The Hat

I've had a really great several days, topped off with a trip to Petoskey over the weekend with one of my good friends and sister-in-law, Kathleen. 

On Wednesday I took collages to the Dearborn Art Council that Anne Gautreau and I made for their Art-in-a-box fundraiser during the Festival of Trees.  A request had gone out to local groups and Anne, the President of AAUW asked for ideas.  I had suggested that we do a collage with images that echoed the theme of the organization.  We were planning on having several ladies help with the project, but in the end it was Anne and I.  I provided the design elements and we both worked on our collages together.  It is so much fun to work side by side with other creative types!  Since I am vintage-wired, of course, I selected vintage images, emphemera, and embellishments.  We used the front and back cover of one of an old blue binder like I carried in high school (recently found at an estate sale). An old office paper clip was used to hang them.  Yet, as is typical for me, when I went to turn them in I was very very anxious.  You never know how your ideas will be received, and given the steampunk and definitely not fine art attitude of our creation, I dreaded how Stella might respond.  As it was, she loved them and even asked if I wanted to put some of my vintage art items in the Holiday sale during the Festival of Trees.  I was thrilled to say the least.  And again, I need to let it sink in that taking a risk can have definite benefits.

Here are our collages.  Annes' is on the right, mine's on the left.

 

Before we left for Petoskey, I also went to our ATC meeting and Took was there.  YEAH!  She approved my finished prototype for the Art-O-Mat project she's involved in.  Again, I was a little leary of whether it would be up to par, but in the end she loved the design.  I will be packaging it up and it should be on it's way to North Carolina for final approval before the end of the week.  Once final approval is given, my goal is to have the 50 cottage bracelets finished and back to the warehouse by mid-November in time for holiday travelers.

 

So, on to Petoskey.  We had a wonderful 3 day trip, spending 2 nights at the historic Perry Inn in Petoskey.  We went to the Applefest in Charlevoix on Friday.  What a wonderful fall day.  There were a lot of wonderful artists at the fest, but I didn't buy anything.  While in the area, we visited Emily's wonderful Victorian Home in Bayview, an art and culture community on the National Historic Register.  I sat on her porch and enjoyed the smell of evergreen needles and clutter of fallen leaves from the hill her house sits on.  Unfortunately, no one

ever came home (which we knew was the case).  We did enjoy snooping and peeking in the windows.

 

While in Petoskey we saw the Mushroom houses, darling little stone structures with thatched looking cedar roofs that resemble what you'd see in a faerie garden.  We shopped the shops along main street and searched out a number of consignment and thrift shops, where I found some great items to work with.  On the way up north, we stopped at a church rummage sale (found a wonderful diary from 1933) and an estate sale near Petoskey on the way home.  We also stopped in Lowell, intending to have lunch and to stop and see an exhibit where Took had a collage and sculpture on display.  Drats, with the rain and other delays, the gallery was closed by the time we found it.  Kathleen and I dredged through the rain, walking through the Pipe factory lot, across the tracks to see where the Art Complex was.  Kathleen, bless her heart, carried on like a trooper, determined after all we had gone through, we weren't giving up now!  As noted, once we found the building, no one was home :(

 

Oh, and "the hat"?  Well, when we arrived in Petoskey on Thursday, I bought a comfortable cotton slouchy hat knowing with the weather report that there would be plenty of rain and wind.  When I wore it Saturday I had at least 15 people tell me they liked my hat.  It got to the point that it became pretty funny that it drew so much attention.  Then in Lowell the next day, I got several compliments again.  One lady in line at Goodwill told me she noticed my hat when I was walking on the far side of the store.  And a fiber artist at a gallery we stopped in was intriqued with how it was made, so I took it off so she could figure it out and maybe make one for herself and perhaps sell them as well.  Whew.  Never underestimate the ego-boost of a hat on a bad hair day!

Diaries, Journals, and Journeys

Truth is I've never been very consistent with keeping a diary or journal.  The idea always, ALWAYS, appeals to me.  Perhaps it was from the early influence of reading the writings of Anne Frank.  How eloquently she expressed the day to day life of such a traumatic time.  It gave me pause to think that I too, might have something of value to relate from my own experiences. But, even with Anne's incredible example, I've started more diaries and journals then I care to admit.  Each, unfortunately, bares empty pages revealing my failing in this regard.  I started an art journal early this year and had a wonderful time finding new ways of expressing ideas.  Oh, how I intended.....well, let me just say this blog falls into the same category.  Except that it cannot be shoved under a chair, into a drawer, or onto the top shelf of a closet.  So, now that I've admitted that I am not a consistent blogger, I am going to pick up where I left off and just continue the journey.

