Playing Catch Up

Life has been busy, hectic, fun, and exhausting. And now that my hubby's mini vacation is over and life is back to "normal" (whatever that is) I feel like a madwoman playing catch up on everything else in my life. So, enjoy these odd snapshots of my life so far.

First off, after a craft nite with some other mommas and some more quiet time during a nap, I finished my first "big" felted wool project - meet KrazyKitty. She is a slightly odd creation of three felted wool sweaters sewn together (with love) for Hazel.



The uberhubby was amazing this weekend and constructed these new cedar raised garden beds. Our old ones had rotted and we never got around to this project last year. So, now we have some yummy strawberries, tomatoes, basil, zucchini and squash plants soaking up the sun and enjoying the view. I can't wait till later in the season when we get to enjoy our bounty!

Finally, we relaxed and did enjoy some delicious meals with family and friends. Alas, I never remember to photograph the actual event as we're too busy eating and chatting. But trust me when I say it was wonderful and delicious.

Now, I've got a list a mile long of things "to do"; none of which are anywhere near glamorous. But I have a date with my art studio tonight and I hope to have something new to share with you soon. So, keep in touch!

Serendipity in Queen Anne's Lace

I've always been a fan of the flower queen anne's lace - and any other ethereal bloom like it. From the delicate blossoms of this bloom, to the light-as-a-feather bloom of sea lavender, I just love this type of blossom. So, I thought it was about time that I carve one to use a block print.

This Encaustic collage above is the result after carving the block and printing it directly to the luan wood panel. That way, I can get the crisp lines of the block print, while still savoring all that woodgrain yumminess. Yes, I said yumminess. I love wood. Can you tell?

Anyhoo, this is my final post this week as I get ready for the annual Alberta Art Hop. It is this Saturday, May 16th from 11am-6pm. Imagine nearly 20 blocks closed filled with art, music, merriment. Now, imagine this with clear sunny weather in the upper 70s. Yeah, I'm talking near bliss! I will be on the block of NE 26th St, on the north side. Come see a full booth full of new handmade Encaustic paintings, collages, prints, woodblock prints, hand printed journals, and even some fun embroidered and appliqued baby clothes! I'll be there with bells on waiting to say hi!

Dark Poppies for a Dark Rainy Day

This is another one of my new encaustic/printmaking creations. It began it's life as a woodblock print on a lovely deep olive green handmade paper. Then, I added layers of clear wax, other art paper, red wax and a golden citron yellow green incising following the contours of the poppies.

I'm really enjoying these new pieces as they blend together my love of printmaking and encaustics again. It makes me want to spend all my time down in the studio covered in ink and wax - and loving it!

However, I've got other obligations, including the Alberta Art Hop this Saturday and a class on Sunday, so I've got to get some "work" done before play time. That being said, I am currently felting a handful of new wool sweaters I've thrifted so that when I do have time, I can start making some more fun felted creations for Hazel - and myself!

Printed Journals and Printed Paintings

A very happy belated Mothers Day to all out there that celebrated! As you might deduce, I had a fabulous mother's day where I spent most of it not being a mother, and playing around in the art studio! I had neglected my mini etching press for far too long, and so I spent hours playing with paper and ink and pressure - having a ball!

I printed on paper, on fabric, on wood. And then, during a long afternoon nap yesterday, I got to play with some wax after all the printing. Above are three of the results - relief block prints on paper and wood with wax and more paper and paint and just plain fun! These will be making their public debut at the Alberta Art Hop this Saturday, May 16th! I will be selling these there and I hope that people love them as much as I do.

I also decided to branch out from my normal printmaking, and print on some yummy blank journals! I really love having art on something practical, like a journal! How can you wrong? I'm excited about the new medium and their practicality, so I'm hoping others enjoy them too. I've got some listed on my Etsy store and we'll see what the reaction is!


I'm going to be a busy little bee this week as I gear up for the Alberta Art Hop and a Beeswax Collage class this weekend. But it's involving art, so I will be on cloud nine! I can't wait!

Back to the Grain, Woodblock style

Can I tell you how good it felt to print again? It's been far too long since I ran some inked wood through the etching press, and I just loved to get it going, getting all inky, seeing that magic moment when a picture "magically" appears on paper? God, I love that!

Here are the prints I pulled. I still need to do some clean-up work on the poppy woodblock, but I wanted to get a feel for what it looked like printed. And the milagro heart is an older block that I've been meaning to print again to use as collage pieces in encaustics! I even printed a few images on paper, but I think I need to use different ink to get that to work. But imagine! Images on fabric! Art and sewing possibilities. Oh, I'm giddy!

And finally, to round out the poppy goodness, a quick shot of the poppy pillow I made for the living room. I bought the fabric awhile ago and just love it. love. it. As in, I should have bought more!

Here's wishing all you mothers (and daughters and sons) have a wonderful mother's day! We're going to celebrate a day early with a neighborhood parade, street fair, and dinner at a local restaurant. Oh yeah! Happy Mother's Day!

Wool, Felt, Fabric. FUN

I've been feeling crafty in the evenings lately, and needed something to keep my brain (and fingers) busy. So, I pulled out my stash of felted wool sweaters, felt, and embroidery thread and got busy!

These little wool felt posies will eventually be incorporated into some fun project, but for now, I just had a blast making them!


A gal can never have too many pin cushions, so I fashioned this one to keep pins handy when I'm working away from the sewing machine. Now, I need to get some fun new pins!


These are Hazel's new summer pants! I LOVED this green fabric and new I'd eventually make something out of it. Alas, the old pattern I had was too small so my amazing mom added a gusset in the back making them wearable. I had to add some funkiness to them, so she has black polka dot strips on the bottom. Now, I want a pair!


I also whipped this skirt up on mom's serger. I had seen a similiar styled skirt out of knit at this high-end kids clothing shop. I went home, drew out a pattern on a paper sack, and started cutting! It's not perfect and I will do some tweaking to improve, but I dig how easy and quick it was and fun to trim out with ric rac on the bottom!

A Beltane/May Day Giveaway

I'm a big fan of letting the seasons inspire us, energize us, and teach us life lessons. Spring is fully upon us and we just celebrated May Day and Beltane. It's a time of joy for life, love, growth, abundance and joy. And I'm so into that!

Therefore, I'm starting this off with my very first blog giveaway! I am giving away a free 5x7 print of this Encaustic collage above (printed on an 8x10 paper). All you have to do for a chance to win is post a comment in the blog below about what you want to grow more of in your life this season! How easy is that? The winner will be randomly drawn and will be posted on the Thursday post!

Happy Beltane and Happy May!


AND THE WINNER IS: Emmy Jay
Emmy, please get a hold of me and let me know your address so I can send you your free print. And thanks so much for reading and commenting on this blog! Stay crafty!