pamgarrison

oh, what a week

So sorry to have been away so long without notice. I know it's frustrating to come over and find the same old post. Let's just say it's been a rough week. I'm having major back problems. I have been abusing my back for the last 10 years and often feel a dull pain, but this time I really did it...the doctor and rolfing masseuse (rolfing is sort of like a chiropractor, but instead works on the tissue between the muscle and the bone- or something like that, I'm no expert) both had the same reaction to my back: " Oh, wow. You've got some big problems." Discs and something else out of place. So, as you can imagine, I have had a few days with no mobility and horrible pain. I am on the mend, but still finding it hard to move. It's especially bad timing because artfest begins tomorrow. Very bad timing. But I have another Dr.'s appointment Monday, so let's just hope for the best, shall we? Thanks guys. Let's just say I have learned my lesson and am officially done taking advantage of my back. I'm sure many of you have had the same terrible experience, and I'm sorry if so! Maybe somebody can learn from my stupidity and start caring for their back.

Anyway, here are the class handouts I was talking about in the last post.  Cut and paste is fun, isn't it? I know photoshop will be too, and since I said I would learn to use it a bit this year here, I'm gonna! Here's  a page I added for class notes  and a few extra goodies.

I'll be sure to teach this again, maybe take Suzi's idea and head on up to Sweetpeas & Snapshots for you local gals.

For vendor night I've got a few different things:

like these canvas pieces.

and more paper portraits...this is the class I'll be teaching at artfiberfest next October.

and the beloved wallpaper packs...

Before my back gave out I was having lots of fun creating, it's been too long. I promise that when I get back I will make more art and paper packs too. I promise. Really, I will. Thanks to all of you who have asked and been ever so patient. The only thing I have to do first is pick out and order the carpet for the house. My family has been patient on that one. Yep, I'm  that lame, haven't even ordered it yet.

So, I'll leave you with some close ups- just because I love the details. I'll also say goodbye. I'm off to artfest first thing in the morning. If you're there, please say hi. I'll be the one walking very slowly and in a somewhat crooked fashion. To the rest of you, have a good week!

why i need to learn photoshop

My version of photoshop, otherwise known as cut and paste. Still working on class prep. Enjoying the process of making the handout, but it is limiting when you have to run to Staples and get something copied so you can cut it out and glue it on. It's especially frustrating because I know that I could just scan it in and do it all in photoshop (for a more professional and pleasing finish as well) if only I knew how to do it. By next year at this time I am going to know a lot more about photoshop-which isn't saying much, because I basically know nothing now.

My little brother is a graphic designer and helps me out occasionally. Lately we have been working on a little project together and it has been so fun talking on the phone, scanning, emailing etc. art ideas back and forth for the collaboration. It'd be even better if we lived closer. For Christmas one year he bought me a book on photoshop with the instructions being all photos, not text. He knows I'm not one for reading instructions (haven't even used the visual instruction book-yet). I'm impatient, I know what I want to do, and haven't taken the time to learn how to do it.

While cutting and pasting and writing away, I am reminded of Tracy Porter's Dreams from Home. Oh how I loved that book. Not so much her style, as the book itself. The design, the layout, the collage elements. When I first found that book I'd look at it every night before bed and get so inspired to do something creative. In her dedications she wrote to her brother something to the effect of, "...to my brother, who laughingly told me to take my scissors and glue and make a career out of it- KMA."  Which I assume is her invitation to kiss something. Always thought that was funny and true. He didn't get it. Well, we get it, now don't we? Yes we do! Off to take my scissors and glue and go finish making something.

class prep

Spending lots of time these days getting ready for the class I'm teaching at Artfest. I am excited, but not yet ready and it's in a week! All that keeps coming into my head is Will Farrell screaming, "...help me Tom Cruise! Help me Oprah!" from the movie "Talladega Nights". I didn't see the movie, but my daughter did, and she told me all about a scene where he thinks he's on fire and keeps screaming the above. It cracks me up. Love that he's making fun of our culture's celebrity worship in that way.

Anyway, back to class business. If you are in my class and are having trouble finding an old journal, please email me. Or if you have any class questions for that matter. Wish I knew how to use photoshop, vow to learn more by next year. My class handout would be so much better. For those who don't know what I'm talking about, here's the samples for my class. Basically we're going to make a journal from an old ledger and experiment with different mediums on the pages.

And tomorrow, the fiberfest brochure will be up!! Fun fun...

happy birthday haylee

A paper crown for a pretty princess in my life. Happy Birthday Haylee!!