I have been busy since I posted last.  There's been a lot of family committments and fun.  Having 6 grandchildren is definitely one of life's greatest rewards.  I've also, continued my volunteer work at Greenfield Village, the Farmer's Market, as well as added a few other volunteer committments along the way.  I've had the opportunity to do a couple more art fairs and made some great connections for placing some of my pieces for sale.  One of these days I hope to get an etsy shop going.  And then, of course, there are those characters that keep popping into my head that I keep promising to give life to.  Dreaming on.  

Art Fairs, Art Fun, Art Folks

You never know where art will take you.  There are times to plan and set goals and other times to let things just flow and see where it leads.  Earlier this year I met Emily Smith at a one night art show in a church nearby.  Not only do we share a love of vintage, but I think we are traveling the same path of late.  She's opened up my world to several art groups where in a short time I've met some wonderful artists and tried some new art techniques.  I've learned that the artist community supports one another; sharing of their craft, their experiences, and their encouragement.

Emily and I signed on (at the last minute) to our first outdoor festival.  It was a wonderful experience and well run with a huge interactive focus.  This was the fourth IART Show put on by the Redford Parks and Art Conservancy  www.rpaconservancy.org.  Turnout was fair, given the heat of the weekend.  But the connections and interactions with the artists and crowd was well worth it.  We both sold a few things and made a little money, but more so, there was an encouraging array of comments that soothes the soul and valuable information about other connections for future endeavors.

Emily creates beautiful totes, aprons, and other useful items from vintage laces and fabrics, be it a tablecloth or table runner. She also makes lovely vintage dolls with polymer clay, fabric flowers, bears from vintage chenille, etc. etc. etc. Isn't that the way of most artists? One thing leads to another. Because I create mixed media from a variety of items from found items, be it collaged framed pictures, trinket boxes, jewelry, journals, etc etc. etc., each item is one of a kind and always with a vintage feel. In talking with those that stopped by, it is clear that using the old to make the new, is a wonderful way of not only being 'green', but connecting generations. Here are a few photos of our booth:

So, there are several shows coming up in  September that we need to get ready for.  We hope to be at Greenmead on September 9 in Livonia, the Antique Barn on September 15/16 in Northville, and possibly a few others.  We have other things in the works, too, so stay tuned.

Visions of the Heart

Where have I been and why does it always take me so long to get here? Demands of life seem to keep us away from what we truly love to do. I do 'think' about what I am working on oh so often....the two books I am writing, the Sunshine Boxes, and all the wonderful ideas flowing in my head. I am creating.... every time I see the vision of my creations it fills my heart and I just know that in fact, it is REAL! We can be all we can be and carry these ideas in our heart. One day, all at once they will also become real to others. I am gentle on myself.... and I know it will be worth the wait... and someday it will be my day. I hope you too are filling your heart with those things you love.

A Month Goes By

A month goes by so quickly.  I just realized it's been that long since I updated my blog.  It's not been because I haven't done anything artful or SimplyJoyful.  I've been more then busy with such things. 

I joined in this month on a mini-book swap with Crafting Ireland with the only request that I be teamed with a partner outside of the USA.  I was fortunate to be partner with Felicia Thomas who lives in County Kerry, Ireland and is on the Crafting Ireland design team.  I've already received her (now mine) beautiful book in the mail.  It is wonderfully made with a lovely "vintage" feel which was designated as the theme.  The colors, embellishments, and craftsmanship is inspiring.  You can see and hear about the book at: http://scrapzville.blogspot.com/2012/06/karens-vintage-mini.html#comment-form   Check out Felicia's other artwork while you're visiting her site.  There is something soul-satisfying about sharing art across the grand spanse of the world.  I'm on deadline and need to get my book mailed to her on Monday. She sent me a tease before she mailed me mine,  so I shall do the same. 

 
This darling girl caught my heart.  I've named her Matilda (Tillie) Flynn and celebrated her vintage life. 

