where i stand sunday

The little owls stare back up at me, wondering what all the fuss is about. Their sweet little chubby selves are about to accompany me on an adventure, into uncharted territory. We're excited and antsy and eager for everything next week has to offer.

Where I Stand is an ongoing photo essay examining the different places I spend my life standing. Too often we take for granted the everyday places we spend our lives walking on. The ground we tread on has its own stories to tell.

daydreaming of spring...

I'm not one that usually gets bummed about winter. I don't mind the cold and the snow is annoying but not something I can't deal with.

But this year? This year I want it to be done. I want to see the ground. I want to open the windows when I'm driving. I want the westie to be able to tromp around the yard without feeling like he might disappear in some random snow drift.

I'm daydreaming of this:

1. Leaf me alone, 2. Stored Sunlight, 3. Green leaf, 4. tree philodendron, 5. Ginkgo Leafs, 6. Cuba Gallery: Organic / macro / closeup / garden / leaves / leaf / natural / nature / rain / water droplets / photography, 7. vine leaf, 8. Leaf, 9. Yellow and Green Control the High Ground, but the Army of Orange has Taken the Plains, 10. leaves, 11. Leaf, 12. Leaf Play l, 13. grace, 14. Leafy Texture, 15. Familiar Leaves, 16. Judas Tree Currency , 17. Single Leaf, 18. rbox013011 Triple Three, 19. Green waves, 20. Honey Drip, 21. Fern, 22. In the botanical garden, 23. Brown Leaf., 24. Crassula perforata, 25. palm frond, 26. corazones verdes, 27. Untitled, 28. Day 19/365 - Christmas tree leaf (lol), 29. Untitled, 30. nocturne, 31. The promise of rain, 32. Tropfen, 33. Untitled, 34. Untitled, 35. Detail of a leaf [Explored], 36. Water Droplet

when studios attack

Its come to my attention that some of the newcomers to the blog (welcome all!) think that my time in the studio is all zen and chanting and perfect success.

Oh my dears, you couldn't be more wrong...

While there has been an incredible streak of productivity lately, its only because I'm doing things that I know work. In other words, I'm not experimenting or trying to bend some new technique or project to my will. I've even come to some kind of strange understanding with my sewing machine (leaving the hammer resting next to it may have finally done the trick. I say good behavior through intimidation is appropriate when it comes to machinery.)

But normally there is quite a chaotic dance that happens in there during those times and since they are usually pretty entertaining, I post them here when the do occur.

So I thought I'd prove it by re-publishing this post.

Its a fine example of what happens when studios attack.

**Since the post below was published, I have since made good friends with Timtex. We get along swimmingly now and I think its quite a fine product. The problem that day clearly lied with my strange mood and quite possibly a full moon.

* * * * * * * * *


Thursday March 4, 2010

i couldn't make this stuff up if i tried...

The weather hit 43 degrees today. May not sound glamorous to those of you on the west coast but around here? That's shorts and tank top weather. (I kid you not.)

I dragged Dooley down the street (little man is a little out of shape and getting to be mature so I let him set the pace and distance now) and then decided to go into the studio. Popped open the windows, let the plants soak in the fresh air and then just sort of stood there.

I've got plenty of stuff in progress but for whatever reason, I totally lacked motivation today. But with two deadlines at the end of the month, I figured I shouldn't waste a day and decided to force myself to work on something. The victim I chose was the measly beginnings of the fabric box challenge that Mary issued for the fiber art group we belong to.

I had a grand idea that I began pulling together a couple of days ago (if you can count piling stuff on my work table a beginning). I wanted to add (notice the use of past tense in this paragraph) quite a bit of handwork so it really was important for me to get the base done.

What happened next can only be compared to an I Love Lucy episode.

1. I recently opted to get rid of the large TV in my studio and go with a portable DVD player instead. It's a huge space saver and I can plop it down on any surface that's available. Today felt like a Lord of the Rings day (yes I am a geek and proud of it) so I popped in The Fellowship of the Ring, positioned the player on my work table in front of me and set about my business.

