ArtFiberFest is this Wednesday and I am NOT ready. No, not at all. I've made no trades. My flowers aren't done. I made a mock-up, which I don't like. hmm. At first I was stumped, trying to figure out a way to add a stem. Then someone in the yahoo group said she was making hers without the stem, so I tried that. It didn't help. There is a good chance that no flowers will be in my luggage.

Speaking of which, what to take? First, a lined rain coat. . . . who am I kidding? My big plan is to throw a butt-load of old clothes into the case and hope to wear them all. Any that don't make it home, oh well.

The ol' brain went to sleep about an hour ago, time for the bod to follow. Will write again when I get home.

Ready to Mail

My last post was in April? Wow! Guess there wasn't much to say.


News: I ordered a camera so I can add pictures to this blog. It may be here as soon as tomorrow. It's a "point and click" type. The important factor - it is digital and pictures can be downloaded to the computer. I'll take some pics of my work space/studio. I've been working on getting it organized. It's about 1/2 way there and needs to be finished before ArtFiberFest. Really, I want to get it done before the first weekend in October. After that, my time is not my own.


After the long holiday weekend, I've chosen my faves for Artfest. Stop here if you don't want to know - you know who you are.


To try something new, my #1 choice for Thursday is "Gut Instincts" definitely not for everyone. It's just so different. At first totally turned off from reading the description, I was won over upon viewing the class sample. A wire armature is built and gut stretched over it. The instructor has made vessels and jewelry from this technique.

Friday's #1 choice is "Flat to Stacked" by Linda & Opie O'Brien. I have always wanted to take one of their classes and now it's time. The project is a bracelet of various metals, but the big draw is learning all the cold joins and hands-on with new tools. I've done some cold joins, but I'd like to get better, and they are the best teachers in this area. Every time I see what others have done in their classes, I wonder why I didn't sign up.

No. 1 for Saturday is a real dilemma. I signed up for Michael de Meng's Morpheus Box, because I am fascinated with it. But after spending all day yesterday making a photo-realistic self-portrait, I'd be just as happy with my second choice, Collage faces.

Thursday's No. 2 choice is Spun Cotton Figures, and No. 3 is Ultimate Journals.
Friday's No. 2 choice is the Shrines class and No. 3 is Transparent by de Meng.

Saturday's No. 3 choice is the Prayer Box by Susan Lenart-Kazmer. Just a note here to all who know me well. Yes, I did put this as my #3 choice. I've heard so much good lately, I'm willing to open my mind to this possibility.

It's written in ink, folded and stuck in my purse. It will be in the mail tomorrow. Cross your fingers!

Holy COW

Holy COW = Holy Can Of Worms. In other words, someone said or did something to set someone else off. This time, it's all about Artfest - the one in Washington, and if some of the raffle proceeds should be used for teen scholarships for one or two teen artists. I knew when the idea first surfaced that it would get a lot of response. Some are totally in favor, some less so. All with valid reasons. If you want to read them, join the Artfest yahoo group. My take: At first I was against it, basically because I like to make art with adults and groups of teens can be distracting. Then I considered an art gathering that included a good friends niece and remembered how much energy and talent she brought to the group. In a room of at least a dozen women, we were are charmed by our young guest. Her talent was obvious, yet still in its infancy. We were all eager to share and she did not demand attention or require extra from any of us. I believe this is the fear of those who are against the scholarship, that the young person will be needy and require too much specialized attention. At this time, about 10 teens come to each gathering. Would one or two more change the dynamic of the group? Of course, some basics would have to be worked out, such as housing and chaperones. Also, if a teacher did not want any teens in her class, she should have her wishes followed. I, myself, have stated "adult only" on a few classes. It is a touchy subject. But what it really comes down to is, this is Teesha's gig. She ultimately shoulders the responsibility for everything that happens and everyone that comes. She has to please the masses. It's a job I do not want. Teesha is amazing. Whatever she decides will be the right decision.

Playing around

I've been playing around with the colors, font size and other choices. Somewhere along the line I lost the header. Or did I? I can't see it, what about you?

TEST!!!!

yep, I signed out and back in again.

Figured it out

I'M BACK!!!! Yeah, for those of you who know the truth, even though I boasted of not forgetting my sign in, I did exactly that. I forgot how to get in and post new blogs. AND, even though I'm now posting another one, I don't know how I got in this time. I tried every combination of my most used names, passwords, etc. and one combo finally worked. Unfortunately I wasn't writing anything down as I went, so, what do I do next time? Arg!!!

I went grocery shopping tonight so I could make Italian sausage with onions and peppers. I haven't made this dish in about 8 years. My kids never liked it, so it was just a "me" dish. Then I met an Italian couple and found they were crazy for it. For a while, I made it often, mostly when having this couple over. I saw a recipe for it online and had to make it again. It is as good as I remember. The trick is to find sausage with fennel. If not, add fennel seed to the sauce. I was lucky tonight, my sausage already had fennel in it. I used links, cut into small pieces and cooked well. Drain, dispose of the grease, de-glaze the pan with 1/4 cup water, reserve. In a separate pan, over medium heat: 1 T. olive oil, 1 onion and 1 red pepper, cut into strips. Cook slowly until transparent. (don't brown or your veggies could become bitter). Add cooked sausage, 1 t. chopped garlic, 1 can diced tomatoes and the 1/4 cup de-glazing fluid. Simmer 15 minutes. Serve with whole wheat pasta. ummm. good.

I AM HERE, Now - where am I?

O.K. - so I am the last one to have a blog. Actually, I have a couple of them, I just can't find them - even if I did, I don't remember the passwords to get in. Why is this one different? (in other words, why will I remember this one.) BECAUSE . . . . I wrote the address and password on my computer desk!!!! Yes, it's right there, for any one to look at, steal and use for their own nefarious purposes. You'd think I was taking a chance here, but the truth of the matter is, no one has crossed my threshold in about 2 months. This vital information is probably safer in my living room (aka The Computer Room) than at Fort Knox.

So, why blog? Mostly to "think out loud" or at least "think in black and white." I am an artist, and most of my work is done only after sketching it out a couple of times. This will probably become my public sketchpad, and a place to ruminate about the importance of things. Oops, getting too heavy, considering lunch time is over and I must get back to work. More soon. . . Promise.