I've other things to share, but will hold off for a couple of days.  I started a weaving project at our RunningWithScissors group here locally and will post some photos of that in progress.  I'm in the middle of several painting projects.  No, not watercolor.   I'm making some room upstairs for my "art junk" so have been busy painting bedrooms and the bathroom.  I'll post a photo of my art space when I get it all put together.  So much to do, so little time.

Celebrations

I couldn't have been happier then to have our 30-something son ask me to make a cake that "you and grandma used to make" for his birthday when I asked him what he wanted.  He described it as "really high and with coconut on it."  Wow! Really? He remembered it, especially in that way?  Well, it didn't matter that I was up until midnight baking the cake and up at 6:30 the next morning to make the creamy white frosting so we could celebrate his birthday later that day.  I definitely was going to bake it for him. And it got me to thinking that we often find out much later in life what simple things we do that make an impression. 

Yellow cake with seven minute frosting and coconut,
and Stroh's Ice Cream, of course

Toni's Eclipse

On the day Toni died, the sun and moon raised her up through a 'ring of fire'.  She would love the irony of exiting this planet on a day so rare.  I can hear her laugh off in the distance.  But she would shrug off any suggestion about it being such a fitting send off.  However, it tells so much about her.  Although alone as that moment came, the circle of friends she held dear surrounded her.  Friends she gathered through her many areas of interest and involvement.  First and foremost, she shared a sisterhood with Nina, who she met during junior high.  Not only did Toni cherish her, but she became family with the Jacques as Nina and Bob raised their children.  I know this was something she loved, for she had little family of her own. 

She spoke often about Maggie during our frequent emails and it was evident how close they were.  They were always doing something fun or inspiring together.  There  were so many from her literary circles, her book and writing groups; her art friends; friends from Al Anon; from work; from life that she gathered near.  Her circles ran strong and deep and connected those who knew her by a thread.  For we were all touched by her inspiration, values, warmth, sincerity, support and love that she shared.

She lived her life outside the darkness and within the circle that showed so vibrant as the moon passed before the sun.  Her honesty and wit surfaced in what she wrote, how she lived her life, what she created.  She loved making gifts and was always eager to try something new.  Always a project was in the making, whether a collage, a beaded bracelet, wine charms, or cards.   She enjoyed photography and took wonderful images that captured many special moments.  She often said her first love was paper art.  She found joy in placing snippets of neatly trimmed papers together to tell a story.  And her writing was deep and honest and full of emotion.   

She brought out the best in others.  Her support and enthusiasm was endless.  She shared of herself and enjoyed that which you shared with her.  She kept journals throughout her life and wrote and told amazing stories from moments of simplicity.  One project she was working on involved sharing experiences based on the songs of her youth.  They were as diverse as the edgy songs of Guns and Roses or the lyrical harmonies of the Eagles.   Toni had plans.   So much more to do; books to finish, art to create, many to support.  How can we understand? 

I will miss so much of her.  Her frequent emails; our lengthy phone conversations about our creative projects,  movies, books, or the fog that hung over her condo that overlooked San Francisco Bay.  I will miss postcards she would send from Half Moon Bay, Reno, or the coffee shop she frequented in the Haight.   I will miss so much of her.  How can we understand?   Laugh on T....

Tea Please

I've had a lot going on these past few weeks, but have been thinking about all the SimplyJoy in my life.  Along with family activities, I've done gardening, art projects, and activities with friends.  Last week we had our May Tea at Lovett Hall in Greenfield Village.  Twice a year the Village Herb Associates join together to celebrate in high fashion the many days spent tending the gardens at the Village.  I've been very lucky to have been able to join Pat Mann in the Chef's Garden, where we tend garden herbs grown specifically for the chef's at Eagle Tavern, the Michigan Cafe, and the catering service. 

For our Herb tea, I was asked to make a decoupaged box for our raffle.  This years herb of the year is the rose, so I used vintage rose images and other emphemera to decorate it.  After painting the Michigan Casino box I was given to remake a creamy antique white, I decided to try adding the tea papers I'd been saving.  After pauging them on, I soon discovered how lovely they made the background, so I left them as is, except for embellishing the top and front of the box. 

