april's art

It's Wednesday!

2012-02-08T06:26:00.001-06:00

Today is my collage class and here is mine that I am working on. I asked the class to look at a picture or a photograph that inspires emotion and love of color in them.

I chose this photograph that I took in Ontario last summer, when Julie and I drove to pick up Brent from his extended stay at this wonderful fishing resort. Always in love with the woods and love the beautiful blue waters of Canada, this one does it for me. When working from a photograph, it helps me to take photos of both. That helps me to see things I'm missing and need to add for the result that I want.

And here are the rest of my papers waiting to be used.

Beauty Shoppe Day

2012-02-06T16:36:00.001-06:00

Henri is not impressed with his Valentine necktie.

a Birthday Breakfast

2012-02-05T06:22:00.000-06:00

Yesterday we all met at Julie's for a special breakfast to celebrate Angel's birthday.

Along with a yummy breakfast, Julie made "French Breakfast Muffins". They have nutmeg in the batter and after they are baked, you dip them in melted butter and cinnamon sugar. The recipe says "these delightful cakes are as tasty as freshly made doughnuts" ..... and they sure are! Happy Birthday again, Angel!

...and again from Wednesday

2012-02-03T06:09:00.002-06:00

Here is my class, on Wednesday, making their sample transfer cards that I was telling you about in my post yesterday.

Little masterpieces!

It was a whirlwind of a time, but each time they do one and we go back over instructions, it'll be easier.

Fun!

Wednesday's class

2012-02-02T06:52:00.000-06:00

packing tape

Yesterday, in my collage class, we practiced all kinds of transfers. Packing tape transfers, gel medium transfers, matte medium transfers, polymer transfers. I had them do them on pieces of mat board and write the procedures on the back to help remember what they did and how each one looked.

gel medium transfer

These are a couple of my samples and trying to post some of the ones the class did, but Blogger doesn't want me to this morning, so i will try later.

2012-01-31T11:49:00.000-06:00

I have a list a mile long today and so I'm glad Henri is enjoying his naptime. Sweet dreams!

It's almost February!

2012-01-30T06:15:00.000-06:00

Yesterday, I went over to Julie's for lunch and some fun. She brought Danielle home after Sunday School and they wanted to work on some Valentines, so off I went with supplies in a bag! First lunch! Julie made a wonderful salad to comply with our "January eating plan". So good!

And homemade Calzones. So good that I forgot to take a picture until they were almost gone.

Then on to the business of the day. My annual Valentine Party is coming up and so Julie had her supplies all ready and began assembling them. It's a secret what they are; you'll have to wait to see!

And Danielle decided to make hers for her classmates. 23!

January's Red

2012-01-28T13:07:00.000-06:00

Here is my piece that I am doing for So Scrappy , using up scraps of fabric that I have along with the main color for January, red. I have pinned on the batting and the backing and started machine-quilting. I have the urge to add bangles and beads and call it an art quilt!

Muffins

2012-01-28T12:32:00.000-06:00

Banana Crumb Muffins

1-1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 bananas, mashed
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/3 cup butter, melted

1/3 cup packed brown sugar
2 Tablespoons flour
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 Tablespoon butter

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly grease 10 muffin cups or line with muffin papers.

In large bowl, mix together 1-1/2 cups flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt.
In another bowl, beat together bananas, sugar, egg and melted butter.
Stir the banana mixture into the flour mixture just until mositened.
Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups.

In a small bowl, mix together brown sugar, 2 Tablespoons flour and the cinnamon.
Cut in 1 Tablespoon butter until mixture resembles coarse cornmeal.
Sprinkle topping over muffins.

Bake in preheated oven for 18-20 minutes (I would say 20-25 minutes), until a toothpick inserted into center of muffin comes out clean.

Yesterday's pen and ink class

2012-01-27T06:44:00.000-06:00

Beginning a new drawing a week or so ago, I chose this photograph that I took of The Wayside Chapel. I love snowy pictures!

Baked some Struesel Banana Muffins to take with ...

They are good banana muffins!

and continued with my snowy drawing. Not done yet. Still have to put in many more of those teeny tiny branches. I love the winter trees too, with all their twisting and turning branches and the discovery of all their hidden nests. Our snow outside is just about all melted away; maybe just in time to get some more?

Wednesday's collage

2012-01-26T13:08:00.000-06:00

Yesterday was my collage class, and after two previous sessions of distressing and altering papers to use, we began our pieces. I asked the class to choose a photograph or picture for their inspiration with color and images. Here is mine with a washy background and my start at building a favorite Canadian Fishing Resort with my inspiration coming from my photographs from last summer.

Part of my busy class.

Here is Barb's background with lots of movement!
And then my camera batteries went to sleep, so more next week.

2012-01-24T06:52:00.001-06:00

"May it be said of you that you relished the dance of life, and at its end, went out applauding the band." Robert Brault

My grandmother's plant bloomed like crazy this January. There were about fourteen big bright blooms like this one on my plant all at one time. I remember these plants on our "back porch" when I was a child in our big brick house that Grandpa built. I can not even imagine how old this plant is.

backgrounds for a new collage

2012-01-22T13:59:00.000-06:00

Three canvases and I decided to try three different applications on them to inspire my class on Wednesday, for those with the "blank canvas syndrome". The first one, above, I applied (poured on) three acrylic washes, rolled them around a bit, then laid a sheet of cling wrap on top and left it there to dry overnight. It makes its own "paths" and this was the result after I removed the cling wrap this morning when it was completely dry. Very texture-y.

This one, I learned from Laura. I spritzed the canvas with water and then squeezed on the two dark colors of thicker acrylics. While wet, I laid on the cling wrap and smooshed it around to cover the surface and to mix the colors together a bit. I removed the cling wrap, added some white and smooshed again. Removing the cling wrap again, I spritzed around the edges and let it run to soften those hard edges. The green was probably too thick in the front and I probably should have spritzed it more with water, but when i start collaging on top of it, that will break it up and it will be just fine. I actually think I like this one the best.

On this one, I again began with spritzing the canvas with water, then applying tube paint acrylics; all three colors at the same time. Then laid the cling wrap on top and smooshed it around. Then I picked up the cling wrap, repositioned it and smooshed around again. The paint was thick, so when i removed the cling wrap this time, I stamped into the wet paint with bubble wrap to give that texture. I then spritzed the edges and let the paint run a little to soften those edges of the painted areas.

