pamgarrison

handmade holiday boutique tomorrow!

 

Jenny, Amy and I have been having fun preparing for our little Handmade Holiday Boutique happening this Saturday.

These photos are from when we got together to bring a little winter wonderland to Studio Crescendoh the other night.

And we've each been busy making things on our own. One of my favorite new things to make is these painted totes:

 

I don't think I've ever shown you the tote I painted for myself. (above)

I love it so much and have been working on painting a few for the sale tomorrow. Here's the back of mine:

It's fun having a one of a kind bag, and I get lots of compliments when using it too, which is always nice :).

Here are some more things that I've been gathering for tomorrow's sale:

an old optometrists test lens kit...

...vintage ornaments in fun containers like candy jars and boxes...

...and strands of vintage lights that work...

...inexpensive decorating props...

...Christmas tree paintings...

 

and supplies like bullion...

and vintage wallpaper...(even some of my precious flocked rolls!)

...and so much more...

We hope you'll join us tomorrow 10-4, rain or shine, indoors in the warm winter lights of Studio Crescendoh. Maybe you'll find just the treausre you need to wrap up your Christmas list...oh ya, we'll have a cute little wrapping station too!!!

 

love!

Meet my Dad (Duke, right), and his pal Wayne (left). They've been friends forever and have worked together over the years making various products, both having had business with machine shops etc. Anyway, not too long ago, I sent my Dad a photo of an arrow light that I saw at the flea market that was $500.00 (!!!) and asked if he could make one for me. And look what they came up with! Love, love, love the arrow lights they've made out of beautiful metal. They also made a star and some alphabet letters for me. How awesome are they?!?! So awesome!




For the moment, one of the prototypes is living on my kitchen counter. It was a huge hit at Thanksgiving with all that came through the house. I was so happy for my Dad that everyone showed such honest enthusiasm at the sight of them. 

Look at the little star:

They're making 2 larger sized stars, as well as some arrows that are slightly larger and with a different shape. A couple other shapes in the work right now too. They've got a bigger project in the way right now, but as soon as that's out of the way, they'll be on these full time. They may even open up a little etsy shop! Of course, I"ll let you know. But, in the meantime, they're manufacturing a few for me to bring to the Handmade Holiday Boutique to sell!!! Can't wait to see them all together, the lights are so pretty against the metal, and can't wait to see who they go home with! 

handmade holiday boutique

 

cute badge curtesy of Heather Bullard

 

My friends Jenny Doh, Amy Hanna and I are putting together a little Handmade Holiday Boutique that will be held at Studio Crescendoh on December 15th. Here's the flyer for it:

Hope that those of you that are relatively local will be able to join us!

We'll all be showing some sneak peeks of the new goods on our blogs, like these paintings I'm working on:

 

And Jenny has been making art like these:

And Amy has some new jewels coming:

And hey, did you see that Amy was a featured artist on One Kings Lane? Congratulations Amy, that's super cool!

Well, hopefully, those peeks wet your whistle, I'll be showing you more here on the blog over the next 2 weeks before the sale!

a few questions answered about the Spellbound classes

After posting about the new day passes for classes at Spellbound, I received a few emails that I thought best answered here, as the questions apply to everyone really.

Q: Do I have to know how to embroider to take your Joy Stitched Sampler class?

A: Nope! Not at all. If you have never stitched before, we will set you up and get you going! I'll  teach you a few different stitches and you'll have more than enough skill by then to finish your project. I'll also be bringing the stitching projects shown here to class for inspiration, as your project can be as freely designed as you wish.

Q: Do I have to bring anything?

A: Nope! We'll have everything you need to complete the project on hand, but you may want to rummage around a bit and bring a few found treasures that will make your project extra special to you.

Q: Will you teach me how to free motion stitch?

A: Sure! That'd be a fun thing to incorporate on your project, good idea!

 Q: I know you're bringing a bunch of your vinatage findings and trims to sell at the market, but will students be able to purchase them to use on our projects?

A: Sure! I'll bring things to share and things to sell that would work well on your project.

Q: As for your Joyeux Noel Banner, I've seen you make something similar before that was more ornate. Can I do that on mine if I want?

A: Absolutely! I'll bring all the items and glitter and varieties so that you can make the banner of your dreams, be it more simple and refined or bold and beautiful.

