funkified

To be totally honest, I'm ridiculously glad it's Friday.

It's been a long week. The babies have been very very busy. Rearranging. Destroying. General mayhem.

I haven't been as dedicated as I usually am to exercising every day. I've been weak on my healthy eating plan.

I have struggled to come up with creative ideas.

I feel funkish and out of sorts. So Friday is a good place to be.

And I'm headed off to a three day course to certify as a precious metal clay instructor.  I'm excited to play with silver again for a few days. Hopefully it will be just what I need to jump start my right brain again.

Have you ever played with PMC? It's a lot of fun. Maybe I'll add a PMC class to Prospector Workshops next time around.

Speaking of the workshops, we  are only a month away! Get registered. Don't wait.

cartolina and me

I've been waiting for sooooo long to finally shout this out to the world and today is the day!

I have been working with Fiona Richards of Cartolina Cards on the latest release of cards. Fiona is a delight to work with, and I feel very fortunate to call her my friend. She continues to teach me about industry, art and design. I look forward to making more art to be used on Cartolina cards.

In case you don't already have them, you must download both of the Cartolina iPhone apps.

I use Cartolina Postale all the time to send friends and family love notes. It's so easy to just do it from your phone while you are thinking about it.

Here is a look at the full collection, with the cards I contributed artwork to, and the ones Fiona created on her own. I love the colors and richness of the entire collection together.

You can purchase Cartolina cards in various shops all over the World or online, here and here.

Cartolina cards are eco-friendly!

the workshops: screen printing

Register for classes today.

Okay! So! Screen printing! Oh my yes. It's so much fun and satisfying. Once you learn the basic concepts, you can create all sorts of custom projects.

Jennifer Dreshler-Vu will be teaching this class. I met Jennifer when she moved to Carlsbad. She is an over-all very creative, artsy girl, but she is a master at design. Her aesthetic is very clean and graphic. Her work always reminds me that less is more.

Students are asked to bring a couple items to screen print. This can be a t-shirt, tea towel, apron, pillow sham, or just a piece of fabric. Smooth, natural fibers work best.  Jennifer will also have some blank items with her students can purchase.

Don't forget your aprons! We are going to be getting messy.

You can see some of Jennifer's items for sale here.

bombdiggity

A word about collaboration if you will?

Lewis and Clark. Astaire and Rodgers. Hillary and Norgay. Rodgers and Hammerstein.

Yes. Indeed.

As an artist, I have a tendency to stow away in my studio and work on projects away from prying eyes. I like the idea that it's all me. Nobody else can take credit or claim ownership in what I am doing.

But this week I have been collaborating, and quite frankly, I have been reminded how important it is to work with other people.

My dad likes to say that we are all sent to Earth as rough stones. Life is like a giant rock tumbler. We need to bump into each other to become shiny and beautiful.

I have a few friends that I really love to get together with and talk shop because I always come away inspired. Sometimes all you need to take a good project to great is a second pair of eyes.  Suggestions don't make your work any less your own. They are simply suggestions. And more often than not, you will see your work in a new light and make some changes.

So here's your assignment: (If I might be so bold as to dole out assignments to people I don't even know.)

Stop, collaborate and listen. (Sorry that was rather geeky of me, but you get the idea.)

Find a friend. Talk shop. Start a creative project.

Are two brains better than one? Yes. Unless you are married to the other brain. Then you might want to shy away from doing projects together. Speaking from experience, it could get sketchy.

Projects aside, the Sugar Daddy and I are The Bombdiggity.

a handmade life

I believe in handmade. I believe that using your creativity to enrich the life around you can make you a happier person.  I believe that every person has the ability to hand make something. I believe that more people should buy handmade items even though they cost more.

Once you go handmade, it's awfully hard to go back to "made in China".  

Now. I can't cook a moist roast to save my life.  I guess I could, if I took the time to learn. But the interest isn't really there. And the Sugar Daddy is a great cooker of all things meat.

And I can't take a piece of wood and shape a surf board or build a book case. I could try, but, you know, again, the interest isn't there.

But I can draw. And I can embroider. And I can sew. (Assuming it is strait lines and I don't have to follow a pattern.)

So when the time came to sew pillows for my living room sofa, I knew I wanted to make them myself. And when I saw the price tags on the pillows I liked in home design shops, I really knew I wanted to do it myself. 

I've made seven pillows. It wasn't easy. I was actually sweating, actual sweat, sewing these pillows. I am working on the last one which I am embroidering. I am using all my handmade talents to make this pillow. I drew the monogram and the floral embellishments. I transferred my pattern onto my pillow fabric and I have begun to embroider it. When I'm done, I will sew it to the backing and put it on my couch and enjoy it for years.  It's just a pillow. But not really. It's much more.