Now to collage!

a quilting afternoon

2012-01-20T17:04:00.001-06:00

Snowing like crazy outside and so quilting seemed like a good idea today. Don't know what this is going to be, but Denise gave us these instructions this past week. The "Rainbow Challenge" for the month of January is red and it must be the time of the day with only indoor lighting because the "red" in this piece is really absolutely cardinal red! Looks pinkish here. Just enjoying this design and again using scraps for the striped parts.

a new book

2012-01-19T13:14:00.000-06:00

Danielle received a new book from a very good friend of ours. "The Artist Who Painted A Blue Horse" by Eric Carle. What a delightful book! Danielle and I loved reading it, love the beautiful animals in the book, and afterward she added to the collection of beautifully colored animals with her blue giraffe.

2012-01-18T05:46:00.001-06:00

Every season tells a new story...

Nature...that perfect place where we can simply be ourselves.

Beauty is a gift that nature gives us every day.

The true treasures in life are found in the simplest things.
Marjolein Bastin

The Snow People

2012-01-16T14:40:00.001-06:00

Danielle made a Snow Lady at Aunt Julie's house today. Long eyelashes and red pepper lips! Isn't she pretty?

They coaxed Brent outside to join in the fun and so the Snow Lady now has a companion. Like those sideburns and beard?

Here's a good look at his teeth.

Missy was only interested in the carrots.....and the red pepper lips!

another play!

2012-01-12T06:47:00.000-06:00

Lots of different little posts that I want to make yet and, for one, wanted to tell you how wonderful "The Sound Of Music" is at Drury Lane in Oak Brook. If you are in the area and can still get tickets, it's definitely a treat. The voices are grand! The children adorable! I think I need to buy the movie now.

this morning...

2012-01-09T08:58:00.000-06:00

On Monday mornings, I drive out to Dan's to be with Kassidy and put her on the school bus, while Dan drives Danielle to her school. Today was the most beautiful drive. It's early, so the trees were white and frosty and inbetween the branches I could see last night's Full Wolf Moon going down. It was like a huge orange melon! I wanted so to stop somewhere and take a picture, but I couldn't. As I got to Dan's street, the fog was lying low over the fields like a big down comforter; one that you could just lie down on and snuggle into. It was so beautiful with the morning sun coming up behind it. Then later, on the corner, while waiting for the school bus to come, I heard the loud CAWS, looked up, and two big crows were having their morning conversation. Majestic. There IS a reason that I have to be out and about at this early hour. It's priceless.

and...

2012-01-09T06:14:00.000-06:00

The Artist's Way group that I belong to made prayer flags for each other in December. I chose a quote by Les Brown for my inspiration. "Shoot for the moon even if you miss it you will land among the stars."

I had never made a prayer flag before and we just kind of did what we wanted and it was fun!

Another project I did were these little wired ornaments made on mat board and little glittery-edged tags.

Picking dried rosebuds, ornamental pear and evergreen from my garden, they are fragile but I love the nature-y things.

and glittery ice skates.

I love my Christmas tree, loaded with ornaments, all with meanings and memories.

Lots of my Mom's crocheted snowflakes.

Just dreamy to me...

till next year.

December memories

2012-01-07T09:28:00.000-06:00

Twas the night before Christmas...

The day of The Nutcracker.

Being that I could not post pictures during part of the month of December, with computer troubles, I still feel the need to do it. Important memories for me.

Sewing more stockings.

My Chicken Salad for the Christmas Tea at The Center.

Covering lots of Christmas Journals for gifts to friends.

Gingerbread House drawing with Danielle...

and Kassidy.

Still one more post of holiday things to remember...

more lake pictures

2012-01-05T15:03:00.000-06:00

Before I'm on to something else, I had to show you some more of my pictures from our walk at the lake.

A beautiful picture-taking day. Beautiful Lake Michigan.

The sand was so pretty, mixed with the snow. Wisps of color.

We left our footprints along the way...

as we looked for pretty rocks that weren't frozen to the sand.

Sewing update

2012-01-04T16:44:00.000-06:00

Here is the finished year-long quilt top that Amy wanted to see. Lots of colors, but each block represents a month of last year. January was blue. February was red. March was green. April was purple...and so on.

And I'm still sewing mug rugs!

a refreshing day

2012-01-03T20:01:00.000-06:00

It was cold, but a beautiful sunny day and not too windy. Julie, Brent and I took a ride with our friend to the Indiana Dunes, Beverly Shores area. So beautiful and yes, refreshing.

We walked all the way down to the water. The waves were awesome. The colors beautiful. The air brisk and clean. A happy new year day. More pictures on my other camera.

2012-01-01T08:19:00.000-06:00

And now let us welcome the New Year
Full of things that have never been. Rainer Maria Rilke

December's quilt block

2011-12-31T09:14:00.000-06:00

The last block of this piece for the year-long quilt blocks that I did for the Rainbow Challenge. The colors of December being red and green, of course.

Then adding it onto the rest of the months...and now to quilt it. This was so much fun!

Today

2011-12-30T14:44:00.000-06:00

Met Julie at Bed, Bath and Beyond to do a little shopping today. New ornament storage boxes, bathroom rugs, a panini maker. Funny how when you smile at people and some are so friendly and smile back or make a friendly comment...and some people's faces never change from a frozen frown. A smile is such a small thing to share but means so much and makes you feel so good.

Holiday projects

2011-12-27T05:55:00.000-06:00

I'm getting "itchy"... I have so much to show you and with my computer being sick, I now have a new program in it and I must wait for the kids to program my camera into it (or whatever they have to do) so I can download pictures again. These are ones that I took before so they are already there. I sure had fun making these. They are called "mug rugs". Denise showed us how to make these in quilting class. While you are sitting with your coffee or tea and cookies, this is what you use. You put your cup on the right side and your cookies on the left striped side. I made some for little Christmas gifts and the binding gave me a headache, but hopefully I am getting better at it. The first recipients were my "guinnea pigs".

I had fun choosing fabric that reminded me of coffee...

and tea.

Whew!

