pamgarrison

updating

Really. Where does the time go? How is it that I am being so less efficient than last year? Can't believe it's been a week since I've posted. I'll try to catch you up on my recent creative endeavors.

The candy at left is from Target, bought it just because I loved the colors and thought it would be the perfect decor to get me through fall. Much cheaper than flowers for a month. When I was checking out, the lady ringing me up told me that they might not taste good, when I told her that I didn't care, I was just using them for the color, she thought I was nuts. Of course she did. Well, she can just get in line behind all the others, ha ha. Aren't they pretty? The glass candy jar is a new reproduction. I think maybe by Two's Company? Not sure. I long for a few old ones, but they are really expensive at flea markets. Behind the candy jar is one of my favorite buys ever...the ironstone cake pedestal. Love it, chip and all. Can not believe that I really thought long and hard about buying it years ago for something like $35.00 (!!!). I have seen them go for $500.00 on ebay, but of course, that's in perfect condition. Martha did have a reproduction ironstone cake pedestal for sale at KMart a couple years ago, not sure if she still does, in case your interested.

It was also my dear friend Kathy's birthday recently. I gave up holding on to her gift until I treat her to lunch or dinner, because our schedules have been so off, and gave her this until then. It's another cookie tray magnet calendar for October countdown. Lots of you have asked about these from the previous post about them. Let me just reiterate that I copied Teresa McFayden  who made these for Christmas last year. You can see them in her November archives. Also, a woman named Jennifer Duncan has an article in the current Sommerset Home magazine where she too was inspired by Teresa's advent calendars to make a perpetual calendar, and even gives you premade months in the magazine if you want to make your own.

As I said the last time I made these, my favorite part is the numbers. So fun. The gloss you see in the above photo is Diamond Glaze (I think you can get it at Stampington.com or maybe even Micheal's). Love the finishing touch it adds while protecting the paper numbers.

Speaking of Teresa, I recently bought her Paperbella kit (Bellaween), to make with my daughter, Ali.  But Ali's been to busy with homework and soccer and gave me the thumbs up to get started on some of the  projects. Here's Jack!!!

Don't you love him? I changed a few things a tiny bit (because I lost my marabou pom pom!!! HOW? Oh yeah, because everything is everywhere, that's how!) And I put brads in some of his joints so I the kids,  can move him about.  The kit includes enough extra glitter that I covered the little star he holds in it. The bad news is that she sold out of these kits in a flash, the good news is that she is coming out with a friend for Jack in a second Bellaween kit next week. Can't wait!!

This paper star was also part of the first Bellaween kit. Fun and easy to do with the kids, although I couldn't stop myself from doing it alone. I love making holiday decorations for my family to have for years to come. I guess it is because it is what I yearn to have myself. I have a few things that my Mom made, and treasure them each year when they are unwrapped at Christmas. I want to leave lots and lots of things for my children and grandchildren. Maybe someone will love vintage things, and by then, they'll be really vintage, even if made with new scrapbook paper now. With all this in mind, I try to always remember to sign what I make, and have the kids sign it if they make it. Just a simple note like this so they'll always know I was thinking of them.

Over the weekend Ali and I did get to craft a little, she started decoupaging buckets to give to her friends as "boos", secret presents left at the doorstep near Halloween. Of course, I had to make one.

In the Bellaween kit, you make something similar using empty food cans. I used buckets from a few years ago. My friend Kathy and I used to have little 'bucket parties" where ladies would come over and  learn how to make these, playing creatively with a group a friends. We still had some buckets left over, so inspired by the Bellaween kit, out they came. ( I think we bought them from a paint store for there smooth surfaces.) Yep, it's the same Kathy who just had her birthday, and the same one that does the wallpaper packs with me. (Yes, we're going to do some more of those someday soon!) And the same Kathy that I'm co-hosting the appetizer portion of a progressive dinner in honor of a neighbor friend tonight. Inspired by an article in Blueprint Magazine, we are having a little wine tasting challenge. The birthday boy is a gourmet and is quite fond of fine wine, so we thought it perfect. We are going to see if people can recognize what type of white or red they are tasting, be it Chardonnay or Fume Blanc or ... should be fun, (I bet the wine connoisseurs get lots wrong) the winner gets a prize.

So, that's what I've been doing. How about you? I leave tomorrow am for a fun little creative adventure, I'll be back midweek with photos and stories to tell. Have a great weekend!

something about crates

Really, there is something so appealing about crates to me, and boxes, and well, heck, let's admit it, storage bins and baskets and drawers of all sorts. So today, when we'd polished off the first crate of these little oranges (which are perfect for lunch-boxes,by the way) I couldn't bring myself to throw it away. I even think it's cute with it's own painted label, but of course, couldn't leave it alone. Out came the wallpaper, as you can see on the top crate. I hope that the paper gets all dry and worn with age so that some of the underneath shows through...especially the orange.

