Nesting

Here are the two hooked birds. Not really nesting, just hanging out in our front yard. I re-did the beaks after looking at them on the last blog post. It's funny how you can get a different perspective of your work looking at a photograph. Still need to do the leg part, maybe later today.

Two new birds

 Hooked up these two birds the last few nights. A fat robin and a bluebird. Still need to be sewn and stuffed and get some fun legs and feet or shoes. A project for tomorrow.

 On Easter day we took a drive over to Zaca Lake. I hadn't been there for over 30 years so it was a special treat to see that it looked just the same as I remembered. This area has been a sacred and spiritual place  for the Chumash Indians for 13,000 years and now is a rustic resort that holds retreats in the wooden cabins.

 We drove around the lake to look at the cabins and then took a hike all around the lake. It's an easy walk because the lake is small, but it is the only natural lake in Santa Barbara county. We saw deer, rabbits and lots of birds.

 Before our excursion to Zaca Lake we had Justin's Easter egg hunt. The cats had to help him out as he searched under the big rocks and in the vines and secret hiding places my husband and I  came up with.

 One of my hiding places....

and finally he found them all!

Happy Easter everyone!

 Wishing you all a Happy Easter! I put a few of my Easter goodies outside just for fun!

We hid 33 eggs for our son, Justin this morning. The sun is coming out now after a damp and gray morning. Now we are planning on going to Zaca Lake for our picnic and hike. Hope you all have a lovely day.

Earth Day walk

 Here's my latest hooked rabbit just in time for Easter.
 And in honor of Earth Day here are some photos of the flowers (and horse) that I greet on my daily walks up here in the mountains.

 Shooting stars, one of my favorites! We have lots this year.

 This is Ranger, a horse with attitude. I feed him carrots every day and he can tell if I still have one in my pocket.

Hope you have a wonderful day!
Planning on taking a picnic hike at Jalama or Figueroa Mountain with my boys after our Sunday Easter egg hunt and brunch.

Silkscreen Visual Journal

 Here's the silkscreen journal I made at Artfest. Now I need to actually use it! Maybe paint some of the pages and do some collage work and try to take it with me everywhere I go.

 Here is the inside and another print I made with different ink.

I also made a quick print of a little owl. I am loving this simple way to do silkscreens. Much easier than the ones I did in college. I want to try and make some labels for my rug hooked critters using this method. I will let you know how it works. First I need to get the supplies to make some new screens and check out the local art stores for the right ink.

Playing possum...

One of my neighbors up here in the mountains does a lot of animal rescue work. She asked me to make a couple of possums for a friend who takes care of possums and was getting an award for her contributions to animal rescue work also. Here are the two critters that I hooked up for her-my first possums!
They both have pink tails but it is a little hard to see them in this photo.

After Artfest I had to jump right in and start working at our Plumbing-Hardware store 3 days a week. Due to the economy we had to let go of some employees and the boys and I need to take up the slack. I mostly work at the register due to my lack of plumbing expertise. It's a 50 minute drive each way but it is along the beautiful Pacific Ocean so I don't mind. But I do find I need a nap when I get home!

Rug hooking workshop at Artfest

 Our workshop mascot for the day was this sweet little needle felted sheep made by Victoria below.
We had such a great group gathered for the hooking workshop. Everyone made completely unique houses plus a winged heart and fun green bird.

 Slow and steady, Victoria's house is taking shape. She also gave everyone in the class a handmade book and I added some more fun places to visit in San Francisco.

 Wow! I don't know how she did it! The first completed work in class and so fun. Her art students are sure to enjoy her fiber art hooking classes!

 Loving this bird! I brought several patterns besides the little houses to play with. So glad this green birdie showed up.

 The beginning stages of a great little house. Love the "owl" letters. The black strips at the top are our practice strips.

 Ellen and Francie liked the natural light coming in from the windows and kept us all entertained with good music.

 Love how the colors mixed in the roof area here and the greenery at the lower edge.

 Isn't this fun?! Love how the little chimney peeks out from the roof and the fun mix of wools.

Another happy hooker! A fun little house with a heart....

What a great day we all had. Loved spending the day with such wonderful women. As Deanne Fitzpatrick says, once you have hooked at least one piece you can teach someone how to hook. Everyone jumped right in and started their piece and most actually finished up their designs in one days work and they all came out so beautifully whimsical and fun.

To Artfest and beyond...

 We all had such a wonderful time at Artfest this year! I am still absorbing all the things I learned and unpacking my bags of supplies too. One of our first stops on the way up was at a great fabric store called "Quiltz". The above piece was stitched by Carol, who helped us out in the store. She had taken a Sue Spargo workshop like Syd, Barbara, and Colleen.

 Of course we had to visit "Websters" and check out all their beautiful yarns and roving.

 Just down the block we were surprised to see Anahata's new store had just opened. Such beautiful colors, textures and delightful goodies filled the store to the brim. We both had to purchase some new things for our journey.

 Syd, Anahata, and me in her wonderful store in Ashland, Oregon.

 Another favorite stop is "Fabric of Vision". The owner finds the best fabrics, things we don't see anywhere else. Great linens and cool things from Japan...always fun to check out.

 After our overnight stay in Portland we headed on up to Seattle to stay with LE, Syd's daughter. She lives around the corner from Maxine's, another of our favorite stops. It is a magical place with live birds tweeting and giant crepe paper flowers everywhere...plus mushrooms, jewelry, cards, scarves, slippers and dolls.

 LE took us to Molly Moon's-the best handmade ice cream I have ever had! So delicious! I had salted caramel and balsamic strawberry....sooo good and highly recommended!

 On downtown to the Seattle Art Museum where we had tickets for the Nick Cave show. Not to be missed if is ever close to you! We got so many ideas and inspiration for making upcycled garments and bags for next Fall. Lots of other really cool stuff in the museum as well.

 Like this strange piece....

 Once we arrived at the Fort we were greeted by the "lady bug truck and trailor". The driver also wears lady bug attire...red and black polka dot hat and clothing.

 Had to take a photo of this sweet little dog wearing glasses. He was downtown Seattle.

 My first workshop was a silkscreen print on cloth for the cover of a handmade journal. This is a photo of the screen while I was working on it. Will show a completed journal in a day or two.
 A really great class. I loved the silk screen process and can see myself using it for lots of fun things.

 This is Michelle Allen our teacher. We shared a table in Judy Wise's class a few years ago and we helped each other out with supplies and ideas. Loved all her samples for the class and I think most of us actually finished our journal in the one day. Such a sweet spirit and incredible designer...enjoyed every minute of class.
The next day I took a caged doll making class with Tory Brokenshire and we were so busy that I forgot to take any photos! It was lots of fun too and I learned some new techniques that will come in handy soon for an upcoming art show.

 Vendor night was busy and we sold lots of our creations.. and it was nice to get to meet some of my students for the next day's workshop.

 All of the foxes found new homes and the little house pin cushions went fast too.

 One of the Artfest attendees....

 Had a moment to say Good bye to Teesha and thank her for a wonderful event.

Here is the house where we stayed, all seven of us.
Tomorrow I will post photos of my class and the fun things everyone hooked.