january pastimes

Week One of Misty Mawn's online workshop "Stretching Within" has given me a jumpstart in the drawing and sketching department. I'm really looking forward to this week's "Painting" section; it will no doubt take me beyond the 5-week course to explore all of the assignments in this class. Misty has put together an amazing collection of lessons, videos, and opportunities for sharing our work online.

And then there is the purging and organizing going on in my workspace.

It feels good to know that I'll have an easier time finding things when starting new projects.

Bright and shiny bits bring a little spark to this time of year, when days of darkness and rain are the norm in my part of the world.

thoughts at year's end

Each year seems to go by more quickly than the one before...I'm always left at the end of December with a feeling of how things were, both good and bad. For me, 2010 was a journey of self-improvement, discovery, and creativity, with only few bumps along the way. My intention is to carry some of the good things into the next 12 months. This lovely piece made by art pal Gloria Sowell reminds me of that.
I enjoy thinking about the year ahead and making a few new plans; of travel, of stretching creatively, of doing things that have been put off for one reason or another. What are your intentions for 2011?

Happy New Year--wishing you love, friendship, and laughter.
Suzanne

"The experience of joy is why we're here"
--Chris Roberts-Antieau

deep breath

It's hard to believe that the 4th PAC "Open Doors" Show and Sale has come and gone. November was a whirlwind of preparation; it definitely was a busy time for those of us who work to a deadline. Now we are left with many good memories of last weekend when we performed like clockwork to set up our signature doors with the help of family and friends, prepared our booths, worked assigned shifts, greeted visitors--and took down the whole shebang in less than an hour!

These are photos of my booth and some of the things I made for the show. More pictures of the show are posted at my Flicker space, and you can see and read more at the PAC blog. We're already looking forward to next year.

holiday crafty

I've been pretty busy here but wanted to take a moment to mention the holiday issue of this great e-zine from Amy Powers of Inspire co. It's full of projects contributed by many craft designers that would be a lot of fun to do with your family, or anytime around the holidays. And it's free! A labor of love. Thanks to Amy.

It's A Giveaway!

The Portland Art Collective has a monthly giveaway, and for October it's a beautiful glass chandelier journal created by the talented Tory Brokenshire! So head over here and just leave a comment to be entered in the drawing.

the truth about cats and dogs

As you can see, things have gotten a little silly over here. I stitched and stuffed some flannel friends over the weekend, hoping these softies will find new homes for the holidays. Really, who could resist a cat in bird clothing?

It would be difficult to catch up on everything that's been going on the last few weeks...let's just say it's been a great time with friends, and art. An awesome quilt show, a week of workshops at the Art and Soul Retreat nearby in Portland, having fun guests stay here with me, enjoying good food, a little shopping here and there for vintage treasures...what could be better? Now, it's back to the business end of life. Picking up the slack at home, and making some progress in my workspace before the next session of art and friends at the PAC retreat at Menucha in a couple of weeks.

"The heart has its reasons which reason knows nothing of."

~Blaise Pascal