2011-12-26T06:45:00.000-06:00

It is a happy talent to know how to play. Ralph Waldo Emerson

...and that they did! The floor was covered with toys and clothes last night. Henri' was a good boy; he doesn't go after things on the floor, like the goldens did. But I do miss my goldens. I do wish they were here too, stealing wrapping paper and napkins. They would give the girls a run for their money! Funny how you remember and miss those things.

Anyway, I have to tell you about a "good find" that I got for Danielle and Kassidy. From two different companies, I ordered "Pet Vet" play sets. They even got each their own lab coats with name plates on them, reading Dr. Danielle and Dr. Kassidy. http://www.cptoy.com/ and http://www.ttgo.com/ .

So now Christmas is over and the house is quiet. Henri is snoring; sleeping with is new toys, "foxy loxy" and "mr. racoon". I love Christmas...but I always look forward to the new year. A new journal. A new me.

Up early...

2011-12-22T04:50:00.000-06:00

and continue to write my Christmas cards. Yes, it takes a lot of time, but oh how I love mail and Christmas cards. Each one a treasure. Yes, and I love to make them and I love to send them. It's tradition. The first Christmas card was believed to have been designed and printed in London in 1843.

"John Callcott Horsley (born 1817 - died 1903), a British narrative painter and a Royal Academician, designed the very first Christmas and New Year's card at the request of his friend Sir Henry Cole (the first director of the Victoria and Albert Museum). Cole suggested the idea of a specially designed form of greeting to send to friends at Christmas. In 1843 an edition of 1,000 of these Christmas cards were printed and placed on sale in London. They were printed in lithography of Jobbins of Warwick Court, Holborn, London, and hand-colored by a professional "colourer" names Mason. The cards were published under Sir Henry Cole's nom de guerre, "Felix Summerly" - by his friend Joseph Cundall, of New Bond Street."
http://www.victoriana.com/

Singing

2011-12-19T06:13:00.001-06:00

Those who wish to sing always find a song. Proverb

December is flying along, my computer has been out of order and the tree is almost all trimmed. The Christmas tree is one of my favorite things and I see that I now have enough ornaments for two trees! All meaningful ornaments. All bearing memories. What to do! Another quirk in my computer is that I can not yet load pictures onto it, so I will wait, but I just wanted to write something today. Needed to write. A need. Yesterday, I made a Frosted Chicken Salad and some Cranberry Bars for the Christmas Tea at The Center. I had a few crumbs of the bars left at home and I can not stop eating them. I think I will give you that recipe, but no picture yet.

Bella Fiori Cranberry Bars

Cream:
1-1/2 cups sugar
2 sticks butter, softened
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla

Add:
1-1/2 cups flour
1 cup chopped walnuts

Fold in:
2 cups of fresh whole cranberries

Spread in a 9x13 pan
Bake at 350* for 1 hour

I found that letting them cool a little before cutting is a good thing. And first loosen around the edge of the pan; then cool some more before cutting into little bars. Little dainty bars are nice. First one may be hard to get out, but continue loosening from the bottom with a pancake turner. I did sprinkle them with a little powdered sugar and they look so pretty and taste heavenly.

Thanks to my favorite flower shop in New Lenox, "Bella Fiori".

2011-12-17T06:47:00.000-06:00

My computer is back! All better! Can't wait to catch up on my posts, but today is the "Nutcracker"!

Another project from the retreat

2011-12-16T07:55:00.000-06:00

Holly showed us how to create fun jewelry! Here's Angel's pretty ring.

I think I'll have my computer back in working order today! Yay!

Slippers!

2011-12-14T06:44:00.000-06:00

And here are the slipper (socks) we made at the retreat. They remind me of Dr. Seuss!

2011-12-14T06:38:00.001-06:00

Me and my girls at The Christmas Retreat. My new-to-be daughter-in-law, Angel...and my daugher, Julie.

and...

2011-12-11T10:36:00.000-06:00

we made homemade marshmallows. Now that's a cup of hot chocolate!

2011-12-09T10:13:00.000-06:00

Okay one pix to a post; blogger is agreeing to that! Here are Angel's skates all done and ready to set by her front door. Pretty!

Skates and Stars

2011-12-09T10:09:00.000-06:00

Seems I can still only load one pix at a time. So, here I will show you the pretty Stars we made at the retreat with grasses from the woods and beginning to decorate the ice skates with greenery.

One at a time...

2011-12-08T14:23:00.000-06:00

Still struggling to put pictures on my blog; maybe one at a time. The weather was not bad and here we are across the street in the pines, gathering a bit of nature to make stars from dried grasses and twigs and to decorate our ice skates. A magical place.

A Christmas Retreat

2011-12-06T09:41:00.000-06:00

The human spirit needs places where nature has not been rearranged by the hand of man. Anonymous

One picture loaded with my son's computer. Just a little spot in the pines at The Center. More when I can!

2011-12-05T18:08:00.001-06:00

The Christmas Retreat was so much fun this past weekend, but I am having troubles with my computer and can't seem to post pictures even with using my son's. Bah humbug!

Still celebrating

2011-12-01T06:47:00.000-06:00

My "club girls" took me out to dinner for my birthday the other night and we had wonderful food at Luby's in Tinley Park. And look at this celebration dessert! One candle? hmmmmmmmmm.

Me and my friends of 55 years! They're just like sisters to me; a wonderful thing to have such special friends this long. Oh, and see my pretty necklace? A most beautiful gift from my very special cousin Joanne and family in Maryland!

Lotsa projects going on here...

2011-11-29T08:45:00.000-06:00

Tomorrow is "back to school" (my collage class) and so working on finishing my altered book that we have been doing. I am using words from Lenka's song "Live Like You're Dying".

"Take every moment
you know that you own them
It's all you can do
Use what's been given to you...."

It is her song "The Show" that they use in the movie "Moneyball". I just love her music.

And then also working on stockings for Dan's two new girls in his life. I made them for the family last year. Now, just to sew them together and then everyone will have stockings this Christmas.

Brown for November

2011-11-28T10:15:00.002-06:00

November is almost over and it was the last weekend of the month, so running to post my block of the month for the Rainbow Challenge! Gosh...one more month to go for the year.

2011-11-28T04:54:00.000-06:00

Snow flurries!

