of antiquing wax- something I have never heard of but am anxious to try. If you have ever thought about making a doll - or just like folk art - click on the highlighted link to enjoy a some eye candy!

The Return of The Button

Don't forget that you can double click for a larger image!

The glass buttons have returned. I am now feeling inspired to get my kiln fired up soon to make more in the specific sizes I need. Making these buttons in our mini class reminded me of how much I love working with glass - especially fusing glass. I sure hope my kiln is still operative! Anyway, here are the group of buttons that I made. Six in a lovely iridescent black, 6 in an iridescent clear & one crazy extra long piece that will probably end up being something other that a button! I hated to waste to space available to me - so this was a VERY quick one made on the way out the door!

I purchased some button shanks - ordered 6mm which are WAY to small for these - & 10mm which are barely large enough. I need to order some 12 & 14mm I think. Below you can see the shanks on both a dark and a clear. I think they work well. I had thought to order the clear based variety, but someone mentioned that it is harder to get a good bond between glass & acrylic or plastic than than it is to get a good bond between glass & metal. I think they were correct. I used a two part epoxy & these buttons are firmly adhered. I don't think that they will come off easily!