Bag it Abstract

Just playing around in my studio as usual,  my inspiration was stirred today by the music I was playing.


The first piece is a bag that I just had to paint, then letter and sew for my notes to the universe. This piece needs some embellishment, a tag, and whatever else I think of before I added my notes.

This second piece is an abstract in which only the background was done. At the time I completely lost my inspiration and direction.  It's been hanging on my wall for several months, awaiting my inner courage to arise and conquer the fear, while slaying away the negative thoughts.  Today, I was empowered to be free and open to new possilblities deep within myself.  Yes, I know it's a little dramatic, but what fun to have such lofty ideas floating around in my mind.  I will say that I was inspiring to reach beyond my fear of messing it up.

It's time to get back to work. Don't worry, I'll show you the completed piece.

Your Creative Friend
Susan

The Creative Connection

Well, I'm sure most of you have read "Where Women Create" and maybe even "Where Women Cook"!!  This September it's time for "The Creative Connection," 3 days of jam pack information that will motive, educate and inspire each individual that attends.  It goes without saying, I would love to attend this conference!!!!!!  In BLOGHER HANDMADE, women will learn about: social media, building community, growing your reach, using technology, creative bloggers, craft + money, and craft, passion, and sustainability.

I'm send out good vibes to the universe in hopes that I will win the 2 tickets, so I can take my little sister, who is an amazing doll maker.  We have never attended an event like this one, and probably never will due to the distance and cost, so dear Fairy Godmother spinkle some magic fairy dust in our direction.

If you have been on the fence about going,  do it, just go.  If I could I would have purchased my ticket as soon as registration was open.

DREAM BIG!!!!!!!!!!!!!

your creative friend
Susan

Decorative Bali Lantern Workshop

Decorative Bali Lantern Workshop

On Saturday, I had the pleasure of teaching how to make a Decorative Bali Lantern which is fashioned after the Balinese lanterns made for celebrations.  The twist is in the material used to make the lantern.  My student, Kristen graduated from college with an art degree, and is now teaching art to high school students.  So this was a time for Kristen to explore and be inspired and possibly teach this to her students in the future.  After talking about products, materials and doing some demonstrations, it was time for Kristen to work.  In this workshop, I gave Kristen the option to make a large or small lantern.

 demonstration with a smile

Kristen working on her background

Kristen lettering her panels 

Kristen's lantern panels

One happy student!  Love It!!

Here are a couple of lanterns I recently completed.  This quote is all mine!!!

It's also fun to make triangle shape lanterns

This is the lantern that was published in Somerset Studio Magazine

In closing, I would like to thank my dear teacher Lisa Engelbrecht for the inspirational video.

Your Creative Friend

Susan

What's New in the Studio

As I promised, I'm sharing one of the projects I'm working on in the studio.  The piece below was about to receive the finishing touches when I noticed the error I made. 

OMG.......I HAD LEFT OUT A WORD........A CALLIGRAPHERS WORST NIGHTMARE.

Back to the drawing board, and unfortunately I managed to get ink spots on the next 2 attempts.

This is a small corner of my work table, my original pieces is in the bottom right hand corner, above it is  the one missing a word, the center piece is ready for me to paint.  

My final attempt included inspiration from the previous attempts. All painted and ready for the next step, so I'm going back to work now to complete this pieces.


Alright, here it is completed.

powered by creativity

Susan

Birdhouses

 I recently stopped by JoAnn Fabrics looking for inspiration and some fabric.  Just outside the store I noticed this large basket with wooden birdhouses for sale.  They looked so cute, just plain wooden birdhouses waiting for someone with some creativity to scope them up.  My creative juices began to flood my head with the possibilities on how to enhance these birdhouses,  So naturally I had to claim a few for myself.  

  The front is left blank for the new owners names and maybe a special date.  

powered by creativity  

susan

Celebrations In Our Lives

Wow, so much has happened since the last time I posted.  My life has been packed with so much recently. Beginning with our daughters 8th grade dance and the her promotion to freshman! Next I went on a trip to Boston to see my brother. Upon my return I volunteered to work the band banquet for my son Jacob.  Next came the our twin boys graduation from Hight School.  Family came into town for both the promotion and graduation.  It's been a whirlwind of activities, laughter, happiness and love.  An AMAZING time in our lives that we will always treasure.  I'd like to share some of those moments with photographs.


Sarah's 8th Grade Dance

Boston

In Boston I was thrilled to tour Chihuly's work at the Museum of Fine Art.  I attended the First Friday Art Show. I also went to Symphony Hall and saw the Boston Symphony Orchestra and the chorus, which my brother has been part of for years, perform "Romeo et Juliette".  The picture below is Copley Square, the tulips were in bloom!  I saw China Town, Fenway Park, Isabella Stewart Gardners Museum and did some shopping on Newbury Street.

 I ♥ Boston.

Band Banquet

 I designed the gift tags and certificates for the senior class band members.  The music notes were found on Etsy.  I painted them black, drilled a hole and added the year, which was in the gift bag each one received.  The banquet was enjoyed by all that attended, including my son, a senior, and my daughter who will be a freshman in the band next year.

CLASS OF 2011

                            

 Alex and Jacob after graduations and the cake for their party.

   

I write this blog today with tears in my eyes, I'm so excited and so proud of our children and completely in awe of everything we've accomplished over the years.  I have to thank my husband, who is a ROCK STAR,  he always keeps me centered (not an easy job, trust me)!  I'm thankful for all the family and friends who shared in the celebrations. 

 Powered by Love

Susan

Face In A Dream

I had a very moving dream the other night. In it I had a vision of a woman, I felt her beauty and her strength. At first, I tried to capture it with a sketch but, I found myself having to paint her to pull more of the dream out of my head.  My mission was to find a way to express what I saw in my dream because dreams are so fleeting.  I am experiencing artistic angst trying to capture the emotion in her eyes.  I hope to complete her sometime this week.  

Have a wonderful Sunday. 

xx

susan