Phantom Whispers

Starting to Catch Up

Where Do I Begin?

So many wonderful things happened in the month of April. It was a glorious month for me, full of classes, taken and given and most especially full on wonderful people. Unfortunately I don’t have a lot of pictures of the wonderful people but I do have picture or two to share with you.

At the beginning of April I had an amazing opportunity to attend ArtFest in Port Townsend, WA. I love ArtFest and I have from the beginning. Last year was the first time I hadn’t attended. And it was looking like I wouldn’t be going again this year. Every year the spots sell out almost immediately for this glorious celebration of mixed media arts. And I hadn’t signed up for it. Money has been tight around here (now, I’m not crying poor, poor me, it’s just that this wasn’t at the top of my spending list) and signing up for an event that I wasn’t teaching or vending at is pretty much unheard of around here.

But I trust the Universe to provide when needed and a spot opened up at the last minute and I was able to purchase it using some tax refund money. Now, I had warned the Mailman that I was thinking about doing this, trying to feel him out. He kept saying that it was up to me and that I didn’t have to get his permission. Well, once we cleared up that I wasn’t asking for permission but was trying to find out how he would feel about me splurging on ArtFest, he once again said it was up to me. Well, you know what I did. Yee Haw! I was going to ArtFest.

Now I know a lot of folks at ArtFest so it wasn’t quite as intimidating as it might have been going out of town by myself and taking classes I hadn’t even signed up for but again, the Universe was looking out for me and I got absolutely wonderful classes. I had The Ultimate Journal with Thomas Ashmann, Personal Icons (I think that was the title) with Anahata Katkin and Butterfly Boxes with Stephanie Rubiano. I almost couldn’t have picked better classes. And I had almost everything needed for the classes. So only 2 days after finding out I could go I was off to Port Townsend.

What can I say? It was wonderful. I got to see a lot of folks that I adore, catch up with friends, learn some cool stuff and make some fabulous new friends. I wound up staying in the dorms. I loved it. It is like your own little cocoon (as Connie Newbanks remarked), a warm comfortable little place to call your own. It was great and my dorm mates were a warm and friendly group.

And I got to meet up with some dear sweet ladies I had met in Virginia at Art & Soul last May, Carol and Bunny. We missed hanging out at the bar late in the evening. It was wonderful to see them again.

And when you are in Port Townsend stop by the Post Office for a look at a kinder gentler past with fabulous wood counters and lovely metal worked grilles.

The classes were great fun. It really was a treat to not have to know anything or have the answers. Heck I could have skipped a class If I had wanted to, but you know I didn’t want to. In Thomas Ashman’s class (the Ultimate Journal) I wound sitting next to none other than Judy Wilkenfeld, she of Red Velvet Creations fame (More about Judy later). I had a great time getting to know her a bit as we both deny hoarding the chocolate kisses at our table. We fumbled through a few tricky spots with our journal but had a pretty good time with them. And Thomas was kind enough to dig up a bunch of washers I needed to attach this handle I had. A very patient guy.

The next day was collage and painting with Anahata Katkin. I love painting. I don’t let myself do it enough. But it was amazing to see the work that came out of that class in only a few hours. I love Anahata’s energy and bright spirit.

And then there was Stephanie and the butterfly boxes. I love my box. I used a photo out of the Smithsonian magazine as my father made me promise long ago that I would not add wings to any family members. Sigh. But the photo was great. And the class was great. It was good to use the jeweler’s saw again. And I learned some great sawing techniques and really realized why the deep throated saw is the way to go if you need to buy one. I, of course, already own a not deep throat saw.

But one of the most touching parts of ArtFest was when a small group of like minded folks gathered and got to bask in Judy Wilkenfeld’s book, The Twelve Tribes of Israel. Oh….my...god! This is an awing, humbling, breathtaking piece of work. And to hear the love and passion in Judy’s voice when she shared with us the inspiration and challenge in creating this masterpiece. To view it on her blog check out the entry for March 21, 2008

So while this is only a brief little touch on ArtFest, it will have to do. There are so many more things to share with you all. Next up is the Newport Paper Arts Festival.

Thanks for listening.