Letty Mae's Tea Room

2011-11-26T10:46:00.000-06:00

Yesterday, Julie and I went with some friends to Morris, Illinois for lunch, shopping and their Home for the Holidays Christmas Housewalk. We had lunch at Letty Mae's Tea Room in town on Liberty Street. A lovely place and delicious food.

Our table was reserved and, a good thing, because it got very crowded with the festive weekend.

Their Christmas tree is adorable, decorated with tea cups and doilies.

Everyone got a sample of their Strawberry Soup, which was delicious! And we had pink lemonade with a strawberry slice in it because it looked so pretty. On their menu, there were sandwiches and salads which were all great, and we had the yummy Creamy Chicken Soup. Then, for dessert, they brought out "cake samplers" which were round balls of fudgey chocolate cake coated in chocolate frosting, like truffles. Oh my gosh!

The little specialty shops in Morris were delightful! I must tell you about them later.

2011-11-24T05:36:00.000-06:00

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thankfulness

2011-11-22T19:39:00.000-06:00

This is a wonderful book that Danielle made in school this week. As you turn the pages the different images would appear. I'm thankful for.....

the green grass,

the good earth,

the tall trees,

the clear lakes,

the high mountains,

the yellow sun,

the blue sky,

and you!

mom

dad.

A warm holiday get-together!

2011-11-22T07:18:00.000-06:00

Tis the season!
On Saturday, my daughter, Julie, and I were getting together with our most wonderful forever friends, Bernie and her daughter, Julie.

We were invited for lunch and oh my...yum! Veggies and dip. Fruit and chocolate!

And the most delicious chicken salad. I think I'll make this for the Christmas Tea...okay, Lois?

Here is "Oliver" and "Hank". Aren't they the cutest? They love napping in their pink "suitcase".

And here's sweet "Max", the senior dog in the family.

Pumpkin cupcakes for dessert! Mmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

Julie and Julie talking over the plan for the afternoon.

Meanwhile, Oliver sneaks in a smooch.

Julie and Julie. The best friends. It seems like yesterday when they were playing Barbies all day.

And here we are - Bernie's Julie, me, my dear Bernie, and my Julie. Together for the day. No matter how long we are apart, these are the friends that you can just pick up with like you just saw each other yesterday. Love you.

Getting ready to go shopping in Braidwood at "Countryside Village".

Whoosh! A windy day!

A perfect day to begin the winter holidays.

My Day!

2011-11-21T07:24:00.000-06:00

Today is my day. Happy Birthday to me...
and yes, it's a BIG one! But, as they say... it's just a number.

A week of Celebration!

2011-11-21T07:00:00.001-06:00

This is my birthday week and first on the list has been getting ready for yesterday's Christmas Art Show at The Center. Christmas music was playing and there was excitement in the air!

I busied myself all week...

and hoping everyone would be in the holiday spirit...

and come to our beautiful Center. Come one, come all!

Taking time out from creating, I had invited company on Friday. One of our dear art friends goes South for the winter; we will miss her, and I wanted to have her, and a few other friends, over for dinner...

so we took an intermission from preparing for the show.

I bought some Sunflowers for my table, and then found some dried grasses in my garden to put into the arrangement. Reminding me of Van Gogh; a celebration of artists! I had to cook right before serving, as I was making Chicken and Mushroom Marsala (along with Baked Mashed Potatoes w/Parmesan Cheese and Panko Bread Crumbs, Garlic Spinach, and French Apple Pie), and so I set out watercolor paper and watercolor colored pencils to keep them entertained while I cooked!

I think their drawings are wonderful and we had a wonderful time!

Saturday, included a drive out to Wilmington to visit some very dear best friends (pictures later) and fun shopping at "Countryside Village" in Braidwood. Back by suppertime and I continued packing up for the big day on Sunday!

I made some little gift tags to put in every customer's package.

I packaged note cards...

Glittered gift tags...

Special cards...

"Art by Danielle" ...

Collage...

and more cards...

And yes, I thought about you "Wilbur". Always do. You were my "star' of The Center. And yes, Laura, Wilbur's cards were there. They sell my little drawing of him in the Fellowcrafters' Gift Shop.

Here are a few pictures from the day. I had good intentions of taking lots, but then things get busy. Here is Denise and Tish looking at the collage class's display of beauties to sell.

Denise and her quilting.

and here's Marge with her artwork.

2011-11-17T06:41:00.000-06:00

Motivation is when your dreams put on their working clothes.

Milton Berle

Sledding along...

2011-11-16T07:21:00.001-06:00

Trying to post some progress! Still bustling along, getting ready for art show on Sunday, mixed in with all the other activities of the week. Time out for collage class today! On Dasher!

Christmas Art Show and Sale
Sunday, November 20th
12 noon to 4 pm
at
The Log Cabin Center for the Arts
12700 Southwest Hwy
Palos Park

http://www.thecenterpalos.org/

today

2011-11-14T18:56:00.000-06:00

Thought about them all day. Today is their birthdays. Born on the same day, seven years apart, my Mom and my favorite Uncle Albert. Happy Birthday. I wish you were here.

Getting ready!

2011-11-13T08:42:00.000-06:00

Bustling along with my list of things to do, I'm getting ready for the art show & sale at The Center next Sunday! Packaging and packaging and packaging notecards, greeting cards and gift cards.

I have my sheep card printed in black & white, but then hand color them just a little bit. They come to life for me. You can hardly see it, but they get a little "Blush" on their faces, a little "French Grey" on their wool and a tint of "Raw Umber" for the hay in the background. I took a photograph of these sheep, years ago at the Will County Fair, and the next year I won a blue ribbon for the photograph. The picture haunts me. They were so sweet; like they were consoling each other. I loved them.

And this is "Farley", my son's lab. Sadly, he's gone now. He was a wonderful "companion".

I add a little "Yellow Ocre" to his fur and a little "Canary Yellow" to the sun coming in the window. As I color him, I can feel the softness of his fur and feel his tail thumping against my leg when I would come in the door. He would follow me around the house, when I would be babysitting Danielle there, and plop down wherever I sat...always near.

Frost Moon or Full Beaver Moon

2011-11-12T05:55:00.000-06:00

I didn't see it Thursday night, but early Friday morning, there it was peeking through the trees.

