Looking up, looking down

Helen Frankenthaler dies at 83

2011-12-28T13:40:00.000-08:00

Nature Abhors a Vacuum 1973

The artist Helen Frankenthaler has died. She was famous for using a method she helped develop which was known as the Color Field and she was married to the artist Robert Motherwell for many years. Ms. Frankenthaler poured turpentine-thinned paint in watery washes onto the raw canvas so that it soaked into the fabric weave, becoming one with it. (Source: The New York Times)

Occupy North Pole T-shirt is now for sale on Zazzle.com!

2011-12-21T10:56:00.000-08:00

Now you can buy Occupy North Pole design on a T-shirt or Mug!
Order today and you'll get free shipping.

http://www.zazzle.com/occupy_north_pole_t_shirt-235381342915715829

http://www.zazzle.com/occupy_nort_pole_mug-168706644032486193

City lights and sights in Oklahoma

2011-12-12T22:20:00.000-08:00

Christmas Lights on Automobile Alley in Oklahoma City

Womb Gallery Oklahoma City with Christmas light

Patriotic Buffalo

Winter Landscape

Fountain of Faith Church

Drive Thru-Window

Dean's Drive Thru Pawn Shop

Back in Oklahoma

2011-12-10T21:19:00.000-08:00

I'm back in the town I grew up in from the fifth grade until I left to join the airlines at age 22. Oklahoma City has grown up too, there is a new sense of energy and excitement; young people are sitting in cafes, artists are active, the oil companies are booming and there is an NBA team in residence.

The influx of money from the sports team and the oil is evident with new restaurants, shops and art around town. I am really happy to see it and to be here. I think about moving back. The pace is slower, the traffic is less and the cost of living is slower. But it's been a long time since I left 34 years....

I love the light and the architecture of the houses and old brick building. It has an easy going vibe. I'll post some pictures as soon as I get back to my computer. Good night all.

Abstract art or painted over graffiti?

2011-12-05T15:10:00.000-08:00

I've taken a series of pictures of walls that have blocks of painted over graffiti on them. They look like modern, abstract art to me. I've posted one set over on my flickr site. You can go there to view them all:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/picturegirl/sets/72157628296745071/show/

Linoleum block printing and Occupy North Pole postcards

2011-11-29T22:31:00.000-08:00

My friend Kelly just had her annual block printing party the Sunday after Thanksgiving. I've been going for years and am finally starting to get the hang of it.

This years card is called "Occupy North Pole". Send one to your favorite protester!
I'm having them professionally printed and am selling the extras in packages of 20 for $12 on Etsy.

Click here to buy.

Click here to vote on this design at Threadless.com

Obsessed with Fashion

2011-11-16T21:11:00.000-08:00

Katie Grand and husband Steve

I'm obsessed with fashion and clothes since I've been in New York. People here have style and everyone is dressed well. (Or so it seems to me coming from Seattle). I'm ready to become a fashionista. I just read about a British stylist who seems fascinating and talented. Check out this article on Katie Grand over at fashions most wanted blog. She's also the editor of Love magazine......a hot fashion mag for the industry.

The lady is a tastemaker and has great personal style.

My last day in New York

2011-11-16T07:43:00.000-08:00

It's been a wild ride, two and a half weeks in New York City with all the sights, sounds and tastes that go along with it. I'm sad to leave yet ready to go home an see what comes of all that I have absorbed these last weeks. I'm sure I'll be more stylish and will incorporate the street styles I've seen in my travels around town. Here are a few more pictures from the last few days.

Diety at ABC Carpet and Home

Occupy Wall Street has trickled down to retail store advertising!

Sheridan, one of the kitties I'm watching

The sights in NYC

2011-11-12T20:37:00.000-08:00

It was another busy day of walking, museum hopping and shopping in the Big Apple. I went to MOMA where I saw the De Kooning show as well as photography. This was my second visit for this trip. It's too much to take in all at once.
I headed to the International Center of Photography Museum and saw three great shows. My favorite was

Signs of Life: Photographs by Peter Sekaer. There was also an exhibit of photographs

from the last ten years of Harper's Bazaar and a moving exhibit of photos from 9/11.

I ended up in the East Village at Vineiros...a famous Italian bakery and bought a Cannoli. It was yum...can't find any like that in Seattle.

Here are some other scenes from the last two days.

Pink Santas at ABC Carpet and Home

Doll Head Macrame

Red Storefront in Soho

I'm in NYC

2011-11-11T08:43:00.001-08:00

Oy vey, I haven't posted in months. I was in Mexico for a week, then New Mexico for four days and now I'm in New York City! I'm here cat and apartment sitting for three weeks. I couldn't pass up the opportunity to live in the big apple like a local. I've just finished my second week and I haven't come close to seeing all the sights I want to see.

