Paper Retreat

Class sample: Bird Cage
I used the Martha Stewart edger for the bottom band.
I cut the strips from cardstock with the Martha Strewart fringe scissors.

Ornament Exchange

This year was great fun. here is the ornament I made for the exchange.

Paper Retreat Date Set

I will be teaching at the Scrap Happy Paper Retreat starting Friday night February 11 2011 the cost is $45 but includes a couple meals and lots of prizes. Loads of fun classes are offered and don't forget the free make and takes session Saturday night. Sign up now because it always gets booked up quick. for more info check the Scrap Happy link on the side panel.

close up

Here is a close up of the different ornaments we did.

star

Here is the close up of the star. I did the points of the star. Melinda did the middle for both sides. We put it together at the last moment after working on our parts without seeing one another's work. You can see the stars I made and the birds I did in this pic too. 11 birds and 8 stars.

won a ribbon

Mike and I went to the Festival of Trees display this weekend. We saw all the great trees and wreaths but came around to the tree I helped put together to find it had won a ribbon!

Best Craftsmanship

Very pleased.

Festival of Trees

I have partnered with my friend Melinda to put together a tree for the Festival of Trees. Held at the Great Wolf Lodge Grand Mound, over thanksgiving weekend, this charity auction benefits Providence Centralia Hospital. Melinda made the origami and I made 3-D quilled birds and some woven stars. We joined our talents to top the tree with a star featuring both paper arts. Check out the link to see the trees and maybe even bid on one.

Classes in November at Scrap Happy

Check Scrap Happy link at the side of the page. A snowflake on Thursday the 11th and a comb angel on Tuesday the 16th. Visit the shop to see class samples. Seating is limited so reserve your seat now.

Christmas inventory at the Tea House

I will have Christmas inventory at the Porcelian Rose starting this weekend! Mostly ornaments for now but check back often for more new treasures for that special someone on your list.

ARTrails Gala Tonight

Check the link to Artrails for time and place. There will be plenty of music, food and art all for your pleasure. Meet the artists and pick up your tour guide then vote on your favorite piece. Looks like it will be a good weekend to jump in the car and take in the tour. Pick your favorite studios and watch artists at work. Many of the items on my blog will be for sale. Hope to see you along the trail.

side view

paper shoe

Marie Antoinette would have loved this shoe but this one is made of paper. The blue "lace" is paper and the front tongue is quilled with pearl papers and yes even the peacock feather is quilled. The edge treatment for the feather is a combination of verdigris and platinum ink to give a natural iridescent shimmer. I found the buttons, lace and strung glass beads. In the upper picture you can just see the glass heal made fron a mini box knob. you can watch a video and download a template to make your own shoe...Thanks Terri!

high price of framing

This struggle has been going on for some time. Do I use a cheap frame so the customer is paying for the quilling not the frame? This does not present a professional product and your quilling, no matter how beautiful, is bound to suffer. That takes us back to a proper frame and a large expense for the customer. Unless you have personally priced the cost of framing, you can not see why art can be so expensive..."it's only paper" I heard one lady say while looking at my work.
What to do? I buy A7+ card blanks. This is slightly larger than 5X7 (standard size frame) I don't put any text on the front of my cards and on the back I have a label that reads: "suitable for framing" You pay for only the quilling and you can frame it any way you like. You end up with a price on your cards that your work deserves and knowing that your art is not viewed as "disposable" makes me happy. So make those beautiful cards and charge a proper price but be sure to use a high end card sleeve and include a business card too.

Thoughts of Autumn

Have you ever got carried away and have your design blossom into an overblown creation? Well that's what happened here. It was to be a simple tag but now it will require a shadow box frame. Oh well maybe simple just wasn't on my mind. Anyway enjoy.

Location set for Artrails

I will be at the Still Water Estates in Centralia for Artrails this year. Several other artist will be there too. The third and fourth weekend in September. I will have framed pieces, Christmas ornaments, 3-D work such as boxes and journals, and cards. I will also be doing quilling demonstrations all day on all four days. Check the side panel for more info.

Christmas in July?

It has begun. I am working on Christmas items both for Artrails and the tea shop. Have you started your Christmas cards?
This is an ornament about 5 inches in diameter. It has no backing so the back of it had to be as neat and clean as the front. There are ASL, Wheatear, marquise, teardrop, tight coil, V scroll, and heart scroll. There are five shades of red and just as many shades of green. I used both 1/8 and 1/16 inch wide strips. The candle is fill work.

Visit to Victoria

Just got back from visiting with the Victoria Canada quilling group. What a great group. Claire Choi demonstrated her mums and carnations then showed us how to make one of her beautiful butterflies. I also got to Visit the Sooke Regional Museum and see Jenny Matthews show.

Quilling Supplies at Scrap Happy

I am so excited to announce Scrap Happy in Longview WA is now stocking great quilling supplies: Paplin paper packs, several really good quilling books, tools including 45 and 90 degree metal fringers and crimpers, several different rolling tools, and some kits too. Click at the side panel for her blog. My first beginner's class is coming in May.

Spring is here!

Available now at the Porcelain Rose Tea Shop: New Spring, Easter and Mother's Day cards in pretty spring colors all suitable for framing. I have been inspired by my yard and all the spring bulbs popping up. For more information, go to the post on the tea shop in December 2009.

grape rolls

I have been working on grape roll shapes and struggling with smooth even shapes. Here comes another cross over tool. Blending stumps. I bought a variety pack and my shapes are consistently shaped into smooth even design elements. This design used graduated papers from Paplin.

New tool

I love how most of the hobbies I enjoy have cross-over tools. My cutting tools for quilting have been a big help. Now I have discovered a new tool. My hair dresser friend uses her cuticle tool from her mani/pedi kit. I was having trouble getting the look I wanted with my bunny ear shapes and after using the tool, I can control the shapes beautifully time and again. I can also use the angular flat end to push my tight peg layers into a smooth flat peg. I am finding that I am grabbing the tool for arranging coils into tight placed too. I would say my $.29 tool was worth every penny not to mention my cuticles are getting more attention now too.

ArTrails

I just received notification of a successful jury into ArTrails for another year. This will be my third year at ArTrails. Check out the website at the side of the page. I don't know yet where I will be on the tour as it changes from year to year. This is one of the pieces I sent in. The sweet peas are coffee filter paper which gave them a crepe texture. It is now for sale at the Porcelain Rose Tea Shop. Come see me the third or fourth weekend in September.

Featured Artist

I will be one of the featured artist for the Broadway Gallery in Longview WA (check side panel) for the month of May. I will be in the Heritage Room. A reception is planned and will be part of the First Thursday event for May. Come join the fun with music, wine and appetizers. I will have Mother's Day cards and more.