You remember these right? Well, I've put them to use in the cabinets in the garage...see?

They hold metal tins and miscellaneous items and paper goods. The orange crates are going to serve the same purpose after they've worn out their welcome on the table in the kitchen. At least I'm reusing, recycling, re-purposing, right? It's ok, I know I'm a little nutty, but I bet some of you share my nutty fondness for crates, I just bet.

In other news, Amy of angrychicken is selling mailorder subscriptions again. This time you have a couple days to get in on the action. I did.

I received a lovely email from someone wanting to let me, and  blog reading crafters know that she has available in pdf form some free botanical illustrations. How nice is that? Her name is Maureen (Mo) Gilmer, thanks Mo! I know I'll be using some in my garden journal for sure.

And lastly, I just loved loved loved everything about Alicia's post today, the subject, her writing, everything. Think you might too.

Ok, crafters, carry on! (Can you tell I'm happy it's Wednesday?)

p.s.

Yep, that's a new banner! Big thanks to my little brother Dave for the digital montage made from two of my art pieces. Thanks Shmave, you know I love you.

you guys are too much!

Sheesh! Thanks for all the wonderful comments about painting on the wall. Really, you could do it, really you could. Just find some paper or fabric to inspire you and with a pencil and a loose hand, draw a rough interpretation of it in a larger scale. Anyway, yes, we'll certainly update you on how the room comes together, you know I show you every creative thing I'm up to!

Which leads me to these, more self portrait project works. This is a page I did in Bee Miller's book. I do not know Bee, so it is really fun to see someone's work up close and get a feeling for them through their art. Bee's book was wonderful. She created a large, hardcover book with loose pages for us to do with what we wished. She encouraged us to be ourselves, and to reveal something personal. So, at left you see the front of my page. Here's a close-up of the written words.

I found the sentence in a book and changed the word "garden" to "art". This is often how I feel. I feel the need to create, and a burning desire in my head, but can't quite get there immediately. Sometimes I literally feel silenced artistically (thus her mouth covered over). I know the roots are always there, I just need to be patient and find my way to tap into them.

For the back, I went a completely different direction. I used the sewn boxes (results from sewing things on the front) as spaces to color in with water colors, and just sort of went with whatever inspiration struck me. I wrote something about my need to create, and just doodled away. The front and back are very different, two different styles, one very vintage and one very colorful and unstructured, but both me none-the-less. I had fun in your book Bee, thank you!

I also completed my entry in Lesley Riley's book. To me, Lesley is an old pro at these collaboratives, and her book shows as much. It is a wonderfully unique, thought out submittal. She made a cloth book out of canvas, putting grommets in (don't you just love grommets?) to attach everything together at the end. She titled it "The Common Thread" and wrote about how "...we are all individuals, yet, as artists, similar, united by a common thread." Then she included a little baggie full of threads from burlap to gold and asked us to incorporate a thread into our portrait. How brilliant is that? Very. Here's my portrait in her book (a little close up above):

I was inspired by a quote she shared with us that said in part, "...you are growing so fast these days. It's like a second childhood..." .  I found that to be a perfect launching pad for my page. I used a photo of myself from childhood, a bunch of wallpaper and fabric and covered the paper and photo with gel medium. I included some snippets of her burlap as my common thread, it's hanging at the top from the flower. I also wrote in pencil, which reminds me of childhood days, that "playing in art is a second childhood for me."

Lesley was one of the first teachers I had at Artfest (5?) years ago. She changed the way I thought, quite literally. It was a big step for me to even get there, to artfest, away from my kids and family, and she told us about her life; an artist and traveling teacher, a student (I think she was getting her masters in women's studies at the time), a full time home appraiser, and a wife and mother to six kids! She said she realized she had to Just.Do.It., just make art, participate now, no matter what.  Frankly, if she could do what she did as mother of 6, surely I could do more  while I was home with my 2. And so I have, thanks Lesley for the eye opening words. Now, I know Lesley has also taken on even more, she's written a book, working on (or finished?) a second, is one of the editors of Cloth, Paper, Scissors, has a DVD out, etc. etc. etc. Guess she Just.Did.It. , now didn't she?