Protesters at Occupy Wall Street

Stencils at Occupy Wall Street.

Cafe Habana in Soho

Man with a cat on his head.

Hot pink girl in her school's Halloween Parade

Window at Louboutin

Long day.

Mickey takes a call on Halloween night in the Village

Here are a few highlights from my trip so far.

September at the Lake

2011-09-12T00:10:00.000-07:00

August and early September have been a glory of hot summer days. I spent a Sunday afternoon at Lake Washington and watched a group of children playing in the water. It was a perfect summer day.

Playing in the water

Two boys on a tree

Lake Washington at Mount Baker Beach

Cameron Mason at the Project Room

2011-08-17T13:58:00.000-07:00

Cameron Anne Mason showing her fabrics

Cameron's fiber art

Detail of Cameron's work

Scene at the Project Room

Last week I was at the Project Room again where Mandy Greer is in residence. She invited textile artist Cameron Anne Mason to speak about her work and why she makes. Cameron brought samples of her hand dyed fabric which was delicious. She also showed some of the fabric sculpture she shows at the Foster|White gallery. We all sat around crocheting for Mandy while she spoke, even a dapper gentleman arrived and took part in the creative scene.

Gasworks Park Photos

2011-08-10T22:39:00.000-07:00

the gasworks

sign art

paddleboard race

Gasworks silhouette

Practicing fire dancing moves

We have a really cool park in Seattle on Lake Union called Gasworks Park. There are some old rusty gasworks there (hence the name) and it a wonderful place on the water with city view. Here is some of what I saw today.

Small Waist

2011-08-10T21:04:00.000-07:00

Small waisted masseuse

This may be the world's smallest waist...seen in a coffee shop in Port Townsend. This girl, dressed as a victorian lady, corset and all, was giving chair massages. Anything to drum up business!

Sketchbook Challenge

2011-08-10T00:04:00.000-07:00

Telephone

Here is today's sketch/painting...an old telephone (actually new, it's a reproduction).

Dyeing scarves in the backyard

2011-08-03T11:42:00.000-07:00

When I went to Confluence (the Surface Design Association's conference) in June, I bought some quick setting ColorHue silk dyes. Here are my first attempts at dyeing silk chiffon scarves. You can buy the dyes at www.SilkDyes.com.

Sketchbook project for August

2011-08-01T11:12:00.000-07:00

It's a new month and time to get painting and drawing. I'm following along with Jill Berry on her Sketchbook Challenge http://sketchbookchallenge.blogspot.com/. The challenge is to paint every day things that are around your house. I did something like this a few years ago with great results.

I've been doing a few watercolors this summer but mostly sewing, felting and needlepointing so far this summer. I'm itching to get my paints out and this is a good challenge for that. Won't you come along too?

I'm back from North Carolina

2011-07-11T21:11:00.000-07:00

Blueberry soup in Asheville

Rocking Chairs on the porch at Penland

Random, in honor of John Cage

Collaborative drawing exercise

Instructor Sherry Wood finishes her quilt.

Penland country road

What a great trip! I spent two glorious weeks at Penland and a few days in Asheville visiting friends and seeing the city. It was hot an muggy, this Northwest girl had a hard time with the heat. I'm in re-entry mode and still processing the images and events of the last few weeks. It was great.

Improvisational Quilts at Penland with Sherry Lynn Wood

2011-07-02T16:57:00.000-07:00

Hi Ya'll. I can't upload any pictures yet, but go here if you want to see what my class has been up too.
www.daintytime.net

Today we went to an all town garage sale in a town nearby...I found a lot of old linens and antiques cotton baby dresses to incorporate into quilts. Oh, found a fez too. Where making flags for the Penland 4th of July parade. I love being in the South in the summer. I'm seeing fireflies and listening to cicadas every night. In our workshop we listen to John Cage and some folk music too.

More details when I get home!

I'm off to Penland

2011-06-24T17:33:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow morning I'm leaving to go to Penland for a two week workshop. For years I have heard what a wonderful place it is to go and be immersed in art making. I'll fly into Asheville N.C and spend the night with friends, then head out for Penland, a 1 1/2 hour drive. I'm taking a workshop in a medium that is new for me. Quilting. This workshop is lead by Sherri Lynn Wood and focuses on Improvisational Quiltmaking. It's called Mapping the Rhythm of Attention. I'm sure I'll have lots to show and report when I get back on July. Until then.....