2. I don't work much with Timtex. But I like working out puzzles and got it into my head that the walls of my box needed to be made from this. Considering what I do for a living, tackling stiff interfacing shouldn't be a problem. (You see where this is heading, right?)

3. Timtex hates me.

4. I pinned it, ironed it, cussed at it but it did not want to have anything to do with me. I swear it was like trying to give a cat a bath. The problem? Who knows..the stupid stuff wouldn't cooperate and has now been dubbed a product of the devil.

5. I pitched it across the room (I'm not ashamed to admit this) and my aim made perfect precise direct contact with the most disgusting cup of water on the planet. I did some painting a few days ago and forgot to wash out the brush cup. The cup - and all its stinky wet content - tipped over in perfect synchronization in the direction of the DVD player and sewing machine.

6. Luckily my slob habits of never cleaning up my work table came in handy and the water had to work hard to spread across the table. Just as it got close to the DVD player, the characters in the movie called Ringwraiths (link provided for the non-geeky) began to screech at the top of their lungs. The irony of this sent me into a hysterical laughing fit as I tried to scoop up the screaming movie and mop up the portion of the spill speeding toward my sewing machine.

7. As I stepped backward, I knocked over the container of beads I'd been fussing with the night before. Then as I turned to survey the damage, my foot made direct contact with the extra long sewing needles I've become so fond of lately (Not so fond of them anymore. I'll spare you the details. Don't ask me why they were on the floor.)

8. Aaaaaaaaannnnnddd...cue the doorbell. The Salvation Army was scheduled to come by and pick up some of the fruits of the spring cleaning I've been doing lately but I found myself a bit engaged when they finally came a-knocking: water threatening to murder the electronics on my work table, screaming movie in my hand, needle in my foot and beads all over the floor threatening to take me down should I even consider breathing.

Yeah. Attractive.

I think I actually screamed "I'll be right down" toward the front window but I'm not sure they could hear me over Dooley doing his duty of sounding like a rabid pack of wild animals (he is nothing if not defensive).

Luckily the Salvation Army is a patient lot and I got downstairs before they took off. After they left I decided the studio was not a good place to be.

This kind of thing has happened before - not to this extent - when I've not been totally into working on something. I swear the projects have a sixth sense about these kind of things and can't resist taunting me.

I may do battle again tomorrow but I feel properly defeated at the moment and am not feeling any affection at all toward the mess I still have to clean up in the studio. (I gave up after the water was properly contained.)

Tonight I hang out with Dooley dog and watch Project Runway. The trauma that the contestants go through should make me feel better...

100 things to be happy for

I was watching a cable morning show while I drank my morning coffee today. Some obscure thing that I had never heard of before and in all honesty, not something I think I'll watch again. Mostly because it was a real downer. (Ordinarily I watch Fraiser re-runs in the morning. Sounds corny, I know, but starting the day laughing is never a bad thing.)

One of the things this morning show was talking about was a study that was done in which people were asked to list 100 things that made them happy.

Most people couldn't do it.

So I got to thinking about my own corner of the world. You know, I think the thing that a lot of people don't realize is that sometimes its the little bitty things that make you happy. They may seem like meaningless material things but we all keep them around for a reason, right? More often then not, its because they made us smile for a moment. Big things, little things, medium things...they are all important in the grand scheme of life.

So I'm going to make my own list. Want to join me? I bet it won't be as hard as you think it is. Give it a go...


100 things that make me happy

1. Dooley love. (Especially when he brings me fries...)


2. Funny tv shows.

3. Art.

4. My red flannel pajamas with scotties and westies on them.

5. My ipod with the latest Angry Birds update on it.

6. Plushie piggies posed to strike.


7. A beautiful home to live in.

8. My family.

9. Independence.

10. Wool sweaters.

11. The seasons. (Even though I gripe about the death grip cold of winter and the burning ball of fire in the sky during the summer, I'd hate to live anywhere else. Michigan has a nice mix of seasons.)

