Anniversary

Thirty one years ago today......

Remembering Asta

This week we would have been celebrating the fifth anniversary of her adoption- my shining star, my Asta.

She brought so much joy into our lives in such a short time.

Slayer of voles, digger of holes, she lived her short life with amazing passion.

She is truly one of the greatest teachers I have ever known.

I miss her dearly, she remains forever in my heart.

Rusted Fabrics

I made this little tote from the last batch of fabric I dyed using rusty metal objects and vinegar. I even put a couple of pieces of cotton webbing into the mix for straps.

I love-love-love the amazing patterns and colors on these fabrics.

Parvin Photos

I just fell in love with this guy.

He and his mate swam around us when we we were out in the kayaks and came by our campsite each morning for breakfast.

The rest of the photos are in a picture trail album. (Click on 'My Picture Trail' under the links list.)

Animal Shelter Appreciation

November 4th through 10th is Animal Shelter Appreciation Week.

Write a note or send an e-mail to your local shelter to let them know you appreciate all that they do.

Better yet, donate something from their wish list. My local shelter is always in need of food items, cat litter, cleaning supplies and office supplies.

Bringing Home the Pumpkins

I love shopping at Lillian's Market all summer long for fresh vegetables. I love it even more in the Fall!

Pumpkins, apple cider, pole beans and Mums. I picked up these two little pumpkins the other day and I thought they looked nice on the crackled wood bench with the shadow from the leaves of the apple tree falling over them.

If you look closely, in the background you can see that crazy Ya Ya pestering Lucy.

Fall Tote

I've finished a fall version of my Gradation Dyed Tote Bag. This will be on display ay the Ocean City Arts Center as a class sample.

In the class. students will dye eight diferent fat quarters of fabric, graduating in equal steps from the first color to the second color.

The class will be held Saturday, November 17th.

First Signs of Autumn

I've tried to get into the habit of bringing my digital camera on our daily walks. (Not an easy thing with two unruly girls on leashes!)

But after that tremendous thunderstorm the air was rich with the smells of rain and earth and crumbling leaves...

The Virginia Creeper is loaded with berries and as usual, provides the first patches of bright reds.

The Arrival of Autumn

Ya Ya spent what was to be the last hot day soaking up the sun and and enjoying the warmth from the cobble stone step outside the studio.

A Butterfly Summer

The garden has been constantly visited by Yellow Swallowtails, Blue Swallowtails and Monarchs. All sipping from the Butterfly Bushes around the yard and laying eggs.

But these two are not common for us here, and both came on the same day. Luckily Ray had his camera ready!

The Red Spotted Purple was not the least bit shy, stopping for a drink of water before resting on the Milkweed. The milkweed leaves are full of holes as the baby Monarch caterpillars have hatched and have begun to feast.

The Empress Antonia was here and gone, stopping long enough for a quick photo on top of the storage shed.

Acrylic Painting Class

This is the Hyrangea Painting I did in a class with Sue Rau at the Ocean City Arts Center.

It was a fun class and I'm really pleased with the way it turned out.

New Way To Cover Buttons

These metal buttons were decorated using glass paint, embossing powders, glass beads and glitter.
The instructions were in the last issue of Cloth Paper Scissors magazine.
The depth of color really doesn't show up well in a photo. This was a fun project. The hearts are Polymer Clay, from a previous fun project.
I think they'll make a nice embellishment for a quilted project.

I saw this today on cute overload (the link is below) along with lots of stories on the net about people giving their Vick jerseys to local dog shelters to use as rags.

It made me feel better seeing this. My heart goes out to the people who deal with this kind of cruelty on a daily basis- it's part of their job.

http://mfrost.typepad.com/cute_overload/2007/08/no-soft-kronsch.html

Catching Up

A while back Paula sent me this bag of goodies.

She was so sweet to include a fun toy YA Ya was quick to claim.

My last summer class is tomorrow- one more marbling class.
So the 'busy season' is ending for me and I'll have some time to play!

In Bloom

All our Butterfly Bushes are blooming, starting with these purple ones in the center of the garden, all around the sparrow house. (housing it's second batch of babies this season.)

This guy here is a regular visiter.

Stop Puppy Mills

The American Humane Society has an on line petition to sign to STOP PUPPY MILLS. Click on the link or click on the MUTTS website in my links list (YESH!)

Okay, you have to give your e-mail when you sign. Okay, you'll get some e-mails from the Humane Society. Okay.

I just want to remind everyone they are among the folks who went to New Orleans to rescue pets after Katrina. Now you can take your pets with you when you have to evacuate to a shelter in an emergency, thanks to new legislation.

Do you know where your pet's vaccination records are? Can you grab them on the way out the door in an emergency? What else do you need to bring to get into an emergency evacuation shelter with your pet??