The tea paper was overlapped slightly and has a random pattern of tea stain.  I've found while saving the papers that if you let them dry before you remove the leaves, there is more of this tea stain pattern.  Be sure to save the tea leaves for your garden.  They add anti-oxidents and other nutrients to the soil.  Tea paper is a wonderful paper to work with.  Below is the back of the box.

For the front of the box, I used vintage green paper for the background, rose bud paper, the dictionary definition of "rose" (most of my projects include dictionary text), old buttons, and it is stamped with VHA for Village Herb Associates. 



An Artful Life

I haven't had much time for art this week.  At least that's what I thought until I considered all that I experienced.  Perhaps the greatest of all, holding my warm and chunky newborn grandson.  What a creation, indeed.  Can anyone deny the master artistry of life?  What a miracle and a blessing.  A reminder of all that is everlasting. 

I  dabbled a little with an art project in between watching grandchildren, admiring the array of colors they used on the coloring pages.  I dabbled a little with an art project in between arranging "just so" a tray of cheeses and fruit for an afternoon meeting.  I dabbled a little with an art project in between buying fresh-cut flowers and vases then arranging them to place at the family gathering at the funeral home for my brother-in-law.  There I wandered through a gallery of life put together by his children; photo collages that captured a lifetime of relationships, fun, celebrations.  I dabbled a little with an art project in between saving photos sent to me by an art friend,  pictures she took of my booth at the art show we did a month or so ago.  I dabbled a little with an art project in between hugs from my neice for the recipe box I made for her with vintage inspiration and family recipes placed on a repurposed old box, clearly homemade that I found at a thrift shop.

I've dabbled alot this week. I think there has been more art then I realized.  If we look at art as creating beyond paper and watercolors, we all live an artful life.

For the Love of Art

Art is the soul of culture.  It opens up a relationship between artist and audience that is unique and fulfilling.  Art challenges us to understand another's perspective, to stand in awe of another's gift, to appreciate an array of colors that may fall outside our own favorite spectrum. 

The products of art are as varied as the ideas that the artist brings to the experience.  Just check any store catalog or walk along the aisles of your favorite art store and you will see.  Many artists today are utilizing common items found in the home and creating unique and interesting projects. 

As a scrap artist myself, I use found objects, mostly vintage; and repurposed items to make functional multi-media art.  I've decoupaged tins and old boxes and a child's vintage wooden piano, updated jewelry to today's style, made journals and jot books, collaged pictures in old frames, and on and on.  I'm always scouting estate sales for unique items to use, as well as emphemera to inspire my craft.  Recently, I read about using tea bags in Cloth Paper Scissors.  Being an avid iced tea drinker I had to see what that was all about.  Yes, it takes time to clean and dry the tea papers, but now that I know how beautiful they are, for the love of Art, I can't throw them away.

To prepare the teabags is simple.  Simply brew your tea, snip the folded edge open with scissors and rinse the tea leaves out, gently opening the closed edges.  This will leave you with a beautifully flat stained paper.  I've found that the color of the papers vary, depending on what type of tea you use.  I had tried a couple of projects with them, without great success.  But, as with art, it is a work in progress.   

After joining two wonderful art groups in my area; an ATC group and a Fiber - Arts group, I've discovered ways of using emphemera I hadn't considered.  Sewing together the tea papers to make a larger piece of paper would definitely be an option, or using an iron on method with a bonding paper.  You could do an inkjet print from your printer by securing it to a larger sheet of paper.  They of course, could be be stamped on, painted, or used in a variety of ways. 

That being said, I want to introduce you to Took Gallagher, who I met through my art groups.  She has found a wonderful use for the tea papers and shared her experience on her blog.  You can jump to it here:  http://fraughtwmeaning.blogspot.com/2012/04/2102365-day-109.html
 
And while you're at her site, read about the Art-O-Mat project.  It's an amazing way to promote everyday art in a unique and earth friendly manner.  I'm working on a project myself to submit and will keep you posted.  Karen

New Beginnings

Each day offers a new beginning.  There are new challenges, new experiences, new opportunities that we can choose to take on or not.  I've been thinking about blogging for many months, and today I begin.  I have enjoyed so much all the wonderful blogs I follow.  They are filled with energy, ideas, inspiration, images that entice the senses.  I hope to bring those very same qualities to this blog, sharing my own unique twist on simple living, always vintage inspired.   Karen