Ups and Downs

Recent greeting card design.

I usually like to start with good news then the bad news. Probably because I'll find a way to come back to good news after that. Anyway, I'm starting with the bad news today. I received a non-acceptance email from Art & Soul for the Virginia event yesterday. I'm trying not to let it get me down because I knew in the beginning of this new art adventure that it will be a roller coaster ride full of ups and downs, but I have to say that it wasn't fun to read. Moving on for now...

Now for the ups...

UP! There's another possible teaching opportunity on the horizon. I'll let you know if that works out.

UP! All of the art fair work is coming together nicely. I've been painting quite a bit, and I'd forgotten how much I enjoy it.

UP! I'm still enjoying the afterglow of Teesha Moore's class. Lots more journaling to come.

UP! The canopy for the art fair arrived, and I'm going to set up the booth as a trial run soon. Hopefully with some photos to share with you.

UP! I'm going to keep moving forward. This art adventure continues rain or shine!

Teesha Moore Journaling Class

Had a GREAT time at Teesha Moore's art journaling class this weekend. Ginny and John made us feel right at home again, and Teesha set us to work making covers, decorating them, sewing in signatures, and journaling away. I learned a lot, but I have a long way to go before I have the intricate details that Teesha has on her pages. So, without further ado... here's what I made!
Here's my cover:

The first page:I repeated a quote that I used on my license plate box because I really like the quote, so I wanted it in my journal.

Left side of first double page spread:Right side of first double page spread:Left side of second double page spread:Right side of second double page spread:Here's Ginny... "working" hard. :) Loved sitting in front of you, my dear Ginny. I didn't get a photo of Susan... She sat next to me creating in her colorful journal for three days. And survived, I might add. :)Part of the class busily working away while Teesha gives some advice in the background.Left side of third double page spread. Only borders here... thought I'd show you the page before I get any further on it. I'll try to post the final page when I create it.Right side of third double page spread. Also just barely started.Ok, back to work for me!

When I have time, I've been creating greeting cards and small paintings for the art fair. OH, and the 10' x 10' canopy I ordered for the art fair booth arrived while I was at class. YAY!

What's This?

This, my dears, is NOT just a suitcase. No, THIS is a suitcase packed full of art supplies for Teesha Moore's journal class in Cleveland. YIPPEEEE!

Ginny and John Smallenburg are putting on yet another fabulous Small Studio Productions workshop, and I get to go.

I could not be luckier. :)

What's going on here?

"What's going on here? What's going on here?" That's what my daughter Harper says when she's in a silly mood and while she spins around in circles.

SO, here's what's going on here... I'm trying to produce enough work to put together an art booth at a fair in August. My husband Doug turned over his office so I could have some more space to spread out and "get 'r done". I haven't even taken time to really settle in, I just threw some tables in there and got started. I'm addicted to turquoise, chartreuse, and raspberry right now. Oh, and orange. I can't seem to get enough orange lately. Especially with a punchy blue.

I was feeling overwhelmed by the quantity of work to do, so I found my trusty chalkboard and wrote down some goals. I'm hoping to exceed them!

Denise's Amazing Bead Giveaway

So, I don't enter giveaways too often, but this one is just too scrumptious to resist! Denise Yezbak Moore is giving away a HUGE stash of beads. Head over to her blog to enter and check it out.

Shelly's Studio Presents...

THREE, count 'em, THREE workshop proposals for Art & Soul 2011. I'm sending these for the Hampton, VA and New Orleans, LA events. If I get accepted, I'll post better photos. Right now, I'm focused on getting these in the mail and off to Oregon. WOOHOO!!

Sneak Peek of Art & Soul Workshop Proposals

Art & Soul 2011 workshops for Hampton and New Orleans are due in one week. ONE WEEK! And I think I'm going to get three proposals done. It's looking pretty good. Hope to have them in the mail tomorrow. HOPE!