Taking one day at a time

While at Freedom Park in Charlotte this past week,
I wiled away the evening sketching what I saw in front of me.....

and watching a bit of baseball practice.
Thanks Jane LaFazio for giving me the confidence to sketch and watercolor.

Jane LaFazio Workshop

It is true! We can draw and we can watercolor!
The results were amazing and unbelievable
even after our very first exercise.
This one on top was created by Donna
from Asheville and she had never watercolored
at all, ever before this class.
This was a very interesting exercise toward the
end of the day focusing on "man made" products for inspiration.

This is all the work from our first exercise as we
gathered together and shared our thoughts on our work.
Jane LaFazio brought beautiful fruits, veggies and gourds for us
to sketch so each of us got to try several different things.
As you can see from the photo, the results were amazing.

Tiny creations filled with love...

When I was in Blowing Rock, these little bottles kept calling to me
and asking me to make something happen with these. Little words
on the outside of the glass were inevitable but figuring out how to
create the "top" was an ever lingering problem.
hmmm NO cork. So what? Who needs a stinkin' cork?
So, what to do? Needless to say, my supplies were limited, being
at a remote location. Hmmm. Then I found a penny size circle of
copper mesh. Ah Ha! Form it over the top of the bottle to create a
little lid and then Louise suggested that we put a head pin through
the mesh, add a bead and a loop de loop for a ribbon or chain.
The process began in creating more of these little gems, especially
finding the right words for the label. Those National Geographic magazines
have some amazing words like, barren, lifeless, 113 oxen, imagine, and
on and on and on.... Oh what fun!

Why would one go to Cincinatti?

It was an unexpected stop over but after
finding out that the Chicago Cubs were in Cincinnati
playing the Reds last weekend, there
was no other choice but to stop there for the game.

Yes, I am a baseball fan, born into a family of
baseball players and baseball fanatics
just outside Chicago, and there is no
place that I would rather be.... well
maybe no other place.
(let's see, the beach, a great big pool somewhere by the beach....)


After the game we realized that there was much more to
Cincinnati than we thought.
First stop, the Cincinnati Museum
at Union Terminal
Originally built in 1933 as the Union Terminal train station, the building was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1977. Union Terminal stands on a prominent location one mile northwest of the city center. Visitors approach the 10-story, arched, limestone and glass facade of the building from the east through a quarter-mile plaza. The dome is flanked on either side by curving wings. An illuminated fountain, cascade and pool lie in the foreground center. On either side of the main doors, Maxfield Keck's bas-relief figures symbolize Commerce and Transportation. In the late 1980s, the building was renovated and then reopened as Cincinnati Museum Center in 1990. It was recently named one of the top 50 architecturally significant buildings in America by the American Institute of Architects.

It's real close to i-75 so if you need a little break in the middle
of your travels stop in, poke your toes in the pool

out front and wander in the terminal
for an amazing visit.

Come see us at Create in Chicago

Yes, that's right! Random Arts is "taking it" to the Windy City...

Chicago, Illinois, my hometown.

My kind of town, Chicago is....
My kind of town!
And it's gets even better with
the Cloth, Paper, Scissors Art Retreat
in Rosemont, (near O'Hare Airport) on Aug 25th - 29th.

Random Arts will be there in full color
selling our
"Assorted Goods for Creative Mindfulness".
See us there on Friday, August 27th
from 6-9 when the vendor faire
opens for 3 full hours.

You will find our booth
filled with beautiful, recycled, silk ribbons, "metalluscious" copper mesh,

one of a kind "bingo birds", colorful Batik Bundles,

Metal Works Assemblage packets,


Cityscape Book kits,
Photo Charm Kits, Wings, Mica, InkJet Transfers,

Wholey Paper, Random Arts Exclusive Stencils,
and much, much more.

Stop by and see us at the Rosemont Hilton
5550 N. River Road in Rosemont, IL

Thanks Asheville. . .