12. Books, good stories, authors with outstanding imaginations that let me fall into other worlds.

13. Coffee.

14. Coffee. (It bears repeating.)

15. Being able to shake King Kong around without getting clubbed by his giant fist.


16. Chocolate.

17. Peace of mind.

18. My Chevy. (Love me my Chevy.)

19. My red hair.

20. Knowing that when the weather warms up, my father's roses will bloom again.


21. My blog. :)

22. This necklace. And the inspiration it gives me every time I wear it.

23. All of my artistic friends. They inspire and keep me on my toes.

24. Birds on a wire.

25. A brother who is an outstanding photographer.

26. Post-it notes.

27. Fleece blankets.

28. Dyeing fabric.


29. My mac laptop.

30. Orange walls in my bedroom.

31. Being an automotive engineer. Auto is in my blood, several generations and I'm proud of it.

32. Knowing that I am loved.

33. Thermofax screens. (You didn't think I'd leave them out, did you?)


34. The incredible imagination of all the artists I get to work with through my shop.

35. Knowing that I can do anything when I set my mind to it.

36. My creative life. Things would be so dim without it.

37. Napping. :)

38. Knitting.



39. And the wooly monsters who make it possible.


40. Julia Child. The woman really knew how to cook. (And anyone who puts stuff back in the skillet after she's accidentally flung it out while on camera without flinching is a hero in my book.)

41. Never knowing what will come around the next corner.

42. Where I Stand Sundays.

43. Ani Difranco. (Her voice is astounding.)

44. Grapefruit.


45. Chocolate chip cookies. (To balance out the grapefruit.)

46. Scarves. As evidenced by the museum in my room.

47. Journaling.

48. Solitude and quiet, having time to just think and be still.

49. Hand made pottery.

50. The fact that there is always something new to learn.

51. Snow puddles.

52. Perfume oil from the hippy store. (Love the hippy store. Mystic Blend and Vanilla are my favorites.)

53. Clive Owen. (Pretty self explanatory, right?)

54. Turquoise nail polish.

55. The moments I take for myself to meditate each day.

56. My spinning wheel. (Even though it doesn't see as much action as I would like it to.)

57. Living in a small town.

58. Cupcakes.

59. Coffee. (Yeah, I said it again.)

60. Barbara Kingsolver - her novels are heartbreaking and beautiful.

61. Funky yarn holders.



62. Markers for art journals. I have dozens and can't stop buying them. Love love love markers.

63. Beer. (Bass is my favorite.)

64. Friends with pink hair - that is also sometimes blue or purple or magenta.


65. Homemade bread.

66. Dr. Pepper.

67. Craft books, knitting books, sewing books, crochet books - books.

68. Naps in sun puddles.



69. My lime green lunch bag.

70. The fact that my toothache has gone away. :)

71. This quote: Barn's burnt down, now I can see the moon.

72. Peeps. (I believe the only real Peeps are Easter Peeps.)

73. Writing. I love to write. Do it all the time, on the blog, in journals, in notebooks...if its a flat surface and I have a pen, its fair game.

74. Rusty old trucks.


75. Knowing that mistakes are part of living and learning.

76. This blog. It makes me feel like I'm in yoga class but its being taught by a fiber artist. Very soothing and thoughtful.

77. The color orange.

78. Plaid fabric.

79. Knowing that spring is around the corner and soon these will be everywhere.



80. IKEA. :)

81. True Blood. (Eric Northman anyone?)

82. Ornately carved gravestones from the 1800s.



83. Peach scented shampoo.

84. Root beer floats.



85. The design wall in my studio that is constantly changing and updating and transforming itself into new projects.

86. Birdhouses.

87. Bird nests.

88. Day of the dead figures (I expect that's what I will look like by the time I finish my novel.)



89. Shoes with furry linings.

90. Moody skies that look like abstract paintings.


91. Baking.



92. The days when I loose myself in a project, not noticing when the clock winds through the entire day without me noticing.

