Somerset Memories

Do check  out the new Somerset Memories.  Several members of the "Remains of the Day" scrappy fabric class taught online by Mary Ann Moss are featured in an article.  I am thrilled.  Heather Simpson-Bluhm gathered all the journals and submitted our work to Stampington.  Thank you, Mary Ann, for such a great class and thank you, Heather, for all the energy and work in submitting the journals. 

Max's Journal

I added some more pages to Max's journal after a wonderful week visiting that very cute grandbaby.  He sure has grown a lot in just 4 weeks.

Back Home

I spent a wonderful month with my new grandson, Max, and his mom and dad.  Now I'm back home trying to get back into my "artsy" self. 

I didn't journal in the new scrappy journal I made in December until I got home.  I spent a few days fiddling around with it: journaling, selecting photos, reminiscing those lovely times of holding that baby and gazing into his beautiful face.  Here are some pages.

I'll be adding to the journal as the little fella grows.  I have plans to make a baby quilted portrait after I finish up this year's valentines.  I rather excited to get started!

Merry Christmas

I'm heading up to Kentucky for the pending arrival of my first grandchild.  I am ever so excited.  I haven't been doing much "art" per say.  I've made a few baby things:  crochet hats, fabric balls and blankets.  I English paper pieced small hexagons for an "I spy" quilt ages ago for a little one (when I was dreaming of grandchildren).
 
I did create a scrappy fabric journal like the one Mary Ann Moss teaches at http://dispatchfromla.typepad.com/ (She's having a December discount for the class).

This journal is "Baby boy" themed.  Imagine that.  I plan to document the fella's arrival and first days with his mommy, daddy, granny and gramps.  Maybe someday the fella will enjoy looking at it with me.  I know I'll enjoy writing my thoughts, adding pictures, etc.

Have a very Merry Christmas and a healthy and happy New Year!

Leaf Printing

"Maple Monotypes" is completed. The top was constructed awhile ago and has been gracing my design wall. I extensively machine quilted it. I just love the maple leaves which I collected at my sister's house in California years ago. Dried leaves can be used over and over again, but there is a limit. I'll have to get more on my next visit.

I've been busy getting my instructor write up for this year's Nature Printing Society's Workshop in Oregon for this September. I'm giving a basic leaf printing on fabric day long class. I designed a nature journal as one of the projects I'll be offering. The journal covers will be sewn before hand, the printers will do their magical printing. For the inside papers, the printers will partially clean their brayers and sponges after printing their leaves. The journals are constructed quite simply using a hole punch, twig, rubber band or string. I did enjoy the trial and error process that I had to go through. I am happy with the product: something beautiful and simply to construct.

More Shabby, Scrappy Journals

I just love making these shabby, scrappy journals. I love using up my scraps of fabric for the covers and added elements to the inside papers. I painted most of the paper, using the paint that was left on the brayers and brushes after painting fabrics. And of course, I'm using up papers in my ever abundant pile of stuff. I received many nice compliments from my visitors to my booth in Orlando. Even sold one!!!! The journals are just fun to hold and leaf through. I'm been journaling in my first journal and that's fun as well. I can't thank Mary Ann Moss at www.dispatchfromla.typepad.com for a wonderful class - Remains of the Day. Plus, she's given her students permission to sell their creations.