The New Year!

Dear Friends... Here we are, once again, standing on the threshold.

Although each day affords us a fresh start, January 1st is accepted
by most as a time to reflect on moments past and imagine possibilities
for the future.

As we begin anew, I am anxious for 2012 and the unfolding of some
really wonderful happenings, exciting opportunities, and the renewed
commitment to creating nature inspired art.

In 2012, I will once again be working closely with the very talented staff
of Windham Fabrics/Baum Textiles designing new patterns, along
with promoting my endearing second collection, Garden Tales. (Find
these new fabrics in your local quilting stores mid-January
and in my on-line store in late-February)

I am also excited to be working with TF Publishing again on a 2013
Nature Inspired Birds Calendar line, as a follow-up to the very popular
2012 Birds Calendars.

On the horizon are new retail projects with several other companies,
those details I hope to share with you later this year.

However due to the previously mentioned licensing commitments, I
have only accepted three invitations to teach next year. But never fear,
I have some really GREAT workshops scheduled in the coming months.
So, be sure to check out class details under Workshops (located on the
right sidebar) and consider joining me in Washington, California,
and Italy.

And starting January 2nd, I will be embarking on a year-long blog
series: Journaling The Garden (In Vintage Mixed Media Style).

Each week, I will share a mix of art journaling tips, techniques,
prompts, tutorials, and finished pages, as I record my experiences
communing with nature. I am quite captivated by this endeavor
as it is something I have been longing to do for several years now.
So, I hope you will plan to follow along onthis adventure, perhaps
even participate by starting your own nature journal.


Finally, my deepest heartfelt thanks for your continued support...
May your 2012 be filled with many "Brave, Bold, Beautiful Moments!"

In The Studio - The Holiday Spirit Continues...

Basking in the glow of the season!

Receiving Christmas

Today, I am sharing a poem I wrote several years ago.
It is one of my very favorites.

Wishing you and yours Glad Tidings of Great JOY!


"Tis Christmas time, the Christ Child born,
repeat the noise of sounding joys.

A chilly morn, a world of white,
all is calm, all is bright.

A winter sky in shades of gray,
peace to you upon this day.

The bells ring out to humble hearts.

Give Thanks, Give Praise, and Celebrate!"

Tutorial: A Last Minute Gift... That's Personalized!

Looking for a last minute gift? How about making one that's personalized!

Create a message pillow...


1. Cut two pieces of fabric approximately 13" x 13".
Paint one side of one of the pieces of fabric with
white acrylic paint.


2. When the paint is dry, use a red and blue sharpie
marker to draw lines across the white area of the
fabric mimicking the look of a piece of notebook paper.


3. Select a favorite quote, poetry verse, perhaps a
heartfelt message, and use a pencil to carefully
write out the words on the blue lines. If you make
a mistake then erase the pencil marks and start again.
Once the message is written, use a black sharpie marker
to trace over the pencil marks.


4. Place the two right sides of the fabric pieces together
and stitch. Remember to leave an opening to turn the
fabric and for stuffing the pillow with batting. Once the
pillow is stuffed, sew the opening shut.

In The Studio - For A Friend

A little thank you gift painted for a very special friend...





I adore the small antique metal frame!

In fact, I have several of these oval frames in
different finishes and will be offering some
framed originals for sale in the new year...
stay tuned!

Tutorial: Budget Friendly Gifts of Nature

I enjoy giving a gift of nature at the holidays
but most floral arrangements can be a real
budget buster.

Here is a tutorial for creating a wallet friendly,
inspired by nature present that is sure to be a
wonderful surprise.


1. Start by making a visit to your local
hardware store. The garden center is
a great place to find very fragrant
seasonal plants.

* I found this rosemary topiary
for only $1.50


2. After selecting the plant, make
a visit to your local fabric store to
purchase some yardage of decorative
material. The amount of fabric needed
will be roughly three times the size of
the plant's pot.

* I am using burlap in this example
because of its rich texture and natural
rustic appearance.


3. Gather the decorative fabric around
the base of the plant making sure to
cover the entire pot.


4. Secure the gathered fabric with twine
or string. Tucking the excess fabric under
the twine to create a pleasing ruffled look
at the top of the pot.