Sherri Lynn Wood, Color Study: Red

Wedge, quilt: hand-dyed cotton, glass

beads, machine- and hand-pieced,

hand-quilted, 52 x 68 in

Fleur Couture

2011-06-21T00:07:00.000-07:00

The Fremont Solstice Parade was Saturday. Lana Sundburg and I along with three other friends made dresses from flowers and foliage. We were inspired by the Weedrobes made by Nicole Dextras. See her work here. Whole foods gave us bouquets of roses, gerbera daisies and sunflowers. We foraged for laurel and ivy to make the outfits green. Lana's sunny and beautiful yard was our workroom. A good time was had by all.
Here are a few pictures of the process and end results.

Our three young maidens get ready to walk in the Solstice parade


Roses hanging to dry


Sewing roses on the skirts with dental floss


Monica contemplates her form

Cory trimming roses

Flowers and tools

Lana models

Rose dress with blue parasol

Lana models daisy dress

Daisy models daisy dress

Ella in the laurel dress

Eye Candy in Fremont

2011-06-17T02:16:00.000-07:00

Burnt Sugar store interior


Paper dress at Burnt Sugar

Burnt Sugar Chadelier


Light and Linen at Les Amis

I like to shop in the Fremont neighborhood of Seattle. There are several boutiques there I always visit. Les Amis has lovely and unique clothing, Burnt Sugar has shoes, purses, jewelry, perfumes and plain old cool stuff you won't be able to live without. Essenza is a shop filled with fragrances and scents of every kind. They all are well designed and a treat for the eyes.

India Flint: Inspiring Speaker at Confluence

2011-06-11T20:58:00.000-07:00

I'm at the Surface Design Association conference, Confluence, and this morning India Flint was a speaker. She uses natural dyes from plants found on her walks and wanderings in Australia. Her work is astounding. Here's a sample.

Eucalyptus Prints from India Flint

She gave a wonderful talk and recited my favorite poem from Mary Oliver, The Summer Day.

The Summer Day

Mary Oliver

Who made the world?
Who made the swan, and the black bear?
Who made the grasshopper?
This grasshopper, I mean-
the one who has flung herself out of the grass,
the one who is eating sugar out of my hand,
who is moving her jaws back and forth instead of up and down-
who is gazing around with her enormous and complicated eyes.
Now she lifts her pale forearms and thoroughly washes her face.
Now she snaps her wings open, and floats away.
I don't know exactly what a prayer is.
I do know how to pay attention, how to fall down
into the grass, how to kneel down in the grass,
how to be idle and blessed, how to stroll through the fields,
which is what I have been doing all day.
Tell me, what else should I have done?
Doesn't everything die at last, and too soon?
Tell me, what is it you plan to do

with your one wild and precious life?

Heading out of town to Confluence: Surface Design Conference

2011-06-06T00:47:00.000-07:00

I'm leaving town tomorrow for Chicago and then to Minneapolis for Confluence. It's a conference put on by the Surface Design Association and will be four days of fiber arts, craft, design, speakers and creative frenzy. I can't wait. More details to come.

Bellevue Festival of the Arts : Postcard

2011-06-02T16:22:00.000-07:00

I just finished a poster and postcard for the Bellevue Festival of the Arts Artfair. Here's the postcard.

Lilacs in May

2011-05-27T11:04:00.000-07:00

It's rainy today but Lilacs are blooming in the yard so I don't mind.

Minted Design Contest

2011-05-25T23:47:00.000-07:00

I don't usually do this kind of thing but I have entered a design contest for a holiday card over at Minted.com. I have three designs in the competition and I would welcome your feedback. See them here: http://www.minted.com/design-rating/28432
http://www.minted.com/design-rating/27206
http://www.minted.com/design-rating/2843 9

Vera : The Art and Life of an Icon

2011-05-17T18:16:00.000-07:00

"It doesn't matter where I go as long as I break my routine and see new things." – Vera Neumann

This book is a must read for all lovers of color and for textile artists (who are probably all lovers of color anyway!). Vera: The Art and Life of an Icon

I can relate to much about her life, including the inspiration she gets from travel. She was a woman way ahead of her time. She was one of the first to copyright and license her work. All her scarves started with an original painting. She introduced Op-Art designs in the late 50's. She reminds me of Sara Little Turnball. I like to imagine that they knew each other.

Cover of the book.

