Quilting Arts

Check out my article on canvas books in the latest Quilting Arts Magazine!

A Little Something...

A little something I like to call PROGRESS!!! I have been working during every spare moment- evenings, weekends, mornings before work and lunch time to produce a nice collection of things to sell at ArtFiberFest, Etsy, and all kinds of holiday opportunities! I am FINallY feeling more on top of stuff- the things that I make are labor intensive because I am literaly creating yardage and yardage of canvas paintings with lots of layers which usually means lots of drying time AND then I am cutting and sewing and turning all those paintings into one of a kind accessories which = TIME CONsumING!!! But I have reached a point in my process that I finally have a stock pile of painted canvas ready to be sewn up into lovely creations AND even better I have a stock pile of handmade product- feels so good!!

A little preview.....





and if you are attending ArtFiber Fest many of these items will be for sale during vendor night and if you are not attending but are interested in purchasing a custom purse or accessories feel free to email me or stay tuned for Etsy shop updates with all sorts of goodies for the holiday!!

Glimpse

Just a quick glimpse of  my special little space where I have been spending every single spare moment lately!

Got Pattern?

Once again another weekend spent working non stop! But in my never ending attempt to constantly push myself to be more creative I am proud to say that I created some lovely canvas full on interesting and fun patterns made completely by yours truly. After a few short breaks spent browsing through my favorite fashion mags I decided I needed some more textured and interesting canvas for accents in my purses AND I am so happy with the results!

Too Tired

Another long day at work and then home for another night in the studio...too tired to blog.

Look Ma...I've Gone Green!

So I am officially tired of Michaels, JoAnns, brand names, spending money on all kinds of supplies and products that really don't make me any more creative or that I even really need!  I have so much junk in my studio that I thought I would use and never have...which might explain this super duper "green" kick that I have been on.  We have a pile of junk mail and advertisements in the mail & with  little paint on the surface they are primed and ready for drawing. We have a drawer full of plastic bags & with an iron to fuse them they become sturdy fabric to paint on and sew with.... One of my favorite artists Basquiat often didn't have money for canvas (because he spent a lot of time homeless) and would use pieces of cardboard to draw and paint on which were later exhibited in galleries.  I have always loved this concept- going back to basics, creating with simples materials and letting your artistic ability shine through the materials.  I have decided that I am not okay anymore with being wasteful and I am redefining my materials forever! And with that  I have another clutch made from plastic bags to share...

Exhausted

I have been working my fingers to the bone all weekend. I have been painting canvas and making all kinds of purses to sell at vendor night at ArtFiber Fest. I am now exhausted and have finally settled down to do some more work on the computer but at least I get to watch new tv shows- Amazing Race, Dexter, True Blood.

Sneak Peak

Another little sneak peak of some mixed media fabric made from recycled materials for the Cloth Paper Scissors article I am working on!

Imagination

I have been working on all kinds of projects at once and part of what happens when I have “assignments” to work on is that I have a flurry of new ideas that I can’t seem to stop! So while paint was drying I started work on the beginning of a completely new whimsical series of what I like to call fiber sculptures- this is just the start of taking my imagination, inspiration and sketches and turning them into something real!

It Is Official....

So I spent the weekend in Vegas and it is official....I don't think that I like Las vegas very much. It was my first time there and probably my last- Don't get me wrong, I am sure lots of people have a great time but for non drinkers and gamblers, or clubers, or people who don't have extra spending money or people who like lots of people- there just wasn't that much left to do. But thankfully the hubby and I are creative and always find our own kind of fun together like taking silly pictures everywhere we went- like this...

and this

and this...

and this!!

But the highlight of trip was anything having to do with Cirque du Soleil- we found a sculpture exhibit that was inspired by the Cirque performers by artist Richard Macdonald and much to our surprise he was there at the gallery that night which was pretty cool.  But the best part was going to see KA which was amazing.  

If you never have seen a Cirque performance...go, go, GO!!! For me it is like watching art come to life and it is so visually inspiring.  