Seeing all my creative muse, art friends again
was such an inspiration. All of you are so
busy, filling your days with creative adventures.
I so loved hearing about your newest
ideas and projects.

Each of you bring back so many delightful memories
of our times together on Main Street in Saluda.
We did have a great time feeding each other
with our artful thoughts, critiques and laughter.

If one of us were stuck, someone was always there
to assist us in figuring it out... and we DID figure it out.

With little bits of "blingy" inspiration
we got to where we needed to be.

Thank you girls for all that you have given me.

It's as simple as 1,2,3

W o v e n B o o k W o r k s h o p


(a beginner to advanced workshop
no prior experience with fabric necessary)

August 11th,
10-3

BEFORE
•Simply weaving strips of fabric to start the process

DURING
• Simply stitching the strips together forming a "new" fabric

AFTER
• A stitch here, a stitch there, a little "scorching", distressing
and embellishing....

Voila' ! ! !
A dramatic, elegant, utterly unique, one of a kind
Woven Book
FYI* You might even want to use this technique
to create a handbag, satchel or collage elements.

You can complete this book in our all day workshop
here at the new studio on August 11th
for only $40.
We include a pre-made Italian text book block,
forming materials, overlays, & instructions
.
All you need is colorful, cotton fabric strips, fibers, ribbons &
embellishments of your choice.

All this for only $40.
Pre-registration is required.

(a beginner to advanced workshop no prior experience with fabric necessary)

Sewing machine optional but helpful to bring if you have one.

The big event in Asheville

FREE GIFT WITH PURCHASE
at our booth at the
Biltmore Square Mall
•••

We are only a few short days away from the

big Quilt Show and Mixed Media event
in Asheville, NC this next weekend... Aug 6, 7, 8.

The Quilt Show is at the NC Arboretum
but.......

Random Arts, & 16 other vendors
are just minutes
away via a convenient shuttle
at the
Biltmore Square Mall.•
(north end of the mall by Dillards)

Easy access to our space and you can shop
in air conditioned comfort
with us and other quilt/fabric shops.


You will see everything from bookbinding supplies,
to gorgeous ribbons in a rainbow of colors,
to rusting and textural products to
amazing photo transfer techniques.

Join Jen and I at the show this next weekend
and don't forget to ask to see our FREE demonstrations
during the show.

Whimsies are rocking it!

These beautiful Whimsies
continue to amaze me.
This one was created by
Kristi Steiner using
batiks, sparkly fibers
and a rhinestone button.

In order to make it quick and easy
we have prepared "Whimsie" kits
that include 3 graduated sizes
that can add layers of fun and texture,
a pin back and a trio of velvet leaves.
All you need is silk ribbons, fibers
or luscious fabrics plus
the creative urge to "wow"
the crowd.

Who is KC Willis?

K.C. is best known for her Collage Camps that she holds online with students from around the world as well as her studio workshops in Colorado. People travel from near and far to take workshops from her and learn the story telling that surrounds each piece.


Her work has been featured in galleries across the globe and in all the popular publications including Somerset. A video was filmed a few years ago when she lived in Santa Fe by a crew from HGTV and it is a good piece that shows how fabric can carry a house and you can make your own unique fabric art using transferred images and words.

Why all this about K.C. Willis?

Because, she is coming to Saluda to teach a 2 day workshop on October 22nd and 23rd titled

" Textured Legacies".

We'll create a piece using a cherished family photo and making it look worn and wonderful using her techniques for aging and layering. K.C.'s classes are as much about inspiration as they are technique. You will leave the class full of technical know-how, but flying high from the motivation that she delivers through storytelling. You will also learn to "listen" to the people on their photo and let them help create the piece.

This is a great opportunity to be in the presence of such a talented artist. We are all looking forward to this big event with KC.
Why come to a workshop when you can do an online class?

First of all, it's more fun to get out of the house

2nd - the inspiration that you absorb in a classroom setting ROCKS!

