Too much fun!

Pam Garrison, Mary Ann Moss, and Syd McCutcheon and I got together this week to play, paint and shop. Here is Pam in one of her quieter moments. (Ha!) Thank you Pam for getting us all together and keeping us laughing for two whole days!

Syd's painting always inspires...

some of the handmade paper we played with....

I got in a little water color doodling...

Such a treat to meet Mary Ann! I've been a fan of her blog for a long time and she now has a new online class called "SEWN"...that looks like a good summer play date! Her blog is "Dispatch from L.A."..go subscribe if you haven't already.

Started a new hooked rabbit last night...

and used some of my Japanese paper for some little journals I plan to sell...

more kitties with sweaters...

a hooked heart that went to lovely Constanza (Peregrine Blue)....

a couple of new foxes...

and 3 owls made from fabric- stuffed and painted...ready for the 4th of July show...

And we are off tomorrow on a little vacation to one of our favorite places...Calistoga. Justin has finished his first year at UCSB and a little much needed time off for Dennis for Father's Day. Time for a soak in the hot springs, a hike to the Bale Mill and some tasty dining in Napa Valley.

Hope you all have a creative week ahead!

A wild week...

Two fires nearby and an earthquake made for an exciting week around here. Still I managed to get some sewing done.

this group went off to the Art Hus in Solvang...

and I've been working on something new...puppets! I have 16 started now and need to do the faces and some dots and spots.

A little painting.....

Henry in a basket on the porch...

and a bright red amaryllis that started blooming on Mothers Day.

Have a great weekend!

Wings, Beaks, and Tails workshop

I will be teaching a workshop this Saturday at Explore Ecology's Art From Scrap gallery here in Santa Barbara. The theme is wings, beaks and tails...so I made some owlish samples for ideas for the kids to work from. Can't wait to see what they come up with. They always amaze me with their creativity!

We use all recycled items that have been donated to the shop. 

Had to hook up another colorful owl.

Having fun with the online class with Mati McDonough. Paint and collage...I just keep working on my paintings whenever I get a chance. I have a bunch of small canvases that keep getting re-painted.

Still working on these...lots more in my studio...

Hope you all have a nice Memorial Day weekend with some time for creating!

Happy Mother's Day!

Wishing all you mothers out there a Happy Mother's Day!

 The boys made me my handmade cards and picked out these flowers and I see a box of chocolate too, so I am a happy mom. I think we will be going out for brunch soon and a nature hike somewhere and then back home to work on our house projects.

I finished up the mosaic bird bath that I was working on....a bit funky, but it will be tucked away in the garden somewhere to add a bit of color to all our greenery.

Started this hooked bird last night...

and more cats that need some personalities....

fabric owls are starting to come to life....

Doggies for the shop,

some owl pins that got re-worked,

and a painting that I am working on for my online class with Mati Rose McDonough.

I changed this kitties eyes a little bit...

and my real kitties are being nice to one another as they nap on my bed and favorite work space.

Have a great week and make lots of stuff!

A few new things

Here is Miss Kitty with her new sweater...

and here she is with her students, ready to take a nature walk.

Flower pins made from vintage quilt fabric.

Two hooked hearts....starting to make things for a 4th of July show....need to stock up!

And some more linen fish...fast and fun to make.

Rabbits, hearts and birds

Just finished up this rabbit or hare

And a little hooked heart....

and the two hooked birds finally got their legs. They are standing on a work in progress mosaic bird bath that I need to finish up, maybe this weekend.

Hope you have a good one!

A busy week...

I worked at the Art Hus this week and had some good sales. Here are some of my fiber creations waiting for new homes.

Just finished up these cashmere elephants for a Santa Barbara shop..so soft and cozy!

Spring is definitely here in the mountains! Took my camera along on my daily walk to share some of our colorful flowers with you.

My next door neighbor and his dog out for a ride.

A path by a favorite spot called "Flat Rock" that has magnificent views of the Pacific Ocean.

And a very fun surprise to find my photo in an article in the magazine called "Mingle". Denise Litchfield wrote a beautiful article about our time in France last year at "Les Soeurs Anglaises" where we took a wonderful workshop with Julie Arkell.  Colleen, Syd, Susan and I are planning to go again this September for a Jessie Chorley workshop....we had such a good time that we had to sign up and spend a little more time in Paris this year.