Now that the housekeeping is out of the way, I’d like to share some exciting news with you:

I’m so excited to let you all know that my fabric and fiber art have been accepted to be one of the 35+ artists represented in the Fountain Hills Artists’ Gallery in Fountain Hills, AZ. It’s the premier co-op gallery in the Valley area. It’s an honor to be among such fabulously talented artists in this co-op.

Art Quilt & Quilted Handbag Display at Fountain Hills Artists' Gallery

On June 1, 2011 new members were officially welcomed at an evening reception. I am one of only two fabric artists in the gallery, and the only one representing art quilts and quilted handbags. It was a lovely reception and a great way to meet the rest of the artists.

To the right, you will find a photo of my part of the wall. Below the area that you can see is my purse display. All artists in the gallery get to have a 3-dimensional area for non-wall art or other art, like prints, etc. Instead of a print rack (which most of the wall art artisans have), I purchased a retail purse display. The handbags hang on it, along with some of my pouches and cell phone purses.

Handbags, totes and pouches on handbag display at FHAG

In addition to the wall space, each artist has the opportunity to put some smaller, gift items in the gallery as well. In this “store” area, I have some small journals, original fabric collage greeting cards, smaller pouches, and art dolls.

As part of the gallery membership, I will be working there at least one day each month. When I go in this month, I’ll take some more photos of the gift areas and share some of the other artists’ art in the gallery. It’s really a lovely spot!

More blogging to come, I promise!

Open Your Own Artfire Studio

I’m excited to share that I have opened my own Artfire.com Studio. What is Artfire? Here is how the company describes itself on the site: “The premier online marketplace for handmade products designed by artisans around the globe. Our free community is designed for artisans to buy and sell their works, while celebrating unique handmade items and designs.”

Similar to Etsy, in that individual artisans have their own shops, the beauty of Artfire is that it is searchable through Google and there are no listing fees. It also links easily with other social media, like Facebook, Etsy, IndiePublic, and my blog, making marketing much easier. In addtion, there are also no expiration dates on the merchandise listings, which makes it much easier to manage than the 3-month Etsy limit.

Light blue and turquoise MP3/Cell Phone Case

I found the product uploads much faster and easier with Artfire.com than with Etsy. If you’re a crafter or artisan, I invite you to try ArtFire, as they’re running a special for $7/month for life, and that’s the only fee you will ever have!

In the shop are 14 products that have never been listed before, including arty business card holders, cell phone/MP3 players, ablums, and a painting.

This week, I hope to get additional pieces up in the studio. Today is my IV treatment, so I’m sitting here with the IV while I type this!

My new purse!

Today I was inspired to use the pieces of a purse I had started to make several months ago. I was making a lot of totes, but I wanted something that was more of a purse – with a closure. I started it and then I couldn’t figure out how to finish it. Until yesterday, that is. Joanne took a class from Kathy Cano-Murillo, the Crafty Chica. In the class, she made a collage purse and I finally knew what I needed to do to make my purse work! I added a piece in the front to highlight the fabric collage I made from vintage kimono fabrics and I added the strap. I’ll be testing out this purse tonight at Art Unraveled. It matches the tote I made for myself back in December, so that’s kind of fun, too.

I do wish I had pockets inside, so I might try to alter it some more to add a liner with a pocket or four… But still, it is a fun purse, especially, for Art Unraveled and other artistic endeavors!

Have a great day, all!

I spent Wednesday with Angie and her son Max. Max came over to swim and Angie and I got to do some artwork. I was not quite up for doing much, so I just doodled in my journal. Nothing to show, as the page is not finished, but it was a good way to pass the day and Angie let me tell stories about Aunt Millie. She is so fondly remembered by all who knew her.

I’m feeling creative again, so there is finally some art to share!

This week I made a few cases for our trip. To the right you see the first one. This one is a case for a DVD/MP3 player that Dave and I can watch movies on. Since we’re already bringing our iPods, it made sense to have a player that we could share the movies while on the plane and in France. It has a hook and loop closure so the player is safe.

The second is a pencil and pen case that fits perfectly into my daypack and my purse (so it can be used after the trip!). It fits all my Albrecht Durer pencils and Pigma Microns for the trip. I can even fit a tape runner in there for ephemera I pick up along the way.

Today I picked up some magazines I had been hoarding saving as collage or source photo material. I found a great photo of a mother and baby elephant and I just needed to draw it. Every time I looked at it, I smiled, and I needed some smiling! So, I drew the picture to the right with my Pigma Micron and colored it in with my Albrecht Durer pencils. It was a good way to start the day.

