Happy Birthday to my Guy!

I love this guy...not only is he super cool but he challenges me, supports me, loves me and keeps me balanced!  Today is my husband's birthday and also... 10 years ago today we met (via a blind date) on his birthday!! My life forever changed the day I met him and every one of his birthdays I celebrate having this wonderful man in my life!! Happy birthday my dear!

Classes, Classes and More Classes

Student's messy hands at ArtFiberFest

I have been working pretty hard on a number of projects lately- the first to share is that I will be offering more online classes!! And while the 5 week online classes that I offer have been going splendid, I've heard from many people that they can't register for the dates that are offered. So, after lots of thought, I decided to start a series of mini workshops that will be accessible for 6 months after you register.  To begin with I will be offering just the mini classes in this format and hopefully then offer some more extensive classes that are more like the 5 week format. Everything will go live on June 1st but right now the workshops are available for pre registration if you want to get a jump on it.

*******Graffiti Chic started on May 11th and runs for 5 weeks - you can register any time before the last day of class!  Click here for more information!********

The next 5 week online class will start in July and I have something really fun planned so stay tuned!

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The Mini Workshop

The mini work shop is a small version of the 5 week online classes that I teach.  It is one specific project or a technique based class that you can login and access for up to 6 months after registration. This means you have six months to download and access the information, there is no date to plan for or time to set aside on your calendar you have control over when you want to create.  The mini workshop is also more affordable option that I thought would be nice for those out there on a budget.  

The Mini Workshop Includes:

5-10 videos (depending on the subject)

Photos for inspiration

Step by step directions

Pdf to download

Depending on the class- patterns, designs, sketches to download and use in your projects

 

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CANVAS COLLAGE

Canvas Collage Mini Workshop $30.00
                                                                                          
This class will introduce you to everything you need to know about painter’s canvas.  You will learn a variety of ways to work with canvas using acrylic paint, image transfers, iron transfers, and more.  We will make use of raw, stretched, and primed canvas to build up layers that are glued and sewn together to create a unique piece of art ready to hang on the wall. 

To Register

All Mini Classes go live on June 1st!!

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HAND CARVED STAMPS

Hand Carved Stamps- Mini Workshop $30.00

Why purchase stamps when you can make your own?!? I only make my own stamps and with a background in printmaking I have discovered unique ways to create pattern with hand carved stamps and assembled materials This is a technique mini workshop where you will learn a variety of unique ways to create stamps. With a combination of videos, photos, blog and pattern downloads you will become a pro at making your own simple stamps! This is a beginner level class- if you have experience in making stamps, this may be a repeat to you. Please contact me with any questions you may have.

To Register

All Mini Classes go live on June 1st!!

Get Away!

Sometimes you just have to get away from it all and that is just what my husband and I did this last weekend!! I took him on a last minute get away to San Francisco for his birthday and it couldn't have come at a better time. We have A LOT going on in our lives and stepping away to escape and regroup was needed!! So we loaded our packs on our backs- walked and ate our way through San Fran!

My Quilting Arts Workshop DVD!

Thrilled to announce that my Quilting Arts Workshop DVD- Expression Session is available for purchase!! It is full of all kinds of easy (and messy) techniques for creating your very own hand painted fabric.   Visit Interweave for more information!!

Bad Back..AGAIN!!

Unfortunately I haven't had the best couple of days- my back is thrown out AGAIN.  And while I have changed my work habits since earlier this year I  still have lots of work to do finding balance i my life and better care for my body.  A bad back means very little work for me and of course it lands at a time when I have lots of stuff to do!  Thankfully I have been able to paint even with a bad back and have another little preview of work that will soon be made into prints for my shop!

Give Away!

This pretty little purse will be included in a give away on Emily Falconbridge's blog tomorrow (Friday)! Please stop by her blog to enter to win!

New Work

I have been really busy working on number of projects as well as some goals and wonderful changes that I will share very soon! One of my projects has actually been a series of paintings that I am turning into petite prints mounted on wood blocks, ready to hang on the wall. I spend A LOT of time painting canvas to sew with and have actually kind of missed doing what I have spent so many years doing...painting pictures for the wall- go figure! The first two in the series are now in my Esty Shop!

Sunset

sunset on the living room wall

Another Shop Update

Another shop update tonight!

