Book Making with Kitty Cats

I  am packing up to head to Colorado for a couple of teaching gigs.
Trying to temper my excitement over teaching, over WHERE I am teaching and my anxiety over leaving my sexy man and my kitty for 9 days.

I decided, while packing, that I needed a handmade book for the trip.
You know, like i didn't have enough to do already- with packing some things for class, things to sell and my clothes and personal items, mailing Etsy items that I've sold, writing blog posts, laundry...

What's one more thing at this point?!

I decided that I wanted a special book to journal in, make some marks in and document my travels in.
And I can practice making one more book before Art Camp class.

I had some scraps of fabric handy from a previous project that I had not put away yet (the scraps not the previous project).

I have a confession to make.
I am not one of those people that clean their work tables off after each project.
I have so many ideas, chase so much inspiration, that I do well to push everything to one end of the table before I start something else.
Confession time over.

Back to the new book (see? another last minute project that just appeared on my studio table).
 I picked out a few items for the cover collage and set to work.
After a few hours, this is what I came up with.

This is a shot with my studio help in it.

He has to get in all the shots...

True to form, he is in the middle of everything that I am doing (and I am lovin' it).

Kitty Love

That silly kitty, from this post and this one, has cemented his place around here.

Like the couch...

And my computer chair...

You know how those kitties are - they need lots of beauty sleep!

Rust Love

My husband and I rust fabric and different fibers that I use in my artwork.
This is the front cover of a sketchbook that I made using it.

I also sell packs of "Rust Media" in my Etsy Shop (among other things).

Check it out!

New Tool!

I love new tools, don't you?
I've been using a Dremel tool to aid in book making.
But you can't fly too easily with a Dremel too, can you?
I was trying to figure out how to finagle a couple to teach in Colorado next month.

Enter Rebecca Peck of the Fiskateers.
Goddess of Fiskars tools...
She turned me onto a handheld drill that is AWESOME!!
It works beautifully to drill holes in all kinds of things (including my studio table!) (and it's one of those heavy work table).

Love it, love it.
Just be careful when you change the drill bits, it can come unscrewed and then require the engineer husband to put it back together...um, just saying.
Otherwise it is fantastic if you don't have or don't want to mess with a power tool.

Thank you Rebecca!

Acrylic Medium

I often spend days in my studio playing around with (or experimenting with) different acrylic mediums to see what I can do with them.
I can tell you this - the applications are innumerable!

Take this for example -

The (highly) textured orangie colored section is a piece of canvas to which I applied Golden's Soft Gel.
I used some implement that was on my studio table (or maybe the implement was my finger) to create the texture.
I allowed this to dry completely.
Then I created a wash of a couple of fluid acrylics (looks like Quin/Nickel Azo Gold was part of it) and brushed this over the entire piece.
What you see is a small section of the piece of canvas. I have been cutting up my samples and using them in different projects.

What do you do with your samples?

Still working

What about you?

On My Table

What's on your work table?

Spine Design

I've been making (more) books for "Art Camp For Women" and playing with spine design.

While I adore the open spine where you can see the stitching, I also love the opportunity to add more interest to the outside of the book.
I'm working on a couple (or four) ways of adding the spine decoration after the covers have been stitched on.
Here's a peek at one.

I am also playing around with scraps from a leather jacket that a friend gave me (thank you Mary!).
The leather is so soft and supple, it drapes beautifully and gently hugs the curves of the spine. I'd love to make a pair of shoes with it!
You can see in the photo how it shows the contour of the thread that I used when stitching in the signatures-

Beautiful, just beautiful.

There are still a few spots left in the book making class in Colorado. If you can't go for the entire week, treat yourself to the three day class! It's a brand new class, created just for the Art Camp ladies.

A Different Kind of Class

I love Charleston.
Especially before it gets all hot and horribly muggy (even though it's still beautiful to me then).
This past weekend, my husband and I went there (part business and part pleasure).

I taught a class at my friend Cathy Buck's shop "Fashion Fabrics" in Mt. Pleasant.

What a great class!