The Full Beaver Moon. For both the colonists and the Algonquin tribes, this was the time to set beaver traps before the swamps froze, to ensure a supply of warm winter furs. This full Moon was also called the Frost Moon.

and then, looking out to the East...a new day begins.

collage and beyond

2011-11-11T07:11:00.002-06:00

Yesterday, Danielle came over and she wanted to make a book about dogs. Here is her "beginning" page.

And then she worked on a collaged page of dogs. Love her background!

Back to Wednesday's collage class, I had made more papers for my "forest-y" backgrounds, using tissue paper which I gessoed with a sponge brayer and then layers of paint applied the same way.

Well, this one is upside-down, but you get the idea. I see sunrays shining through the trees in the forest.

Judy is working on her darling altered book of a "hedgehog's world".

Teri has caught my interest with her book named "The story of Transformation".

Here are two of Sandy's pages satisfying the theme that I gave of "The Call", creating with the colors that call to her in her beautiful artwork.

Bernie is concentrating her pages on "what makes me happy"!

Lora Lee had fun with this one, showing lots of action and movement and color!

Barb working on her book, and her workspace is a lovely collage all by itself.

Mary Ann has added some leaves to her serene landscape and we are all likin' it!

and Mary Ann's little book in progress.

Denise has some beautiful colors going on here with her Fall landscapes.

and here she shows us, besides working on her landscape series, she designs a quilt square a week with fabric.

Another beautiful landscape in the making, Lora Lee has a great start here!

Bookies!

2011-11-09T04:42:00.000-06:00

Yesterday was book club at Sue's. The chosen book was "Pillars of the Earth" by Ken Follett and Sue beautifully provided the atmosphere of the times. There are 983 pages to this book and I have not finished...but I will. Disturbing how the times were then and there is not a boring part to this book. A well-researched and well-written book.

this is going to be a long birthday...

2011-11-07T19:44:00.000-06:00

It's not until the end of the month, and it's not a number that I'm looking forward to, but all could be together this past Saturday, so we had the beginning of my November birthday celebration. And look at the beautiful love notes I got!

And we're all going to see "Nutcracker"! And guess what else they gave this "paper lady"? A Kindle!
I guess there are some things I could read on it. And Julie says it saves trees.

There were many cooks in the kitchen and they cooked a beautiful dinner starting with "Mandarin Orange and Sesame Salad".

"Shrimp de Jonghe"

"Baked mashed Potato Casserole with Parmesan, Mozzarella, and Panko Bread Crumbs"

"Beef Tenderloin"

"Iced Pumpkin Cookies" made with real pumpkin and...

the birthday candles were on top of "Tiramisu" and I had lots of help blowing them out!

and then came Thursday...

2011-11-04T15:09:00.000-05:00

and pen & ink classs. I'm working on a drawing of Julie's apple tree when the apples were just beginning to form in the Spring. They were pretty little baby apples.

Wednesday's work

2011-11-04T15:02:00.000-05:00

My class is working on altered books. This is Bernie's. Layering a diffused paper over her images gave a wonderful mysterious look. I don't know all the stories behind them yet...

but I will. Sandy's beautiful spread of greens.

Teri has worked overtime and found a lot of her images to tell her story.

MaryAnn concentrated on her cover.

Great texture done by Barb. Love it!

And Lora Lee has a beautiful start with a collage on canvas, creating pears in a bowl.

And then...I didn't have to cook that night! Dan, Angel, Danielle and Kassidy came over to cook and eat with us. Dan made homemade salsa! yum.

And all the fixin's for fajitas.

Dan grilled the shrimp, steak and chicken. Angel made cornbread pudding and spanish rice.

What a treat! A good Wednesday!

and the week goes on...

2011-11-02T05:28:00.000-05:00

Beginning background on my altered book for class today. I'm thinking forest-y.

In between, couldn't get the thought out of my mind to do a little winter collage. Brrrrr.

Tuesday was Poetry class; a poem with a lot of detail, some unexpected.

Quilting class this afternoon. Tea...

and Coffee...

Mug Rugs!

Henri keeps me company, but always naps while I am doing quilting homework.

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

Happy Halloween!

2011-10-31T06:01:00.000-05:00

Thrice the brinded cat hath mew'd.

Thrice and once, the hedge-pig whin'd.

Harpier cries: - 'tis time! 'tis time!

Round about the caldron go:

In the poison'd entrails throw. -

Toad, that under cold stone,

Days and nights has thirty-one;

Swelter'd venom sleeping got,

Boil thou first i' the charmed pot!

Double, double toil and trouble;

Fire burn, and caldron bubble.

Fillet of a fenny snake,

In the caldron boil and bake;

Eye of newt, and toe of frog,

Wool of bat, and tongue of dog,

Adder's fork, and blind-worm's sting,

Lizard's leg, and owlet's wing, -

For a charm of powerful trouble,

Like a hell-broth boil and bubble.

Double, double toil and trouble;

Fire burn, and caldron bubble...

William Shakespeare

Out and about...

2011-10-29T09:58:00.002-05:00

Yesterday I got to go to the Museum of Science & Industry with three friends to see the Dr. Seuss exhibit. I haven't been there in years and my goodness, has it changed! The Dr. Seuss exhibit was wonderful with so much of his wonderful artwork on display.

One of the permanent exhibits at the museum is "Science Storms". We could see the tornado swirling as we were walking through.

And trains...

and planes. And the miniature train exhibit traveling though countryside and past all the miniature buildings of the Chicago landscape.

Theodor Seuss Geisel died on September 24, 1991, and I have saved the Sun Times newspaper from that week picturing The Cat in a Hat with a tear streaming down his cheek.

"Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened."

Dr. Seuss

Autumn colors

2011-10-27T07:11:00.002-05:00

The colors are "hanging in there" at The Center. It was a dreary day yesterday, but still pretty with all the reds and oranges.

Collage class in the morning and we all worked on preparing our board books to alter. I gave a theme for our books; a Navajo prayer named "The Call". It begins:

What in your life is calling you?
When all the noise is silenced,
The meetings adjourned,
The lists laid aside,
and the wild iris blooms by itself
in the dark forest,
what still pulls on your soul?

In the silence
Between your heartbeats
Hides a summons.
Do you hear it?
Name it, if you must,
Or leave it forever nameless,
But why pretend it is not there? ...

On to quilting in the afternoon, and again just posting my October block (above) for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge because I wanted to show Denise's great orange piece below.

Happy October!