93. The unexpectedness of it all.

94. Grumpy plushies that double as pincushions.



95. Shadows.



96. Love.

97. The baby who had hiccups when I was waiting in line at the grocery checkout. (She giggled after each one, it was adorable.)

98. Orange cutting boards.



99. Making lists. (Remember, Lists are my superpower.)

100. Goats that smile for the camera.

What makes YOU happy? :)

my secret addiction

I've not been real quiet about how healthy my yarn stash is. While I won't be posting photos of it on the blog anytime soon (that would require me wrangling it all into one spot and that would take more fortitude then I have right now), I'm often asked what I plan to do with all of it.

My normal response is: knit it.

Obvious enough. But what I don't say is that I plan to indulge my biggest secret addiction with all that wooly goodness.

I have one neck, but enough scarves to cover dozens.

I can't help it, I love them. Long and flowy, short and sweet, woven, knit, crocheted, sewn, handmade, store bought - it doesn't matter. I make them, people gift them to me, some have even randomly shown up in the mail from internet buddies. They must all be mine.

I don't know where this obsession came from. But I became accutely aware of it yesterday when I was wandering around a department store with a gift card leftover from the holidays that I was hoping to spend on a new watch. (The watches were disappointing, mostly because I have a small wrist and it seems that the current trend is watch faces that are about two inches in diameter. Seeing as how its almost like strapping a clock to my arm, I decided to pass.)

It didn't take me long to discover that this department store has a large selection of scarves. In fact, they have an entire department dedicated to them. (Can anyone say heaven?) I ended up coming home with these:


You would think that I would be adverse to purchasing commercially knitted scarves since that is my item of choice when I am knitting but you'd be terribly wrong. If I dig it and it doesn't cost a small fortune, it comes home to live in my scarf museum.

I was tidying my room today and noticed that I even seem to decorate with them:


You can't see it that well in the photo above but on the top of the dresser is a large flat bowl and it has two scarves in knitting progress in it. (They're everywhere.)

And if you look inside the drawers? Even more:


Most of them are of the wooly variety. I'm not a huge silk fan although there are one or two in there.

I got to wondering at what point the scarf thing would end. I mean seriously, how many scarves can one person have? Sure, I wear most of them and they are different weights and seeing as I live in Michigan, they are in rotation for the majority of the year.

I came to realize that I like them because they are comforting. Like a hug. I enjoy the time that it takes for me to make them and I enjoy the ones I find in the store because there are combinations there that I wouldn't ever think of.

I guess there are worse things in life to be addicted to...

Anyone need to borrow a scarf?

please visit me at Crescendoh.com

I would agree with that sentiment up above, wouldn't you?

I don't know if you know about it, but the fabulous Jenny Doh has a really groovy inspiration spot called Crescendoh.com. Its an online community of artists and inspiration and general awesomeness.

I've been watching with fascination as she's pulled together many wonderful artists and creative people to talk about the thing that saves us all: art.

I'm extremely humbled and honored to be amongst those that get to participate in her efforts.

This week I'm one of the guest curators there. You can read my Art Saves story, which is something I've never really shared in such detail before. (Jenny has a real knack for making you want to express yourself in a very personal way. Which is totally a good thing.)

Also while I'm there, I'll also be talking about fourteen bloggers that I find especially inspiring. Not only mentioning them but linking to specific blog posts that I think are just the best. (I think you will too. Its hard to not dig them.)

So swing on by. Get comfy, you'll be there a while. :)

where i stand sunday

What was a blank beginning only seven days ago now has a pulse. Color, stitch, texture. Nearly completed. Having this at the forefront of my agenda has been a welcome challenge, something to keep my mind and hands busy as I contemplate the upcoming changes in my life. Nothing ever feels as foreboding when my mind stills with this work.

Where I Stand is an ongoing photo essay examining the different places I spend my life standing. Too often we take for granted the everyday places we spend our lives walking on. The ground we tread on has its own stories to tell.

inquiring minds want to know...

I love Blogger. I really do. But sometimes it battles the snot out of me when I want to do something and I find myself cursing it and giving it dirty looks.

