12 Days of Christmas

After working furiously on my presents for a 12 Days of Christmas swap (hosted by the lovely Lelainia!) I finally have them all wrapped, packed and ready to head off to all corners of the US, Canada and England. Can't wait for everyone to open their goodies!!!

“It was one of those perfect English autumnal days which occur more frequently in memory than in life.”

Things are not always as they seem...

I just do not have it in me right now to write a long, philosophical discussion of my time at Art and Soul. There was much I learned about other people, myself, the new path I believe has been chosen for me. Things that I thought to be true have been challenged. I am looking at the world with new eyes, and this is very unsettling. In my art - in my life - things are not always as they appear.

Way too much fun ~

Beckah Krahula is a total joy to be around... and taking one of her classes was another highlight of my week at Art and Soul. She is energetic with boundless passion for this artform - repousse or embossing on soft metal. Bleary-eyed at the end of a two day workshop, I have been bitten by the bug to do more of this interesting metalwork.
The heart (about 4" long) was a warm-up exercise that I think will eventually be part of a small journal cover.
The book is 5 x 7 with a tooled cover, spine and back. The picture on the front cover is a "faux tintype" of a window in an old Paris corset shop! These tintypes are so much fun to make and even this "transfer-challenged" gal managed to make something presentable!
It has a simple criss-cross ribbon binding and is filled with plain black pages just waiting to be journaled on!
Thanks, Beckah, for your infectious enthusiasm!!

Sweet Nina

There is much I want to write about Art and Soul but need to gather my thoughts a bit more. One fabulous workshop was with Nina Bagley, who is one of the most fun and generous people to work with. She has endless enthusiasm and patience for all of her students. THANK you Nina!
This necklace was one of the things I made in her class... the rock is one that was tumbled by my Dad and the resin charm was a blast to make.
Everyone created wonderful pieces of art!!

Wheeeeeee!

Off to 7 glorious days of nothing but ART and FRIENDS at Art and Soul in Portland, Oregon! Thought I would leave you all with a new blog header and this favorite mini quilt I created several months ago for a swap. See you all soon!