A Love Letter

Dear Water Soluble Wax Pastels,

I remember when we met a few years ago.  We had some good times together.  And I also remember it was my fault our relationship came to a standstill.  I know I set you aside for other art supplies after a while. 

I am sorry for that, very sorry. 

But today I am grateful.  So grateful you were there for me in that moment of distress. 

 

 

It was background horror.  I knew it would be a lovely butterfly waltz with those Crayola markers, but it went too far, too fast.  And when I was at my greatest despair, ready to throw it all away, it was you who was there for me.  You, like a knight in shining armor coming to my rescue upon your snowy white steed. 

 

 

I don't know that I can ever repay you; you know how fickle I can be when it comes to art supplies such as yourself.  But please remember, my dearest water soluble wax pastels, though it may seem like I have forgotten you at times, eventually I will return to you.

All my love,

Alisa

Carving Heart Stories

Life.

It's been a little stressful around here lately.

You know, life crap drama stuff.

I'm not the protagonist in the stories being played out right now,

but I'm close enough to the action that I am definitely a supporting character.

As a self proclaimed "seeker of beauty,"

I've become fairly adept at finding the "beautiful" in messy life situations.

Unfortunately that doesn't always alleviate the heartache and stress.

So what is one to do is such situations?

Well, for me, it's drink coffee.

In copious amounts.

Amounts that make my dental hygienist's polishing hand twitch.

But stepping away from the action is helpful, as well.

 

 

So I left for a few days.

It was already planned, but I was at that point were I felt maybe I shouldn't go

yet knew it was best that I did.

When I arrived at my destination

and promptly burst into tears

and my hostess took it all in stride,

I knew I had made the right decision.

 

 

So off she whisked me to make art.

Heart art.

Heart art with Stephanie Ackerman.

Tearing, gluing and smearing hearts...

it made the knots in my stomach ease up just enough

so it no longer felt like it was chewing on my heart.

 

 

And then the next day was even more blissful.

A whole day of doodling and carving.

Stamp carving.

Have you tried it?

It is glorious.

It's smooth and meditative...

like a cool balm on torn, ragged nerves.

 

Yes.  So very, very glad I went.

And that wonderful hostess of mine,

well, she didn't even blink at the amount of coffee I drank.

 

 



The Pink and Green Palette...

with accents of white, bluish-gray and brown.

 

This is how it started;

in my pattern book.

 

 

Green ombre with drippies of pink and coral.

 

And from there paper fabric was created.

 

 

{little known fact: wolfhounds like paper fabric just as much as they do regular fabric}

 

Continuing down this track,

 

 

a hexagon flower was sewn together.

 

Soon after, part of the paper fabric was cut into triangles to create this lovely little sun-catcher number.

 

 

I'm pretty sure there is still more exploring to do within this

pink and green palette.

 

Stay tuned.

 

 



Doodle Camp

Happy Friday!

 

Today I want to share the other summer class I'm taking...

Doodle Camp 2013

taught by Dawn DeVries Sokol.

The "camp" was a week long and is now over, but because of other obligations

and such I'm only on about day 3.

Slow going as usual for me, but I'm really only working on it a few evenings a week.

 

 

If you remember, I took a doodle class from Dawn at Handmade U back in April.

Y'all, I love Dawn's classes.

There is no stress, it's easy-going... just overall freeing.

Robin took this class too and recently posted about it

and really, she said it best...

"There is something about Dawn's prompts that feel like permission rather than assignments to me."

Very true.

 

 

Like I said, I'm only about 2 or 3 days into it.

So far I've made my journal and doodled my cover and completed the first prompt.

I'm taking it slow and steady

and enjoying every moment of it.

 



What I Did With My Patterns

Remember those patterns I made for

MAM's SEWN class?

 

 

I made a pattern book with some of them.

A book to paint more patterns in.

Although,

I have yet to paint any patterns in it,

because I've been too busy caressing it.

I love it so.

Terrible, wonky free motion stitching and all.

 

What have you been doing?

Summer Patterns

Hi.

It's been a busy summer so far what with that Finlay dog

and some visiting and some junking and some summer classes...

like this one.

Paint and Patterns.  Delicious.

Here is my first set.

And because I like a theme I made a list of what is summer to me and then painted it out.

 

 

cicada song

 

 

a breakfast of toast and jam with Hercule Poirot

 

 

sno cones that sparkle and glow like a stained glass window

 

 

the salty sea

 

 

the scent of honeysuckle and wild roses

 

 

cloud watching from a hammock

 

 

lemonade and old quilts

 

If you have spare time this summer,

{no, it doesn't even matter if you have spare time or not}

go now. 