The Collage Workshop

2011-10-24T09:57:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was Laura's "Free Flow Mixed Media Collage Painting" Workshop and here are the two pieces that I did. I loved this workshop. I love all of Laura's workshops because I always come home with something finished. And she gave us wonderful direction and a beautiful instruction booklet. My piece above has a nautical feel to me. Ocean-y. Stormy.

This one was my first piece. I don't know...Autumn-y. Suggestion of windows. This way...

or this way? A whirlwind! What fun!

October quilt block

2011-10-24T09:35:00.001-05:00

Here is my October piece for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge. Orange, the chosen color!

"Live life in all its colors..." Marjolein Bastin

Midweek Masterpieces!

2011-10-21T07:23:00.000-05:00

Wednesday's class, working away on their collage pieces.

Fun! One of Peggy's Fall/Halloween pieces.

Relaxing and meditative, Bernie's collage done in restful colors.

Sandy's love of bicycling. The transfer is her own bike's wheels. Very innovative!

And here, Sandy is working on a colorful collage with a transfer of one of her beautiful pen & ink trees for the focal point.

Finished! Barb's beautiful and powerful statement...

and a start to a new one.

Marge's lovely pastels anticipating their image.

MaryAnn's is dramatic, I think. Reminds me of a waterfall landscape.

Linda's lovely pastel flower garden, waiting for their stems...

Planted and bloomed!

And fun again! Linda's Halloween card.

Lora Lee's serendipitous arrangement...

ribit! ribit! ribit!

Judy, deciding on the right pieces for an interpretation of a favorite New Orlean's cafe garden.

Very impressionistic.

Denise's leaves glowed against her colorful background.

And it's a series!

Beautiful Southwestern colors by Teri. I can just hear that coyote howl.

and maybe a small companion piece started?

And here, Teri's interesting and powerful statement.

and "yours truly" again.

A great session! And next week, we begin an altered board book.

"Interlude"

2011-10-18T06:21:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, I worked on finishing my collage for my Wednesday's class. If you remember, we picked a word out of the dictionary to express in collage. I had opened the book and chose the word "interlude". Interesting, what people chose.

Sometimes you have to let it sit for a while and look at it, and then decide if something has to be added or taken away.

But I think it's done.

The birthday party

2011-10-17T09:55:00.000-05:00

Danielle has always loved Scooby Doo. And Dan and Angel and Danielle and Kassidy all love Halloween. So, it was decided that the cake that Angel would make would be Scooby Doo and the haunted house!

Yikes!

But the birthday girl is still a princess. So there was a princess gown, princess slippers, lots of pretty things for her American Girl doll, books, slippers, pretty clothes, games, and pajamas that say "My favorite color is Glitter". Love it!

A very happy birthday!

Back to Friday

2011-10-16T16:18:00.002-05:00

Danielle and Kassidy spent the night here on Friday. We were busy coloring and cutting out Autumn leaves.

They loved the bright colors!

Meanwhile Dan and Angel were at home getting ready for the big birthday bash on Saturday...Danielle's 7th!

Scooby Doo was ready and waitng...

where did the week go?

2011-10-14T06:33:00.000-05:00

Monday, Henri' went to the beauty shoppe and came home with his Halloween scarf. Oh yes, you're a pretty boy!

While he was gone, I had fun working on some tags, getting ready for the Christmas Art Show at The Center.

It's always a fun and festive day.

This year it's Sunday, November 20th.

You can do a little Christmas shopping!

Mark your calendars!

2011-10-11T20:25:00.001-05:00

Monday at The Center was beautiful. Sunny, and the leaves on the tree outside the Lodge were on fire! That was calligraphy class, and now for two days I've been working on art stuff but behind on posting about it. Tonight it was out to dinner with my "club girls" celebrating Carmella's birthday, so maybe tomorrow. Oh, and the full moon is out tonight. The Hunter Moon.

Naperville notes

2011-10-08T17:15:00.001-05:00

Out and about to see some color! Yesterday, we drove to Naperville and strolled the Riverwalk.

Along the west branch of the Dupage River.

Beautiful colors!

And a blue sky reflected in the water. Happy ducks!

And here's me and hubby with Dick Tracy. Dick Tracy was created by Chester Gould (1900-1985). Longtime resident of Naperville, Dick Locher, became illustrator in 1983.

He created this bronze tribute to "the yellow-coated crusader for justice."

Let's synchronize our watches, Dick!

A nice respite along the Riverwalk.

The last roses of summer.

On to the book store and hubby sat with the reading lady while I went inside.

A tribute to Steve Jobs outside the Apple store.

the theatre

2011-10-06T09:37:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, we went to see "Sweeney Todd", The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street at Drury Lane Theatre in Oakbrook. I love live entertainment, and the voices and acting was wonderful!

It was a delightful afternoon! My friend, Peggy, and her husband happened to have tickets for the same performance. We were able to sit close to them, and afterwards had some good fried chicken at "Dell Rhea's Chicken Basket" in Willowbrook. http://www.chickenbasket.com/ A relaxed and fun place to go!

Time

2011-10-05T07:13:00.000-05:00

So...I wasn't supposed to be here this week. We had plans to be in Door County, but hubby is having a bout with sciatica. Well, it would not have been fun for him, so here we are. Funny though, how the time on my blank calendar fills itself in. Although I should have been looking at the leaves changing color in Fish Creek, Monday was Calligraphy Class and off I went. We had made these wonderful marks and scribbles on paper last week and this week cut them up to put into a book we are making.

Poetry Class came on Tuesday morning and that's always an enjoyable and inspiring time. I seem to be having an emotional week though and could hardly get through reading my poem to Marjorie.

Afterwards, a quick lunch at Subway and off to the movies. I don't know anything about baseball, but "Moneyball" is what we saw and what an excellent movie! It's the story of "Oakland A's" general manager Billy Beane's successful attempt to put together a baseball club on a budget by employing computer generated analysis to draft his players. Brad Pitt (Billy Beane) and Jonah Hill (Peter Brand) were excellent! And Kerris Dorsey, who played Brad Pitt's daughter won my heart. I have the song she sang going around in my head. It's "The Show" by Lenka.

It's October!

