Something About Nothing

What happens when you carry Gelli plates and paint in your suitcase to your daughter's house? An improv art party!

This was my first trip to Portland and I loved the view of Oregon out the window as we flew in. I didn't realize Portland was so far from the mountains! During Opening Night at Art and Soul , I taught a make and take.  The ladies used my hand carved stamps, Gelli plates , and Artistic Artifacts Fluid Textile Paint to create their own wristlets to carry supplies in. Teresa created a lovely design we both loved. Lara decided to use the plate and stamps to decorate her tote bag too. Roxie found some faces which she felt represented her  and her friends to commemorate their time at the retreat. Ruth Chandler invited me to join her classes (and schlep stuff about for her since she was going to have back surgery the following week). I eagerly agreed to help! The first class was from her book " Modern Hand Stitching "  and we were creating a stitch sampler book. These beautiful trays of  Wonderfil Threads   mak...

I took a quick trip to Boston (Fenway Park) . . .  . . .to visit with my friend Cate (middle). . .  . . . and teach her how to carve stamps to use in Gelli printing. Cate had a great time carving her heart out, starting her own Stamp Book Project and printing on fabric with the newly carved stamps. And of course we used my favorite fabric paints from Artistic Artifacts. This is the heart stamp I carved and then added it to my Stamp Book Project.

I participated in a workshop called  Up-cycled Stories: Books as Process .     The description of the class said: " Bring a personally challenging story to retell in a new light or a daily routine to reconsider and reframe. With a focus on finding joy and beauty in the everyday, participants stamp out insecurities, recontextualize shortcomings, and re-imagine the self in book form. In this active workshop, employ ink, brushes, stamps, mark-making tools, text, and re-collected common objects to produce process pages. Through a reimagining of the past, reinvent present perspective with an open heart, mind, and eyes toward gratitude and compassion. Instructors demonstrate a binding to be completed post-workshop from produced sheets. Come with a willingness to play with color, shape, narrative, and texture." I had a difficult time coming up with a story.  I just didn't know what I wanted to do.  The night before the class I was frustrated that I couldn't think...