Inspiration: Mixed Media Artist Christine Sauer

2011-05-15T21:27:00.000-07:00

I'm planning to attend Confluence, a conference put on the the Surface Design Association. I was looking through their member gallery and came across the work of Christine Sauer. It's wonderful. She uses crochet, freehand stitching, embroidery and machine stitching. Visit her website to see more of her great work. www.christinesauer.com

Mixed Media Contstruction by Christine Sauer

Sound Suits and Parade at the Seattle Art Museum

2011-05-09T18:03:00.000-07:00

Me and two hammering men

Green Soundsuit

Hammerhead

Monica in a soundsuit at right

Last week SAM had it's Journey to the Center of the Universe parade to celebrate the Nick Cave (artist, not musician) exhibit going on there now. It's wonderful show and the parade brought smile and sparkly outfits out in full force.

May Day, May Queen and May Pole

2011-05-05T11:58:00.000-07:00

Gunny Sack Girls

Top of the Maypole

Daisy Chain

Flowers in her hair

The Fremont Arts Council community weave the maypole

May Queen and Green Man

The May Queen is chosen!

maypole moshpit

Simon and Macque made it all happen.

Sunday was May Day and the Fremont Arts Council had their annual celebration with the community. There was a Green Man who selected his May Queen from available maidens. There was frolicking and dancing, there were ribbons and children and gunny sack races and flowers in hair. It was delightful and the weather cooperated with a warm sunny day. Here are some photos.

Sonia Delauney at the Cooper-Hewitt Museum

2011-05-01T10:32:00.000-07:00

When I was in New York earlier this month I went to the Cooper-Hewitt museum to the Sonia Delauney show. Sonia was a textile artist in the 1920's 30's and 40's who was married to Robert Delauney in 1910, a painter (see his work up the street at the Guggenheim in the show "The Grand Upheaveal"). Since I was in NYC for Printsource selling my textile designs, it was a happy accident that this show was going on concurrently. For a really good wrap up of the show, read the article at Zoot.


Bathing Suit 1928

Dress 1925-28

B53 1924

Milk Glass Rocks

2011-04-30T17:44:00.000-07:00

I came across this picture today...I took it several years ago at my friend, artist Barbara Depirro's house. She has a lovely way of decorating with things from nature. I like the combination of milk glass and rocks.

Royal Wedding Fever

2011-04-30T00:35:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to the newlyweds, Kate and William. It was a fairy tale wedding. She was sublime in her beautiful dress and he was dashing in his uniform and sash. I'm glad to see a happy event after so many natural disasters in the news....and I'm a hopeless romantic!

Royal Wedding Hats

2011-04-29T12:05:00.000-07:00

Nicely done

The Queen looked cheerful and lovely in her yellow outfit

Posh looks like she's in mourning

Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice...scary

Sublime

A bit theatrical

Love the orange flower

Stylish!

Very Nice

I have Royal Wedding Fever! Kate Middleton was stunning and elegant and Prince William is most handsome. It was textbook fairy tale stuff. I loved seeing the hats...the British love them...Here are some from the wedding...some scary, some sublime. You decide!

Maira Kalman at the Jewish Museum in NYC

2011-04-28T14:04:00.000-07:00

My favorite illustrator is Maira Kalman. She has an exhibition of her work going on at the Jewish Museum. Check it out if you can...it's just up the street from the Cooper - Hewitt museums and the Guggenheim, both of which have great shows right now.

http://www.thejewishmuseum.org/exhibitions/mkalman

Leanne Shapton-Illustrated patterns

2011-04-28T13:52:00.000-07:00

I just saw this article on the New York Times blog about Leanne Shapton.

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2011/04/27/opinion/20110427_SHAPTON_PATTERNS.html

Art director, illustrator, designer, she has a series of creative activities she does each day of the week. These are the Wednesday patterns. What a great idea...painting your life.

I went to NY

2011-04-25T00:22:00.000-07:00

I was in New York the second week of April for Printsource. I stayed at the Beekman Tower Hotel, which had a lovely bar and restaurant on the top floor with wrap around view of the city and east river. The trip was a whirlwind, I went to four museums and one play on Broadway...there is never enough time to do it all in New York City..but I tried. I saw a great show at the Guggenheim: The Great Upheaval. I also went to the Japan Society where I saw "Goodbye Kitty" a show about contemporary Japanese artists who combine their modern vision with traditional materials.

Looking down from the top floor at the Guggenheim

Notes to the victims of the japan earthquake and tsunami at the japan society

The lights of Broadway. I saw "High" with Kathleen Turner

View of the east river from the top of the Beekman Tower Hotel

The Guild Girls after setting up our stand at Printsource.

Haute Trash Fashion Show Seattle

2011-04-24T21:43:00.000-07:00

Last weekend was the Haute Trash Fashion show, an event I love to attend every year. All the garments are made from recycled materials that were destined for a landfill. There are some very creative outfits! I loved Carmen Miranda and the Tango dress made of potato chip and snack bags. I want to enter next year.

