Hot Off the Presses!

It's here!! The box with copies of Haute Handbags has arrived! When I went to the PO to get my mail and saw it, I had to open it right there and then. Carol, my post lady was kind enough to get excited along with me when I showed her what the big deal was. Pictured here is the beautiful bag Kristen Steiner created for me. Not only do I treasure this tote, but our friendship as well. She is one of the sweetest and gentlest souls I know. Congratulations to Kristin, Kathy Strittmater and Caren McNee for having their work included in this article!

Friday was a good day, not only because the magazines finally arrived, but also because I got word that I will have another article coming out in the July/August issue of Somerset Studios! Yay!! Now I am just waiting for Pasticcio 3 to arrive so I can see the article I wrote for it in print! It's a very exciting time for me and I am so blessed to be doing what I love!

I am still scrambling to prepare for Artfest. For the last week I have been trying to find time to get the photocopying I need to do done for two of the classes I'm taking. Something keeps happening and I don't get it done. Yesterday I was all set to head to Staples and do it when my son decided he wanted to come and shop at the mall with me. I didn't end up going to Staples because it was going to take awhile and I didn't want him standing around saying he was bored and asking how much longer would I be. So today is the day! I really must get it done! I have discovered that while I love to go to Artfest, I really hate packing. I have been at it in dribs and drabs for the last 3 weeks and I am still not done.

When I get back I have a few days to prepare for the Studio Tour. Here is the invite for anyone who needs it! The reception on Friday night is also open to the public. Hope to see you there!

Birthdaypalooza!

So this week was the start of what I jokingly to refer to as "Birthdaypalooza". For some reason, all my life, my birthday has never been contained to a single day, but spread out over a period of about 2 weeks wherein I have various celebrations with different friends and family and the ongoing arrival of presents. Birthdaypalooza began last week on Thursday. My best friend Lisa took me to Spa Divine for a facial and pedicure. It was wonderfully relaxing and I came away feeling like a million bucks.

Saturday was my dinner party with friends. In the middle of the afternoon, before everyone arrived, this balloon bouquet arrived from Lisa's mum, Dian. It was a Thank you/happy birthday gift. (I'd been their official driver while Dian was visiting.)

It's been a long time since anyone had sent me balloons and I was very surprised. They are happily bobbing in the living room.

My guys gave me this wonder of technology! It took awhile to get all my iTunes software upgraded to suit it, but I managed to get the job done and now comes the fun of filling it up. I already have hours and hours of Everest video podcasts to watch and tons of new music. They also gave me a $50 iTunes card. YAY! The cool thing about this gadget is that anywhere where there is a wi-fi connection for me to pick up on, I can surf the web. I may even be able to blog from Artfest on it. (I think the cafe at Ft. Worden has free wireless!)

My in-laws always send me a cheque, so this year I spent it on an adapter so I can listen to the iPod in the car. The drive to Port Townsend will be musically enhanced this year!

These were from friends-gift cards from Starbuck's, Chapters and Opus. (An art supply store.) I love gift cards!

The Chapter's gift card translated into this book, which I have debated over a time or two. I'm going to take it with me to Artfest for reading in the evenings before bed, if I can stay awake!

Oh and I wanted to show you the prettiest shoes ever! I was looking for some clog style shoes a week ago when I came across these. They are leather and so comfortable. They look like boots peeking out from under my jeans and I LOVE the colour. They were $49 and when I got to the register, they were actually on sale so they only came to $25 with tax! When I got home and showed my husband and told him what a steal they were he said "Why didn't you buy yourself TWO pair?!?" Good question! So I called the store the next day and he drove over and picked up the second pair for me. What's not to love about a man who TELLS you to buy shoes?!? He's a keeper!!

I am *so* neurotic about the cost of shoes. I can't bear to buy any over $50. I do not know why this is, it just is. Last spring, he insisted I buy a decent pair of runners. My best friend took me to a fancy-schmancy running shoe store so I could have a certain kind, specific to walking the track and made for the way my foot rolls. The shoes were $218 and I was hyperventilating the whole time I was paying for them. My husband was so pleased when I got home and confessed their price. Meanwhile I was having a major case of buyer's remorse and the only reason I didn't go flying back to the store to return them was that he really wanted me to have them. I kept them and I wear them, but it's doubtful I will ever spend that much on runners again. It just freaks me out!

