cards

The Power of Suggestion

Last post I mentioned that my head was going to explode – with ideas, and now I have a cold that makes me feel like it’s actually going to happen! I’ve been fighting against being sick since the first sign of a sore throat on Tuesday evening. Everyday there has been a change, for the worse, even though I am mostly staying home, resting and drinking all the fluids I can manage. (Also taking Tylenol and using an inhaler.) Obviously not enough. Today I lost my voice. I don’t think it has ever been such a complete loss – very strange experience to be certain. Too bad my children aren’t around to enjoy the silence! But life goes on.

Yesterday was the annual Show and Sale of my fibre group – Contextural. It was a fabulously successful day for everyone involved. I managed photos before and after the sale, but I was in too much of a haze to remember to take photos during the day. Drat. I wanted to show you the crowds and how the sunlight bathed the room! It was just lovely. Here are a few photos from the show after we set up on Friday night.partial view of show one view of show Here are a few detail shots of various display areas:assorted sale goods India silk scarves aprons and tea towels pillows woven and printed textiles scarves and pin cushions scarves and bagsLast night I had trouble sleeping because I was coughing, and when I wasn’t coughing I couldn’t sleep because I was overwhelmed with ideas for next year’s show. There must be some truth to the expression “No Rest for the Wicked!”

weekly photo challenge : resolved

Here is the description for the photo challenge of the week from WordPress:

Resolved. This is that time of year, isn’t it? Full of resolutions and good intentions. I resolved to get in a run on January 1st – this is a photo post-run. Spoiler: it was a good one! Why not share a photo which represents one of your New Year’s resolutions? If you don’t make them, what about sharing a photo which represents something you’d like to get better at in photography this year?

Share a picture which means RESOLVED to you!

I’m delighted to share a few photos (since I can never limit myself to just one) that are hot off the press. One of my New Year’s resolutions is to make better use of my creative energy and get some studio work done. And that’s exactly what I’m doing. Of course it is only 4 days into the new year, but so far so good! The first thing I did was pick up (from the counter in my studio) a little book called “Mary Engelbreit’s Book of Days”. I bought this in 1992, and I’m sure of the date because I wrote my name and the year in the front of the book. That’s all I ever wrote. Talk about a fear of making a mess on a pristine page – that’s what I was all about – for years, obviously.

Book of Days

Since all the birthdays and specials days that I need to keep track of are on my computer calendar, I decided to use this little book to start a record of what I “create” this year. I mean, come on, it’s the first week of January. How perfect is that? So here are the notes so far:

creativity notes

My actual list of things to do is recorded in Evernote – my favorite note taking program on my computer.  One of the great things about Evernote is that it is cloud based and will automatically keep track of things on all my electronic devices. I could have easily started record keeping of my accomplishments in Evernote, but then what would I do with this cute little book that ALREADY has my name in it? You see my point.

Today was the first day in ages that I have done any printing, and it felt great to get my hands dirty and play with the inks and cards. I printed cards to send to my friends in Taos Ski Valley, New Mexico, in the hopes that someone will want to buy a little hand crafted something that says Taos on it. Then I printed a few cheery little cards to add to my inventory. Here’s some of what I did:

ski taos2

taos nm

ski Taos cardThis next picture

loaded card rackmakes me very

happy cardI’m totally inspired and ready to create. This is going to be a great year! I hope you’ll join me and share your creativity too!

an evening’s work

Spent last night printing. I wanted to do some little note cards for my friend, Louise. Last year I carved a bobbin from her shop’s logo.  I figured she could use some new cards. There is lots of excitement at her shop – Red Red Bobbin, as Kaffe Fassett is teaching there at the end of the month. I’m sending a book to be signed. Kaffe is an incredibly talented artist and designer who works in a variety of mediums. I was particularly inspired by his book Mosaics, Inspiration and Original Projects for Interiors and Exteriors, published in 1999 by The Taunton Press. I’m excited about getting my book signed because I love autographed books! (This applies mostly to cookbooks and craft books and it’s best when I get to meet the author. I did meet Kaffe Fassett many years ago – long before he had written his mosaic book.) In fact the first Kaffe Fassett book I purchased was in 1989 – Glorious Needlepoint. Needlepoint – wow – there’s something I haven’t done for a long time.

bobbin card

cards laid out to dryAfter I finished the bobbin cards, I printed some samples of other stamps I’ve carved.

more prints

assorted stamps

apple carvingNot all the prints are inked perfectly but they are good enough for my  record book. It was a relaxing and productive evening.

card production : slow and steady

I’ve been printing cards. I love the process – the designing, carving, printing and best of all – looking at the finished product. Sometimes the process goes smoothly, sometimes not so much. I’m still learning (and there is a lot to learn) but I’m having a great time doing so. I print on cards that I purchase – some are just plain paper (white or cream), some are simple backgrounds which are intended for “embellishment”. I also like to work on cards that other people would consider finished or ready to use. The challenge is to improve upon an already great looking card.

Birthday card

yellow birthday card

thank you card

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