Musings by Artslice

Caught in a Riptide

2012-01-30T07:02:00.000-08:00

Passionflower... dreaming of summer (already!)

Here is a better sample of the yummy Colonial Red of our house... much easier to see here.

Well, 100 faces Thursday came and went... I had my photos downloaded into the computer, all ready. Somehow, it all got pushed to the back burner. I had a great little lunch 'party' (as the kids call it" on Friday with some girlfriends and all our youngest who can have after-pre school playdates, mid-day. It was pure bliss to chat with the girls and hang out. Need to do more of that! (thank you, R and K!)

Anyway, this last Monday of January has turned into... First 100 faces of Thursday :) There will be more at Flickr later today. But, for now - I must don the yoga clothes and corral the kids into their school togs. Happy Monday!

Winter has Arrived

2012-01-25T18:02:00.000-08:00

Looking out the front door at our first real snowstorm... about a week 1/2 ago. (loving the Colonial Red we painted our house this summer! Looks great in the white snow, just as I'd planned :) Hubby could NOT understand, 'til now.)

The kids are OBSESSED with the characters in this well-loved book. Especially Agustus Gloop and Veruca Salt. I'm loving re-living my childhood through this book and them during out-loud reading time. My preference is the Gene Wilder film version - my vintage. They have not seen it yet but scowl at the Johnny Depp version - it's too scary for them. Depp is a bit edgy for them, I suppose... but I don't mind him at all ;)

Mister Knightley looking tame and mild in the early morning kitchen.

Fabulous mittens, hand knit. I found them at the annual Handmade Parade sale in Spokane... these were worth scratching and grabbing over :) I love 'em, especially on a dog walk.

Looking forward to the weekend... I'm working on a quilt loosely inspired by Jude at Spirit Cloth. It's been a long process, since a lot of months were spent looking, passing by... thinking and putting away. Was unsure of how or what to do with this beginning but, one day I just started adding, slowly... figuring it out along the way. I'll share soon :)

Here's Annabel and a Lovely Loom

2012-01-22T09:01:00.000-08:00

Drum roll please... ta da! The first sweater I've completed by myself! It's Annabel from Madelinetosh. Amanda at Soulemama and Beth at Tangled Sky Studio both inspired this project. I love the style of it - a bit cropped at the waist and the sleeves as well. The yarn is a bulky Lion's brand yarn... the quality is OK but, not as yummy as the nicer stuff bought in the yarn shops. I didn't want to commit to the good stuff until I was certain I could actually do this. So, it was thought of as a 'muslin' (for test-sewing)/dry-run yarn. Think I passed the test and am ready for a more posh, black one!

Dig the buttons... got 'em at Paradise Fibers - the place is a treasure trove of yarn, knitting notions, spinning wheels, looms, dyes, books, roving on and on etc.

My birthday present from hubby, (back in October!) a tapestry loom. Finally found a youtube video on how to warp it. Currently fussing with tension, spacing of the warp yarn and size of yarn. It's a whole new frontier! The learning curve is a mysterious one, I must say - but, I'm up for the challenge.

Snow's coming this afternoon, maybe 3 more inches but thankfully, the roads are pretty good and plowed. Friday was a snow day and this mama is ready for school tomorrow morning!

First 100 Women of 2012... Thursday

2012-01-19T16:18:00.000-08:00

More progress on the ladies here! The first 2 woodcuts are test prints that I painted. Today, they were 'cleaned up' during pre-school and will probably print them tomorrow along with 2 other ones. That's 4 new prints for this week. Think the 'maybe I'll post something' format is working for me :) (touch wood).

Also included are a few drawings for more woodcuts. It was a good drawing day - with the records playing, snow falling, corgis playing in the yard and little girl dancing in the living room. Perfect for art making. Check my flickr for even more new work - including some revised, painted ladies from last week! Link up top to the right.

Meanwhile, it's been snowing all day and I haven't shovelled any. There's always night-shovelling, right? Still stunned by the Italian ship sinking/accident - the passenger accounts are just bone-chilling and very sad. Praying for some miracles, families and for the survivors.

Dispatch from the Fireside

2012-01-18T07:20:00.000-08:00

We're expecting a big snowstorm today... the first biggie of our winter, really. Bracing ourselves

! Have some fun, new projects to report on in the next few days, and good stuff for 100 Faces Thursday.

See you soon...

First 100 Women of 2012... Thursday

2012-01-12T18:02:00.000-08:00

Here are 3 more lovelies to share for woodcut Thursday. All of 'em are test prints - I've gone back and tweaked/cleaned up this and that. Then, the final printing and on to painting it as soon as the ink dries. Check out a few more at my flickr here.

Happy almost long weekend!!

ps Blogger is not letting me post a link right now... but, you can find my flickr badge on the right hand side of the screen :)

New Projects for 2012!

2012-01-04T17:57:00.000-08:00

Ok, the new year sort of snuck up on me... while putting away Christmas stuff and thinking about how to run the kids' energy into the ground over the holiday break. But, I didn't want to pass up a chance to start something new. Fresh starts and new calendars have an effect on me.

So, after much thought over the past few days of January, I decided to break up the year into 3-month chunks. For the first 'quarter' (ug, it sounds so 'financial'!) there will be a series of woodcut faces. I'll be posting them on Thursdays... no real goal per week, just how ever many 'happen' over the week. You can also see them over at my Flickr page... I'm going to post all of 'em there. This is going to be exciting! The next 3 quarters? Who knows... they are up for grabs. I hate to commit to something this soon for the whole year so, this is the 'wiggle room' that's necessary to keep things spontaneous.

My other project this year is to find more venues for showing art and get myself 'out there' much more. I mean, if I'm going to make it, then... people have to see it! :)

Happy new year, everyone! Please don't be shy, leave a comment if you like. I love to read them and really appreciate hearing from you :)

Cheers to You

2011-12-27T20:18:00.000-08:00

Cheers to you, tonight... as new year's eve draws closer and the old year is closing in. I hope you all are taking in every breath of the season and enjoying yourselves as we are in our house.

I have many hopes and dreams for the new year... some will come to fruition, others... not sure I have the will or strength for it but am still up for the challenge! I won't bother sharing my specific new years resolutions, but hope you will take the leap and realize yours in the coming year as I strive to realize mine :)

A very happy and healthy new year, 2012 to one and all!

Alpine Christmas

2011-12-22T17:43:00.000-08:00

Outdoor beer garden... Edelweiss flowers painted to the right!

Town Christmas tree... sorry for the blur

Nordic skier of times past

We took a quick jaunt to a lovely little town called Leavenworth, WA. It was in the height of Christmas and oh so beautiful. It was patterned after a Bavarian Alps village in the 1960s and has a few ski areas close by.

I'll share more night scenes soon... not sure if I'll be posting here before the new year or not. Either way, have a wonderful holiday! (I'm off to plan my Christmas dinner shopping list- an old fashioned English Christmas this year... roast beef with Yorkshire pudding... trimmings and trifle for dessert! - with the help of my mom, of course - she's the real cook around here.)

Marley's Laurel

2011-12-08T16:32:00.000-08:00

This is about as Christmas-y as I'm getting this year in my art!

Here are a few new woodblocks that have just landed in the shop this evening. It's been a long time between updates over there!

I've been carving a lot the past few weeks and stayed home from yoga this morning after pre-school drop off just to stay home and print. Sweet moments of art and silence!!! (besides listening to NPR's On Point) I'll be sharing the fruits of this morning just as soon as the ink dries. (and then I can paint 'em)

It has been bitter cold around here - but there's an air inversion and therefore, a burn ban. How I'd love to sit in front of a cozy fire right now. Hope you are warm and happy where ever you are tonight.

New Stuff at Society6

2011-11-28T18:49:00.000-08:00

This little painting and more are now available as prints at a great site called Society6! I've never been one for reproductions and really prefer to offer original art. But, after many requests (thank you, y'all know who you are ;) I thought it was time to offer prints of paintings and art quilt, past and present. You can visit here. Check it out!

ps look for me as 'teaandinkstudio' over at Society6. Blogger won't let me post a direct link right now. ug.

Presenting... A Turkey Art Show!

2011-11-24T08:27:00.000-08:00

Lovely turkey hand print

A plea from the turkeys... think veggies!

Cutout homework

Our son's lovely turkey that poses the question... 'What are you thankful for?'