So, getting back to birthdaypalooza, there are still pressies in transit via the mail, so the celebration continues. My dinner party was alot of fun-it's so nice to fill the house with friends and good food and laughter. It was kind of odd celebrating my birthday on Easter weekend. To do it again, I would have to live to see 2285! Not gonna happen! The last time it fell on my birthday was 1818, so it was kind of special. HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my birthday twin, Tracy Roos!! Hope you had a good one too! xo

Only 9 days left till Artfest! I have so much to do-photocopying images to use in the classes I am taking, packing, finishing some swaps....I had better get crackin'.

A Surprise!

I am very excited to announce that I have a 2 page article called Common Threads published in the latest edition of Pasticcio QuARTz. I just got word last night from Sarah that it had been published and no one was more surprised than I was. I wrote the article at the end of 2007 and totally forgot about it. (Things have been crazy busy in my life since then.)

This article is true story about how the simple act of making art in an effort to comfort a grieving family who lost their son at the WTC on 9/11 led to a meeting and in turn to deep and abiding friendship. It's about how art can transform lives in way which we never thought possible. I can't tell you how much seeing this published means to me and I can't wait to share it with my friends in NYC.

In other publishing news, I got a sneak peek at the article I wrote for Haute Handbags and I am THRILLED at how it came out. I am excited for everyone involved in the project and I am looking forward to holding a copy in my hands!

Today is the first official day of spring! YAY! I was in Seattle yesterday and the ornamental cherry trees are starting to bloom. I imagine they are here in Vancouver, BC too. In these parts, that, along with crocuses poking their little heads out are our hallmarks of the change of season. It was so sunny and warm yesterday with a light breeze. It also means my birthday is in 2 days! YAY!! Welcome spring!

I think all this good news calls for a list! I give you "Things I am thankful for":

-warmer weather

-good friends who make me laugh

-going to the spa today with my best friend for facials and pedicures for my birthday.

-a happy marriage

-my son drove for the first time yesterday with his learner's and lived to tell about it. *wink*

-my studio, which makes me very happy

-success (and adversity which makes the successes all the more sweeter)

-Artfest! I am really looking forward to this special time.

-finding goodies in my mailbox

-new clothes

-new shoes! (I just bought two pairs of the coolest shoes ever!)

-sleep

-tea in my favourite mug

How about you? What's making your heart happy?

News!

I am please to announce that I have just become a member of the Hannah Grey Design Team. I've been a happy customer for a few years now and look forward to working with all the interestng products they have to offer. It's a great company and the owners Shoshanna & Mike are super nice. They are the kind of folks who email you out of the blue to congratulate you on publishing work you haven't even seen for yourself yet! If that isn't just plain nice, I don't know what is!

Speaking of publishing, my pal Deb emailed last night to say she got a copy of the newest issue of Haute Handbags (April) already and saw my article! She said it looked great so I am now *dying* to see it! If you get Haute Handbags, the article is titles Totes to Treasure and is my very first article for Stampington. It's 5 pages! I also want to mention that Deb has not one but TWO articles appearing in this issue as well. I think we'll be pulling out those silly rock star glasses any second now! *laughs* Congratulations dear friend! I am *SO* proud of you and pleased that we are sharing this issue together.

I am off to Place des Arts this morning to teach a Spring Break Workshop for kids. We're making ATCs-should be lots of fun!

Introducing Artsmiths!

I wanted to let you all know that the Professional Artists networking group I belong to has recently undergone some retooling. We not only have a new name and a new logo, but also a brand new blog that is more user friendly than the previous incarnation.

We are all very excited about the changes we've made and would like to invite you to come check us out. You can visit by simply clicking on the button shown above. You'll want to bookmark Artsmiths, as there will be lots of wonderful posts about art, techniques, and much more coming your way. Don't forget to check out our current Artist of the Month, the eclectic and mysterious, Sylvia Luna!

See you there!!

Midway in March

Copyright Tattered Edge 2008

WOW! It's Friday! Where did the week go? It seems the days are whipping by in a blur! March is already half over!

Anyway, catching up on the latest news, this is the art I did for the last project I completed, Muse-ic 3. And in case you are wondering, yes, that really is a real pressed flower. Years ago, this lady named Pam from back east sent me some of her pressed flowers and this is one of the last ones left. I was worried that colour copying would crush it, but it held up really well. I love the symmetry of flowers.

I just joined a new design team, but I will hold off saying too much just yet, as I imagine they will have some sort of official announcement. I am pleased to be working with this company and look forward to the challenge.