Q: Will you have extra kits for sale so I can make 2?

A: Yep! If you are speedy, you might even complete them both in class :).

Q: Can I write what I want on my banner?

A: Anything that will fit, sure, and I'll help you write it out if you don't love your handwriting.

Q: Will you be bringing your handmade ornaments?

A: Yes indeedy, and for those of you that were at the Silver Bella years ago where my table runneth over, the scene this year will look familiar.

For those that weren't there, here's a photo...I'd gone through a major letting go phase and am amassing a similar scene for this sale as well. I'll have loads of vintage items, handcrafted items, and supply items with me.

Q: Will your cute friend Kelly be coming like she has to other events?

A: Yes!! And she'll be bringing her jewelry for the Dreamland Mercantile too!

 

And another question that just came in:

Q: If I buy a day pass can I take both your classes that day?

A: Yep! You can take both mine, or one of mine and one of another teacher's, whatever you choose.

Pretty sure that's all the questions I've received so far, don't hesitate to ask another in the comments here if you want!

announcing day passes for Spellbound event

I'm teaching two classes at Spellbound in a few short weeks, and wanted to let you know that day passes have opened up for those of you unable to attend the whole event but are interested. There really are some great classes being offered. One of mine is a free embroidery sampler type, Joy Stitched Sampler offered twice over the weekend:

My second class is Joyeux Noel Banner, also offered twice over the weekend.

I'm also bringing a boat load of goodies for the Dreamland Mercantile! I'll have original artwork, my stamps and prints etc. as well as some items that have been hard to put in the "let it go Pam" pile from the recent efforts toward organizing and simplifying. Here's a peek at those:

Hope to meet you there!

 

paintings getting their turn behind the camera

My sweet helper Kate is spending a lot of time here working with me. I couldn't resist snapping this photo of her holding one of my little paintings; the light, her hands, the backdrop, all of them struck me as so sweet.

She's putting all her earnings toward a new MacBookPro that she has been working and working for. She's almost 13 and is quite industrious and capable. After a summer of working various jobs for various neighbors, she's to the half way mark. Awesome. I call her Kate the great. She came to Renegade with me both days and worked hard and did a super job. Here's a photo of us together, taken that weekend by Elysa Hill. And here's an instagram I shot of her as she was checking out the pictures we took togher at Magnolia Photo Booth :

It was quite handy having the photo booth across from us, so that we could jump in there first thing in the morning before the crowds came.

Anyway, Kate came over today to help me package up all the orders for the new stamps. Thank you for the Etsy orders!

After we finished that, we began to move on to begin the prep to list some paintings. She took this instagram of me photographing some:

I really enjoy re-aquainting myself with the paintings when it's time to photograph them, getting to see them with fresh eyes and find favorite spots. Like these:

We'll be at it again tomorrow, plugging away. Hopefully, you'll like the smaller size and price of many of the pieces. Of course, I'll let you know here when they finally make it to etsy!

 

pretty paper chains

 

I've always loved paper chains. Always. But, don't most people? What's not to love about pretty paper garlands, right?

And these here are about the easiest paper chains one could ever make, using paper ticket rolls.

I found myself staring at these paper rolls at a Stater Brothers store, wanting to buy them just because they were such pretty colors and because I've always loved paper tickets for some reason. I decided though that I could NOT buy them until I had a use for them in mind. So I kept staring, and thinking about my Renegade Craft Fair booth, which is why I was there in the first place, and that's when the paper chain idea hit.

Here's an Instagram I took that night, I was so excited about the idea.

So pretty, right? And like I said, super simple, as the tickets are a great width, are already perforated for simple tearing in pieces , and bend nicely due to the same perforations. I used either 4 or 5 tickets per chain.

Oh, the endless possibilities!

You could use the double rolls for wider chains if you wanted to.

Here they are being used on my practice pop up shop currently developing in our living room. I'm going to drape them between bamboo poles for my booth. (That's it in the 2nd photo from top too). It is going to be beautiful! I'll have more photos to show you some day soon, the show is in a month after all. {Yikes!!! I am not ready!!}

My friend loved them so much that we used them to decorate for her daughter's graduation party, draped from patio covers and trees. 

And even used them on the photo booth backdrop. Here's my daughter on the left with the graduate on the right while we were setting up:

Silly girls. They have been friends since birth, as we moms went to high school together.