Happy Thanksgiving to one and all!! Today, I'm slicing up celery and carrots to dip in ranch dressing... and making the Lovely Ginger Cake a la Nikki McClure from her book, How to Bake the Perfect Day. (whoops, I don't have fresh ginger or cloves... and my son downed the whipped cream in a can last night we were bringing for the pumpkin pie at Grandma's house. Off to the grocery store.) Have a great day :)

November Painted Prints

2011-11-22T07:05:00.000-08:00

Here's a new print, fresh off the press! This is a beautiful little beach garden we passed by while exploring the town of Newport, OR. My daughter had to stop and admire all the blooms :)

Here's a state print of Bonfire of the Fish Spirits, painted. Usually, I print on scrap paper and later play around with color while waiting for ink to dry on the revised version. Just couldn't decide what colors the fish will be.

We're getting ready for Thanksgiving around here... mom's cooking the turkey. Every one's afraid I'll buy a Tofurkey and call it good :) Some people just don't understand vegetarians! I actually baked some lovely butternut squash last night and may make enchiladas with it to bring for the big day. I'm also making a Gingerbread Cake from Nikki McClure's tiny little cookbook. Have a wonderful, happy turkey day!

Bonfire of the Fish Spirits- Carved Version

2011-11-16T17:06:00.000-08:00

Originally this image was an art quilt... but, I really like this one and thought it would translate nicely into a woodcut. Here is the actual carved Shina wood. I printed this version, made some revisions and have printed the final cut. (oh, that IS relief printmaker lingo :) So, I'm going to share as soon as the ink is dry and have painted.

On another note, we are expecting our first big snow storm (already had a dusting that melted) so, today I've been getting ready... sweeping all the pine needles that fell after a nasty windstorm. (It's much easier to shovel snow without those things on the ground - and I'll be doing the shovel duty so, I'm making it easier on my arms.) Also moved all the patio/deck stuff out of the elements. Plus, we went grocery shopping, returned the library movies and bought some scrap booking stuff for Christmas pages. A swimming playdate was cancelled this afternoon because of the forecast and as of 5:15pm, still not snowing. Hmmn.

Robots, etc

2011-11-11T07:36:00.000-08:00

Here are a few of the little guys I'm making for the Tinman Gallery's artist ornament show that always opens the day after Thanksgiving. I still have to stuff, sew on eyeballs and tweak a few more embellishments. Due: November 15!

Here's the sweater I've been knitting and it's such a fun, easy pattern! (inspired by Amanda at
Soulemama and Beth at Tangled Sky Studio :) They have both made this sweater and I couldn't resist... just had to have my own! If it actually looks good on me, I'm planning on knitting another.

Happy Friday... and long weekend.

November Comes Creeping in...

2011-11-02T07:13:00.000-07:00

Halloween was such a whirlwind this year... parties all day at school, ballet with more Halloween fun and of course - trick or treating. I'm still coming down from all the hoopla :)

Today is snow tire day. After several years with the 'all weather' tires, and many slips/slides and near accidents, this year will be different! Hopefully they will keep me mobile, therefore keeping the winter blues at bay for a bit longer.

I've got a few things to share this week... knitting, ornaments and new woodcuts. Stay tuned!

New Facebook Artist Page

2011-10-21T07:00:00.000-07:00

Happy Friday to one and all! I'm taking the leap and opened a Tea and Ink Studio artist page on Facebook. (I know I'm a bit behind the times, but I'm trying :) Here is my new photo on the page... another side of myself. Please 'like' me over there if you're in the mood for a visit. I'll be posting new work regularly and announcing sales in the etsy shop, events and the like.

I'll still be here too, in a more personal, organic/studio sort of way. So, stay tuned. I may be moving into the 21st century :)

Autumn and her Pumpkins

2011-10-19T18:08:00.000-07:00

Here's a little autumn goodness to cheer you... this is the centerpiece of our table. My daughter added the little doll (whose name is Autumn - by the way). The open work penny rug I made a few years back and it's a lovely addition to our seasonal table. Cheers!

Taking Root

2011-10-14T15:08:00.001-07:00

My 'Trees in a Chair Forest' purse is done! (created the flap a few years ago) The purse flap was a bit short so, I added much needed roots. A wooly purse is perfect this time of year.

Have a fabulous Friday :)

Letterpress Lucy

2011-10-08T10:40:00.000-07:00

I did this drawing some months back but just found it this morning and thought I'd share. I have a secret obsession with letter presses and wish I could work one :)

Autumn has arrived and I'm drinking in every moment possible. It's my favorite season and also, I just celebrated my birthday :) I hope to be sharing some of the things in progress around the house - they are woodblocks and some in the fiber category.

I've been down for the count, sick with pneumonia these past 2 weeks. Am finally coming up for air and feeling better - although my stamina stinks! When will I ever make it back to yoga...??? Who knows. Hope it's soon. Happy Saturday :)

Meet Aubird

2011-09-19T08:50:00.000-07:00

Lucky me, I went to a Waldorf doll making workshop on Saturday. What a blissful time it was! I actually finished a 16 inch dressing doll... the teacher had the wigs ready made to choose as well as the clothing. Still - it was a lot of work but so much fun. Rolling the wool for her head was the hardest part! The wool she had was super clean so no lanolin for the fibers to 'stick' to. It was a great time. It was held at the new Waldorf-style school in Spokane, Windsong School.

My daughter was THRILLED with this doll and instantly named her 'Aubird' - sounds like 'Auburn' as in the color of her hair. She loves to dress and change her clothes etc. I'm hoping to make more outfits. Now my son wants a doll that looks like him and I'm happy to oblige :) There's something about doll making... it's very soothing like hand quilting. If I can just get the trick of making the head and wig down, there may be a whole village of dolls soon ;)

No school today, we're going to play and maybe get a Buzz Lightyear Halloween costume. Happy Monday.

It's Still Summer

2011-09-11T07:53:00.000-07:00

Gleeful run through one of our favorite gardens in a brand new 'first day of school dress'. I love this photo of our daughter, happy, free and everything ahead of her. It was a perfect afternoon :)

On another note... a personal remembrance of 9/11.
I can't believe it's been 10 years. That morning, my mom and I were going to take the ferry to Victoria, British Colombia. My husband was in Spokane - as we were in the process of moving here. On 9/12, he was scheduled to fly to Boston for some class he was taking. We switched on the news in the early morning to check the weather and watched in horror as we all tried to figure out what had happened. The live coverage on the streets of NYC... horrific chaos. Naturally, no one went anywhere that day. A few weeks later, mom and I drove out to Spokane with my cat and it was still a 'no fly zone' in the US. Such a strange trip. The day that changed our country forever.

Bathroom Paint Job... in progress

2011-09-07T06:52:00.000-07:00

Here was most of my labor day weekend... workin' in the 'can' :) Most of the new, darker color is done... it's Restoration's 'Cappuccino'. The trim will be a nice, lighter yet warm shade: 'Warm Linen". I won't be doing the trim, cabinet and sink area til next weekend.

I must say, it was hard to tape all the fixtures, ceiling, window etc. Plus, having the bathroom taken apart is so difficult when there are small children in the house. They can't help but 'assist' with the paint roller while I'm making dinner. My last paint project was in 2006 when I painted our daughter's room - whilst 9 months pregnant. From what I remember, that project was easier since no one had a reason to be in there :) Will be glad when it's done. "After" photos to come!

Happy hump day.

Sunset at the Lighthouse

2011-08-29T19:16:00.000-07:00

New ink drawing on paper! I took tons of inspiration photos on our trip and this is a favorite subject... old architecture including lighthouses! The French prism lenses get to me... they are so beautiful, ordered and geometric. I may have to brush up on my perspective skills before tackling an interior shot of the lens. (used Twinkling H2Os paint on this one - it's got some sparkle). It's soon to be in the etsy shop.

We are one day away from the big, first day of school! It's bittersweet for sure... the weather is perfect and seems a waste to spend it in school. On the other hand - there's yoga to attend and art to be made in a quiet studio in the company of two little Corgis.

Sending out thoughts and prayers to the Hurricane Irene survivors... stay safe and hang in there. Thinking of you all out there in the dark. Happy Monday.

Nikki McClure at Contemporary Crafts Museum...Portland

2011-08-22T09:08:00.000-07:00

This was a fabulous show... I have seen a lot of the original work in Nikki McClure's calendars and books but what a treat to see it in person! The black paper she cuts with an exacto knife is so thin and delicate. It's amazing what she does. Her sketchbooks, personal photographs that she draws from and mulling ideas on paper were all on display. I love to see how people work - it's such an inspiration to me. (wish I could've taken photos of them!)