As for artfest, I hope those of you that were thinking about it took the leap. Teesha had over 480 registrations within the first two days of opening the event. Wow! That should tell you something about the event. Congratulations Teesha and Tracy! See you in March.

i'm a big doodler

Isn't this bed beautiful? It's my friend Debbie's (the one that just moved back home) and I came this close (pinch your fingers together) to getting to "borrow" it for my daughter for a few years. You see, her teenage daughter decided it was too vintage, not cool, not hip and didn't want it in her room. It made it all the way to my garage, where it was waiting to be moved into my daughter's room,and then it hit her daughter...if it was cool enough for my teenage daughter, maybe it was cool enough for her room after all, and back it went to where it started from. Truly I am relieved (well, almost), what if something happened  to it under my care?  It just makes her room. Her mom and I promised her we could make it work with more modern, cool things, that if it was her only vintage thing it would be great. So Debbie bought these Pottery Barn sheets, and that was all I needed for inspiration. You know I love swirls.

In came the paint...and now that the kids are at school...

I have time to doodle on a large scale. Deb and I had fun today, here's how it looked when we finished.

There are three areas with the doodles, and once there are curtains, mirrors, photos etc. on the walls  the  doodles will be a little softer. (Anyone have any great ideas for curtains or some sort of finish for the windows above the bed?) I love the bed with the modern lamp and bright funky swirls, but more importantly mom and daughter do too.

a peek into amy's world

I had to stop by my friend Amy's today to pick something up. I thought I'd give you a peek into her incredibly creative world while I was there. I mean  really, just look at this light bulb!!! Who has something like this? I'll tell you, Amy does! She has the best stuff. It works too, although I'd be afraid to use it for fear of it running out. I never even knew light bulbs as fantastic as this existed.

Then there's things like this, an empty frame with old flowers, a hand clip, square nail hanging on the wall. So simple and so pretty to me. Amy is the one that makes the wonderful jewelry, but she also makes many other things.

Here is the box that she made in Jane Wynn's class this past artfest. I was with her when she found the hands, but certainly didn't have the vision of using them in this way. On vendor night she used her newly made box to display some of her jewelry in.

She made these paper dolls in an artfest class taught by Lesley Riley a few years ago. If you saw Amy on That's Clever recently, these are the dolls that were shown in the background while she was making jewelry. I took Lesley's class too and it was really fun. All of Amy's women here are either her mom or her grandma. One Christmas she tucked them in among the branches on her Christmas tree. So clever!

This is the inspiration board in her art room. Are you with me now? She has the most unusual treasures, doesn't she? Hold your breath...here's a photo of her desk!!!

Aren't you dying to touch it all Nina, Kelly, Tamara, Sally? I was!

Above you'll see her storage drawers. We both saw the same old set of drawers one day at an antique mall. It was 12' long, impossible to get up the stairs into either of our art rooms. So Amy's husband cut it in half for us. Amy painted hers blue/green like the existing handles, and her husband covered the top in stainless steel. I painted mine (below) cream, left the handles blue/green like they were, and my husband made a false wood top for mine. Now our studios have brother and sister storage  drawers. Fun, aren't they?

So there you have it, we went on a little cyber field trip to Amy's today...maybe she'll make some more things besides jewelry for her etsy shop...

September 11, Patriot Day, 2006

the kids have gone back to school

Like children everywhere, mine have gone back to school. This year was different for me. For some reason, I didn't feel the secret (and sometimes not so secret, like when the parents let out a big whoop after the bus pulls away on the first day) thrill about the free hours I'd have. Maybe it's that I really, really enjoyed the summer with them, or maybe it's that Misty and Nina write posts that tug at my heart and make me long to stop time from taking my children away from me, maybe my kids are getting too old, too independent. But, I, like everyone else, can't stop time, only try to  capture it, like I do on the first day of school every year. Each photo is taken in the same place, one year later. Come on! How cute is my daughter in her target shirt and scarf headband? She's suddenly taken an interest in looking cute, and while I used to pride myself on the fact that she didn't know what the mall was when we drove up to it once at age 9, it's actually been fun to have this side of her personality emerge.

And then, my son.  Pretty cute too, but of course, I am their mother, I'm biased. I love that Target had an Orange backpack for this boy that loves orange so much that he taught me to love it.  Usually we get a back to school haircut, but we are about to take some family photos, so I didn't want a buzz for those. He said to me, "Mom, we need to cut these curls off". In time. His teacher last year was wonderful and taught him to love learning. I am forever grateful. She also sent home the most wonderful cd full of photos and music. I started crying while watching it, and he, always one to feel your sadness, showed me the dimples on his hands to cheer me up. He knows they represent my little babies to me. When they disappear it's going to be mighty painful. Anyway, while they have gone back to school I have been busy trying to catch up on my art life.