Just a little something so she'll feel special. Made with new paper by Melissa Frances. Always a little crepe paper and always a little glitter. And a little tinsel never hurts either.

it's the smallest things really

The smallest things make me happy. I just love details. I finally shipped off a bunch of things today. The photo above is one of them. It's a little add-on for a collaborative project I was lucky enough to be a part of. I'm sure you'll hear more about it in the future, but for now it's a surprise, even for the participants. We were given a theme and a few general requirements, but other than that the sky was the limit. I ended up making something quite different than what I started out to make. Here's a little glimpse of the original project I submitted. You can see then, why the flowers on the seals are my little extra contribution. This way, the host can attach them to my page somehow or add them to the pile of extras. For now, the small details, soon the big project. I know I don't have to sell you all on the small detail love, I'm pretty sure you're with me on that!

back to usual

Another collage in a more comfortable size for me. It's a canvas about 5x7". Thanks for all the encouragement on my "playing outside of my normal box" adventure below. But really, it is easier to attempt a new concept when you are jumping off someone else's (Teesha's and Anahata's) original idea. I was doing my take on an existing idea. I think it's a good way to get one's feet wet, to learn and grow, but feel it's important to give credit to the artists that inspire the growth. I think playing in someone else's sandbox is a good way to stretch one's wings and find some new colors within oneself.  That's one of my favorite things about taking classes, to learn to see things for a moment through someone else's eyes. I look forward to doing it more. It's fun to have you here to share the journey with. Inspiration just goes round and round and round, and I love being in that big circle, as I think all of us that create and value creating are.

just for fun

Inspired by Teesha's prints and Anahata's big painting, I pulled this thin piece of board out of the garage and spent hours and hours lost in fun. I used gesso, liquid acrylics, pencil, crayon, paper,and stamps and just doodled on a bigger scale. It's hard to tell here, but it's 14x24 inches. That's a big journal page...which is pretty much what it looks like, a journal page on steroids. It's interesting what an impact size makes when you're creating. I know some people are doing really small challenges right now (I think I read somewhere 1"x1" collage) and everything in between. It's funny that it's not always easy to blow up or shrink one's typical creating size. Or maybe it's just me. Like preferring certain mediums, do you also feel more comfortable with a certain size? Just find creativity so interesting, how it works and all. Here are some close ups, just for fun.

The quote reads:
Life is not a path of coincidence, happenstance, and luck. But rather an unexplainable, meticulously charted course for one to touch the lives of others and make a difference in the world.-Barbara Dillinham

My flickr favs of the week

My flickr favs of the week
Originally uploaded by pamg.

more spring sightings

Spring is gently unfolding all around me. My favorite season.

apricot tree blossoms

"How may I sing to thee and worship, O Sun?" asks the little flower.
"By the simple silence of thy purity," answers the sun.
Rabindranath Tagore (1803-1882)

nectarine blossoms


fading rose


unfurling rose


ornamental plum blossoms



It's coming, I promise!

weekend recap

A little St. Patrick's Day treat for the first Monday of March.
I bought it from an artist named Lisa Hannah at the Paris to the Moon Artist Market on Saturday. Amy and I were there all day having fun selling stuff and meeting lots of blog readers. Thanks so much for stopping by and saying hi. Everyone is always so sweet and encouraging. We really were so busy that the only other booth I got to shop at was Lisa's because she was next to us. I also bought these old postcards, and that's it!

One sweet blog reader even brought me a present that she made herself... how lucky am I? Her name is Paulette Adams and she's a interior designer by trade and a crafter on the side. She said I could give you her email if you would like to order some of her shells...paulette. I especially love the sea urchin shells.

I was also sent these wonderful flowers by Mary Hammel, thank you Mary, so thoughtful... they will be treasured and Kari sent me the spring bunny and paper brooch which is her Artfest trade. Kari, you're going to be swamped at Artfest! Too cute. Hope you made a few hundred ha ha.

I've received a lot of questions about the alphabet stamps that I used on the piece a few posts ago. Here they are. I bought them years ago at a rubber stamp show. You can get them at stamp-out-cute.com in all different sizes.

Ok...off to get something done...xo

new friday favorites

new friday favorites
Originally uploaded by pamg.

more inspiration via flickr ...all of these photos are taken by other people, up on flickr to share and inspire. And that they do!

In other news, Paris to the Moon (949) 642-0942-in Costa Mesa is having an art fair and sale tomorrow starting at 10 am. Amy and I will be there selling art supplies, other artists will be selling their art. If you come by, be sure to say hi. I'll be the one in the apron below.

another apron

You all are too good to me. I tell ya, whenever I'm feeling the slightest bit blue all I need to do is read the comments you leave. Always grateful for you, my blog friends. 

Feeling like a hero today because I washed and rehung all of the living room and dining room curtains today. I'm sure I don't have to tell you that curtain rods with curtains on are heavy! Just so anxious to get things back in order. It is a lesson in patience, waiting for my husband's help, but wait I must, some things are way too heavy for this girl with a bad back.

So, as promised, back to the craft aprons. I could only get my hands on one of mine today. It's a double layer little number. For no real reason, other than I wanted to use more fabric. (Do you love my pink polka dot sweater from Target? I do!)

I have no pattern for these, just make it up as I go along and no two are the same. But, if you are itching to make one, I have seen lots and lots of home made craft aprons on other blogs. I know I've seen one here and here (love that door in the background too)and here and lots more too, I know I'm forgetting many. Anyone care to share some links? Anyone know of an on line tutorial? Anyone sell any craft aprons? One can never have too many as far as I am concerned!