Where Women Create

My advance copy of Where Women Create arrived in the mail! And I was so excited to see eight pages of me and my studio!! I am a little shy and uncomfortable with attention and often have a hard time reading and looking at the articles I write or contribute to but I am making myself soak in the lovely photos of my CRAZY studio!! Having a space like I do (though it is humble compared to others) was really a dream realized when we purchased out first home (one year ago last week). The first time I created in my new space I cried because I was so happy to finally have a large studio where I could be messy and free!  Getting to be a part of such a lovely publication is an honor.  Please support this wonderful publication by purchasing a copy of your own!!!

Etsy Updates

It is HOT here in San Diego and there is nothing worse than being sick when it is hot outside!! I am still fighting this stupid cold and thankfully feeling better. Since it was so nice I decided to get a little sun by the pool hoping a little vitamin D would be make feel a little better- at least I am not as pale as I was last week!  

I am also finally getting around to updating my Etsy Shop with lots of new messy and colorful goodies!!  I have a number of clutches, the most popular being the Simple Clutch- these were a HUGE HIT at my recent trunk show! 





...and a new clutch that I am calling the Skinny Clutch. I actually carry one of my own because it is the perfect size for a cell phone, lipstick and a handful of junk that we all carry in our purses!! And if you don't carry a clutch they are perfect for a pencil and pen case!!

Sticky Back Canvas Earrings

Have you heard of Claudine Hellmuth's new Studio product line? Well, it is FABULOUS and since I kinda specialize in canvas projects, for the next month I will be sharing all kinds of fun projects to make with Sticky Back Canvas. 

The first project is simple canvas earrings- inspired by the earring project in my book Canvas Remix, I decided to put a twist on the project and use sticky back canvas!

Start by printing out a page full photos, sketches or even words.  (I filled the page with a combination of my scanned sketches and my favorite words in fun fonts).  Print your images out on a sheet of Sticky Back Canvas.

Next, cover the canvas with messy paint and let dry.

Peel the backing off the canvas.

Fold the sheet in half.

Draw the shape of your earrings onto the surface of the canvas. 

Notice I used one of the bottles of Claudine's Studio paint as a template :)

Cut out your shapes.

Paint the edges with black paint or your choice of color and let dry.

Cover the surface of both sides of canvas with a glossy medium or even a glossy polyurethane. Let dry.

Use an awl to make a hole in the canvas.

Attach jump rings through the holes.

Attach hook earwires to the jump rings.

And VOILA...a pair of super fun, messy and colorful earrings!!

Coming Soon!

Coming really, really soon- lot of new purses!!

I'm Back!

I have been out of commission for the last few days- I have been battling a cold that my husband brought home a couple of weeks ago and the cold finally won. Today was the first day that I was able to breath through my nose and I am SO happy to finally be feeling better! It never fails that when I am not able to take care of myself, practice balance and back off of working too much- my body takes control and literally stops me in my tracks.  I have done nothing but lay on the couch, sleep and try to heal thy self for the last few days.  This is sadly the first time in months that I have done nothing and as boring as it is...it is just what I needed!

Now that I am back to my blog I have lots of fun and creative things to share in the next few days. The first being that I am finally offering what I am calling "Messy Kits"                                                             

A kit full of messy painted canvas, fabric and recycled paper to use in your sewing and mixed media projects! If you know me and my work you will know that I love MESSY painting full of color texture (and lots of splatter) and everything in these kits are are messy!

Each kit contains a variety of 10-15 pieces of hand painted canvas, fabric and recycled paper.

Each kit is organized by color.

Sizes range from (roughly) 7X11 to 4x4 inches

Visit my Etsy Shop for more info!

How Does Your Garden Grow?

I have always loved flowers and have dreamed of one day owning property where I could have a garden.  But until that day comes (really I should be just very thankful that we were able to purchase our first place even through it is not a home with property) I will make due with our wonderful patio with an ocean view.  And while I plan to start a garden on our patio, I just don't have time yet. So instead I have decorated our patio with lots of plywood painted with flowers.Until I have time to take care of flowers I will have to settle for colorful paintings of flowers :) 

Trunk Show=Success

I have spent the last few days working hard painting canvas and sewing it into purses for my trunk show today at the Escondido Museum of Art and I am happy to share that it was a success! Not only did I meet lots of WONDERFUL people, I sold lots of purses and the museum store will now be carrying my purses....and I have a feeling I will be working more with them in the future ;)