Tuesday, December 27, 2011

The Blessings of the Season

Christmas time is a time I love most. Decorating the house, getting ready for family gathering and celebrating the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ with those I love.

This year I wanted to have a winter wonderland since we have no snow here where I live. The table in the dining room is the center of this wonderland.





Hidden away on the china cabinet are the Snowbabies playing quietly.




On the window seat are my two favorite bears, enjoying the frosty trees and view of the wonderland on the dining table.





















The Christmas tree stands tall waiting for gifts to cover bareness beneath.






The beauty awaits the joy to be shared.

Happy Holidays to All!

Sunday, December 04, 2011

Ribbon Lace and Button Cuff



Having fun in the studio making ribbon and lace cuffs. Thought I would share some pics.



Tuesday, November 29, 2011

FOND MEMORIES

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Sunday, October 30, 2011

VELVET & LACE

Another class Tracie Lyn and I will be teaching for Ruth Rae is the bracelet made of VELVET & LACE. This is a class filled with fun and intrigue for creating a bracelet resembling a piece of jewelry from the past. Using velvet ribbon, bits of vintage lace, satin ribbon and vintage buttons coupled with a variety of beads and jewelry hardware we will spend the day exploring the art of days gone by.



Techniques will include, not only sewing and triming in a way to give an aged appeal but also the stringing of beads, crocheting buttons and crimping to finish this most lovely jeweled treasure. An optional bonus will be to embroidery a handmade pillow for displaying.














Once completed students will enjoy wearing this bracelet on special occasions or as a necklace with a treasured dress.





Please join us as we take a STEP INTO THE PAST!

Sunday, October 23, 2011

EXPLORATION IN MIXED MEDIA

The past few weeks have been filled with a busy schedule of creating Mixed Media samples for the class Tracie Lyn and I are teaching for a fellow teacher, Ruth Rae. She has been ill the past few monthes and is unable to attend International Quilt so we were asked to teach her classes.

As most of our time was scheduled for getting ready to teach our proposed class, it was necessary for us to create samples, class outline and class kits for the students in the Exploration in Mixed Media Class.

Here is a sneak peak at samples:

This is created with various burning effects using a heat gun and candle on a variety of fabric media. RocLon bump is used as the background for the piece.
















In this piece are Roc-Lon Multi Purpose Cloth, various other fabrics and trims all afixed to a vintage quilt piece from a flea market find. Behind the door is a small doll given to me years ago at an art event from a student. I have always loved the doll and wanted to include it in a special piece. This is just the right piece.













Creating this piece was a lot of fun. I made resin paper, created a transparency, then used various fabrics and burning to give the aged look.




I am excited to teach this class with several techniques. We will be demonstrating the resin paper process, review the art of printing transparency images. burning techniques using both a heat gun and a candle on various fabrics, trims, laces etc., followed by assemblage to create a lovely work of art.

Please join us for a day filled with FUN and CREATIVITY!!!

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

GALLERY SHOW

July 16 thru August 22 is the gallery show at Muchnic Gallery in Atchison, Kansas. I am honored to have been asked to show my pictures created with scraps of ribbons, yarns, threads, fabrics and other fibers. Each picture is a one-of-a-kind creation framed in a black frame.

The artwork provides me a way to recycle scraps and small bits of fibers that I would otherwise toss. I frequently use small trims and embellishments that I find at antique stores. At other times I purchase French trims, flowers, and buttons at a favorite shop in California.

I hope you enjoy the works as much as I have enjoyed creating them.

Once the gallery show is over I plan to include the remaining works among the items for purchace in my etsy shop.


This is a favorite: I call it "Le'Fleur". It has silk flowers, crocheted stem, felted centers in the flowers on black velvet.





This is "Spheres". It consists of three separate spheres placed one on the other, then placed on a black velvet background.



















"Mystique" is the name for this creation. It has a very unique French lace and buttons. The way the lace is made was a bit mysterious to me thus the name for the artwork was born.










"Sumburst" became the name for this work. I created it then decided to have the ragged backdrop to create the look of the rays extending beyond the sphere.


