By the way... we've just returned from our 2nd and last trip of the summer... to Newport and Lincoln City, OR. Toured many lighthouses, saw several artist's studios... ate fabulous food etc. Will share more in the coming weeks! But, today - it's time for school supply shopping, coddling lonely Corgis and more purging of old clothes and shoes. Happy Monday.

Off the Grid

2011-08-13T21:54:00.000-07:00

We are soaking up this last month of summer vacation... sipping wine by candle light. Sleeping in, going slow and keeping a low profile. (the last is always my favorite). Hope you are enjoying the sunny summer in your own favorite style.

ps ... I can't seem to leave a comment - blogger is all messed up (google profile). Darn it! Thanks to Jenniffer for stopping by!

Flutter Kicks and Noodles

2011-08-08T08:28:00.000-07:00

Here's where I've been for several weeks. It's amazing how fast they learn to swim when they're ready. Both the kids are having a great time in their lessons and then the reward comes: free swim! For me, it's like sitting in a sauna - with one benefit... my face is dewy. :)

I'm determined to get the bathroom painted before school starts. Will be choosing colors today. What are you getting done before September?

New August Woodcuts

2011-08-05T09:09:00.000-07:00

More ballet... this time in the form of woodcuts. These were test prints to see what they're looking like. More decisions to make now. My least fave is the last photo but, maybe I can make it work.

I'm hoping to escape into the garden today to pull weeds and trim hedges. But first, the eucalyptus oil will be slathered on. I'm the perfect meal for bugs and nasty blood-sucking black flies (they're rampant in Spokane this summer!). But the oil really does work. Try it if you are one of those 'lucky ones' who seems to get bit no matter what.

Happy Friday!

Ballerinas... If I can't Be One, I'll Paint Them

2011-07-26T18:32:00.000-07:00

Both of our kids take tap, jazz and daughter takes ballet. This year, the studio performed Coppelia. I had a back stage pass... and of course, my camera was at the ready for any pose or movement that struck a chord. Pure nirvana for these eyes! (sidebar... I began ballet at 4 years old and kept on dancing)
Here is the first of probably many 'dance paintings'. Even the most casual standing around and waiting at rehearsal is a divine pose in my eyes. This one is acrylic on canvas... about 28 x 24".

On another note... I'm so saddened by the death of the gifted, troubled soul - Amy Winehouse. Rest in peace, girl. Also, the incomparable painter - Lucian Freud passed away Friday. Another huge loss... although comfort can be found in the fact he lived a long, prolific life. No one painted like him. RIP Lucian and thank you for the gifts you left behind.

Do the Happy Dance

2011-07-22T08:42:00.000-07:00

Here is my happy daughter... wearing her brand new swimming goggles. She and big brother will be having swimming lessons for most of the summer. I've never seen anyone get so excited about goggles. Too cute. This is an acrylic painting - in progress. Am doing a series of them because - well - I can't help myself.
Happy Friday!

Beach Haze

2011-07-17T18:08:00.000-07:00

Where's Captain Jack Sparrow??

Beautiful fortress

Seamist

Tempting bill of fare

Mural at a lovely pub.

We're just back from our annual sojourn to the pacific ocean beaches. Cannon Beach, Oregon to be precise. Oh what a lovely time it was. I made a few new friends in Portland... we stayed there a few days as well. So much fun to get away and mix it all up.

It was mostly misty, rainy and cloudy at the beaches we go to but, went anyway! This time we got smart and brought much foul weather gear... including warm clothes. It all came in handy. We had a whole lot of kicked back family-together goodness. Always the sweet life when we head to the beach.

I had a funny little mishap at the end of our trip where I lost my new digital camera... I had taken a record 974 photos with it! But, it all came out OK in the end and met some new artist friends through the camera kerfuffle. But... that's another story.

Stay tuned for many new drawings, woodblocks and maybe even a few paintings....

Summer Patio Vibe

2011-07-09T19:58:00.000-07:00

Nothing like summer patio time. Here are a few new drawings I've done in the past few days... the top one is with a very fine tip pen, the lower... a brush tip pen. (can never quite decide which one I prefer.) These will be going in the etsy shop, hopefully tonight!

As you can see I've been blessed with a new camera - thanks to my brother who found 'a good one' for me. Ahhh, I'm so relieved. It's rough to be without a camera!

Knightley update:

The youngest corgi dodged surgery but was in the emergency pet hospital over the 4th of July wkend. He finally passed (with much treatment and coaxing) some bone shards and later the big offender: half of a Pink Pearl eraser! Such a problem child he is... he's on the mend but we're still wondering what trouble he'll find next.

Naughty Knightley at it Again

2011-07-01T22:03:00.000-07:00

Ringing in our youngest member of the family's birth month... the naughty Knitghtley is at the pet emergency hospital. He must have swallowed a rock or some foreign body a few days ago and now has a major problem. He'll be spending the big 4th of July weekend as an inpatient.. hopefully passing the 2 objects in his intestines so he can avoid a second surgery for this very problem.
Please, if you have time, say a little prayer for our Mr. Knightley... he'll be 2 years old on July 22nd if he can get past this current crisis. Why is it some pets (and people) are just born to get into trouble?! I'll update you on his status before the weekend is over. Fingers crossed, he'll get through without a surgery. Happy 4th of July!

Kicking Back this Weekend...

2011-06-25T09:45:00.000-07:00

Just resting and exhaling this weekend after a VERY long stretch of hubby working. (that's 2 whole work weeks including the weekend in between.) Lucky me... it's a beautiful, sunny day and I can go dog walking for unlimited time!!!

Don't have a new camera yet. I'm still making art, though. Shifting gears for kid's summertime and just making art for me right now. The reality is... I can't stop making art. I can't NOT do it. It's too much a part of me. I saw a great poster on Etsy, exactly at the right time. It said: "I just want to make beautiful things, even if nobody cares." Sounds kind of sad and funny... it resonates. I always go back to Corita Kent and her rules for art. My fave: "The only rule is work." So, I will work.

Celebrate the Solstice!

2011-06-21T20:17:00.000-07:00

Illustration for the corgi book that is slowly being completed. (linocut)

Wow, the longest day of the year... and the beginning of new things. I've been painting on canvas on the easel... alongside 2 other artists. (we have tandem easels!) Sharing the paintings would be nice except some little elf broke my camera and... well, it's complicated.

Check out our daughter's new flip flops... golden like the solstice with butterflies. Perfectly summer. Dance around a midsummer bonfire or campfire tonight!

Planting by the Moon

2011-06-11T09:01:00.000-07:00

Here is a new art quilt I've been working on. I actually did the drawing when I made the Mermaid quilt a few months back. But... I've been suffering from feelings of 'where am I going? what am I doing?' with my art. I haven't had many shows lately and am starting to re-evaluate why I do art and should I keep working hard on it without many prospects. Guess I need to get out there and make new connections! Or maybe just stop.

Hopefully I can get out of this funk or maybe it's a bridge to somewhere else. Then comes the commitments to home and family... and the time that takes and how important it is to cultivate that side of life. Hmmn. Just thinking out loud. Thanks for listening.

After the Party

2011-06-05T08:22:00.000-07:00

Our son turned 8 about a week ago and these are the remnants of his 'first party'... the family party. (minus the train pile-up which he created to make room for the new toys and books he set up in photo no. 4 :) Yesterday was his 'kid party' where they played many field games, got hot, sweat and thirsty... played many more and finally pooped out. But, after drinks, chips and cake the kids were quickly resurrected. Oh to be 8 again!

Now that the party's over the girls in the family are treating ourselves to an outing. We are go to the Farm Chicks. Can't wait! Happy Sunday.

Testing, Test Prints...

2011-05-26T15:35:00.000-07:00

I finally finished a few of the carvings for my corgi book. Still getting the bugs out regarding paper size, trimming of linocuts etc. I'm thinking about how to fit it all on the page without too much overlapping. (some is good, though!).

In the first photo I cut the paper a bit bigger just to see what it would look like. It doesn't work. Much prefer the lower photo's layout. Back to carving! Happy almost Memorial Day weekend and the kick-off of SUMMER! (hello white linen :)

Book and Flower

2011-05-17T17:05:00.000-07:00

I finally printed some of the pages of the book I've been making about our corgi gone missing on Boxing Day. Yesterday I sketched in some rough ideas in the dummy book to think about scale and subject matter. A person could sit forever... about to draw an idea... when it comes to putting images together with words. It must be similar to adding music to lyrics.

