Weekend Projects- Satisfaction!

It doesn't look very glamorous and "arty" but I dug in and cleaned out the storage space off my sewing studio. Check out the before and after- here is my new, lean and mean storage area.

Where did it all go? Well, 2 huge bags went to the dumpster and a large cardboard box filled with paper went to recycling; another box full lots of pillows, unused frames, a flagpole, and odds 'n ends is headed to our local charity shop while a laundry basket full of paints, canvas, brushes, etc. is headed to my "wet" studio in a diffferent location; two plastic crates will serve me well in my office at Squam Art Workshops- perfect to file all those registrations that will be coming in February. I actually have some unused space on one shelf, and the toilet and shower are now accessible.

 I was surprised that it only took half a day to do (lesson learned- don't procrastinate on the nasty jobs), but amazed at what I had saved and buried....half-finished projects, bits and pieces of batting and fabric too small to really be of any use...and what I found, like a glue gun with lots of sticks that I didn't even remember having!
Ahh, such satisfaction to complete a project so early in 2010 - let's here it for "De-Clutter"!

Cloth, Paper, Scissors and Me!

I'm so excited to share the news that my August submission to Cloth, paper, Scissors STUDIOS magazine has been published in the Winter 2009 edition! Elizabeth MacCrellish of Squam Art Workshops encouraged me and helped with the photos, so many thanks there. I wanted to show what could be done in a very small space (6'x12') as so many studios featured are larger than many of us can manage. Laurie Coyle's little red bird is seen in 3 photos, and one of my favorite books, a gift from Mary Aarons at Craftside is front and center on my desk. I love being surrounded by my many treasures and can't wait to get cozy in it again this winter.

I'm So Lucky!

The last morning at Squam a few of us woke up early just before sunrise, ran out onto the dock in our socks and jammies and stood in awe of the sight around us- mist rising off the water, clouds above the distant hills, the glow of the rising sun expanding. There was a reverent silence as we watched the day begin.
I am so lucky to live in this beautiful place where I can have these moments often. I need to remember this when life gets busy, I'm feeling stressed about getting things done, hurrying on to the next task. Stop, breathe, look around, be present, say "thank you" for my life.

The After Glow-Life after Squam

A week's gone by since I returned from Squam Art Workshops-September edition. My classes exceeded my expectations. Eventhough I've made lots of books the Book a Day class with Christine Mason Miller and Marisa Haedike gave me some new tricks (including the new "MM" -Mason Miller-way to easily bind multiple sections). My memory book about my grandmother is a new treasure. I felt her great love all the while I worked on it.

And Mary Beth Shaw's class was just the right activity for the last class when we were all a little tired- kind of like finger painting in kindergarten. Again, I've done lots of paste painting but her take on it was entirely new and I came home with a stack of paper to use for book covers and face pages.

Sarah Ahearn's class Text and Image was so good for me as she encouraged us to use a wide variety of materials and techniques. She had a terrific class activity that took us out of our comfort zones. My "P" piece was the class activity- chalk pastels are my new find! The One True Love piece uses another photo of my grandparents on their honeymoon in 1927-sigh....


And my cabin mates? The best! We laughed, shared our lives, drank wine well into the night, then met up in front of the fire for early morning coffee to gear up for the day. It was show-and-tell at night as the eleven of us took a wide variety of classes. Mary Beth was a fabulous roommate in Eldorado- the little sister I always wanted!
And can I just say that having Jenny Doh as a cabin-mate was a true pleasure and honor. She IS the person behind the welcoming letters in Somerset magazines, a champion for all of us trying to live more creative lives.

Here's me with little sis MB :)

Countdown to Squam Art Workshops!

Just 13 days to go until the fall Squam Art Workshops. I feel so blessed to be going AGAIN! June classes were terrific, my cabin-mates were the best.
This time I'm in a larger cabin with 12 other soon-to-be new friends. We are right on the water with a wonderful porch looking off across the lake. I'm already imagining early morning coffee on the dock, late nights on the porch listening to the loons calling out to each other.
And oh my, my classes! I start off with A BOOK A DAY with Marisa Haedike and Christine Mason Miller, using long cherished photos of my beloved grandmother as inspiration. I met both teachers in June and am really looking forward to this class. Then on Thursday it's TEXT & IMAGE with Sarah Ahearn-I love her work!! Saturday morning I'm working with Helene Finizio in CONNECTING WITH YOUR ESSENCE-I'm so ready for this one! In the afternoon I'll be with Marybeth Shaw in NOT YO' MAMA'S PASTE PAPER. I've done paste paper before (self-taught) but know I'll learn new techniques and approaches, plus it is so much fun, like finger painting in kinderarten. And on Saturday night I'll be at the ART FAIR with my handmade books and journals.
I live nearby Rockywold-Deephaven Camps and have been there several times this summer already visiting friends so I can tell you that SAW has a glowing reputation there. They are ready and waiting for our return!

Life after SAW-Squam Art Workshops

Just a week ago I returned from my second Squam Art Workshops retreat on Squam Lake in New Hampshire. Another divine experience that I am still processing. This is not just about the workshops (fabulous as they are), but about connecting with other creative souls in a nurturing and nourishing community. Although we have now all gone our separate ways we are truly connected through the universal energy we all share.
I had the great pleasure of working with Maya of maya*made for 2 days, learning how to make buckets out of burlap coffee sacks and how to print on fabric using freezer paper and textile paints. Photos coming soon! The last day I spent with Betz White making all sorts of bags out of re-purposed materials like t-shirts and old pillow cases-really cool stuff!
Evenings (after wonderful programs like listening to Jonatha Brooke sing around a campfire and viewing "Who Does She Think She Is", a documentary about women artists balancing family life and art) were spent on the porch of Shingle Blessedness talking about great "life" things with Tracie Lyn Huskamp, Laurie Coyle, Kathy, and Sarah as we drank wine and listened to the loons call to each other. It can't get much better than that!