Man, time is flying by for me this summer! Before I know it it will be time to board a plane for class in Italy!!! Once the plane ticket is booked (it is! $711.00 and 65,000 frequent flyer miles...am I crazy that I felt like it was a good price?!?), the planning and dreaming about where to go and what to do is much more enjoyable. Of course, we'll be in class in Orvieto for a week, (still not too late to jump on board and come too!) it's the time before and after the class that is the variable. Kristin sent this video to all of us going, so we can better understand the language, haha.
Anyway, with my daughter home from college and my son out for summer, life has been full full full. Last week we three went up to scour my daughter's new apartment for school next year. The actual cleaning wasn't my favorite thing, but a little adventure with the two of them was fun despite our task at hand. I did a little weaving while riding shotgun:
Still enjoying exploring handweaving, still have so very much to learn, but appreciate that it's a craft form that you can make something you like while learning. I think I'll be bringing some of these weavings to sell while teaching at French General this August. More on that soon, since it's nearly August!
Project Life in progress, always. I try to keep it open in the Family Room so I tuck things in it and can jot down notes on post its as life goes on. I'd say it's a method that works 50% of the time for me ;). If only I'd get better about printing photos regularly instead of at one big sitting, I think that'd make things a lot more enjoyable.
I'm working on finishing up book one of this year. Three weeks to go, but I made the last page anyway, and the first for book 2 as well:
Still love the project, still hate that the weeks go by so fast that I fall behind equally as quickly.
And of course, I've been playing along with MaryAnn's Sketchbookery class. Not as much as I'd like, but that's sure to change this week, as I'll be seeing her and it is part of the plan!
I'm thoroughly enjoying learning and practicing when I take the time.
I wanted to mention this new find that Minnie told me about, in case you're interested...Aaron Brothers Art store has a buy one get one for 1¢ sale on these cold press journals. I've only gotten to try them out a little, I don't like the paper for watercoloring and sketching, but like it for art journaling and acrylic painting exploration. In case you fancy a good blank book like I do...
I see that the Amazon price is about half the Aaron Bros price, so, if you don't have shipping costs (Amazon Prime), you might prefer to go that route...but if you like to feel the paper first, Aaron Bros has them.
Here's a page in it:
Mostly markers, with a little paint for background. The paper is heavy, almost like mat board, so it doesn't warp having been painted with acrylic. I'm still experimenting with it. I'm not used to cold press being so smooth, Minnie knows I like smooth wood and paper, that's why she told me about them.
And then painting...someday I hope to say "always painting", but the truth is, I still don't have anywhere set up for painting on a permanent basis...so instead it comes in bursts of focused painting spells. A wave hit Friday and I've been enjoying the process so very much. I would like to get a few more up for sale soon. I've been sharing a photo daily on instagram documenting the changes. I am an impatient painter, I don't mull things over or let things grow on me, but the good part of that is I don't get attached to anything as I explore...which can lead to better things, but can, of course, also lead to a little regret at times too.
I'm in the process of cleaning up the whirwind of a mess I've made before the weekend comes to an end...
so many creative interests, so little time...same 'ol same 'ol, right?
Hope your days are filled with creative pursuits too, any new passions to share?
(Wait, maybe I shouldn't ask that! You know where that can lead me...)