If you can't answer these questions... well, maybe you could use a few e-mails from the American Humane Society. That's all I'm sayin' ....

http://stoppuppymills.org/

This message was sponsored by shelter adoptees Leo, Hattie, Asta and of course... Big Lucy.

Frida Kahlo's Journal Pages

Just a little inspiration to continue working on my creative journal.
The Philadelphia Museum of Art will be exhibiting her work next year. I am so looking forward to getting a close view of her amazing images.

Feather Duster?

Why no, I haven't seen the . . .

Crazy Weekend

On Sunday I attended a lecture at the ocean City Arts League by collage artist Lois Adam. Here's a photo of one of her collages "Early Thaw."

http://www.oceancityfineartsleague.org/loisadam.html

Lois generously explained and demonstrated her process. It was very interesting and quite different from what you might expect.After that we got to try a little hands-on piece before going out into the gallery to look at several of Lois's pieces on display. A very fun evening.

Below is the piece I began- I think I'm going to add more bits to it today. Maybe some copper colored bits of foil.....

NJ Quilt Convention

On Saturday I went on a bus trip with the South Shore Stitchers to the quilt show in Edison . Below are a couple of my favorite images from a collection of many, many beautiful quilts.

I ran into Beryl Taylor there (Mixed Media Explorations .) Here's a shot of Beryl and Betty Lou in front of on of the pieces Beryl had on display.

Out of the Garden & into the Art Gallery

This is a shot of honeysuckle vine that grows along the fence around our vegetable garden. It has been blooming for days, filling the garden with that wonderful sweet fragrance....in the evenings it mixes with the scent of the mock oranges. Another reminder of why I love spring so much.





On Friday I went to the Artist's Reception for Sue Rau's watercolor show "BEACH PATHS."
A beautiful collection of paintings- my favorite one is featured on the left of the postcard below. All on display until the end of June!

http://www.sandbrau.com/

http://www.oceancityfineartsleague.org/susanhannarau.html

More Rose Scanning Fun

I got these beautiful roses from David Austin but I can never remember their real name. I call them my Sunrise and Sunset Roses. The subtle shades of peach with pale yellows and gold remind me of the colors in a sunrise. The pink ones with their stronger yellows and corals, a sunset.

The white ring is made of "Madame Hardy" blossoms.

Roses, Roses, Roses

I was surprised to realize I haven't posted in a month! I have some finished projects to post pictures of, but I spent the day today with my roses.

This is a shot of my "Reine des Violettes" roses in full bloom. The rose frame is a scan made by laying cut blossoms on the scanner, with the lid up. You can get some very interesting images this way.

Marbling Workshop at the Ocean City Arts Center

I had four students for my workshop Saturday: Jane, Sue, Doris and Elizabeth. These gals dived right in, producing lots of beautiful fabrics and marbled papers. We all had a good time.

As a final piece, every one added inks to the tray. They pulled one last piece of fabric together, then divided it into 4 pieces so everyone took a piece home.

Daffodils

It's been so cold here. Today it rained all day, with fierce winds.

I usually just enjoy being surrounded by daffodils as I work my flower beds in April. I've been cutting them and bringing them inside to look at this week. I fear they all may bloom and be fading by the time I have a chance to really enjoy them.

Altered Book Artist's Dream

The Cape May Court House Library had a book sale- a box full of books, just one dollar!

The two boxes on the left are mine. Ray went with a friend, and brought home the other box. He picked a couple of books out and filled the rest of the box with books he thought I would like for Altered Books. He is the just the best!!

It was fun picking out titles I might not come across at a thrift shop or yard sale ( where I usually find books to alter.) I got lots of gardening books, small children's books, and women's titles. The possibilities are endless...

I've already started painting the pages of one small book for a new project, while still working on an Altered Book Journal with a sewing/quilting theme.

Purple Paisley Platter

Here are the results of my first Pottery Class at the Clay College in Millville.
I'm really happy with the way my paisley platter turned out. We rolled out the clay in a slab and shaped it over a tube of extruded clay.
I stamped a textured design into the bottom of the plate and it filled in a bit with clear glaze when it was fired, kind of highlighting the simple shapes. (Hard to capture in a photo.)

The double pinch pots are much smaller and were fun to make,too.
They also have a design stamped in the bottom.

Happy Easter

Here's wishing you warm sunny spring days!!

Signs Of Spring

The Moon Flowers are taking over our little seedling station- reaching to wrap their tendrils around the tomatoes and peppers and basil.
After getting our indoor garden started, I got back to work painting the pages of my next Altered Book. Lisa V. ("Go Make Something!") is offering free spring/Easter artwork you can download, asking only that you post a link. She'll add something new each day so save the link:

http://countdown.tentwostudios.com/