The violet water soluble Daniel Smith ink was super impossible to clean up. It seemed like it was oil based... finally was successful with paper towels and Dawn dish soap. Very strange because the other colors clean up quickly with warm water. Go figure.

The middle photograph is a peek at the beautiful paper flowers my daughter gave me for Mother's Day! (she made them at pre-school) They are made from magazine paper and sewn with a button in the middle... pipe cleaners for stems. So cute... a great craft idea.

Egg Dye

2011-05-12T07:18:00.000-07:00

All the kids and I colored and decorated eggs on Easter Sunday a few weeks back. It was so much fun! Later that night, all the stuff was still sitting on the kitchen counter... stinking of vinegar. My daughter wanted to dip some of the eggs again to see if they'd change color and it was then I remembered I had a 'ready to dye' packet of silk fabrics. So, I cut them into small strips and we started dipping.

The fabric turned out quite pretty but, now that I've read a little more about dye, fears are coming on. The water was not boiling hot and we did not soak overnight. So, they probably will run like crazy if we use them in a quilt and wash it someday.

Does anyone know how I could set the dye? Or is it set? (the solution was just one egg dye tablet and equal parts vinegar and water.)

PS still carving on the linocut book... on page 9 now.

New Lino Cut Book!

2011-05-05T19:01:00.000-07:00

I've been wanting to make a book with text in it for so long... as well as illustrations. So, this has finally come to the work table! The story is of our naughty little corgi who ran away in the dead of winter and found his way home on New Year's Day.

I've written most of the story and am on the 3rd page of carving the text only. (none of the illustrations have even been conceived yet... but, the drawings will be driven by the space and context of the words on the page. Very exciting to take on :) I've had to get out my dusty graphic design hat and think had about that golden rectangle and how to make the most of it. The book may not be perfect, but I'm having a wonderful time with the process.

Will report with more progress :) Happy almost weekend.

I've added a few mini art quilts to my etsy shop. They are the ladies from the 'Saintly Women' series.

Just to Let You Know...

2011-04-30T07:37:00.000-07:00

I love the fingers and toes.

school art

little black dress

a 'letter' she wrote to god about our dog, Knightly needing to be good.

Just have to shout it to the world... our 4 year old daughter is an artist! :) She has been drawing up a storm and just seems to get better everyday. I love watching her make art - she's very serious and often hums to herself... but don't even think about talking to her. She's way too busy :)

Since I'm talking about kid stuff today... here's a little story:

My 7 yr old son and 4 yr old daughter were in the car, on our way to dance lessons. Golliwog's Cakewalk by Claude Debussy came on the radio. Our son knows this piece from way back and we both love it. I asked if he remembered the name... yes!

Me: 'This is a great piano piece - I want to learn it. It's by Debussy who wrote one of my all time faves, Clair de Lune .

Son: No! This is from that Fisher Price movie, Baby's Day.

Me: Well, it's actually classical music (Impressionism) written over 100 years ago.

Daughter: Oh! Did you listen to this when you were a little girl?
Me: Uncontrollable laughter.

Celebrating the 'New'

2011-04-27T07:25:00.000-07:00

A new quilt that's been coming along very quickly!

A new woodblock based on a drawing from an art quilt I did in Jan/Feb of this year. Still needs a bit more tweaking... this is the first state printing.

Easter table before the feasting! Yes, those are paper cups, they look so tacky but I was feeling lazy about clean up. May have to commit to doing dishes next year :)

The egg coloring happened on Easter this year and ended up being a great 'craft' for all the kids.

Well, the leaves and blossoms are finally coming out little by little... I'm so glad. We're starting to feel the newness of spring! I'm working on new woodcuts and hope to share more this week. Happy Wednesday :)

Bookmaking Weekend

2011-04-17T09:06:00.000-07:00

Sandpoint, Idaho

Fabulous little sushi place... they served the largest glass of wine I've ever had :)

Beautiful space built over a waterway (much like Florence, Italy) ... maybe for a gallery someday??

Figuring out drum leaf book binding. It was a bit slow going for me, but I finally got it! (no diagrams... I need visuals like I need oxygen)

Instructions for the caterpillar stitch - so much fun to do. This was only a decorative embellishment for the cover. Hopefully I can learn how to bind using this stitch. I'm planning on doing more bookmaking to go with the printmaking... I need a class! Happy Sunday..we're off for a Corgi walk in the sunshine :)

Shapes in Mid Day Travels

2011-04-13T07:16:00.000-07:00

Look above the truck... the sky is falling!

Quilter's banner - each quilter in a class made a mini piece for a collective banner. So cool.

Love the colors of this old building... thinking about our house which desperately needs painting.

Lovely texture in a mod chandelier.

Little pane windows... none are broken, they have different degrees of frosted spray paint or some other fragments from the past.

I know, I promised sunsets last time but the blogger wouldn't allow me to add more photos to this post, the nerve! So, next one... for sure. These are all Portland, discovering the many crumbling, papery, shadowy etc. textures throughout my afternoon... I wanted to document all of these findings. I have a plan to translate these yummy, found textures onto 300lb. watercolor paper - stitching, hole poking and graphite mark making are some of the things planned. I've been hoarding it long enough :)

Still working on the mermaid art quilt... the size is making it a slow project. What I really need is a larger table!

Spring Break...part one

2011-04-08T08:59:00.000-07:00

Lake Oswego... our fave park there, George Rodgers Park. This is the boat launch. In art school, we used to come here for drawing class and later watercolor class too. So beautiful and idyllic... some of the best days of my life. Now, we bring our kids here - also some of the best days of my (our) life!

Upon arrival in Portland, Oregon - we always go to 'our village', Multnomah village. Lunch time at Grand Central Bakery. It was Sunday and packed with late risers, still eating breakfast very slowly. Yum.

Water tower in the Pearl district. Waiting to be picked up from Utrecht - a fab art store (needed more small portfolios - the kind that tie) in an utter downpour. I shot several photos from all directions of where I was standing - it's a great way to imprint the brain with memory of a place.

Sipping wine at dinner with old friends under lovely lamps and art. It seems in every pub, bakery, coffee house or restaurant we visit, there is an aesthetic experience to behold. Love that about Portland :) Part 2 coming soon... sunsets promised. Happy Friday to one and all!

Big Night

2011-04-01T06:57:00.000-07:00

It seems I've been working on the sleeping mermaid quilt for a very long time... and I'm not even close to being done. Here is a little progress... earlier in the week, the wave border was painted and doodled over with my fave water ditty. Then, decisions about the quilt she's laying on. So tough!! Traditional log cabin, granny's garden, flying geese??? After much deliberation, I thought about mid-century textiles and felt this design lent itself to an undersea barnacle kind of world in an abstract sort of way.

My daughter has not weighed in on the choices of color yet... hope she likes it.

Tonight is the opening of my art quilt show at the Tinman Too Gallery in Spokane. Check it out! It will be showing all month. Happy Friday, all :)

Ultimate Spa?

2011-03-28T07:13:00.000-07:00

You know how some people put their beds outside to sleep under the stars... especially where the sun shines a lot? Well, I thought bathing by the light of the moon would be divine. But not in a murky, dark pond - no, a claw foot tub would be best. Never mind who has to fill the tubs or heat the water... just to enjoy the soak is most important.

(sidebar... the movie, A Room with A View has a great scene where many of the male characters go for a swim but they call it to 'go for a bathe'. This must be the female version of that idea)

Vernal Equinox is Here

2011-03-20T08:03:00.000-07:00

There's nothing I like more than to be out walking the dogs in the spring. My eyes are searching for buds on trees, lilac bushes (Spokane's know as the 'Lilac City'), bulbs, bleeding hearts and chutes everywhere. It keeps me BELIEVING! Oh yeah... this painting needs to be finished.

Hey, did you see that big old moon last night? Wow... it was beautiful. Wish I had photographs to share. Happy Sunday :)

Somebody Wants a Mermaid Quilt...

2011-03-17T13:11:00.000-07:00

Here's our youngest cutie watching her favorite show in a special 'chair'. :) She is so very into mermaids right now and wanted me to make her a sleeping mermaid on a bed to go on her bed.

So! This art quilt will be my biggest to date. It's a very wide piece of white kona cotton and is about twin bedspread size. It was a bit nerve wracking to start but, once I got the scale of her the rest just followed... although her breasts could've been a little bit lower. Oh well! I'm now doing some borders. Can't wait to start painting it. Will share more soon.

