Art On the Sly

 I've actually been doing a fair bit of art in the last few months, but haven't been able to share a good chunk of it, for various reasons, so it probably seems like nothing's getting done. I assure you that's not true!

Yesterday I completed this pixel heart for a project my friend Melissa is doing. She wanted to create a paper quilt of hearts to go above her bed in her new home. I made one "block" for the "quilt" using squares punched from various art magazines. I thought that would be meaningful for her because she writes for one. I mounted the heart on a piece of anaglypta I had and I'm pleased with the results. It's packaged up and ready to go int he mail when I go to the Post office on Friday.

I also did a small exchange with friends Michelle and Penelope for Valentine's Day. I can't show you (yet) what's inside because Michelle hasn't opened hers yet. I'll post pics of the gifts once they've all been exchanged. I don't want to ruin the surprise.

In other news, my new friend Carol has opened an Etsy shop. She's begun stocking it with some of her cool photographs. I love the one of the bunny noses. So adorable! You can find her shop here. Please show her some love and "favorite" her! (Thanks!)

Okay, must run-I am working on some mini zines and time's a wastin'!

First Projects of 2011

My friend Penn gave me a 1/2 yd. of this scissor fabric, from Spool of Thread. I love their modern/retro sensibilities. (See what I mean here.) When I was out buying thread the other day, I came across the grey fabric and knew it was the perfect foil for the scissors fabric. I sewed this ROD journal cover as soon as I got home.

I spent the weekend sewing pages for this ROD. It's been a long time coming-my friend Tracy Riffle and I swapped a signature's worth of pages about this time last year. I've held onto them and just now got around to sewing more pages so I can make a complete journal. These are 8 1/2 x 11 sewn sheets folded in half.

The pages I'm sharing are just at the very beginning stage of the process-I have lots more work to do before they will be ready to be bound into the cover.

While I was working on these pages, I learned something: I don't enjoy working big. It's not my thing. I like to work 6 x 6 or smaller. It has to do with the fact that when I work small, the pieces go faster-there's almost no thinking about it-it just happens. When I work on large pieces, it feels like I am always looking for elements to fill up the space. The flow of the working process feels herky-jerky and unnatural to me. It's too much like work-I tend to be more intuitive about creating.

I will finish this journal, it's just going to take me awhile and it's probably going to be one of those things I pick up and put down a few times before it's completed. All of the other journals I've made are sized to fit in the palm of your hand. They're a nice little mitt full and they were fun to make. I think after this, I will stick with what feels right.

The other projects I am working on right now are a small Valentine's exchange with two friends and a handmade book exchange. I've already begun working on them, as Valentine's is just over 4 weeks away and they have to go in the mail to arrive by the 14th.

So, that's where I stand as of 1-11-11.

Before I get back to work, I'd like to share a link with you to My Owl Barn who have generously offered up some beautiful owl images for you to create your very own custom calendar for 2011 for FREE. You get to choose which ones you want, decide the order you prefer and then print them off. They print as 4 months to a page and I suggest printing them on cardstock, so they will hang nicely. I love this calendar and have already printed one for me and one for a friend.

Thanks My Barn Owl!

Taking a Break

I am away from my computer for a bit, but if you need an eyecandy fix, hop on over to the Valentine's blog-we've posted more pics of the gifts that were exchanged. There are a few more to go-the postal system delayed the arrival of a couple, so stay tuned!

Evidence of Art

Copyright Tattered Edge 2008

See? I am actually still squeezing in time for art amidst all the workshops preparations in the last 2 months! This is my page for a collaborative book my friend Penn is hosting called Colour Characters. Three guesses which colour I chose. (It's an Aries thing!) The postage stamp is actually an embellishment on my colour copied pages. I am not 100% sure I am finished with it yet. I might add a few more elements or fuss with it a bit yet.

This is another busy week. I am teaching a third free workshop at the Poirier Library. The demand was so great we decided to have one more to accomadate the folks who were on the wait list. I have been very pleased at the response and it's so great being able to teach in my own community. I love teaching elsewhere, but it's lovely to connect with folks in the city where I live!

I am also presenting a day long workshop at the Coquitlam Teacher's Professional Developement Day. (Or Pro-D day as we call them.) That class seemed to fill up pretty quickly as well! I can't wait!

If you are looking for some Valentine fun, be sure and keep on eye on the Valentine's exchange blog. I've been posting pics over there of the wrapped gifts everyone has sent to their partners. On Thursday we get to open them and will be sharing what's inside each parcel. There will be lots of eyecandy to share!!