When I finished the drawing, I went to exercise and then I went out for a while. I had to just get out of the house for a while, since next week is my treatment again. In addition, I have a volunteer commitment next week. I figured it was a good time to do some window shopping and a short trip out of the house. It was good to get out of the house and just have a change of scenery.

That’s the update from here! Now to do some more of the CreativeTherapy catalysts for when I’m away!

Today, we picked up PF Chang’s and brought it to their house for a family lunch. I spent time with my MIL editing her book and going over the images she has and needs. This week, I’ll start laying it out to be sure we have all the pictures we need and to make sure it’s going to fit within the parameters of the self-publishing company we’re going with. It was a nice way to spend the day.

This weekend, I also continued to practice drawing. I did a lot with my mannequin. I wanted to get better at proportions and body gestures. I photographed only a few pages, but I’ll photograph more tomorrow and post them here. It’s much harder than I thought it would be, but it’s good practice, for sure.

And some of you may have noticed that it’s Sunday! Sunday means the new CreativeTherapy catalyst is up with the responses from our design team. Please stop by and see what we’ve all come up with in response to this week’s catalyst #9, “Something you’re pessimistic about”. It was a tough one for each of us, but I believe we got some great art from all the participants!

In the past, I haven’t really posted mine here. However, this was a really difficult one for me. I spent more than a full day on it – unusual for me. To the left is the picture of what I’m pessimistic about. You’ll have to read the journaling here. And, don’t forget: If you participate, respond in the comments at CreativeTherapy and you’ll be entered in a random drawing for a prize from one of our sponsors!

While there, my MIL asked me if I’d make her a passport holder for her to use. I agreed, but was a bit intimidated, to be honest. I drew out something, but wasn’t completely satisfied with it. So, Saturday evening, while hubby was playing poker with some friends, I searched the Internet for patterns. (How did we ever survive before the Internet and Google?). I found several, but none that I really thought would work. Besides, they required zippers and for me to go to the store to buy the patterns. I finally stumbled upon Studio Kat Designs, who has very easy-to-follow FREE Pattern! I immediately downloaded it and printed it out, along with a few others. The others were very technical and not quite right. But Studio Kat made it look so easy with her many diagrams and clear language.

Sunday morning, I pulled fabric (don’t you LOVE this dotted batik fabric?!), started cutting it to the template sizes on the pattern. Within an hour, I had two passport/ticket holders. They are seen to the left and right. Now, I can’t leave anything without making my mark on it. The pattern calls for bias tape wherever you see the black (except the cording!). I don’t use bias tape. So, I satin stitched the edges on my sewing machine. I also used eyelets for the cording.

I hope my mother-in-law likes this as much as I enjoyed making it.

Now off to do some more creating!

Since I’ve been back, I’ve been working hard on some gifts I’m making this year. The first, which is finished, I completed yesterday. It’s a cellphone pouch and a bookmark. Both are quilted and collaged with vintage kimono fabric. My aunt is an avid reader and I hope she enjoys these gifts. Check out the flickr set for closer looks at the individual pieces.

I’ve also been making more totes. I want to thank the fabulous nurses and staff at the infusion center where I have my treatments each month. They have been so fabulous to me and to all of their patients. Last year I brought them a plate of special bakery treats. But this year, I wanted to do something more personal. So I’m working on totes for each of them. Last night, while talking with my husband about them, he asked me to do one for another member of his team who we’d initially wanted to give a cell phone pouch to. However, he saw these and wants me to do a tote. So, I’m in sewing land! Not a bad place to be! I’ll share as I finish them.

Now, back to my sewing machine!

Today, that meant sewing. I took some of the pouches I had ready to sew and I finished those up. No. That’s not what you’re seeing to the left. I haven’t photographed those yet. I’ll do that and get them up along with the photos from the rest of the weekend.

You are seeing my first tote. I had so much fun creating this tote. I have been looking for a way to use my sewing with my paintings to create something that I can share.

I’m planning on using this tote this weekend to show the artist in me at the opening. I’ll make more when I return, if there’s an interest in them…

I’m happy to say that Shirley is happy with the pouch. I will be sending it out tomorrow on my way in to my treatment.

Yes, folks, it’s time for my every-four-weeks infusion of the medications that keep my immune system in check, preserving my balance and my hearing. So, keeping my vertigo at bay in time for Art Unraveled is certainly worth the vertigo I’ve had the past two evenings. And yes, this means that I may be a bit less energetic and productive for the next few days, but I am so excited to be seeing my dear friends and to be doing art with them. Lots of girlie arty fun is ahead next week.

So for now, back to creating!