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!!!

Jewel Box Suprise and Prayers for Japan

2011-03-14T11:35:00.000-07:00

My daughter and I had a major gluing party with jewels last week and here's the finished product! She needs a box for all her special princess stuff.

Having so many sad thoughts about the devastation in Japan. All those poor souls washed up by the tide, the suffering survivors... threat of a nuclear meltdown. Praying for them all. The images are so apocalyptic it is mind boggling. Let's send our good energy and prayers to them that they can heal and recover.

Shingle Shack Tree House - Cannon Beach

2011-03-10T18:09:00.001-08:00

I finished up several gouache paintings today that had been percolating in the portfolio for quite some time. This scene is part of the fabulous little beach town of Cannon Beach. It's a good feeling to finally finish. It's now available in my etsy shop. Now on to the new!

Happy (almost) Friday :)

Flip Side

2011-03-09T07:20:00.000-08:00

Check out the back of one of the saintly ladies... I think I might like it more than the front! This thread painting stuff is really fun but there's more practice to be done. (like learning better control - it really is like driving a car without brakes).

Happy hump day :)

Brown Eyes

2011-03-03T15:09:00.000-08:00

One of the saintly ladies series... she's now all written on and free-motion quilted. Thought it would be fun to share her on a pared down level first. More to come :)

We are so excited March is here... and the snow is starting to melt. Counting down the days to equinox and watching closely for little green shoots and primroses. What grows first in your garden?

Snowy Swallows and Corgis

2011-02-26T16:12:00.000-08:00

I painted this swallow - sky drawing last summer. The blue dots were summer sky with sunlight filtering through. Looking outside today at the wintry white world, it takes on a completely different context. I thought it went well with the dogs casually hanging around in our snowy back yard.

Come on spring... visit us soon.

The Tennis Player

2011-02-23T06:59:00.000-08:00

This is a smaller art quilt - actually a drawing that I painted. It just happens to be on white kona cotton! So, after journaling on it (all about her) the machine quilting started happening. This is kind of new for me - but since I got a new Pfaff Hobby sewing machine from santa, (LOVE it!) free motion machine quilting is possible.

The machine is really a departure for me because I'm an unplugged kind of gal. But - my old machine was from 1970 I think. Boy has technology changed- even in the sewing machine world. I'm amazed at what that machine can do - and so easily... smoothly.

There are 13 of these ladies... but not all of them are keepers. The messed up ones are great for practice, though. ps great news: The gallery owner had a little glitch and my shows not til April fool's day! Hooray!!! Happy Wednesday, all.

Happy Valentine's Day

2011-02-14T11:26:00.000-08:00

Have a great red heart day! I'm spending most of the day at our children's school helping and watching them celebrate at their parties. I even got to pass out valentines this morning... haven't done that since childhood :) Oh the thrill of opening a decorated shoe box with a pile of valentines all for you. Sweet!

Mixer Mamas

2011-02-12T10:46:00.000-08:00

Mixer Mammas are in the kitchen ... baking up a storm. This was the last one for the upcoming show in March. But, I'm not feeling this one so much. I need time and space from it which is a luxury I don't have... so it's out!

Moon Flower and a little Tess Gallagher

2011-01-31T17:30:00.000-08:00

Here is another art quilt - I have two yoga quilts and hope to do one more for a nice three in a row for the show. This one is the Moon Flower pose - it goes with Sunflower pose and both are supposed to be very good for banishing depression as well as good for warming up. The background is a rambling, funky Spokane out the 4th floor huge windows. It's not exact but more what I think I'm seeing upside down... twisted and in another 'zone'. Think I might like it better than the 'real' view. :) I'm about to write all over this one...

I thought I'd do something different and share some of my favorite things with you this year. One of my favorite things I always come back to is poetry. I used to write tons of it and at one time was going to major in creative writing with poetry emphasis... but other things went on and I went down many paths before choosing again. Anyway, enjoy!

Oh, this book of poems is one of my all time favorites. She came to my college in her hometown of Port Angeles, WA right before this one was being published. She read a few poems and I was gone. Absolutely besotted with her reading and style of writing. Her husband had recently passed away - Raymond Carver - and there are a lot of grief-riddled pieces in this one but still, the beauty of her work sometimes overwhelms me. Here are a few samples:

I Stop Writing The Poem

to fold the clothes. No matter who lives or who dies, I'm still a woman.

I'll always have plenty to do.

I bring the arms of his shirt

together. Nothing can stop

our tenderness. I'll get back

to the poem. I'll get back to being

a woman. But for now

there's a shirt, a giant shirt

in my hands, and somewhere a small girl

standing next to her mother

watching to see how it's done.

Trace, In Unison

Terrible, the rain. All night, rain

that I love. So the weight of his leg

falls again like a huge tender wing

across my hipbone. Its continuing - the rain,

as he does not. Except as that caress

most inhabited. Ellipsis of

eucalyptus. His arms, his beautiful

careless breathing. Inscription

contralto where his lips graze

the bow of my neck. Muslin half-light.

Musk of kerosene in the hall, fixative

to ceaselessly this rain, in which

there is nothing to do but be happy, be

free, as if someone sadly accused

came in with their coat soaked through

and said, "But I only wanted

to weep and love," and we rolled toward

the voice like one body and said

with our eyes closed, "Then weep, then

love." Buds of jasmine threaded through

her hair so they opened after dark,

brightening the room. that morning

rain as it would fall, still

falling, and where we had lain,

an arctic light steady

in the mind's releasing.

~Tess Gallagher, 1992

Beautiful Felons

2011-01-21T12:27:00.000-08:00

Hello and happy Friday! I'm so glad the weekend is here. Meet a group of 13 beautiful felons... I wanted to make some smaller art quilts for my upcoming show... it's nice to have a variety of sizes in my opinion. These ladies were so much fun to draw! There are a few ideas I've been playing with surrounding these women... but haven't decided yet - so they may not be felons just yet. I really would like to do even more, but the clock is ticking faster and faster.

Messenger swallows bringing good yarn to coastal villages... I love the idea of messenger birds and have wanted to play with the subject for quite awhile. This one is already painted and has some writing/journaling on it. I'll be working through the weekend on these things and maybe a few more larger ones. I hope y'all have a nice and relaxing weekend!

Sketchbook Wednesday

2011-01-12T07:12:00.000-08:00

Here are a few ideas I have churning today. They've both made it onto fabric for more art quilts. The March show is coming up faster and faster. (well, a late Feb deadline is what's on my mind!)

I'm really having fun with this style of art making. Not many rules and drawing loose... it is very freeing. Oddly, I haven't carved a woodblock for a long time now. This is the longest stretch, I think (although I did do some mastercarve stuff recently). After this project, it's going to be woodcuts galore!

Speaking of woodcuts, I'm honored to be included in an art blog, Apt3 Design... amongst many wonderful printmakers. The writer is Tina, a student at Portland State University - my art school Alma Mater. Check it out here .

A New Year's Day Miracle...

2011-01-08T09:24:00.000-08:00

Minutes after he returned home...

A complete miracle happened around 9am on new year's day. Knightley found his way home... by himself!!! We still can't believe it. I was sitting, drinking my tea - Mr. Darcy was barking up a storm on the deck. I was conveniently ignoring him ( surely the neighbors were coughing in their coffee) when he began to howl. He NEVER howls. ??? Weird. 5 min later, the phone rang - and after a few grumblings, I got up... missed the call. The message was from Mr. K next door, thought he saw Knightley walking in the street by himself. I ran to the door and saw him in the driveway... flung open the door and called him in (in between squeals which soon turned to sobs). He was looking wild-eyed and wired - he was being skittish for a bit, but as soon as he saw Mr. Darcy - he ran in the house.

We are still baffled by this miracle... according to the humane society, 90% of dogs who are lost are never found. We had a few leads and 'sightings' from the lost corgi posters - but none panned out. We did get a few calls from a retirement apt complex - some ladies saw his photo in the paper and knew it was the dog they'd been trying to coax in, feed and keep him warm. But, he was too skittish. They left a box with a blanket outside and food for him. It had been 0 degrees F. for a few nights and the rest in the low teens and single digits. (Spokane is covered in snow)... We can't believe he survived these temps and found his way home too. He was so tired when he came back... was asleep on the kitchen floor about a 30 minutes later. He was warm, had food and was home!

