Buckman

A couple more new garden balls headed to the Buckman Show and Sell this weekend.
For all the details go here. I'm really excited, it sounds like it should be a fun one!

Yard Garden and Patio Show

You can find these new garden balls in Portland this weekend at the Yard, Garden and Patio show at the Convention center. I'll be there all weekend along with my fellow Cracked Pots Artists. Go here for all the info!

Last weekend I picked up a copy of 1000 Ideas for Creative Reuse by Garth Johnson.

I was super excited to see that both, my spoon mirror and my marble 8 ball were included.

It was really cool to see the projects from lots of other Portlanders, and especially fellow Trillium Artisans.

Speaking of Trillium Artisans....this Saturday from 11:00am - 4:00pm is the annual holiday sale at the store (9119 SE Foster) as well as Trillium's 10th anniversary. If you are in Portland check it out for some great holiday deals, 20% off everything in the store.

Our house has been taken down with the flu, and recovery has been slow. Not the best timing, but gladly we are all on the mend.
These pictures are of a few mirrors I made for the upcoming holiday shows using Italian smalti glass. I bought the glass at SCRAP a couple years ago, and put it away. I was a bit intimidated by it, but now am hooked. I love it, and love these mirrors. My favorite one sold before I got a good picture.

The holiday show season officially starts for me this weekend. If you are in Portland and looking to start your holiday shopping, be sure to check these out.

Now through Dec 23rd "Little Treasures" at the Sidestreet Gallery.

Saturday,
and lastly in Olympia, Friday the grand opening of Matter.
Have a lovely weekend everyone, I am off to think healthy thoughts.

I had the chance to take the boys on an last minute trip to Washington DC last week, and I jumped at it. We had a great time, and had our fill of museums. The weather was perfect for sight seeing, and walking everywhere.
It was great to get away, but now I am in serious catch up mode. As soon as I tackle the laundary and finish unpacking, I'll be back with some actual craftiness to share.

Classes

I took an encaustic painting class this week. For fun, and it was, lots. I also taught my last mosaic class at the DIY lounge. I'm sad to see the classes end, but looking forward to seeing the new direction Jen takes it. I've been working on an email list for future classes. I'm debating on trying to teach them at my home studio, which is pretty small, or looking to find a new space. If you are someone who has emailed me before about classes and never got a chance to take one, or are just interested in mosaic classes, send me another email, and I'll add you to my mailing list.

What I did on my summer vacation

I didn't intend to be gone from this space for so long, but with so much constantly going on around here, something had to give. I guess the blog it was....

Anyway, since my last post so much has gone on that I didn't have the time to write about. Today I am posting the abbreviated version, and planning to be back here more regularly.


+Cracked pots was great. A lot busier than I expected....looking forward to doing that again next summer.
+Took two trips to the midwest without kids. One for fun. One for a funeral, sad, but really good to see family that I haven't seen in so long.
+Successfully grew a garden. Froze a bunch, and tried pickling for the first time.
+Said goodbye to our sweet springer spaniel Porter.
+Hung out at the pool a lot.
+Went on the best family vacation. Camping, canoeing, hiking, swimming, hot springs, staying in an old rustic cabin for a few days and playing more yatzee and uno than ever I thought
possible.
+Taught a bunch of mosaic classes.
+Our volvo "died" on a mountain, without cell service, not fun.
+Spent the better part of a week test driving minivans. Bought one. Love it.
+Had lots of out of town visitors.
+Spent a few days at the beach.
+Attended a couple art shows as a shopper.
+Got two boys ready for school. That's right 2!!
+Brought my work to a new store in Olympia, which is off to a great start.
+Finished 3 quilts and a couple custom orders.
+Planned another school art sale. So much work, and it's not over yet.

I'm sure there is more I could write about, but don't want to bore you anymore with all the details. I have lots to tell in the crafting department, but will have to be back for that...