Black and White Collaborative

We have had a busy summer. Spending time on Keats Island and Ruxton Island. Lots of work, sunshine, socializing and fun. Great combination. It's good to be home for a couple of months. While away, I was able to participate in a 'Black and White Collaborative' that was due at the end of August. I struggled with the fact that I didn't have my studio to work in and just a small kit of pens and markers with me so I chose to do personal journal pages and I had so much fun. I'd rise early - maybe 6:30'ish a.m. and spend a couple of hours each day by the light of the morning sun - doodling and drawing. The serenity and beauty around me gave me more than enough inspiration. The pages were in the mail before the deadline. A first. I'm attaching scans of the outcome.

Mary's birthday card to me.

Work in progress - art journaling page

I started creating this page after being inspired by a youtube video.

My birthday

Birthday Cards from: Nina (left) and Elspeth (right)

Birthday Cards from Donna (left) and Debbie (right)

My birthday afternoon (art day) project. A friendship card - easel card technique, created by Nadine.

Needlework with Beads

I had the opporunity to take a workshop with Eileen Neill from Qualicum Beach, BC at Corolla's Quilt Shop last Thursday. What a talented fibre, mixed media and embellishment aratist. Eileen generously allowed us to take photo's of her work and I am posting them here for you to enjoy. They will be here for a couple of weeks and then I will remove them. Eileen is a fabulous instructor and throughout the day, she was able to show us (with time to practice on our own) all of the stitiches you see in her small sampler hangings. These are 4" X 4" in size and include the seed stitich, lazy stitich, back stitch, couching stitch, picot edging, doubt picot edging and lace stitch. We also learned how to do a spider web in order to attach objects that do not have holes. We did a stop stitich, branch stitch, fringe and branched fringe as well as a zigzag fringe and spriral fringe. And we did the netting that you see at the bottom of her samplers. Now to be able to go back and do them again, which hopefully won't be difficult because Eileen supplied us with great instructions. Eileen can be contacted at 250.752.8684 or by email at eileenneill@shaw.ca

Iris Fold Christmas Card

Iris folding is a fun way to make beautiful greeting cards. In this class you will fold and layer strips of decorative papers to make these simple and effective Christmas cards.

Waterfall Card

Saturday, November 13th from 1:30 to 3:00

I've had a request to teach the waterfall card. I've checked my schedule and the above date works for me. Does it work for you? I won't be doing alot of these card classes so if you are interested, here is your chance. In this class you will go away with 2 cards and lots of ideas for more. Join me. If a Saturday isn't good and an evening would be better, call me and we'll work out another date. If you have a Fiskar's cutter, please bring it along to the class. $15

Your Own Personal Journal from Recycled Covers

Owen has the Hardy Boy collection. He had a duplicate copy of #17, The Secret Warning that had been damaged so I removed the block text, reused the covers and rebound fresh journaling pages inside. I've added a pocket and a envelope to store any little piece of emphemera I find along the way. This is my favorite aesthetic journal. I use them for taking notes, art ideas, sayings, studio stuff and my my deepest secrets! $30

You will need to bring a book with a hard cover that you don't mind removing the text from. Your local second hand store has tons if you don't. The cover can have an image, text or be plain. The choice it yours. It should be no larger than 5.5 inches X 8.5 inches.

Star Album

Monday, November 15 from 1:00 pm to 3:30 pm

I think I have taught this class a few dozen times. It's definately a popular workshop. Probably because this album allows the participants to create something that they can then go home and 'scrapbook' by adding photo's and titles to have as a memory. The Star Album makes a great thank you gift, or reunion souvenier or perhaps a special Christmas or wedding mini photo album, or baby brag book; ~the ideas are endless. Once you know the trick, they are fast and easy. You will go away with two of these little gems and I know you will want to make more. $30

Beaded Spine Journal

Wednesday, November 24, from 7:00 pm to 9:30 pm

This has been one of the most popular workshops in the studio. It's a sweet journal to dress up with beautiful decorated or handmade papers and then embellished with delicate pretty little beads. Once you have filled the pages, they are easy to replace for a fresh start to journaling. $30

Little Leather Book

In this workshop you will create a mini leather booklace. The V-stitch is a binding technique that sews in 3 signatures, allowing a whole lot of pages to journal in, take notes in, or just doodle. Once you've made one, you will have the skills to make any size leather journal. What a great gift. $30

Wrap It Up

Build a personal journal with a corrugated wrap around jacket. Add a pocket and an envelope or two. Decorate the spine with colourful threads and beads and then use your lovely new journal for traveling, lists, notes, memories or just about anything else you can think of. It also makes a lovely gift. A light lunch/snack will be provided. $45

Collage Art Journal

Monday, November 22nd & Tuesday, November 23rd, 2010 10 am - 1 pm.

Create Your Own Collage Art Journal. Go through the steps of building your own journal from a 22" x 30" piece of watercolour paper, sewing the pages, then painting your pages and learning how to decorate them. $60

You will need:
. Watercolour paper, 22" X 30", 140# hot press. I will have some availabe for purchase at cost.
. Your favorite markers and pens to decorate your pages and journal with. My favorite journaling pens are Poster Paint markers by Sharpie. I buy the extra fine, fine and medium. My favorite colours are white and black. It's fun to collect a whole range of colours. You use to be able to find them at Opus or DeSerres.
. Chalks, oil pastels, crayons - I will have a supply to work with.
. An apron on Saturday incase you are messy and don't want paint on your clothes.
. A need to be creative, an open mind to explore and be prepared to have fun.

Art Journals are on-going projects that you are always adding to. This journal continues to morph!

Never A Naked Envelope

Wednesday, December 1, 2010 7 pm to 9:30 pm

Some of you have heard me say, 'never a naked envelope'. Imagine your friends or family receiving a card or letter from you with an envelope that you have decorated to match it's stamp, or your life style or the card inside. They will be delighted. You will receive a little supply package with a couple of postage stamps in it as well as envelopes but you may want to visit the post office and pick up a selection of postage stamps of your choice and bring them along. You will also learn how easy it is to make your own envelopes. Bring your address book. $30
I will be posting photo's soon so please come back and have a look.

My Block Plaque AKA Karen Michel

I had to try it and viola, here is my 'Cherish' Block Plaque AKA Karen Michel. It was a ton of fun and anything goes. Now that I have my 'prototype', I intend to do more. Perhaps one featuring my trip to Alaska - A gift for sister Karen to thank her for being such a wonderful sister and gracious host. Oh and maybe one for sister Deb too, for being a wonderful sister. I'm so lucky. Ahhh, and maybe I'll do one for an upcoming birthday. They are so cool.

Remember, breathe deep and let your light shine. Nadine

Visiting Alaska

MOOSES. Moose are an everyday experience in Alaska. This guy was at the side of the road and didn't care if we were there or not. Just munching away.

Mo's Birthday Card to Me

Mary Mouat's Birthday Gift to Me

Mary did this piece in a workshop with Karen Michel. Isn't it wonderful?