Prayers were answered and we are so thankful. There you have it - a corgi miracle. It was a great start to the new year.

Peace in the New Year!

2010-12-31T20:20:00.000-08:00

Another year's almost here... to unfold and live, live, live!

A prayer for peace in the new year... albeit crooked - but a good prayer all the same!

Blue sky and snowy pines... we had very low temperatures today but lots of sunshine, but we couldn't convince the kids the snow was not going to melt. :)

Bonfire of the Fish Spirits... the painting part is done, I've been writing all over it for most of the day. This one is my favorite so far - it's very personal.

Happy, happy new year to one and all. Thank you for visiting and reading my blog... I hope the new year brings you goodness and happy surprises around every corner.

Knightley Come Home...

2010-12-29T16:41:00.000-08:00

That's me petting Mr. Darcy just now as night is falling.

Here's a short but very sad story...The day after Christmas, the corgis were out in the yard. Somehow the gate was ajar (the power meter man?) and they got out. Mr. Darcy came right to the front door and sat there until someone noticed he was out! (they NEVER get out)... but, sadly, Mr. Knightley ran off and was nowhere to be found. My husband and I took turns driving around, calling out his name and searching for him until about 10 pm. He probably got out around 6:45pm and we didn't know they were out til about 7:30pm - so, he could have gone quite far in that time. We are so heartbroken about this, and so is Mr. Darcy. (he is the older brother). After visiting shelters, putting up flyers and ads in the paper and online... the only thing we can do is hope.

Here is Prudence Fat Cat holding my yummy, soft fuzzy scarf in progress. It is the frothiest yarn I've found. (sorry, will have to find the tag to tell what brand it is.) We are in the middle of a big snow storm and are expecting up to 12 inches. We just came in from shoveling. Brrrr it is cold!!

Celebrate the Solstice!

2010-12-21T08:38:00.000-08:00

We are getting ready for Christmas at our house... and taking in all the sights around town. The Christmas lights are at the Geyser Conservatory at Manito Gardens - an annual must see if you are near Spokane. This year they were handing out free banana splits to eat inside! We have plenty of snow - it's clear and cold. Should be good viewing of the LUNAR ECLIPSE tonight! (we are so excited to see this - and the fact it's on winter solstice makes it all the more magical).

Last night was the school Santa story time event where the school logo Christmas ornaments I made were sold... next year we'll have to start selling them around black Friday! But, we did sell a lot and it all goes to the school. Glad to be done with that project... it was a bigger one than I had imagined - but well worth it :)

The cinnamon buns are my first attempt... I'm so excited to have made a successful batch. We'll be eating them on Christmas morning. (fresh, of course:) Just a little more wrapping to do - in secret, some baking and we'll be all set. The girls in the family are making homemade lip gloss for the first time (we have some serious lip gloss users around here) just as soon as the mail man brings us the little tins! Tonight we're having a Solstice party with a big fire, pizza and chocolate chip cookie dough pie. Yum.

Have a great day and enjoy... whatever you are celebrating :)

Meet Lilly-Belle

2010-12-15T07:12:00.000-08:00

Here is the finished Waldorf doll I made back in October... but I never shared her with you all. She was made to look like my daughter... with purple sparkles in her hair to boot! (Our baby girl would have the same hair if she could.)

I'm hoping to make lots more of these wonderful dollies. They are a joy to make. My next one will be to make one just like my son.

Bonfire of the Fish Spirits

2010-12-08T17:37:00.000-08:00

A little glimpse into one of the latest art quilt drawings. The location of this one is inspired by my hometown. I hadn't planned the drawing this way, but changed my mind... it began to morph into (yet again) something about the seashore, coast, water etc. It's one of the many to be in the gallery show this March. I'm definitely feeling the pressure of a deadline! Happy Wednesday, y'all.

Air Pen Doodles

2010-11-30T08:43:00.000-08:00

I ripped up an old, soft sheet and used it for 'scrap paper' - I mean fabric :)

The brown is an old dinner napkin - tan is linen

Playing around with scraps of fabric ... I decided to fire up the air pen and do a little practice. I discovered I could draw a border and sew it on my experimental quilt I've been making. (maybe a post coming on that later in the week) Ooh, what if I did some border drawings on ribbon?? That would be fun... might have to try it.

It's starting to snow again - tons of icicles hanging off the house and a cold and powdery winter wonderland out our windows. Time to get painting! What do you do when it snows?

Gobble- Gobble!

2010-11-25T19:33:00.000-08:00

Our son's sign he put at the head of the Thanksgiving table. I love how young minds think!

By our baby girl

Snow and more coming tonight... well, all weekend.

A glimpse of my latest WIP 'art quilt' - this one is on 84" wide fabric... my largest piece yet. There's still a lot to do - I'm adding the background hopefully on Monday.

I hope you all are enjoying a wonderful feasting day of good food, good company and good cheer! We had a lovely one with family today at our house. It was a great time and fun to break out all the china and crystal...my mom did all the cooking and brought it over here. Since I'm a vegetarian, my peeps are still worried I'll make another Tofurky like I did one year. :) They all had one word for me, CARDBOARD!

Whew! It's been way too long being offline... we finally got some computer stuff sorted out and are back online this evening. It's been bitter cold with temps in the single digits and even -10F. I had bad karma on Monday when 2 different cars hit my parked car while taking our kids to school. :( We just had it fixed this spring after being hit (rental car for 18 days!) and a major overhaul when the car died as soon as we reached Portland. (PS this is a newer SUV, not an old clunker!) We're thinking this car is jinxed... and after it's fixed, maybe selling it.

I'm off the warm up in front of the fire and chill with the corgis and everyone... goodnight.

Black Friday Ornaments

2010-11-17T06:55:00.000-08:00

Well, they're not really that 'Black Friday' since they are going in a gallery with other artist made ornaments. It's a Christmas show I've participated in for years now and becoming quite a tradition. This year's ornaments are based on memories of a pair of socks I had as a kid or maybe the trim on a coat I had... probably a bit of both. (They were the folksy kind with stripes, hearts, German/alpine inspired... maybe with couples and children holding hands - and lots of busy borders) If you grew up in the 1970s this may ring a bell. Those motifs had a huge impact on me!

Anyway, I carved my calligraphy( in Mastercarve this time- easier than wood for lettering) and printed on wool felt. Then the beading and embellishing - love doing that! I think they're fun and different... it's good to do something different each year.

The bottom photo is a scarf I finally finished last night while waiting at my daughter's ballet class. Can't wait to test it out - I think snow may be coming in about a week or so. Happy hump day! (and Happy Birthday, Mom! :)

My Little Blue Stink Pot

2010-11-05T14:56:00.000-07:00

Just a bit of show and tell today... I made this for my hubby on the occasion of a milestone birthday. It is a place to put all those icky, bad thoughts and feelings. The writing on the sides gives directions on how to use... so, for good karma, place all the yuck from your day inside and be rid of it for good! :) (hope it works)

PS our son painted the inside of the lid - I thought it was a tree but it's actually a drippy happy face. Have a great weekend!!

Halloween and Fabric Painting

2010-11-03T16:50:00.000-07:00

Our Halloween was grand... and here are a few masterpieces that father and son carved while the girls were out. Nice job, don't you think?!

I painted fabric for a shower curtain and 'sink skirt' for my bathroom. It's quite a small room and in need of a change. The design is loosely based on a 1950's textile from the Victoria and Albert Museum. I'm happy with the way it turned out! Now if only I could give the room a fresh coat of paint in a nice, warm toast color.

Just to let y'all know, my daughter spilled something on my laptop keyboard and now it is kaput. Hopefully, I can get it repaired but until then, I can only blog and post comments when I'm borrowing a friend's computer! ARG! Maybe I could saran wrap the keyboard... if it's even salvageable. I'm trying not to brood about it. Happy hump day.

Drawing and Weaving...

2010-10-22T07:00:00.000-07:00

Foxglove with stones

Old Letterpress

I'm an avid reader of the wonderful blog, Spiritcloth by Jude Hill. She's so innovative and creative in her approach to fabrics, quilts and often includes water elements her work as

she lives close to the beach on Long Island Sound. Also she embroiders little lions and beasts on the quilts - they have a charm all their own. Anyway, I just had to try one of her methods... cloth weaving (which equals a perfect checkerboard). Not sure where this is going but it will tell me over time.

Here are two more unfinished ink drawings with gouache. I love to draw old machines of any kind. The dark iron, wheels, and 'innards' are a never ending fascination of mine. We're off to rake leaves in the sunshine... have a great weekend!