So even though I most likely won't go back, I am always happy to have time away with my husband and time away from from everyday life. But now it time to jump right back into my own craziness!!!!!

The News...

I have been busy working on some more fun and creative projects that involve recycled materials and PAINT- (of course) one in particular is for a future Cloth Paper Scissors article and while I don’t want to divulge too much- I will share the beginnings of creating mixed media “fabric” made from fused plastic bags, scrap paper and newspaper (otherwise know as typical trash!) and lots of layers of paint!

In other news... I have been trying to be more thankful for the things in my life. With the current economic developments in the last few days, I have found myself feeling more and more thankful for my great, creative, and flexible day job. Hearing that so many people are struggling with just the normal stuff really has made me be want to be better at just embracing the goodness and the wonderful opportunities that today brings. I get so caught up in wanting things to be different- chasing my dreams to the point of never feeling like it is satisfying or enough- I forget how both me and my husband’s hard work has truly paid off in both of us having wonderful secure jobs that enable us to pursue our passions.

I am getting ready to head off to Las Vegas to join my husband at the end of a conference that he is attending this week. I have been lots of places but never Vegas (not sure it is up my alley- what else is there to do if you are not into drinking and gambling?!?!?!?) but its paid for and we love people watching and Cirque du Soleil AND we never celebrated our anniversary two weeks ago....so.....Vegas here I come!!!!!!

Be True

There is only one you for all time. Fearlessly be yourself. -Anonymous

Cross That off the List!

Finally finished a pile of stuff for the Craft Kitchen this weekend...sigh...feels good to be crossing things off the list instead of adding to it!!!

Cute

Finally some cute characters for my shop!

Shop Update

I will be posting a handful of little monsters and skull softies to my esty shop tomorrow!!

Lovely Weekend!

What a lovely weekend it was! The last of our family guests left on Friday and as sad as it always is to see loved ones go- it was nice to get back to my life. I have put my art on hold for the last week and a half and it was definitely time to get back to my studio!!! After a day full of painting, Saturday night was the Ecopalooza exhibit that I was a part of and it was so much fun and even better to have wonderful friends come out and support me!  The night was full of "green" art, fashion, TONS of people and lots of inspiration. My art has taken a more sustainable approach lately and I can't seem to stop using all kinds of recycled materials so getting to exhibit and attend was super inspiring for me.  After the exhibit, we made our way over to Ray Street in North Park to browse more galleries and listen to live music played from the top of one of the galleries- TOO MUCH FUN!!

You Are Invited!

For any of you out there in the San Diego area- I will be exhibiting some super cool "green" purses at Ecopaloza on September 13th 6-10:30pm at 3956 30th Street, San Diego, CA 92104 http://www.ztarc.com/greenscene

What a Weekend!

What a weekend it was!!! We have family in town- inlaws staying with us and I have been going and going and going...between the bowling and indonesian food and all day at the beach and football games and cards and brunch and celebrating birthdays I almost forgot that yesterday was our 4 year wedding anniversary!

Canvas Journals

Little canvas journals for sale in my etsy shop!

Balance

I made a spur of the moment decision last week to slow down a bit and enjoy the last days of August.  I have been a whirlwind of activity, in constant motion working, working and working some more and I finally had enough!  SO the last two weekends I spent at the pool, sitting on our lovely garden patio, going to movies and spending much needed time as a wife.  The last year has been so full of activity that I had forgotten how good it feels to just enjoy time spent in peace and calm and doing not much of anything too intense!  In the last week I visited Borders 3 times because I have been plowing through the Twilight series of books which have been great to read by the pool and have let my brain just escape into a fun and quick story! One of my trips I remembered to stop and find my own book there it was in the craft section of Borders ( I had a happy moment) and then it was off to devoure another vampire novel by the pool.  Now I am preparing myself for a mass of in laws at our house for the next week and it will be more disctractions for me but I am finding that it helps my creativity if I step away and just be normal and then come back to all of my creative goals...balance.