Carmen Miranda outfit made from a papasan chair

Bubble wrap Bride

Tango dress made from snack bags.

Drifts of Cherry Blossoms mean Spring in Seattle

2011-03-27T16:54:00.000-07:00

Birdhouses as Surface Design

2011-03-25T09:52:00.000-07:00

Check out these cool pictures from the Pattern People's blog:

http://www.patternpeople.com/coolness-birdhouses/

Printsource Preview

2011-03-22T16:25:00.000-07:00

I've been furiously working on new designs for Printsource which is happening in NYC on April 12 and 13. Some of the work I create by hand usually starting with a line drawing or painting. Other work is created entirely on the computer. I hope to have 100 prints by April 2 so I've been working furiously. Here's a preview.

Evidence of the Hand

2011-03-06T02:13:00.000-08:00

I'm starting a new series of photographs called "Evidence of the Hand" and eventually want to do a show on this subject. It concerns looking at the handwork involved in making whether it be a sweater, or a piece of art.

beads and threads

Here are pictures from the first series in Evidence of the Hand. I found a beat up sweater at Goodwill by the pound. The lining was shot but I decided to upcycle the beads and save the beautiful beaded handwork for use on something else. I even love the label inside the sweater.

Fabric Junkie

2011-02-28T17:26:00.000-08:00

Today I went into Pacific Fabrics to browse around and get inspiration for Printsource. I came out an hour later with $56 worth of fabric and no clear vision of what I'm going to do with it. Printed fabric is like crack to me and I have to stay out of fabric stores to avoid going on binges.

Here are a few new designs I've done for the Printsource show I am attending in April.

Rose Weave | Copyright Diane Tchakirides 2011

Blue Urns | Copyright Diane Tchakirides 2011

San Francisco, Chinatown & Pink Fur Funk

2011-02-26T23:51:00.000-08:00

Fire Escape

I call her Dragon Lady

Diner Door

Parasols in Chinatown

These pictures make me happy. Taken about six years ago walking around San Francisco.

Balloon Window Display at Bergdorf Goodman in NYC

2011-02-24T08:24:00.000-08:00

Check out this great use of color and balloons at Bergdorfs for Spring 2011. Pictures are from Bobbin Talk blog. Go there now!

Thinking about snowboards today.

2011-02-22T11:28:00.000-08:00

I don't snowboard but the graphics on them sure are cool. I'm going on an interview with a company that designs things for snowboarders so I've been doing some research today. I like this one by B.O.N.E.

Mop Chandelier

2011-02-18T00:03:00.000-08:00

Check out this mop chandelier showcased on Design Sponge. Way cool.
Click here to read all about it.

Thought for the Day

2011-02-17T01:17:00.000-08:00

Outer Order Creates Inner Calm

Typography in the Paris Metro

2011-02-17T01:04:00.000-08:00

Great use of type in the metro.

Virgins a hand and a mannequin

2011-02-17T00:59:00.000-08:00

I'm going through some of the pictures I took on my trip to Paris in November and this one popped out. I think it was at the BHV department store? or Bon Marche? At any rate, I like it.

Shadows and light

2011-02-16T10:52:00.000-08:00

The sun is out today.

Valentine's Day and updates

2011-02-09T20:38:00.000-08:00

Well so much for writing every day here. How about once every month and a half? I've been busy preparing for Printsource in April, creating new textile designs and some marketing materials for the The NW Textile Designer's Guild who I will be showing with.

I did have time to do a felt Valentine so it's show and tell time. What are you making for Valentine's Day?

New Year's Resolution

2011-01-02T00:34:00.000-08:00

To post something on the blog every day is my hope for 2011. Of course, that will probably last about two weeks, but I will try. For today I'm showing Emily Barletta, she's doing some cool things with yarn and felt. They look like cells and sea creatures. Check her out at:
http://emilybarletta.com

I had a very nice Christmas holiday and mellow New Year's eve. Spending time with friends and eating good and special food is a nice diversion from winter. I'm in a cozy phase with the cat, yarn and knitting needles on my lap.

Happy New Year!

Felt Jewelry Artists - Inspiration

2010-12-02T09:04:00.000-08:00

I happened to see some felt bracelets by Cynthia Toops at Souvenir in Ballard. They blew me a way. Cynthia has done intricate and wonderful jewelry in polymer clay in the past and I didn't know she was now working in felt. Apparently she's in a new book that's coming out. The link to the book is below. Wow. I'm blown away and inspired by her work and the other artists in the book.

http://bijoucontemporain.unblog.fr/2010/07/21/felt-jewelry-upcoming-book-500-felt-objects/

Artist's Lino Block Carving Party

2010-12-01T17:38:00.000-08:00

Kelly Lyles had her annual lino block carving party for some of her artist friends. I'm one of her lucky friends on the invitation list. Here's my holiday cupcake that I carved.