Everybody can make something with their hands. Everybody can make something. And using your hands to create will help you find out who you really are and what you really love.

I promise.

Try it.

And then come tell my what you made.

different

I've always had this deep seated need to do different. Not to be different.  No, no. I don't want people staring at me or making comments. Not that I don't like different. I love different people. I seek them out as friends. I get happy and bubbly when I see someone who's down with their "differentness".  

And I wonder why. Why am I so afraid of people staring?  So what? Who cares?

I do.

Then again, I can't think in what way I would choose to be different.  I don't want a full body tattoo. As a general rule I don't like couture clothing.  I feel ridiculous in loud colors. I like to bathe everyday and do my average head of hair and put on muted colors of make-up and modest clothing.  In Lady Ga Ga's words, "I was born that way baby."

Now doing is another story.  I never want to be doing what everyone else is doing.  I won't read a book if everybody is reading it. Or watch a popular television program. I don't like super trendy clothing or jewelry.  I can't stand most pop culture.  

I am continually stretching my mind to come up with something new. Different. 

Something to call my own.

I marvel at people that can build their own new style through their art.  I've been hacking away at it for some time now.  And so far I've only created a few things that I think are genuine April.  

I guess if art were easy, everyone would be doing it. 

And then I wouldn't want to do it anymore.

scheming

I love color. To be more specific, I love color combinations. I love how they can affect emotion and inspire creativity.  I have been "pinning" different color combos on my Pintrest board and I thought I would come up with a few combos of my own.  The first three photos are ones I had saved on my computer. I don't know where I got them. If you do, please leave a comment.  The last three photos are my own.

enjoy the process

Sometimes I make something or draw something and I stand back and think- that looks like complete amateur crap.  

Now that I think about it, I do this quite often.

But every now and again, I stand back and think- damn you're good.

I used to get bogged down by all the ugliness I produced. Depressed really. And frustrated.

But I had a life changing moment some years ago.

I took a weekend art course from Anahata Katkin.  When the class ended we were just hanging out and I was basking in her glow.  She's so radiant, I swear the girl actually glows.  Anyway, we were just shooting the bull and she was talking about how she paints all the time. And I asked her what she did with all her paintings and she said that most of them where just in stacks in her studio.  I just couldn't believe this because surely she could sell them no problem. Why let them just sit there?

And then she told me something I'll never forget.  She said that for her, painting is like taking photographs.  You don't show up at a shoot expecting to take just one photo.  You take a whole bunch and pick the best one.  She said she paints a whole bunch of pictures she doesn't like until she paints one she does.

This was big for me.  This made all my creative mistakes and bad decisions okay.  It made them part of the process.

My good friend Rhonna Farrer has made "Enjoy the Process" her personal mantra. Enjoy all the ugly messes I make?  Okay. I will give it a go.

hellocherie

I find that I am much more productive when I don't start each project as if it is my last.

I have found creative freedom in all my mess.

FYI- the photo at the top of the post was the best of ten.

Buying the vintage aqua squirrel vase was a decision I made right the first time.

here's a hint

Yeah, I have a few projects goin'.  Tis true.  Always with the projects, this one.

People ask me all the time, (seriously like all the time, it gets a little old) they ask me how I do so much.  Other people, mostly women, seem to think I do a lot more than the average mom.

I say emphatically for the billionth time- tis'nt true!!!

Here's a little hint. A, dare I say, lifestyle hint? Yes, I think it is. Quite.

The hint is simple. Just start.

So you have a project you really want to do.  You've been thinking about it for ages. You are waiting for the time to do it.  

News flash: there will never be time to do it.

So start already.

Sign up for those lessons, put pen to paper, go get the supplies you need.  You owe it to yourself to do something with all your cool ideas. And I think you will find that what you want to do isn't as hard or as frustrating as you thought it would be once you break it down into steps.

Except exercise. That will be exactly as hard and frustrating as you think it will be. Quite.

pinch me baby

I just keep thinking that the economy is going to turn around and then another friend calls to tell me their house in is foreclosure.

It's down right depressing.  It's like before you learn to swim as a kid and you tip toe along the bottom of the pool with your head cocked back keeping your chin above water. When will America swim again?

But I have found a silver lining in all this.

I have these friends. Two great guys that I know through.... oh okay, it's the Brothers Record.  Every time my phone rings and I see on the caller ID that it is one of them I know exactly how the conversation will begin.