Joy. Pure unadulterated joy!!!!

Oh I have so many things to tell you, so many things to say. But my time is limited as I am preparing for another jaunt out of town. This time I am off to Hampton, VA to teach two classes at Art & Soul. The both should be great fun and I am looking forward to it. If only I had every prepped and ready to roll it would be good. Heck, it would be more than good, it would be fine.

And I do so want to tell you all about the wonderful time I had at ArtFest and at Newport for the Paper Arts Festival and I will. Just not now as I am feeling the wait of time and things not done heavy on my shoulders. So all my tales of wondrous adventure and fabulous folk will have to wait until I am home again, home again.

But I had to share with you all the best news I’ve had in ages. Today I got a call from my brother that we hadn’t heard from for almost two years. He just disappeared on us.

It left a huge hole in our hearts and it ate at my father.

But today his voice came to me, precious and scarred and scared, over the phone lines, making the connection and wanting so much to know that we still cared.

Silly one, of course we do.

We always will.

Love you, Stanford.    

I’ll be back with you all in May.

Late snow or what?

Okay, now I said I would talk about the camping trip to our property in Eastern WA. It's a gorgeous place way, way out in the country. Like in no power, no water, no nothing. Nothing but good clean air, beautiful scenery and lots and lots of space. Which is good.

However, when we decided to go to the property to check on our partner's building (his future home but currently a shell) to make sure it lasted through the winter the temperatures were in the 50's. Hey, nothing a gal from WA can't handle on any given day. I realized as we drove through the snow in the two mountain passes that I was ready for winter to be over. More than ready. I was done with the gray skies and gloominess of winter. How nice to be heading off to sunshine and more temperate climates.

Yeah, about the temperate climates. As we approached the town near our property it started to snow. It was already snowing at home we learned from a call our partner had gotten on the way. Oh well a little snow not so bad.

It kept snowing.

All night.

And I have no pictures of the snow as my camera's battery died, as usual.

Did I mention we were staying in the house shell? The not caulked or air tight house shell? The house shell that was a nice balmy 30 degrees?

Oh, yeah, you know I wasn't a happy camper. I thought I didn't like the noise of a generator. Well, it was more than welcome that night as it powered two space heaters and a lamp and brought the temperature up to all of 36 degrees. While the plan was to spend a couple nights, it got cut short as I just am not cut out to be making trips outside for the potty (no outhouse yet) when it is that cold.

It was cold. The guys didn't think it was so bad as they were both wearing long johns (actually silks from when they ski). Would have been nice if they would have mentioned that idea to me. No long johns here, just a couple of layers of sweats that didn't do much to hold out the cold.

And I find that when I am that cold all I want to do is eat and sleep in a nice tight little fetal ball. We ended up eating most of the food we had brought that night, leaving bacon and eggs for breakfast. There wasn't enough light for me to read by so we played cards until our hand got too cold to manage that. Then it was off to bed at about 9:30. Plenty dark and plenty cold.

So the little camping trip got cut short. I'm not complaining. It was fun in a masochistic kind of way and it really made me appreciate heat and light. And I was able to figure out something that I really want. Who knew?

Who knew I'd really want an outhouse?

Winter Wonderland...oops make that spring

     We woke today to a cover of snow. Not as surprising as it would have been as we had some flurries yesterday. And by this afternoon the snow was gone.   But it isn't all that usual for us to find ourselves covered in white stuff almost a week into spring.  It has happened before, at least 5 times in the last hundred years.  Apparently we have even had snow as late as April 19th.  But the newspaper wasn't so forthcoming as to say what years these late snow happened in.  So we are in for a few more days of cold weather a few snow flurries and then at last spring weather (I hope).

     I have been working on paintings of late.   I have been very pleased with them, even if it is my own work.   They have been a joy to make

Here is one I call Flight.  As in take to your wings and fly, don't hold back.  When I get it together, this will be going in to my etsy store.  It is 10" x 8" and done in acrylics on a pieced paper background.

Here is Bliss.  Measuring 12" x 9" it is also worked in acrylics.