It was a class in embellishing an  infant onesie or a kids tee shirt.
It's an idea that I got after reading Natalie Chanin's first book.
Here's a sample of one of the class projects -

Or this one.
The model (my nieces son Caden) is so cute!

This is another cute model, Kennedy (another nieces baby). I love the way that her mom coordinated her accessories!

Here's a shot of  some of the class hard at work.

The class was three hours long and everyone did a great job.
We did some screen printing, painting on fabric and reverse applique.
We also recycled some tee shirts and talked about sustainable clothing.
It's a great way to learn a little hand stitching too.

I love the way that this class allows women to gather and spend time doing what women do...talking, sharing information & ideas, creating beautiful things for our loved ones and honoring our creativity.
We are doers, makers.

If you're in the Charleston area, stop by Cathy's shop.
It's called "Fashion Fabrics".
She carries Bernina's, quilt fabric, apparel fabric, notions, ribbons and all sorts of goodies.
She also offers a wide array of classes, a few clubs and sewing machine work as well.
I think it's about the only place in the Charleston area that you can find quality fabrics. Oh, you can find the cheaper fabric but not the good stuff.
The address is 320 W. Coleman Blvd, Mt. Pleasant SC 29464.
Shop number is (843)884-5266.

Tell her that I sent you.

Now get out there and Do Something.
Create.
Make.

Helping Others Reach Their Goals

Or -
Honoring your own creativity by helping others.

This is what my friend Jess is doing. She is willing to walk the walk not just talk the talk.

I first met Jess when I stumbled upon the "Seek Your Course" website.
This is a site that she created to harness the many creative offerings across the world into one easy to navigate place.
(check it out, it's fantastic!)
I signed up as an instructor right away because I was so impressed with the spirit behind what Jess was doing.
It's so hard to find someone, especially a young woman, that is willing to do what Jess was trying to do out of the goodness of her heart.
This young woman has a huge heart people!
She isn't making loads of money doing what she's doing...she is putting all her goods in the karma bank.

She has created a Jumpstart Creativity Tour across the US and part of Canada that we can help her with.

Go here, to her Jumpstart page, and donate as much as you possibly can to help her inject a little creativity into an adults life.
Here's a video for you to watch -






I am pleased to tell you that Jess will be visiting Greenville SC and Asheville NC on the tour!
Those are the closest destinations to my home.
Check out all of the other locations that she has planned.

Way to go Jess!

Book Covers

I can't believe it's been 2 weeks since I posted!
What have I been doing?

Welll...my friend Sarah and I participated in the World Wide Sketch Crawl here in Greenville SC.
We made a day of it, along with a nice sit down lunch (with wine) (bourbon for me). I have several sketches to show for it, just need to add some color to them.

And maybe I'll just post them without color. I love to add the color while I'm sitting there sketching.
It's hard for me to go back with a photo and add color...
I love the spontaneity of drawing and painting RIGHT there.

I really am loving it more and more- the urban sketching.
I am looking for just the right ones to make thermofax screens out of. I think that street scenes of Greenville would be great on tee shirts.

I've been having a blast in my studio, making more class samples for the Art Camp For Women workshop coming up soon.
Here's a peek at a couple of different covers I will be demonstrating -

I love the book itself - the pages, the painting, the sketching, the opportunity to fill it with much goodness- but I think I love making the cover most of all (today anyway!).
All the opportunity to create layer after layer of amazing texture.
Yep - layers of texture on the outside that nestle all of the layers of art on the inside.

I am going to try and set up a local book making class after June 15th.
If you're not on my newsletter list, email me here for details when I get it sorted out.
Looking forward to teaching close to home!

Thermofax Screen designs

I'm working on more screen designs.
I am totally loving the way that I can get the sketchy details in a screen print!
Here's an elephant I am playing around with -

Honoring Your Creativity

I am gearing back up with my preparations for "Art Camp For Women".
Even though I love teaching, I think it would be fabulous to attend this retreat as a participant...no packing supplies, no agonizing over what to carry/what to leave at home...
just show up with a few articles of clothing, some toiletries and an open & creative mind.