Beach Drawings

2010-10-19T17:24:00.000-07:00

Getting there... but still in progress (above)

Here are a few new ink drawings I've been working on... finally developed some photographs from our trip to Cannon Beach, OR this past summer. Don't know what it is about that town but, I'm very inspired by it. Probably because I was raised in a small, beachy town... it's what you know first that sticks with you. (from what I hear anyway).

Today I opened up my birthday gift from hubby (it was mail order) and used it... an air pen. It's a fabulous little device which allows me to write with paint on fabric. I've been writing with it today and will show and tell as soon as I get a little better at it. (you control the air pressure with your index writing finger - which takes some getting used to!)

Waldorf Doll Making Class

2010-10-12T07:10:00.000-07:00

I experienced a lovely rare treat this past weekend... I went to a doll making workshop! It was so much fun, I've been wanting to learn how to make these dolls for the longest time but could never master that unusual head. Now, the code has been cracked :)

Not only was the class wonderful but the women there were such a fun group of earthy, humorous and full of knowledge. We had a yummy potluck, shared food and stories around a kid's table (it was held at a Waldorf school) most of the grub was vegetarian too! I crave this kind of community.

The next class is going to be mermaids and faeries. I'm there!

Pumpkins and Needles...

2010-10-06T07:05:00.000-07:00

Autumn welcome...

Here are a few sweet little felted animals I've been taking a stab at... (sorry, couldn't resist!) They are so much fun to make, I had no idea. Will be making more little sets of animals in the coming weeks.

Happy Wednesday! (It's also my birthday - and the weather is beautiful - all the leaves turning with tons of sunshine. Couldn't ask for better :)

My mom took me and 'baby girl' out for lunch today and tonight... hubby is taking us all out to my fave place. It's so very nice to be wined and dined on your birthday!!

What's in My Head?

2010-10-02T11:51:00.001-07:00

About a week ago I had a hissy fit about what path my life was taking. Lots of factors hinge on this subject... family, the house, my husband's career, the ages of our kids, the mess making dogs, the garden/yard, social life (or lack there of) and mostly: what will I do when our youngest is in school full time? (in a few years) This question produced many more questions and the tears flowed.

Since it was such a 'boiling point' moment, I decided to dump it all in my sketchbook. It felt SO GOOD to get it out. It ended up looking quite chaotic, (love that) I decided to put it on fabric. Will be doing more on this subject matter - it's serving as a kind of map for my life... past, present and future. This particular one is pretty much in the present moment.

2010-09-27T06:57:00.000-07:00

Our son's super cute book about a day in his life

Marching teaspoons

Pie Factory Sugar cube dash

Here are a few more monoprints in the Factory series and the masterpiece... my son's portrait of our family. I just love getting stacks of completed school work. Especially when they include his drawings - they make me smile from the inside out!

We've looking forward to sunny, summer weather this week! Hurrah! I can always use some sun to fuel the artmaking process. Happy Monday.

Cuppa Tea Machine

2010-09-21T09:07:00.000-07:00

Monoprint... I used Akua ink and a paint brush. Am doing a series of factory-based (or automated) teatime. (Based on a woman/mom fantasy of food and chores being done by machines) Next, I'll be experimenting with hand coloring these... we'll see what happens!

PS Check out the new artist's site created by abstract painter, Mary Ann Wakeley at www.artofthisworld.net
Thanks so much to Mary Ann for including me in this incredible circle of artists!

Mastercarve Me!

2010-09-16T06:57:00.001-07:00

Here are a few stamps carved this week... out on the deck during a few sun breaks before school pick up time. (in other words, the precious few quiet moments of the day! :) I'll be adding a little more detail but they are kind of fun and very 'off the cuff'.

I've been walking a lot lately, trying to store up every inch of sunshine before the darkness sets in. Yesterday I noticed the beautiful colors of autumn just starting to turn and fall from the trees. I picked up Walden at the library - on CD- thought it would add to the enjoyment of the changing season. Love it! Happy almost Friday.

Settling In

2010-09-13T17:46:00.000-07:00

Our son's new hobby :) Had his first lesson today. It's not going to make the neighbors happy!

Well, school's been in for about 2 weeks and I'm finally getting into the new 'groove'. It's amazing how you think you've got it covered... when everything changes again. With our little girl now in pre-school 3 days (half days, that is) and our son doing more after school activities -

Mama's adjusting to a newly formed schedule - with art making included, of course!

Today I got up while the house was still quiet and gave myself an hour to mess with the Akua ink that's been waiting to be used down in the printing studio. SO much fun! I'm already hooked and will plan on getting up even earlier tomorrow :) However, the bed is calling much earlier in the evening. No one around here does very well without ample sleep.

We are so thankful for the great weather that has returned this week. Life is good! How's your September going?

Dinner and a Quilt

2010-09-01T18:16:00.000-07:00

And now... dinner's ready! Check out a nice, new dish I made... Stuffed, baked eggplant! It was yummy but time intensive - has 3 layers inside each eggplant shell. The recipe is from an older cookbook, the Vegetarian Epicure.

Here's the 'Bedtime Rituals' paintings sewn into a quilt - which was a family effort. Tried to choose starry, night time style fabrics. (including Eric Carle's 'Very Lonely Firefly' fabric :) Now, to finish the hand painted border with the lyrics to 'Blue Moon' on it and have it machine quilted. Then, we'll all have to fight for it to decide who's bed it graces first!

What in the Sam Hill....?

2010-08-25T08:43:00.000-07:00

Vineyards at Maryill... on the Colombia river.

On our travels back to Spokane, we stopped at the Maryhill Museum in Goldendale, WA for a picnic and some art. Samuel Hill was a wealthy business man who built the Colombia river Highway... and collected art. He had a mansion built, perched above the Colombia river, thinking it would grow into a nice farming community someday. It never really happened and he never even lived in the house. His famous dancer friend, Loie Fuller, convinced him to turn it into a museum.

There's a nice collection of Rodin sculptures, a collection of gems, paintings, furniture etc. from Marie, Queen of Romania... a fashion display from the 40's-50's, as well as a stellar chess set collection. Currently, William Morris - a glass artist - has a beautiful show inspired by the northwest and walks in the wilderness. (I believe he's a teacher at the Pilchuck Glass School).

Thinking in Circles...

2010-08-22T10:13:00.000-07:00

I've been doing lots of calligraphy lately... outside in nature. (well, mostly on the deck at the picnic table.) The more I do the more experiments happen. My fabulous calligraphy teacher in Portland (Carol Dubosch) had a motto she shared with us at the time - 'Stay together, learn the flowers, go light'. I love the idea of combining few words with a motto, season, idea etc. So, combined with my love for writing in the circle format, I think I've hit a new idea... but what to call it? Circle poems? Still mulling it over - but I've got more of these to share in the coming week :)

Have a lazy Sunday!

Rambling at Cannon Beach

2010-08-16T12:16:00.000-07:00

Love the sign... looks just like a woodcut.

I was dying to eat at this place... but we never made it. It didn't look very kid friendly either - but what a cute spot.. and the bill of fare - very tempting. That's the sign - Bistro - is the only name it had. Will try to find out if they have a web site!

We've just returned from a much needed, lovely trip to the beach and Portland, OR. It was great except for the fact that our car broke down as soon as we arrived in Portland (after about 6-7 hours of driving!) . We waited about an hour or more for a tow truck to come and take our sad car to the dealership and ended up renting a car so we could still get to our 'beach leg' of the trip. Who can tell what's going to happen in a day!?

I took about a million photographs that are all potential paintings :) Now, I'm thinking about school starting on Aug 31 (yipes! we're nowhere near ready). I've been purging in the house, de-cluttering and clearing space for a calm, serene dwelling in the fall and winter. Our little girl will be going off to her first year of pre-school (she's got a Sept birthday and will be one of the older ones). Naturally, this is traumatic for moi... she's my baby! But, I'm thinking I may sooth myself by partaking in a bit of nesting and paint the living room, dining room, bathroom and hallway. :) Been wanting to do this for about 5 years now!

Raspberry Tarts

2010-07-23T16:49:00.000-07:00

Here is the latest art quilt top... almost done painting it. I knew a very interesting Swedish lady when I was little who had us over to her family's house. She literally prepared a smorgasbord for us and made raspberry tarts in charming little silver tins for dessert. I was so impressed with the fluted, shiny tins and whatever it was she was filling them with (was around 6 or 7). This drawing was inspired by her - and the desire to do a 'kitchen ritual' series.

