Tuesday, August 23, 2005

Acquisition

I saw Angelina fibers yesterday on the ATC demo on Simply Quilts and immediately I had to have them. Do I have time to focus on them right now? Is my studio a mess? Have I put away the class materials from my Stampaway class? No, to all of the above. Nevertheless, I spent an hour or so finding a vendor and ordering so I could have them. I've been in the business for a long time, yet I still react like a brand new stamper when I want something. It has to be here yesterday or I can't focus on anything else.

Stampaway was my big focus in August. I can still remember the days that I traveled from St. Louis and it was like a big adventure to go, arrive early on Saturday to trade pins, to try to figure out what I was going to do with the pins once I got them, and the reoccuring struggle to see demos and make it to every booth. This year my shopping was more laid back but I did buy some metal working tools from Bonnie's Best (a wonderful person and terrific vendor... http://www.stampsalad.com ) and a few new stamps. I wouldn't let myself buy unmounteds since I haven't finished putting last year's new ones on Halos. I had to draw the line somewhere.

My classes went well and I was able to take a great class from Pam Sussman who told me she has a Rockport book coming out in November (Fabric Art Journals: Making, Sewing, and Embellishing Journals from Cloth and Fibers). As with all of Pam's classes and kits, I am sure it will be done with precision and artistry. I hung out with Tracy and Deb after my classes. They were really helpful not only with keeping my classes on track, but with their own suggestions for my students as well. I am lucky to have them and we have a great time when we get together.

Artvent continues and the artwork pieces I have received have been awesome. Not only are they wonderful pieces of art, but they are also pieces of the artists themselves. I am so glad I participated.

Wednesday, August 03, 2005

Artvent

The dog days of August are here, but I am happy to say that I am participating in a wonderful collaborative effort with a talented group of St. Louis artists that still let me keep company with them while I am in Cincy. This project, brainchild of Karyl Howard, had us produce a piece of artwork or the like for everyone in the group so that each day of the month we have a surprise to open. We all have different art backgrounds and passions so I would expect that there will be a wide range of creative offerings that will make me smile every day.