food pyramid

candy corn:  the official food pyramid for halloween.  enjoy!

book report

yesterday, i found myself in one of those "creative slumps".  when that happens, this book by sara midda is one of my go-to standby's...i find this book to be a masterpiece in creativity and imagination.  every time i look through this book, i notice something new.  "In and Out of the Garden" took sara three years to complete, and that in itself is a lesson to me in pure determination and dedication.  here is sara's own description of her book: "This book is a potpourri of garden lore.  Here are summer days of raspberry picking, swarms of bees laden with pollen, peas ripe for podding, herbs for flavouring.  Every page, including the text, has been hand painted.  Dip into it for recipes, poems, proverbs and garden thoughts."  you can take a peek into this book here...enjoy!

project: empty basket

i love to shop for art supplies.  i could easily spend hours in one store just looking at everything.  there's so much to see!  once i reach that point of "overload", i know that it's time to head to the check-out counter.

the only problem with buying the supplies, is that i don't always use the supplies as quickly as i should.  so...i have baskets that are overflowing with goodies that are anxiously waiting to be put towards a fun project.  

so, i'm bound and determined to empty that basket of supplies, and here's my first project: a simple book using two pieces of chipboard covered with scrapbook paper, a flower embellishment for the front, rub ons, and ribbon to hold it together.  the pages inside are also a piece of scrapbook paper that have been cut into individual pages.  this paper is made by fancy pants, and is double sided so it's perfect for bookmaking.  you can find it here at two peas in a bucket.  but try not to buy too much because your supply baskets might start looking like mine!

thanks michelle!

i was so excited to discover that elvie studio was mentioned on cute little michelle's blog, "so much time, so little to do..."!  this has really made my day!  i've met so many wonderful people through my blog and etsy, and i'm so thankful for all of you who check in with me!  you can visit michelle at her blog here...she is recovering from gall bladder surgery and has shared some wonderful get well cards that her friends and family have made for her.  she also has some sweet artwork that her children have created!  and i especially love this fun pumpkin card that she made using rubber stamps and other fun stuff!  thanks again, michelle!

gwen weaver workshop

i had a GREAT time this past weekend in orlando with all of my lettering buddies at a pointed pen workshop taught by calligrapher gwen weaver.  i can best describe gwen's work using just one word:  FAB-U-LOUS!  here is a photo of her using one of her favorite esterbrook nibs as she gives us a demo...and there's my very cute friend martha looking on!

here is an example of the beautiful, delicate letterforms that gwen creates, using a nib with a point the size of a straight pin!

here's me and gwen after two wonderful days of lettering, laughter and fun!  after all these years, my heart still skips a beat when i see beautiful letterforms.  and, i just love being with others who feel the same way.  with the convenience of computer fonts, it would be easy to completely abandon the twenty years of blood, sweat and tears that i've put into this craft.  but as long as there are folks out there who share my love for the alphabet, calligraphy is alive and well!  thanks, gwen...please come back soon!