Me: Well hello, hello!

Adam/Shawn: Hi!

Me: So how gos it?

Adam/Shawn: Great. I'm great. How are you?

Me: You know. Crazy.

Adam/Shawn: Yeahhhh (awkward pause).  So I have something to run past you.

Me: Hit me with it.

Adam/Shawn: Well I have this idea...

Eighty-nine percent of the time they call this is how it goes.  Because, quite frankly, they always have an idea.  They are idea guys.  They have amazing, terrific ideas. They have more ideas for new ventures than they will ever have time to execute.  But, they dream a lot and talk more.

And I love them for this.

I love that during this time that I've deemed "The Big Pinch",  people are becoming more innovative.  I am surrounded by friends starting up new companies.  Etsy is what it is today because people are being forced to put their talent and hands to good use.

I love it. I love the creativity that is in the air. I love the ingenuity. I love that people are reaching out to others for help.  Ideas are being bounced around like hot potatoes.  It feels a little magical to me.

"The Big Pinch" has sucked big time, this is true, but what an amazing thing to live through! Sometimes I feel overwhelmed by all the projects I am working on but, by damn, I refuse to miss the chance to jump on this wild ride and see where it takes me.  I've got big dreams. Do you?

There is a tide in the affairs of men

Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune;

Omitted, all the voyage of their life

Is bound in shallows and in miseries.

On such a full sea are now afloat;

And we must take the current when it serves,

Or lose the ventures before us

 - William Shakespeare

buoy that's a cute coat

I want to share another super cute pattern from Anna Marie Horner's book Handmade Beginnings.  I picked out the fabric and my super sewer mother-in-law put them together.

They are so incredibly cute that I wish there was a pattern for Thom's size. But I doubt he would wear it. He's getting pretty picky these days about what's cool and what's not.  I'm not too pleased about this new development.

Wondering what the kids are holding? Lobster buoys.  My in-laws took a trip to Maine and they came home inspired to have the grandkids paint their own buoys. My father-in-law carved each child their own. I must confess. I had to paint one too. They are so much fun. We hang them on our fence.

It was damn near impossible to get the kids to stay still for photos yesterday.  I started sweating and the photo session had to end.

This photo wasn't taken on a nature hike. It's in my backyard. Things are a bit on the wild side right now.  Believe me, it's the least of my worries.

Thanks Mom for making these super cute and special coats. And for coming up with fun projects to do with the kids like paint buoys.  I love that my kids are growing up surrounded by art and creativity.  They will become crazy art people just like us.

Maine Lobster Buoys by Bill Revill

greetings from my universe

The concert and benefit dinner has taken on a life all it's own. Dare I say it's coming together "organically"?  Oh I'm so clever. The theme is woodland.

Anyway, things are really underway.  My dining room table is command central. Sugar Daddy is a dear sweet man for putting up with all my mess, amongst other reasons.  He just shakes his head and says, "Where do you come up with this stuff?"  I think I really baffle him sometimes. Oh well, that adds to the spice of our life wouldn't you say?

I could try to explain to him just how my mind grasps onto ideas and turns them into something similar or not similar at all.  I could try to describe my creative process, but I fear it would be for naught.  He lives in an entirely different universe with depositions and briefs and evidence.  We both spend a lot of time with paper. The difference is I cut the paper up into to bits and rearrange it.

But here's my best go. This is how I create:

I start with gathering inspiration:

In this case I created a virtual style board from photos I found on the web, some of my own and some sent from friends.



Then I stew and brood until some ideas creep into the corners of my mind.

Then I begin. Usually with paper, fabric, metal, clay or paint.  And I see where it takes me.

Dearest Sugar Daddy,

I fear you will never understand me or the things I do. I know you think me compulsive and at times, harried and driven to distraction, and in this you are correct. But I know you love me the way I am. I'm so glad the edges of our universes touch to create this wonderful, crazy family of ours.

P.S. Did I mention Mindy Gledhill is coming? Have I mentioned that? She is. Mindy is coming to sing in my backyard. She's coming. I can't believe it.

je t' aime

Yesterday was delightful. I had help during the morning hours and I was able to work in my studio and I was feeling very creative and productive.  Usually those two things don't go together for me.  When I feel really creative I usually find it hard to focus on one thing and see it to the end.

Yesterday I finished up a couple project proposals for classes I would like to teach. I also designed a whole new "item" for my winter jewelry line that I can't wait to debut.  I also sketched out this ship and put it on a canvas.  Not to toot my own horn, but I'm love, love. loving my lacy sea.