How cool would that be?
Evidently Oprah and her staff felt it would be The Best art retreat - Art Camp was recently in "O" magazine as one of the top four art retreats in the US!

I think that there are a couple of spots left - if you are interested in the sisterhood of an exclusive art retreat, making life long friends that totally get what you love to do,
spending days immersed in the creative process,
being cooked for (yes, all meals, wine and chocolate provided!),
beautiful views (Winter Park Colorado ladies!)
as well as making a soulful mixed media book...
then this Camp is for you.

I'm not giving the "hard sell" here ladies - you know that you deserve a break like this.
We all work hard, we give and give as women often do...
you need to fill your creative well with luscious events like this.
And if you have never attended an art retreat before - you are in for a HUGE awakening of your creative energy!
The first retreat type event that I went to totally and forever changed my creative energy and outlook.

That is what is waiting for you.

Isn't it time that you made yourself a priority?

Baby, Baby

I am in love with making thermofax screens from my drawn letters!

I screened this on a cute little cotton tee shirt for a sweet baby girl.

I'll try to post a photo of it soon.

Cute Little Things

When I was a young thing, my mom taught me to sew.
And I loved it. I would sew for hours and hours...making all kinds of silly things.
Doll clothes, bags to put my found rocks in (and feathers, bottle caps, interesting items), skirts for myself, book marks, aprons for my mom...etc...
She was a wonderful seamstress- making our clothing, doll clothes and all sorts of crafty items for the home.
She could fix any torn, tattered or non functioning piece of clothing known to man (or young tomboy like me!).

When my son was born, I made a ton of sweet little rompers for him as well as quick and easy shorts.
I guess that having a little girl to sew for would be a dream (so many sweet fabric now days).
While I usually prefer to draw, paint and make books, I do occasionally get bit by the "I want to make some cute kids clothes" bug.

That is what happened a couple or three weeks ago.
I have been drawing, painting and stitching up a storm since then.


Here is the result.
I gave these to my nieces that have young ones.

"Caden's Sailboat"

"Caden's Truck"

"Kennedy's Bird"

I'll be teaching a class on this technique (which includes learning how to screen print with a Thermofax screen!) at "Fashion Fabrics" shop in Mt. Pleasant SC (near Charleston) on May 12.

If you're interested call Cathy Buck at 843/884-5266 for details.

Here are a couple of Onesie type tee's that I used my drawings to screen print on.

Wonky Flowers

We all need some Love

Whimsical Bird

Any of these designs are available for purchase in newborn to 5T size shirts.
I use non toxic paint in all of my screen printing.
And 100% organic cotton in the reverse applique designs (the actual tee shirt is not organic cotton though).
I have a ton of other designs, I just have to print them out and post them.

If you're interested, the best thing to do is email me.
We can talk about sizes and designs then.
I did do a listing in my Etsy shop if you're interested.

Oh yes - I can also sell you the actual screen and you could print your stuff.
I can make screens of your drawings and photos (need to be high contrast photo).
I thought it would be so sweet to make a screen out of a young child's drawing (or handwriting) to create a shirt or tote bag from it.


Have I mentioned lately how much I love my Thermofax machine?
I do.
It's a full fledged love affair...

Sunday Urban Sketching

My husband and I were riding our bikes on the Swamp Rabbit Trail today (rode apx. 25 miles).
I went up to the A.J. Whittenburg Elementary School of Engineering to look around.
Imagine my surprise (and delight) when I saw the play area that had A.J. the robot as part of the slide arrangement!
What a fantastic idea.
I had to stop and sketch while my husband rode into Falls Park.
I want to go back and sketch the play area at the Kroc Center - it looks like a huge molecule!

140 pound watercolor (single sheets to be sewn into a handmade sketchbook), watercolors, Pitt pen. Apx 20 minutes with a few details done at home.

Sketching at the library

I volunteer at the local library's gift shop (Greenville County Library - main one) ("Friends of the Library").
I take different things with me to occupy my time when things are slow.

Some days I do computer work.
Sometimes I draw.
Or crochet.
Or read.

