EXTENDED! Cyber Monday Sale

Many Thanks for making this Cyber Sale a BIG SUCCESS!


Dear Friends... I am so pleased to have this
opportunity to offer for purchase, just a few
2012 Nature Inspired Birds Wall Calendars.

This astounding calendar sold out quickly in
August, and I can no longer order them from
the manufacturer. So, I feel extremely lucky to
be able to obtain just a few more for sale.


As my chest swells with pride, I tell you that
I could not be more proud. This 2012 Wall
Calendar features 12 months of my collage-
style approach to artwork with a mix of paint
and paper. There are hints of bright coloring
and soft imagery which are sure to look great
on any home or office wall. And you can feel
good that all calendar pages are printed on
FSC certified paper with environmentally safe
inks, making them both beautiful and eco-friendly.

For $14.00 and only $6.00 Priority Shipping. This
calendar makes a wonderful gift for someone
special or perhaps for yourself. And as a special
thank you, each order will come with a Free Limited
Edition print.

Don't wait. Purchase yours today! And
my sincerest thanks for your support!



DON'T MISS OUT ON THESE OTHER
SUPER CYBER MONDAY TREASURES!

1. Gift Certficates for Drawing, Painting
and Mixed Media classes with Carla Sonheim!
Classes are $35 each, with discounts for
multiple classes. For info

2. Traci Bunker's Moldable Foam Stamp Kits

3. Jill Berry's new book, Personal Geographies

4. Lyric Kinard's Bead It Like You Mean It DVD workshop

5. Jane LaFazio's From Art Journaling to Art DVD
and original artworks

6. Gloria Hanson's book, Digital Essentials

BlueJay ADORATION/OBSESSION!

Since early summer when I added a tray style bird
feeder as an additional feeding option in my garden,
I have been sort-of, well....obsessed! for lack of a
better description, with attracting BlueJays.

A tray feeder is a good way of luring a number of
bird species to your yard. And although it has been
very successful in bringing a great many more birds
to visit, which has had me completely overjoyed,
there hasn't been a BlueJay in sight.

So... What to do?... What to do?

I decided to consult with my local store owner where
I purchase my bird food supplies, and have been
following his recommendations by having both shell
peanuts and no shell peanuts available.

FINALLY! my perseverance paid off.

As days with cold temperatures arrived, one lone BlueJay
started making a few visits. The first time I saw him I
honestly thought I was simply manifesting the image in
my own mind. But now on really chilly days, my BlueJay
has, again and again, made fleeting appearances at the
feeder.

I can't adequately explain what a thrilling experience it
is to see him. He is so majestic and large. In fact, he is the
biggest BlueJay I have ever seen. Until recently, I was
never quick enough to snap a picture of him, but once
again, my patience was rewarded with capturing just a
few images to share.

Tutorial: Leaves of Thankfulness

Here in America, we will be celebrating
Thanksgiving on Thursday. Most stories of
Thanksgiving history start with the harvest
celebration of the Pilgrims and the Indians
that took place in the Autumn of 1621.

Through the years, this tradition continues
as a day for families and friends to gather,
spending time together, with each person
reflecting on their blessings both big and
small.

Although colorful leaves are much scarcer
than in years past, the inspiration from
the few remnants of a fading season have
me gathering my creative tools to help
capture the spirit of the upcoming holiday.


1. Select a fallen leaf. Choose one that is
in good condition and mostly dry.


2. Using a pencil and a piece of heavy card-stock,
trace the outline of the leaf. Cut out the tracing.


3. Select additional pieces of heavy card-stock in
autumn colors. Use the leaf template to trace an
outline on to the colored papers.


4. Cut the traced leaves from the color papers.


5. Finally, place one leaf or several and a pen
or pencil at each place at the table. Then ask
dinner guests to write what they are thankful for,
have them share their heartfelt sentiments before
the meal.


And from the bottom of my heart... Thank you!
For visiting this humble blog, and your comments.
I am grateful beyond measure.

Happy Thanksgiving to each and everyone!

Just In Time For The Holidays...

I am pleased to offer a wonderful sale in my shop
on select fabric designs from my Nature Inspired
Collection by Windham.

Sale Fat Quarter's are now only $2.00 each!


And for those of you that would like one of
each design, I am offering a ten piece Fat
Quarter Bundle for $15.00, which is an
INCREDIBLE DEAL, making each fat
quarter only $1.50 a piece!

This is a limited time offer, so don't wait!

In The Studio... Feathers

Adding to my Cabinet of Curiosities, feather
findings.

Fragile treasures left behind from what looked
to be a terrible struggle. And I could not help
but shed some tears as I gathered this collection
of various feathers strewn about the garden.

I suppose in life not all gifts are given freely or
without struggle. Yet, I am comforted that these
beautiful remains will live on, if only as inspiration
for this humble artist.

Simplicities

There is just something about the simple
pleasure of the first falling snow. The
heart leaps with joy to see tiny flakes
drifting, tumbling, and twirling about
in the brisk north wind.