It's ten inches square and available for purchase here .

idea

1. Good Morning Friday, 2. close up doodles, 3. no. 6, 4. red stitches, 5. aqua pincushion | detail, 6. Cute Cupcake, 7. penelope waits bunting 3, 8. Gardenia/ Indigo Dyed, 9. teapot close-up, 10. Russian doll, 11. a quarter purse for Olivia, 12. Les Coquelicots Peu Sous Le Nuage Gris 03

I have a little idea rattling around in my brain. It's been brewing, cooking and bubbling, percolating to the surface for some time now.  It involves embroidery and my own little illustrations. 


Stay tuned.

envy

I'm not a butterfly girl per say. I'm not a heart girl either. You can keep your sweet little hearts thank you very much. I won't be needing them on my clothing or anywhere in my house.

But lately, well lately, I've been a little fascinated (is that the right word?) by these winged creatures. They keep popping up in everything I create. I think it might boil down to envy.

Just watch a butterfly as it flits about your garden. They are so carefree, light and graceful.

For a girl with her feet firmly on the ground (surrounded by laundry) it seems impossible to ever be so blithe.

So I will continue to create my little butterflies and maybe if I work hard enough and long enough, someday I will be an old grandma on a porch and when a butterfly flutters by I will be able to say that I am as carefree as he.

the cup is half full

Finding inspiration in these gray May days.

Please click photo for credits.

triboluminescence

still life by secondsister

triboluminescence: (¦trī·bō·ə′lü·mə′nes·əns) n. 1. luminescence due to friction

Sometimes you need a little friction in your life to bring to light just how wonderful it all is.

Honestly, I thought I'd be more exhausted. I really believed that my creative juices would dwindle with all the extra work and sleeplessness.

Curiously, I feel lit up. I have a million ideas floating around in my brain. I'm having more problems sleeping because of brain buzzing than baby fussing.

I have a new little project I'm working on with some good friends. I'm excited to tell you all about it in a few weeks.

Plans are underway for this year's Spark Event. It's going to be Sept. 10th through the 11th. Mark your calendars now. Margie, Rhonna and Liz are cooking up some amazing surprises for this year.

I've ventured back into my studio and started coming up with new jewelry design ideas.

I'm back baby!

Sure I'm busy, but I'm buzzin'.

And the future looks brighter than ever.

a little spark of creativity

Okay guys, here's the deets.

I know some of you are wondering what this Spark thing is that I have been talking about. Go here and all will come to light.

The inspiration behind Spark is this talk by Dieter F. Uchtdorf which I think every women should watch.

Photo credit: Jefra Linn

I'll be demonstrating stamp carving and teaching a jewelry making class. The other classes are going to be equally as great. The four ladies behind the event are amazing. I'm totally stoked to be working with such great women!

I created a stamp just for the Spark event.

I want you to come! There is a limited number of spots available so get your trip planned and get your Spark on!

while she sleeps

I am delighted to discover that because my daughter is such a mellow happy baby, I have plenty of time to continue crafting! I know that in a month or so she will be more alert and probably require more attention, but for now, she gives me time to create.

I carved a stamp with her initials to make some thank you cards. The gifts are rolling in and I want to stay on top of getting the cards out.

Because she is my little birdie, I carved a little bird in flight for the inside of the card. Then, of course, I busted out the glitter. That's all part of the fun of having a little girl. Glitter!

Today I need to get out to my work bench and make her a bracelet. Can you believe I didn't already have one made? I can't. Anyway, I need to get some jewelry on my girl asap.

oh the wheels in her head went round and round

Sugar Daddy is out of town on business. He went to take the deposition of a dying woman. It's all very dramatic and makes for a very saucy story if you are into that kind of thing.

When Ben is gone, I like to create. Art, jewelry, sewing, you name it. I get the bug. However, since he's been gone, I haven't done a single thing. I started to embroider a onesie for a baby shower I am going to on Saturday (heaven help me), but I abandoned that project. I pulled out my fabric stash and looked at it for a really long time before putting it back in the closet. I even did about twelve stitches on a blanket I'm crocheting. Nothing was doing it for me. The nervous energy was killing me.

So I spent some time just looking. This is what I found:

Sometimes, just looking is enough.

Sometimes it calms me down.

But not last night.

I felt even more creative angst than before.

So I bathed the boy in almond and cherry blossom bubble bath. I can get away with stuff like that when his dad is gone. I made a frozen pizza for dinner and we sat on the couch while the boy watched cartoons. He started to nod off so I cuddled him close and smelled his flowery skin and all the nervous energy melted away. Just. Like. That.