5. Consider adding a coordinating ribbon
around the twine.


6. As a finishing touch add an extra bit of
sparkle with a glittery ornament.

Cut a star from heavy card stock.


7. Spread glue to one side of the card stock
star and sprinkle a coating of glitter while wet.


8. Once dry, tie the glittered star to the
ribbon.

Tutorial: Gift Tags

I love creating custom tags for my holiday gifts.
Using remnant wrapping paper adorned with
natural bits, you, too, can make the perfect
accessory for any present.


1. Start with plain Shipping Tags that can be
purchased from an Office Supply Store.


2. Glue the Shipping Tag to a remnant piece
of wrapping paper, cutting away any excess.



3. Gather various natural elements from
your outside surrounding.

Remember worn and weathered elements
are extremely beautiful and full of character!


4. Using aerosol hairspray lightly spritz the
gathered bits of nature and sprinkle with a
coating of fine iridescent glitter while wet.


5. Select coordinating ribbon or twine and
other decorative components like burlap
or buttons to use in the background.


6. Arrange and glue a glittery nature element
with various other decorative components to
each wrapping paper gift tag.


7. Attach beautifully decorated tags to presents.

Holiday Happenings... Part 2

This week has been all about finishing projects, such
as wrapping presents, gathering the ingredients for
Christmas Day dinner, making holiday treats, and
printing holiday cards, along with preparing each
one for the post.

It has been a tradition for me to make the artwork
that adorns our holiday greeting for nearly 10 years
now. A task I enjoy since I love having any excuse to
create.

Each year, I look toward my experiences with nature to
guide me in selecting a main subject for the work. And
this year with the addition of 4, sometimes 5, different
bird feeders located just outside my kitchen windows, I
had an abundance of subjects to inspire me.


However, it was not until two weeks ago that I made the
final decision on which subject to paint, when I spied the
happenings of two little Tufted Titmice on the tray feeder,
with one of them sweetly nudging a large shelled peanut
toward the second with its beak.

Such a loving act, and definitely a moment to remember.


So this holiday, a charming little Tufted Titmouse carries
our message of love and remembrance to family and friends
both far and near.

Holiday Happenings... Part 1

Like everyone else... life has been a
whirlwind of holiday activities.

In the studio, I have been painting and
assembling the artwork that will adorn
the front of over 100 Christmas cards.




Also packaging and shipping the final
purchases made from my little shop.

More to Come!!!

A Personal Geographies GIVEAWAY!

Thanks to all that entered for a chance to win. I
very much enjoyed reading your thoughts.

I am excited to announce the winning comment was

"Mary Ellen said...
A map is faith. I may not immediately understand what
I need to do to get where I'm going, but I know I wii be
able to figure it out with map in hand.

CONGRATULATIONS Mary Ellen!!!

Mary Ellen will you please send an email with your
mailing address to TheRedDoorStudio@yahoo.com.


Today, I am very excited to be celebrating artist,
Jill Berry's NEW BOOK!, Personal Geographies.

You don't have to be a world traveler or a professional
cartographer to embark on a grand journey of self-
discovery through mapmaking. Personal Geographies
gives you the tools and techniques you'll need to create
artful maps of your self, your experiences and your
personal journey.

Chart the innermost workings of your mind, document
your artistic path and create an unfolding maze of your
future dreams and goals.

Inside Personal Geographies you'll discover: 21 mixed-
media map projects featuring artistic techniques like
working with alcohol inks and pochoir, painting on a
black surface and carving custom stamps, insight into
the world of traditional and contemporary maps and
how they relate to and inspire personal mapmaking

A gallery of maps by contributors from around the
world to spark your own creativity. From mapping
your head, hands and heart to recording powerful
memories or experiences, the maps in Personal
Geographies are a gateway into the fascinating
and meaningful world of you.


And Jill is giving away a signed copy of Personal
Geographies to one lucky reader!

To enter leave a comment below answering the question:
What does a Map mean to you?

On Saturday, December 10, 2011, a winner will be
selected and the publisher will send a copy of Jill’s
book directly to you!

This book is a perfect gift for someone special or
perhaps for yourself. I know it is on my Christmas
list. Purchase your copy... here!

And join in the fun at Jill's Personal Geographies Blog!!

Winter Friends

More Winter friends coming to visit...
old familiar faces and exciting new ones!