Have a great weekend!

Summer Banners

2010-07-15T12:22:00.001-07:00

Baby girl's banner...

Big brother's banner...

Special summer breakfast. (usually it's just Cheerios!)

I finally finished the first art quilt/fabric painted thing from all the 'Turtlemoon' exploration I've been doing since late spring -meaning the banners above. I used bias hem tape for the 'string' and it sure was easy just to open the package... no cutting out! Getting ready to start another big piece, I just have to decide on the subject matter. Better get back to the old sketchbook (drawing board sounds better!)

Summer Chamomile

2010-07-09T09:01:00.000-07:00

Latest art quilt underway... it's summer, so of course I had to do a beach scene. Here it is drying in the hot sun.

The old water table is new all over again. I can't believe the hours of fun both of the kids have had with this thing. Our son dumped sand in it because he wanted to create the 'bottom of the ocean'. I thought the notion was pretty cool... not to mention my 3 1/2 yr old daughter asking every day, "Mama, where is heaven?" Makes for great conversation.

Here's the Granny's Flower Garden quilt I've been working on since late spring. I've had to back off a bit from it since looking down for such long periods actually gave me a stiff neck. Who knew hand sewing was a hazard to the old bod.

German chamomile that was grown from seed. I'm very proud of these little flowers since it's the ONLY thing planted from seed that ever grew from my amateur gardening hands.

And all the while some good old fashioned jazz playing in the background. It's quickly becoming the soundtrack of summer 2010 for us at 'Midnight Pines'. (all the kids in the family chose that name for our dwelling since it houses a bunch of night owls... not to mention all the Ponderosa pines in the yard.) Happy weekend :

More French Drawings...

2010-06-30T08:26:00.000-07:00

Here are few more drawings... they are pretty 'doodly.' I don't know if they'll even make it into the shop because I'm not that happy with them. Maybe the sketchbook is a good place to go right now and hash out a few ideas.

It has been very warm here and the flowers are growing like crazy. There's nothing like checking the garden every morning to see how much growth there was. I like being that kind of 'busy' :) Thank you, summer, for finally arriving in our neck of the woods.

Morning Walk, Vallauris

2010-06-21T11:54:00.000-07:00

Hooray, I actually finished a few pieces of new work (India ink drawing with gouache) this morning and posted them in the etsy shop. There are more in the works and I'm working on filling up the shop with new things for summer. Vallauris, France is in Provence and happens to be a little art town known for ceramics. Picasso famously did a lot of clay work there in the 1950's when he was with girlfriend, Francois Gilot. Maybe someday we'll make our way back there!

A Few New Drawings...

2010-06-19T08:20:00.000-07:00

This drawing is on fabric... I'm thinking of experimenting with the 'French drawings' and doing them on fabric, quilting them and hanging 'em from a twig or something. Still not sure about that plan.

Now that it's summer and the air is warming... it gave me the urge to start drawing little French scenes. (thankfully I take tons of photos whenever we go on vacation!) The one above is my mom swimming in Arles. We stayed in a beautiful farm house there, right on a waterway in the middle of farmland. (but the mosquitoes at night were quite abundant scary... hence the reason for every window to have hefty screens.) How I wish we could all go back!

End of School Cupcakes

2010-06-15T07:40:00.000-07:00

Just couldn't resist sharing these fabulous cupcakes with you. My friend and fellow kindergarten mommy invited me over to help frost these little puppies. (she is a fabulous baker and makes the most creative confections!) Most of them look just like the teacher's dachshund mix dog, Squeakers. The kids will love them :) Happy summer.

Bedtime Rituals by.....

2010-06-07T08:24:00.001-07:00

Big brother in his room, putting on jammies while little sister takes a bath. Don't overlook the flushing toilet in the left upper corner... he thought that was pretty funny :) (by our 7 yr old son)

Here's happyface almost done!

Bedtime happy face in her fave color, purple... plus a night sky we drew togther... by 'baby girl' (3 1/2 yrs)

Well, everyone at our house got so excited about making an art quilt of our bedtime rituals... the kids and even dad wanted to draw and paint their own picture for the project! Here they are - didn't they do a great job? Of course, the drawing by Dad isn't done yet because he's always at work! We'll get him to finish :)

Painting Pottery

2010-06-03T08:10:00.000-07:00

I have a secret wish to be a clay artist. But, without a kiln, a clay studio (at least a place to be messy with a sink) I'll be wishing for some time. (it could be in the stars someday though... and it would be primarily hand building because that's the most fun!!)

For now though, I'm happy to say our kids are finally old enough (just barely) to go paint pottery at those 'paint your own' places (oh joy!!) :) This is the latest creation of mine. The funniest thing is they are ready to leave way before I ever am.

Magic Tea Tree

2010-05-26T07:43:00.000-07:00

Here is the latest quilt... this one is on a large panel of Kona cotton fabric. After ordering some 'Rub-a-Dub' laundry markers by Sharpie - I felt compelled to use them :) They are SO much better than the 'Tee Juice' ones... the black line is darker and a little thicker.

Anyway, I did paint a section at the top yesterday and hope to do more today. It's hard to paint in sections but I don't have a table large enough to lay the piece out. I'm used to painting at an easel or table where the whole composition is there to be worked on 'at the same time'... this is a totally different story! Since I don't use an airbrush, I can't really hang it up and paint. But, it'll work itself out. Besides, I love a challenge :)

Wavy Dreams

2010-05-24T07:40:00.001-07:00

Wavy Dreams, originally uploaded by Tea and Ink.

More bedtime rituals... to be painted this week! This one has our daughter's room... with the Christmas light she usually dreams about under her bed (bad dreams) - and a dream ship that's built to go anywhere!

First Try with a Fabric Marker

2010-05-20T07:31:00.001-07:00

night time ritual quilt 031, originally uploaded by Tea and Ink.

Here's a funny little self portrait. It's very stylized, quick and my end of the day tired looking self! (the eyebrows are super weird... they do not curve on anyone like those :) This was my first stab at using all these new materials for art quilting.

Anyway - I used Tee-Juice fabric marker in black, heat set it and then painted with Jacquard Color paint on a tiny scrap of muslin (too thin for my liking). The text is a running commentary spoken by my kids. It'd be fun to do more of these small ones. Happy Thursday!

Bedtime Rituals

2010-05-18T17:34:00.000-07:00

Here's another in a series... it has a mish-mash of all kinds of night time treasures. This will probably end up as a big book or maybe a quilt.... possibly a wall hanging. I just can't decide yet. It's been so much fun experimenting with new media. Now that it's summer, I'm in the quilt mood, probably because I see it as more of a hobby kind of thing and not 'work'. But, these Happy Quilts do combine both art and quilts which is a comfortable pairing :)

Can't wait to be ready for the big quilting stage of this process!

Butterflies and Art Class

2010-05-14T07:18:00.001-07:00

My daughter has an art class every week at a beautiful historic mansion in town. This week, they learned about butterflies... there was a lot of paint flying and copious amounts of very fine glitter everywhere. The butterfly wings above will be worn -along with the crowns fashioned in class - next week for another nature walk in the gardens.

After all the making, we took a walk (more like a hike) through a newly restored Victorian era garden. It's quite steep but has glorious views of the city. The remains of the garden were discovered after an ice storm when downed trees and brush were getting cleaned up. With the help of a local benefactress, (she also restored the Fox Theater) the gardens came back to life with the help of historic photographs. I'll be posting pix of the gardens this weekend :) Happy Friday.

Bedtime and The Little Cottage Garden

2010-05-11T19:52:00.000-07:00

A new drawing series on fabric... based on bedtime rituals. (this was my son's idea and a very good one at that!) I'll show more as they progress. They are on fat quarter size fabric.

Here are a few more drawings and painting on fabric. (a la Turtlemoon) I decided to do a fat quarter size because the larger piece is fun but a little daunting for a first - timer in this medium. (although I'm not quite sure what I'll do with the fat quarter size... ?make a quilt based on a theme? ) This really is such a fun way to work. The drawings are not meant to be perfect and definitely not 'precious' or careful. The text is in a 'free write' style... not planned or copied from any preparations but spontaneous. The work is engrossing, exhilarating and in a way, exhausting!

I'll be adding another layer of color to the 'dirt' and a few other areas. There's a learning curve with this paint (jacquard color paint) - hoping it's possible to glaze!