Today I did some urban sketching.

This was a section of the view from my perch in the gift shop.

I added some of the paint splatters that I adore in my friend Sarah's sketches.
I am loving that the sketching in public is getting a bit easier as I continue to do it.



I'll try to remember to post photos of the visitor that was on the bike trail yesterday...
I'll just do it now.

EEwwwww!

This copperhead was just sitting there (or whatever they do) on the Swamp Rabbit Trial while people whizzed by on bikes.
The walkers (and runners) either didn't even see it or gave it a wide berth.

My husband moved it off of the trail (with a long stick) and I was terrified when he was doing it!
I am terrified of snakes, just terrified yet find them so interesting (like inside a display at the zoo).

I was glad to peddle away from this one.

We have a lot of snakes here in the upstate of SC.

It's always a great idea to look around you if you're out hiking or out enjoying nature.

I hope that you all have a great weekend filled with creative endeavors.

Urban Sketching Around Town

I have a couple of good buddies that love to get together and prowl around different places doing urban sketching.
We are trying to be present and more authentic in our lives.
We want to document our lives through drawing our surroundings.
And one solid truth has continued to be in the forefront...

The more that you draw what you see - the better you begin to SEE what you draw.
It's true.
You notice things that you never saw before...or took for granted.
You see the shadows that the afternoon sun cast, or the way that a small stream appears to be brown as it reflects the soil around it.

You begin to notice the sheer beauty in the landscape around you.

These are a few of the quick sketches that I did while wandering around Falls Park in Greenville SC.
I spent no more than 10 minutes on each sketch.

Hopefully I can go back later and add some color.
But if I don't, I won't let it bother me...I'll just go on to the next page.

This sketch was made while sitting down towards the side of the Reedy River, near the bridge in the sketch above.
It's the back of the building that houses "A Postcard From Paris" boutique.
My husband and I rode our bikes back down there today - I wanted to sit and add some color to my sketches but a storm blew in and cut my painting time short.
I was able to add a few shadows and that was it.
Overall I am pleased that I am beginning to be able to leave out a lot of the "noise" of the scenes but I continue to work on getting things more..um, not quite so wonky...

This was my view of the "Overlook Grill" at the entrance of Falls Park.
I loved all of the umbrellas at the outside tables. I really want to go back and add color to this one...I may change the color of the umbrellas since theirs were so bland.
You know - artistic license...a wonderful tool.

I truly love to sit and draw my surroundings. I would love to have a large "Urban Sketching" group here in Greenville SC.
My fellow sketchers and I want to put our pin on the worldwide "Urban Sketching" map.
Won't you join us?
Or begin your own group in your town.
You can check out the manifesto here.

Flower Line Drawings

This post will be released on the "Sketchbook Challenge" today as well.
Click over to read (almost) daily posting from 13 other artists showing their sketchbooks habits.



Like everyone else, I am busy as a bee but I am also feelin' kinda lazy as well.

I recently spent two weeks away from home, teaching and being a teachers aide as well as helping one of my buddies vend at Art & Soul.

Wow, what an experience.

I had never attended Art & Soul before and was blown away by the creative support that was evident there.
From the instructors to the students themselves, everyone was so very supportive of the creative work that was taking place.
I met online friends there for the first time in person (waving to Jill!) as well as friends that I had met at other creative events (Hi Joanne!).
I tried my best to share the message (and website) of what we are doing here at "The Sketchbook Challenge". I feel that daily sketchbook work is so valuable to every artist.
We learn to flesh out our ideas, capture new ones and try out other ideas without using a lot of our expensive supplies.

I'll go back to my opening confession of feelin' kinda lazy here lately.
I have some health issues that kick up their heels every so often, zapping me of physical energy.
There are times that my creative energy follows that same path.
I have learned a few little tricks through the years to keep me occupied until one or the other (or both) returns.

Enter my sketchbook.
I have found that making marks in my sketchbook will often trigger an outpouring of creative energy- oftentimes prompting the skeleton idea for a new piece of artwork.

