Two weeks until ArtFest

I leave for Seattle and then Port Townsend, WA two weeks from tomorrow. So many things to do. Trades to pack and headers for those, supplies to gather up and maybe purchase for classes, decorate my suitcases, figure out clothes for that climate. UGH!!!

Bought another camera today. Dropped my second camera in Venice, Italy last year and it is cheaper to buy a new one. Cheaper? did they say? HMMM.

I am decorating tote bags to sell at Art Unraveled in August. My son, Todd, is doing the screen printing for me. They will be neat. I thought this was a little early to start, but he assured me that it wasn't. Bought the fabric today for him to screen print. They will have enlargements of some of my stamps I sell with fabric collage and maybe added fibers, charms, beads, etc.

Am thinking about going to Art and Soul in Portland in October. I WANT to back to Paris and Italy, but maybe Art and Soul will be cheaper. Inviting a friend to go with me.

FINALLY bought the correct paper for my color printer - I HOPE!!! Lots of things to print and not having the printer going inhibits my art work.

ON MARTHA STEWART: I watched about 10 minutes of her the other day (about all I can stand - my apologies to MS die-hard fans). Then I took my shower and was thinking:
1. I am showering with imported French water piped into my shower through my imported
hand crafted water tank.
2. My shampoo comes directly to me from the Italian manufacturer who is a dear friend
who packages sit for me in hand-blown Morona glass bottles. The perfune he uses comes
from Sienna, Italy.
3. Shaved underarms and legs with German razors filled with Swiss blades especially designed
for my sensitive skin. I wouldn't use ANY other kind.
4. Dried off with my 1,000 count Irish cotton towels.

Well, that wasn't me, but I sure could hear Martha saying that. Hope this made you laugh.

Once I get my blog reorganized by my friend Heather Bluhm and a new header I will post more often. I am just not happy with this particular layout.

Later, dear friends.

Estate Sales - I LOVE them

Went to four estate sales yesterday with a friend. Great finds. I always get good stuff because the things I want seem to be the things that no one else wants. Most people think am crazy. One sale was from a man who had been a professional photographer. Just bits and pieces of things. Of course, we went to Tuesday Morning. Then to a camera shop where they gave us 15, yes, fifteen, used camera that didn't work and couldn't be fixed. We have had so much taking them apart. Now I need to use these quirky pieces.

Did 30 minutes on the treadmill at the "Y" and then 45 minutes of water aerobics. Then we saw "Vantage Point." We got in a little bit late - I HATE missing the previews, but it is a movie that I will buy. It moves awfully quick and the chase scene could almost make you car sick. But lots of twists and turns which I love in a movie. I recommend it.

I have 16 plus new stamps almost ready to have the matrixes made. They will be nice I think. I have had a vew friends preview them. I'll let you know when they are on the website. Later.

Has it been that long...

since I posted to my Blog. I was afraid I would do that. I just posted a scan of a lot of pieces of items that came out of an old Kodak Instamatic Camera that I bought at an estate sale. There are a few more than I didn't scan. I plan to use them on 3-D altered canvasses and shrines in old wood boxes. I also took apart an old portable typewriter for a friend. We cut off the keys and then I took my "tool box" (Tim the Toolman Taylor look out...errrgg), and took it all apart except for the case which will need my dremel when I can get outside due to the small metal shavings that will come off. Fun. Look at garage sales, estate sales, thrift stores and have FUN dismantling, or as one of my grandsons says, "getting destructive."

Tomorow, more estate sales with a friend (the one with the typewriter). Still haven't had a chance to see "Vantage Point," but I am very anxious to see it.

I started working out on the treadmill at the Y today for a period of time before my water aerobics class. Did a half an hour at 3 miles per hour speed. Not bad for my first time. Had to wear my knee brace, but it was okay. No pain. Yee Haw Later, y'all.

Water Aerobics this morning and then actually played in my studio this afternoon. To a grandson's hockey game. He is almost 13 and has scored twice in each of the last three games he has played. He is one of the smallest boys, but he is really good. I am so proud and so is everyone else.