I am feeling better today and want to
thank everyone for the well wishes received
both in comments made and private messages.

Hoping to be back in the studio tomorrow,
enjoying the simple pleasure of a familiar
routine.

Peaceful Findings

"A world mired in dissonance created
that one must retreat to find solace,
yet in the company of leaf and flower,
grass and sky is tranquility realized."


These days there is a deep longing for solitude
and healing resonating from within, as I am on
the mend after an unwelcome trip to the doctor.
During this recovery my thoughts have been
drifting more and more toward the upcoming
Thanksgiving holiday, which seems almost
forgotten in the already hub-bub of Christmas
everywhere.

Here is wishing each of you Peaceful Findings...

Tutorial: A Christmas Cardinal Ornament

Welcome! It's day three of the ArtSpark Winter Tutorial
Blog Roll...

Today, I am sharing instructions for creating a delightful
Christmas Cardinal Ornament to decorate your tree, a
package, or perhaps, give as a gift to someone special.


1. Cut a piece of 200 thread count bleached muslin
fabric approximate 2"x2". Using a color photocopy
of a Cardinal's head, trace the outline onto the fabric
with a mechanical pencil and a light box.


2. Following the basic painting steps in my Acrylic
Painting Tutorial, break the Cardinal down into several
main colors and started by painting those large color
blocks using a dry brush technique.

In this example I had two colors: a medium red and black.


3. Once the paint is dry, layer other dark and light paint
colors to create the shadows and highlights using a
wash technique.

Allowing each wash to dry thoroughly, continue adding
more layers of paint until satisfied.


4. Cut one piece of decorative fabric as a background
approximately 3"x3". Cut two pieces of Steam-A-Seam2
the first approximately 2"x2" and the second approximately
3"x3".


5. Iron the 3"x3" decorative fabric to a second piece
of decorative fabric approximately 5"x5" sandwiching
the 3"x3" piece of Steam-A-Seam2 between the two.

Iron the 2"x2" painted Cardinal fabric to the 3"x3"
piece of decorative fabric sandwichings the 2"x2"
piece of Steam-A-Seam2 between the two.


6. Cut a third piece of decorative fabric approximately
5"x5". (I liked to use the same design as the 5"x5"
fabric used in step #5)

Placing right sides together, stitch the two pieces of
5"x5" fabric together remembering to sandwich a piece
of ribbon between the two layers as the ornaments
hanger. Also remember to leave a small opening for
turning the fabric.


7. Add batting or stuffing, then stitch the ornament
closed. Consider adding additional decorative stitching
around the edges to create more visual interest.




The 11 Days of FUN!!! continues...
November 9:: Jane LaFazio Sketch & Stitch Gift Bags
November 10: Lyric Kinard Glitter, Glisten, Glimmer: Beaded Ornament
November 11: Me!
November 12: Melanie Testa Zipper Mania
November 13: Traci Bunkers Moldable Foam Stamps
November 14: Diana Trout Japanese-Style Fabric Wrap(Furoshiko)
November 15: Judy Perez Folk Art Inspired Ornament
November 16: Kelli Nina Perkins Whimsical Spool Garland
November. 17: Lisa Engelbrecht Experimental Lettering
November 18: Jill Berry Geo Papers and Projects
November 19: Gloria Hansen Resizing an Image

International Quilt In Review

I am home now from attending the International
Quilt Market and Festival in Houston. Once again,
like last year, it was a whirlwind of experiences
beginning with Market where my second fabric
collection, Garden Tales, debuted in the Windham
Fabrics booth, to teaching 6 workshops sharing
techniques with 100+ students total, as well as
demonstrating in 3 different samplers.

I was so pleased with the turn out at the Garden
Tales Meet and Greet, having the opportunity to
talk with customers about these beautiful fabrics
and feeling that rush of excitement when we handed
out over +50 Limited Edition Prints in less than 20
minutes.



As always, the quilt exhibits were exquisite. Displays
of breath-taking inspiration stretched out as far as
the eye could see. Unfortunately, I did not have the
opportunity to see each work, but did manage to take
in most of the show, snapping pictures of a few favorites.

Remnants and Remains

I am traveling home today from an exciting
week at International Quilt. I look forward
to sharing highlights from the event in my
next post.

As I gaze out my car windows seeing the
Kansas landscape race by, I try desperately
to commit to memory the details of this
waning Autumn season.

Time seems harder and harder to hang on
to as the years pass, and all that's left are
the remnants and remains of a memory to
cherish, to hold close.

Pansy LOVE!

My love affair with Pansies started many years ago,
back in art school. The artwork above is one of my
very first explorations marrying a watercolor painted
subject with a collage background.

On a recent trip to a favorite nursery, I was captivated
by their variety of beautiful flowers, so I returned the
next day to take pictures as a reference and to share.









"Those few autumn flowers,
How beautiful they are!
Than all that went before,
Than all the summer store,
How lovelier far!

And why? They are the last!
The last! the last! the last!
Oh! by that little word
How many thoughts are stirred
That whisper of the past!"

-Caroline B. Southey