I've been trying to create a poll for a couple of days. Yes, I know I can make a widget for the side bar, but I wanted it to be in a post. Not so easy. There are tons of free survey makers out there on the market but I'd get through creating the little fellow and then find out that it doesn't play well with Blogger.

*sigh*

I didn't find one survey / poll maker that liked me. (I'm kind of starting to take it a little personally.)

Basically I figured that since you are all the definition of super awesomeness, I didn't need no stinking poll. I'd just put the questions in a post and ask you to leave a comment. You will right? Of course you will, I have no doubt.

So here's what's been on my mind. I've had requests for screen printed fabric. Some people have let me know that they dig the thermofax screens but they don't really want to go to the work of making the fabric.



That's cool. I totally understand. (I feel that way a little bit about dyeing. I really have to work up the strength to go through all the work that involves.)

I've been wondering then if its something I should add to the shop. But I'd like to know what you guys think! So please be a dear and leave a comment on this post and let me know your thoughts. You can choose more then one answer to the question.

Thanks!

Would you buy screen printed fabric from the shop?

1) Sure! I'd love fat quarters!

2) You bet'cha! But I'd prefer larger sizes like half a yard.

3) Great idea! I think charm packs would be nifty!

4) Its a nice thought but I'll print my own.

screen printing love: wedding invitation

If you are a married person, you know the cost of a wedding. I'm always in awe of the creativity of people in their quest to stand out and save some bucks.

Coney really hit the mark on both areas.

Check it out:






She screen printed her wedding invitation with a thermofax screen on hankies! I can't even tell you how cool I think this is. Its so unusual and what a great keepsake for all her guests! (She blanked out where the reception is, she doesn't want all of you showing up.)

I've also made screens for people who want to print baby shower invitations on onesies, anniversary party invitations on t-shirts and little girl princess party invitations on tote bags.

I constantly get questions about printing text. How small can you go? What kind of font works best? Will it be clear?

Coney's invitation uses very clear simple fonts, this is key when you are working with small lettering. The invitation portion is somewhere between a 14pt and a 16pt font and the names, while fancier, are easily printed because she bumped the size up.

I think it looks pretty darn spiffy! What do you think?





Screen Printing Love is a series of blog posts featuring thermofax screen printed items with screens purchased through my shop. If you are one of them and would like to show off your creation on the blog, email me photos and an explanation at FibraArtysta@earthlink.net

art & fear - will you read it with me?

There are a lot of books out there on what it means to be an artist. They talk about all the things you can do to be more productive and connect and how to gain inspiration. In all honesty, many of them don't ring my bell. Not because they are bad books, they simply don't suit my taste.

But have you read this one?


Its one of my favorites. Not because it tells you some almighty secret on how to be a better artist and make millions, but it talks about the things that run through your head when you are sitting in the studio wondering where to start or if you should keep going.

Here's what the summary on the back says:

What is your art really about?

Where is it going?

What stands in the way of getting there?


These are questions that matter, questions that recur at each stage of artistic development - and they are the source for this volume of wonderfully indecisive commentary.

Its been a while since I've read through Art & Fear. In fact, I forgot I owned the book. I came across it when I was digging through my bookshelf looking for something else. I picked it up and read a few pages and realized something - it means something different to me now then when I read it the first time.

Probably because I'm different. I've accomplished more, grown into the title of artist in a more comfortable stance, learned to accept this side of myself that felt sort of foreign when it first showed up.

I'm going to read through it again and I thought perhaps you would like to join me. Would you like to join me? Its a very easy read, has short chapters and is an inexpensive book. You can order it here.

So on the first of every month (beginning March 1 with chapter 1), I'll do a post about my own personal thoughts on a chapter. I'd love it if you'd leave comments or post on your own blog what you thought.