I am almost finished with a "mystery book." It is a class we will be doing at my house in three or four weeks. More on that later. Can't show you what it looks like because then it wouldn't be a "surprise."

This coming Sunday we are making belt buckle pendants. Fun, huh? I'll have a pic up in a day or so.

Going to work on a new piece. Later Jo

The Women's Fair on Friday afternoon was almost as disappointing as last year. Almost no art, but a lot of jewelry (yeah, some handmade), lots of dips, hand lotions, chiropractors, massage chairs, and even bread at $1 a loaf. BUT the annual Garden Show is in just two weeks and that is my favorite event. I LOVE to garden. Can't wait to get my hands in the dirt and buying new plants.

Saturday, a monthly quilt block group (I had my block finished so I got my new block free!!!) and then to the Mosley Street Melodrama as a guest of a friend. Not as funny as sometimes, but the main man, Scott Noah, does an incredible Richard Simmons. Lots of fun.

Today, Sunday, just finished the new "Artful Blogging" and reading EVERY contributors' blog. Worked on creating 11 new stamps for my line. Never went beyond wearing my sweats and houseslippers. Nothing on TV so might just read.

I wish I knew how to put a banner on my blog. If anyone knows how, let me know. Tomorrow I have water aerobics during the noon hour, lunch with a "we" friend, and then may do some scanning of more of my art for my blog.

Later.

The "Women's Fair" was "fair." Nothing very exciting except for one booth called "Gently Used Furs." I tried on a red mink and fox jacket and was VERY tempted, but told myself "NO, NO, NO" for a variety of reasons. I picked up a couple of brochures to use as art and will scan and post them tomorrow.

I have a stamp order to get out in the morning (well this morning as it is now Saturday), but my vulcanizer (the machine I press my stamps on) is on the fritz and there is no one locally who knows anything at all about them, so I will have to send a partial order. I have a quilt block due by 3:00 today so I can get my next block free. Shouldn't have put it off until the last minute. Good night all.

Off today with a friend to "The Women's Fair." Lots of fun booths with jewelry, food, clothes, etc. If I find anything new and exciting to use for art, I'll let you know. Then maybe to a few
junk or thrift stores to look for "findings."

Before that, however, I am picking up four grandkids at school and taking them to a skating party. I used to skate, but NO MORE. Sure miss it though.

I uploaded some more art work using snapshots out of a photo album I bought at an estate sale. There were over a hundred snapsshots and are so much fun to use. Think ATCs, collages, etc. Scan, enlarge, print (maybe some on transparencies) and then do hand coloring or add papers for clothes, hats, etc. I taught a class in my home a couple of weeks ago using these and the women loved them. Check out those estate sales. Never know what you might find.

Talk to you all soon. Be sure to post a reply to let me know you are reading my blog. Tell your friends and be sure to check out my website with my stamps. Later. Jo

I am going to attempt to post new pictures of my work each day. So keep checking back. My studio is crammed full of things I have made, classes I have taught, but very few people get to see them. I am now teaching out of my home and that has been a real thrill. I am working on bringing a variety of artists to our town in the near future. No one comes to Wichita. Why would anyone want to (LOL).

I am going to ARTFest in Port Townsend, WA in April and am taking a two days class with Traci Bautista, www.treicdesigns.com, and one other class. I am going on the Alaskan Cruise with Tim Holtz, www.timholtz.com, in May. I am really looking foward to both these trips.

In April of 2007 I spent three and a half weeks in Europe. One week with Kate Murray, www.vintagecharmings.com , and her husband touring small quaint villages, spending three days in Paris, and going to a wide variety of brocantes (flea markets for those of us in the US), then a week in Cortona, Italy taking a week of incredible classes with Claudine Helmuth and then three days in Florence and five days in Venice. The trip of a lifetime.

My very first blog EVER

I have been intrigued by blogs of my friends and other artists, but was just scared to even give it a try. What if I don't have something to say!!! But then decided that I really wanted to keep in touch with friends and let people in on the art I create on a regular basis, my teaching schedule, etc. So here goes.