And yes, there is always the dreaded "I got nothing" day as well.
I can doodle, sketch, draw, research, paint or stitch little bits of this & that only to find that nothing I do interests or inspires me.
The difference between letting that stop me and plugging on through the "nothing here" days is equivalent to a body of work.

"What?" you say.

Well, if I allowed every "off" day to define my work habits, I would never get anything done!
I think that the universe rewards those of us that keep pushing and keep making marks even though we feel totally uninspired.

I'll share some of those "I AM going to draw today" marks from my sketchbook.

Loosey goosie marks made by a frustrated (and stubborn) artist.
This is a sketch of a wonky type flower I drew when I was trying to design a shower curtain motif a while back.
Nothing that I drew suited its purpose so I scrawled out this flower in my frustration with myself.

Not the flower that I was looking for to go on my shower curtain but I have since used it for a thermofax screen image.
A perfect use for this flower.
So - no time or work lost and a cute little thermofax screen to use in my surface design or art journal.

I have been fixated on these little round flowers lately...must be my OCD kicking in, but I can't seem to stop drawing them in my sketchbook...over and over again...

I will keep drawing it until I find some combination that I like or I get tired of it.
Or both.

The lesson in all of this is to keep making marks.

You will not only grow in your sketching/drawing skills but your "stick to it-ness" will grow as well.
You will find that working in your sketchbook becomes a daily habit - one that you begin to look forward to.
(it also gives you a safe place to channel your OCD impluses!)

Looking Forward

I'm trying to clear a few layers of rubble from my studio table and get back to the doing what I love to do.
Making art instead of cleaning up packing/unpacking messes.

I'm ready to start working on more ideas for "Art Camp For Women".
I'm teaching a brand new book class that I designed just for Camp!
It's going to be great for people (well, women in this case) that have been wanting to try their hand at bookmaking as well as those that have made a few books.
We're combining three different book binding stitches to create a beautiful handcrafted spine.
My roots are in fiber/textile art so I love being able to see the waxed linen stitching along the spine!
I'll be bringing a lot of different colors of linen thread with me so there will be several colorway options.

We will also be covering several design options for the cover collage. The ladies at Camp will have a ton of supplies (and I bring goodies from my own stash!) so options will not be an issue.
If you have an image, a postcard, photo or some other item that you want to use on the cover of your book, feel free to bring it. Otherwise, leave all of that to us!

I love building the book but one of my favorite parts of this class is the surface design for the inside pages.
My students always love the time that we spend adding color and other things to the pages.
You could leave your book pages blank but it's a lot more fun to put your stamp on them while you're building the book.

I can't wait to see the mountains of Colorado again!
I've looked at the Camp website photos (at least) a hundred times and am so excited about spending time nestled in the Colorado Rockies.
Just look at this view -

There may be a few spots left at June's Camp - check it out before it's too late!

Playing Catch-Up

I've been a bad blogger, haven't I?

I really do have a great reason though!
I've been away from home the last two weeks, busy as a little bee.

I spent two days teaching at Judy Gula's awesome shop in Alexandria Virginia "Artistic Artifacts".
If you are ever close to the shop, you should definitely stop by. She has everything from hand painted batiks (a new business that she recently purchased) to  acrylic paints in her shop. And she can find just about anything that you may want to create art with.
I taught my two day book making class "Bound by Heart, Made by Hand".
I was remiss in getting photos (as usual) so if any of the people in the class are reading this - Send Photos! I'll post them on my blog or on a Facebook page.
Everyone loved the books that they created!
I love seeing how each person makes their book so personal.
It's a joy to see them work through their doubts (in making art) and succeed in making a truly spectacular piece of work.

I also spent a week helping out at "Art & Soul" at Virginia Beach, Virginia.
This was the first time I had ever been to "Art & Soul" and I was blown away by it!
Glenny has certainly created a fantastic art retreat as well as a supportive team.
It was so inspiring to see all of the creative work that was being done and to meet all the the teachers and students that came through Judy's shop during the retreat.
I was honored to be able to take one of Jill Berry's classes "Spontaneous Deconstructed Journal".
It was sooo much fun!
Jill is a great teacher. You should definitely sign up for one of her classes if you ever get the chance.