And lastly but definately not least is Maui Girl.   She is worked in acrylics and paper and is currently on her way through the postal system to a show at the NewPort Paper Arts Festival where she will hang in the gallery there until she either sells or the end of the Paper Arts Festival when I shall bring her home with me. 

And I am working on an article for Go Make Art (also known as Astarte's Mega-zine) a cool downloadable zine.  Deadlines, as much as I dislike them I do get stuff done.   Speaking of deadlines I have charms I am working on for a swap for Art & Soul Hampton.  So far they are coming out well.....but not done yet.

Tomorrow my husband,Tom , our friend Ron and I well head out to our jointly owned property in Eastern WA.   Hopefully it won't be all snowy.   We will be camping, sort of.   Ron has built the shell to his future home on the property, so we will be able to sleep on a level surface (rather than sliding all over as we did last time in our not level tent) and there will be a roof over our heads.  But there will not be a toilet or running water or electricity.  I don't mind the electricity but the toilet and running water I miss a lot.  I don't mind roughing it as long as I can have a few amenities.  Heck, I would be glad for an outhouse....I don't like hanging out in the open (so to speak).   Anyhow, it will only be for a couple days and those will be lovely inspite of the lack of facilities.   It has a spectacular view of mountains in the distance and you wouldn't believe how solitude.

So, I'll be back soon.   Keep making stuff, folks.   It's good for you.

Kicking and Screaming

I have been quiet again, I know.  But I have been busy.  I have been dragging myself, kicking and screaming into the 21st century of computing.  Okay, it probably isn't even the 21st century of computing but I have been teaching myself stuff on how to get my blog to look a bit more like I want.  See?  New banner, new colors., it was time for a change.

and ....

drumroll please......

I have finally gotten some of my items for sale loaded into my etsy store.  Can I hear a halleujah?   Just getting the photos to show off the rings and bracelets was a bit of a challenge.  Oh but learning how to make them look good and add my name to boot was just golden.   Please check it out as I am busily taking pictures of more items and adding them as I can.  Just click on the link to the right.

I am also excitedly working on some mixed media paints that I just have a blast doing as well as more wireworked bracelets and earrings.   And I am getting jazzed for the upcoming Newport Paper Arts Festival.  I am working on items for the Instructors Show in the gallery there, both of a book nature and painting, mixed media stuff.  Oh it is all too much fun.

And if you haven't done it, think about joining the Oprah online class on Eckhart Tolle's book A New Earth.  You have to sign up on Oprah's website.   Hurry as you only have until March 2nd to load the media player you will need to take the class.  I don't know if I've done a radical shift but I do know that I am enjoying reading it.

And with a new food plan (lots of fruit, veggies, whole grains and organic when I can swing it) I am feeling pretty fine.   

So I wanted to share so good feelings with you and to let you know I am alive...and loving every second.    :-)

Excuses, excuses….

  Oh I always have excuses as to why I don’t get more blogging done. I’m tired, the room is too cold,  I have nothing important to say or the cat is in my way. They are all true at some point, the cat one occurring most often. Zelda thinks that when I am at the computer I am there for her. To hold her, to pet her, to let her climb upon my breast and treat them like pillows. Ouch. She doesn’t pull in her claws in an effort to gain purchase on the moving body and I have the scars to prove it. She jumps from my art table to my shoulder and perches there like an errant falcon (me wishing I had leather shoulder pads) until she decides it is time to come around under my chin, trying to stay off any surface other than my body, rubbing my chin and purring madly all the time. Only with great reluctance will she move from my chest to the computer table so that I can at least get a little bit done. And as you can tell she hates having her picture taken….I think she is of the mind that it steals the soul.

   

I want to give you, my dear reader, a wee giftie, a small something you can make for yourself. They are Pocket Folder Booklets. These are great booklets that are handy for all kinds of things. And they don’t require a lot of materials or tools.