This is just the sort of ongoing discussion that I'd love to have running through the blog. So that's what we're going to do. Grab your book, give the first chapter a solid read and we'll talk about it on March 1.

where i stand sunday

The studio has been humming at full tilt for nearly three weeks now. Another beginning is waiting, varied, staggeringly barren. I stare down at the pieces and wonder at how they will fill themselves with color and pattern and stitch. Its always this way at the beginning, a small feeling of disbelief, an edge of uncertainty that settles just out of reach.

Where I Stand is an ongoing photo essay examining the different places I spend my life standing. Too often we take for granted the everyday places we spend our lives walking on. The ground we tread on has its own stories to tell.

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{untitled} is a weekly blog post series featuring photos only that I find inspirational - I hope you do too...

is your work original?

I'm a big fan of Alyson Stanfield. The woman knows her stuff inside and out and there's no sugar coating on it. I appreciate good clean honesty, especially in the art world.

She posted this question on her blog today: Is there such a thing as originality?

I've found this to be a fairly touchy subject. Almost up there with "What is art?" Now there's a topic that will go in circles for centuries.

But we're not going there. We're scrutinizing originality today.

There isn't much in this world that we don't learn by mimicking someone else. Some things we learn, mostly the mundane ones, we never try to change from the way we were taught. Let's be honest, my mom taught me to brush my teeth up and down and I'm not likely to ever do it different.

But when it comes to art, I think there needs to be some thoughtful consideration when it comes to how much of someone else's style is present in a piece. I've been pretty touchy about my own work, I avoid classes that involve projects. I'm a technique only gal and even at that, I'm insanely selective. I've only taken four classes in my art life, most everything else I've learned has been through torturing my studio with experiment after experiment.

We've all seen the clones of other artist's work who are on the teaching circuit. It happens, its inevitable. And I've got nothing impolite to say to these students. Why? Because I understand the need to want to just make something. Its why I knit. I grab the yarn and the needles and the pattern and just work. I love knitting because I don't design any of the patterns or think up new things. I just go. So I totally understand the appeal.

But think about the flip side of this. What would happen if you took what you learned in that class and turned it upside down and stretched it until it begged for mercy?

That's what I think of when people talk about originality. Its something that I think I owe to myself - the work of finding that place where the process and the work feels like me.

I believe its still out there. But I believe its a process. It begins in a familiar place and then just flings itself in its own direction.

What do you think? Do you think originality is still alive and well?

embracing change

The key to change...is to let go of fear.
- Rosanne Cash

That's one of my favorite quotes of all time. Probably because its one of the most honest things I've ever read.

Its something I'm trying to embrace right now because I'm at that point again: change. Really, if you think about it, it shouldn't be that difficult of a thing to deal with. We're faced with it constantly. I don't know too many people that can say they set about life one way and never had to change. Anything. Ever.

Just doesn't happen.

I didn't make it public knowledge, mostly because I didn't feel it was needed, but I've been on a break from work for quite some time now. And now its time to get back into the game.

Which means trying to balance out art and a full time job again.

I've been here before. Most of my life actually. I mean, who hasn't? I'm not the only one who has several balls in the air. Life is a juggling act, that's just the way it is.

I've really enjoyed my time, being a full time artist. But I think that this is not the point in my life for that right now. I need to do both. Luckily I'm stubborn enough of a woman that I won't let things go so the art is here to stay. As are my goals for this year.

I expect that they will change and stretch with me as I move through the year. More then I expected when I initially wrote them but you know what? I'm okay with that. I firmly believe that everything in this life happens for a reason so this change is where I'm supposed to be right now.

I'm looking forward to talking about this with you, actually. I don't think that having a full schedule (no matter how bursting at the seams it may be) means eliminating creativity and art. There is always space for it, no matter how quickly time flies by.

It doesn't have to come in huge bursts or grand gestures. Small and steady. Things get done and your creative soul continues to build.

