The Countdown Begins in Ernest!

So as you probably already know, Artfest is a mere 29 days away! I spent the entire day yesterday reorganizing my studio after the craziness of my schedule this month led me to just dump things wherever because I was too busy to put them away. Needless to say, eventually the mess got too big and I couldn't find half of what I needed so I had to deal with it!

While I was cleaning, I was also purging stuff I know I won't use again. I put everything into a box that will head to the Art Asylum at Artfest. For those of you who don't know what the Art Asylum is, everyone who wants to, brings their art castoffs to donate. A big room is set up and all the attendees are welcome to peruse the piles of stuff and help themselves to whatever they want to make art with. It's fantastic! You find all kids of weird and wonderful stuff!

I also have a shoebox on the go that I am filling with odds and ends of things I need for the three classes I am taking. I thought I would share with you this one thing that I just put into the shoebox. I have no idea what it used to be, but when I saw it, it reminded me of enchanted tree branches. I thought it would be perfect for the Mixed Media Naturalist class I am taking with LK Ludwig. I thought I might put it on the cover of my book. I bought two of these things to work with. The berries on it are in pinks and plum colours and just beautiful.

This is the book I plan to use for the class, which was a gift from Penn. The bird in the center of the cover will be where I cut through the book to make a place to sink this old frame in once I decide what it going to go inside it. I can't wait!

I also have a ton of cabinet cards, all gifts from my friends Deb, Karenann and Tina to use in The Book of Parlour Questions class I am taking with Nina Bagley. (Thanks again ladies! You saved me!) It's going to be really interesting to see what we do with them. I love making books!

I am already thinking about how I can keep packing to a minimum. Last year I hauled a ton of VERY heavy tools and then never ended up needing them. I also brought far more supplies than I needed. I am trying to subscribe to the "less is more" philosophy this time and only take what I need. Besides, folks are very generous and if I don't have something, I am sure I can borrow it-that's that beauty of being amongst 499 other artists!

March is going to be a busy month as I finish up a 5 week ATC class I am teaching, prep for Artfest and celebrate my birthday. I love that Artfest falls on the week after my birthday-it's like an extension of the party! It's so important to fill the creative well up and I am "so* looking forward to it. I know I will come away with tons of ideas and a fresh new energy. It's my birthday gift to myself!