2011-10-01T16:29:00.000-05:00

A morning out! Ran out to Julie's for breakfast. A yummy one! Scrambled eggs, bacon and fresh apple crisp! She had Danielle overnight and so we were going out to do some birdwatching and gather some weeds for me to paint. They do look like a watercolor! Four geese flew overhead and just the sound of them was perfect for the lovely fall morning. But that was all we had for our bird count today.

I love the weeds and grasses of fall. Pretty colors and textures!

Tried to begin to pick through some for a painting, but a nice black spider crawled out and so I think I'll leave them for tomorrow. Maybe he'll find a new home during the night.

She also had these little Pattypan squash from her garden. Aren't they cute?

And I still have a few zinnias bloomin'!

Stopped at Marley Candle on the way home because Julie had this Pumpkin Spice candle burning in the kitchen and it smelled so good that I had to have one! So fall-ish!

And they had these cute little Halloween bugs that wanted to come home with me.

They moved right in, onto the Pattypans...

and green tomatoes.

Pen and Ink Problem Solving

2011-09-30T06:05:00.000-05:00

Here is my drawing that I've been working on in Pen & Ink class, and after almost finishing it, I see that I do like the left side of the drawing better than the right side. Although in my photograph it was all very dark behind the branch, I like the airy feel of the part that I didn't darken behind the leaves.

So I made a copy of my drawing and cut out that dark part and yes! Do like that better. So thanks to the bravery of changing things that I have developed from doing collage, I will cut that part out of my original drawing and then mount it on the same kind of paper.

Getting ready for class tomorrow!

2011-09-27T16:21:00.002-05:00

I worked on collage all day today. Worked on darkening my "forest" a little in the foreground and putting on a transfer of those handwritten music notes to the "interlude" of the sunny background. Much to do yet on this piece.

Then finished this little landscape, just because I love doing them. They are so much fun! I did put a teeny weeny copy of some cows that I did in a watercolor in there (to the right of the water in the center) but because they are supposed to be in the distance you can hardly see them. I may make them a teeny weeny bit bigger.

This is the photograph that inspired me. My hubby pulled off the road one time in Door County, so I could get some pictures of the cows. I love cows.

Busy busy

2011-09-27T12:20:00.000-05:00

Working on stuff for all my classes this week and will show you later. Made a big bowl of popcorn to feed my creativity.

Henri' says YUM! It smells good!

Quilting Challenge

2011-09-24T12:57:00.001-05:00

Finished sewing my black block together this morning for the month of September. Having so much fun with this, thanks to the Rainbow Challenge.

Added it onto my other monthly blocks. Only three more to go to complete this year!

Below is Denise's September piece.

Denise doesn't have a blog, so I am putting hers on here with mine. I love the Log Cabin design!

And here is her yellow piece for June.

And her white piece for August. I will have to catch up with getting a picture of her July piece! Must have missed that one.

2011-09-24T05:03:00.001-05:00

Every leaf speaks bliss to me, fluttering from the autumn tree.
Emily Bronte

the Bookmark factory

2011-09-23T14:41:00.002-05:00

Tonight is my club gathering. My club friends of 55 years. We used to have club at each other's houses and the last few years we have been going out to dinner. Sometimes we have a little treat for each; maybe something seasonal or such. I decided to make these little bookmarks for them; the ones that have an envelope made from a empty toilet paper roll. Then I collaged on them. I copied my watercolor of leaves on my printer and used that for the background. Very Fall -ish.

This is the back of the "envelope". The bird on the front is from a napkin and the bird's feet are a favorite rubber stamp of mine.

And here is the bookmark that goes inside the envelope. Front...

and Back. The music is some that my grandmother had that was handwritten.

And here is how it fits inside. A little gift of Autumn. I hope they like them. It took me all day.

Another week

2011-09-20T14:15:00.000-05:00

A new week again and yesterday was Calligraphy class and practicing Italic. I'm determined to do it!

This morning, Poetry class. We are all remembering our friend and fellow poet, Marjorie. Some of us attended her memorial on Sunday and read from her book of poems. She was a wonderful and inspiring poet. It was a rainy day and I love this one of her's that I read as I could imagine her walking in the rain above and watching us...

Rainwalking

I like to walk out in the rain.
Some folks think
That's quite insane.
"Not enough sense," they complain;
"She's out there
Getting soaked again."

The rain mingles with my tears,
Washes away my foolish fears.
I sing alone
And the rain hears
I smile alone
And the rain cheers.

My friends, the tumbling clouds above
Keep pace with me
And slowly move
Above the waiting, thirsty land,
And God and I walk hand in hand.

Marjorie Storer

collage

2011-09-18T10:53:00.001-05:00

Yesterday, I spent most of the day working on my collage for my class.

It is hard for me not to have put in some green, but I decided to go with the colors of the sky and sunshine.

The word that I chose is "interlude".

Not sure where I am going with this, but want to have things in between and coming in and out. I am also visualizing music when i think of that word.

We'll see...

Back to pen&ink!

2011-09-16T08:34:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was the beginning of this session of pen and ink class. Good to be back at it! I didn't have an idea of what I was going to do, but brought along some photographs that Julie took a while back. Thinking about Door County, I focused on these cherries.

I love this new little sketchbook I got. The pages are 6 inches x 12 inches, so I will continue adding more leaves on the sides to fill the page a little more. Always love that long shape.

Yesterday's class

2011-09-15T13:36:00.005-05:00

Choosing a word from the dictionary is what I thought would be a fun thing to collage about. Even if you just opened the book to a page and whatever hit you, is what you chose. A good way to conquer "the blank canvas". We began yesterday, after making papers last week, collecting more during the week, and starting yesterday. Here is Maryann's beginning of "Lotus".

I love how everyone's own style shows in their work every time! Barb has a great start! The word here is "Word".

Marge's "Tapestry" weaving along.

Sandy chose "Bicycling". I can feel the movement already.

Beautiful soft colors in Bernie's, "Yes".

the morning glories

2011-09-14T07:09:00.000-05:00

I love these morning glories. They're not blue like Sue's, but they are bright and pretty...and they're taking over the house. They're growing up the purple plum tree.

Trumpeting out loud!

Growing over the bushes.

Up the deck rails.

All over and around.

Up the deck sides.

"What's happening?"

Stretching out into the sky.

Oh! Oops.

Full moon last night

2011-09-13T08:29:00.000-05:00

Oh, Shine on, shine on, harvest moon

Up in the sky...