So I'm hoping you'll take this journey with me. I'm expecting it to be a long one but most certainly an interesting one.

in love with an image

1. birds on a wire, 2. Birds on a wire #1, 3. Birds on wires, 4. bird on a wire, 5. Birds on Wires, 6. Birds on Wires 4, 7. Birds on a Wire, 8. Birds on a Wire Redux, 9. Birds on Wires 6, 10. birds on a wire, 11. birds on a wire 2, 12. birds on a wire , 13. Birds on a wire, 14. Birds on a wire, 15. birds on a wire - IMG_8214_web part2, 16. 4 birds on a wire, 17. Birds on Wires, 18. birds on the wire, 19. Birds On Wire, 20. Birds, On a Wire, 21. bird on a wire., 22. bird on a wire, 23. Birds On The Wire, 24. Project 365: Day 295 "Birds on a Wire", 25. 365:325 - Birds on a Wire, 26. birds on a wire., 27. Birds on a Wire, 28. birds on two wires, 29. birds on a wire 2, 30. Birds and Wires, 31. birds on wire, 32. Birds on a wire, 33. birds on a wire., 34. Birds on the Wires on Vimeo by Jarbas Agnelli, 35. Birds on a Wire - Dark Clouds Blue, 36. birds on a wire

I simply can't get enough of this image - birds on a wire.

Its haunting and romantic all at the same time. To be totally honest, its the kind of image that puts me on edge. There's nothing soft about it, its dangerous and feels lonely.

And that's part of what brings me back to it time and again.

While I was searching for pictures to use in the mosaic, I found it fascinating that so many photographers chose to make their photos black and white. When I came across ones that were in color, I understood why.

Color doesn't seem right somehow. It seems like it should be a shadow image...black, white, grey.

These small creatures, high on the wires. To look at them bunched together feels personal, like I'm peeking in on someone's private time when really I should be minding my own business.

I doubt I'll ever tire of looking at them. Its an addiction.

What image do you have to look at time again? What moves you to fascination?

the winners - which one are YOU? screen giveaway

There were tons of great comments on the giveaway post for the screens! :) You're a creative lot, for sure. Makes me all happy to know that so many cool people are kicking around.

I also realized that while getting a free screen is awesome, its not much fun if you don't have a bottle of paint to go along with it. So the winners will also get a free bottle of paint. You choose the color, browse the color selection here.

Luckily the winners were determined randomly (I'm no good at playing favorites) so without further ado, here they are!

Fearless Warrior
Karen Newman Fridy


Outrageous Artist
Colleen Kole


Hopeless Romantic
Kim Young


Restless Warrior
Kathi

Congrats to all you fabulous ladies! Email me your mailing address and paint color choice at FibraArtysta@earthlink.net and we'll get your goodies zipping through the mail system.

new shipping schedule for etsy shop

Well gang, as it is the nature of life, major changes are on the horizon.

My schedule is about to get a lot weirder and less flexible so I'm tidying up house to get things in order. One of the things that I really want to make sure is kept running smoothly is my etsy shop.

I dig all of you and thank you for the chance to get to work with you as you make art - and I don't want it to stop!

As I said in a previous post, I've recruited a helper to fill and ship orders. She's brilliant, does a great job. I'm still your contact for all the details of your order but we wanted to work out something that fit both of our lives. So here's what we came up with:

Orders placed by Wednesday will be filled on Friday
and shipped on Saturday.

Its really not that different then my old turn around time. Its longer by a couple of days and things are going to hum along happily. You can help us get your order to you quicker if you know what sizes you want things to be, etc. If I have to work out details of your order with you (which is absolutely no problem at all!) and it zips on by Wednesday, then your order will be held until the following Friday to fill.




I'm not trying to trip people up, just want to let you know where things stand so we are all happy and there are no major surprises!

And don't forget, you can still save 11% off everything in the shop until January 31, 2011. Just enter coupon code SCREENPRINT2011 at checkout and you'll save some dough - and make art - and just be happy all around. :)

Keep on printing! :)

where i stand sunday

The cold is settling in my bones. I find myself wondering if it will ever shake loose. Its impossible to be outside without feeling badgered, small. Every winter feels like the worst I've known, endless, unwanted by the time it has run its course. I find myself looking at the calendar more often, waiting for the days to peel back into milder weather.