For those of you who were wanting to take my Altered Books: Come Again workshop in May, registration begins today! You can either register by phone or online at Place des Arts.

In other news, I will be announcing a new blog and re-launch of the professional artist's group I belong to on Monday, so check back to get the scoop!

Other than that, I am being spoiled absolutely rotten by my nearest and dearest friends for my birthday. (Which isn't till Easter weekend!) My best friend Lisa is taking me on Thursday to a spa for a pedicure and facial. We love this spa-it's beautiful and relaxing and it's fun to do these things together. I have never been much of a girly-girl, but I enjoy this kind of thing as a treat.

Yesterday, Deb called me and told me about plans for this very incredible gift she and Deryn wanted to give me. I am still in awe. I will tell you all about it when it arrives.

Easter weekend I am having a house full of friends for dinner to celebrate my birthday. I think it will be fun because some folks know one another and some don't. It's always interesting to introduce one set of friends to another. It's a pretty prolific group too, so I am sure there will be lots for folks to talk about! There's nothing I love more than cooking a good meal and inviting people to share it. It's the way I grew up. My Grandparents' house would always be full of friends on the weekends. Someone would come by for coffee in the morning and be invited to stay for lunch. Someone would drop by at lunch and be invited to stay for dinner, before too long there would be a house full of people all eating, talking and laughing and playing board games together. Good times!

I am still prepping for Artfest. I have all my tools now, it's just a matter of finishing my housemate trades. They are sitting here on my desk, calling me to finish them. Only 18 more days left and I know they are going to fly by! SO much to do, so little time!

Got Art Supplies?

Since we "sprung forward" last night, the day started off earlier than usual. The guys and I decided to head to Vancouver for part of the day. We stopped in at Loomis (Well it used to be Loomis, but it's been bought out by a Quebec company so now it's De Serres. It's always going to be Loomis to me.) so I could purchase a bunch of stuff I needed for my classes at Artfest.



My friend Penn gave me a coupon which came in handy, seeing as I spent about $50. Look at the goodies! Everything except the pens, the box of small acryllics and the pizza cutter came from Loomis. (Anahata says we need a cheap pizza cutter and that we'll "wreck it good". I can't wait to find out how we do that!)



We needed roller ball pens and I found the Staedtler version so I had to have them Staedtler makes the BEST pens on the planet-they colours are pretty and they last forever!



I also have the world's saddest paintbrushes so when I saw this roll with a great variety included for $9.99 on sale, I had to have them. I am usually very good about taking care of my stuff but for some reason, I am not so careful with paintbrushes. Granted, once they are ruined, I don't throw them out, but recycle them into assemblages so they get a second life. I will try and be more careful about washing up this set. (Try being the operative word here.)



The inks were so adorable I couldn't resist buying them. My friend Diane and I are pooling our supplies and she bought a ton of inks for the class but the labels and boxes on these are just so endearing I splurged. They come from England. I bought the bottle tray in case I need to pour inks into anything to save or mix. The lids screw on tight so I won't have to worry about spillage. I will have to remember to pack my art apron though-it's going to be messy creative fun-I can tell!



I can't think of anything more happy-making than brand new art supplies. I am eager to open them up and play!

While I was waiting for it to be late enough in the morning that the stores would be open, I made this small journal for Artfest. The cover is made from postcards Teesha put out in the Art Asylum last year. I took some, not knowing that I would use them for and finally decided to cut myself a house shaped journal. The cover isn't quite finished-I want to add to it and alter it some, but you get the gist. I made some sectional tabs as well because I like stuff to stick out of my journal. I love when they get to the point they are what I call "chunky monkey"-stuff poking out all over and stuff with info and journaling and such.

After we went to Loomis, we drove part way around my beloved Stanley Park and then over the Lion's Gate Bridge into North Vancouver to Lonsdale Quay. We did some shopping and had lunch. Then we hit some dollar stores and I found the mother lode of double sided tape sources. It's one of the brands I have bought before and paid $6 a roll. I got them for $1 a roll! I bought 5 rolls in two different widths so I am set at least for the next few months. Next time I am in the neighbourhood, I will pick up some more-can't beat that price! If they can sell it for that cheap it makes me wonder just what the store paid for them in the first place!

So, I am wending my way to being organized and prepared for my trip. It's hard to believe it takes sometimes a month to get everything pulled together, but it does. Tomorrow I am heading back into Vancouver to buy some serious tools for another class. (I love tools!)

