Happy New Year!

 It has been a very busy year and I have neglected my blog since September! So sorry ! My New Year's intention will be to keep up my blog. It really started with a new computer. I am still trying to navigate around my picture files. And then I got very busy teaching classes, entering shows and so on. I do a lot of volunteering which takes some time. I am the editor of my embroidery group's newsletter, membership coordinator for my fine arts group and I will be a communication person for another fibre group. I did give up some groups but I still have little time for house cleaning! :>)
Above and below is a highlight for me for 2011. My little house was published in Cloth Paper Scissors! There it is with the little green roof and orange door. This kind of collage and embroidery is really my style!

 Here I am at a Mixed media workshop I helped run for the Fine Arts Society of Milton.

 This my collage piece that is being critiqued by my instructor, Jill Segal.

I also taught an adult class at the new art centre in October called Art Quilt.

Below are three of my students, Sharon, Shelia and Annie.

 Mary was the also in my class and I enjoyed introducing her to fibre art.

 My other class was at the Canadian Embroiderers' Guild Guelph. I was teaching The Book of Stitches from the Jan Messent book on Celtic, Viking and Anglo Saxon Embroidery. This is 92 year old Dorothy who put the rest of us to shame with her creativity and work ethic. Her book of stitches was completed at the end of six weeks. Ellen, a retired teacher enjoyed the class as well.

 Barbara Lee, below, created a very beautiful accordion book!

I taught a children's art class at the Milton Centre for the Arts for 10 weeks. ( once a week ) We had a delightful art show of all student's art work at the Holcim Gallery in December.

Whew, it was a chaotic season! Did I mention I taught at my friend's Open Studio, did Studio Tour with the best sales ever and fitted in a few supply teaching days? I did make a bit of art in the evenings watching television to sell at the AM Gallery. I continued to do the Sketchbook challenge each month, even if it was only one sketch or collage.

Its two hours into the New Year and I will not be making New Year's Resolutions. I will work at addressing my intentions for 2012 which will include my passion for all things fibre and stitch and mixed media.





Fabulous Mixed Media Art at Sandra's Open Studio

A while back, I took this photo at my dear friend's studio. Here are a 'bunch' of the ladies listening to Sandra intently. This is not always the case, we seldom listen INTENTLY. We are so immersed in art it is actually our therapy in play. Today was Sandra's first Anniversary! We all came for cake and to make art! It was all yummy! I have been coming regularly once a week to Sandra's Studio for a whole year. It is something I am totally passionate about. I hate to miss a single lesson! I wish you all live close enough to come to Open Studio. I know three of my blog readers and dear friends, Michelle, Erin and Doeteke all come to Open Studio regularly. I met Michelle through my blog. Actually, I met Sandra through Cloth Paper Studios Magazine when I saw her name and work in one of the issues. I emailed her and the rest is history! I love her dearly and she has become like the daughter I wished I had, but I only had boys!

This fuzzy photo is a picture of a class with Sandra using paper and stitch! It was so much fun! Below is another lesson using magazine pieces in one colour to create a tree collage. This is my bird tree! If you would like to see more student work, check out Sandra's blog at http://creatingartnow.blogspot.com

Now for the exciting news, I am teaching at Sandra's studio all next week. ( Wed. Thurs. Sat. from 10:00 - 1:00 ) I will be teaching an embroidery piece called Jewel City. We will paint aida cloth and create a city inspired by the art of Paul Klee. It will be embellished with embroidery and beads and lace bits. I found this lesson in an old Stitch (UK)  magazine and I impoved upon it in my style. I hope if you are interested you will contact me and I will send you  an email address for Sandra.
My art ventures are all very exciting right now and I am contemplating what I can do next! Any suggestions? I'd love to hear from you!  More photos to follow!

More paintings and a lovely box

 I have really enjoyed all the sketching and painting I have done while in Cedar Key, Florida. I attempted to immortilize Jane's lovely orchids. The pansies are blooming in February!

 This is my morning coffee cup and another orchid. I plan to give this painting to Jane as a thank you for all she did for us this holiday. I was invited to potlucks, a dinner out, and two visits to the womens' club as a guest.
Lesson 6

I am sad to be finished all my lessons. In lesson six we are to paint animals before they move. 

This is a sleeping Oatie!

 Lesson 5

In this lesson I made a mixed media box for my sketches. I bought some Bristol board in the local grocery store, used gesso and acrylic paints and made my own stencils from motifs I designed.

 Top of the box.

 Inside

 Accordion Book for paintings

 Paintings inside

Close up of the cover of the accordion book.

Gesso shell, painted with Inktense watercolour pencils.

After completeing this on line class I am eager to start another one with Jane La Fasio.

I enjoyed seeing the other participant's art and getting comments form Jane to improve my skills. 

A very positive experience!

Mixed Media Class Lesson 2

Padfolio back

Padfolio front

I have been participating on an on line class with Joggles.com Sue Bleiweiss is the instructor. This is my mixed media box, that opens up and has 3 drawers. The fabric paper is made with felt, painted cheesecloth, paper, organza, soy silk, all fused together with Misty fuse. I decided that I needed to freemotion stitch my fabric paper. I also made a padfolio with the left over piece of fabric paper. This class has been alot of fun and I am not even half way through. Look for more exciting projects!