I am posting directions and a diagram here for your personal use. Please use the idea to your heart’s content but if you wish to teach it or make it into a kit, please, please, write your own directions and use your own diagrams (I hate even having to say that stuff...such is life). Now that that is out of the way…

To make your own Pocket Folder Booklet you will need:

• One piece of 12” x 12” cardstock, decorated on both side is very nice (usually found with scrap booking stuff)
• 10 sheets of text weight paper, cut to 8½” x 10¼”
• ½” or less wide double stick tape
• Approx. 15” of waxed linen thread or embroidery floss or pearl cotton thread
• pencil
• ruler
• scoring tool like a bone folder or the smooth side of a table knife
• An awl or something you can make holes with
• A cushion, like a mouse pad or a folded towel to make the holes on
• Scissors
• Needle (I like to use a #2 crewel with the tip sanded down (thanks Dorothy!)

Cick on the diagram and pictures to get a much larger view. 

Now to make it

1. On the back side of the card stock, score a horizontal line 8½” from the top edge. Score vertical lines at ½”,6” and 11½” from the left edge. (see the diagram)
2. Cut out the shaded areas shown in the diagram.
3. Apply double stick tape to the areas marked on the diagram. Don’t worry about fine trimming the double stick tape, just fold it back onto itself. Fold down onto the card stock. This gives a nice reinforced edge.
4. Fold up the pockets onto the inside of the card stock. Fold the tabs so that they are between the pocket and the cover. Apply double stick tape to the side of the tab closest to the cover and press into place.
5. Fold the cover in half. Place the cover onto the mouse pad and make holes along the center fold at 2”, 4¼” and 6½” from the top of the card stock. Set aside.
6. Fold the text pages in half. They can be folded individually or as a group. I tend to fold them as a group. Place on the mouse pad and make holes along the center fold at 2”, 4¼” and 6½” from the top edge.
7. Place the pages inside the cover and with your threaded needle start sewing on the inside of the pages through the cover at the center hole. Leave a tail of thread of about 3”.
8. On the outside, stitch up and through the cover and pages at the top hole. On the inside stitch down to the bottom hole and out through the pages and cover.
9. On the outside stitch up to the center hole and through the cover and pages to the inside. On the inside notice the long stitch in the middle. Make your threaded needle come up on one side of this long stitch and your starting tail come up on the other side. Tie off the thread with square knots over the long stitch. Trim off the thread ends to about ½”. Depending on the thread used you may want to put a drop of glue on the knot and let it dry.

Now your Pocket Folder Booklet is ready for you to fill with projects, recipes or dreams. Have fun playing with these and let me know how they turned out.

Gifts Freely Given

I have been meaning to write here in my blog for many days now. Time has been sliding through my fingers like quicksilver and before I knew it Christmas came and I still hadn’t gotten this piece written. Gentle reader, please forgive my tardiness. I shall try to do better in the new year. Oh, and please note that I have added a place for you to sign up to be notified of a new entry. Saves you from having to check back all the time.

So with that stuff out of the way….

There was an e-mail going around for a bit where the recipient would use one word to describe the sender. The recipient would then send the e-mail off to their friends and gather descriptions of themselves. It really was humbling to read the one word used to describe you. Who knew that folks could think so highly of you? And these are folks that have seen you on bad days and at your worst…..it boggles the mind.

But what I realized the most from this little exercise it that every friend I have is a bright and shining star in the darkest of nights. That their spirits illuminate so fully that you can burn yourself on the brilliance and love. And I also realized that I don’t tell them enough how much they mean to me and how awesome they truly are. Now there is a good chance that if you are reading this you are one of the bright shining spirit that I am so privileged to have in my life. So let me say it here…

Thank you.

Thank you for being exactly who you are, because that is absolutely perfect. The world would be a much grimmer place without you in it and I am honored that you have shared part of yourself with me.

Thank you for your gifts so freely given.  I am rich because of you.

And now, here are a few more pictures from our Christmas tree.

This dear Santa is made of porcelain.  If you look closely at the trim at the bottom of his robe you will notice that is is sort of beige rather than white.   When I bought him years ago he came from a store that had been through a fire.   While most of him cleaned up fairly well that part of his trim is a standing reminder how precious each day as we never know what is coming around the next corner.

This sweet ornament was given to me by its maker, the very talented Belinda Schneider.   I just love the tiny Nativity.

