Trying to Keep Busy...

First, I would like to THANK ALL of YOU for your thoughtful and comforting comments regarding our precious little dog. She was a shining example of unconditional love and loyalty. It was her delightful personality and sweet spirit that made her an absolute joy.

My sincerest wish is that this pain will soon subside leaving us remembering only the happy moments we spent with this beloved little dachshund.

In an attempt to keep from dwelling so much on the events of last week, I have been trying to stay busy by making art. I am, in fact, in the midst of preparing for an October show called "Art in the Park". This event is being held in Winfield Kansas, and I very excited about participating. Over the next several posts, I thought I might give you a peek at the pieces I have been creating.

The drawing at the top of this post is an illustration I plan to use on notecards to sell at the show. This image will be transferred onto multiple pieces of fabric and stitched to the outside of blank cards. A few of my other designs can be seen in the picture on the right.

Although the majority of my artwork focuses on the subject of Home, I enjoy using my illustrations, which cover a wide variety of subjects, to adorn the front of notecards. I especially love sending one of my fabric cards when corresponding with friends, family, and other artists. These particular images were inspired by a tiny soft stuffed toy I purchased at Artfest from L.K. Ludwig.

The benefit of selling cards is that they make a wonderful and inexpensive art print to offer customers. And even though I will be selling my cards individually, I thought I might bundle the three bird designs together as a group and place a few packages for sale on etsy.

thank you again, dear friends...for thinking of me during these difficult days.

Never shall I forget the time I spent with You...

dear friends.....
I am having a very difficult day today, and my news is most sad. Due to a severe illness, my husband and I made the painful decision to put our precious little dachshund, Ally, to sleep this morning.

She was the BEST companion, friend, and a constant source of inspiration for my illustration art! She was my first dog, and part of our family for 13 years. I rescued her from an abusive situation as a puppy. She was so incredibly special, nothing will ever replace her. I feel so utterly heartbroken...

Our vet was very compassionate and gentle with her and with us. We were able to be with her until she fell asleep.

It is just so very very hard to believe she is gone.

A Glimpse

Recently, a fellow blogger, Corey Amaro (i.e. Tongue in Cheek), wrote a very eloquent post regarding the Home being the eye of one's soul. It is our dwelling that gives a visitor clues about our past, present, and future. Our collections placed on display, tell the story of who we are.

I thought I might share with you, dear friends, a glimpse of my soul.

Here is a favorite embroidered pillow located in a prominent position on my living room couch. I discovered this treasure in a very tiny local shop.




The cherished photo of me snuggled between my beloved great-grandparents.


On my fireplace mantel, sits an incredible piece of art found in a Port Townsend gallery during Artfest 2004, along with a delicate bird's nest, and three of my own photographs.


This is very cool tea set from Pottery Barn. I spent at least a half hour in the store debating over whether I SHOULD or SHOULD NOT buy this trio. After experiencing severe buyer's remorse for deciding NOT to make the purchase, my darling sister kindly shipped it to me. (dearest, if you are reading this post, thank you so much for driving all that way back to the store for my little tea set. I LOVE IT and YOU!)


OH!...And my adorable, huggable, and snugly Pug... Zoe.

where love abounds...

Hope

Even on this solemn occasion, I am very grateful for so many things in our world. My hope for you, dear friends, is that your days be filled with joy, peace, and light.



"In our joy, we think we hear a whisper.
At first it is too soft. Then only half heard.
We listen carefully as it gathers strength.
We hear a sweetness.
The word is PEACE.
It is loud now.
Louder than the explosion of bombs".

-Maya Angelou

A Place To Bark's Artists Unleashed Auction

The image above was one of the first illustrations I created as a product designer for the company where I currently work. I thought it was a perfect intro for this particular post.

A friend and fellow artist, Bernie Berlin, is organizing an auction to help benefit A Place to Bark Animal Rescue. This is an Artful Fusion of Hearts & Hands working together to assist animals in need. The numbers of animals she receives every year continues to grow. A shelter and funding is necessary to help foster them and keep the rescue alive. The euthanasia rate in the area where she lives, is 95 to 98 percent. But if we come together and share our gifts of art, we will help save lives. Everyone, even kids, can contribute!!!

Listed below are the specifics for donating:

Please send your artwork to:

Bernie Berlin
c/o "A Place To Bark"
375 N. Jones Road
Portland, Tennessee 37148
(414) 732-3211

Art due date: October 25th

Enclose your name, address, e-mail, and value of each piece.
Bernie will then send you a receipt for your donation that can be used as a tax deduction.

The art auction will be advertised in the winter issue of Cloth, Paper, Scissors magazine. Please look for it on the newsstand soon!

The dates for the Auction will be: November 5-15, 2006. The auction will be done via E-bay, so no matter where you are you can bid on the artwork.

Please, help spread the word because together we can do great things!!!

Getting To Know You

Dear Friends...
For those of you that might not know, I am the moderator of the FiberArt Trading Cards Yahoo Group. This is a gathering of artists who share a love of trading cards, and a unique vision to make meaningful, creative, and of course fiber related art! Although we are using mostly fiber materials, our work may also incorporate the use of different mediums.. collage, assemblage, and mixed media.

Our first group exchange ended recently, and I wanted to take the opportunity to share some of the INCREDIBLE ART our artists created!


The theme for our first swap was "Getting to Know You". Participants were asked to make FiberArt Trading Cards that served as an introduction of themselves to this group. Their FATCs might be a self-portrait, a fact about the artist, a dream, goal, or maybe a characteristic they wanted to share.


Of course, it felt like Christmas at my home when these tiny masterpieces started arriving in my mailbox. I was simply BLOWN AWAY by the artistic talents of this group.

For several of us, including myself, it was the first time ever creating a Trading Card using mostly fiber. I studied the intricate details of each and every one of these FABULOUS FATCs. This swap was a leap into new territory for me, and a GREAT learning experience. I truly look forward to future exchanges!

(Participating Artists in the "Getting To Know You" Exchange: Tracie Lyn Huskamp, Dot Lewallen, Carina Karlsson, Kathy Read, Capril Bonner-Thomas, Mary Stanley, Janie Pinterits, Lori Seavey-Christian, Syd McCutcheon, Cathy Keith, Amy Dietz, Pam Beauchesne, and Gail Cowan)