BeadFest

I am off to BeadFest this weekend. I am looking forward to a couple of days off from work. In addition, I get to take a polymer clay and wire class and spend a couple of days shopping. Last year I found it almost overwhelming. This year I plan to be more focused...but really, how can anyone focus when there are so many bead projects and so little time.

I don't know why I can't remember from time to time how to upload multiple images into one blog but since I am drawing a blank this time, I will post a second time in one day and show you the fabric beads I have been working on. I was supposed to take a class on fabric beads and how to use them but was bumped from the class and was put on a waiting list....well, the call never came for the class so I decided to try on my own. I think they came out pretty well. And here are some more.

(OK, so adding photos in the text is as easy as moving the photo, or in this case, copying it and placing it where the cursor is and then deleting the original!!! Duh!!! Sometime technology makes me feel so stupid.)

Anyway back to fabric beads....the beads turned out to look nothing like the pattern on the fabric and that is wonderful. Each bead turned out to be unique and beautiful. I suppose if you want uniform beads, you could use something without a pattern. I used a colored Easter egg pattern for the beads at the top of this posting and a star printed pattern for the ones in the middle. I am eager to try to use them in jewelry or in a fringe for one of my art quilts. I used Modge Podge for the glue and, once dry, painted them with clear nail polish to give them some shine. We'll see how they hold up.

New Artwork

So it has been a whole month since I last posted.  The excuses roll off the keys of my computer but the truth is, there really isn't any excuse. I have been playing with the stuff I learned in Carol Murphy's Tempting Techniques class. I have never been one to go over the top but Carol says that there can't be too much of anything on a mixed media piece so here is my over the top cover for my book.
I learned to use transparencies and how to transfer images onto tape and make all different kinds of paper. I still haven't finished the inside pockets of the book but when I can't figure out which project to work on, I am sure I will go back and complete this book AND fill all the pockets with examples of tempting techniques.

Tempting Techniques Class

I have just finished taking an online class from Joggles.com called Tempting Techniques by Carol Murphy. It was a lot of fun and some of the techniques, I will definitely use in other projects. I haven't completed all the techniques yet but found a lot of fun with Penscore pads and making my own "stamps" for stamping/painting impressions. The above image's background is using Penscore pressed into shells, rubber bands, a plate and the bottom of a basket. The same goes for the image below.
And finally this one using buttons, keys, a pitcher and the bottom of a plate.

This is the third or fourth on-line class that I have taken from Joggles and I have been very impressed with them. I would recommend them to any who are interested.  

Out of the Box

I am a yellow/red, fall/winter person and I have a hard time starting a project that doesn't start with the aforementioned colors or themes from fall and winter...so the lime green background here with a blue birdhouse was completely out of the box for me. But, I love how it turned out. The bird house is made from fabric paper (thanks to Beryl Taylor's instructions from her book under my favorite books)and the roof is copper leaf. The leaves are done with various threads. The background is hand-painted muslin. This miniature "quilt" reminds me that sometimes I need to step out of the box and expand my creative wings.

Speaking of stepping out of the box, I am taking Carol Murphy's class called Tempting Techniques offered through Joggles.com and am having so much fun. Penscore is a new product for me and I have been having a blast creating my own "stamps". Lumiere paints are also something I have never played with. I am still working on getting results that I like. I LOVE these on line classes. This is the 4th one I have taken from Joggles.com and I have not been disappointed. The instructors are great and I have learned so much from them. And there are so many choices...well, as you can see I am a big fan. 

                                                              

 birdhouse details

Graduation and bac to the studio

My two boys...well, young men. Chris' red cord means that he graduated cum laude and yep!!! I sure am proud. 

The studio is calling. I haven't been in there for any length of time for a couple of weeks and it shows. While I am away I think the muses play and create an awful mess!!!  It won't quite take a shovel to get to where I can create but it will be close.

So clean-up is on the agenda for now. 

Graduation Day

Today was #2 son's graduation from college. Chris now has a degree in music education. The day was very long with a two hour drive in each direction and 4 hours of graduation ceremonies. Lunch at Chris' favorite restaurant ended a  delightful time with the boys. 

Colin drove home for the graduation and heads back to Ohio tomorrow. He has been on vacation since his wedding and it was great to see him. Unfortunately Chelsea had to work so she is left holding down fort in Ohio. I am sure their cats are glad one of them stayed home.