Here is one of the three wee porcelain bells I managed to talk my Grandmother Miller out oh so many years ago.   They are very dear to me for Grandma has been gone many years now.  I wish the photo could show you how charming they really are.   They still proudly bear the original ribbon and of course when they are shaken they tinkle gaily and remind me of the line from "It's a Winderful Life" of an angel getting its wings.

And here is a poor photo of our little Christmas tree.  Other than the glass ornaments most of the ornaments has a story behind it, either who made it or where it comes from.   Its lights helped warm our heart during the long dark nights.

I hope your Christmas was lovely.   And may your New Year be joyous and bright!

p.s.   Please forgive any typos as my oldest cat, Zelda is here in my arms trying to help (or not) me type. 

p.s.s. And for some reason I am currently unable to get this whole entry in the nice green color.  I have tried but it will only let me do one word at a time.   So I am leaving the rest of this in black.  Life it too short to sweat the small stuff.  Peace.

Hello, Goodbye

Oh my best intentions have gotten away from me again and time has sifted through my fingers. How can I tell you how wonderful Art & Soul Portland was now with so time having passed.

Well, I guess I just will have to tell you that Art & Soul Portland was wonderful. I had the great fortune of taking a class on Closures, Toggles and Clasps from Dan Essing. I have loved his work for years and couldn’t let the opportunity to take a class with him pass me by.

And my classes a delight to teach as well. I couldn’t have asked for more wonderful students. The Ooh-La-La Diva journals were wonderfully colorful, the Mighty Mini Metal Journals had fabulous designs and the Carved, Bound and Wired group did me proud. Thank you all for making these classes the joy they are. Without you all I would not be teaching.

And as usual at one of these events, I got to met up with old friends and make some new ones. That is what makes these events addicting. It is that feeling of being with a group of like souls, that you just don’t get everyday. It makes it impossible to stop attending as how will you ever get to see all of your tribe again?

And while it is always lovely to be back home in my own bed, I miss the camaraderie, the spaces to create huge, colorful messes in (I work out of a small very messy cluttered studio). Ah, at least there is next year.

Since I have been back, the big dog has gotten loose twice, once due to the male members of the household thinking he could be let run in the yard without him trying to climb the fence. Why he wouldn’t want to climb the fence now, when he always wants to climb the fences escapes me but it has a logic for the guys. The other time the big dog popped open the latch on the kennel and did his thing again. I wasn’t home but fortunately a neighbor caught him and was able to get him secured in our yard without too much trouble. Can’t say enough about having good neighbors. Anyway, the big dog is a very smart guy and the men in the house keep trying to stay one step ahead of him. Me? I know you have to outthink him by about four steps to have any lasting effects.

So where was I when the big dog was out running around? I was at the Olympus Women’s Spa, dipping in to warm pools, sweating in steam rooms, lounging in salt, sand and jade rooms, melting out toxins. I have never done anything thing like this before and it was quite the experience. My dear mailman (aka Tom, my husband) got me a gift certificate for my birthday six months ago. I finally got to go with my mother-in-law and my sister-in-law. They have been numerous times and know the ins and outs of the place. This is one of those places that when in the pool room you are not wearing clothes. Zip, nada, nothing. It’s a little odd at first, particularly when you are not the most comfortable with your body image anyway. But you get over it. After all no one is there to look at your body. They are there, just as you are to sooth aching muscles, relax tight joints and to be scrubbed and moisturized to an inch of their life. The scrubbing made me feel much like a baby kitten getting the intense cleaning from Momma cat. There were times I almost wanted to bolt but the dear lady scrubbing me would calmly and efficiently put me in my place and scrub away. All in all it was a pretty cool experience. I may not do all the scrubbing and moisturizing each time but I can sure see getting a day pass to the warm pools, sauna, steam room and the heated earth rooms. Ahhhhhhh,

And today, I head out to Louisville, KY to visited with Sandy, my long time friends. It is always a treat to see her and I love my visits back to the area. And I am looking forward to hushpuppies tasting like they should, treated to Southern hospitality and thinking that 60 degrees is cold.

Take care you all. I’ll be back in a week. 

Oh, yeah.  The pictures posted Are of class stuff past and future and Sandy, my good buddy.