I have a favorite work named "Sea Beauty" which has captured my heart. It was my very first picure and I just cannot bring myself to part with it. I wanted to include it in the gallery show but decided I would create a sister to it. Thus, I created this piece, " Sea Beauty II". I love the use of the peacock feathers to create to look of a sea creature.





I invite all of you who live nearby to visit the Muchnic Gallery and see my works along with thos of two other artists.

Location:
704 North Fourth Street
Atchison, Kansas

Hours Open:
Saturdays and Sundays 1-5 p.m.
Wednesdays 10-5 p.m

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Creating Gallery Pictures

Sorting through all my yarns, threads, fabric scraps, wild flowers, buttons and other ephemera to create artwork for the gallery show.













Stiching ribbons, yerns and threads to create a 4 x 6 inch piece of fabric to include in artwork.















Snippets and bits come together to creat geometric shapes accented with various yarns then stitched onto black velvet before framing.







This piece includes unique trims and floral buttons from France sitting atop a scrap of sheer tuille and stitched to black velvet.






Well, back to creating new pieces.....

Thursday, May 26, 2011

May INchie Swap

The Month of May I hosted the swap for my INchie group. The theme was "Flowers". Each of us made a tiny one inch by one inch work of art with a flower. Then all sent the INchies to me so I could make a display.

As I created my tiny works I kept thinking, "How am I going to display them?"



Then as I was searching for items to use I came across some vintage album pages. These will work great!











Now to figure out what to include on them without taking away the unique beauty of each tiny INchie. Vintage Music! and some more flowers!






I began to decorate the vintage pages and create a small canvas for the the tiny works to frame them in the opening of the pages.













Once I finished, this is what each Special INchie Diva Artist received!



Tuesday, May 10, 2011

SETTLING IN

Since returning home from ArtFest I have been busy sorting, packing and moving items into my new studio. The work my hubby did has exceeded my dreams! It is a beautiful shade of lavender, both ceiling and floor, and has lovely white wood trim and pillar with teakwood floor. Cabinets and office furniture are black.

In the desk and files area there is a small chandelier. A vintage shelf where I have placed cherished items is above the file cabinet.

















In the area where I have all the sewing machines and other quilting items there is a larger chandelier. I LOVE IT!














An island that has wheels so I can move it is located in the center of the room.






Outside the walk-in closet is a perfect place for my bookshelves. (I have lots of books)







This is the most FABULOUS retirement gift! I could not have imagined what it would be like to have a room that is twice the size of the former bedroom I was using for a studio and a lovely walk-in clost. I am VERY LUCKY to have this as a place to retreat and create. Now that I am retired I want to spend a lot of time creating.

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Atchison Art Walk

Atchison, Kansas is hosting an Art Walk Friday evening, April 29th from 5:30 to 8:30PM. There will be approximately 25 artists displaying their works within the various businesses. Eash artist will be in a business beginning at the Missouri River area and ending on North 8th street. This is not only an opportunity to see great art but also historic architecture in Atchison.

I will be displaying my work at Willow Brook, located at 117 N. 8th. Please stop by and see what I have created. Using scrps of yars, threads, ribbons, material, feathers and any other "dry" materials I have assembled them in to artworks like the ones below. Materials used are the scraps left from sewing, knitting and other mixed media works.


Living in the midwest I have witnessed many storms throughout the years. While the storms are extremely turbulent theyeye of the storms have a fascinating calm about them.
The "Eye of the Storm" represents that calmness.





















One of my favorite works is "Sea Beauty".
It was inspired by the beauty of the Pacific Ocean. While gazing at the horizon of ocean meeting the sky I was facinated by what lies beneath the water. It must be as beautiful as the surface!




















This work depects the flowers in my garden and is appropriately titled
"Garden Splendor".



Enjoy a spring Friday evening touring Atchison's historic businesses to see the work of local artisans. What a unique way to spend the evening!

Monday, March 07, 2011

Techniques for Celebrating Spring's Arrival



In one month I will be heading off to ArtFest to teach two FABULOUS classes! Since ArtFest is one of Tracie and my favorite retreats, we are teaching classes that are special and "one-of-a-kind" thus, will not be taught at any other retreat!

