Supplies Me

The other day I signed up for Jane Davenport's class "Supplies Me". I LOVE the way she draws! She is SO cool and I hope to take a class from Jane in person one day. Her voice is soothing and I love seeing her on the beach with her dogs. I looking forward to learning from her and hopefully I will finally be able to master how to draw a nose correctly some time soon!

Class is in session!

Happy New Year! I'm just getting back into our routine as the kids just went back to school this past Monday. But.... they are off tomorrow and Monday! We had a great vacation spending time together. The kids were disappointed that it didn't snow at all over break, but today it snowed a lot! After school, they ran outside to go sledding across the street. They had so much fun and loved the sleds.

I taught a journaling class over vacation too! 5 girls (including Gia) participated and they seemed to really like what they learned. Everyone sewed their own journal and I taught them lots of different backgrounds, textures and collage. It was a little stressful as we were in the dining room and I was worried something was going to break or stain the floor.

I have been playing around in my journals, trying to get myself going again. I am participating in Strathmore's journaling series and right now the instructor is Traci Bautista. I love to doodle and I love using intense colors. So far, it's been fun!

blog repair

All is fixed and I decided to change the background AGAIN! Winter is officially here as it snowed yesterday. Barely a dusting, yet everyone forgot how to drive! Of course my kids are wanting LOTS of snow. They are ready to go sledding!

Just participated in a holiday shopping event and did really well! I was thrilled by the positive response. Everyone loved my girls and felt my work touched them in some way. Additionally, I am excited because two local shops will be carrying my work. I have to get a move on and make a few more pieces so there is enough of a selection when I bring in the pieces on Wednesday.

I SO want to go away, take a bunch of classes, be around like minded people and get inspired! Now that it is so yucky outside, I will be inside a lot. However, I love learning and exploring new mediums and ideas and am feeling a little isolated not being able to have some fun! I'm still kind of stuck having to take online classes as I don't have anyone to come stay with my kids while I'm gone. My husband works a ton and they aren't old enough to leave alone. One day! I know..... one day. I have found one online drawing class that sounds good. Anyone find anything they definitely will be signing up to take?

Problem with the blog! Trying to fix it. So complicated!!!

Black Gesso

Played around with black gesso, Caran d'ache neocolors and Stabilo pencils. I usually don't use black gesso but since it was part of Julie Fei-Fan Balzer's class, I thought I'd give it a whirl. You see, I can't stand the texture! When I rub it, or write on it, it feels like someone dragging their nails down a chalkboard. I do like the overall effect though as the white really is white! I had fun doodling and writing here.

I'm looking for a new fantastic online class. Anyone come across anything???

Happy Thanksgiving!
We had a feast for sure and enjoyed it all with our amazing friends. So thankful for our fantastic children, health, security, family and wonderful friends. Will smoked the turkey on the grill rotisserie all day and it was deeeeelish! I tell you ..... there is no better way to cook a turkey. I was in the kitchen all day making desserts and everything else. I tried mac and cheese muffins and they were yummy! The kids loved them.

No time for art today, but the kids that were over tonight are ready for me to teach them about art journaling. My test class will run over winter vacation. The time is NOW!

I am coming to the end of this journal. It spans the last half of the year. In my next journal, I want to try journaling more regularly and making sure I put the date somewhere.

It's interesting that I'm finding it challenging to finish off the last three pages. I can't figure out the issue here. I mean, seriously! I've come all this way and am getting stuck at the end. The pages are prepped and I have some images taped down but I just don't know where to go. Has this happened to you at the end of a journal? How do you push through?