Personality Quiz

Here is the result of my personality quiz.   Following it is a link to the quiz if you want to take it for yourself.

You are sensitive and intuitive, with others and yourself You are creative and dreamy... plus dramatic and unpredictable You're emotionally honest, real, and easily hurt Totally expressive, others always know exactly how you feel At Your Best: You are inspired, artistic, and introspective. You know what you're thinking, and you can communicate it well At Your Worst: You are melancholy, alienated, and withdrawn Your Fixation: Envy Your Primary Fear: To have no identity Your Primary Desire: To find yourself Other Number 4's: Alanis Morisette, Johnny Depp, J.D. Salinger, Jim Morrison, and Anne Rice

http://www.blogthings.com/whatnumberareyouquiz/

Have fun.

How I’ve Spent My Summer Vacation

Or, what am I doing when I’m not writing here….

Spring and summer tend to be the busy time for instructors at art retreats. If you are not teaching, you are preparing for the next event or trying to come up with new workshop ideas for the next year. It is all good. Lately I’ve spent time in , Forest Grove, Oregon , eastern WA, Tucson, AZ and Phoenix, AZ.

Forest Grove is the location of the Focus on Book Arts Conference. It was a wonderful event where I got to meet new folks and spent time with old friends. It takes place on a lovely campus in a delightfully charming little town. It only happens every two years so the anticipation builds accordingly. Part of what makes the town so good to visit, other than it is usually when the strawberries are at peak season, is the store run by Patty Grass, The Accidental Bookbinder. Patty also runs Green Heron Press. She packs so much into her store that if she doesn’t carry it you may not really need it.

Then my husband, Tom, and I went camping on our property in eastern WA. Camping and I don’t get along as well as we once did but I am still okay with a night or two in a sleeping bag…on an air mattress. Of course, we weren’t really on a flat area so that our bags kept sliding down at night and we have to inch worm our way back to the top of the mattress a couple times a night. And the wind is a voice and presence to be reckoned with. There is more sound than there is silence. It stuns you as to how quiet it all is in the rare times the wind isn’t blowing to at least some degree.  On the way there we stopped at the Aplets and Cotlets factory in Cashmere, WA.    Oh, the goodies they make there.  In the factory store you can find flavors you can't find anywhere else.   Um, um, good.

Tucson is where my father in law lives. Well, in the area at least. We went down there to pack up the leather tools and supplies he is no longer able to use. Tom and I used to use these same tools to work our way through part of college life. We had to give them back to Tom’s dad after they came back home from Korea. It was a hard adjustment giving the tools back to Leo because they had been such a part of our lives in Kentucky but it wasn’t the case living in WA. So getting these tools back after 29 years is kind of like reclaiming part of our youth. Tom is setting up a work area for the tools and supplies and we hope that our hands and finger remember lost skills.

Phoenix is the home of Sylvia Luna and Art Unraveled. No matter how I prepare for hot climates they just beat me. I shower and leave the room feeling fresh and by the time I get to where I am supposed to be I am hot sweating and feel like I need a shower. The people make it all worth while though. I loved the folks in my classes and as always honored by the chance to be part of these events with so many fabulous people. And I admit that I love, love, love being able to spend a bit of time getting to know friends better as well as getting to met new friends. Phoenix was an outpouring of joy and friendship on so many levels for me. Any time I get to hang out with Sylvia Luna is solid gold as she is a delightful hostess and her home is like visiting a shrine/museum. What a treat. And I got see Pilar P. again and to know Deb T. And Jennifer, Nancy, Deryn, Maja and Stephanie and oh so many other wonderful folks. And I got to hug on Terry and Susan Tyson again. It has been way too long to see those folks again. If only we had time travel….. Again, it is an honor and a treat to be with all these wonderful people and the time goes way too quickly.  During the show I was able to get a photo of my aura.  Colorful, eh?   the funny thing is that all the photos of instructors had masses of colors.  I guess we are a vibrant group.

So, I’ve been traveling, teaching, learning and just being. More stuff happened with the family, so good some not but none of it major (counting my blessings).  I hope all is well with you all.   I'll  be back again soon.