pamgarrison

journal questions?

So I leave tomorrow for ArtFest, where I will be teaching and taking classes. Above is a photo of my class samples. We'll be constructing a journal from start to finish, and play on the pages inside too. Often, when I post about journaling I get some questions, so I thought I'd answer them all in one post. How about anyone who has any questions for me regarding journaling, just ask them in the comments section here and I will do a post with all the answers when I get back next week?

And to answer the main question I get:
How do you construct your journals?
I make all sorts of different journals, from all sorts of different materials, but the method I use the most is Teesha Moore's method which I learned on her website. She taught me to love her favorite paper too, so fabriano artistico  140 lb. hot press (smooth) watercolor paper is what I use most when making a journal from scratch (sewing in the pages). (I order online from danielsmith.com).

If you've been thinking about starting an art journal, I say now's the time! There is no wrong way to do it; just allow yourself to buy a moleskin, or a journal on etsy, or stack a bunch of paper together and bind at Kinko's. Anything. Allow yourself to start...you can always throw it away or cover over anything you don't like. Got the itch? Scratch it! I know that the first issue of ArtJournaling is sold out, but there will be a second one out soon too, so you'll be ready to go.

See you next week!

 

gilding the lily

Nancy Jamar hosted a book signing for Amy and her book at Nancy's shop, Gilding the Lily. Nancy did a great job and you can see more photos on Amy's blog. Above right to left you see: Liz, the graphic designer, Amy and yours truly. Can you see how yummy the shop is just by the items behind us...all those jars and shelves full of goodies. Of course, I couldn't come home empty handed...

A little bit of Irish linen for a new sampler...and some glittered batting millinery stamens.

And some blue ribbon and type of chenille, as well as more millinery fruit. I'm still loving the orange and blue color combination.

Off to continue getting ready to leave for ArtFest!

fun times with carol

{photo by Jenny Doh}

Jenny snapped a photo of Carol and I having a grand ol' time this past weekend. Carol is SO alive with love and art and playfulness, it's easy to get caught up in it, as you can see evidence of above.

Anyway, I thought it a fitting photo to use to invite you to spend a weekend with both Carol and I; Carol will be hosting, and I'll be teaching at her North Hollywood Studio May 9&10.  We are going to make lots of things and have lots of fun. Carol's got some fun ideas up her sleeve, and so do I, so if you want to come play, we hope you will! You can read all the info about the weekend here, there's even a Mother's Day special rate. {one slight correction, it's a 2 day workshop, Sat. and Sun.; not Friday for 3 days as it currently reads}.

Hope to see some of you there!

the weekend's artistic affaire

This past weekend I taught at the Artistic Affaire called "La Petite Maison Blanc" hosted by Kim Caldwell. I do believe everyone that attended would say it was an artistically sweet feast (thus the close up at left). Kim left no detail unattended to, that's for sure. I was amazed at how smoothly the big day went especially considering that this was a new location for Kim's Artistic Affaire's. I also know that everyone who attended would agree with me when I say you did a fantastic job Kim! And so calm and graceful under a day full of pressure. Kim aims to please her guests, and she does! (For example, it was only afterward that I found out Kim asked each guest her favorite refreshment, and then spent the day secretly restocking the refreshment bar so that they would always find it there. And the delicious catered lunch arrived in a box that wasn't up to Kim's standards, so she repackaged each and every lunch in a more beautiful container. Only two examples but you get the picture.)  And what a great friend she has in Kim Hesson, who assisted Kim and we three teachers throughout the day; big thanks to the two Kims!

Here's a photo of Kim welcoming the guests, or doing a give-away, or explaining the party favor, or...

and the room almost ready to receive guests... it was even cooler than it looks here. Such a great location!

Here's the table setting at each guests' seat.

A photo of the day in full swing. This is during Amy's class.

Here's Amy's sales table. Even her display is gorgeous! And of course her jewelry too...

Love Teresa's sassy little ladies. I had to have one and love her smiling at me on my desk.

Here's a shot of Amy's class samples:

 

(photo by Cheryl)

The day just wouldn't have been as special for me without my pals and co-teachers Teresa and Amy. And then, of course, all the wonderful students who always come with such generous hearts and open minds and smiles on their faces. It's fun to see old friends and meet new ones. Thanks to everyone for making it such a special day.!xop

a few more photos around the studio

Here's an old drawer of some sort that I recently turned on it's side and hung on one of the walls in my play room. I love this little tiny lady picture found in Paris, and stuck her and a table seating card from some event (maybe a wedding?) I attended long ago into a flower frog. The calligraphy on the card was too beautiful to throw away.

I guess I have a thing for wood beads in jars. I think it was Jennifer's studio (scroll down a bit, you'll see the jar of beads) that got me craving them.  I had the fortune of meeting Jennifer last summer and she is as adorable as you'd think. Her mom is super sweet too. Oh my, I just now discovered Jennifer has a blog. Yay! More of her adorable world.

 Speaking of blog discoveries, another blog new to me is something's hiding in here. This post in particular has me itching to create. Here's another one that has me shaking my head at their genius. And this one too. Love it!

  

My collection of old stamens always makes me happy.  And the honeycomb paper bells hanging inside the closet corner do too. Does anyone know a good source for honeycomb paper? Maybe I'm not calling it the right thing?

    

Well, hopefully you'll have a creative Saturday. I'm off to watch my kids' sports games. You know I'll be sitting there doodling or journaling or making notes of something I want to work on!

around the studio today

 

thought for monday

mother of pearl and tattered velvet "souvenir" heart found at the Porte de Vanves flea market, Paris

A single idea can transform a life, a business, a nation, a world.   -Dan Zadra

amy's book!

I received my long anticipated copy of Amy's book and I must say it was even better than I had expected! I knew it would be wonderful, because I have followed every detail that she has worked on for well over a year, but somehow, all together, it is even more than hoped for. Her jewelry, as I'm sure you know, is so beautiful and magical, but her storytelling is special too and I'm glad others finally get to know that creative side of her as well. Yours truly did the illustrations for her; those included the "how to" steps, but also the chapter headers shown here:

and this one on  the about the author page (which is my favorite!), as well as tip boxes, page doodles etc.

It was fun to be included in helping her achieve her vision. Amy, all your hours and hours of blood, sweat, and tears of joy were worth it! We all are so proud of you...enjoy the fruits of your labor and then get to work on your next book...maybe about your home, or flea marketing, lifestyle...anything would be great. I love experiencing the world through your eyes, you truly have such unbelievable style and your creative imagination is always an inspiration! xoxp

To see more of Amy's world, visit her blog here.