Where I Stand is an ongoing photo essay examining the different places I spend my life standing. Too often we take for granted the everyday places we spend our lives walking on. The ground we tread on has its own stories to tell.

quilting arts - thermofax article part 2!

This came in the mail yesterday:


Its the latest issue of Quilting Arts magazine. I'm always happy to see it. It means I get to take some time and read about fellow surface design and art quilt addicts. (Its always nice to have company, ya know?)

But what made me especially giddy for this issue is this:


That's the second installment of my articles about thermofax screen printing. As always, its thrilling to see what a fantabulous job they do laying everything out and making it look its best.

This article is five pages long and focuses on multiple color printing with thermofax screens.

You know what this means, right?

My evil plan is working - soon everyone will be printing with thermofax screens and we can take over the world! Muahahahahahahah!

Or at least have a really good time flinging paint at each other. ;-)

Check the article out, I'd love to know what you think of it. And spend some time with the rest of the magazine, its really outstanding!

can i offer you some random?

I've got a couple of blog posts started and I'll eventually hit the "publish" button but right now they are like half baked pizza - sort of nice to look at but you wouldn't want to eat it.

So in an effort to keep the blog from looking like an unattended hostess stand at a restaurant, I've got random for you.

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Safety pins are only safe if you use them for what they are intended for. Trying to poke more holes in the water spray bottle I just bought so it actually sprays rather then shooting out a single stream of H2O is not recommended. Trust me.

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Its been doing a lot of this lately:


Its like living in marshmallow land. Only not as fluffy. And decidedly less fun. I consider myself fortunate because I do not have to do this when nature calls:


I'm lucky that little man is good natured and actually enjoys the cold snowy weather. In fact, he dawdles so long when he is outside and tromps through the snow like its the best thing he's ever seen that I sometimes wonder about his common sense. Still, at least I don't have to argue with him about going out in bad weather. (Isn't he short??)

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Leann made me some more stationary. She gifted me some and I used it up quick and placed an order for more. Here's one she just made for my set:


(I swiped the photo from her blog.) Go see the rest of them if you're interested. Isn't she just the grooviest paper artist on the planet?

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I have to admit that I'm still working on taking down the Christmas decorations. Its a bit slow going this year. But I thought you might get a kick out of this one:


That's one of the few photos of me and my brother as kids visiting Santa in which I am not shrieking in horror and total hysterics.

No wonder my mom framed it.

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Have I ever mentioned that I loooooovvvveee thermofax screen printing?

*sigh* I do. I can't help it...its become like my coffee, if I don't do it everyday I feel a little woozy and not right.

Don't forget, you can still get 11% off in the shop until Jan 31. Just enter coupon code SCREENPRINT2011 at check out and you save some bucks. And get cool screen printing stuff. Sent right to your house.

Its magic.


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This is what little man really enjoys doing best out of everything else on his little westie agenda:


He's one smart cookie.


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I'm going clothes shopping tomorrow. I can't express the dread this fills me with. I'm a simple dresser and I just know I'm going to be confronted with rhinestones and springy colors (spring is good, pastel clothing makes me twitch). If you hear sobbing coming from the general direction of Michigan tomorrow, don't be alarmed. It just means I had to go to more then one store.


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I've decided that its time to get a helper with the etsy store. Its not that I'm so big and important and special that I can't do it all myself. Its more along the lines of I've got big huge projects that are sucking up my time so having someone to fill orders for me is a gigantic relief.

No worries, you'll still get me for sorting out orders. All emails will go to me and we'll chat things out and make sure you are happy with sizes and order details. I'm just going to have someone helping me run the screens through the machines and packing them up.

Wasn't easy to make that decision, let me tell you. The Virgo in me is a picky little wench and doesn't like to give up much control but I have absolute confidence in this lovely lady so all will be well. I'm sure of it.


With that, the westie has just rolled over onto his side and draped himself across my legs. That is his sign that it is time for sleeping and you know what? He's right. I'm going to join him.