Kaffe Fassett Workshop

2010-11-30T11:11:00.000-08:00

I had the opportunity to take a painting workshop with one favorite artists and textile designers last month on Vashon Island, Kaffe Fassett. We worked with colors by starting with an art postcard and using the colors in that to inform our colorway. The results were stunning and I learned so much from the master himself.

Future Perfect

2010-11-16T08:19:00.000-08:00

I'm in love with the NYC boutique called Future Perfect. I found them by following the designer Donna Wilson, who makes great plush toys. The carry all kinds of design toys.

http://thefutureperfect.com/index.php

StudioCherie: Antique Dealer Video Portrait

2010-09-30T20:01:00.000-07:00

StudioCherie: Antique Dealer Video Portrait

I love this.

Double Rainbow

2010-09-06T13:53:00.000-07:00

I went with a group of artists to Tieton last weekend on a big yellow schoolbus. It was a blast. I piece of my needle felting was included in an art show there called 10x10x10 (everything had to be smaller than 10 inches. On the way home, we saw this double rainbow. As the youtube video guy, bear, says "What does it mean?"


The drive over to eastern washington is beautiful. This is the yakima river right driving on canyon drive.

We were also in the town's community days parade. The yellow schoolbus was a hit. This was my second time to be in a parade this summer. It was fun.

At Tieton's 10x10x10 show. My felt bowl is on the shelf to the right.

This is Lucas, he hung the show and organized the event. All the artists love him!

Mighty Tieton is an old fruit warehouse. this was a cold room. It has great acoustics and Trimpin sometimes does performances there.

Take the Serendipity Challenge

2010-09-04T00:56:00.000-07:00

I just stumbled onto this blog and I'm diggin' it.

http://www.technomadia.com/

I can use a good dose of serendipity. Read how to take the challenge here. I'm gonna try it this weekend as I head over to Ellensburg to see the rodeo. Yee Haw!

http://www.technomadia.com/2010/03/take-the-serendipity-challenge/

The Virgo Month of Leisure Has Begun!

2010-08-26T22:14:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite bloggers, Jessamyn West, over at jessamyn.com is a fellow Virgo. She started the Virgo Month of Leisure and I think it's a swell idea for all of us worrying Virgo types. She's a librarian and all around interesting person. Check out her blog and if you have a Virgo in your life, give them a hug this month.

This image is from Jessamyn's blog: www.jessamyn.com

Amor Embroidery project

2010-08-23T00:01:00.000-07:00

This is a piece I did about ten years ago...I was experimenting with embroidery and sheer fabrics. I need to do more of these. I used metallic thread. The subject was love....

New Textile Print - Hydrangea

2010-08-21T19:06:00.000-07:00

I'm inspired by all the beautiful Hydrangea bushes that I see all over
Seattle so I made a print. How do you like it?

Four Arts and Crafts schools I want to visit in the next four years

2010-08-21T10:13:00.000-07:00

Anderson Ranch

Penland School of Crafts

Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts

Haystack Mountain School of Crafts

These are some arts and crafts schools I've wanted to go to for years. Maybe if I write their names down and say it out loud that this is my vision...it will happen. I will attend each of these schools in the next four years. There, I'm committed!

Intention and visualization work!

Anderson Ranch


Penland School of Crafts

Blogs to check out

2010-08-15T00:32:00.000-07:00

Megan of Not Martha on the left is interview by Jen of CraftSanity.

Went to the Conference of Creative Entrepreneurs today. Here are some blogs to check out:
Not Martha
Cakespy
CraftSanity
Sublime Stitching
Got some great ideas on Guerilla Marketing from a panel moderated by the charming Jesse Oleson of Cakespy fame. Twitter and Facebook are the new advertising models plus giving away free cookies!
More to come on the conference next week.

Blackberries and Yardwork

2010-08-11T00:06:00.000-07:00

This evening when I got home from work I attacked the weeds and overgrown-ness of my yard. It's very therapeutic to rip out ugly plants and chop up Blackberry bushes. However, I did take a walk later in the evening and gleaned a large container of ripe blackberries...the first of the season. All in all, it was a very satisfying evening. I listed a pair of great summer sandals in my Etsy store, The Mod Pod.

They are real pretty.