Here we are, being just as silly as they are:

We weren't finished applying paper chains, but you get the idea. They were a big hit at the party too.

You can get ticket rolls almost anywhere, but a quick search on Amazon brings up pages of them if you don't want to leave your chair. They come in the prettiest colors. Red,white&blue for the 4th, and these here are pretty cute too.  I need to stop finding links to share because I'm feeling the desire to get more colors. I'll stick with those I already own, that's plenty Pam!

(for now....)

 

silver bella 08

Me behind my vendor table. As Jenni Bowlin's adorable husband (seriously, could the two of them be any cuter or sweeter?) said, "Pam, it looks like a bomb went off". It sure did. I needed two tables I guess. :) YES! I have plenty left and will be listing it on etsy. (pamg.etsy.com) Sometime this week is my goal. Of course, I'll mention it here.

The girls taking their prom class photo. Can you see the also adorable and sweet as pie Amy Powers? (think pink)

And the rest of my photos are blurry. I tried to travel light without my big camera. Big mistake. Even my photos of Mary Engelbreit of Mary Engelbreit's Home Companion, blurry.  She was very real, cool, dry witted. Love that in a girl. Some of my favorite answers to audience questions: (ok, I'm paraphrasing here, but the meaning is what counts)

Q: What one special possession would you take if your house was burning down?
Mary: None. It's just stuff. I like my stuff, but it's just stuff.

Q:How do you balance it all?
Mary: I don't. There is no balance...When I'm home I think I should be doing that, when away doing that, I think I should be home. You do the best you can.

Q:What does the future hold for Mary Engelbreit's Home Companion magazine now that the publisher has announced it's closing the doors?
Mary: We have lots of irons in the fire and are even thinking of new inventive ways to publish ideas. Stay tuned!

And then there's one of my best friends, Kelly and I, goofing around. I see her only once a year at Silver Bella and we never get a photo...so the last night as we were going out to dinner,...more blurry photos:

 

miss you Kell!    As with all retreats, the time goes by waaayyy too fast.

And in other news, we heard great medical results yesterday, so things are looking up here! Thanks as always for the prayers and well wishes.

Back soon...

hi again

Amy sent me a photo of us at artfest vendor night. Here we are behind our table. Here's a photo of all the  buyers waiting for the opening bell. Can you see our sweet Misty and dear Nina?

I wish I had a photo of us with our adorable house mates, the Papayalicious girls. We were all house mates this year and last, and I adore them to pieces. This year, they provided me with the best artfest laughter I've had in the 6 years I've gone. Five grown women laughing hysterically as we drove around trying to find Syd so I could take her up on her offer of a medicated patch for my aching back. Pure silliness.

Speaking of my back, thanks again for all the healing thoughts. It's coming along slowly, but the important thing is that it's improving. Yesterday I was able to stand up somewhat straight for the first time in 4 weeks! Wahoo!

This is the only creative thing I did on our vacation. I know it's blurry and not beautiful, but it felt like such an accomplishment making do with no supplies in a rented condo-like using a drinking glass for a rolling pin. It was a welcome treat for everyone that spent the day on the slopes. Of course, I was pouting about missing out. I did enjoy watching the first two seasons of Entourage while starting some new paper packs though.

Here are a couple fun purchases to share. This is from Jenni Bowlin. Can't find enough vintage labels (and none that aren't red), these will be very fun in my journals or on packages.

And these bits of clip art are from Melissa McCobb Hubbell... oh Melissa, such lovely packaging details, thanks!

(Edited: Sandra Evertson and Dianne Stickley White also contributed crowns, and Kerri Judd and Danyel Montecinos are the authors.)

One last bit of news is this, a new book that I have contributed to. I'm excited to see that one of the three crowns I made graces the cover. (Don't know who's wearing it if you're wondering.) You can pre-order it here. I believe it will be available early September. I know that Kerri Judd and Danyel Montecinos have crowns in it, as well as Nicol Sayre, Ulla Milbrath, Barbara Schriber, Denise Sharp, Anna Corba, and Ashley Carter.  I am missing an artist or two, things change so much when people are contributing to books, but that's enough to wet your appetite! I can't wait to see what everyone's made, and hope you have a crown party Kerri and Danyel (hint hint) because I'd love to meet the other contributors. 

Ok, enough for now, have a great weekend everybody!