3rd - having the instructor front and center to answer questions ....well, that answers that!

4th - the relationships that are formed with other likeminded women is second to none.

5th - Ever hear of the "quilting bee"? It's an opportunity to be with your friends and get away from the everyday chores.

6th - you get to meet KC and have more fun than if you stayed home.

7th - Random Arts is opening it's doors to you and inviting you into their new studio space.

8th - Great food from the Saluda Grade Cafe for lunch
•••••••••••••••
Check out KC's blog to see more of her work

Register by email.
Workshop dates: Oct. 22nd and 23rd
Cost: $265
Includes: 2 full days of instruction, continental breakfast in the studio, catered lunch and afternoon snacks.

Junkman visits Saluda

With his handcrafted " steel guitar" in
hand, our friend Jeff from Chicago
shows off his latest creation.
Though an unconventional wedding gift
for his niece, we both thought this
would be the best gift ever.
Leave it to Jeff to come up with something like this.
Way to go!!!

Saturday morning in Saluda at Ward's Grill.
Newly opened and back in the hands of
it's rightful owners, The Grill food was
at it's finest and honestly, I forgot
how good that homemade sausage really was!

See you on Aug 6th, 7th & 8th

In Asheville, NC

at the
Rotary Club Mixed Media Sale & Show along with the Quilt Show at the Biltmore Square Mall


Fri and Sat 9-5
Sun. 10-5
(North end of the mall near Dillards)

Just some of what you will see at our booth

Vintage spools of ribbons to tempt the senses...


to rusty patinas and finishes



to photo transfers and copper mesh,
stencils, organic mica sheets,


found objects, batiks,
and ongoing demonstrations

This was our booth in Concord, NC this past May.

A few weeks ago I attended an "unveiling"
of stained glass triptych
that was created by Nancy Gruber of Saluda.
She was commissioned by Savannah Canfield
(our beloved bookbinding teacher)
to create a 3 part piece for a door in her home
along with 2 side lights.

Needless to say it is one of many amazing works of art
on Savannah's property,
Savannah is quite proud of her gardens, plantings,
decks, dining areas and seating areas.

About 30 people attended that event
in the early evening hours that started with
tasty hors d'oeuvres, and sparkly libations.

The Artist of the evening, Nancy Gruber
told those gathered of her process, some of the
technical difficulties of creating a piece that large
and her extreme delight in the finished piece.
Nancy was glowing with happiness
as she thanked everyone for complimenting her beautiful work.

I know that I can do it!

These are just a few of Jane LaFazio's journal pages that she is
sharing with us on her blog.
I have been afraid of drawing ever since I can remember
thus the reason for my start in rubber stamping.

After I saw what Kristi had to say about Jane LaFazio's workshop
in Italy, I decided that I CAN DO IT TOO!!!!
So, needless to say, I am going to take this workshop too.
She makes it look so easy and from what Kristi said, the beginners
were wildly excited about their results.

Just think of what I can add to my journals now... From a bird, to a flower, to my garden plants,
to.... a simple leaf that has fallen from a tree.
Jane LaFazio! I am ready for you to show me the way to simple sketching for my journal.

the colors of summer

Whenever I tell friends or acquaintances
that I don't decorate or have style in my house
they always seem quite surprised.
The more I think about it the more I realize that
my decorating is the outside of my house - in my garden.
The feeling of more latitude of expression seems
to be first and foremost when I am in my garden.
For instance, this old plastic pot was just
a boring terra cotta color but once I added the
pop of "wine grape purple" it became a work of
art, especially with all of my plants and flowers.

I have fallen for that color "wine grapes" and have used it
in many more places around my yard including
my clothesline poles,

the garden shed door, the pump house door, the
flower box and .... probably lots more before I am done.

That's where my summer creativity has been focused
and that's where I am finding escape from the heat,
and it's where I am finding inner peace.... usually with a paint brush in my hand.