Even though I had a lot of fun, met a bunch of cool and creative people, had time with two of my best friends Liz and Judy), I am SO glad to be at home with my sweetie (my bestest best friend).
He met me at the airport gate with a dozen red roses...every woman there appeared to be swooning at his feet and the men probably scowled at him for raising the bar higher for them.
What an awesome way to be welcomed home!

I promise that I will put up another post soon - I've got some fun things to talk about, some exciting news in the works and a new project on my work table.

Even though I worked hard while I was gone, I feel so rejuvenated artistically. Everyone was so excited about creating art at the retreat that it was contagious!
I can't wait to get to my studio and put some of my ideas to work.

Avoiding Deadlines- Technique 872

I have SO MANY deadlines right now...

Do they include reverse applique fingerless gloves?
Nope.

With beading?
Nope.

Aren't you ( Carol) supposed to be packing for a two week trip to teach at Artistic Artifacts and vend at Art and Soul?
Yep.


Reverse Applique Fingerless Gloves with Beading??
Really??
Yep.

(insert silly little grin)

Truth in the Tea

You can learn more than patience from brewing a cup of tea...

New Book Shipping!

Those of you that read my blog regularly know that I adore Natalie Chanin's clothing design (Alabama Chanin).
Well, not only her clothing design but her philosophy of life.
Her ideas on sustainability, her love of vintage items (esp. in decorating) and her willingness to share the knowledge of these things.
She has two beautiful, beautiful books and another one on its way to my home right now!

Check it out here!

I've made one of the skirts (I used my own cotton & supplies and made it MUCH cheaper) (here is a similar one that sells for over $4000.00!). The skirt I made doesn't have beads...but still...

If you love this style of clothing or home dec items, you will LOVE her books!
The work is time consuming, can be rather tedious but well worth the effort. I always get so many compliments when I wear the skirt.
And it is SO comfortable!
If you're like me, when you're watching the telly at night, riding in a car or waiting at an appointment, you have to have something to do (with your hands) to keep busy.
This type of project is perfect for that.
I can't wait to get the book...I MUST finish up with two deadlines today so that I can stop and drool over it as soon as it gets here.

Time Flies When You're Busy (or not)

I can't believe that it's been a week since I posted anything!
I've been working on a project for the new group that I am thrilled to be a part of ( "8 That Create" - check it out!).
If you head over to the blog, you'll see that we are all documenting our progress on our work.
We're telling the good, the bad and the ugly as we create pieces of art.
For someone like me, somebody works in a really intuitive manner, that is kinda difficult.
Sometimes I don't know why I do what I do...I just do it.
I'm trying to take lots of photos to share, showing the horrid messes that I make and the ways that I cover them up or revel in their existence.
So far, I've written two posts on the new piece "Empty Spaces".
I'd love for you to take a look and let me know what you'd like for me to talk about or address during the process.

I am also packing to ship supplies and artwork to Artistic Artifacts for a two day book making class that I am doing there.
The class is Feb. 24 & 25 in Alexandria, Virginia at Judy Gula's shop "Artistic Artifacts".
The day after my class, Liz Kettle is teaching her "Metal Magic" class. I can't wait to take this one! She will be talking about using metal in fiber work as well as covering different patina's that you can use on it.
There is a kit for this class so you don't have to bring any supplies.
Woo Hoo! My kind of class.

We will be going to "Art & Soul" at Virginia Beach, Virginia to help Judy in her mobile shop there.
I will have a vendor table the last night, so drop by if you're in the area.
I'll be offering original artwork, prints, rust media packs, handmade books and a couple of other goodies.

I also want to tell you about a (fairly) new site called "Seek Your Course".
Jess Greene (an amazing mixed media encaustic artist) started this site up to gather all the classes, workshops, conferences and retreats into one cohesive place.
It's an amazing site, with tons of options. All you need for choosing your next creative learning experience.
I've included my classes there as well.
Check it out!