Tuesday, February 10, 2009

A few doodles

I continue to draw daily. I find it a great way to start the day, warm up the brain, warm up my hands. Just doodling loosens me up.

Here is today's doodle:


And a card I made for a friend who is having surgery today:

Thursday, February 05, 2009

Random Acts of Kindness

I'm pleased to report that kindness is in the world. Sometimes I doubt it, but it is there. Yesterday, while driving home with the girls in the back, a car in front of us broke down in the middle of an intersection. 4, 5, 6 cars zoomed around this broken down car being pushed by the lone occupant. I wondered if I could help, could I help push this car? Would the girls be safe in our car?

But before I could answer any of those questions, a man in a Lexus pulled over and ran to help. Dressed in work clothes, with a long coat on, he started to push. Then another car pulled over, and another man hopped out to help.

While all this helping was going on, people were whipping around me and the men pushing the car, hurrying to get home, or wherever they were going. I felt sorry for these hurried drivers. Sorry that they were in such a rush, they missed the heart warming scene of random acts of kindness.

Playing with Others

I have so much fun reading Ricë's blog every day. I look forward to her Journal Spanks and frequently add her challenges to my own journal entries. Why? Because playing with others is fun. As an artist, I spend most of my day alone (until the girls come home from school) and work in solitude. Reading Rice's journal spanks and completing some of them is like having a buddy over for coffee!

Try it, you might like it.

Binder clip


And for added fun, the mailman brought me a treat. A string of eyeball beads from Suzi B who makes some really pretty glass beads.

Monday, February 02, 2009

My face doesn't look like yours.

"My face doesn't look like yours."

Sophie's Goddess, age 5

"Of course not. I'm much older, see the wrinkles in my skin?
I also have blue eyes, yours are green. And see, your hair is brown."

"Sarah, yours is very pretty."

Sarah's Goddess, age 8
"Do you like your face?"

"Yes, I think she's beautiful. But yours looks better."

"Oh no Sarah and Sophie, both of yours are better. You drew from the heart, mine was drawn from the brain. Drawings from the heart are always better."

Rebecca's Goddess, Age Still Deciding

Teaching at Red Hen Fabrics

I'm very excited to be teaching at Red Hen Fabrics. I taught several classes in January and find it invigorating. All skill levels are welcome and my classes are fun and friendly!

Here is a list of upcoming classes. More will be added as I develop them:

Peek A Boo Jacket
February 21 and February 28
Take a sweatshirt, a selection of your favorite fabric squares and turn it into a fabulous jacket fun for young and old. Looks fabulous in batik's and black and white! This jacket has been featured in Altered Couture Magazine!

Art Quilting – Part I
February 23 and February 28
Fabric Collage and Innovative Piecing
The first in a series of four classes. In each class you will make a 9 x 12 art quilt. In Part I you will learn design basics, layout and composition, and an overview of materials frequently used in art quilting. You will use Fabric Collage and Innovative Piecing techniques to make a 9 x 12 art quilt.

Art Quilting – Part II
March 23 and March 28
Mark Making on Fabric
Making your own personal mark on fabric with stencils, stamps or freehand can be a wonderful way to express yourself and create your own fabric. We'll be working on hand-dyed or commercial fabric with Paints, Stamps, Shiva Paintstiks, Angelina Fibers, Crystals and more. Supply Kit required $10.00

Art Quilting – Part III
April 27 and May 2
Thread Work
In this class, Rebecca will teach you simple techniques for successful thread painting (also called free motion embroidery). We'll also explore couching yarn and fiber and layering with sheers.

Art Quilting – Part IV
May 18 and May 23
Embellish with found objects
In this class we'll learn a bead embroidery techniques, and explore found objects as inspiration for art quilting.

Fabric Art Post Cards
March 17 and March 21
Sending Fabric Post Cards through the mail is a great way to say you care! Make fun fabric postcards using art quilting techniques. With our scraps we'll make ATC's (artist trading cards) and Inchies, 1” square pieces of art.

Sunday, February 01, 2009