SEWN

You won't be disappointed.

 

Now I'm off to wallow in more pattern.

Have a beautiful Monday.

 



Journal No. 3

I'm still in Full Tilt Boogie mode.

If you know me well then you know that this class has to be really good, because I haven't walked away from it with the projects only half completed.

I just keep steaming forward not wanting to stop.

This is part one of week 3/journal 3.

This was another book I had been saving for a specific project...

a writing journal.

Though I'm an avid list maker, I've never been one to keep a journal for my inner most thoughts and feelings.

(Which may partly be the cause of what my Farmboy likes to call my "solar flares" of emotion.)

So I had been saving this book for this purpose and it seemed like just the right time to create it.

The reason I wanted to use this specific book for my writing journal is because it is white.

Lovely, clean, soothing white.

And lord knows, if I'm going to dump the whirlwind of thought and emotion from my heart and head into this book, I'm going to need a little soothing and surrounding calm as I do it.

So again, with that in mind, I chose the fabric (aqua and chocolate brown) and the papers inside (all soft colored scrapbook papers) for the same reason.

The binding stitch for this journal is really great.

And I figured out a way to dress it up a bit with some itty bitty buttons.

So very happy with it.

*********

While I'm talking of Mary Ann, it would be really great of you if you could send a warm thought and/or prayer her way, as she has recently lost her beloved Buck Moss.

Maybe even leave a comforting note for her over at her place if you have the time.

Thank you.

Two Spell Books and A Guide to Italian Architecture

The second half of Sunday was spent making Journal Two of the Full Tilt Boogie class.

In fact I made two journals on Sunday and another one last night.

(spell book no. 1)

Journal Two has a hidden binding, but I decided not to use the bead string again.  I used embroidery floss this time.

I still haven't gone out to get some waxed linen nor ordered any.  Should probably get on that seeing as how this book binding will be a regular activity for me.

In the first spell book I attached a ratty, velvet strip to the inside of the spine to create a bookmark.

(spell book no. 2)

My second spell book had a dark green cover, so I painted it black.  I think I'll put something around the spine or on the front cover, as well as add a closure ribbon.

I think I may leave the inside as it is, for a special something later on, but the first one I am super excited to fill "Practical Magic" like.

(a guide to italian architecture ~ journal no. 3)

This journal was meant to happen.  Quite a few years ago, I bought this book to make an altered book/kind of scrapbook that would house all the architecture photos we took while in Italy.  Obviously I never got around to it.  Creating my own book block for it has totally spurred me forward with this project though.

I haven't decided yet if I'm going to leave the cover as is or gussie it up a bit.

Hmmm, what do you think I should do with it? 

Full Tilt Boogie

Last month Debe and I were talking about journaling.

I mentioned that I thought Mary Ann Moss' class Remains of the Day looked like a really cool class and I wondered if it was still available.

Debe had taken it and told me that I needed to take it.

That it was fantastic.

And that coming from Debe (as Debe doesn't even journal) made up my mind.

A week or so later, I actually remembered that conversation.

However, I found that Ms. Moss was offering up a new class.

Full Tilt Boogie

I signed up immediately.

Boy, am I glad I did!

I gotta be honest here, folks.

It's been a while since I've really enjoyed and learned new techniques from an online art class.

And that Mary Ann Moss is a hoot!

This is my first completed journal from the class.

I used what I had on hand, which was beading string.

I won't be doing that again.

Next time I will actually make the trek outside of my home to get what I need.

I just dont' think it's thick enough for a visible binding.

Lesson learned.



Now I'm gnashing at the bit to start filling the pages, as well as, start making the next journal.

If you journal I suggest you check it out.

I Am Learning

Yesterday I had the pleasure of getting together with a few of the Lovelies in my local Soul Restoration group.

The day was rainy and yucky and I got ridiculously lost.
However once I found my way, the day became warm and friendly and quite comfortable.

It was full of good food, good creating and good conversation.

Yesterday I learned that I am not alone.
Others have the same fears and hesitations as I do.
It's nice to not be alone.

Have a beautiful Monday.

Soul Restoration

Yesterday was the day.
The day Soul Restoration began.

Last night the Farmboy asked me why I was taking this class.
He told me he thought my soul was in good condition and that I was very brave already.