Looking back...

2011-09-12T10:16:00.000-05:00

I can't remember the last time I looked at these journal pages from September 2001. It had been a busy week. Brent's first dance. There was a very ill friend in our lives. We went to the Sandwich Fair. Julie and Rob's anniversary was coming up. A neighbor's dog died. My cousin came in town from Indiana. And then it was Monday, September 10, 2001. And look what I wrote - "Heard someone walking upstairs. What upstairs?" It was 2:30 in the morning and I was in bed and there is no upstairs. Hmmm.

The day went on and a dear friend had baked an apple pie and invited us over. Just "life" going on...

Tuesday morning, September 11, 2001. We were watching "Good Morning America" and couldn't believe what we were seeing. I must have just been writing down what I saw and who I heard on television. I know I still met dear dear friends that day for lunch, just to be together and pray. And in another part of town, a most wonderfully dear friend died that day.

"...thou I walk through the valley of death"...I came home, still in disbelief at what had happened, and just kept writing and writing what I heard.

2011-09-11T06:39:00.002-05:00

At Laura's

2011-09-10T13:23:00.000-05:00

So Marge and I were off to Laura's art exhibit today and here she is among her beautiful artwork.

And here's "Hank"...

I couldn't wait to meet him, and he is a big sweetheart!

"Carl" is behind the other brown dog (grandma's dog and I forgot his name...tsk-tsk).

"Hank" wants to be in charge and so there goes "Carl" scooting off to the side again. Hank just wants to be the one nearest to "mommy"...and who's going to argue with him? Really - he's wonderful!

2011-09-10T10:05:00.000-05:00

Today is a beautiful day and so don't forget to get out and drop by Laura's exhibit and sale today! Today is the last day and looks like she has a great day weatherwise.
The hours are 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Demonstration 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.

Outdoor Studio Exhibit
6718 Dale Road
Darien, IL 60561
http://www.lauralein-svencner.com/

Let it begin!

2011-09-08T08:26:00.001-05:00

The busyness begins! Here is my wonderful class yesterday. First collage class of the season. I love these girls; they are becoming like family. There was a lot of chattering going on at the beginning of class, but they were so glad to see one another after the summer break, and that is delightful to see. I wouldn't want it any other way. They keep me going!

Things settled down and everyone was busy. Since they kind of have their idea by choosing a word from the dictionary to collage about, the definition, continuing on with the secondary words in that definition, dreaming of the colors and images of the words, we started out this session with making some papers to use.

Lots of concentrating...

Just my quick demonstration of the plain tissue paper, wet and painted to make it's own design and just left to dry that way.

I know today when they peel off their papers off from the plastic they worked on, they are going to be excited with the results!

Then we tore wonky strips of masking tape and put them on plain drawing paper, painted over them and the paper with acrylic washes and the effect is so nice. The tape takes the paint differently than the paper and it's just so neat!

And then we had time for sanding magazine paper with different stencils underneath. Lovely way of distressing and changing magazine pages!

Familyfest

2011-09-06T06:36:00.001-05:00

We had a lots of family time this weekend. Good times! Making memories! Sunday, we celebrated hubby's birthday. I cooked all day and made a big pot of Spaghetti and meatballs, and Fettucine Alfredo, requested by Dan. Angel made a new favorite of his...frozen key lime pie. "Happy birthday to you..."

Presents brought time to read instructions for his new "Marguaritaville" marguarita maker. Yum!

Monday morning, it was breakfast at Julie and Rob's.

Blueberry pancakes with fresh wild blueberries from Canada! Chocolate chip ones would be for Danielle and Kassidy. By the way, in case you haven't caught on, we have some new "girls" in our lives. Angel and Kassidy.

Scrambled eggs and bacon.

And then it was time to go fly a kite! A perfect day!

Sleepy Henri'

2011-09-04T05:46:00.001-05:00

Henri' waits, in the chair in back of me, as I do my computer stuff in the morning. I've been spending a lot of time in the basement, cleaning my artrooms...but not today, Henri'. Today (Saturday) it's pantry cleaning and grocery shopping and birthday present shopping. Sunday (today...I'm a day late with telling you) is hubby's birthday cake day. Henri' won't be bored when everyone arrives.

But for now, he napped...

and napped...

ZZZzzzZZZZZZZZZZZZZ.....

2011-09-02T11:27:00.002-05:00

If you don't start out the day with a smile, it's not too late to start practicing for tomorrow. Anonymous

August's quilt block

2011-09-01T15:59:00.002-05:00

White was the color for August for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge quilt piece of the month. I have always loved white and off-white in collage, so that is what I chose to do for this quilt block. Hope it passes, soscrappy !

I quickly finished it today, thinking oh no!, it's September first, but I think maybe I had until the weekend. Well, here it is soon to be added on to the rest of the months that are gone by this year. Remember there is nothing wrong with your eyes; these strips are sewn together in this wonky way on purpose.

Gosh! When you look at these squares representing the months, you see how fast this year is going!

continuing paste paper

2011-09-01T07:28:00.001-05:00

Had some "paste" left from the day we did paste paper with the Creative Spirits and wanted to use it up before I forgot completely. And, with cleaning my artroom, I had another table top empty! So I spread them out and did the reverse side on some (to be ready for handmade books) and did a second coat on some that I was not crazy about.

Swirls...

and Lines...

Whirls...

and Circles...

Maybe a place to write something...

Tried a little gestural writing into some of the wet paint too.

So now they must wait until we get together again to make some of those little handmade books.

Big news!

2011-08-31T07:07:00.000-05:00

The Log Cabin Center for the Arts
12700 Southwest Hwy
Palos Park, IL
708-479-7919

Creative Writing for Teens (grades 7 - 12) Instructor: Brent Palucki

6 Thursday evenings, beginning Sept 15, 6:30 - 8 p.m.

Creative writer Brent Palucki helps students work on descriptive paragraphs, short stories, and poems. Brent describes his personal writing style as that of a minimalist, using as few words as possible for clear concise communication. Brent will help each student develop their own style, through a series of writing assignments and fun and supportive class critique sessions.

Class Fee: $60. Please bring a notebook and your favorite pen or pencil.

Pass the word along if you know any young writing enthusists. Yes! This is "my" Brent!