ArtFest was our first ever art retreat, where we began as students, vended then finally have had the privilege to teach for the past several years. When we attended the First Artfest, we fell in love with the breath-taking beauty of the area and the hosts of this magical event, Tracy and Teesha Moore.

Even after 12 or 13 years of participating in this event, I continue to be overwhelmed by the awe everytime I arrive. Magic wraps around me like a blanket warming my heart. Participatng in fabulous classes, rubbing shoulders with top notch instructors, meeting new friends,drinking-in the absolutely breath-taking beauty of the surroundings, reveling in each lovely experience touches my deepest being. I don't think I feel quite so alive and able to live wholly in the moment like I do during Artfest.

Once again, I am so honored to be teaching, sharing my knowledge and skills, passing along the love of nature to those wonderful individuals that choose to spend their time in one of my classes.

I am extremely excited about this year's workshops and want to extend a personal invitation to be part of one or both, which are Artfest exclusives. This is definitely the one and only opportunity to learn these very unique techniques for creating nature inspired, stunning works of art in 2011.



The Egg-ology Workshop is BRAND NEW! And, I can hardly
contain myself, as I simply giddy to share my techniques for stenciling, stippling, and painting to create artworks inspired by bird eggs and nests, along with secrets to forging perfect representations of such delicate and intricate natural subjects,
imbued with both color and depth. The techniques learned in this class will continue to reveal nature's beauty in your future artworks as you use them in many of your creations.



The Of Nested Visions Workshop, I am proud to say, is the
third time this sold-out class has been offered and, again, is an ArtFest exclusive. An ode to Nature's songbirds and their beautiful abodes, students will build an enchanting assemblage first by weaving their own
nests using the same natural materials as birds. These delicate nests will be the focal point of the entire piece. You will be amazed at the way the nests capture the talents used by small birds. The differences between these creative works and the nests you find in your backyard are difficult to distinquish.

And I am thrilled to say that Tracie will be bringing some really REALLY
GORGEOUS natural ephemera straight from her garden for
students to use... take a peek!






We have limited these classes to a small number of participants to keep the classroom experience both personal and intimate.

Only a few spaces remain in each workshop as the sign-up date draws near,
so don't wait... Sign-up today!


Visit ArtFest 2011to download a registration form or contact Teesha at artgirl777aol.com

See you at ArtFest!!!

Saturday, February 19, 2011

ETSY SHOP HAS REOPENED!!!!

A while ago I closed my etsy shop because I was working full time and just couldn't keep up with everything. Well, now that I am retired I decided that I should reopen. And what better way to do that but to fill my shop with Windham's new Nature Inspired Fabrics by Tracie Lyn Huskamp?!!!, my dear daughter-in-law and co-teacher.

I am selling fat quarters of these lovely fabrics in my shop. You MUST take a peek! The fabrics are so VERY BEAUTIFUL! They will inspire you!

If you make any purchase AND and should choose to "Favorite (Heart) my etsy shop" then I will Include a packet of ephemera and miscellaneouse items from by studio.....vintage papers, various buttons, ribbon, bits of other fabrics etc......

Here is the MOST FUN:

When purchasing 5 or more fat quarters and identifying my shop as a Favorite (Heart) I will be including ephemera and miscellaneous items from my studio.....AND a book from my stash of books on craft, sewing, etc. as a free gift.

Isn't this fun?

Hop on over to my etsy shop

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Creating at The French General

One of my favorite places to visit and teach is "The French General" which is owned an operated by Kaari Meng, artist,designer and one of the nicest persons you can meet.

On Saturday, January 29th, Tracie and I will be teaching students how to create lovely Butterfly Missives where the butterflies will appear to lift into the air. We are participating in Kaari's weekend "Art of Crafting Event".

Here are a few pics of what we will be doing:





























If you are attending CHA in Los Angeles or live nearby I hope you will join us at The French General for a fun time creating. What a great project to make for a special Valentine!!!