Needle and Brush

I have found myself busy for the past few weeks so figured it was about time that I post what I have been doing. During Columbus Day weekend we took a trip to to CT. I met up with a few friends and we all attended a mixed media retreat. Time was short so consequently I didn't get my project finished until I got home, This is my finished painting from a Pam Grose class entitled, "Portraits in a Landscape". We all went away with such uniquely different paintings. Some had all different shapes and sizes of eyes, nose and lips as well as having all different color backgrounds. It was a great class. If anyone is interested in next year's retreat classes, click "HERE".for the Art Is You east coast Mixed media retreat held in Connecticut.


This is Deb posing with her faerie. She chose to use smaller and lavender eyes. Her head is more rounded while mine very wide. I can hardly wait to see how she finished her painting!

This was done by another girl who used some uniquely different hair.







Mine wasn't finished either when I left class. My husband was out in the parking lot of the hotel talking to another girl who had been taking another class. She asked me what class I took and being very serious, I told her that I was doing a portrait painting of my husband. When I revealed my bald faerie, they both laughed since he can relate. lol





We had a very enjoyable time even though it wasn't very long, but I wished I had taken far more pictures. At least at the Art retreat, but guess I was too busy with class. I didn't really get any outdoor photos since the weather was pretty gloomy and rained off and on. We did spend just a little time on the beach picking up sea shells and we spent Monday night with another couple before we headed back. Perhaps a good thing as the weather turned really nasty the day after we left.



I had finished painting my faerie and while I was still in the painting mood, I was also inspired to paint some small atc's for a Harvest theme for an art trading group online. I chose to do pumpkins as we also had the Circleville Pumpkin Show going on this weekend.



I also did some apple ones inspired by the Coshocton Applebutter Festival.


I made a total of 6 trades.

This weekend I got to meet another friend on line. Her name is Suzan. She came over to rent out my longarm machine. She is such a fabulous dyer! I wish you really could see more of this up close and personal! It is so awesome! Not only is she a great dyer, she also makes fabulous herb cheese bread!



I made cabbage and smoked sausage soup and it was perfect for a rainy day.


CABBAGE AND SMOKED SAUSAGE SOUP

1 small head of cabbage shredded
1 medium onion chopped
3 cans of fat free chicken broth
1 can of water
3-4 chicken flavored OXO cubes
1 package of Eckerich Smoked Sausage sliced

Combine in a sauce pan and cook until cabbage is tender. If you wish, you could add diced potatoes and carrots to make it more hardy.

(NOTE: This is my favorite soup mug which I got back in the 70's. I really would like to find more like this one if anyone knows where I can get more. It can be other colors, but I love this green one the best!)

Speaking of eating, We also had a couple of dinner guests that showed up.




I've named this one Honey.




This one I have dubbed Flea Biscuit!

Such cute kitties. The littlest one belongs to my neighbor, but she must not be a very good cook as she is always over at my house. lol Of course it would help if I would turn off that Cat Diner and vacancy neon sign at my back door!!! There's 6 more out there on a waiting list!!!

Trade Secrets

This week has been one very busy one with getting quilts and trades done. I worked on 22 ATC's for a mass trade coming up on Sat. at Art-Is-You.
A mixed media retreat. I also have several bracelets made up and some other items I made earlier, so have about 50 all total.
I also made some in the form of tags to trade


In Addition to this, I also had some trades on the homefront. I had been working on an Alice in Wonderland trade group and made tags for the Knave of Hearts. I can hardly wait to see what I get back!



I love how sparkly they are even though the photo doesn't do it justice. Not shown is the back where I have the poem about the Knave of Hearts.



I also spent the earlier part of the week quilting a quilt that a bunch of us gals in a group did for a friend who was diagnosed with breast cancer. This is my block contribution.


This is the quilt I couldn't tell you about this past week until I sent it since it was to be a surprise. Needless to say she was!
All of the blocks were done by our online art group and it was amazing seeing our personalities showing through. You can see close ups of the rest of the blocks and quilt HERE. In addition to making her block, I machine quilted her quilt and I also had made her a doll that you can see more views in the album as well.



While I know she has a rough road ahead, It's a great comfort to her that she has so many of us that can reach out and help with the healing!

We Love you Dove! Many more cyber hugs and prayers going your way!

Are You Crafty?

I have been busy this week working on "STUFF"! Can't tell you just what yet but will tell you it's "Crafty"! Keeping you in suspence until next week! In the meantime, enjoy this cool video.