I played in my journal today. This is pretty much what my artfest class is going to be...playing on the inside pages after we convert an old ledger into a journal. Artfest registration has begun, and I encourage you to take the leap and go if you've ever thought about it. It will expand your creativity and replenish the well. There's something for everyone there too, all different kinds of art, all different styles.

My daughter and I started these Halloween countdown calendars recently, and I finished up the finding/making some of the numbers this week too. We got the idea from Teresa, who made these  (scroll down) last year. We decided on Halloween, because my daughter was itching to make something, and my sister in law loves Halloween, since she has an October birthday, we thought it'd make a great gift. This way she can countdown her birthday and one of her favorite holidays, Halloween.

Here are two of my favorite solutions for the numbers:

a new scrapbook product number glued onto a button:

and an old book page number glued onto scrap paper glued onto a gold star for the big day:

Speaking of Teresa, Miss Silver Bella herself, I have also been working on my Silver Bella class kits while watching the US Open at night. For those of you that have asked, yes, I will sell any left over kits after Silver Bella is over. I'll post them on my blog. It's been a fun challenge to come up with vintage things that I'd have enough of for each kit to be the same. I am putting some extras in so that people will have some choices to make to make their crafts there own. Last time I checked, it was over 1/2 way sold out, so if you're thinking about it...sign up! It's going to be a crazy/fun couple days of crafting.

I also finished up my pages in Misty's Tribute to Love book for the round robin. Misty's book is beautiful, just like Misty. Misty truly is one of the sweetest, shyest, soft-spoken, big hearted artists I know. Truly a gentle gentle spirit. Watching her tear up and blush brightly at the last artfest (her first ever) when everyone sang Happy Birthday to her during show and tell was fun. This year she's teaching...I bet she'd tell you to go! Here's what I did in her book, an old record album book:

Oh! and also, my friend Stacey has opened an etsy shop. Check it out. She is a very clever girl.

Told you I've been busy catching up...now I'm off to the bus stop and soccer practice. Hope to post more catching up soon, if not, have a great weekend!

the word is out...

About Silver Bella baby!!! I'm going and I'm really excited. My head is spinning with ideas day and night. Ok, I've gotten ahead of myself... The super clever  Teresa McFayden is putting on a holiday event like no other...it's a paper lovers dream. I am teaching two classes, and maybe contributing to a group class. It's in Omaha, Nebraska on November 3rd and 4th. The shindig includes 5 classes and a 6th project on the meet and greet night, admittance to a private boutique, some surprise treats, and a few meals to boot. She is dreaming up so many fun things for the attendees. It's going to be full of creativity and a glittery good time. For more info, check out the Silver Bella Blog. There you can see the other teachers' (Becky Novacek,Teresa McFayden, Kimberly Kwan, and Carolyn Peeler) info  as well as class descriptions. The  great thing about these classes is that kits are provided, you don't have to pack much in the way of art supplies at all!

Here are a couple teaser photos for my two classes, "The Stockings were hung"  and "Two Turtle Doves Banner". Hope to see some of you there! Registration opened today, so there's still room...although those special limited edition soldered charm ornaments for the first 20 might be gone...

hello!

Hello again! Long time no blog. We had a nice time visiting with family, and I finally finished those baby quilts that I promised to show you. Here they are all wrapped up  before the trip. Unfortunately, they are still sitting right here, because I forgot to bring them.  No matter, I'll ship them. I wrapped them in a sewing pattern, since they were a sewn gift. I didn't realized until afterward, that although I love the graphics of the 3, I should have looked for a 2, since they are twins, or at the very least a 1, for their first birthday. Here is a photo of the two quilts taken before wrapping. It's hard to see, I know, but now they're wrapped so it'll have to do.

You're not seeing double there at the top, it is the 2nd quilt. I made two exactly the same. Well, not exactly, because this is a very imperfect pair of quilts, very homemade, to say the least. I hope they love them and get lots of use out of them.

Here are my two cute nieces, Molly and Caitlin.

As you can see, they're not identical, just identically adorable. And such good girls!

While we were visiting, we took the kids to a tiny little theme park called "Pixieland". It had such vintage looking rides in such great colors, I kept thinking that Tara would love this place for her photo shoots. Here are my kiddies at the park.

See what I mean about the rides and colors?

Speaking of colors, my brother's dominos were such pretty colors and combinations, that I had to take a photo for you.

In other news, Michelle Ward, the artist that I bought the kit that kick started this book that I shared before,  has a blog,  and  has some great new stamps. I love these and these too. And, they are on sale until mid September!

I'm working on something fun that has my creative wheels spinning day and night...I'll post about it soon, but for a hint, it's something very...

...more soon, promise.