I am taking two classes for fun and one class to learn how to be more painterly in my work. That the goal I have for myself for the next little while. I love paint-it's relaxing to work with, but I am not a painter. I don't really want to learn how to paint, as how to use paint. I want to use it to enhance my work. Hopefully this class will help me do that! I saw the results from last year's class and it inspired me to give it a go. The best part is that in that class, I get to hang out with my friend Diane who makes me laugh.

23 days and counting!

More Altered Books!

Copyright Tattered Edge 2008

I am happy to announce that I will be offering Altered Books: Come Again at Place des Arts on May 17th. Although this is a follow up for An Introduction to Altered Books, this workshop is designed to stand alone so everyone is welcome.

Students will learn how to create a cool faux metal and glass cover along with an interesting variety of altering techniques. The full class description can be found here.

Place des Arts is a beautiful venue and I hope you will come join me for a day of creative altering fun!

Late Breaking News!!

The Port Moody Arts Festival has the Studio Tour map up now. You can view it by going here and clicking on Studio Tours/Venue Map. I will be at venue #12!

The Why Of It

Copyright Tattered Edge 2008

I have been busy the last few days working on getting ready for Artfest. This is my big yearly trip to Port Townsend, Wa. Why do I go?

I go to commune with other artists. I go to get that feeling of walking into a room and wanting to throw my arms wide and shout "My people!" I go so I can spend time with folks who "get it".

I go for the hugs from old friends and the fun of meeting and making new ones. I go for the smell of the ocean and the sea breeze blowing on my face as I cross the parade ground. I go for the laughter, for the "ah ha!" moments, for the joy of self discovery.

I go to sit around the dining room table late at night with my girlfriends having snacks and sharing stories. I go for the beach party and roasting my one token marshmallow to a crisp. I go for treasure hunting in the art asylum. I go to peruse all the wonderful little shops in town and the buying frenzy of vendor's night.

I go to take photos to capture the wonder of it all. I go to enjoy the turn of the century architecture. I go because I love to drive and take road trips. I go to fill up my creative well to carry me through the next year. I go because it feeds my soul.

25 days and counting...

In Artfest Mode

Here a house, there a house....It's that time of year again-the time when I am madly dashing around pulling together all the things I need for Artfest! These are my general swaps, little houses with a muse inside for folks to put in their studios for good luck. I spent all day yesterday finishing them. I'd cut them out way back in December, but only just managed to complete them yesterday. I had the pedal to the metal, quite literally as I sewed them all on my sewing machine. I started at 5 a.m. and got all 108 of them done just after dinner last night. The picture is only a fraction of the ones I made.

Now I am moving on to working on the special swaps for my housemates. I have a great idea in mind and I should be able to get them finished by the end of the week. I also want to order more Moo cards to trade with anyone who brings theirs. I guess I should also pull out my supply lists for my classes and get to ordering anything I need. Artfest is only 27 days away!! I have renewed my passport, had my car tuned up and all that's left to do is get travel medical insurance. (Don't leave home without it!!)

I am so excited! I can't wait!

For the Love of Books

Saturday, I went into Chapters looking for travel Scrabble (I am a Scrabble nut-it's my favourite game) and I came across this book. The title sounded interesting so I had a quick thumb through it. Today I decided I really did need to have it, so I drove all the way across town again to pick it up.

It's all about using art as an outlet for some of the hard stuff in life through journaling. It covers everything from emotional to physical healing and even has work sheets to help you along at the end of the chapters. In addition to numerous photos of the journals, there is the story behind each artist's personal struggle, which I found really interesting.

I thought this was a really unique book and I am glad I bought it. I will be reading it over again with a package of post-it notes. It was not only thoughtful, but also insightful about how art can help give expression for some of those things which are too deep for words.

This book, I requested that my library buy. It arrived last week and I was so taken with the art and instruction in it, that when I happened to spot it on the shelf next to the other book I just bought, I had to have it as well.

One of my goals this year is to expand my knowledge to include more painterly techniques. This book has great ideas and instruction for doing just that. Corey's work includes modern photos taken of her family and it's really great to see how to seamlessly blend these into the style of art I love.

I am really inspired by both these books and the ideas they are sparking. If you are stuck in an creative rut or just looking to build on your artistic skills, I highly recommend taking a trip to your local books store (or library) and checking out what's in the paper arts section. There are a great selection of new mixed media books on the shelves right now, with publishing houses like Quarry, C&T , Lark and Northlight constantly releasing new titles. It's a varitable feast for the creative soul!