Creative Conference of Entreprenuers is next Weekend

2010-08-06T23:16:00.000-07:00

I'm excited to attend a creative conference for entrepreneurs here in Seattle next weekend. It's a three day event with some big names in the crafty chick movement. Speakers include Jenny Hart of Sublime Stitching, Faythe Levine of Handmade Nation and artist Lisa Congdon to name a few. I'm ready to take my Etsy stores to the next level. I sell handmade felt and knitted things along with paintings and collage in my Art Nest shop, and Vintage clothing and accessories in The Mod Pod shop.

Creative Conference of Entrepreneurs

Felt patchwork piece by moi.

Flower Mandalas and Tin Can Art

2010-07-04T11:16:00.000-07:00

Last Thursday at the Pioneer Square Art Walk I stumbled across the most beautiful art installation. Chris Reitmaier creates temporary art spaces and was hired by the city to do one in Seattle. He uses flowers and his art made of smashed tin can lids. I fell in love with his work. Check him out at http://www.somniative.com

The art queens were also strutting their fabulous stuff at Pulp Gallery. It was a fun summer night out.

I live in a great city for artistic expression!

Summer Soltstice

2010-06-30T06:29:00.000-07:00

I was in the Fremont Solstice parade this year. It was so much fun to be a part of. I'm a firm believer that everyone should be in a parade at least once in their lives. I was with the Yellow Submarine ensemble. We had Blue Meanies, the Beatles and a host of strange sea creatures. I made a hat for my outfit out of a marching band hat. It was a blast.

100 Bits of Living - Sabrina Ward Harrison

2010-06-26T22:57:00.000-07:00

The imagery in this video is amazing. Good music too by Sigor Ros.
http://www.sabrinawardharrison.com/ee/index.php/sabstudio/tlp/

Strange and Wonderful Things - The Solstice Parade

2010-06-18T13:23:00.000-07:00

An annual event that I love every summer is the Fremont Solstice parade. No veterans and queens here: rather you'll see brightly painted naked bicyclists, outrageous floats made of recycled materials and it's all powered by humans. No motorized vehicles or sign with words allowed. Last year I participated with the Ice Queens, this year I'll be with the Yellow Submarine Ensemble. Here are some pictures from the Ice Queen 2010 dress rehearsal last night. It was fabulous.

I have a new Vintage store on Etsy - The Mod Pod!

2010-05-29T14:01:00.000-07:00

I love vintage clothing, accessories and housewares. I've finally opened an etsy store where I'll be selling some of my personal collection as well as thing I find in my travels. I'm just starting to post things but here are a few photos of what's up.

Visit the mod pod!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/themodpod

I want to stay here - El Cosmico

2010-05-24T23:59:00.000-07:00

http://www.elcosmico.com/

Vintage fashion in Portland

2010-05-23T11:36:00.000-07:00

I'm still high from my trip to Portland. So many inspiring shops and sights were seen. They have great vintage stores. Here are some photos.

Cargo - the most amazing store in Portland

2010-05-23T00:54:00.000-07:00

I took a trip to the Rose City (portland, or) last week. I visited some of my favorite stores and discovered some new ones. Cargo, in the Pearl District is a must see on every trip. It's like walking into 100 foreign countries at once.

Art show - First Thursday Artwalk

2010-05-23T00:49:00.000-07:00

My First Thursday opening was great fun. Here are my friends Dina and Cory posing in front of some of my art. I'm in the dots in middle.

Doodling on the phone

2010-05-22T01:29:00.001-07:00

This is what I do in meetings or when I talk on the phone....

textile design

2010-05-21T01:16:00.000-07:00

Here's a new one in a few different colorways. I started with a pencil sketch, scanned it into the computer, then added colors.

Art show - First Thursday Artwalk

2010-05-12T23:02:00.000-07:00

I was in a small art show for First Thursday Artwalk in Pioneer Square. My friend Olivia hosted it in her fantastic loft with a view of Elliot Bay. Great music was performed by Hejira. This group is called the Women and their names are Iris, Fanny, Courtney, Sabine, Rachel and Lola. If you're interested in one, drop me a line.

Yummy Goods - Inspiration

2010-05-12T22:51:00.000-07:00

I just found this website and totally love it. Yummy Goods. www.yummygoods.com

It's done by Melissa Averinos: self proclaimed fabric designer, author, shopgirl, painter, Cape Codder, good listener and lover of pie.

Check it out.

The cat always finds the sunny spot.

2010-05-06T00:00:00.000-07:00

Recycling Plastic Bags - Josh Blackwell

2010-05-02T21:45:00.000-07:00

http://www.joshblackwell.com/index.php?/projects/plastic-baskets/

Plastic baskets...what a good idea for artist recycling.

