Mosaic Inspiration

From the instant we arrived at the gates to Park Guell in Barcelona, I knew I had found a special place that would touch my soul.  The vision of architect/artist Antoni Gaudi, Park Guell is a visual feast for those of us who live for color and texture.  We had the pleasure of having a private tour guide to explain to us what we were seeing in the structures, pathways and open spaces that filled the park, as well as buildings and the Sagrada Familia church throughout Barcelona.  I could fill pages with everything that I loved about Barcelona and the works of Gaudi - here are a few photos of mosaics.

Sagrada Familia, Barcelona Spain

Creative Back to School

I am sadly past the time in my life where I can make a big deal about my kids going back to school.  There is not much shopping and the requisite 'first day' photo must be a sneak attack.  I cannot resist the need to still look at all of the colorful supplies that stock the store aisles at the end of the summer.  

While visiting Berlin last month I found the Idees shop, a craft shop across the street from the enormous KaDeWe department store.  While I enjoyed the large selection of craft supplies, ranging from fabric to beads to paper arts and more, I was smitten with the large display of colorful paper cones arranged in an appealing display.  I was happy to find a sign in English explaining the purpose for these tantalizing towers.   The sign read:

When children in Germany and Austria set off for their first day in school upon entering first grade, their parents and / or grandparents present them with a big cardboard cone, pretty decorated and filled with toys, chocolate, candies, school supplies, and various other goodies.  It is given to children to make this anxiously awaited first day of school a little bit sweeter.

It's called Schultute (translated to 'school cone) and it's a tradition that dates back two centuries.  Don't you just LOVE this idea?  had I seen this 13 years ago I would have had a fabulous time creating the perfectly decorated cone.   What kind of creative back to school traditions do you have?

French General Chateau Getaway

I had the privilege of traveling to Chateau Dumas in Auty, France last month.  Kaari Meng, owner of French General,  fabric designer, author and artist has organized this wonderful trip for the past 6 summers.  Fourteen women came together along with Kaari, her sister, mom and friends, to eat well, visit farmers markets and brocantes, craft and enjoy life as a rural french woman.  It was a magical week.  The following is a video from my photos.  I am no great photographer but was intent on capturing the essence of the chateau and it's surroundings.  (Billy Joel accompanies the video.  A little odd of music choice so you may want to adjust accordingly)

Postcard Swap Arrival!

Received my first postcard from the iHanna DIY Postcard Swap in the mail today.  I was greeted by a fabulous envelope with the postcard - and other ephemera - inside.  Thank you Patty!  It's wonderful!  I'll be adding some of the extra goodies in my Documented Life Project planner/journal.  

IHanna's Postcard Swap

I have been having so much fun playing in my mixed media mess of fun in my studio lately!  By day I am surrounded by fabric (which I LOVE) yet in the off hours I often mix it up with paper, paints, pens,etc..  I have been keep up (sort of) with the Documented Life Project and took a mixed media book making class with DJ Petit (3 days of fabulous).

Years ago (when AOL was the only email option) I participated in mail art.  I loved it and saved some of it, as I didn't want to part with some cool art.  I have seen the postcard swaps that iHanna has sponsored and was excited to be on top of things and sign up.  I created 10 postcards and will mail them out tomorrow to recipients in the US and beyond.  I will also be receiving 10 in my mailbox.  Fun, right?!!

Here are my 10 postcards.  I started with a whole bunch of Gelli prints.  Some have collaged bits of paper and fabric - a few deli paper flowers.  I added paints, markers, and some stitching.  Hanna created a postcard template for the notes and addresses.  Lot's of people will be making May 1st a happy mail day!  Come back to see what mail arrives in MY box!  (perhaps I'll get around to catching up with posts of my DLP project, too!)

Catching Up with the Documented Life Project

I am truly enjoying participating in the Documented Life project.  Amazingly, I have been keeping up with it each week.  Posting it to a blog and to the files on the groups' Facebook page is another story.  I last left off with Week 7 and I am now working on week 13.  A bit of a catch-up post .

I am missing one week, apparently.  

I am torn daily between my fabric arts and my paper arts.  I just signed up with iHanna do do a postcard exchange as well - I have seen the past works in this group and couldn't resist.  Throw in a workshop next week with mixed media artist DJ Petit and I think I know which part of my studio will get the most use in the coming weeks!

Documented Life Week 7 and Other Creative Endeavors

Must say I have been enjoying the weekly page challenges/prompts for the Documented Life project.  It's a manageable commitment, which is always good - because it gives me the opportunity to stay up to date and current with everyone else.  Week 7 was to draw a shape - and repeat!  So many talented people are participating in this online group that it can be quite inspiring (and often intimidating if you are one who compares their art skills with that of others.)   Many pages are well thought out and planned, others, like mine, are more serendipitous and 'in-the-moment'.  Before I started my page I perused some of my craft draws for some inspiration.  I came upon a circle stencil with many sizes of the round shape.  I proceeded to draw circles then added color, texture, highlights, stitching, etc...

Not so artistic but fun and relaxing.  I did the circles on a larger sheet of paper so before creating the tip in I folded it in half and added some machine stitching.  The back of the page also has some of the circles with some words added.

A fellow quilt guild member is also participating in the Documented Life project so we sat down and enjoyed looking at each others' planner.  It's nice to know others who enjoy working in all types of creative media.  I go back and forth between the paper and the fabric daily and mix it up when I can.  Tomorrow I take a class from long time quilt expert Cindy Blackberg, who will be teaching hand piecing mixed with hand embroidery.  I love learning new techniques!  Cindy uses rubber stamps and Versa Craft stamp pads to in lieu of tracing templates.   This sounds brilliant to me and I can't wait to play tomorrow!   I'll let you know what I think.