In my forty years, I've restored my soul twice.
I won't lie, it was hard work and it took me awhile to do it both times.
But do it, I did.

The last restoration my soul had was about 10 years ago and I had a little (or a lot) of Farmboy help with it.
We helped each other to heal in fact.

So when he said that, I couldn't really deny it. He was right for the most part.

I told him I thought I needed some direction. And then when I went on to explain what I meant, I got kind of tongue tide and did a pretty lousy job of explaining.

I'm not that strong of a "worder" you see and it takes me awhile to translate my feelings into words.

But I've got a grasp on it now.

I'm taking it, not for a full "soul house renovation", but because I think my soul house could use, in addition to a new paint job and maybe some fresh curtains, a new addition.

A whole new second level in fact. I'm just not quite sure yet how to go about building it. And also, I'm pretty sure it's going to take a little more bravery than what I already have unbottled.

So that, my dear Farmboy, is why I'm taking it.
(If you would like to be my equipment manager and hold my nails for me, I'll let you.)

I Have Decided...

to finally be brave.

And seeing how all of the Brave Girls' Camps are full for 2011

I decided to do the next best thing
and sign up for their
Soul Restoration workshop.

And now I am SO excited!

My Crowning Glory

Do you remember that one kid in school
who was ALWAYS the last to finish
and the class ALWAYS had to wait on that person before the teacher could move on the the next subject?

Well, that kid is me.
Always, it's me.

It was especially me, during the Gilded Life's crown class.
Although nobody had to wait this time, since I just tucked it away knowing I could finish it at home.
But I am the one person in the class picture with an unfinished crown.

However I'm okay with being the only one who didn't finish their crown in class,
because I really wanted to change mine up from the example and use these hydrangea blossoms on it.

They are left over blossoms that adorned the arbor and center pieces at my wedding 8 1/2 years ago.

And I couldn't be more please with the results.

*********

I want to give a BIG thank you to all of you who took the time to vote on our pumpkin carving contest!
We tallied votes from four facebook profiles and this blog and it was a very close race for awhile there.
But, Jack came out ahead 33 to 25.
We drew numbers to see who would be teamed with who and this was the first year it was parents against boys.
The boys had a great plan with their subject choice, thinking to pull in votes from all age groups with such a nostalgic childhood character, and they ruled the contest for quite awhile, but in the end The Count just couldn't count high enough.
Sorry boys.
Maybe next year.
;)

A Gilded Gathering

This past weekend I attended
A Gilded Life event.

I'm not sure that "gilded" is really strong enough of a word.
But what I do know, is that these two women, Debbie and Shea, were definitely cut from the same bolt of velvet that I was cut from, when it comes to the importance of the little things.

Their attention to detail is truly amazing and inspiring.

Although I didn't get any photos of the classes,
I did capture a little of their world.

So step through the looking glass with me, into the wondrous and beautiful world of the Gilded Girls.

*sigh*

A Gilded Bracelet

The last day of the Gilded Nest event,
Shea taught us how to wire wrap.

This was something I had been wanting to learn how to do for quite awhile.
The best part,
I learned much more than just wire wrapping in this class.

I'll admit, I definitely need a lot more practice if I ever want to make jewelry that is actually wearable in public.
But I'm okay with that,
because it's really a fun to do!

Lady Lucillia Whitelake

Back in the late 18th century, in the South-East of England, there lived an Earl.
The Earl of Whitelake.
He owned a vast expanse of land, know as Whitelake Downs.
The Earl had five children.
The older four all boys.

The youngest, a daughter.

Lady Lucillia Whitelake.
Those closest to her called her Lucie.

As you can imagine, being both the only girl of the family, as well as the youngest, Lucie was doted upon by everyone of the estate.

Despite the attentions she received, Lucie was as sweet as one could find, from the top of her tiara to the tips of her daintily slippered feet.

Lucie enjoyed the outdoors and spent much of her time roaming the estate.

Some days she could be found walking the wooded trails or collecting wildflowers from the meadows.

But most often one would find Lucie picnicking, taking tea or reading under her favorite apple tree down by the south pond.

Lucie's life was one of love and happiness.

*********

And I am just tickled pink with her!
I created Lucie in Colleen Moody's class at The Gilded Nest event.
When I grow up, I want to be Colleen Moody.... okay, maybe I can just be a doll maker.
I can't wait to show you the AMAZING doll I purchased from Colleen.
The Farmboy raised an eyebrow, but I know y'all will love her as much as I do!