KnittaPlease

2010-05-02T21:18:00.000-07:00

She knits graffiti. Cool.
http://knittaporfavor.wordpress.com/

Haute trash fashion show

2010-04-19T07:58:00.000-07:00

Went to the ninth annual Haute Trash fashion show on Saturday night. All the fashions were made from recycled materials...mostly plastic. The models and clothes were fabulous and the message was timely....re-use, recycle and don't buy plastic packaging! Plastic is forever.

Abstract Indigo

2010-04-14T00:27:00.000-07:00

I'm on a creative streak...staying up too late every night playing around with Painter and Photoshop. Here's a new design....I am having fun!

vine drawing

2010-04-13T00:40:00.000-07:00

This is a little ditty I worked on last night and today. I started with a pen and ink drawing and brought it into Painter for recoloring. What do you think?

pink fish, international district seattle

2010-04-08T23:00:00.000-07:00

Checks and stripes

2010-04-08T22:41:00.000-07:00

San Francisco entryway

2010-04-08T22:38:00.000-07:00

Playing with Painter

2010-04-06T23:32:00.000-07:00

Top is a pen and ink drawing which I brought into Painter and colored. The bottom is the same illustration that I put through a filter. I like the effect.

Noted without comment

2010-04-04T21:45:00.000-07:00

Raindrops and blossoms

2010-03-29T00:37:00.000-07:00

Been gone too long! Sorry for not posting. I got a job and guess what? No free time. I'm adjusting but have to be more organized with my time. Today was rainy and cold but I saw blossoms and flowers at the warm and humid conservatory in Volunteer Park. I saw some amazing plants and colors only mother nature could invent. Enjoy

The Happiness Manifesto

2010-01-24T00:41:00.000-08:00

I'm loving the Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin. Here is her Happiness Manifesto

http://www.happinessprojecttoolbox.com/manifesto.html

A Happiness Manifesto

To be happy, you need to consider feeling good, feeling bad, and feeling right, in an atmosphere of growth.
One of the best ways to make yourself happy is to make other people happy; One of the best ways to make other people happy is to be happy yourself.
The days are long, but the years are short.
You're not happy unless you think you're happy.
Your body matters.
Happiness is other people.
Think about yourself so you can forget yourself.
"It is easy to be heavy: hard to be light."—G. K. Chesterton
What's fun for other people may not be fun for you, and vice versa.
Best is good, better is best.
Outer order contributes to inner calm.
Happiness comes not from having more, not from having less, but from wanting what you have.
You can choose what you do, but you can't choose what you like to do.
"There is no duty we so much underrate as the duty of being happy." —Robert Louis Stevenson
You manage what you measure.

Resurrection Fern - Inspirations and things to make with your two hands

2009-12-29T23:43:00.000-08:00

I'm blown away by the blog, Resurrection Fern by Margaret Oomen. I showed some of Margaret's crocheted rocks a few posts back. Now she is sharing tutorials for all sorts of wonderful handmade things. You can learn how to knit a forest,make a snowflake pendant and much, much more. She's my new favorite artist and her website is so inspiring. She also has a store on Etsy where she sells her handmade things. You can buy pictures of the crocheted rocks there.

Christmas Window Displays

2009-12-14T13:17:00.000-08:00

Check out these cool windows from Barney's in Pacific Place. Notice the pot scubbers they use for trimming their tree. I love anything with mannequins and old globes.

Down the street at Mario's they do cool things with their windows too.

Banned Books Project

2009-12-12T23:01:00.000-08:00

I was one of the artists who took part in the banned books project created by librarian Elsa Steele at the Kirkland Public Library. The was my second time to participate and this year my book was We All Fall Down by Robert Cormier (Young Adult Fiction). The assignment was to read the book and then alter it in such a way that it can no longer be read. Since the main event in my book centered around a house, I cut the pages into the shape of a house and cut out windows on each of the pages so the content is altered. The book sits on a base of the collaged remnants of my cutouts. I hope this project will inspire people to fight for the free flow of information.

Wow, Look at this crochet!

2009-12-10T23:18:00.000-08:00

I just saw this over at Lucky Handmade...the crochet work of Margaret Ooman.
http://luckyouhandmade.blogspot.com/

See her etsy shop here http://www.etsy.com/shop/knitalatte

Linoleum block carving for Christmas cards

2009-12-03T14:53:00.000-08:00

My friend Kelly had her annual lino-block carving party. This is about my sixth year to attend and I'm finally getting the hang of it. Here's my card for this year.

Great-full

2009-11-26T10:39:00.000-08:00

Hi Everyone. Wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving spent where you want to be with people you like. Some of the things I'm greatful for today are my health, home, friends, family, cat, garden, talents, community, teachers and enough food to eat.

What are you greatful for?

My cup is full, he said to me, not speaking of his beverage.....